gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing security.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a board switch for a specific operation means administrator that can be operated by opening a door body, setting values in multiple stages, and a setting key switch, where a setting confirmation state is provided, the setting confirmation state is started when the setting key switch is turned on, and the setting confirmation state is terminated when the setting key switch is turned off. At least a game screen 703, a specific screen 705 indicating that a game state is the setting confirmation state, and a first management screen 701 can be displayed on display means. The first management screen 701 can be displayed on the display means when specific operation means is operated in the setting confirmation state. When the door body is closed while the first management screen 701 is displayed, the first management screen 701 can be hidden and the specific screen 705 can be displayed on the display means. When the setting key switch is turned off while the first management screen 701 is displayed, the first management screen 701 can be hidden and a predetermined screen 704 can be displayed on the display means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, gaming machines capable of displaying an administrator screen (administrator menu screen) that allows a hall manager to view various settings and maintenance inspection history are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-147806 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional gaming machines, the hall manager would sometimes continue to operate the machine with the manager screen displayed after various settings or maintenance inspections had been performed, which meant that various settings and history could be viewed by players, posing a security issue.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can improve security. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gaming machine according to the present invention comprises a door body, A detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the door body; and an image display means, wherein the gaming machine is but open It is in a state of The first state may be reached, and the gaming machine may but closure It is in a state ofThe gaming machine may enter a second state, and the gaming machine has a setting confirmation state in which the set setting value can be confirmed, the setting confirmation state is started when the setting key switch is changed from the third state to the fourth state, and the setting confirmation state is ended when the setting key switch is changed from the fourth state to the third state, and the gaming machine can transition through the setting confirmation state, and there is a second menu state in which a second item image of a management operation by an administrator is displayed on the image display means, and in the second menu state, the gaming machine enters the second state. When it comes to The display of the image display means is a second display, and the second menu state is a third state. When it comes to The display of the image display means is a third display, and the third display is a display different from the second display, and when the second menu state is changed to the third state, , while in the first state, the detection means corresponds to a closure detection. The gaming machine is characterized in that even in this state, the display on the image display means is the third display. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a gaming machine that can improve security can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the slot machine with the front door open. [Figure 3] 1 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit. [Figure 4] (a) A diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel (left reel, center reel, right reel) of the slot machine in a flat layout. (b) A diagram showing the types of winning combinations (including activated combinations), the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, and the activation or payout of each winning combination. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing by a main control unit. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a main control unit timer interrupt process. [Figure 7] (a) A flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU of the first sub-control unit, (b) A flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit, and (c) A flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit. [Figure 8] (a) A flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU of the second sub-control unit. (b) A flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit. (c) A flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit. (d) A flowchart of the image control processing of the second sub-control unit. [Figure 9] (a) An example of an administrator menu screen display. (b) An example of a hall menu screen display. (c) A schematic diagram showing an example of an operating means. (d) A schematic front view of a gaming machine. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are screen transition diagrams showing an example of display control in a display unit. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of a main control unit initial setting process in the main control unit main process. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a setting value change process in a main control unit initial setting process. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of a setting confirmation process. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart of a process during door opening. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition of a player menu screen. [Figure 16] 10 is an example of a volume setting value table. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a volume state display on a display means when setting the volume. [Figure 18] 10 is a time chart showing an example of a volume setting operation. [Figure 19] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the deployed state of the reels, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the stored state of the reels, and (c) is a display example of the reels stored screen. [Figure 20] This is a schematic diagram showing the storage and deployment of the special features. [Figure 21] This is a schematic diagram showing the storage and deployment of the special features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a gaming machine (a reel gaming machine such as a slot machine 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Overall structure> The slot machine 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] The payline indicator lamp 120 indicates which paylines 114 are active. The number of active paylines is 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 side payline and the upper right-hand side 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 side payline, and the upper right-hand side payline. Alternatively, the same number of paylines may be uniformly set as active paylines regardless of the number of bets.

[0014] The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that notifies the player that, for example, a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus) has been internally won in an internal lottery described below, or that a bonus game is 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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. 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.

[0022] <Inside the main body (casing)> FIG. 2 is a front view showing the slot machine 100 with the front door (door body) 102 open. The main body (cabinet) 101 is a box-shaped body surrounded by a top panel 261, a left side panel 260, a right side panel 260, a bottom panel 264, and a back panel 242, and is open at the front. Inside the main body 101, a main control board storage case 210 storing a main control board therein is disposed in a position that does not overlap with the ventilation opening 249 provided at the top of the back panel 242, and three reels 110 to 112 are disposed below this main control board storage case 210. To the side of the main control board storage case 210 and the reels 110 to 112, i.e., on the left side panel 260 as viewed from the front, a sub-control board storage case 220 storing a sub-control board therein is disposed. Also, on the right side panel 260, an external centralized terminal board 248 is attached, which is connected to the main control board and outputs information about the slot machine 100 to an external device.

[0023] The main body (casing) 101 is also provided with a setting key switch that can be switched on and off by rotating a setting key owned by the gaming facility manager. The setting key switch is an operating means for changing or checking the setting of the player's advantage level (e.g., six levels of advantage level, 1 to 6, or setting value) in the slot machine 100. The main body 101 is also provided with a setting changeover switch that can be pressed to change the setting (setting value change operation) or check the setting. This setting changeover switch is a switch for setting the setting value and also functions as an error reset switch that can be used to resolve various errors (error resolution operation), which will be described later. When a setting key is inserted into the setting key switch and turned 90 degrees clockwise, the setting key switch is turned on. When the setting key switch with the setting key inserted is turned 90 degrees counterclockwise and the setting key is removed, the setting key switch is turned off. These setting key switches and setting changeover switches can be operated by opening the front door 102, and are difficult or impossible to operate when the front door is closed (they are operating means that cannot be operated by the player).

[0024] 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 into a predetermined voltage, and supplies it to each control unit and device, such as the main control unit 300 and sub-control units 400 and 500, which will be described later. Furthermore, the power supply device 252 is provided with a power 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.

[0025] An auxiliary medal storage 240 is disposed on the right side of the medal payout device 180, and an overflow terminal (not shown) is disposed behind this. The power supply device 252 is provided with a power cord connector for connecting a power cord 265, and the power cord 265 connected to this connector extends to the outside through a power cord hole 262 opened in a back panel 242 of the main body 101.

[0026] The front door 102 is hinged to a side panel 260 on the left side of the main body 101 via a hinge device 276, and above the symbol display window 113 are provided a performance device 160, a performance control board (not shown) that controls the performance device 160, and an upper speaker 272. Below the symbol display window 113 are provided a medal selector 170 for sorting inserted medals, a passage 266 through which medals pass when the medal selector 170 drops illegal medals and the like into the medal tray 161, and the like. Furthermore, a low-frequency speaker 277 is provided at a position corresponding to the sound hole 181. Also, inside the front door 102 (in this example, around the performance device 160, etc.), is provided an operating means 600 that is located in a position that can be operated only when the front door (door body) 102 is in the open state, out of the closed and open states. The operation means 600 corresponds to, for example, a back knob (rotary switch) or a slide switch used by a manager (a store clerk or the like of a gaming parlor). In this example, by operating the operation means (back knob) 600, the manager (store clerk) can adjust various volumes output from the slot machine 100.

[0027] <Control unit> The circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 3. Note that Figure 3 shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

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

[0029] <Main control unit> First, we will explain the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100. The main control unit 300 is equipped with a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300, and this basic circuit 302 is equipped with a CPU 304, a ROM 306 for storing control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery for winning combinations, reel stop positions, etc., a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling the input and output of various devices, a counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, etc., and a WDT (watchdog timer) 314. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and RAM 308, and this also applies to the first sub-control unit 400 and second sub-control unit 500 described below.

[0030] The CPU 304 of this basic circuit 302 operates by receiving a clock signal with a predetermined cycle output by the crystal oscillator 315b as a system clock. Furthermore, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 304 at each interrupt time. The CPU 304 monitors the sensors and transmits drive pulses in response to this interrupt request. For example, if the clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1 / 256, and the frequency division data in the ROM 306 is set to 47, the reference time for the interrupt is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz = 1.504 ms.

[0031] The main control unit 300 is equipped with a random number generation circuit 316 (which is assumed to have two random number generation circuits built in) that derives a number in the range of 0 to 65535 each time it receives a clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315a, and a start-up signal output circuit 338 that outputs a start-up signal (reset signal) when power is turned on.When a start-up signal is input from this start-up signal output circuit 338, the CPU 304 starts game control (starts the main processing of the main control unit, which will be described later).

[0032] The random number generation circuit 316 generates random numbers to be used in the basic circuit 302. The random number generation circuit 316 generates random numbers in two ways: counter mode and random number mode. In counter mode, a value that counts up (down) at a predetermined time interval is acquired and the acquired value is used as a random value. The random number mode has two further methods. In the first method, a seed value of the random number is used to perform a calculation using a predetermined function (e.g., a modulus function) and derive the result of this calculation as a random value. In the second method, a value is read from a random number table in which values ​​ranging from 0 to 65535 are randomly arranged, and the read value is used as a random value. The random number generation circuit 316 acquires irregular values ​​by utilizing white noise superimposed on signals input from various sensors 318 to the sensor circuit S320. The random number generation circuit 316 uses the value thus obtained as the initial value for a counter that counts up (down) in counter mode, as a seed for a random number, or when determining the start position for reading from the random number table.

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

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

[0035] Two medal acceptance sensors are installed in the internal passage of the medal insertion slot 141 and detect whether a medal has passed through. Two start lever 135 sensors are installed inside the start lever 135 and detect the start operation by the player. Stop button 137 sensors, stop button 138 sensors, and stop button 139 sensors are installed on each of the stop buttons 137 to 139 and detect the operation of the stop button by the player.

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

[0037] The optical sensors of reel 110, reel 111, and reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of each of reels 110 to 112, and go to L level every time a light-shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes by. When CPU 304 detects this signal, it determines that the reel has made one rotation and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

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

[0039] In addition, an information output circuit 334 (external centralized terminal board 248) is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 outputs game information (e.g., game status) of the slot machine 100 to an information input circuit 652 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via this information output circuit 334.

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

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

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

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

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

[0045] In addition, the first sub-controller 400 is provided with a drive circuit 422, to which various lamps 420 (upper lamps, lower lamps, side lamps 144, title panel 162 lamps, etc.) are connected via an input / output interface.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0052] <Pattern Arrangement> 4(a) will be used to explain the arrangement of symbols on the reels 110 to 112. Note that this figure shows the arrangement of symbols on each reel (left reel 110, center reel 111, right reel 112) in a two-dimensional layout.

[0053] On each of the reels 110 to 112, a predetermined number of symbols (21 symbols numbered 0 to 20 in this embodiment) of various types (eight symbols in this embodiment) shown on the right side of the figure are arranged. The numbers 0 to 20 shown on the left side of the figure are numbers indicating the arrangement positions of the symbols on each of the reels 110 to 112. For example, in this embodiment, a "replay" symbol is arranged on the symbol numbered 1 on the left reel 110, a "bell" symbol is arranged on the symbol numbered 0 on the center reel 111, and a "watermelon" symbol is arranged on the symbol numbered 2 on the right reel 112.

[0054] <Types of winning roles> Next, the types of winning roles of the slot machine 100 will be described using FIG. 4(b). This figure shows the types of winning roles (including activated roles), the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning role, and the activation or payout of each winning role. Among the winning roles in this embodiment, the big bonus (BB1, BB2) and regular bonus (RB) are roles that transition to bonus games, and the replay (replay) is a role that allows replay without inserting new medals. These roles are sometimes called "activated roles" to distinguish them from winning roles. However, the "winning roles" in this embodiment include the activated roles of the big bonus, regular bonus, and replay. Furthermore, the "winning role" in this embodiment also includes the case where a symbol combination of an activated role that does not involve a medal payout (does not involve a medal payout) is displayed on an active line, and includes, for example, winning the big bonus, regular bonus, and replay.

[0055] The winning combinations of the slot machine 100 include big bonuses (BB1, BB2), regular bonuses (RB), small combinations (cherry, watermelon, bell), and replays. It goes without saying that the types of winning combinations are not limited to these and can be any combination.

[0056] The "Big Bonus (BB1, BB2)" (hereinafter sometimes referred to simply as "BB") is a special combination (operating combination) that, when won, initiates a special game, the Big Bonus game (BB game). The corresponding symbol combinations are "White 7-White 7-White 7" for BB1 and "Blue 7-Blue 7-Blue 7" for BB2. Furthermore, flags are carried over for BB1 and BB2. That is, if an internal win occurs for BB1 or BB2, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 308 of the main control unit 300). However, even if BB1 or BB2 is not won in that game, the flag indicating the internal win remains set until a win occurs. Therefore, BB1 and BB2 remain internal wins in the next game and thereafter, and the symbol combination "White 7-White 7-White 7" corresponding to BB1 and the symbol combination "Blue 7-Blue 7-Blue 7" corresponding to BB2 are both in a winning state.

[0057] A "Regular Bonus (RB)" is a special combination (activation combination) that, when won, initiates a regular bonus game (RB game). The corresponding symbol combination is "Bonus-Bonus-Bonus." Note that, like the BB described above, a flag is carried over for RB. However, (as will be described in detail later) in a Big Bonus game (BB game), the start condition is not necessarily an internal win in the regular bonus game (RB game) or the symbol combination appearing on the winning line. Instead, the regular bonus game may start immediately after the start of the Big Bonus game, and the next regular bonus game may start immediately after the completion of one regular bonus game. A "Small combination (Cherry, Watermelon, Bell)" (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "Cherry," "Watermelon," or "Bell") is a winning combination that pays out a predetermined number of medals upon winning. The corresponding symbol combinations are "Cherry-ANY-ANY" for Cherry, "Watermelon-Watermelon-Watermelon" for Watermelon, and "Bell-Bell-Bell" for Bell. In addition, the corresponding payout numbers are as shown in the figure. In the case of "Cherry-ANY-ANY", the symbol on the left reel 110 is only required to be "Cherry", and the symbols on the center reel 111 and right reel 112 may be any symbols.

[0058] "Replay" is a winning combination (operation combination) that allows you to play the next game without inserting medals (game media), and medals are not paid out. The corresponding symbol combination for replay is "replay-replay-replay."

[0059] <Types of game status> Next, types of game states of the slot machine 100 will be explained. A game state is information for identifying the type of lottery data selected in a lottery or the like. In this embodiment, the game states of the slot machine 100 are broadly divided into a normal game, a BB game, an RB game, and an internal win game of a big bonus (BB) and a regular bonus (RB). However, the internal win game may be classified as included in the normal game.

[0060] <Normal game> The winning combinations that can be internally won during normal play include Big Bonus (BB), Regular Bonus (RB), Replay, and Small combinations (Cherry, Watermelon, Bell).

[0061] A "Big Bonus (BB)" is a special role (activating role) that, upon winning, initiates a Big Bonus game (BB game), a special game. A "Regular Bonus (RB)" is a special role (activating role) that, upon winning, initiates a Regular Bonus game (RB game). A "Replay" is a winning role (activating role) that allows a player to play the next game without inserting medals, and no medals are paid out. A "Small Role" is a winning role that pays out a predetermined number of medals upon winning. The internal winning probability of each role is calculated by dividing the numerical data corresponding to the range of the lottery data associated with each role from the lottery data prepared for normal play by the numerical data within the range of random numbers (e.g., 65535) obtained during the internal lottery. The lottery data prepared for normal play is divided into several numerical ranges in advance, and each numerical range is associated with a role or a losing combination. The random number obtained as a result of executing the internal lottery is determined to be a value corresponding to the lottery data corresponding to which role, and the internal lottery role is determined. This lottery data has set values ​​(Setting 1 to Setting 6) that vary the degree of advantage of at least one role, and the staff of the gaming facility can arbitrarily select and set any of the set values ​​using the setting key switch and setting changeover switch.

[0062] The degree of advantage of a role differs for each setting value, for example, if the probability of winning a role differs for each setting value, but this is not limited to this. For example, the probability of winning a role may be common between setting values, and the probability of winning an AT or CZ may differ depending on the setting value.

[0063] The normal game is set such that the result of the internal lottery is generally a loss (not winning the big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), replay, or small winning combination), or a loss stop display result that does not correspond to any symbol combination of any winning combination is generally derived, and the total number of medals obtained is less than the total number of medals input, resulting in a game state that is disadvantageous to the player. However, when predetermined conditions are met (for example, when a specific symbol combination is displayed), it is a game state in which the probability of internal winning of a replay can be increased, and in this case, the consumption of medals used in the game is suppressed, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning a small winning combination, so that the total number of medals obtained exceeds the total number of medals input, and it may become a game state that is profitable for the player.

[0064] <BB game> The BB game is set to be a game state that is profitable for the player. That is, in the BB game, the total number of medals obtained exceeds the total number of medals input. In this embodiment, the BB game is started by winning the big bonus (BB) and can continuously repeat the RB game (described later). It ends when more than a predetermined number (for example, 465) of medals are obtained during the game. However, the BB game only needs to be able to execute the RB game multiple times. For example, a winning combination for starting the RB game (the symbol combination is, for example, replay - replay - replay) can be set, and when this combination is internally won or won, the RB game can be set to start. Furthermore, the BB game may end when a predetermined number (for example, 30 times) of BB general games excluding the RB game during the BB game are executed, or when the number of RB games executed during the BB game reaches a predetermined number (for example, 3 times).

[0065] <RB game> The RB game is designed to be a game state that is profitable for the player. In other words, the RB game is a game state in which the total number of medals acquired exceeds the total number of medals inserted. In this embodiment, the RB game begins with the winning of a regular bonus (RB). A predetermined winning combination increases the probability of an internal win (for example, the internal winning probability of 1 / 15 for "minor combination 1" set in "setting 1" and "normal game" is increased to a predetermined value of 1 / 1.2). The RB game ends when a predetermined number of winning combinations (for example, eight combinations) have occurred. The RB game may end when a predetermined number of winning combinations (at least two combinations) have occurred (for example, eight combinations), or when the number of RB games played during the RB game has reached a predetermined number (for example, eight combinations). Since the BB game described above can be played multiple times, a single RB game will end with fewer medals acquired than the total number of medals acquired in the BB game.

[0066] <Big Bonus (BB) and Regular Bonus (RB) internal winning games> The winning combinations that can be internally won in the Big Bonus (BB) and Regular Bonus (RB) internal win games include replays and small combinations. The Big Bonus (BB) and Regular Bonus (RB) are not internal wins, and this is a game state in which it is possible to win with the symbol combination that corresponds to the Big Bonus (BB) or Regular Bonus (RB).

[0067] However, the probability of an internal win in a replay may be varied from the next play after an internal win in the big bonus (BB) or regular bonus (RB), for example, by varying the probability of an internal win in a replay to increase the probability, and until a symbol combination corresponding to the big bonus (BB) or regular bonus (RB) wins, the game state may be such that the total number of medals won is approximately the same as the total number of medals inserted, making it a game state that is more profitable for the player than normal play. Note that since both BB play and RB play are game states that are profitable for the player, they may be collectively referred to as bonus play or special play.

[0068] <Main processing in the main control section> The main control unit main processing executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit main processing.

[0069] As described above, the main control unit 300 is provided with a start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 338 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when power is turned on. When this start signal is input, the CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 is reset and started by a reset interrupt, and executes the main processing of the main control unit shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with a control program previously stored in the ROM 306.

[0070] When the power is turned on, first, in step S101, a main control unit initial setting process is performed. This main control unit initial setting process sets a stack initial value to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, sets interrupt prohibition, initializes the I / O 310, initializes various variables stored in the RAM 308, and sets operation permission and initial values ​​for the WDT 314. Details of this process will be described later using FIG. 11.

[0071] In step S103, a medal insertion / start operation acceptance process is executed. Here, whether or not a medal has been inserted is checked, and the winning line indicator lamp 120 is turned on in response to the insertion of a medal. If a player wins in a replay of the previous game, a process is performed to insert the same number of medals as inserted in the previous game, eliminating the need for the player to insert medals. Also, a check is made to see if the start lever 135 has been operated, and if the start lever 135 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0072] In step S105, the number of inserted medals is determined, and valid winning lines are determined. In step S107, a random number value generated by the random number value generation circuit 316 is obtained. In step S109, a winning combination lottery table stored in ROM 306 is read out according to the current game state, and an internal lottery is performed using this table and the random number value obtained in step S107. If any winning combination (including an activated combination) is internally won as a result of the internal lottery, the flag for that winning combination is turned ON. In step S111, reel stop data is selected based on the result of the internal lottery.

[0073] In step S113, all reels 110 to 112 are started to spin. In step S115, the stop buttons 137 to 139 become operable. When one of the stop buttons is pressed, one of the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped based on the reel stop control data selected in step S111. Once all reels 110 to 112 have stopped, the process proceeds to step S117. In step S117, a win determination is performed. Here, if a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination is displayed on an activated winning line 114, it is determined that the winning combination has been won. For example, if "Bell-Bell-Bell" is lined up on an activated winning line, it is determined that a Bell win has been won. In step S119, if a winning combination that offers a payout has been won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out according to the number of winning lines. In step S121, a game status control process is performed. In the game state control process, the process for transitioning between the normal game, BB game, RB game, and internal win game is performed, and the game state is transitioned when the start and end conditions are met. This completes one game. After that, the process returns to step S103 and the above-mentioned process is repeated to progress the game.

[0074] <Main control unit 300 timer interrupt processing> The main control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit timer interrupt process.

[0075] The main control unit 300 is equipped with a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined period (approximately once every 2 ms in this embodiment), and this timer interrupt signal is used as a trigger to start main control unit timer interrupt processing at the predetermined period.

[0076] In step S201, a timer interrupt start process is performed, which includes processes such as temporarily saving the values ​​of each register of the CPU 304 in a stack area.

[0077] In step S203, WDT314 is restarted periodically (in this embodiment, once every approximately 2 ms, which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt) to prevent the count value of WDT314 from exceeding the initial setting value (32.8 ms in this embodiment) and causing a WDT interrupt (to prevent processing abnormalities from being detected).

[0078] In step S205, an input port status update process is performed. In this input port status update process, detection signals from the sensor circuits 320 of the various sensors 318 are input via the input ports of the I / O 310, and the presence or absence of the detection signals is monitored and stored in signal status storage areas partitioned for each of the various sensors 318 in the RAM 308.

[0079] In step S207, various game processes are performed. Specifically, an interrupt status is acquired (various interrupt statuses are acquired based on signals from various sensors 318), and processing is performed according to this status (for example, stop button acceptance processing is performed based on the acquired interrupt status of each of the stop buttons 137 to 139).

[0080] In step S209, a timer update process is performed to update various timers in their respective time units.

[0081] In step S211, a command setting and sending process is performed, and various commands that have been prepared for sending by the main processing of the main control unit 300, timer interrupt processing, etc., are sent to the first sub-control unit 400. In this embodiment, the output schedule information sent to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits, with bit 15 being strobe information (when on, it indicates that data is set), bits 11 to 14 being command types (in this embodiment, basic commands, start lever acceptance commands, performance commands associated with performance lottery processing, rotation start commands associated with starting the rotation of reels 110 to 112, stop button acceptance commands associated with accepting operation of stop buttons 137 to 139, stop position information commands associated with stopping processing of reels 110 to 112, payout number commands and payout end commands associated with medal payout processing, commands indicating the game status, etc.), and bits 0 to 10 being command data (predetermined information corresponding to the command type).

[0082] The first sub-control unit 400 is able to determine the presentation control in response to changes in game control in the main control unit 300 based on the command type contained in the received output schedule information, and is also able to determine the content of the presentation control based on the command data information contained in the output schedule information.

[0083] In step S213, an external output signal setting process is performed. In this external output signal setting process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to the information input circuit 652, which is separate from the slot machine 100, via the information output circuit 334.

[0084] In step S215, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring processing, first, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S205 are read out to monitor for errors related to medal insertion abnormalities, medal payout abnormalities, etc., and if an error is detected (not shown), error processing is executed. Furthermore, depending on the current game status, settings are made for the medal selector 170 (a medal blocker operated by a solenoid provided in the medal selector 170), various lamps 336, and various 7-segment (SEG) indicators.

[0085] In step S217, it is monitored whether the low voltage signal is on or not, and if the low voltage signal is on (if a power cutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step S221, and if the low voltage signal is off (if a power cutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step S219.

[0086] In step S219, various processes are performed to end the timer interrupt end process. In this timer interrupt end process, the values ​​of each register temporarily saved in step S201 are set back to the original registers, etc. Then, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

[0087] Meanwhile, in step S221, power interruption processing such as initialization of input / output ports is performed. That is, information that needs to be saved (restore data, etc.) such as specific variables and stack pointers for restoring to the state at the time of power interruption when power is restored is saved in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 308, a checksum value for a predetermined area that includes at least the used area of ​​RAM 308 is derived and stored in RAM 308, and a power flag indicating that power interruption processing has been performed is set to ON.

[0088] <Processing of the first sub-control unit 400> The processing of the first sub-control unit 400 will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7(a) is a flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400. Figure 7(b) is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400. Figure 7(c) is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400.

[0089] First, in step S301 of Fig. 7(a), various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S301. In this initialization process, the input / output ports are initialized, and the storage area in the RAM 408 is initialized.

[0090] In step S303, it is determined whether the timer variable is 10 or more, and this process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10. When the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S305.

[0091] In step S305, the timer variable is assigned 0. In step S307, command processing is performed. In command processing, the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400 determines whether or not a command has been received from the main control unit 300.

[0092] In step S309, a performance control process is performed. For example, if a new command is received in step S307, a process corresponding to this command is performed. This process includes, for example, reading performance data from ROM 406 and updating the performance data if the performance data needs to be updated.

[0093] In step S311, sound control processing is performed based on the processing result of step C09. For example, if the performance data read in step S309 includes a command to the sound source IC 418, this command is output to the sound source IC 418.

[0094] In step S313, lamp control processing is performed based on the processing result of step C09. For example, if the performance data read in step S309 includes commands for the various lamps 420, these commands are output to the drive circuit 422.

[0095] In step S315, shutter control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S309. For example, if the performance data read out in step S309 includes a shutter control command, shutter control corresponding to this command is performed.

[0096] In step S317, an information output process is performed to set up the transmission of a control command to the second sub-control unit 500 based on the processing result of step S309. For example, if the performance data read in step S309 contains a control command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500, the process performs a setting to output this control command, and then returns to step S303.

[0097] Next, using Figure 7(b), we will explain the command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400. This command reception interrupt processing is processing that the first sub-control unit 400 executes when it detects a strobe signal output by the main control unit 300. In step S401 of the command reception interrupt processing, the command output by the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command memory area provided in RAM 408.

[0098] Next, using Figure 7(c), we will explain the first sub-control unit timer interrupt processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400. The first sub-control unit 400 is equipped with a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined period (once every 2 ms in this embodiment), and this timer interrupt triggers the timer interrupt processing to be executed at a predetermined period.

[0099] In step S501, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of ​​RAM 408 described in step S303 in the first sub-control unit main processing shown in Figure 7(a) and stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S303, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or greater every 20 ms (2 ms x 10).

[0100] In step S503, control commands are sent to the second sub-control unit 500 set in step S317, and the random number values ​​for performance are updated.

[0101] <Processing of the second sub-control unit 500> The processing of the second sub-control unit 500 will be explained using Figure 8. Figure 8(a) is a flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500. Figure 8(b) is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500. Figure 8(c) is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500. Figure 8(d) is a flowchart of the image control processing of the second sub-control unit 500.

[0102] First, in step S601 in Fig. 8(a), various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, initialization processing is first executed in step S601. In this initialization processing, input / output port initial settings, initialization processing of the storage area in RAM 508, etc. are performed.

[0103] In step S603, it is determined whether the timer variable is 10 or greater, and this process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10. When the timer variable becomes 10 or greater, the process proceeds to step S605.

[0104] In step S605, 0 is assigned to the timer variable. In step S607, command processing is performed. In command processing, the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500 determines whether or not a command has been received from the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400.

[0105] In step S609, a performance control process is performed. For example, if a new command is received in step S607, a process corresponding to this command is performed. This process includes, for example, reading performance data from ROM 506 and updating the performance data if it needs to be updated.

[0106] In step S611, image control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S609. For example, if the performance data read in step S609 contains an image control command, image control corresponding to this command is performed (details will be described later), and the process returns to step S603.

[0107] Next, the command reception interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500 will be explained using Figure 8(b). This command reception interrupt processing is processing that the second sub-control unit 500 executes when it detects a strobe signal output by the first sub-control unit 400. In step S701 of the command reception interrupt processing, the command output by the first sub-control unit 400 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command memory area provided in RAM 508.

[0108] Next, using Figure 8(c), we will explain the second sub-control unit timer interrupt processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500. The second sub-control unit 500 is equipped with a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined period (once every 2 ms in this embodiment), and this timer interrupt triggers the execution of the timer interrupt processing at a predetermined period.

[0109] In step S801, 1 is added to the value in the timer variable storage area of ​​RAM 508 described in step S603 in the second sub-control unit main processing shown in Figure 8(a), and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S603, the timer variable value is determined to be 10 or greater every 20 ms (2 ms x 10). In step S803, processing such as updating the random number value for presentation is performed.

[0110] Next, the image control processing of step S613 in the main processing of the second sub-control unit 500 will be described with reference to Figure 8(d). This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the image control processing.

[0111] In step S901, an instruction to transfer image data is issued. Here, the CPU 504 first swaps the designation of the drawing area between display area A and display area B of the VRAM 518. As a result, one frame of image stored in a display area not designated as a drawing area is displayed on the performance image display device 157. Next, the CPU 504 sets ROM coordinates (source address in ROM 506), VRAM coordinates (destination address in VRAM 518), etc. in the attribute register of the VDP 516 based on the position information table, and then sets a command to start transferring image data from ROM 506 to VRAM 518. The VDP 516 transfers the image data from ROM 506 to VRAM 518 based on the command set in the attribute register. Thereafter, the VDP 516 outputs a transfer end interrupt signal to the CPU 504.

[0112] In step S903, it is determined whether a transfer end interrupt signal has been input from the VDP 516. If a transfer end interrupt signal has been input, the process proceeds to step S905; if not, the process waits for the transfer end interrupt signal to be input. In step S905, parameters are set based on the performance scenario configuration table, attribute data, etc. Here, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 516 on information about the image data that constitutes the display image (such as the coordinate axes of the VRAM 518, image size, and VRAM coordinates (placement coordinates)) in order to form a display image in display area A or B of the VRAM 518 based on the image data transferred to the VRAM 518 in step S901. The VDP 516 sets parameters in accordance with the attributes based on the command stored in the attribute register.

[0113] In step S907, a drawing instruction is issued. In this drawing instruction, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 516 to start drawing an image. The VDP 516 starts drawing an image in the frame buffer in accordance with the instruction from the CPU 504.

[0114] In step S909, it is determined whether a generation end interrupt signal has been input from VDP 516 based on the completion of image drawing, and if a generation end interrupt signal has been input, the process proceeds to step S911, otherwise the process waits for the generation end interrupt signal to be input. In step S911, a scene display counter, which is set in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 508 and counts how many scene images have been generated, is incremented (+1), and the process ends.

[0115] <Amusement machine management work> In the slot machine 100, a manager (store clerk) and a player can perform management tasks such as various settings (adjustments) and status checks according to their respective positions. In particular, management tasks by the manager (store clerk) are mainly performed with the front door 102 open. First, the front door 102 described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and the open / close sensor that detects the open / closed state of this front door 102 will be described.

[0116] <Front door and open / close sensor> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front door 102 is hinged to the left side panel 260 of the main body 101 via a hinge device 276 and is a door that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 101. In other words, the front door 102 is a door that is provided on the front of the slot machine (gaming machine) 100 and can be opened and closed. In this example, the front door 102, which is locked in a closed state, can be opened by inserting a key (door unlocking key) held by a manager (store clerk) into the door key hole 140. Therefore, the manager (store clerk) can unlock the front door 102 (change it from a closed state to an open state), but anyone other than the manager (store clerk) (for example, a player) cannot unlock the front door 102.

[0117] An optical sensor (open / close sensor; not shown) consisting of a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section is provided on the right side panel 260 of the main body 101, and is configured so that a light-shielding piece of a certain length provided on the front door 102 passes between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of this open / close sensor.

[0118] The main control unit 300 monitors the states of various sensors 318, including this open / close sensor, at each interrupt time. When the front door 102 is closed and the light-blocking piece of the front door 102 moves to a position where it blocks light from the light-emitting part of the open / close sensor of the main body 101, the open / close sensor outputs a signal (for example, a low-level signal) indicating a closed state to the main control unit 300.

[0119] On the other hand, when the front door 102 is in the open state and the light-shielding piece of the front door 102 moves to a position where it does not block the light from the light-emitting part of the opening / closing sensor of the main body 101, the opening / closing sensor outputs a signal (e.g., a low-level signal) indicating that it is in the open detection state to the main control unit 300.

[0120] In other words, the opening / closing sensor is a detection means capable of detecting the opening / closing state of the front door (door body) 102, and when the front door 102 is in a closed state, the detection state becomes a closed detection state, and when the front door 102 is in an open state, the detection state becomes an open detection state.

[0121] The "detection means" according to the present invention is not limited to an optical sensor, but may be a magnetic sensor, a proximity switch, a microswitch, a Hall element, etc. Furthermore, it is not limited to a sensor that always switches between an open detection state and a closed detection state as the door is opened or closed, but may be one in which the detection state can become the closed detection state even when the door is in the open state, or conversely, one in which the detection state can become the open detection state even when the door is in the closed state.

[0122] Furthermore, the open / close sensor may be configured so that, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the front door (door body) 102, the detection state becomes the closed detection state even when the front door (door body) 102 is in the open state. Specifically, when the front door 102 is in the open state, a light-shielding piece of a certain length is inserted between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit of the open / close sensor of the main body 101 and fixed with tape or the like to block the light from the light-emitting unit of the open / close sensor of the main body 101, thereby forcibly changing the detection state of the open / close sensor to the closed detection state even when the front door 102 is in the open state.

[0123] It should be noted that the above-mentioned "predetermined operation on the front door (door body) 102" is not limited to this example, and for example, a DIP switch may be provided to set the open / close sensor to a closed detection state, and the operation of this DIP switch may be performed as the predetermined operation. Also, if the detection means is configured with a magnetic sensor, the detection state of the open / close sensor may be set to a closed detection state by bringing a magnet close to it.

[0124] As described with reference to FIG. 6, the main control unit 300 reads the signal states of the various sensors 318 in the device monitoring process (step S215). Furthermore, if an error is detected, error processing is executed. In this example, this device monitoring process is configured to detect that the front door 102 has become open when the detection state of the open / close sensor of the main body 101 becomes an open detection state. The open state of the front door 102 can generally be referred to as an error state, and detection of the open state of the front door 102 can also be referred to as detection of a front door open error. Furthermore, although the open state of the front door 102 is notified, the open state of the front door 102 may not be considered an error state. Furthermore, when the opening of the front door 102 is detected, an external signal indicating that the front door 102 has been opened is output from the information output circuit 334 to the hall computer (external device), and when the opening of the front door 102 is no longer detected, the output of the external signal is stopped.

[0125] When the main control unit 300 detects the open state, it sends a command to the second sub-control unit 500 via the first sub-control unit 400 to notify that the front door 102 is in the open state (a front door open error has occurred). The second sub-control unit 500 performs processing to notify that the front door 102 is open. That is, in the image control processing, based on the received command, it executes processing to read from ROM 506 performance data that performs image control related to the open state. As a result, a display indicating the open state (for example, a display including text information such as "! Door open!", which will be described later with reference to Figure 10) is displayed in the display area of ​​the performance image display device 157. Details of the processing in the open state will be described later with reference to Figure 14.

[0126] Figure 9 is a diagram explaining an overview of the management work of the slot machine 100 by the hall manager (clerk), where Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are diagrams showing an example of a management screen (menu) screen 700 that can be displayed in the display area of ​​a display means (e.g., the performance image display device 157 shown in Figure 1) when performing management work, Figure 9(c) is a schematic diagram of the operating means used when performing management work, and Figure 9(d) is a schematic front view of the slot machine 100.

[0127] Here, the items that managers (clerks) are allowed to manage, such as setting and checking, vary depending on their position. In many cases, the more important items (first items) of the management tasks for the gaming machines (slot machines 100) are limited to some managers (clerks). Hereinafter, in this embodiment, among the managers (clerks), a manager (clerk, hall manager) who can perform management tasks for the first items is referred to as a "first manager," and a manager (clerk) other than the first manager, i.e., a manager (clerk) who can perform management tasks only for items (second items) of relatively lower importance, is referred to as a "second manager." The first manager can also perform management tasks for the second items. When there is no need to distinguish between the first manager and the second manager, both are collectively referred to as a "manager (clerk)."

[0128] The management screen 700 for performing management tasks includes, for example, a first management screen 701 shown in Fig. 4(a) and a second management screen 702 shown in Fig. 4(b). Both management screens 700 are screens that cannot generally be displayed on the display means by the player, and are screens that are displayed in the display area of ​​the display means (performance image display device 157) by the display control means (for example, the second sub-control unit 500 shown in Fig. 4) in response to a predetermined operation after opening the door body (front door 102).

[0129] As shown in FIG. 1A, the first management screen 701 is a first administrator screen (administrator menu screen) that allows administrators to manage the first, most important, settings of the gaming machine (slot machine 100). Examples of the first settings include "Device Check," "Time Setting," "Error History," and "Setting Change History." The "Device Check" setting allows administrators to check the hardware status of the slot machine 100 (e.g., volume settings, light intensity settings, etc.), while the "Time Setting" setting allows administrators to set the time for the slot machine 100. The "Error History" setting allows administrators to check the history of various errors that have occurred in the slot machine 100. The "Setting Change History" setting allows administrators to check (view) the current status of the settings of the slot machine 100 (which values ​​are currently set) and the change history (dates and times of setting changes, history of setting changes, and history of setting values). Executing the "Setting Change History" process functions as a history check of the operation of the setting values.

[0130] The first management screen (administrator menu screen) 701 includes displays (item displays) 711 corresponding to these multiple first items (for selecting and executing them), an exit display 712 for terminating the first management screen (administrator menu screen) 701, and an operation guide 713 using an operation means (selection and decision operation means of the management screen 700) for selecting and deciding on the item displays 711 and the exit displays 712.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 1B, the second management screen 702 is a management screen (hall menu screen) that can be operated by the first and second managers, and allows the manager to set and confirm a second item, which is relatively less important among various settings of the gaming machine (slot machine 100). The second item may be, for example, an item such as "power saving settings." While one item is shown here as an example, multiple items may be included. The second management screen (hall menu screen) 702 includes displays such as a display (item display) 711 corresponding to the second item (for selecting the second item), an exit display 712 for exiting the second management screen (hall menu screen) 702, and an operation guide 713 for operating a selection / determination means (selection / determination means) for selecting and confirming the item display 711 or the exit display 712. The selection / determination means and the operation method using these are similar to those for the manager menu screen 701, and therefore will not be described here.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 1C, the selection / determination operation means of the management screen 700 in this embodiment includes, for example, at least a cross key 720 having up, down, left, and right buttons (directional keys, selection button 721) and a determination button (PUSH button) 722, and an end button 723. The cross key 720 and the end button 723 are provided, for example, as shown in FIG. 1D, in a position where they can be operated by a player when the front door 102 is closed (for example, near the stop button unit 136). In this example, the selection button 721 is operated to select an item display 711 or an end display 712 (selection operation), and the determination button 722 is operated to confirm the selected item (confirmation operation). The administrator menu screen 701 is closed by selecting the end display 712 and then by a subsequent confirmation operation. Hereinafter, the selection operation and the subsequent confirmation operation (the continuous operations from selection to confirmation) are referred to as a "selection / determination operation." The selection / determination operation of the end display 712 may also be referred to as the end operation. Furthermore, administrator menu screen 701 can be terminated not only by the selection and determination operation of end display 712 but also by the operation (pressing) of end button 723, i.e., the operation of end button 723 is also included in the termination operation. Note that the selection and determination operation means is not limited to this example, and may be operated, for example, by a presentation button or a touch panel (not shown).

[0133] FIG. 10 is a screen transition diagram showing an example of display control by the display control means of the slot machine 100 (for example, the second sub-control unit 500 shown in FIG. 4) when mainly performing management tasks.

[0134] The display control means (second sub-control unit 500) of this embodiment is capable of executing control to display at least a first management screen (administrator menu screen) 701, a second management screen (hall menu screen) 702, a game screen 703, a predetermined screen 704, and a specific screen 705 on a display means (e.g., performance image display device 157).

[0135] Here, the predetermined screen 704 is a first notification screen that notifies the status of the slot machine 100, and is a screen that can be displayed by a manager (store clerk). As an example of the predetermined screen 704, here, it is a screen (door open screen 704) that notifies that the front door 102 is in an open state. The door open screen 704 includes information indicating that the front door 102 is in an open state (for example, a display including text information such as "! Door open!"). Also, for example, to notify the open state, a sound such as "Door is open" is output from the speakers 272, 277 while the door open screen 704 is displayed.

[0136] The specific screen 705 is a second notification screen that notifies the status of the slot machine 100 and can only be displayed by the operation of the first administrator. Here, as an example, the specific screen 705 is a screen (setting confirmation screen 705) that notifies the user that the setting and confirmation work (setting confirmation state) is in progress as a management task performed by the first administrator. The setting confirmation screen 705 includes information indicating that the setting and confirmation is in progress (for example, a display including text information such as "! Setting confirmation!"). For example, to notify the user of the setting confirmation state, a sound such as "Setting confirmation in progress" is output from the speakers 272, 277 while the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed. While the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed, a setting confirmation process (see FIG. 13), which will be described later, is executed, allowing the user to check the current setting values.

[0137] The management work by the first administrator is performed by displaying administrator menu screen 701 and selecting item display 711 displayed thereon (FIG. 9(a)). In this embodiment, however, in order to display administrator menu screen 701, it is necessary to go through a specific screen (settings checking screen 705). In other words, the setting checking state in which settings checking screen 705 is displayed (by later transitioning to administrator menu screen 701) can also be said to be a state in which items of high importance in slot machine 100, such as which setting values ​​have been set ("settings change history"), can be checked.

[0138] In the figure, the game screen 703 to the left of the large dashed line is displayed on the display means almost all the time while the slot machine 100 is powered on, and is a screen that can be seen by both the player and the manager (store clerk). Here, the game screen 703 in this embodiment is not limited to a screen displayed during a game, but also includes all screens that are displayed with the intention (purpose) of being seen by the player, such as a demo screen and a screen for device settings by the player (for example, volume adjustment).

[0139] On the other hand, the administrator screens to the right of the large dashed line (administrator menu screen 701, hall menu screen 702, first notification screen (door open screen) 704, second notification screen (settings confirmation screen) 705) are all screens that are displayed on the display means after a predetermined operation by the administrator (store clerk) or a predetermined state of the slot machine 100 when the administrator (store clerk) performs various setting and confirmation tasks, and at least the administrator menu screen 701, hall menu screen 702, and second notification screen (settings confirmation screen) 705 are screens that cannot be seen by players (are not expected to be seen by players).

[0140] In this embodiment, for example, the game screen 703 and the control screen are switched depending on whether the front door 102 is open or closed.

[0141] The transition of each screen will be described below with reference to FIG. (1) Transition from the game screen 703 to the door opening screen 704 First, when the game screen 703 is displayed on the display means (performance image display device 157) and the front door 102 is opened, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) terminates the display of the game screen 703 on the display means (performance image display device 157) and controls the display of the door open screen 704 in the display area of ​​the display means (performance image display device 157).

[0142] The state of the currently displayed screen (which screen is being displayed) is updated and managed, for example, by various update processes (step S803) of the second sub-control unit timer interrupt processing shown in Figure 8(c). For example, when the display control means draws a predetermined image in the image control processing (step S611) in the second sub-control unit main processing of Figure 8(a), it updates the information of that image (screen) (information indicating that it is the game screen 703) in various update processes (step S803). This allows the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) to grasp the state of the currently displayed screen.

[0143] Note that the method for grasping the state (drawing content) of the screen currently being displayed in the control unit is not limited to the above example. For example, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) grasps the data expanded from ROM and the information drawn in the frame buffer, so updating and management can also be performed by referring to these. Furthermore, the timing of this "updating and management" is not limited to the timing in the second sub-control unit timer interrupt processing, but may be, for example, the timing when data is expanded from ROM, the timing when it is drawn in the frame buffer, or the timing in accordance with the refresh rate.

[0144] To explain the display control by the display control means in more detail, when the main control unit 300 detects that the detection state of the opening / closing sensor has changed to the open detection state, it sends a command to the second sub-control unit 500 via the first sub-control unit 400 to notify that the front door 102 is in the open state. In the image control process, the second sub-control unit 500 executes a process to read from ROM 506 performance data for performing image control related to the open state based on the received command. As a result, the game screen 703 is hidden in the display area of ​​the display means (performance image display device 157), and a door open screen 704 including text information such as "! Door open!" is displayed. When the door open screen 704 is displayed, various update processes (step S803) update the currently displayed screen information to information indicating that it is the door open screen 704.

[0145] (2) Transition from the door open screen 704 to the hall menu screen 702 When a specific operation is performed while the door-opening screen 704 is being displayed, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) terminates the display of the door-opening screen 704 on the display means (effect image display device 157) and controls the display of the hall menu screen 702 in the display area of ​​the display means (effect image display device 157). Here, the specific operation refers to the operation of the specific operation means, which is an administrator's board switch (sub-board switch) (not shown) provided on the sub-control board (or sub-control board storage case 220). The specific operation (operation of the administrator's board switch) is enabled by opening the front door 102, meaning that it can only be performed by the administrator (store clerk) (players cannot operate it). To explain the display control by the display control means in more detail, first, the on state resulting from the operation of the administrator's board switch is detected by various sensors. The first sub-control unit monitors various sensors during the first sub-control unit timer interrupt processing (various update processing (step S503)) shown in Figure 7 (c), and when it detects that the administrator board switch is on (a specific operation has been performed), it sends a command to the second sub-control unit 500 to notify that the administrator board switch is on. In the image control processing, the second sub-control unit 500 executes a process to read from ROM 506 performance data that performs image control regarding the administrator board switch being turned on in the open state (a specific operation has been performed) based on the received command. As a result, the door open screen 704 is hidden in the display area of ​​the display means (performance image display device 157), and the hall menu screen 702 is displayed. When the hall menu screen 702 is displayed, in various update processing (step S803), the currently displayed screen information is updated to information indicating that it is the hall menu screen 702.

[0146] Hereinafter, in this embodiment, detailed description of "display control processing by the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) when a certain state occurs" will be omitted, but all of this indicates that the state is detected by various sensors → the state is detected by the main control unit 300 (or the state is detected by the first sub-control unit 400) → a command is sent to the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) → image control processing is performed by the display control means (second sub-control unit 500).

[0147] The open / close sensor (various sensors 318) is provided on the main body (housing) 101 side, and the specific operation means (administrator board switch (sub-board switch)) is provided on the door side of the front door 102. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the open / close sensor from being accidentally touched when operating the specific operation means, preventing the hall menu screen 702 from being unable to be displayed.

[0148] In this example, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) performs image control processing when it receives a predetermined command from the main control unit 300, rather than directly receiving the detection results of the various sensors 318. However, this is not limited to this, and the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) may also directly receive the detection results of the various sensors 318 and perform image control processing (as in this embodiment).

[0149] (3) Transition from the hall menu screen 702 to the door open screen 704 When the hall menu screen 702 is displayed and the front door 102 is closed (it is detected that it has become closed) or an end operation is performed (it is detected that an end operation has been performed), the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) controls the display means (performance image display device 157) to end the display of the hall menu screen 702 and display the door open screen 704.

[0150] The detection of the front door 102 being in the closed state is performed by detecting a signal indicating a closed detection state by the open / close sensor (various sensors 318), similar to the detection of the front door 102 being in the open state. Note that this is not limited to the detection of a signal indicating a closed detection state, but may also be the detection of a signal indicating an open detection state no longer being transmitted (a predetermined command transmitted from the main control unit 300 when the front door 102 is in the open state no longer being transmitted) (as in this embodiment).

[0151] If the currently displayed screen is the hall menu screen 702, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) continues to display the door open screen 704, even if the front door 102 is closed, as this indicates that the setting and confirmation work by the manager (store clerk) has not been completed. To return to the game screen 703, the manager (store clerk) opens the front door 102 again.

[0152] In this example, the detection of an end operation is made when the end display 712 (see FIG. 9) on the hall menu screen 702 is selected and confirmed, or when the end button 723 is operated (pressed).

[0153] When the door open screen 704 is displayed, various update processes (step S803) update the currently displayed screen information to information indicating that it is the door open screen 704. Unlike the administrator menu screen 701, the hall menu screen 702 is displayed when the front door 102 is open and a specific operation has been performed, but game progress operations such as operating the bet buttons 130 to 132 (e.g., bet button 132) and the start lever 135 are still possible. If the above game progress operation is performed while the hall menu screen 702 is displayed, the hall menu screen 702 is hidden and replaced with a door open notification (display of the door open screen 704). This configuration minimizes the player's attention to the hall menu screen 702.

[0154] (4) Transition from the door opening screen 704 to the game screen 703 When the front door 102 is closed (it is detected that it has been closed) while the door open screen 704 is displayed, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) terminates the display of the door open screen 704 on the display means (performance image display device 157) and controls the display means (performance image display device 157) to display the game screen 703.

[0155] The detection of the front door 102 being in the closed state is performed by detecting a signal indicating the closed state by the open / close sensor (various sensors 318), just like the detection of the open state. When the game screen 703 is displayed, the currently displayed screen information is updated to information indicating the game screen 703 in various update processes (step S803).

[0156] (5) Transition from the door opening screen 704 to the setting confirmation screen 705 The first administrator operates the setting key switch and the setting changeover switch when changing or checking the setting value (the player's advantage in the slot machine 100). The setting key switch and the setting changeover switch are both provided inside the main body 101 and are operable by opening the front door 102. Players cannot operate them, and even the second administrator is not permitted to operate them.

[0157] When a setting key is inserted into the setting key switch and turned 90 degrees to the right, the setting key switch turns on, and when the setting key switch with the setting key inserted is turned 90 degrees to the left and the setting key is removed, the setting key switch turns off.

[0158] When it is detected that the setting key switch has been turned on (the setting key has been inserted into the setting key switch and turned 90 degrees to the right) while the door open screen 704 is being displayed (the front door 102 is actually open), the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) controls the display means (performance image display device 157) to display a setting confirmation screen 705. When the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed, various update processes (step S803) update the currently displayed screen information to information indicating that it is the setting confirmation screen 705.

[0159] When the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed, the currently set setting value can be confirmed. In this case, the setting value is not displayed on the display means, but is displayed on, for example, the dispensed coin number indicator 127 or a display means for displaying the setting value inside the housing (such as a 7-segment display).

[0160] (6) Transition from the setting confirmation screen 705 to the administrator menu screen 701 If a specific operation is performed while the setting confirmation screen 705 is being displayed, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) terminates the display of the setting confirmation screen 705 on the display means (effect image display device 157) and controls the display means (effect image display device 157) to display the administrator menu screen 701. Here, the specific operation refers to the operation of the specific operation means, which is an administrator board switch (sub-board switch) not shown that is provided on the sub-control board (or the sub-control board storage case 220). The specific operation (operation (pressing) the administrator board switch) is enabled by opening the front door 102, meaning that it can only be performed by the administrator (store clerk) (players cannot operate it). In this case, after operating the setting key switch in (5) above, the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed by operating the administrator board switch (specific operation). In other words, the administrator menu screen 701 is a screen that can only be operated by the first administrator.

[0161] When the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed, the currently displayed screen information is updated to information indicating that it is the administrator menu screen 701 in various update processes (step S803).

[0162] (7) Transition from the administrator menu screen 701 to the setting confirmation screen 705 When the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed and the setting key switch is not turned off (the setting key switch with the setting key inserted is turned 90 degrees to the left without the setting key being removed) and the front door 102 is closed (it is detected that it has been closed), the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) terminates the display of the administrator menu screen 701 on the display means (performance image display device 157) and controls the display means (performance image display device 157) to display a setting confirmation screen 705.

[0163] The detection of the front door 102 being in the closed state is performed by detecting a signal indicating the closed state by the open / close sensor (various sensors 318), in the same way as the detection of the open state. In addition, the detection is not limited to detecting a signal indicating a closed detection state, but may also be detecting that a signal indicating an open detection state has ceased to be transmitted (that a specified command transmitted from the main control unit 300 in the open state has ceased to be transmitted).

[0164] When the currently displayed screen is the administrator menu screen 701, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) determines that the setting and confirmation work by the first administrator has not been completed (setting confirmation state) even if the front door 102 is closed without the setting key switch being turned off, and hides the administrator menu screen 701 on the display means and displays the setting confirmation screen 705. In other words, when the first administrator completes the setting (confirmation) on the administrator menu screen 701 and attempts to transition to another screen, if the setting key switch is not turned off, the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed (no other screens are displayed).

[0165] Alternatively, when the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed and an end operation is performed (it is detected that an end operation has been performed) without the setting key switch being turned off, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) terminates the display of the administrator menu screen 701 on the display means (performance image display device 157) and controls the display means (performance image display device 157) to display a setting confirmation screen 705.

[0166] In this example, the detection of an end operation is made when the end display 712 (see FIG. 9) on the hall menu screen 702 is selected and confirmed, or when the end button 723 is operated (pressed).

[0167] When the currently displayed screen is the administrator menu screen 701, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) determines that the setting and confirmation work by the first administrator has not been completed (setting confirmation state) even if an end operation is performed without the setting key switch being turned off, and hides the administrator menu screen 701 on the display means and displays the setting confirmation screen 705. In other words, when the first administrator completes the setting (confirmation) on the administrator menu screen 701 and attempts to transition to another screen, the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed (no other screens are displayed) unless the setting key switch is turned off.

[0168] When the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed, the currently displayed screen information is updated to information indicating that it is the setting confirmation screen 705 in various update processes (step S803).

[0169] As already mentioned, in order to operate the administrator menu screen 701, which allows you to set and check items of high importance (to transition from the game screen 703 or the door open screen 704), it is essential that the setting key switch is turned on (the setting key is inserted into the setting key switch).

[0170] On the other hand, if the first administrator finishes the setting and confirmation work on the administrator menu screen 701 and performs an end operation on the administrator menu screen 701 or closes the front door 102, there may be a security problem if the administrator menu screen 701 remains displayed, for example.

[0171] Furthermore, in a configuration that allows transition from the administrator menu screen 701 to the door open screen 704 or the game screen 703, there is a risk that the front door 102 will be closed while the setting key is inserted in the setting key switch, and the closed state will be locked with the door unlocking key (the setting key will be locked out).

[0172] In this embodiment, if an end operation is performed while the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed (with the setting key switch still on) or if the front door 102 is closed, the administrator menu screen 701 is closed and the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed. This prevents the administrator menu screen 701 from remaining displayed, improving security. Also, by displaying the setting confirmation screen 705 (a specific screen indicating that work is in progress), the first administrator, etc., is notified that the setting and confirmation work is in progress. Furthermore, as will be described later, turning off the setting key switch is essential to closing the setting confirmation screen 705, and this prevents the front door 102 from being closed and locked with the setting key inserted (setting key lockout).

[0173] When the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed due to the front door 102 being closed, the first administrator opens the front door 102 again to close the setting confirmation screen 705.

[0174] (8) Transition from the setting confirmation screen 705 to the door opening screen 704 When the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed and the setting key switch is turned off (the setting key switch with the setting key inserted is turned 90 degrees to the left and the setting key is removed), the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) terminates the display of the setting confirmation screen 705 on the display means (performance image display device 157) and controls the display means (performance image display device 157) to display the door open screen 704.

[0175] As described in (7) above, the setting confirmation screen 705 may be displayed when the front door 102 is closed on the administrator menu screen 701. In other words, the setting confirmation screen 705 may be displayed even when the front door 102 is closed.

[0176] However, even when the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed due to the front door 102 being closed, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) determines that the setting and confirmation work by the first manager has not been completed (setting confirmation state) and displays the door open screen 704. In other words, to return to the game screen 703, the first manager must open the front door 102 again and then turn off the setting key switch.

[0177] When the door open screen 704 is displayed, the currently displayed screen information is updated to information indicating that it is the door open screen 704 in various update processes (step S803).

[0178] (9) Transition from the administrator menu screen 701 to the door open screen 704 In this embodiment, the administrator menu screen 701 can also be terminated by turning off the setting key switch. That is, when the setting key switch is turned off (the setting key switch with the setting key inserted is turned 90 degrees to the left and the setting key is removed) while the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) terminates the display of the administrator menu screen 701 on the display means (performance image display device 157) and performs control to display the door open screen 704 on the display means (performance image display device 157).

[0179] The first administrator (himself) turns on the setting key switch to display the administrator menu screen 701. Therefore, when the setting and confirmation work on the administrator menu screen 701 is completed, the display control means (second sub-control unit 500) ends the display of the administrator menu screen 701 by turning off the setting key switch, and displays the door open screen 704.

[0180] In this case, security is improved because the administrator menu screen 701 is hidden (ended) and the door open screen 704 is displayed. Also, since the setting key has been removed (there is no risk of the setting key being locked out), the door open screen 704 is displayed without going through the setting confirmation screen 705, thereby improving operability for the first administrator.

[0181] In this way, when displaying the administrator menu screen 701 (setting confirmation screen 705), it is essential to detect the open state, but when closing the administrator menu screen 701, it may not be necessary to detect the state of the front door 102 (closed state).

[0182] When the door open screen 704 is displayed, the currently displayed screen information is updated to information indicating that it is the door open screen 704 in various update processes (step S803).

[0183] As described above, this embodiment has a first management screen (administrator menu screen) 701 and a second management screen (hall menu screen) 702. When the front door 102 is closed while the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed, the administrator menu screen 701 closes and a specific screen (settings confirmation screen) indicating that the administrator is currently working is displayed. The administrator menu screen 701 is displayed when the front door 102 is open, but if the setting key switch is turned off while the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed, the administrator menu screen 701 is closed regardless of the state of the front door 102. The administrator menu screen 701 and the hall menu screen 702 do not directly transition to each other. When the front door 102 is closed while the hall menu screen 702 is displayed, a notification that the door is open is displayed.

[0184] Next, an example of the set value change process will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. The set value change process is executed when the power is turned on with the setting key switch on.

[0185] First, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the main control unit initial setting process (step S101) in the main control unit main process shown in FIG.

[0186] First, in step S1001, startup initialization is performed. This initialization includes setting (temporarily setting) a stack initial value to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, setting an interrupt mask, initializing the I / O 310, and initializing various variables stored in the RAM 308.

[0187] In step S1003, it is monitored whether the low voltage signal is ON, i.e., whether the voltage monitoring circuit 330 is outputting a low voltage signal indicating a voltage drop when the voltage value of the power supply supplied to the main control unit 300 is less than a predetermined value (9V in this embodiment). If the low voltage signal is ON (if the CPU 304 detects a power cutoff), step S1003 is repeatedly executed, and if the low voltage signal is OFF (if the CPU 304 does not detect a power cutoff), the process proceeds to step S1005. Note that even if the supply voltage has not yet reached the predetermined value (9V) immediately after power is turned on, step S1003 is repeatedly executed until the supply voltage reaches or exceeds the predetermined value.

[0188] In step S1005, it is determined whether the setting key switch is on. If this switch is on (the setting key is inserted into the setting key switch and turned 90 degrees clockwise), the process proceeds to step S1013; if not, the process proceeds to step S1007.

[0189] In step S1007, it is determined whether the RAM clear switch is on. If this switch is on, the process proceeds to step S1009, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1011.

[0190] In step S1009, the RAM 308 is initialized, and the main control unit initial setting process ends.

[0191] In step S1011, a RAM data write-back process is executed. In this process, it is first determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the data stored in RAM 308. The data determined here is data that was saved in RAM 308 when the power to the slot machine 100 was turned off or due to a momentary power outage (a voltage drop below the operating voltage). In other words, in step S1011, it is determined whether or not the data has been reliably saved in RAM 308. As an example, it is determined whether or not the power flag is normal (on) and whether or not the calculation result using the checksum is normal. If both determinations are normal, it is determined that there is no abnormality in the restored data in RAM 308.

[0192] If it is determined that the recovery data in RAM 308 is normal, a process is executed to restore the register state to the state immediately before the power-off process was executed. In this RAM data write-back process, for example, data stored in RAM 308 is written back to the register of CPU 304, the value of the stack pointer stored in a stack pointer save area provided in RAM 308 at the time of the power-off is read, and the stack pointer is reset (permanently set). Furthermore, the values ​​of each register stored in a register save area provided in RAM 308 at the time of the power-off are read, reset to each register, and then interrupt permission is set. Subsequently, CPU 304 executes the control program based on the reset stack pointer and registers, and the slot machine 100 returns to the state it was in when the power was off. That is, processing resumes from the command following the command executed immediately before branching to timer interrupt processing immediately before the power-off. Furthermore, a power-back command is set in a transmission information storage area provided in RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. This power-back command indicates that the state at the time of the power-off has been restored. This power restoration command contains information such as the RT, game status, and presentation status at the time of power outage, and is sent by the main control unit timer interrupt process.

[0193] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the recovery data of RAM 308, preparations are made to clear all memory areas of RAM 308 except for the used stack area, and then the system transitions to an infinite loop state (RAM error processing). From this state, it is necessary to turn the power back on with the RAM clear switch or setting key switch turned on. In other words, in this example, the system is configured so that the progress of the game is stopped when an error occurs in RAM 308.

[0194] In step S1005, if the setting key switch is on, the process proceeds to step S1013, where a setting value change process is executed according to the state of the setting key switch, and the main control unit initial setting process is terminated. Details of this setting value change process will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0195] The set value change processing will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Note that Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the set value change processing in S1013 in the main control unit initial setting processing in Fig. 11.

[0196] In step S1051, it is determined based on the open / close sensor whether the front door 102 is open. If the front door 102 is open, the process proceeds to step S1053, and if the front door 102 is not open, step S1051 is repeated again. Note that if the front door 102 is not open, the process may be configured to exit (end) the setting value change process.

[0197] In step S1053, in order to start the setting value change mode, the setting value change flag is set to ON, the currently set setting value is displayed on a display means for displaying setting values ​​(for example, a 7-segment display), and the process proceeds to step S1055. Here, the setting value change flag is a flag that indicates whether or not the setting value change mode is in progress, and if the setting value change flag is ON, it indicates that the setting value change mode is in progress.

[0198] In step S1055, the RAM 308 is initialized, and the process proceeds to step S1057. In step S1057, preparations are made to send a setting value change start command to the first sub-control unit 400, which indicates that the setting value change mode has started.

[0199] In step S1059, a request is made to output a setting value change signal indicating that the setting value change mode is in progress, and the process proceeds to step S1061. Specifically, when the transition to the setting value change mode is made, an external signal indicating that the setting value change mode is in progress is output from the information output circuit 334 to the hall computer (external device). In step S1061, it is determined whether or not a setting value change operation has been performed using the setting change switch. If a setting value change operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S1063; if not, the process proceeds to step S1065.

[0200] In step S1063, the setting value displayed on the display means for displaying setting values ​​is updated based on the setting value change operation. This setting value update is performed by adding 1 to the currently set setting values ​​1 to 6 each time the setting change switch is pressed, and when the setting value exceeds 6, it returns to 1, and this process is repeated.

[0201] In step S1065, it is determined whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If the start lever 135 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S1067, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1061.

[0202] In step S1067, the setting value currently displayed on the display means for displaying the setting value (the setting value changed with the change operation and the setting value originally set without the change operation) is stored in the setting value storage area of ​​RAM 308, and the setting value is confirmed.

[0203] In step S1069, it is determined whether the setting key switch has been switched from ON to OFF. If the setting key switch has been switched from ON to OFF, the process proceeds to step S1071; if not, step S1069 is repeated.

[0204] In step S1071, since the setting key switch was switched from ON to OFF while the front door 102 was open, the setting value change flag is set to OFF to end the setting value change mode, the setting value displayed on the display means for displaying the setting value is hidden, and the process proceeds to step S1073.

[0205] In step S1073, preparations are made to send a setting value change end command to the first sub-controller 400 indicating that the setting value change mode has ended, and the process proceeds to step S1075. In step S1075, a stop request is made to stop the output of the setting value change signal, and the process ends. Specifically, when the transition to the setting value change mode is completed, the information output circuit 334 stops outputting an external signal to the hall computer (external device) indicating that the setting value change mode is in effect.

[0206] The various commands prepared in each of the above steps are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 in the command setting transmission process (step S211 in Figure 6) of the main control unit timer interrupt processing, and the various signals requested in each of the above steps are output to an external device (e.g., a hall computer) via the information output circuit 334 in the external signal output process (step S213 in Figure 6) of the main control unit timer interrupt processing described above.

[0207] <Settings confirmation process> Next, the setting confirmation process will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The setting confirmation process is a process that is executed when the setting key switch is turned on with the power on (while the setting confirmation screen 705 shown in Fig. 10 is displayed), and is a process that is executed in the device monitoring process (step S215) of the main control unit timer interrupt process shown in Fig. 6. The same figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the setting confirmation process.

[0208] First, in step S1101, which is executed first, preparations are made to send a setting confirmation command to the first sub-control unit 400 indicating that setting confirmation has begun. Also, the interrupt status is set to setting confirmation in progress. Then, it is determined whether the setting key switch is on (whether the setting key is inserted into the setting key switch and turned 90 degrees to the right), and if it is on, the process proceeds to step S1103; if not, the process ends.

[0209] The state (on / off) of the setting key switch is detected in the device monitoring process (step S215), and the determination in step S1101 does not need to be made in this setting confirmation process.

[0210] In step S1103, it is determined whether or not the front door 102 is open. If it is open, the process proceeds to step S1105; if not, the process ends.

[0211] In step S1105, preparations are made to display the currently set setting values. In step S1107, a setting confirmation state start command (including the current setting values) is sent to the second sub-control unit 500. Upon receiving the setting confirmation state start command, the second sub-control unit 500 displays the current setting values, for example, on a display means (7-segment display) for displaying setting values ​​(not shown) provided inside the main unit 101. Note that the display of the setting values ​​is not limited to the display means for displaying setting values, and may also be, for example, the number of stored coins indicator 125, the game information indicator 126, and the number of paid coins indicator 127. A request to output a setting confirmation signal is also made. Specifically, when the transition to the setting confirmation state is made, an external signal indicating that the setting confirmation state is in effect is output from the information output circuit 334 to the hall computer (external device).

[0212] In step S1109, it is determined whether the setting key switch is off (the setting key switch with the setting key inserted has been turned 90 degrees to the left and the setting key has been removed), and if it is off, the process proceeds to step S1111, and if not, step S1109 is repeated. Note that if the setting key switch is off, the front door 102 is also in the open state.

[0213] In step S1111, preparations are made to end the setting confirmation state (to hide the setting value) (since the setting key switch is off). In step S1113, a setting confirmation state end command is sent to the second sub-control unit 500. Also, in this process, the interrupt status is returned to the status before it was changed in step S1105. After this process, the setting confirmation process ends. A request to stop the setting confirmation signal is also made; specifically, when the transition to the setting confirmation state is made, the output of an external signal indicating that the setting confirmation state is in progress from the information output circuit 334 to the hall computer (external device) is stopped. Note that the detection of the setting key switch (step S1101) and the detection of the open / closed state of the front door 102 (step S1103) may be interchanged.

[0214] When the second sub-control unit 500 receives the setting confirmation state end command from the main control unit 300, it, for example, hides the current setting value displayed on the display means (7-segment) for displaying the setting value. It should be noted that if the setting value is displayed on a 7-segment display such as the dispensed coin count display 127, it will also be hidden at this timing. In this embodiment, the setting value is displayed when the setting key switch is on and the front door 102 is open. If the setting key switch is then turned off, the front door 102 remains open. Therefore, if the setting key switch is turned off while the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed on the display means, the screen transitions to the door open screen 704 ((9) in Figure 10).

[0215] In this manner, in this embodiment, when the setting key switch is on, the setting value is displayed on the condition that the front door 102 is in the open state. In other words, the setting key switch must be on in order to display the setting confirmation screen 705 and the setting value on the administrator menu screen 701 thereafter, which improves the security of the gaming machine 100.

[0216] Also, as shown in steps S1101 and S1103, the open / closed state of the front door 102 is detected only when the setting check state is started. On the other hand, when the setting check state is ended (for example, in the setting check state end command transmission process in step S1113), the open / closed state of the front door 102 is not detected. Therefore, even if the front door 102 is closed, when it is detected that the setting key switch is off, a setting check state end command is transmitted and the setting check state is ended. Therefore, even if the first administrator blocks the open / close sensor with his / her hand (without actually opening or closing the front door 102), the setting check state can be ended, improving work efficiency.

[0217] Next, the processing when the front door 102 is open (door-open processing) will be described with reference to Fig. 14. This figure is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of door-open processing in the second sub-control unit 500 when the screen transition shown in Fig. 10 is mainly performed. Note that this figure shows an extracted summary of the flow of door-open processing when the front door 102 is in an open state at multiple times (when a specific operation is detected, when the state of the setting key switch is detected, etc.).

[0218] As described above, the main control unit 300 reads the signal states of the various sensors 318 in the device monitoring process (step S215), and detects that the front door 102 has entered an open state when the detection state of the open / close sensor of the main body 101 becomes an open detection state. When the main control unit 300 detects the open state, it sends a command to the second sub-control unit 500 via the first sub-control unit 400 to notify that the front door 102 is in an open state.

[0219] The second sub-control unit 500 is configured to, for example, execute the door open processing shown in Figure 14 when it receives a command notifying that the front door 102 is in an open state during command processing (step S607) of the second sub-control unit main processing shown in Figure 8(a) (or during the second sub-control unit command reception interrupt processing shown in Figure 8(b)).

[0220] First, in step S2001, it is determined whether or not a command notifying that the front door 102 is open has been received. If it has been received, the process proceeds to step S2003; if not, step S2001 is repeated.

[0221] In step S2003, it is notified that the front door 102 is in the open state. Specifically, in the image control process, the second sub-control unit 500 executes a process of reading from the ROM 506 performance data for performing image control related to the open state based on the received command. As a result, in the display area of ​​the performance image display device 157, information including text information such as "! Door open!" is displayed as a screen (door open screen 704) notifying that the front door 102 is in the open state. In addition, a sound such as "Door is open" is output from the speakers 272, 277 (screen transition (1) shown in FIG. 10).

[0222] In step S2005, it is determined whether the front door 102 is in a closed state. This determination is made based on whether a command notifying that the front door 102 is in a closed state, transmitted from the main control unit 300, has been received. If the command has been received, it is determined that the front door 102 is in a closed state, and the process proceeds to step S2027; otherwise, it is determined that the front door 102 is not in a closed state (the open state remains), and the process proceeds to step S2007 or step S2021.

[0223] The determination in step S2005 may be made such that it is determined that the front door 102 is in the closed state when a command informing that the front door 102 is in the open / closed state is no longer received from the main control unit 300.

[0224] If the front door 102 is open (determined "NO" in step S2005), the processing differs depending on whether the state of the setting key switch is detected at that timing or whether a specific operation is performed.

[0225] In the device monitoring process (step S215), the main control unit 300 reads the signal states of the various sensors 318 and detects the state (on or off) of the setting key switch. When the main control unit 300 detects the state of the setting key switch, it sends a command to the second sub-control unit 500 via the first sub-control unit 400 to notify the state (on or off) of the setting key switch.

[0226] Similarly, the first sub-control unit 400 reads the signal states of various sensors in the first sub-control unit timer interrupt processing (Figure 7(c)) and detects whether or not a specific operation has been performed. In this example, the specific operation is the operation of an administrator board switch (sub-board switch) not shown, which is provided on the sub-control board (or sub-control board storage case 220). When the first sub-control unit 400 detects the operation of the administrator board switch, it sends a command to the second sub-control unit 500 to notify that the administrator board switch has been operated.

[0227] Then, if the second sub-control unit 500 receives a command indicating that the setting key switch is on, it proceeds to step S2007 and notifies the user that the setting confirmation state is in effect. Specifically, in the image control process, the second sub-control unit 500 executes a process of reading from ROM 506 performance data for performing image control related to the setting confirmation state based on the received command. As a result, the display area of ​​the performance image display device 157 displays information including text information such as "! Setting confirmation in progress!" as a screen (setting confirmation screen 705) notifying the user that the setting confirmation state is in effect. In addition, a sound such as "Setting confirmation in progress" is output from the speakers 272, 277 (screen transition (5) shown in FIG. 10).

[0228] In the next step S2009, it is determined whether or not a specific operation has been performed. That is, if a specific operation has been performed in the setting confirmation state (while the setting confirmation screen 705 is being displayed), the process proceeds to step S2011, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2019.

[0229] In step S2011, in the image control process, the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed. As described above, in this embodiment, when the front door 102 is open and the setting key switch is on, the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed on condition that a specific operation has been performed (screen transition (6) shown in FIG. 10).

[0230] In the following step S2013, it is determined whether the front door 102 is closed. If it is closed, the process proceeds to step S2007; if not, the process proceeds to step S2015. As described above, in step S2007, the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed. That is, if the front door 102 is closed while the administrator menu screen 701 is being displayed (step S2011) (the determination in step S2013 is "YES"), the administrator menu screen 701 is closed (hide), and the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed (screen transition (7) shown in FIG. 10). In this way, it is possible to prevent the administrator menu screen 701 from being viewed by a second administrator or a player while it is still displayed.

[0231] In step S2015, which is reached if the front door 102 is not closed (it is open, and the determination in step S2013 is "NO"), it is determined whether or not a termination operation has been performed. If a termination operation (has been performed) is detected, the process proceeds to step S2007; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2017.

[0232] As described above, in step S2007, the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed. That is, if an end operation is performed while the administrator menu screen 701 is being displayed (step S2011), the administrator menu screen 701 is closed (hide), and the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed (screen transition (7) shown in FIG. 10). In this way, it is possible to prevent the administrator menu screen 701 from being viewed by a second administrator or a player while it is still displayed. In addition, by displaying the setting confirmation screen 705, it is possible to prevent the front door 102 from being closed and locked with the setting key inserted (the setting key being in an in-lock state).

[0233] In step S2017, it is determined whether or not the setting key switch is in the OFF state. If it is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step S2003, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2013.

[0234] As described above, in step S2003, the door open screen 704 is displayed. That is, if the setting key switch is turned off while the administrator menu screen 701 is being displayed (step S2011), the administrator menu screen 701 is closed (hide), and the door open screen 704 is displayed (screen transition (9) shown in FIG. 10). By doing so, it is possible to prevent the administrator menu screen 701 from being viewed by a second administrator or player while it is still displayed.

[0235] In step S2019, which is reached if it is determined in step S2009 that a specific operation has not been performed, it is determined whether the setting key switch is off. If the setting key switch is off, the process proceeds to step S2003; if not, the process proceeds to step S2009. That is, if the setting key switch is turned off without a specific operation being performed while the setting confirmation screen 705 is being displayed, the door open screen 704 is displayed (screen transition (8) shown in FIG. 10). Note that, after the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed (step S2011), if the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed (step S2007) because the front door 102 is closed (the determination in step S2013 is "YES"), the door open screen 704 is displayed (screen transition (7) -> (8) shown in FIG. 10) even if the front door 102 is closed.

[0236] Also, if it is determined in step S2005 that the front door 102 is not in the closed state (is in the open state) and a specific operation has been detected, the process proceeds to step S2021. In step S2021, the hall menu screen 702 is displayed. That is, if a specific operation is performed while the door open screen 704 is displayed, the hall menu screen 702 is displayed (screen transition (2) shown in FIG. 10).

[0237] In the next step S2023, it is determined whether the front door 102 is closed. If it is not closed, the process proceeds to step S2025. If it is closed, the process proceeds to step S2003. That is, if the front door 102 is closed while the hall menu screen 702 is displayed, the door open screen 704 is displayed even if the front door 102 is actually closed (screen transition (3) shown in FIG. 10). The reason why the door open screen 704 is displayed even when the front door 102 is closed is because, if the door open screen 704 were to disappear immediately upon the closing of the front door 102, there is a risk that fraudulent activity may not be noticed, and because it corresponds to the timing of the stop of output of the security signal output to the hall computer based on the opening of the front door 102. Taking these points into consideration, the door open screen 704 is displayed even when the front door 102 is closed in screen transition (3) shown in FIG. 10.

[0238] In step S2023, if the front door 102 is not in the closed state, the process proceeds to step S2025, which determines whether or not an end operation has been performed. If an end operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2003, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2023. That is, if an end operation is performed while the hall menu screen 702 is being displayed, the door open screen 704 is displayed (screen transition (3) shown in FIG. 10).

[0239] Furthermore, in step S2027, which is reached if the determination in step S2005 is that the front door 102 is closed, the notification that the front door 102 is open is terminated. That is, when the front door 102 is closed, the door open screen 704 is terminated (hide), and the output of the voice such as "The door is open" is also terminated (screen transition (4) shown in FIG. 10).

[0240] The detection of the open / close sensor of the front door 102 may be performed by the second sub-controller 500 (or the first sub-controller 400).

[0241] It is also described that when the opening of the front door 102 is detected, an external signal indicating that the front door 102 is open is output, and when the opening of the front door 102 is no longer detected, the output of the external signal is stopped, that when a transition to the setting value change mode is made, an external signal indicating that the mode is the setting value change mode is output, and when the transition to the setting value change mode is completed, the output of the external signal indicating that the mode is the setting value change mode is stopped, and that when a transition to the setting confirmation state is made, an external signal indicating that the mode is the setting confirmation state is output, and when the transition to the setting confirmation state is completed, the output of the external signal indicating that the mode is the setting confirmation state is stopped. In this regard, the external signal indicating the setting value change mode and the external signal indicating the setting confirmation state may be output from the same predetermined output terminal, and the external signal indicating that the front door 102 is open may be output from a specific output terminal different from the predetermined output terminal.

[0242] Furthermore, since the front door 102 is open while the hall menu screen 702 is displayed, an external signal indicating that the front door 102 is open is output. In addition, since the front door 102 is open while the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed, an external signal indicating that the front door 102 is open is output, and since the setting confirmation state is also passed, an external signal indicating that the setting confirmation state is also output. In this way, when any menu screen is displayed by the administrator (store clerk), an external signal is output.

[0243] If the opening of the front door 102 is no longer detected while the administrator menu screen 701 is being displayed, the administrator menu screen 701 is hidden and a setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed, and the output of the external signal indicating that the front door 102 is open is stopped, while the output of the external signal indicating that the setting confirmation state is in progress continues.

[0244] Furthermore, if an end operation is detected without closing the front door 102 while the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed, the administrator menu screen 701 is hidden and a settings confirmation screen 705 is displayed, but the output of an external signal indicating that the front door 102 is open continues, and the output of an external signal indicating that the setting is being confirmed also continues.

[0245] Furthermore, if the setting key is turned off without the front door 102 being closed while the administrator menu screen 701 is being displayed, the administrator menu screen 701 is hidden and the door open screen 704 is displayed, and the output of the external signal indicating that the front door 102 is open continues, while the output of the external signal indicating that the setting is being confirmed is stopped.

[0246] Furthermore, if the opening of the front door 102 is no longer detected while the hall menu screen 702 is being displayed, the hall menu screen 702 will no longer be displayed and the door open screen 704 will be displayed, and the output of the external signal indicating that the front door 102 is open will be stopped.

[0247] In addition, if an end operation is detected without closing the front door 102 while the hall menu screen 702 is displayed, the hall menu screen 702 is hidden and the door open screen 704 is displayed, but the output of an external signal indicating that the front door 102 is open continues.

[0248] With conventional gaming machines, after various settings or maintenance inspections have been performed by the administrator (store staff), the machine may continue to operate with the administrator menu screen or hall menu screen displayed. In particular, in the case of the administrator menu screen, various settings and history can be viewed by players or a second administrator, posing a security problem.

[0249] According to this embodiment, when the setting and confirmation work by the first administrator is completed, the administrator menu screen 701 can be reliably closed (hidden), and it is also possible to prevent the setting key from being locked out, thereby improving the security of the slot machine 100.

[0250] <Player menu screen> Next, a screen (player menu screen 730) on which the player makes various settings and confirmations will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions of the player menu screen 730 of this embodiment. The player menu screen 730 of this embodiment is a screen that is displayed by performing a predetermined operation (menu display operation) on the in-game screen or demo screen, and is included in the above-mentioned game screen 703, for example.

[0251] 9(a) shows, for example, a state in which a demo screen is displayed in the display area of ​​the display means (e.g., the effect image display device 157). The player menu screen 730 cannot be displayed during play (while the reels 110 to 112 are spinning). However, when transition to the player menu screen 730 is possible during non-play, as shown in FIG. 9(a), for example, a tutorial display 715 showing operations (menu display operations) for displaying the player menu screen 730 is displayed in a portion of the display area of ​​the display means (e.g., the effect image display device 157). Here, as an example, it is assumed that the player menu screen 730 can be displayed by operating (pressing) the enter button (PUSH button) 722 (see FIG. 9(c)). Therefore, for example, the tutorial display 715 displays information including text information such as "Press 'PUSH' to display menu." The decision button 722 is located in a position where it can be operated by the player (see Figure 9(d)), and the player menu screen 730 is a screen that is displayed for the player (and can be operated by the player), but of course it can also be operated by the administrator (store clerk).

[0252] The player menu screen 730 is, for example, composed of a first-level menu screen 731 and second-level menu screens 732, 733, and 734. FIG. 1B shows an example of the first-level menu screen 731. The first level displays items (player setting confirmation items) that the player can set and check regarding the status of the slot machine 100, and is a screen where the player can perform selection operations, confirmation operations, and selection and confirmation operations (continuous operations from selection to confirmation) for the items. In this example, the player setting confirmation items include items such as "volume adjustment," "game history," and "reel storage." "Volume adjustment" is an item where the volume output by the slot machine 100 can be adjusted (volume setting), "game history" is an item where the game history can be checked, and "reel storage" is an item where the player can control the reel (particularly, the reel storage and deployment operations). Details of reel storage will be described later.

[0253] The first hierarchical menu screen 731 includes displays (item displays) 741 corresponding to (for selecting) these multiple player setting confirmation items, an exit display 742 for ending the first hierarchical menu screen 731, and an operation guide 743 using an operation means (selection / decision operation means) for selecting and deciding on the item displays 741 and the exit displays 742.

[0254] The selection / determination operation means may be, for example, a cross key 720 having up, down, left, and right buttons (selection buttons 721) and a determination button 722, or an end button 723, as shown in FIG. 9(c). In this example, an item display 741 or an end display 742 is selected (selection operation) by operating the selection button 721, and the selected item is determined (determination operation) by operating the determination button 722. The first layer menu screen 731 is closed by the selection and determination operation of the end display 742, and the display returns to the demo screen shown in FIG. 9(a). In this case, the first layer menu screen 731 can be displayed not only by the selection and determination operation of the end display 742, but also by operating (pressing) the end button 723.

[0255] 10(c) to 10(e) are examples of second-level menu screens 732, 733, and 734. FIG. 10(c) shows a volume adjustment screen 732, which is accessed by selecting and confirming a "Volume Adjustment" item display 741 on the first-level menu screen 731. The volume adjustment screen 732 includes, for example, a volume status display 745 that indicates the status of the volume setting using a scale and / or a numerical value, an operation guide 743, and a back display 744 for closing the volume adjustment screen 732 and returning to the first-level menu screen 731. When an operator (a player or a manager (store clerk)) operates the selection button 721, the volume status display 745 (the scale and numerical value) changes accordingly. Specifically, for example, operating the button to the right (or above) of the selection button 721 (selection operation) sequentially increases the volume setting (here, the number of colored scales and numerical value), and operating the button to the left (or below) of the selection button 721 sequentially decreases the volume setting. That is, in this case, the volume status indicator 745, more specifically, each of the five scales in this example, is included in the item display. In this embodiment, the volume status indicator 745 is pre-displayed with five scales, and the volume selection (volume loudness or softness) is indicated by the number of filled-in (color-changing) scales. The number of filled-in (color-changing) scales in the volume status indicator 745 is hereinafter referred to as the "scales of the volume status indicator 745." Furthermore, the volume output from the sound output means (speakers 272, 277) also changes depending on the selection operation. When the operator operates (presses) the enter button 722, the currently selected volume (the volume corresponding to the filled-in scales (item display)) is determined as the output volume (the enter operation). In this way, the operator (e.g., the player) can adjust (set) the output volume of the slot machine 100 in stages according to the volume status indicator 745. Note that in this embodiment, "volume adjustment" and "volume setting" are synonymous.

[0256] 10(d) is a gaming history confirmation screen 733 that is advanced by selecting and confirming the "gaming history" item display 741 on the first hierarchical menu screen 731. The gaming history confirmation screen 733 includes at least a gaming history display 746 that shows the gaming history (for example, the number of ATs, the number of bonuses, the number of CZs, etc.) numerically and / or by a meter, an operation guide 743, and a back display 744 for closing the gaming history confirmation screen 733 and returning to the first hierarchical menu screen 731.

[0257] 10(e) is a reel storage screen 734 that is advanced by a selection and confirmation operation of an item display 741 of "reel storage" on the first hierarchical menu screen 731. The reel storage screen 734 is a screen on which, for example, an operator (such as a player) can control the operation of the reel (storing or deploying), and is a screen on which a plurality of items relating to the control of the reel (for example, "execute storage", "do not execute storage (keep deployed)") can be selected. In this example, the reel storage screen 734 includes at least an item display (YES) 747 corresponding to "execute storage", an item display (NO) 748 corresponding to "do not execute storage", an operation guide 743, and a back display 744 for terminating the reel storage screen 734 and returning to the first hierarchical menu screen 731. When the operator (player or manager (clerk)) operates the selection button 721, he can select item display (YES) 747 or item display (NO) 748, and when the operator operates (presses) the decision button 722, the reels are controlled based on the item display selected at that time. The reels storage screen 734 will be described in detail later.

[0258] <Volume settings (volume adjustment)> Next, the volume setting (volume adjustment, the same applies below) of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. The slot machine 100 includes, as notification means capable of notifying game information, various errors, etc., sound output means (e.g., speakers 272, 277), light output means (e.g., various lamps 420 shown in Figure 3), display means (e.g., effect image display device 157), movable means (e.g., shutter 163 and reels 110 to 112 shown in Figure 1), etc.

[0259] The slot machine 100 also includes a first volume setting means (first operating means) and a second volume setting means (second operating means) that are used to change the volume setting of the sound output means.

[0260] Here, the volume settings related to the sound output means include, for example, the volume (sound pressure), sound quality, number of channels, frequency, etc. of the sound output from the sound output means.

[0261] <Volume setting / first volume setting means (first operating means)> The "first volume setting means" according to the present invention refers to a means provided in a position operable only when the front door (door body) 102 is in the open state, out of the closed state and the open state. For example, this refers to an administrator switch used by a manager (store clerk). The administrator switch is, for example, a back knob (rotary switch 600) or a slide switch, as shown in FIG. 2 . In this example, the rotary switch 600 is used as the first volume setting means, and the administrator-set volume (first type of volume setting value, specific value) can be changed in six steps (scales 0 to 5). That is, the volume setting value for the sound output means includes multiple specific values ​​(administrator-set volume, first type of volume setting value) that can be changed by operating the administrator switch (rotary switch 600). In this way, the first volume setting means according to the present embodiment is operable by opening the front door 102, and the administrator-set volume can be selected and set by operating the first volume setting means. Furthermore, operation of the first volume setting means (e.g., the back knob (rotary switch 600)) according to the present embodiment is referred to as a "first volume setting operation."

[0262] When the first sub-control unit 400 receives an operation of the administrator switch (rotary switch 600), it sets the volume for the sound output means according to the administrator-set volume (specific value).

[0263] Furthermore, the first sub-control unit 400 transmits a command including the administrator-set volume to the second sub-control unit 500, and upon receiving the command, the second sub-control unit 500 executes a process in the image control process to read from the ROM 506 performance data for displaying the administrator-set volume based on the received administrator-set volume. As a result, the administrator-set volume display is displayed in the display area of ​​the performance image display device 157.

[0264] <Volume setting / second volume setting means (second operating means)> The "second volume setting means" according to the present invention is, for example, a means provided in a position operable even when the front door (door body) 102 is closed. Examples of such means include a cross key having up, down, left, and right buttons and a confirm button, a performance button, a touch panel, etc., used by the player. In this example, the cross key 720 (up, down, left, and right buttons (selection button 721) and confirm button 722) shown in FIG. 9 is used as the second volume setting means, and the player-set volume (second type of volume setting value, predetermined value) can be changed in six levels (scales 0 to 5). In other words, the volume setting value for the sound output means includes multiple predetermined values ​​(player-set volume, second type of volume setting value) that can be changed by operating the player switch (cross key 720). In other words, the second volume setting means according to this embodiment is operable even when the front door 102 is closed, and the player-set volume can be selected and set by operating the second volume setting means. Moreover, the operation of the second volume setting means (for example, the cross key 720) in this embodiment is referred to as a "second volume setting operation."

[0265] When the first sub-control unit 400 receives operation of the player switch (cross key 720), it sets the volume of the sound output means according to the volume set by the player.

[0266] In addition, the first sub-control unit 400 transmits a command including the player-set volume to the second sub-control unit 500, and upon receiving the command, the second sub-control unit 500 executes, in the image control process, a process of reading from the ROM 506 effect data for displaying a player-set volume indicating the player-set volume based on the received player-set volume. As a result, the player-set volume display is displayed in the display area of ​​the effect image display device 157. For example, the player-set volume display is displayed by filling in the scale corresponding to the volume in the volume status display 745 shown in Figure 15(c), and by displaying a numerical value corresponding to the volume.

[0267] In this embodiment, the second volume setting operation can be performed in multiple ways (for example, two ways). One is the volume setting on the volume adjustment (volume setting) screen 732 shown in FIG. 15(c) described above. The other is the volume setting on the demo screen (such as a screen during non-play) shown in FIG. 15(a). That is, the demo screen shown in FIG. 15(a) includes a volume adjustment display 750. The volume adjustment display 750 is a display corresponding to the volume status display 745 and operation guide 743 on the volume adjustment screen 732, and includes, for example, an image of a scale indicating the volume status and left and right arrow keys. That is, the operator (player) can set the volume by operating the cross key 720 based on the volume adjustment display 750 on the demo screen shown in FIG. 15(a) without displaying the volume adjustment screen 732. That is, operating the cross key 720 based on the volume adjustment display 750 is also included in the second volume setting operation.

[0268] In this manner, in this embodiment, there is a first volume setting operation that can only be performed by the manager (store clerk) and a second volume setting operation that can also be performed by the player.

[0269] <Volume setting table> FIG. 16 is a volume setting value table showing an example of volume setting values. The slot machine 100 can set the volume for the sound output means (in this example, the volume (sound pressure) of the sound output from the sound output means) by changing the administrator-set volume (specific value) by operating the administrator switch (rear knob 600) or by changing the player-set volume (predetermined value) by operating the cross key 720. The volume setting table shown in FIG. 16 is a table showing the correlation between the administrator-set volume (specific value) and the player-set volume (predetermined value), and the relationship between the actual sound output (db) when these are set.

[0270] The first sub-control unit 400 stores one or more tables such as those shown in Figures 16(a) to 16(c) in ROM 406, and performs volume setting based on the administrator-set volume, the player-set volume, and the setting values ​​specified in these tables.

[0271] In this embodiment, the initial value of the player-set volume is determined according to the administrator-set volume. Specifically, in each table shown in FIG. 16, each value (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the "administrator-set volume (knob)" indicates the administrator-set volume and corresponds to the scale (value, position) of the back knob 600. Also, each value (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) of the "player-set volume (scale)" indicates the player-set volume and corresponds to the number of scales on the volume status display 745 (and the volume adjustment display 750, and so on). The 6-row by 6-column matrix below the "player-set volume (scale)" corresponds to the volume output (unit: [db]) corresponding to the "administrator-set volume (knob)" and the "player-set volume (scale)." Also, the "initial position" indicates the value of the "player-set volume (scale)" that is initially set according to the value of the "administrator-set volume (knob)." That is, in this example, when a certain "administrator-set volume (knob)" is set, the player volume (scale) with the same value as that value is set as the initial value of the player-set volume.

[0272] The volume setting in this embodiment is outlined as follows. First, the manager (store clerk) can set one of a plurality of manager-set volumes (specific values, for example, "0" to "5") as the first volume setting by operating the first volume setting means (first volume setting operation). Specifically, by aligning the back knob to one of the scales "0" to "5," the manager-set volume (knob) corresponding to that number is set to one of "0" to "5."

[0273] Furthermore, when the player operates the second volume setting means (second volume setting operation), the second volume setting can be set to one of a plurality of player-set volumes (predetermined values, for example, "0" to "5"). Specifically, by selecting and determining one of the scales "0" to "5" on the volume status display 745 on the volume adjustment screen 732, the player-set volume (scale) corresponding to that value is set to one of "0" to "5".

[0274] (1) When the first administrator-defined volume (first specific value, for example, administrator-defined volume "0") is set When a first administrator-set volume (a first specific value, for example, administrator-set volume "0") is set among a plurality of administrator-set volume levels by the first volume setting operation, the initial value of the second volume setting is set to a first player-set volume (a first predetermined value, for example, player-set volume "0"), and the range of the second volume setting (the range in which the setting can be changed) is set to a first range of a plurality of player-set volume levels (for example, player-set volume "0" to "5").

[0275] Here, the first player set volume (player set volume "0") is a setting value corresponding to a first volume state (for example, silent), and the other player set volumes (player set volumes "1" to "5") are setting values ​​corresponding to second volume states (for example, silent). Note that the first volume state (silent) is a state in which the output of sound effects, dialogue, background music, and other sound effects is suppressed (a state in which sound effects are not output), and notification sounds such as error sounds are output.

[0276] In this case, in the second volume setting operation, it is possible to select and set a player-set volume within a first range of player-set volume (for example, player-set volume "0" to "5").

[0277] In the second volume setting operation, the display means can display a predetermined display (volume status display 745 (its multiple scales)) corresponding to multiple administrator-set volumes. Then, one player-set volume corresponding to one administrator-set volume set in the first volume setting operation is set as the initial value of the second volume setting operation, and the one player-set volume is displayed as the initial value (the number of filled-in scales) in the volume status display 745. For example, if a first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "0") is set in the first volume setting operation, a corresponding first player-set volume (player-set volume "0") is set as the initial value of the second volume setting operation, and the scale "0" (the number of filled-in scales "0") in the volume status display 745 is displayed as the initial value in the volume status display 745.

[0278] However, in this embodiment, in the second volume setting operation, once the first player set volume (player set volume "0") set as the initial value has been changed to another player set volume (any of player set volumes "1" to "5"), it is not possible to set (change) it back to the first player set volume (player set volume "0") again.

[0279] (2) When a second administrator volume setting (a second specific value, for example, any of the administrator volume settings "1" to "5") is set When a second administrator-set volume (a second specific value, for example, any one of the administrator-set volume levels "1" to "5") is set by the first volume setting operation from among the multiple administrator-set volume levels, the range of the second volume setting is set to a second range of multiple player-set volume levels (for example, player-set volume levels "1" to "5") that includes the second administrator-set volume level. Here, the second range includes the first range of player-set volume levels (for example, player-set volume levels "0" to "5"), excluding the first player-set volume level (player-set volume level "0").

[0280] In this case, the second volume setting operation allows the player to set the volume within the second range.

[0281] In other words, if the administrator-set volume is set to a second administrator-set volume (for example, any of the administrator-set volume levels "1" to "5"), the player-set volume can be selected and set within a second range (player-set volume levels "1" to "5") excluding the first player-set volume level (player-set volume level "0").

[0282] In the second volume setting operation, the display means can display a predetermined display (volume status display 745 (its multiple scales)) corresponding to multiple administrator-set volumes. Then, one player-set volume corresponding to one administrator-set volume set in the first volume setting operation is set as the initial value of the second volume setting operation, and the one player-set volume is displayed as the initial value (the number of filled-in scales) in the volume status display 745. For example, if a first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "1") is set in the first volume setting operation, a corresponding first player-set volume (player-set volume "1") is set as the initial value of the second volume setting operation, and the scale "1" (the number of filled-in scales "1") in the volume status display 745 is displayed as the initial value in the volume status display 745.

[0283] In this way, the multiple player-set volumes include a player-set volume (first player-set volume (player-set volume "0")) for a first volume state (e.g., silent, 0 db output) and a player-set volume (second player-set volume (player-set volume any of "1" to "5")) for a second volume state (e.g., on, output greater than 0 db). Here, the administrator-set volume and the player-set volume correspond to each other, and the multiple administrator-set volumes can be said to include an administrator-set volume for a first volume state (first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "0")) and an administrator-set volume for a second volume state (second administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume any of "1" to "5")).

[0284] When an administrator-set volume (first administrator-set volume) corresponding to a player-set volume (first player-set volume) in a first volume state is set, the range of the player-set volume can be set within the first range, and when an administrator-set volume (second administrator-set volume) corresponding to a player-set volume (second player-set volume) in a second volume state is set, the range can be set within a second range that partially overlaps with the first range.

[0285] Furthermore, when the first administrator-set volume is set, the first player-set volume (player-set volume "0") is set as the initial value of the player-set volume, and this set value can be changed within the first range by the second volume setting operation (by the player), but after changing to another player-set volume (second player-set volume), it cannot be changed back to the first player-set volume.

[0286] A specific explanation will be given below with reference to the volume setting table shown in Fig. 16. First, in the volume setting table shown in Fig. 16(a), when the administrator-set volume (knob) is "0", the (volume) output when the "player-set volume (scale)" is "0" is 0db, the output when the "player-set volume (scale)" is "1" is 80db, the output when the "player-set volume (scale)" is "2" is 85db, the output when the "player-set volume (scale)" is "3" is 90db, the output when the "player-set volume (scale)" is "4" is 95db, and the output when the "player-set volume (scale)" is "5" is 100db. In this table, the output of the player-set volume (scale) is the above value regardless of the value of the administrator-set volume (knob).

[0287] Also, when the "Administrator Set Volume (Knob)" is "0", the initial value of the "Player Set Volume (Scale)" is set to "0", and the "Player Set Volume (Scale)" can be selected (adjusted) to the values ​​"0", "1", "2", "3", "4", and "5". In other words, the selectable (setting) range for the player set volume is "0 to 5".

[0288] Here, the volume (output) corresponding to the first player set volume (player set volume (scale) "0") is a volume (output) smaller than the volume (output) corresponding to the second player set volume (player set volume (scale) "1" to "5". Specifically, "0" in the "player set volume (scale)" is "0db", that is, silent (first volume state). On the other hand, "1" to "5" in the "player set volume (scale)" are all larger than 0db, that is, audible (second volume state).

[0289] The initial value of the player-set volume (initial value of the scale of the volume status display 745) is determined by the position of the scale of the back knob (rotary switch 600 (value of the volume (scale) set by the administrator)).

[0290] (1) When the first administrator volume setting (administrator volume setting "0") is set When the scale on the back knob is set to "0" (the administrator-set volume (knob) is set to "0"), the initial value of the player-set volume (scale) becomes "0" for the player-set volume (scale) corresponding to the administrator-set volume (knob) "0". In this case, the initial value of the volume output is set to "0 (db)" (silent), indicated by diagonal hatching and a thick frame, and the volume status display 745 is displayed on the display means with the scale "0". In addition, the setting (selection) range of the player-set volume (scale) is set to the first range (the player-set volume (scale) range of "0" to "5" on the row of the administrator-set volume (knob) "0"). In other words, the player can set (change) the volume within the player-set volume range of "0" to "5" (by the second volume setting operation).

[0291] Since players usually play with sound, if the volume is silent (player-set volume "0") when the game starts, the player changes the volume to an appropriate volume (player-set volume other than "0") by the second volume setting operation. In other words, the "player-set volume (scale)" is set to one of "1" to "5."

[0292] However, in this embodiment, if the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "0" (silent), after changing the setting to another player set volume (any of the player set volumes "1" to "5") using the second volume setting operation, the player set volume "0" ("0" on the "player set volume (scale)") cannot be selected (set).

[0293] As described above, the first player-set volume (player-set volume "0") is a set value corresponding to a first volume state (e.g., silent), and the other player-set volumes (player-set volumes "1" to "5") are set values ​​corresponding to second volume states (e.g., on).

[0294] In this case, in the second volume setting operation, it is possible to select and set the player set volume within a first range of player set volume (for example, player set volume "0" to "5"); however, in this embodiment, once the first player set volume (player set volume "0") set as the initial value in the second volume setting operation is changed to another player set volume (any of player set volume "1" to "5"), it is not possible to set (change) it back to the first player set volume (player set volume "0") again.

[0295] (2) When the second administrator volume setting (one of the settings on the rear knob from "1" to "5") is set When the scale of the back knob is set to one of "1" to "5," as an example here (the administrator-set volume (knob) is set to "1"), the initial value of the player-set volume (scale) becomes "1" for the player-set volume (scale) corresponding to the administrator-set volume (knob) "1." In this case, the initial value of the volume output is set to "80 (db)," as indicated by the bold frame, and the volume status display 745 is displayed on the display means with the scale "1." In addition, the setting (selection) range of the player-set volume (scale) is set to the second range (the player-set volume (scale) range of "1" to "5" on the row of the administrator-set volume (knob) "1"). In other words, the player can set (change) the volume within the player-set volume range of "1" to "5" (by performing the second volume setting operation). In other words, in this case, the second range is the range of the first range excluding the first player-set volume (player-set volume "0"), and the player-set volume (scale) of "0" is not set as the initial value, nor can it be set by the second volume setting operation.

[0296] Also, for example, when the scale on the back knob is set to "2" (the administrator-set volume (knob) is set to "2"), the initial value of the player-set volume (scale) becomes "2" for the player-set volume (scale) corresponding to "2" for the administrator-set volume (knob). In this case, the initial value of the volume output is set to "85 (db)" as indicated by the bold frame, and the volume status display 745 is displayed on the display means with the scale "2". Also, the setting (selection) range of the player-set volume (scale) is set to the second range (the player-set volume (scale) range of "1" to "5" on the row of "2" for the administrator-set volume (knob)). In other words, the player can set (change) the volume within the player-set volume range of "1" to "5" (by performing the second volume setting operation). In other words, in this case too, the second range is the range of the first range excluding the first player-set volume (player-set volume "0"), and the player-set volume (scale) "0" is not set as the initial value, nor can it be set by the second volume setting operation.

[0297] Also, for example, when the scale on the back knob is set to "3" (the administrator-set volume (knob) is set to "3"), the initial value of the player-set volume (scale) becomes "3" for the player-set volume (scale) corresponding to the administrator-set volume (knob) "3". In this case, the initial value of the volume output is set to "90 (db)" as indicated by the bold frame, and the volume status display 745 is displayed on the display means with the scale "3". Also, the setting (selection) range of the player-set volume (scale) is set to the second range (the player-set volume (scale) range of "1" to "5" on the row of the administrator-set volume (knob) "3"). In other words, the player can set (change) the volume within the player-set volume range of "1" to "5" (by performing the second volume setting operation). In other words, in this case too, the second range is the range of the first range excluding the first player-set volume (player-set volume "0"), and the player-set volume (scale) "0" is not set as the initial value, nor can it be set by the second volume setting operation.

[0298] Also, for example, when the scale on the back knob is set to "4" (the administrator-set volume (knob) is set to "4"), the initial value of the player-set volume (scale) becomes "4" for the player-set volume (scale) corresponding to the administrator-set volume (knob) "4". In this case, the initial value of the volume output is set to "95 (db)" as indicated by the bold frame, and the volume status display 745 is displayed on the display means with the scale "4". Also, the setting (selection) range of the player-set volume (scale) is set to the second range (the player-set volume (scale) range of "1" to "5" on the row of the administrator-set volume (knob) "4"). In other words, the player can set (change) the volume within the player-set volume range of "1" to "5" (by performing the second volume setting operation). In other words, in this case too, the second range is the range of the first range excluding the first player-set volume (player-set volume "0"), and the player-set volume (scale) "0" is not set as the initial value, nor can it be set by the second volume setting operation.

[0299] Also, for example, when the scale on the back knob is set to "5" (the administrator-set volume (knob) is set to "5"), the initial value of the player-set volume (scale) becomes "5" for the player-set volume (scale) corresponding to the administrator-set volume (knob) "5". In this case, the initial value of the volume output is set to "100 (db)" as indicated by the bold frame, and the volume status display 745 is displayed on the display means with the scale "5". Also, the setting (selection) range of the player-set volume (scale) is set to the second range (the player-set volume (scale) range of "1" to "5" on the row of the administrator-set volume (knob) "5"). In other words, the player can set (change) the volume within the player-set volume range of "1" to "5" (by the second volume setting operation). In other words, in this case too, the second range is the range of the first range excluding the first player-set volume (player-set volume "0"), and the player-set volume (scale) "0" is not set as the initial value, nor can it be set by the second volume setting operation.

[0300] In other words, in Figure 16(a), the bold frame indicates the value of the player-set volume (output) that is initially set when the administrator-set volume (knob) is set, and the corresponding player-set volume (scale) is the scale shown as the initial value in the volume status display 745.

[0301] Additionally, the output (0 db) indicated by a bold frame and hatching can only be set as an initial value, and is an output (player-set volume (scale) scale) that cannot be reset if it is changed to another player-set sound (player-set volume (scale)). Additionally, the output (administrator-set volume (scale) "1" to "0" indicated by a solid gray frame is an output that cannot be set as an initial value, and cannot be set with the player-set volume (scale) (similar to the same in the same figure (b) and (c)).

[0302] Conventionally, the volume adjustment (volume setting) of the slot machine (game machine) 100 was performed by a manager (store clerk), but in recent years, players have been able to adjust the volume themselves, and the degree of freedom in volume adjustment is expanding. However, the volume output from the slot machine 100 is still loud, and the manager (store clerk) may find it unpleasant when performing maintenance on the slot machine 100 or when trying out a game after installation.

[0303] In this embodiment, the administrator-set volume (knob) and the player-set volume (scale) correspond to each other, and the initial values ​​of the player-set volume (scale) and the corresponding volume (output) are set by (in conjunction with) the setting of the administrator-set volume (knob).

[0304] This means that when the manager (store clerk) performs maintenance work on the slot machine 100 or tests the slot machine after installation, he or she can easily (as the initial value) set the player-set volume (scale) to "0" by setting the scale on the back knob (rotary switch 600) to "0" (the manager-set volume (knob) to "0") as the first volume setting operation, i.e., set the sound output of the slot machine 100 to 0db (silent).

[0305] When the manager (store clerk) has completed maintenance work or trial play after installation, he / she sets the scale on the back knob to a value other than "0" (the manager-set volume (knob) to "0"). This allows the manager (store clerk) to easily (as an initial value) return the player-set volume (scale) to a value other than "0", i.e., return the audio output of the slot machine 100 to an output (audio) greater than 0db. In this way, the manager (store clerk) can easily set the initial value of the player-set volume (scale) by operating the back knob when work is completed.

[0306] Furthermore, even if a manager (store clerk) starts business with the back knob set to "0," (for example, a player) can use the second volume setting operation (volume setting by operating the cross key 720) to set the player-set volume (scale) to any value between "0" and "5." However, if the player uses the second volume setting operation to change the player-set volume (scale) from the default value of "0" to another volume setting, the player-set volume (scale) cannot be reset to "0." While it is rare for a player to play with the player-set volume (scale) set to "0" (silent), once the player has set the volume to "on" (any of the player-set volume (scale) "1" to "5"), it is not a problem if the player-set volume (scale) cannot be reset to "0." In fact, it is preferable that the player-set volume (scale) cannot be set to "0."

[0307] Furthermore, after completing maintenance work or a trial play after installation, a manager (store clerk) who has set the back knob to "0" (the manager-set volume (knob) to "0") may close the front door 102 and use the second volume setting operation (volume setting by operating the cross key 720) to set the player-set volume (scale) to any of "1" to "5." This prevents the player-set volume (scale) from being reset to "0," allowing the audio output of the slot machine 100 to be set to sound from the start of business and preventing players from changing the setting to silent. Furthermore, trial play after installation is often performed with the front door 102 closed, and after the trial play is completed, the front door 102 can be reopened and the player-set volume (scale) can be set to a state in which it cannot be reset to "0" without operating the back knob, thereby simplifying the work and improving convenience.

[0308] 16(b) and 16(c) are other examples of the volume setting table shown in FIG. 16(a), and are examples of volume setting tables that show a different correlation from the table in FIG. 16(a). In the volume setting table in FIG. 16(a), even if the administrator-set volume (knob) changes, the output (db) remains constant when the player-set volume (scale) value is the same. That is, when the administrator-set volume (knob) is "1," the output is 80db when the player-set volume (scale) is "1," the output is 85db when the player-set volume (scale) is "2," and even when the administrator-set volume (knob) is "2," the output is 80db when the player-set volume (scale) is "1," and the output is 85db when the player-set volume (scale) is "2." In addition, when the player's set volume (scale) was changed (from "1" to "2"), only the initial value of the player's set volume (scale) was changed (from "1" (80db) to "2" (85db)).

[0309] However, this is not limited to this, and the system may be configured so that when the administrator-set volume (knob) is changed, the output (db) may change even if the values ​​of each player-set volume (scale) are the same.

[0310] For example, in FIG. 16(b), as the value of the administrator-set volume (knob) increases, the lower limit of the range of the player-set volume that can be set increases.

[0311] In the volume setting table shown in Figure 16(b), when the administrator set volume (knob) is "0", the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "0" and the lower limit of the output is 0db. Also, when the player set volume is changed, the lower limit of the output is 80db, which corresponds to "1" of the "player set volume (scale)", and as the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output becomes 84db, 88db, 92db, and 100db in that order.

[0312] Also, when the administrator set volume (knob) is "1", the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "1" and the lower limit of the output is 82db, and as the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output will be 86db, 90db, 94db, and 100db, respectively.

[0313] Also, if the administrator set volume (knob) is "2", the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "2" (output is 88db), and the lower limit of the output is 84db, which corresponds to a "player set volume (scale)" of "1". As the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output will be 88db, 92db, 96db, and 100db, respectively.

[0314] Also, if the administrator set volume (knob) is "3," the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "3" (output is 94db), and the lower limit of the output is 86db, which corresponds to a "player set volume (scale)" of "1." As the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output becomes 90db, 94db, 98db, and 100db, respectively.

[0315] Also, if the administrator set volume (knob) is "4," the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "4" (output is 99db), and the lower limit of the output is 88db, which corresponds to a "player set volume (scale)" of "1." As the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output becomes 92db, 96db, 99db, and 100db, respectively.

[0316] Also, if the administrator set volume (knob) is "5", the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "5" (output is 100db), and the lower limit of the output is 90db, which corresponds to a "player set volume (scale)" of "1". As the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output will be 94db, 98db, 99db, and 100db, respectively.

[0317] In this way, in the volume setting table of FIG. 11(b), as the value of the administrator-set volume (knob) increases, the lower limit of the range of the settable player-set volume increases.

[0318] Also, for example, in FIG. 16(c), as the value of the administrator-set volume (knob) increases, the upper limit of the range of the settable player-set volume increases.

[0319] In the volume setting table shown in Figure 16(c), when the administrator set volume (knob) is "0", the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "0" and the lower limit of the output is 0db. Also, when the player set volume is changed, the lower limit of the output is 80db, which corresponds to "1" of the "player set volume (scale)", and as the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output becomes 82db, 84db, 92db, and 95db in that order.

[0320] Also, when the administrator-set volume (knob) is "1," the initial value of the "player-set volume (scale)" is "1" and the lower limit of the output is 80db, and as the "player-set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output will be 82db, 84db, 92db, and 96db, respectively.

[0321] Also, if the administrator set volume (knob) is "2", the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "2" (output is 82db), and the lower limit of the output is 80db, which corresponds to a "player set volume (scale)" of "1". As the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output will be 82db, 84db, 92db, and 97db, respectively.

[0322] Also, if the administrator set volume (knob) is "3," the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "3" (output is 84db), and the lower limit of the output is 80db, which corresponds to a "player set volume (scale)" of "1." As the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output becomes 82db, 84db, 92db, and 98db, respectively.

[0323] Also, if the administrator set volume (knob) is "4", the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "4" (output is 92db), and the lower limit of the output is 80db, which corresponds to a "player set volume (scale)" of "1". As the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output will be 82db, 84db, 92db, and 99db, respectively.

[0324] Also, if the administrator set volume (knob) is "5," the initial value of the "player set volume (scale)" is "5" (output is 100db), and the lower limit of the output is 80db, which corresponds to a "player set volume (scale)" of "1." As the "player set volume (scale)" increases (from "2" to "5"), the output becomes 82db, 84db, 92db, and 100db, respectively.

[0325] In this way, in the volume setting table of FIG. 11(c), as the value of the administrator-set volume (knob) increases, the upper limit of the range of settable player-set volume increases.

[0326] In either case, when the administrator-set volume (knob) is "0", the initial value of the player-set volume (scale) is set to "0", the player-set volume (scale) can be set (changed) within a first range (player-set volume "0" to "5"), but after changing the player-set volume (scale) to a value other than "0", the player-set volume (scale) cannot be reset to "0", when the administrator-set volume (knob) is other than "0", the player-set volume (scale) can be set (changed) within a second range (player-set volume "1" to "5"), and the player-set volume (scale) cannot be set to "0", and the technician-set volume (scale) corresponding to the administrator-set volume (knob) is set as the initial value, as in FIG. 16(a). Also, the volume setting tables in FIG. 16 may be used in combination with each other.

[0327] Furthermore, the lowest specific value among the multiple specific values ​​(administrator-set volume) is a first specific value (first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "0")), the lowest predetermined value (player-set volume) in the first range (player-set volume "0" to "5") is a first predetermined value (first player-set volume (player-set volume "0")), the lowest predetermined value in the second range (player-set volume "1" to "5") is a second predetermined value (second player-set volume "1"), and the volume corresponding to the first player-set volume is lower than the volume corresponding to the second player-set volume.

[0328] As explained above, when the first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume (knob)) is "0", the first player-set volume (player-set volume (scale)) is also set to "0", but there are the following exceptions. The sound output means (speakers 272, 277) of this embodiment can output security-related sounds (for example, sounds (error sounds) that notify various errors when an error occurs, and settlement sounds). Even if the first player-set volume is "0", the sound output means outputs an error sound at a volume louder than the volume (0db) corresponding to that set value. When the volume (output) is 0db, no effect sounds are output, resulting in a silent state, but security-related sounds are still output, so security can be guaranteed.

[0329] An example of the volume status display 745 on the display means (effect image display device 157) when setting the volume will be described with reference to Figure 17. This figure shows an example of the volume status display 745 (display of the initial value) in the second volume setting operation according to the volume set by the administrator, and an example of the screen transition when changing the volume set by the player.

[0330] Figure 16(a) is an example of the volume status display 745 in the performance image display device 157 when, in the first volume setting operation, the rear knob (rotary switch 600) is set to "0" and the administrator-set volume is set to the first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "0", the administrator-set volume (knob) in the volume setting table shown in Figure 16 is "0").

[0331] In this case, the player-set volume is set to the first player-set volume (player-set volume "0", player-set volume (scale) "0" in the volume setting table shown in FIG. 16) as the initial value. Also, in the effect image display device 157, information (scale "0", number "0") corresponding to the player-set volume "0" is displayed as the initial value in the volume status display 745.

[0332] At this time, the setting range of the player-set volume in the second volume setting operation is set to a player-set volume of "0" to "5." Therefore, the operator (e.g., the player) can select the player-set volume of "0" (no change) or a player-set volume of "1" to "5" by performing a selection and confirmation operation using the cross key 720. In other words, the player-set volume is changed using the selection button 721, and the player-set volume is set by confirming with the confirmation button 722.

[0333] Specifically, when the player-set volume "1" is selected by the selection / confirmation operation using the cross key 720, the volume status display 745 displays information corresponding to the player-set volume "1" (scale "1", number "1") as shown in FIG. 1(b), when the player-set volume "2" is selected, the volume status display 745 displays information corresponding to the player-set volume "2" (scale "2", number "2") as shown in FIG. 1(c), and when the player-set volume "3" is selected, the volume status display 745 displays information corresponding to the player-set volume "2" (scale "2", number "2") as shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 1(d), the volume status display 745 displays information corresponding to the player-set volume "3" (scale "3", number "3"), and when the player-set volume "4" is selected, the volume status display 745 displays information corresponding to the player-set volume "4" (scale "4", number "4"), as shown in Figure 1(e), and when the player-set volume "5" is selected, the volume status display 745 displays information corresponding to the player-set volume "5" (scale "5", number "5"), as shown in Figure 1(f).

[0334] Furthermore, in this case, if the player-set volume is changed from "0" to another value, the player-set volume can be selected and set arbitrarily to any of "1" to "5," but the player-set volume cannot be reset to "0." In other words, the screen transitions shown in FIG. 11(b) to (f) are possible by performing a selection / confirmation operation using the cross key 720, but the volume status display 745 shown in FIG. 11(a) for the player-set volume "0" are not displayed. More specifically, in this example, the player-set volume selected (or being set) by operating the selection button 721 is displayed by filling in the corresponding number on the scale. In this case, for example, if the player sets the volume down by operating the selection button 721 (for example, by operating the left key), the number of filled-in scale marks will decrease from 5 to 4 to 3... However, even if the player tries to further lower the player set volume from the player set volume "1" state shown in Figure 1(b) by operating the selection button 721 (for example, by operating the left key), the display in Figure 1(b) will continue, and the volume status display 745 for the player set volume "0" shown in Figure 1(a) will not be displayed.

[0335] In other words, the volume status display 745 shown in FIG. 11(a) is displayed only when the administrator-set volume is set to "0" and the player-set volume is set to "0" as the initial value.

[0336] In the case of the volume status display 745 shown in the same figure (a) (when the player set volume is "0"), no special sound is output, but a sound related to security (for example, an error sound) is output.

[0337] Figure 16(b) also shows the volume status display 745 on the performance image display device 157 when, in the first volume setting operation, the rear knob (rotary switch 600) is set to "1" and the administrator-set volume is set to the first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "1", the administrator-set volume (knob) in the volume setting table shown in Figure 16 is "1").

[0338] That is, in this case, the player-set volume is set to the first player-set volume (player-set volume "1", the player-set volume (scale) "1" in the volume setting table shown in FIG. 16) as the initial value. Also, in the effect image display device 157, information corresponding to the player-set volume "1" (the scale "1" filled in, the number "1") is displayed as the initial value in the volume status display 745.

[0339] At this time, the setting range of the player-set volume in the second volume setting operation is set to player-set volume "1" to "5", excluding player-set volume "0". Therefore, the operator (for example, the player) can select player-set volume "1" to "5" by performing a selection / confirmation operation using the cross key 720. In other words, the player-set volume is changed using the selection button 721, and the player-set volume is set by confirming with the decision button 722. Depending on the selection of player-set volume "1" to "5", the screen transitions between (b) to (f) in the same figure.

[0340] On the other hand, the volume status display 745 for the player-set volume "0" shown in FIG. 11(a) is not displayed, and the player-set volume "0" cannot be selected.

[0341] Figure 16(c) also shows the volume status display 745 on the performance image display device 157 when, in the first volume setting operation, the rear knob (rotary switch 600) is set to "2" and the administrator-set volume is set to the first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "2", the administrator-set volume (knob) in the volume setting table shown in Figure 16 is "2").

[0342] That is, in this case, the player-set volume is set to the first player-set volume (player-set volume "2", the player-set volume (scale) "2" in the volume setting table shown in FIG. 16) as the initial value. Also, in the effect image display device 157, information corresponding to the player-set volume "2" (scale "2" filled in, number "2") is displayed as the initial value in the volume status display 745.

[0343] At this time, the setting range of the player-set volume in the second volume setting operation is set to player-set volume "1" to "5", excluding player-set volume "0". Therefore, the operator (for example, the player) can select player-set volume "1" to "5" by performing a selection / determination operation using the cross key 720. Depending on the selection of player-set volume "1" to "5", the screen transitions between (b) to (f) in the same figure.

[0344] On the other hand, the volume status display 745 for the player-set volume "0" shown in FIG. 11(a) is not displayed, and the player-set volume "0" cannot be selected.

[0345] Figure 16(d) also shows the volume status display 745 on the performance image display device 157 when, in the first volume setting operation, the rear knob (rotary switch 600) is set to "3" and the administrator-set volume is set to the first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "3", the administrator-set volume (knob) in the volume setting table shown in Figure 16 is "3").

[0346] That is, in this case, the player-set volume is set to the first player-set volume (player-set volume "3", the player-set volume (scale) "3" in the volume setting table shown in FIG. 16) as the initial value. Also, in the effect image display device 157, information corresponding to the player-set volume "3" (the scale "3" filled in, the number "3") is displayed as the initial value in the volume status display 745.

[0347] At this time, the setting range of the player-set volume in the second volume setting operation is set to player-set volume "1" to "5", excluding player-set volume "0". Therefore, the operator (for example, the player) can select player-set volume "1" to "5" by performing a selection / determination operation using the cross key 720. Depending on the selection of player-set volume "1" to "5", the screen transitions between (b) to (f) in the same figure.

[0348] On the other hand, the volume status display 745 for the player-set volume "0" shown in FIG. 11(a) is not displayed, and the player-set volume "0" cannot be selected.

[0349] Figure 16 (e) also shows the volume status display 745 on the performance image display device 157 when, in the first volume setting operation, the rear knob (rotary switch 600) is set to "4" and the administrator-set volume is set to the first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "4", the administrator-set volume (knob) in the volume setting table shown in Figure 16 is "4").

[0350] That is, in this case, the player-set volume is set to the first player-set volume (player-set volume "4", the player-set volume (scale) "4" in the volume setting table shown in FIG. 16) as the initial value. Also, in the effect image display device 157, information corresponding to the player-set volume "4" (scale "4" filled in, number "4") is displayed as the initial value in the volume status display 745.

[0351] At this time, the setting range of the player-set volume in the second volume setting operation is set to player-set volume "1" to "5", excluding player-set volume "0". Therefore, the operator (for example, the player) can select player-set volume "1" to "5" by performing a selection / determination operation using the cross key 720. Depending on the selection of player-set volume "1" to "5", the screen transitions between (b) to (f) in the same figure.

[0352] On the other hand, the volume status display 745 for the player-set volume "0" shown in FIG. 11(a) is not displayed, and the player-set volume "0" cannot be selected.

[0353] Figure 16(f) also shows the volume status display 745 on the performance image display device 157 when, in the first volume setting operation, the rear knob (rotary switch 600) is set to "5" and the administrator-set volume is set to the first administrator-set volume (administrator-set volume "5", the administrator-set volume (knob) in the volume setting table shown in Figure 16 is "5").

[0354] That is, in this case, the player-set volume is set to the first player-set volume (player-set volume "5", the player-set volume (scale) "5" in the volume setting table shown in FIG. 16) as the initial value. Also, in the effect image display device 157, information corresponding to the player-set volume "5" (the scale "5" filled in, the number "5") is displayed as the initial value in the volume status display 745.

[0355] At this time, the setting range of the player-set volume in the second volume setting operation is set to player-set volume "1" to "5", excluding player-set volume "0". Therefore, the operator (for example, the player) can select player-set volume "1" to "5" by performing a selection / determination operation using the cross key 720. Depending on the selection of player-set volume "1" to "5", the screen transitions between (b) to (f) in the same figure.

[0356] On the other hand, the volume status display 745 for the player-set volume "0" shown in FIG. 11(a) is not displayed, and the player-set volume "0" cannot be selected.

[0357] Furthermore, the slot machine 100 is provided with a special operation means (third operation means) in addition to the first volume setting means (first operation means) and the second volume setting means (second operation means), and the display means (e.g., the performance image display device 157) is configured to be able to display a specific screen (setting confirmation screen 705) based on the operation of the special operation means.

[0358] Here, the special operation means (third operation means) is at least one of a setting key switch, a setting changeover switch, and an administrator board switch (sub-board switch). Also, the specific screen is, for example, a setting confirmation screen 705. In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 10, when it is detected that the setting key switch is turned on while the door open screen 704 is displayed, the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed on the display means (performance image display device 157). Also, when a specific operation (operation of the administrator board switch (sub-board switch)) is performed while the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed, the display of the setting confirmation screen 705 on the display means (performance image display device 157) is terminated, and the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed.

[0359] While the specific screen is being displayed, a specific sound is output from the sound output means (speakers 272, 277). The specific sound may be, for example, a voice such as "Checking settings" while the setting checking screen 705 is being displayed, or the sound output from the audio setting for, for example, the "Device Check" item on the administrator menu screen 701. This specific sound is output at a volume corresponding to the volume set by the administrator during the setting process. With this configuration, it is possible to know that the specific screen (setting checking screen 705) is being displayed, and also to check the volume of the sound on the specific screen.

[0360] FIG. 18 is a time chart showing an example in which the screen changes from the door open screen 704 to the setting confirmation screen 705 and the back knob (rotary switch 600) is changed in the first volume setting operation.

[0361] At timing (A1), the open / close sensor (door sensor) is turned off (i.e., the front door 102 is in an open state). When the front door 102 is in an open state, an announcement is made that the front door 102 is in an open state, and a voice message such as "The door is open" is output from the speakers 272, 277. The announcement (voice) that the front door 102 is in an open state is output at the administrator-set volume "5," which is the maximum volume for security purposes, and the player-set volume "5," which is the default volume in that case. The volume in this case cannot be changed. That is, even if the administrator-set volume is lowered by operating the rotary switch 600, the administrator-set volume (player-set volume) "5" remains unchanged. The administrator-set volume may be changed in response to the operation of the rotary switch 600.

[0362] At timing (A2), the setting key switch is turned on while the door open screen 704 is displayed. If the setting key switch is turned on while the door open screen 704 is displayed, it is announced that the settings are being checked (see FIG. 10). That is, a setting checking screen (specific screen) 705 is displayed on the display means, and a voice such as "Checking settings" is output from the speakers 272, 277. In this example, the knob of the rotary switch 600 at timing (A2) is set to "5," for example, i.e., the administrator-set volume is set to "5," and the voice during setting check ("Checking settings") is output at a volume corresponding to the administrator-set volume "5" and the player-set volume "5" as the default value in that case (for example, the volume (100 dB) of the administrator-set volume "5" and the player-set volume "5" in the volume setting table of FIG. 16(a)).

[0363] Timing (A3) corresponds to a state in which the knob of the rotary switch 600 has been changed from "5" to "4." The volume (administrator-set volume) of the notification sound (in this example, the sound "The door is open") during door opening (when the door opening screen 704 is displayed) cannot be changed, but the volume (administrator-set volume) of the notification sound (in this example, the sound "The settings are being checked") during setting confirmation (when the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed) can be changed. In other words, the notification sound during setting confirmation changes depending on the value of the knob of the rotary switch 600 (administrator-set volume). Note that the volume in this case corresponds to the player-set volume, which is the initial value of the administrator-set volume. At timing (A3), the administrator-set volume has been changed from "5" to "4," and the notification sound during setting confirmation has a volume (95 dB in the case of FIG. 16(a)) corresponding to the player-set volume "4," which is the initial value of the administrator-set volume "4." With this configuration, the volume of the rotary switch 600 can be previewed while the setting is being confirmed.

[0364] Timing (A4) is the state in which the knob of the rotary switch 600 is changed from "4" to "3" during setting confirmation. The notification sound during setting confirmation changes depending on the value of the knob of the rotary switch 600 (administrator-set volume). Specifically, at timing (A4), the administrator-set volume is changed from "4" to "3," and the notification sound during setting confirmation is at a volume (90db in the case of Figure 16(a)) that corresponds to the player-set volume "3," which is the initial value of the administrator-set volume "3."

[0365] Timing (A5) is the state in which the knob of the rotary switch 600 is changed from "3" to "2" during the setting confirmation. The volume of the notification sound during the setting confirmation changes to the volume (85db in the case of Figure 16(a)) corresponding to the player setting volume "2" as the initial value of the administrator setting volume "2".

[0366] Timing (A6) is the state in which the knob of the rotary switch 600 is changed from "2" to "1" during setting confirmation. The volume of the notification sound during setting confirmation changes to the volume (80db in the case of Figure 16(a)) corresponding to the player setting volume "1" as the initial value of the administrator setting volume "1".

[0367] Timing (A7) is the state in which the knob of the rotary switch 600 is changed from "1" to "0" during setting confirmation. The volume of the notification sound during setting confirmation changes to the volume (0 db in the case of Figure 16(a)) corresponding to the player setting volume "0" as the initial value of the administrator setting volume "01".

[0368] Timing (A8) is the state in which the setting key switch is turned off during setting confirmation (while the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed). If the setting key switch is turned off while the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed, an announcement is made that the door is in the open state (see FIG. 10). The announcement (audio) that the front door 102 is in the open state is output at the administrator set volume "5", which is the maximum volume to ensure security, and the player set volume "5", which is the default value in that case. Furthermore, the volume in this case cannot be changed.

[0369] Timing (A9) is a state in which, while a notification that the door is open is being made, the open / close sensor (door sensor) is detected as being on (the front door 102 is closed). The detection of the front door 102 being closed ends the notification that the door is open. That is, the door open screen 704 ends, and the output of the notification (audio) that the front door 102 is open also ends.

[0370] In the above embodiment, the back knob (rotary switch 600) has been described as an example of the first volume setting means, but the first volume setting means is not limited to this. In other words, the first volume setting means is not limited to a physical knob (switch), and may be something that can be set or changed in the system of the gaming machine 100, for example, on the administrator menu screen 701 (for example, a "Device Check" item, etc.).

[0371] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the volume status display 745 on the volume adjustment screen 732, which is accessed by selecting and confirming the "Volume Adjustment" item display 741 on the player menu screen 730, and the volume adjustment display 750 on the demo screen (Figure 15(a)) are displayed, but these volume status displays 745 and volume adjustment displays 750 may also be displayed when the back knob (rotary switch 600) is operated as the first volume setting means.

[0372] For example, when the manager (store clerk) operates the rotary switch 600 while a demo screen is being displayed, the scale of the volume adjustment display 750 may be changed to correspond to the manager-set volume set by the rotary switch 600. Also, when the manager (store clerk) operates the rotary switch 600 while the volume status display 745 is being displayed, the scale of the volume status display 745 may be changed to correspond to the manager-set volume set by the rotary switch 600. Of course, the initial value of the player-set volume also changes accordingly. This allows the manager (store clerk) to immediately see the manager's volume setting, making it possible to adjust the volume in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0373] Furthermore, as described above, the scales of the volume status display 745 and the volume adjustment display 750 are changed (immediately reflected) in conjunction with the operation of the rotary switch 600, but this is not limiting, and the volume status display 745 and the volume adjustment display 750 may be hidden once and then displayed with the scale reflecting the administrator volume setting when they are displayed again. This prevents confusion as to whether the scale has changed due to the cross key 720 or the operation of the rotary switch 600.

[0374] When the manager (store clerk) operates the rotary switch 600 to set the manager volume, the front door 102 is in an open state. At this time, a door open screen 704 is displayed. However, while the door open screen 704 is displayed, the volume status display 745 and the volume adjustment display 750 may not be displayed even if the rotary switch 600 is operated. In this case, the settings made with the rotary switch 600 may be reflected in the volume status display 745 and the volume adjustment display 750 that are displayed after the front door 102 is closed and the door open screen 704 is no longer displayed. Note that if the manager (store clerk) opens the front door 102 while accidentally or unexpectedly blocking the door sensor during work, the door open screen 704 is not displayed. If the manager (store clerk) operates the rotary switch 600 at this time, the volume status display 745 and the volume adjustment display 750 may be displayed, and the scale of the volume status display 745 may change in accordance with the operation of the rotary switch 600.

[0375] Furthermore, the door open screen 704, the volume status display 745, and the volume adjustment display 750 may be displayed together, in which case the convenience of operation is improved.

[0376] When setting the player's volume, a test sound corresponding to the scale may be output when a selection operation is performed and the scale changes, and a notification of the completion of the setting, such as "Volume set to ~," may be output when a confirmation operation is performed. Note that the test sound may not be output, or alternatively, the test sound may not be output when the volume is set using the volume adjustment display 750, but may be output when the volume is set using the volume status display 745. Since background music or sound effects may be output when the volume adjustment display 750 is displayed, the test sound may not interfere with these sounds, while the player menu screen 730 often does not output background music or sound effects. Note that the test sound output may also be reversed, such that the test sound is output when the volume is set using the volume adjustment display 750, but not when the volume is set using the volume status display 745.

[0377] It should be noted that the test sound may be outputted not only in accordance with the player volume setting but also in accordance with the administrator volume setting.

[0378] <Control of special features (storage of special features)> Next, the control of the accessory (storing of the accessory) will be described with reference to Fig. 19 to Fig. 21. Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining the accessory 800 of this embodiment, in which Fig. 19(a) and Fig. 19(b) are front schematic diagrams showing the relationship between the slot machine 100 and the accessory 800, and Fig. 19(c) is an example of the display of the accessory storage screen 734 shown in Fig. 15(e).

[0379] The slot machine 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a role object (in this example, a family crest role object imitating a family crest) 800. The role object 800 of this embodiment is a movable body, is included in the performance device 160, and performs a predetermined performance action as the game progresses (performance).

[0380] The reel 800 is configured to be movable to a position above the slot machine 100 as shown in Fig. 1(a) and to a position in front of the display means (performance image display device 157) of the slot machine 100 as shown in Fig. 1(b). In this embodiment, the position shown in Fig. 1(a) is referred to as the "deployed position" of the reel 800, and the position shown in Fig. 1(b) is referred to as the "stored position" of the reel 800.

[0381] More specifically, the deployed position refers to a position or state in which the accessory 800 protrudes above the main body (casing) 101. Although not shown, a data counter (data lamp) and the like are provided on the top of the main body (casing) 101. The deployed position in this embodiment also refers to a state in which the accessory 800 protrudes above the main body (casing) 101, overlapping (covering) at least the front of the data counter, making the data counter difficult for the player to see.

[0382] In addition, the storage position shown in the same figure (b) is, more specifically, a position / state in which the reel 800 overlaps in front of at least a portion of the performance image display device 157 (covers the front of at least a portion of the performance image display device 157), which makes it difficult for the player to see at least a portion of the display area of ​​the performance image display device 157.

[0383] The accessory 800 of this embodiment performs a predetermined operation as a performance operation as the game progresses. Meanwhile, the player desires to be able to see (check) the data counter provided on the top of the main body 101 while playing, but if the accessory 800 is in the deployed position (due to the execution of another performance, etc.), the data counter cannot be seen (checked) at any time.

[0384] Therefore, the reel 800 is configured so that it can be moved between the deployed position and the stored position by the player's operation at any timing of the player. There are, for example, the following two methods for moving the reel 800 from the deployed position to the stored position (this action is also called "storing the reel (reel 800)").

[0385] (1) The first method for storing the 800 The first method for storing the reel 800 (moving it from the deployed position to the stored position) is to operate a reel storage button 801 provided, for example, on the upper side of the main body 101. The reel 800 is engaged with a stopper (not shown) at the top of the main body 101, and is supported and fixed in the deployed position. In other words, when the stopper is released, it moves downward (falls) under its own weight. The reel storage button 801 is a button that releases the stopper, and the player can release the stopper by operating the reel storage button 801 at any time. By operating the reel storage button 801, the reel 800 moves downward under its own weight and stops at the stored position (FIG. 1(b)). This allows the player to check the data counter at any time.

[0386] On the other hand, when moving from the stored position to the deployed position, the player performs a game start operation (inserting a medal, operating the bet buttons 130 to 132, operating the start lever 135, etc.). This game start operation switches the driving force of the motor (not shown) to be transmitted to the accessory 800, and the accessory 8000 is pulled upward and moved to the deployed position, where it is stopped by a stopper (Fig. 1(a)).

[0387] (2) The second method for storing the 800 The second method for storing the reel 800 (moving it from the deployed position to the stored position) is a predetermined operation on the reel storage screen 734.

[0388] As explained with reference to Figure 15, the reel storage screen 734 can be displayed on a display means (e.g., the performance image display device 157) by selecting the "Reel Storage" item display 741 on the player menu screen 730.

[0389] As shown in FIG. 19(c), the reel storage screen 734 is a screen on which, for example, "execute storage" or "not execute storage (execute deployment (keep deployed)") of the reel 800 can be selected. In this example, the reel storage screen 734 includes at least an item display (YES) 747 corresponding to "execute storage", an item display (NO) 748 corresponding to "not execute storage (execute deployment)", an operation guide 743, and a back display 744 for closing the reel storage screen 734 and returning to the first hierarchical menu screen 731. When the operator (player or manager (store clerk)) operates the selection button 721, the item display (YES) 747 or the item display (NO) 748 can be selected.

[0390] When the player wishes to move the reel 800 to the storage position, he or she selects and confirms the item display (YES) 747 corresponding to "execute storage." That is, after selecting the item display (YES) 747 with the selection button 721, the player operates (presses) the decision button 722. As a result, for example, the reel storage button 801 is operated by a motor (not shown), the stopper is released, and the reel 800 moves downward by its own weight and stops at the storage position (FIG. 1(b)). This allows the player to check the data counter. It is also possible to have the reel moved to the storage position by motor drive.

[0391] On the other hand, when moving from the stored position to the deployed position, the item display (NO) 748 corresponding to "Not stored (deployed)" is selected and confirmed. That is, after selecting the item display (NO) 748 with the selection button 721, the decision button 722 is operated (pressed).

[0392] This switches the driving force of the motor (not shown) to be transmitted to the reel 800, which is then pulled upward and moved to the deployed position, where it is locked by a stopper (FIG. 1(a)).

[0393] Here, the display of the reel storage screen 734 is limited to transition from the player menu screen 730. In other words, for example, there are cases where the reel storage screen 734 cannot be displayed while other effects (continuous effects, etc.) are being executed. In such cases, the player can store the reel 800 by the above-mentioned (1) first method.

[0394] Furthermore, even if the reel 800 is moved to the storage position by operating the reel storage screen 734, it can also be moved to the deployment position by operating the game start operation, as in the first method (1) above.

[0395] Incidentally, on screens such as the reel storage screen 734 and the volume adjustment screen 732 (and other menu screens) that allow selection operations using the selection button 721 and decision operations using the decision button 722, the selection button 721 (naturally) only allows selection operations, and the decision button 722 only allows decision operations, so the specifications are uniform.

[0396] However, if such a uniform specification is used in all cases, operability for the operator (such as a player) may be poor. For example, selection and confirmation of item displays 747, 748, etc. can only be performed if they are visible. In other words, even if they are difficult to see due to effects or other events, if a uniform specification is used in which only selection action is performed with the selection button 721 and only confirmation action is performed with the confirmation button 722 in the selection and confirmation operations of item displays 747, 748, etc., it may be difficult to operate, and it may not be said that sufficient consideration has been given to usability.

[0397] Specifically, as described above, the reel 800 of this embodiment covers at least a part of the display area of ​​the effect image display device 157 when in the stored position, making it difficult for the player to see the display area. In particular, operability deteriorates when the reel 800 is moved to the stored position by operating the reel storage screen 734 to check the data counter, and then the player attempts to move it back to the deployed position by operating the reel storage screen 734. That is, when the player attempts to perform a selection and confirmation operation for the item display (NO) 748 corresponding to "not storing (deploying)" by operating the reel storage screen 734, if the display area of ​​the effect image display device 157 (particularly, the item display (YES) 747 and the item display (NO) 748) are covered by the reel 800, it becomes difficult to determine which item is selected (and what will happen if the decision button 722 is operated in that state).

[0398] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the reel 800 is moved to the storage position by the selection and decision operation on the reel storage screen 734, the reel 800 is moved to the deployed position by operating the decision button 722 (the same operation means (most recently operated) as the means used in the selection and decision operation (decision operation) of moving to the storage position). Also, at that time, regardless of whether or not the item display (item display (NO) 748) for returning to the deployed position is selected on the reel storage screen 734, that is, regardless of which item display 747, 748 on the reel storage screen 734 is selected, the reel is configured to be returned to the deployed position by operating the decision button 722 again.

[0399] That is, the slot machine 100 of this embodiment has a first operation means (selection operation means (e.g., selection button 721)) and a second operation means (decision operation means (e.g., decision button 722)), and is capable of displaying at least a specific display (here, a role object storage screen 734) on its display means. The specific display (role object storage screen 734) includes at least a plurality of item displays (here, an item display (YES) 747 and an item display (NO) 748), and the selection operation of the item display can be performed by the selection operation means (selection button 721), and the decision operation of the selected item display can be performed by the decision operation means (decision button 722).

[0400] Further, the slot machine 100 has a movable body (for example, a role device 800), and the movable body (the role device 800) is configured to be movable between a stored position in front of the display means where it overlaps with the display means, and a deployed position in front of the display means where it does not overlap with the display means. Hereinafter, the movement of the role device 800 to the stored position may be referred to as "occurrence of a specific event," and the movement of the role device 800 to the deployed position may be referred to as "resolution of a specific event."

[0401] In the slot machine 100, there is a case (first case) in which a specific event occurs (for example, the reel 800 moves to a storage position) while the display means is displaying the above-mentioned specific display (reel storage screen 734), and in this first case, when a decision operation is performed using the decision button 722, control related to the specific event is performed regardless of the state of the selection operation.

[0402] Specifically, the above "first case" refers to a case where, when the display means is displaying a specific display (reel storage screen 734), a selection operation is performed on a specific item display (item display (YES) 747 in this case) from among multiple item displays, and a first decision operation is performed using the decision button 722, causing the reel 800 to move to the storage position. In this case (first case), when the decision button 722 is operated again (second decision operation), the specific event is resolved (the movement of the reel 800 to the storage position is resolved), regardless of whether a selection operation is performed on the specific item display (item display (YES) 747). In other words, the reel 800 moves to the deployed position.

[0403] Specifically, in this embodiment, a storage screen (reel storage screen 734) for the movable body (reel 800) can be displayed, and when the storage screen (reel storage screen 734) is displayed and the movable body (reel 800) is stored by operating the operation means (decision button 722) (first operation), a subsequent operation (decision button 722) of the same operation means will move the movable body (reel 800) to the deployed position, regardless of the item selected at that time.

[0404] By doing this, even though the same operating means (decision button 722) is operated, it is possible to control the operation according to the status of the movable body (gimmick 800) without being limited to the selection and decision operation for the item displays 747, 748 included in the displayed gadget storage screen 734 (rather than a uniform operation), thereby improving the convenience of operation.

[0405] This will be explained in more detail with reference to Figure 20. Figure 20 is a schematic front view of the slot machine 100.

[0406] 1(a) shows the state in which the reel 800 is in the deployed position. In this case, the reel 800 of this embodiment protrudes upward from the top of the main body (housing) 101. In other words, although not shown in the figure, it is positioned so as to cover the data counter (data lamp) on the top of the main body 101, and when the reel 800 is in the deployed position, it is difficult to see the data counter.

[0407] In this case, the player can display the reel storage screen 734 and move the reel 800 to the storage position by operating the reel storage screen 734. Specifically, on the reel storage screen 734, when the item display (YES) 747 is selected (selected) with the selection button 721 and a confirmation operation is performed with the decision button 722 (first press of the decision button 722), the reel 800 moves to the storage position (FIGS. 1A and 1B). In this case, the operation (first operation, press) of the decision button 722 in FIG. 1A is the confirmation operation for the item display (YES) 747, which moves the reel 800 to the storage position (a specific event occurs), resulting in the state shown in FIG. 1B. In other words, the first operation (press) of the decision button 722 in FIG. 1A is the operation that causes a specific event to occur.

[0408] When the reel 800 is in the stored state shown in Figure (b), the reel 800 covers the front of the performance image display device 157, and even if you try to move it to the deployed position by operating the reel storage screen 734, it is difficult to see the item display (YES) 747, item display (NO) 748, etc.

[0409] In this case, in this embodiment, if the same operation (decision operation, i.e., pressing the decision button 722 a second time) is performed using the operating means used (immediately before) when storing the reel 800, i.e., the decision button 722, the reel 800 can be moved to the deployed position (FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 1(c)). At this time, the reel 800 moves to the deployed position by operating the decision button 722 regardless of whether the item display (YES) 747 or the item display (NO) 748 is selected (even if the item display (YES) 747 is selected). In other words, operating (pressing) the decision button 722 (a second time) in FIG. 1(b) is an operation that moves the reel 800 to the deployed position (resolving the specific event).

[0410] In this way, on the reel storage screen 734, the first operation of the decision button 722 (pressing, deciding on the item display (YES) 747) moves the reel 800 to the stored position (causing a specific event), and the second operation (pressing) of the decision button 722 moves the reel 800 to the deployed position (resolving the specific event) regardless of which item display is selected.

[0411] Here, the decision button 722 is the same operating means as that used in the selection and decision operation for moving to the stored position (decision operation for item display (YES) 747), which is normally the immediately preceding operation, i.e., the operating means most recently used. In other words, while the decision button 722 is used in this example, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other configuration may be used as long as the movement to the deployed position is performed by operating the same operating means (more preferably, the same operation) as the means used to perform the decision operation for moving to the stored position (occurrence of a specific event) (decision operation for item display (YES) 747). For example, in a configuration in which the decision operation for moving to the stored position (decision operation for item display (YES) 747) is performed by operating (for example, pressing) another effect button, the movement to the deployed position can be performed by the same operation (pressing) of the same effect button.

[0412] The operating means for causing a specific event (moving the reel 800 to the stored position) or canceling it (moving the reel 800 to the deployed position) may be an operating means, such as a lever or a switch, that has multiple operating directions (for example, an operation from right to left, an operation from top to bottom, etc.) and does not automatically return to the state before the operation (by a biasing means, etc.) after the operation. When such an operating means is used, the operating means can be returned to the deployed position by operating it in the opposite direction (for example, an operation from left to right, an operation from bottom to top, etc.) from the operation for determining the movement to the stored position.

[0413] According to this configuration, even if the display content of the display means (reel storage screen 734) is difficult for the player to see when the reel 800 is moved to the storage position, the player can move the reel 800 to the deployed position by operating the same operating means as used to move it to the storage position, without having to check the reel storage screen 734 (item displays 747, 748).

[0414] Furthermore, since the reel 800 can be returned to the deployed position by an operation different from the instruction required on the reel storage screen 734 (the selection and decision operation of the item displays 747, 748), the player's actions regarding the control of the reel 800 can be simplified.

[0415] Furthermore, the second operation of the enter button 722 is not an operation based on visual confirmation of the item displays 747 and 748, but is an operation for resolving the specific event, improving convenience when a specific event occurs. The occurrence of a specific event (movement of the reel 800 to its storage position) is based on the player's will. Therefore, in this case, the player's desired control (resolving the specific event) is made possible by an operation associated with the resolving of the specific event (operation of the enter button 722) without relying on an instruction required on the reel storage screen 734 (selection and decision operation of the item displays 747 and 748), thereby simplifying the operation for resolving the specific event. Furthermore, since the overlapping state between the reel 800 and the display means is easily resolved, convenience is improved, such as enabling an early transition to another screen.

[0416] Furthermore, since checking the data counter is often completed in a short time and there is little need to move the operating hand during that time, the player often does not release the operating means used to move the reel to the storage position and continues to touch it. Even if this is not the case, moving the reel to the storage position and moving it (returning it) to the deployed position generally involve successive operations within a short period of time. In such cases, if the reel can be returned to the deployed position by performing the same operation (pressing operation) on the same operating means as used to move it to the storage position, operability for the player would be greatly improved.

[0417] Even in this case, it is possible to move the reels to the deployment position by operating the game progress.

[0418] The control to resolve the specific event (to move the reel 800 to the deployed position) is limited to when the reel storage screen 734 is displayed. That is, as already mentioned, in this embodiment, the display means can also display a predetermined display (e.g., the volume adjustment screen 732) different from the specific display (the reel storage screen 734). The occurrence of the specific event (movement of the reel 800 to the deployed position) is based on an arbitrary operation by the player, and there is also a case (second case) where the specific event occurs while the display means is displaying the predetermined display (the volume adjustment screen 732). However, in this second case, when a confirmation operation is performed, control corresponding to the item display selected by the selection operation (confirmation control of the selected item display) is performed, and control related to the specific event (movement to the deployed position) is not performed.

[0419] A specific description will be given with reference to Figure 21. Figure 21 is a schematic front view of the slot machine 100. In this figure, the display of the display means is a volume adjustment screen 732, and the configuration of the slot machine 100 is the same as that shown in Figures 19 and 20, except that the control of the accessory 800 is different.

[0420] FIG. 1(a) shows the state in which the reel 800 is in the deployed position. When the reel 800 is in the deployed position, it is difficult to see the data counter. A volume adjustment screen 732 is displayed in the display area of ​​the display means. In this case, the player can move the reel 800 to the stored position (causing a specific event) by operating (pressing) the reel storage button 801 without displaying the reel storage screen 734 (FIG. 1(b)). In other words, a specific event occurs regardless of the operation of the enter button 722. However, in this case, the display means continues to display the volume adjustment screen 732, and the reel storage screen 734 is not displayed.

[0421] In the stored state of the reel 800 when the volume adjustment screen 732 is displayed as shown in FIG. 1(b), the operation of the select button 721 and the enter button 722 is the original operation of selecting and entering (volume adjustment operation) the item display (in this case, the volume status display 745 (five scales)) of the volume adjustment screen 732. In other words, for example, when the enter button 722 is operated in this state, the item display selected at that time (in this case, the volume corresponding to the filled-in scale) is entered (FIG. 1(c)). In other words, the operation of the enter button 722 does not cause the reel 800 to move to the deployed position (the specific event is not resolved).

[0422] FIG. 10(c) shows the state after the decision button 722 is operated in FIG. 10(b). For example, in the state of FIG. 10(b), assume that the volume (player-set volume) "3" is selected as the item display (volume status display 745) (the filled-in scale (item display) is 3, and the numerical value is also 3). In this case, by operating the decision button 722, the player-set volume "3" is confirmed, but the reel 800 does not move to the deployed position. When the volume adjustment screen 732 is displayed, even if the reel 800 makes the screen difficult to see, the operation of the volume adjustment screen 732 is not interrupted.

[0423] In this way, when the reel storage screen 734 is displayed, the operating means (decision button 722) is associated with the control of the reel 800 (particularly the movement of the reel 800 to the deployed position), but when a screen other than the reel storage screen 734 is displayed, the operating means (decision button 722) is not associated with the control of the reel 800 (particularly the movement of the reel 800 to the deployed position).

[0424] In other words, when something other than the reel storage screen 734 is displayed, the fact that the reel 800 moves to the storage position (occurrence of a specific event) does not mean that the specific event occurred as a result of the intended operation of the reel storage screen 734 being displayed (it would be an unexpected event, not the intended operation of the screen being displayed (volume adjustment screen 732)).

[0425] For this reason, when a screen other than the reel storage screen 734 is displayed, even if the reel 800 is superimposed on the screen, the operation of the operating means (decision button 722) is associated with the intended operation of the currently displayed screen (volume adjustment screen 732), so that the operation of the currently displayed screen (volume adjustment screen 732) is not interrupted.

[0426] In this case, to move the accessory 800 to the deployed position, a game progress operation is performed.

[0427] As described above, the gaming machine of the present invention (e.g., slot machine 100) is a gaming machine equipped with a door body (e.g., front door 102), a display means (e.g., performance image display device 157), and a display control means (e.g., second sub-control unit 500), wherein the display control means is capable of executing control to display at least a game screen (e.g., game screen 703), a specific screen (e.g., setting confirmation screen 705), and a first management screen (e.g., administrator menu screen 701) on the display means, the specific screen being a screen different from the game screen (e.g., a screen including an indication that the administrator is working), the display control means is capable of executing control to display the first management screen on the display means in a first case, and the display control means executes control to hide the first management screen and display the specific screen on the display means when the door body is closed while the first management screen is being displayed on the display means.

[0428] With this configuration, even if the work on the first management screen (administrator menu screen 701) is finished and the front door 102 is closed, the first administrator can be made aware that the setting and confirmation work is not finished (is still in progress), and the first management screen can be prevented from remaining displayed.

[0429] The first management screen (administrator menu screen 701) is a screen on which the setting and confirmation of highly important items on the gaming machine 100 is performed, and its operation is permitted only to certain (certain) first managers among the managers (store clerks). In such a case, if the first management screen (administrator menu screen 701) remains displayed after the setting and confirmation of the highly important items is completed and is visible to other store clerks (second managers) or players, this poses a security problem. In this embodiment, when the operation on the first management screen (administrator menu screen 701) is completed and the front door 102 is closed, the first management screen (administrator menu screen 701) is closed and the setting confirmation screen 705 is displayed, thereby improving security.

[0430] In addition, the device may further include a specific operating means (for example, an administrator board switch (sub-board switch)) that can be operated by opening the door body, and the first case may occur when the specific operating means is operated.

[0431] The device may also be provided with a plurality of setting values ​​(e.g., setting values ​​"1" to "6") and a setting key switch, and configured so that a setting confirmation state is initiated when the setting key switch is on and the setting confirmation state is terminated when the setting key switch is off, the setting confirmation state is a state in which it is possible to check which of the setting values ​​has been set, the display control means is capable of executing control to display on the display means a display indicating that the device is in the setting confirmation state (hereinafter referred to as a "setting confirmation display (e.g., setting confirmation screen 705)"), and the display control means executes control to display on the display means the first management screen when the specific operation means is operated in the setting confirmation state, and the specific screen is a screen including the setting confirmation display.

[0432] According to this configuration, in order to display the first management screen (administrator menu screen 701), it is necessary to go through a setting confirmation state (display of setting confirmation screen 705), which requires operating the setting key switch, and therefore security can be improved when displaying the administrator menu screen 701. Furthermore, to end the setting confirmation state (end of setting confirmation screen 705), it is necessary to turn off the setting key switch. Therefore, even if the administrator menu screen 701 is ended (by closing the front door 102 while the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed), the setting confirmation screen 705 continues to be displayed unless the setting key is removed, which makes it possible to make the first administrator aware that the setting key has been left inside the housing and to prevent the setting key from being locked out.

[0433] Furthermore, the device may be configured so that when the setting key switch is turned on while the opening of the door body is detected, the device transitions to the setting confirmation state, and when the setting key switch is turned off in the setting confirmation state, the device ends the setting confirmation state regardless of whether the opening of the door body is detected.

[0434] With this configuration, the setting key switch must be on in order to display the setting confirmation screen 705 and the setting values ​​on the administrator menu screen 701, thereby improving the security of the gaming machine 100.

[0435] Furthermore, when the setting confirmation state is ended, the open / closed state of the front door 102 is not detected. Therefore, even if the first administrator blocks the open / close sensor with his / her hand or the like, the setting confirmation state can be ended, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0436] In addition, the display control means may be configured to, when the setting key switch is turned off while the first management screen is being displayed on the display means, execute control to hide the first management screen and display a predetermined screen (e.g., door open screen 704) on the display means.

[0437] With this configuration, the administrator menu screen 701 can be closed without going through the setting confirmation state (display of the setting confirmation screen 705), improving work efficiency and making it as difficult as possible for an external party to know that the setting confirmation state was in progress.

[0438] Furthermore, the display control means may be a means capable of executing control to display a second management screen (e.g., hall menu screen 702) on the display means without going through the setting confirmation state, the first management screen being a screen that displays a first item (e.g., a "Device Check" item, a "Time Setting" item, an "Error History" item, a "Setting Change" item, etc.), the second management screen being a screen that displays a second item (e.g., a "Power Saving Settings" item), and the first item and the second item being different items.

[0439] With this configuration, the items that can be set on the first management screen and the second management screen can be separated by importance, ensuring both security and convenience.

[0440] Furthermore, the display control means does not execute display control for transitioning from a state in which the second management screen is displayed on the display means to a state in which the first management screen is continuously displayed. It may also be something.

[0441] According to this configuration, it is possible to improve security in transitioning to the first management screen (administrator menu screen 701).

[0442] Furthermore, the display control means may be configured to execute control such that when the door body is closed while the second management screen is being displayed on the display means, the second management screen is hidden and a predetermined screen (e.g., door open screen 704) is displayed on the display means.

[0443] This configuration can prevent the second management screen (hall menu screen 702) from remaining displayed. Also, since the configuration is such that a predetermined screen (for example, door open screen 704) is displayed even when the setting key switch is turned off while the first management screen (administrator menu screen 701) is displayed, it is possible to prevent an external party from knowing whether the first management screen or the second management screen was being operated before the door open screen 704 was displayed.

[0444] Furthermore, the display control means may be configured to, when a predetermined termination operation (for example, a selection / confirmation operation on the termination display 712 or an operation on the termination button 723) is performed while the first management screen is being displayed on the display means, execute control to hide the first management screen and display the specific screen on the display means.

[0445] According to this configuration, when the first management screen (administrator menu screen 701) is closed by a closing operation, a specific screen (settings checking screen 705) is displayed, so that it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the setting key. The gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 100) of the present invention includes a door body (e.g., front door 102), A detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the door body (for example, an opening and closing sensor included in the various sensors 318); An image display means (for example, a performance image display device 157) and a gaming machine equipped with the door body but open It is in a state of The first state may be reached, and the gaming machine may but closure It is in a state of The gaming machine may enter a second state, and the gaming machine has a setting confirmation state in which the set setting value can be confirmed, and the setting confirmation state is started when the setting key switch is changed from a third state (for example, off) to a fourth state (for example, on), and the setting confirmation state is ended when the setting key switch is changed from the fourth state to the third state, and the gaming machine can transition through the setting confirmation state, and there is a second menu state (for example, a state showing the menu screen 701 shown in FIG. 10) in which a second item image of a management operation by an administrator is displayed on the image display means, and in the second menu state, When it comes to The display of the image display means is a second display, and the second menu state is a third state. When it comes to The display of the image display means is a third display, and the third display is a display different from the second display, and when the second menu state is changed to the third state, , while in the first state, the detection means corresponds to a closure detection. The gaming machine is characterized in that even in this state, the display on the image display means is the third display. If the second display remained even when the setting key switch was set to the third state (off), the operator would be more likely to mistakenly believe that there was an abnormality or malfunction in the gaming machine, making it difficult to work efficiently. However, according to this embodiment, the display transitions to the third display as long as it is detected that the setting key switch is in the third state, so even if the first manager blocks the opening / closing sensor with his hand (without actually opening or closing the front door 102) and the opening / closing sensor of the door body is in a closed detection state, as long as the door body is open, the flow of work is not interrupted and work efficiency can be improved. In addition, the gaming machine has a first menu state (for example, a state showing the menu screen 702 shown in FIG. 10) in which a first item image of a management operation by a manager is displayed on the image display means, and the first menu state is When it comes to The display on the image display means reaches the first display. It is possible to This is a gaming machine characterized in that the third display is a display different from the first display. According to this configuration, it is possible to identify which menu state was transitioned to, and also to identify what event occurred in the second menu state.

[0446] Furthermore, the gaming machine (for example, slot machine 100) of the present invention is a gaming machine equipped with sound output means (for example, speakers 272, 277), first volume setting means (for example, first operation means, rear knob, rotary switch 600, etc.), and second volume setting means (for example, second operation means, cross key 720, effect button, touch panel, etc.), and by operating the first volume setting means (hereinafter referred to as the "first volume setting operation"), it is possible to set one of a plurality of specific values ​​(for example, administrator set volume "0" to "5") as the first volume setting (for example, administrator set volume "0" to "5"), and by operating the second volume setting means (hereinafter referred to as the "second volume setting operation"), it is possible to set a second volume setting (for example, The gaming machine is characterized in that it is possible to set one of a plurality of predetermined values ​​(for example, player-set volume "0" to "5") as the player volume setting, and when a first specific value (for example, administrator-set volume "0") among the plurality of specific values ​​is set by the first volume setting operation, the initial value of the second volume setting is set to the first predetermined value (for example, player-set volume "0"), and when the first specific value is set, in the second volume setting operation, once the first predetermined value is changed to another predetermined value, it is no longer possible to set the first predetermined value, and the first predetermined value corresponds to a first volume state (for example, a silent state), and the other predetermined value corresponds to a second volume state (for example, a non-silent state, a sound state).

[0447] This configuration improves the working environment for the manager (store clerk) and also ensures that players have the freedom to adjust the volume.

[0448] In recent years, gaming machines 100 have been developed that allow not only managers (store clerks) but also players to adjust the volume, increasing the degree of freedom players have in adjusting the volume. However, the volume output from the gaming machine 100 is still loud, which can be unpleasant for managers (store clerks) when performing maintenance on a gaming machine or when trial playing after installation. According to the present invention, when a manager (store clerk) is working, the manager (store clerk) can mute the output volume of the gaming machine 100 by setting the manager-set volume to "0" using a first volume setting means (e.g., a back knob, etc.), thereby efficiently reducing the discomfort caused to the manager (store clerk) by the volume of the gaming machine 100 while working.

[0449] Furthermore, when the manager (store clerk) has finished his / her work, the player set volume "0" can be changed to another player set volume by a second volume setting operation (for example, operation of the cross key 702), and the volume output of the gaming machine 100 can be returned to mute. Furthermore, since the player set volume "0" cannot be reset to "0" after being changed to another player set volume, it is possible to prevent the audio output of the gaming machine 100 from being set to mute by a player operation.

[0450] Furthermore, even if the manager (store clerk) does not return the manager-set volume (or player-set volume) to on after completing the work, the player can set the player-set volume to one of "1" to "5" (on) by using the second volume setting operation when starting a game, etc. In other words, it is possible to prevent a loss of interest by continuing to play with the first predetermined value (player-set volume "0") used during work such as maintenance, and it is also possible to ensure the player's freedom in setting the volume.

[0451] Furthermore, when the first specific value is set by the first volume setting operation, the second volume setting range is set to a first range (e.g., a range of player-set volume "0" to "5") that includes the first predetermined value, and when a second specific value (e.g., any of administrator-set volume "1" to "5") is set among the plurality of specific values, the second volume setting range is set to a second range (e.g., a range of player-set volume "1" to "5") that includes a second predetermined value (e.g., player-set volume "1") among the plurality of predetermined values, and in the second volume setting operation when the second specific value is set, it becomes possible to set the predetermined value within the second range, and the second range may include the first range excluding the first predetermined value.

[0452] With this configuration, after the manager (store clerk) has worked with the first specific value (manager-set volume "0"), he or she can simply change the player-set volume by operating the second volume setting operation (for example, operating the cross key 702) to turn on the audio output of the gaming machine 100. In other words, without operating the first volume setting means (the back knob, the rotary switch 600) (by omitting the setting of the second specific value (manager-set volume "1" to "5"), it is possible to set the player volume in the same range as when the second specific value is set (for example, the player-set volume range "1" to "5"), thereby improving the efficiency of the volume setting work.

[0453] Furthermore, the lowest specific value among the plurality of specific values ​​(for example, administrator-set volume "0" to "5") may be the first specific value (for example, first administrator-set volume "0"), the lowest predetermined value in the first range may be the first predetermined value (for example, first player-set volume "0"), the lowest predetermined value in the second range may be the second predetermined value (for example, second player-set volume "1"), and the volume corresponding to the first predetermined value may be lower than the volume corresponding to the second predetermined value.

[0454] With this configuration, the manager (store clerk) can set the volume during work to the lowest volume within the first settable range by setting the first specific value (manager-set volume "0"), making it less likely that the volume will be uncomfortable during work and reducing the burden on the manager during work.

[0455] The first volume state may be a state in which the output of sound effects is suppressed, and the second volume state may be a state in which the output of sound effects is not suppressed.

[0456] The device may also be provided with a door (e.g., front door 102), the first volume setting means being a means (e.g., a back knob, rotary switch 600) that can be operated by opening the door, and the first volume setting can be performed by operating the first volume setting means, and the second volume setting means being a means (e.g., a cross key 702) that can be operated even when the door is closed, and the second volume setting can be performed by operating the second volume setting means.

[0457] With this configuration, even if the front door 102 is closed and work is being done (such as operating a player menu screen displayed on the display means) with the first specific value (administrator-set volume "0") and the first predetermined value (player-set volume "0"), the manager can simply change the player-set volume by operating the second volume setting means (e.g., the cross key 702) after working with the first specific value, and the audio output from the gaming machine 100 can be turned on. In other words, without having to open the front door 102 again and set the second specific value (e.g., administrator-set volume "1"), the range of the player-set volume can easily be set to the same range as when the second specific value is set, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0458] In addition, the sound output means may be capable of outputting an error sound when an error occurs, and the sound output means may output the error sound at a volume louder than the volume corresponding to the first predetermined value even when the first predetermined value is set.

[0459] With this configuration, even if a first predetermined value (administrator-set volume "0") is set and the volume output of the gaming machine 100 is silent, the error notification can be made audible, thereby ensuring security.

[0460] The device may also be provided with a display means (e.g., a performance image display device 157) and a special operation means (e.g., a third operation means, an administrator board switch (sub-board switch)), and the display means is capable of displaying a specific screen (e.g., a setting confirmation screen 705) based on the operation of the special operation means, and while the specific screen is being displayed, a specific sound is output from the sound output means, and the specific sound is output at a volume corresponding to the specific value being set.

[0461] With this configuration, it is possible to know that a specific screen is being displayed and to check the volume of the sound.

[0462] Furthermore, in the second volume setting operation, the display means may be capable of displaying a predetermined display (e.g., volume status display 745) corresponding to the plurality of predetermined values ​​(e.g., player-set volume "0" to "5"), and one of the predetermined values ​​(e.g., player-set volume "0") corresponding to the specific value (e.g., administrator-set volume "0") set in the first volume setting operation may be set as the initial value of the second volume setting operation, and the one predetermined value (e.g., player-set volume "0") may be displayed as the initial value in the predetermined display.

[0463] With this configuration, the manager (store clerk) can perform work at the volume set by operating the first volume setting means (e.g., the back knob) without operating the second volume setting means (e.g., the cross key 702).

[0464] Furthermore, the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 100) according to the present invention is a gaming machine having a display means (e.g., performance image display device 157), a first operating means (e.g., selection button 721), and a second operating means (e.g., decision button 722), wherein the display means is capable of displaying at least a specific display (e.g., reel storage screen 734), the specific display including at least a plurality of item displays (e.g., item display (YES) 747, item display (NO) 748), the first operating means being capable of performing a selection operation (e.g., operation by selection button 721) to select the item display, and the second operating means being capable of performing a decision operation (e.g., operation by decision button 722) to confirm the selection made by the selection operation, and wherein there is a first case in which a specific event occurs while the display means is displaying the specific display, and in the first case, when the decision operation is performed, control related to the specific event is performed regardless of the item display selected by the selection operation.

[0465] According to this configuration, when a special event occurs due to a certain decision operation, the same decision operation can be used to control the specific event that has occurred, rather than a uniform operation (decision action) corresponding to the specific display (item display) that is being displayed at that time, making it possible to operate in accordance with the situation of the specific event that has occurred, thereby improving convenience.

[0466] Specifically, when the reel 800 is moved to a storage position by operating the second operating means (decision button 722) on the reel storage screen 734, the second operating means is not a decision action (not a uniform operation) for the item displays 747, 748 included in the displayed reel storage screen 734, but can control the operation of the movable body (reel 800) (according to the situation). This can improve the convenience of operation.

[0467] In addition, the first case occurs when the display means is displaying the specific display and the selection operation is performed on a specific item display (e.g., item display (YES) 747) among the multiple item displays, and the decision operation is performed on the specific display item, causing the specific event to occur; in the first case, when the decision operation is performed, the specific event may be resolved regardless of the specific item display selected by the selection operation (e.g., the reel 800 moves to the deployed position).

[0468] According to this configuration, the second operating means (e.g., decision button 722), which is normally used to decide on the item display, can be used as an operating means for resolving a specific event (e.g., moving the reel 800 to the deployed position), thereby improving convenience when a specific event occurs.

[0469] More specifically, since a specific event is caused by the player's own decision operation (e.g., operation of decision button 722) on a specific display (e.g., reel storage screen 734), after the specific event has occurred, the specific event can be resolved (e.g., moving reel 800 to the deployed position) by the same decision operation regardless of the item display selected on the specific display (e.g., reel storage screen 734), making it possible to execute the next action (e.g., transition to another screen) earlier or to simplify the action of resolving the specific event.

[0470] In addition, the reel 800 can be returned to the deployed position by an operation different from the instruction required on the reel storage screen 734 (the selection and decision operation of the item displays 747, 748), thereby simplifying the player's actions regarding the control of the reel 800.

[0471] The device may also have a movable body (e.g., reel 800) that can move between a storage position and an expanded position, and may be configured such that when the selection operation is performed on the specific item display while the display means is displaying the specific display, and the decision operation is performed on the specific item display, the movable body that was in the expanded position moves to the storage position.

[0472] With this configuration, it is possible to improve convenience in controlling the movement of the movable body to the stored position and the deployed position.

[0473] Furthermore, the storage position may be a position in front of the display means where the movable body overlaps the display means, and the deployed position may be a position in front of the display means where the movable body does not overlap the display means, and the occurrence of the specific event may be the movable body moving to the storage position, and the elimination of the specific event may be the movable body moving to the deployed position.

[0474] According to this configuration, even if the display content of the display means (reel storage screen 734) is difficult for the player to see when the reel 800 moves to the storage position, the player can move the reel 800 to the deployed position by operating the same operating means as used to move it to the storage position, without having to check the reel storage screen 734.

[0475] Furthermore, after the reel 800 is moved to the storage position, the state in which the reel 800 and the display means are overlapped can be resolved by performing a confirm operation regardless of the item display 747, 748 selected on the reel storage screen 734, so that the selection and confirmation operation of the item display 747, 748 on the reel storage screen 734, which is difficult to see, can be avoided, improving convenience.

[0476] Furthermore, when the movable body is in the storage position, the movable body may overlap at least the specific item display (e.g., item display 747, 748), making it difficult to see the specific item display.

[0477] According to this configuration, even if the display content of the display means (reel storage screen 734) is difficult for the player to see when the reel 800 moves to the storage position, the player can move the reel 800 to the deployed position by operating the same operating means as used to move it to the storage position, without having to check the item displays 747, 748 on the reel storage screen 734.

[0478] Furthermore, if a specific event is generated by the first operation of the enter button 722 (moving the reel 800 to the storage position), the second operation of the enter button 722 is not an operation based on visual confirmation of the item displays 747 and 748, but an operation to resolve the specific event, improving convenience when a specific event occurs. The occurrence of a specific event (moving the reel 800 to the storage position) is based on the player's will. Therefore, in this case, the player can perform the control they desire (resolving the specific event) by an operation associated with the resolution of the specific event (operation of the enter button 722) without relying on an instruction required on the reel storage screen 734 (selection and decision operation of the item displays 747 and 748), thereby simplifying the operation of resolving the specific event and enabling an early transition to another screen, improving convenience.

[0479] In addition, the display means may be capable of displaying a predetermined display (e.g., volume adjustment screen 732) different from the specific display, and there may be a second case in which the specific event occurs while the display means is displaying the predetermined display, and in the second case, when the decision operation is performed, control corresponding to the item display selected by the selection operation is performed, and control related to the specific event is not performed.

[0480] When a display (e.g., reel storage screen 734) regarding the occurrence of a specific event (e.g., movement of reel 800 to a storage position) is not displayed, the selection / decision operation on a specified display (e.g., volume adjustment screen 732) can be prevented from being interrupted by not performing control regarding the occurrence of the specific event through the decision operation.

[0481] As explained above, the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 100) of the present invention is a gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 100) that includes a door (e.g., front door 102), a specific operation means (e.g., administrator board switch) that can be operated by opening the door, multiple setting values ​​(e.g., setting values ​​"1" to "6"), a setting key switch, display means (e.g., liquid crystal display device 157), and display control means (e.g., second sub-control unit 500). The gaming machine has a setting confirmation state in which it is possible to confirm which of the setting values ​​has been set. The gaming machine is configured so that the setting confirmation state is started when the setting key switch is on and the setting confirmation state is ended when the setting key switch is off. The display control means displays at least a game screen (e.g., game screen 703) on the display means. The gaming machine is characterized in that it is capable of executing control to display a specific screen (e.g., setting confirmation screen 705) indicating that it is in the setting confirmation state and a first management screen (e.g., administrator menu screen 701), and the display control means is capable of executing control to display the first management screen on the display means when the specific operation means is operated in the setting confirmation state, the display control means is capable of executing control to hide the first management screen and display the specific screen on the display means when the door body is closed while the first management screen is displayed on the display means, and the display control means is capable of executing control to hide the first management screen and display a specified screen (e.g., door open screen 704) on the display means when the setting key switch is turned off while the first management screen is displayed on the display means.

[0482] According to this configuration, in order to display the first management screen (administrator menu screen 701), it is necessary to go through a setting confirmation state (display of setting confirmation screen 705), which requires operating the setting key switch, and therefore security can be improved when displaying the administrator menu screen 701. Furthermore, to end the setting confirmation state (end of setting confirmation screen 705), it is necessary to turn off the setting key switch. Therefore, even if the administrator menu screen 701 is ended (by closing the front door 102 while the administrator menu screen 701 is displayed), the setting confirmation screen 705 continues to be displayed unless the setting key is removed, which makes it possible to make the first administrator aware that the setting key has been left inside the housing and to prevent the setting key from being locked out. Furthermore, with this configuration, the administrator menu screen 701 can be terminated without going through the setting confirmation state (display of the setting confirmation screen 705), improving work efficiency and making it as difficult as possible for an external party to know that the setting confirmation state was in progress.

[0483] The predetermined screen may be a screen showing that the door is open.

[0484] With this configuration, it is possible to notify that both the display of the administrator menu screen 701 (i.e., the items on the administrator menu screen 701 are in an executable state) and the display of the setting confirmation screen 705 (i.e., the setting confirmation state) have been completed with a single operation (closing the front door 102).

[0485] In the above embodiment, an example of a slot machine 100 using medals (coins) as the gaming medium is shown, but this is not limited to this and the present invention can be applied to slot machines using gaming balls (e.g., pachinko balls) as the gaming medium, pachinko machines, arrange ball gaming machines, janball gaming machines, smart ball gaming machines, etc.

[0486] For example, the gaming machine of the present invention is suitable for pachinko machines and the like that include a launching device that launches balls into a predetermined gaming area, a winning port configured to allow the balls launched from the launching device to enter, a detection means that detects balls that have entered the winning port, a payout means that pays out the balls when the detection means detects the balls, and a variable display device that displays a variable predetermined pattern (identification information), and that when a gaming ball enters the winning port and wins a prize, the variable display device changes the pattern and then displays a still image to notify the progress of the gaming status.

[0487] Furthermore, for example, the reels according to the present invention are not limited to reels of a slot machine, but may be, for example, a drum of a pachinko machine. Furthermore, the number of reels is not limited to three, but may be one, two, four or more.

[0488] In addition, the slot machine may be a slot machine that does not use medals but only exchanges electronic data, in which case the gaming medium includes electronic data corresponding to medals, and inserting the gaming medium includes inputting the electronic data from a specified external device (electronic storage device), and paying out the gaming medium includes outputting the electronic data to the specified external device (electronic storage device).

[0489] The gaming machine according to the present invention can also be applied to an enclosed gaming machine. Here, an "enclosed gaming machine" is a gaming machine that circulates gaming balls enclosed within the gaming machine.

[0490] For example, the pachinko machine may be an enclosed type pachinko machine in which balls are enclosed and circulated within the pachinko machine, and this enclosed type pachinko machine may use the enclosed balls as fired balls and pay out the balls using credits.

[0491] The main control unit, first sub-control unit, and second sub-control unit may be configured on a single chip, or may be configured to enable bidirectional communication between the main control unit and the first sub-control unit. Also, while bidirectional communication between the main control unit and the first sub-control unit is possible, communication from the first sub-control unit to the second sub-control unit may be unidirectional.

[0492] Furthermore, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, by applying the content described in one of the multiple configurations described in the examples to another configuration, the range of play may be further expanded. [Industrial Applicability]

[0493] The gaming machine according to the present invention can be applied to gaming machines such as pinball gaming machines (pachinko machines), slot machines, enclosed gaming machines, and medal-less slot machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0494] 100 slot machines 102 Front door (door body) 110 Left reel 111 Medium Reel 112 Right Reel 135 Start lever 137~139 Stop button 300 Main control unit 308 RAM 400 First sub-control section 500 Second sub-control section

Claims

1. The door body and A detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the door body; An image display means, and a gaming machine equipped with The gaming machine may be in a first state in which the door body is open, The gaming machine may be in a second state in which the door body is closed, The gaming machine has a setting confirmation state in which the set setting value can be confirmed, The setting confirmation state is initiated when the setting key switch changes from the third state to the fourth state, The setting confirmation state is ended when the setting key switch is moved from the fourth state to the third state, The gaming machine can transition through the setting confirmation state, and has a second menu state in which a second item image of a management operation by an administrator is displayed on the image display means; When the second menu state is entered into the second state, the image display means displays the second image, When the second menu state is changed to the third state, the image display means displays the third display, the third representation is different from the second representation, When the second menu state is changed to the third state, the display on the image display means is the third display even when the first state is being maintained and the detection means is in a state corresponding to the closure detection. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, the gaming machine has a first menu state in which a first item image of a management operation by a manager is displayed on the image display means; When the first menu state becomes the second state, the display on the image display means can reach the first display, the third representation is different from the first representation; A gaming machine characterized by the above.

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