gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a gaming machine that makes it easy to check the status of the circuits around the motor. [Solution] A gaming machine having a reel driven by a motor, and having a first state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected by a first harness and in a connected but disconnected state, a second state in which the first board and the motor are connected and power is being supplied to the gaming machine, and a third state in which the first board and the motor are not electrically connected by the first harness and in a disconnected and disconnected state, wherein the weight of the reel when operated by an external force is lighter in the second state than in the first state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state is different from the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the third state, and the weight of the reel when operated by an external force when there is a break in a certain wiring of the first harness in the first state is different from the weight of the reel when operated by an external force when there is no break in the certain wiring.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

[0004] In conventional gaming machines, there is room for improvement in the configuration to make it easier to check the status of the circuits around the motor.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that makes it easier to check the status of the circuits around the motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention has: A gaming machine equipped with reels that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine includes a first substrate electrically connectable to the motor, The gaming machine includes a first harness having a plurality of wires; a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected by the connector of the first harness attached thereto is defined as a connected state; a state in which the first board and the motor are not electrically connected to each other without the connector of the first harness attached thereto is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state, a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state is different from a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the third state; In the first state, the weight of the reel when it is operated by an external force in a case where at least one of the plurality of wires of the first harness is broken is different from the weight of the reel when it is operated by an external force in a case where the certain wire is not broken. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

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

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a slot machine 100 as seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a winning line. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of symbols on each reel in a planar view. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the contents of the push order bell. [Figure 6] 2 is a transition diagram of the gaming state of the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing by a main control unit. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a main control unit timer interrupt process. [Figure 9] (a) is a flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400, (b) is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400, and (c) is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400. [Figure 10] (a) is a flowchart of the main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500, (b) is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500, (c) is a flowchart of the timer interrupt processing of the second sub-control unit 500, and (d) is a flowchart of the image control processing of the second sub-control unit 500. [Figure 11] 4 is a table showing the contents of a rotation control table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 12A and 12B are diagrams showing an example of reel rotation control different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration related to driving reels 110 to 112. [Figure 14] 14 is a simplified diagram of a circuit for controlling the stepping motor 700 of the left reel board 700BL in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the internal circuit of IC1 in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration related to the driving of reels 110 to 112, which is different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a simplified diagram of a circuit for controlling the stepping motor 700 of the left reel board 700BL in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration related to the driving of reels 110 to 112, which is different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a simplified diagram of a circuit for controlling the stepping motor 700 of the left reel board 700BL in FIG. 18. [Figure 20]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of connections between the motors that drive the left, center, and right reels and various boards. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of connections between the motors that drive the left, center, and right reels and various boards. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a circuit for driving a motor (hereinafter referred to as a motor drive circuit). [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing changes in the magnitude of the load when the reel is rotated manually in response to changes in the state of the power supply. [Figure 24] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 14. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of IC1 in FIG. 24. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration for driving a motor of a movable body for effect purposes. [Figure 27] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] 1A is a time chart relating to the transition of a demo screen in a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a time chart relating to the transition of a demo screen in a conventional slot machine. [Figure 30] (A) is a time chart showing the transition of the demo screen of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] 10 is an example of a slump graph showing the transition of the difference in the number of coins in a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of maximum coin number update processing in the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33](A) is a flowchart showing the flow of the maximum number display processing in the demo screen display of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a diagram explaining the configuration of the liquid crystal command of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (C) is a diagram explaining the display markers and non-display markers of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] (A) is a functional block diagram of the first sub-control unit of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of the connection between the CPU and drive circuit shown in Figure 34(A). [Figure 35] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of an LED driver used as a lamp drive circuit in the first sub-controller of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the configuration of control data for controlling lamps of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (C) is a diagram explaining a method of communicating control data of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] 1 is an external view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the position of a speaker. FIG. [Figure 38] (a) is a top view of the first sub-control board of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a layout diagram of each component of the audio circuit shown in (a), (c) is a diagram showing the terminal layout of the audio amplifier IC shown in (a) and (b), and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in (a). [Figure 39] 38(a) is a circuit diagram showing the signal lines of the audio circuit shown in FIG. 38(a), and FIG. 38(b) is a circuit diagram showing the power supply lines of the audio circuit shown in FIG. 38(a). [Figure 40] (a) is a top view of the first sub-control board on which each component of the first sub-control unit of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention is arranged, and (b) and (c) are diagrams explaining the ground of the first sub-control board shown in (a). [Figure 41] FIG. 10 is a top view of a first sub-control board of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention (modification). [Figure 42] 42(a) is a circuit diagram of the signal lines of the audio circuit shown in FIG. 41, and FIG. 42(b) is a circuit diagram of the power supply lines of the audio circuit shown in FIG. [Figure 43] 42(a) is a diagram showing the first layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. 41, and FIG. 42(b) is a diagram showing the third layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. [Figure 44] 42(a) is a diagram showing the fourth layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. 41, and FIG. 42(b) is a diagram showing the fifth layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. [Figure 45] 42(a) is a diagram showing the seventh layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. 41, and (b) is a diagram showing the eighth layer of the first sub-control board shown in FIG. [Figure 46] 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c) are diagrams illustrating the layout of the sound circuits provided on the first sub-control board of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 47] (a), (b), and (c) are diagrams explaining the position of the output terminal of the audio amplifier IC of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (d), (e), and (f) are diagrams explaining the arrangement of each component of the audio circuit of a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 48] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the medal-less slot machine 100 and the lending machine 700 as seen from the front side (player side). [Figure 49] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a slot machine 100 with a front door 102 open, as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 50] (a) is a front view of the main body 101 with the front door 102 open, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). [Figure 51] 50(a) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 50(b), showing a state in which the front door 102 is opened at an opening angle θX relative to the main body 101. (b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 50(b), showing a state in which the front door 102 is opened at an opening angle θY relative to the main body 101. [Figure 52]1 shows a circuit block diagram of a control unit of a slot machine 100. [Figure 53] 1 is a diagram showing an example of connections of boards provided in the slot machine 100. FIG. [Figure 54] 10(a) is a diagram showing a part of the front door 102 in an open state, and FIG. 10(b) is a partially enlarged view showing the sub-controller board case 164. FIG. [Figure 55] 54(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X in FIG. 54(b). (b) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to (a), showing a modified example of the sub-controller board case. (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the basic structure of the double-sided board. [Figure 56] (a) A cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y in Figure 54(b) when the liquid crystal ROM substrate 500D is positioned in the correct position. (c)(1) A diagram showing the front surface 500Da of the liquid crystal ROM substrate 500D. (b) A cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y in Figure 54(b) when the liquid crystal ROM substrate 500D is not positioned in the correct position. (c)(2) A diagram showing the back surface 500Db of the liquid crystal ROM substrate 500D. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a slot machine according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 26. Note that, for terms that overlap with other embodiments, the terms of this embodiment take priority, and for descriptions that overlap with drawings other than Figures 1 to 26, the descriptions in Figures 1 to 26 take priority.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0098] Also shown in Figure 14 is a load component ZA connected between the 24V power supply of the main control board 300B and ground. While Figure 13 shows that various wiring and elements are provided, the load component ZA shown in Figure 14 is a comprehensive representation of these wiring and elements.

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

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

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

[0102] Next, we will explain what happens when the power is off and there are no abnormalities in the circuit (when the connectors and harnesses are properly connected). In this case, when the left reel 110 is manually spun, electromagnetic induction generates electromotive forces in the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase (the coils act as a power supply of several volts). The reel can rotate in either a forward direction (the same direction as the rotation during play, forward direction) or a reverse direction (the opposite direction to the rotation during play, reverse direction). Depending on the direction, electromotive forces may be generated in the order of coils LA → LB → LA- → LB- → LA, or in the order of coils LA → LB- → LA- → LB → LA. However, when the reel is spun, current flows in the opposite direction to when the reel is driven (counterclockwise from the stepping motor 700 in FIG. 14), regardless of the rotation direction. Specifically, as shown by dotted arrows (1) to (5) in Figures 14 and 15, a circuit configuration PT1 is established, which runs from the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110 (more specifically, each of the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-), through resistor R1, LED D1, capacitor CA, and load component ZA, and then through the inside of IC1 to the stepping motor 700, and current flows through this circuit configuration PT1.

[0103] When power is supplied to IC1, the switching operation of a transistor (strictly speaking, a FET) switches the path connecting coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- on and off. When the path is off, the circuit is isolated, which is the same as when the connector is unplugged. When the power is turned off, this switching operation does not function, and the circuit may be conductive. Specifically, the FET within IC1 switches between conductive and non-conductive (insulated) states depending on whether the gaming machine's power is on or off and whether the reels are spinning or stopped. When the gaming machine's power is off (no gate voltage is applied), the FET is in a conductive state, as mentioned above, and circuit configuration PT1 is established. On the other hand, when the gaming machine's power is on and the reels are stopped (gate voltage is applied), the FET is in an insulating state, and circuit configuration PT1 is not established. This is because when the FET is conductive, the reel motor is fixed in excitation, slowing down movement and maintaining the stopped position, but generating heat accordingly. Rotating the reel from this point generates even more heat, so the FET is insulated and not excited (de-energized) while the reel is stopped to suppress heat generation so as not to exceed the allowable loss. However, if it is desired to maintain the stopped position of the reel as long as possible, a weak current is passed through to fix it. On the other hand, when the gaming machine's power is on and the reel is rotating and stopped, the FET is made conductive because motor excitation is necessary to accelerate the reel, maintain a constant rotation speed, and stop the reel. Below, we will explain an example of the current path inside IC1 when the power is off, using Figure 15.

[0104] Figure 15 shows transistors TR11, TR12, TR13, and TR14 provided inside IC1. These transistors TR11, TR12, TR13, and TR14 have so-called parasitic diodes and parasitic capacitances (physical structures equivalent to diodes and capacitors in terms of structure) that are not provided inside IC1. In Figure 15, these parasitic diodes PD11, PD12, PD13, and PD14 are shown with dotted lines. When the left reel 110 is manually spun, the internal current path of IC1 (in Figure 15, the path entering from the bottom side (ground side) of IC1 and exiting to the right side (coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-)) is formed by these parasitic diodes PD11, PD12, PD13, and PD14. Note that some types of ICs may have voltage-resistant protection diodes to protect the transistors from back electromotive force. In such cases, the current path is formed by these voltage-resistant protection diodes. In addition, in an IC that has a FET built in, as mentioned above, the FET is in a conductive state, establishing a current path.

[0105] In addition, in response to the electromotive force due to the electromagnetic induction, a back electromotive force (power that counteracts changes in the coil's magnetic flux and current) is generated in the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase in sequence. This back electromotive force creates a load (difficulty in rotating the left reel 110, resistance to manual rotation) when the left reel 110 is manually rotated. More specifically, if the coil of the stepping motor 700 is set to 0V as the reference voltage when the power is turned off, an electromotive force (reverse voltage) of several volts is generated by electromagnetic induction when the left reel 110 is manually rotated. This generates a back electromotive force that counteracts this change from 0V to several volts, which becomes the load (feel, weight when moving the reel, reverse torque) when the reel is manually rotated. This back electromotive force increases in proportion to the change in current (speed) due to electromagnetic induction. For example, the load is greater when the left reel 110 is rotated quickly at high speed than when it is rotated slowly from a stopped state. In other words, if the amount of change in current (speed) within a certain period is large, the load when rotated manually will also be large, and if the amount of change in current (speed) within a certain period is small, the load when rotated manually will also be small.

[0106] Furthermore, part of the current generated in the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase flows into capacitor CA, where an electric charge is charged (charged and stored). The electric charge charged (charged and stored) in capacitor CA is released (flows to ground) via load components ZA, etc., but some of it also flows to coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, causing a change in the load when the left reel 110 is manually rotated.

[0107] On the other hand, when the power is turned off and there is an abnormality in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- (the circuit is not connected, or the resistance is higher than normal, the connector or harness is not connected properly, or the power line or drive signal line in the harness is broken), this abnormality will cause a point in the circuit configuration PT1 to not be valid, and so even if the left reel 110 is rotated manually, there will be no current (or only a small current) flowing in the circuit configuration PT1 that is abnormal or not valid as a circuit, and no back electromotive force or load is generated when the left reel 110 is rotated manually (or the back electromotive force and load will be small).

[0108] Considering the above, it is possible to infer whether an abnormality has occurred in the circuit surrounding the left reel 110's motor based on the difference in load when the left reel 110 is manually rotated. For example, if the harness H3 is disconnected, even when the left reel 110 is manually rotated, no back electromotive force or load is generated in any of the circuits connected to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase, and no load is generated when the left reel 110 is manually rotated. In this case, it is easy to determine whether or not there is a load when the left reel 110 is manually rotated, making it the easiest situation to infer that an abnormality has occurred in the circuit surrounding the left reel 110's motor. Furthermore, because the load differs whether the reel is rotating forward or backward, when an operator moves the reel to check, the reel's movement direction is not limited to one direction, improving operability. The same applies not only to reels but also to hopper devices that dispense medals. The same is true for movable bodies used in the performance; if the movable body can move left and right, the difference in load can be recognized whether it is moved to the right or left; if the movable body can move up and down, the difference in load can be recognized whether it is moved up or down; if the movable body rotates, the difference in load can be recognized whether it is moved in the forward or reverse direction, or whether it is moved clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0109] In the above example, we focused on the load when rotating the reels manually (by the inspector, not by the machine's drive control), but this operation is caused by rotating the motor. Therefore, the force that rotates the motor can be a force (external force) that comes from outside the motor. For example, if an inspector's clothing or a tool he or she is wearing accidentally touches the reels during inspection or maintenance work while opening the door of an amusement machine, causing the reels to rotate forward or backward, this can also be considered an operation caused by an external force, and is not necessarily limited to manual operation. Furthermore, the load can also be described as the feel, the weight when moving the reels, or the sense of resistance when moving the reels (a force in the opposite direction to the applied external force, a force that tries to return to its original position even when an external force is applied, or a force that tries to stay in place even when an external force is applied). The magnitude of the load can be expressed as large (small), heavy (light), etc.

[0110] Furthermore, when rotating the reel using an external force, for example, a method may be used in which the reel is rotated without releasing the hand. As described above, the presence or absence of a load depends on whether or not circuit configuration PT1 is established, so the amount of rotation is not limited. However, since the operator feels a greater sense of resistance for a longer period of time when moving four frames than when moving half a frame, a larger rotation amount (four frames, one-quarter of a revolution, half a revolution) than a smaller rotation amount (one-half or one frame) allows the operator to feel the load (response) for a longer period of time, making it easier to distinguish and compare differences in load. Another method may be to spin the reel vigorously and then let the reel rotate by inertia after releasing the hand. Although no resistance is felt after releasing the reel, a heavy load makes the reel more difficult to rotate than a light load. Therefore, differences in load can be determined from differences in the amount of rotation, rotation speed, and time until rotation stops, and an abnormality can be inferred. In other words, if you rotate the reel by external force (manually) with a heavy resistance and then let go and let it rotate by inertia, the load is heavy and it becomes difficult to rotate, so the amount of rotation (amount of movement / amount of movement) until it stops is small and the time to stop is also short. On the other hand, if you rotate the reel by external force (manually) with a light resistance and then let go and let it rotate by inertia, the load is light and it becomes easy to rotate, so the amount of rotation (amount of movement / amount of movement) until it stops is large and the time to stop is also long. It is preferable that the external force applied to the reel (motor) be constant both under heavy load conditions (e.g., when the power is off) and under light load conditions (e.g., when the power is on). This is because the amount of inertia rotation changes depending on the power supply status and harness connection status, so applying a constant external force more accurately determines the power supply status and abnormalities. The "certain external force" may be the amount of inertial rotation after moving the reel halfway around at a steady rotation speed (79 rotations per minute, 750 ms per rotation). However, the amount of inertial rotation must be determined by a certain amount of external force. For example, if an external force is used to move a stepping motor one step, it is possible to determine the load, but it is difficult to determine the amount of inertial rotation.Alternatively, a string with a weight attached to the reel and hanging downward can also be used to apply a constant external force. However, because the load is generated when circuit configuration PT1 is active or inactive, the amount of inertial rotation changes even if the external force applied to the reel (motor) is not constant. This allows for a similar effect, making it possible to determine the power supply status and abnormalities. This allows for a worker to easily determine whether the reel is powered or has an abnormality by observing the amount of inertial rotation after releasing the hand and the time it takes for the reel to stop, even if the worker does not feel a sense of resistance when manually rotating the reel. Furthermore, even if the worker accidentally touches the reel while opening the door of the gaming machine, if the reel is powered, the load is small and the amount of movement is large, making it easier to notice that the reel has been accidentally moved and return it to the position of the symbol before the operation. This applies not only to reels, but also to moving devices (moving objects).

[0111] Note that "when the harness H3 is unplugged" refers to a case where the connector CN2, which serves as the board-side connector on the main control board 300B, and the connector CN2-1, which serves as the harness-side connector at one end of the harness H3, are not properly connected. Although not shown, the same applies when the motor connector (motor-side connector) and the harness-side connector CN2-2 at the other end of the harness H3, which is connectable to the motor-side connector, are not properly connected. In other words, this refers to a case where the connectors CN2-1 and / or CN2-2 on the harness H3 are not properly connected. On the other hand, if the harness H3 is not unplugged, manually rotating the left reel 110 generates back electromotive force in all circuits connected to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- of each phase, generating a greater load when manually rotating the left reel 110 than when the harness H3 is unplugged. This allows you to confirm that there are no abnormalities in the circuits surrounding the motor of the left reel 110.

[0112] Note that "when the harness H3 is not disconnected" refers to a case where the connector CN2, which serves as the board-side connector on the main control board 300B, and the connector CN2-1, which serves as the harness-side connector at one end of the harness H3, are properly connected. Although not shown, the same applies to a case where the motor connector (motor-side connector) and the harness-side connector CN2-2 at the other end of the harness H3, which is connectable to the motor-side connector, are properly connected. In other words, this refers to a case where the connectors CN2-1 and / or CN2-2 are properly connected at the connection points of the harness H3.

[0113] Examples of abnormalities in the circuit configuration corresponding to coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- include when the harness H3 connecting the main control board 300B and the reel board 700BL is disconnected (when the connector CN2 and the connector CN2-1 are not connected, or when the motor-side connector and the connector CN2-2 are not connected), or when some of the wiring in the harness H3 or the wiring on the boards (main control board 300B, reel board 700BL) is broken. Other examples include when the terminals of the harness H3 are not in the correct connection position, resulting in a disconnected wiring, or when the wiring is connected enough to allow operation but the terminals of the harness H3 are not in the correct connection position, resulting in a higher wiring resistance value compared to the normal state. Examples of disconnected wiring or high wiring resistance include when one or both of the paired terminals are missing (e.g., when a pin is broken) or when one or both of the paired terminals are deformed (e.g., when a pin is bent). Furthermore, either of these terminals may be male or female, and the configuration is not limited to male terminals on the board side and female terminals on the harness side.

[0114] <Torque during brake control> When the power is on and there is no abnormality in the circuit, the CPU 304 controls the excitation state of each phase according to one of the excitation tables shown in FIG. 10, depending on the rotation status of the reels 110-112 shown in FIG. 11. Of these, the torque of the stepping motor 700 during the brake control of FIG. 11 (strong excitation by two phases, A and B) is referred to as the brake torque. This brake torque is higher than the torque during acceleration of the reels 110-112 (hereinafter referred to as acceleration torque) or the torque during constant speed rotation (hereinafter referred to as constant speed torque), and the holding force of the reels 110-112 is highest during the brake control compared to other states. Even when the modified example of FIG. 12 is used, the brake torque (four-phase excitation) is higher than the torque during acceleration of the reels 110-112 (acceleration torque) or the torque during constant speed rotation (constant speed torque), and the holding force of the reels 110-112 is highest during the brake control compared to other states.

[0115] On the other hand, as described above, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off and no abnormality is present in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, a load required to rotate the reels 110-112 is generated due to the back electromotive force. At this time, the load generated by the back electromotive force is the torque required to manually rotate the reels 110-112 (the torque required to rotate the stepping motor 700), and this torque will be referred to as the back electromotive force torque hereinafter. This back electromotive force torque increases in proportion to the change in the current (speed) of the reels 110-112. Furthermore, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated to perform the same operation as during game play, the magnitude of this back electromotive force torque is approximately the same as the torque corresponding to that operation (for example, acceleration torque or constant speed torque). The reason why it is said to be about the same is because the state of the circuit differs depending on whether or not power is supplied, such as when a capacitor that stores charge when power is supplied does not store charge when the power is turned off, and the magnitude of the back electromotive force torque is affected. For example, when the reels 110 to 112 are manually rotated and accelerated to the same degree as in a game, the back electromotive force torque is about the same magnitude as the acceleration torque, but smaller than the brake torque (this is true for both the configurations in Figures 11 and 12).

[0116] Furthermore, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off and there is an abnormality in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, no load is generated (or the load is small) due to the back electromotive force in the abnormal circuit even when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated. Note that when there is an abnormality in the circuit, the load due to the back electromotive force is lower (or no load is generated) compared to when there is no abnormality in the circuit. Therefore, for example, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated and accelerated to the same degree as in a game, the torque required for this rotation is smaller than the brake torque (this is true for both the configurations in Figures 11 and 12).

[0117] In the above configuration, the brake torque is greater than the back electromotive force torque when acceleration is performed at the same level as during gameplay, and even if the reel is accidentally rotated manually during brake control, it is unlikely that any problems will occur.

[0118] <About the load when rotating the reel manually with the power on> When the power is on and there is no abnormality in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, the CPU 304 controls the excitation state of each phase according to one of the excitation tables shown in FIG. 10 in response to the rotation status of the reels 110-112 shown in FIG. 11, as described above. The reel stop control shown in FIG. 11 is a state set outside of game play (before the game starts or ends), specifically, the A- and B-phases are controlled to weak excitation and the A- and B-phases are controlled to no excitation. In this state, the torque due to the weak excitation of the A- and B-phases acts as a holding torque that resists external rotational forces, and this holding torque stops the reels 110-112 (stepping motor 700). This holding torque is lower than the torque during acceleration (acceleration torque) of the reels 110-112 and the torque during constant-speed rotation (constant-speed torque).

[0119] In the reel stop control state, the reels 110-112 can be manually rotated by applying a torque equal to or greater than the holding torque acting on the reels 110-112. While a load due to back electromotive force occurs when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated while the power is off, no back electromotive force load occurs when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated in the reel stop control state because the reel drive voltage (24 V) is constantly applied to the coils of the stepping motor 700. In this state, the induced electromotive force caused by the manual rotation of the reels is lower than the power supply voltage (DC) for driving the reels (the power supply voltage is 24 V, while the voltage due to the induced electromotive force is only a few volts), and is AC. In this case, the voltage due to the induced electromotive force is insufficient to counteract the power supply voltage and cause a current to flow, so no current due to the induced electromotive force flows, and no back electromotive force or load due to this current is generated. In other words, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off, an electromotive force of several volts is generated in the coil, which was 0 V before rotation. This potential difference generates a counter electromotive force against the current. However, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned on, no current is generated due to induced electromotive force in the coil, which was previously supplied with 24 V, and therefore no counter electromotive force or load is generated. Furthermore, depending on the configuration of IC1, the current required to drive the stepping motor 700 (current flowing through the transistor: weak excitation) is maintained within IC1 while the current due to induced electromotive force (current from the ground side) is cut (circuit configuration PT1 is not established for induced electromotive force). In other words, in the reel stop control state, the holding torque due to weak excitation of phases A and B may become a load when manually rotating the reels 110-112. Note that in the modified example of FIG. 12, the reel stop control state is a non-excitation state, so no load is generated when manually rotating the reels 110-112. In this way, the control and configuration of the transistors does not generate a current due to induced electromotive force, and counter electromotive force and load are not generated when the reels 110 to 112 are rotated manually.Furthermore, as described above, if the reels are energized when they are stopped but then de-energized, the FET inside the IC is in an insulated state, so circuit configuration PT1 does not hold, and no load is generated when reels 110 to 112 are rotated manually.

[0120] On the other hand, as described above, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off and no abnormality is present in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-, a load required to rotate the reels 110-112 is generated due to the back electromotive force. At this time, the load generated by the back electromotive force is the torque required to manually rotate the reels 110-112 (the torque required to rotate the stepping motor 700), and this torque will be referred to as the back electromotive force torque hereinafter. This back electromotive force torque increases in proportion to the change in the current (speed) of the reels 110-112. Furthermore, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated to perform the same operation as during game play, the magnitude of this back electromotive force torque is approximately the same as the torque corresponding to that operation (for example, acceleration torque or constant speed torque). The reason for the term "same level" is that the magnitude of the back electromotive force torque is affected by differences in the circuit state depending on whether or not power is supplied, such as a capacitor that stores charge when power is supplied but does not store charge when power is turned off. For example, in the power-off state, when the reels 110 to 112 are manually rotated and accelerated to the same degree as in a game, the back electromotive force torque is about the same magnitude as the acceleration torque, and is greater than the holding torque (the load when the reels 110 to 112 are manually rotated in the reel stop control state).

[0121] <Comparison of disconnected harness and connected harness with electricity flowing> As explained above in <Operation when the reel is rotated manually with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reel is rotated manually with the power turned on>, the load (weight) when the reel is rotated by an external force (manual operation in the above explanation) is light in both the state where the harness is not connected and the state where the harness is connected with the power turned on (energized) (compared to the state where the harness is connected with the power turned off). However, the load in both cases may differ due to the different circuit conditions.

[0122] In the harness disconnected state, no circuit configuration is established (for example, in FIG. 14, circuit configuration PT1 is not established), so there is no influence of current or voltage compared to the harness connected state. The load in this state is called the "first lightness."

[0123] On the other hand, when the harness is connected and current is flowing, the transistor (FET) switching in the motor control IC is in the OFF state (for example, the current between the source and drain is in the OFF state), so the circuit configuration is the same as when the harness is not connected, but in reality, because the harness is connected, an L component (parasitic inductance) is generated due to the harness length and the binding of the harness, and this generates a small amount of induced electromotive force, so the product may be slightly heavier than the first lightness mentioned above.

[0124] The lightness of the harness connection while energized (second lightness) also affects the excitation state of the reel when it is stopped. When stopping a rotating reel, it is stopped using 4-phase excitation or 1-2 phase strong excitation. These 4-phase excitation and strong excitation continue to output excitation for a while even after the reel has stopped. This is to prevent the reel from shifting position due to the reaction of stopping, and to stabilize the stopped position. After that, the 4-phase excitation is released and the reel becomes non-excitation. Furthermore, the strong excitation also switches to weak excitation or non-excitation. At this time, in a configuration where weak excitation continues to be output while the reel is stopped, this is to maintain the position even when the reel is stopped, and in this case the second lightness is heavier than the first lightness.

[0125] <About the behavior when the reel is manually spun with the power off (2)> In the above explanation, it has been explained that there are cases where an abnormality can be detected by the load when the reels 110 to 112 are manually spun. Below, we will explain cases where an abnormality can be detected by an operation other than the load, using Figure 14. Note that although the following explanation will be focused on the left reel 110, the same applies to the other reels.

[0126] When the left reel 110 is spun manually, the power generated in the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- causes a current to flow through LEDD1, causing LEDD1 to light up. On the other hand, if there is an abnormality in the circuit configuration PT1 corresponding to the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB- (the circuit is not connected, or the resistance value is higher than normal), no current will flow to LEDD1 in the abnormal circuit even if the left reel 110 is spun manually.

[0127] From the above, it can be inferred whether or not there is an abnormality in the circuitry around the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110 based on the difference in the lighting state of LEDD1 when the left reel 110 is spun manually.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 13, the power supply voltages (5V, 24V) and ground of the main control board 300B and the power supply board 252B are connected, and an LED is provided between the 24V power supply and ground of the power supply board 252B. Therefore, when the left reel 110 is manually spun, the same behavior as that of LEDD1 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 can be observed in the LED on the power supply board 252B. Therefore, differences in the light emission patterns of these LEDs can be used to infer whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the circuitry surrounding the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110. Furthermore, differences in the light emission patterns of the LEDs can be used to infer whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the harness or wiring between the boards on which they are located.

[0129] <About the board configuration (1)> In the example of Figure 13, a configuration has been described in which boards (left reel motor board 700BL, center reel motor board 700BC, right reel motor board 700BR) on which stepping motor 700 is mounted and a board (main control board 300B) on which ICs 1 to 3 that control stepping motor 700 are mounted are connected by harnesses H3 to H5. However, there are various configurations of boards used in gaming machines, and they are not limited to the example of Figure 13. Below, an example using a board different from that of Figure 13 will be described.

[0130] 16 shows a configuration in which boards (left reel motor board 700BL, center reel motor board 700BC, right reel motor board 700BR) on which stepping motor 700 is mounted and a board (main control board 300B) on which ICs 1 to 3 that control stepping motor 700 are mounted are connected via a reel relay board 700BM1. FIG. 17 is a simplified diagram of the circuit that controls stepping motor 700 of left reel board 700BL in FIG. 16.

[0131] Comparing Figures 14 and 17, the combined configuration of harnesses H7 and H8 in Figure 17 and reel relay board 700BM1 corresponds to harness H3 in Figure 14. In other words, if the board configuration is not taken into consideration, the circuits in Figures 13 and 14 are equivalent to the circuits in Figures 16 and 17. For example, in the circuits in Figures 13 and 14, it was explained that abnormalities in harness H3 (such as harness disconnection, broken wiring, or terminals not properly connected) can be detected by manually rotating the reel. In the circuits in Figures 16 and 17, abnormalities in harnesses H7 and H8 (such as harness disconnection, broken wiring, or terminals not properly connected) can be detected by manually rotating the reel. Note that harnesses H8 to H10, like harnesses H3 to H5 in Figure 13, are provided in a one-to-one relationship with each reel, and therefore multiple reels (reels 110 to 112) can be manually rotated and inspected individually. On the other hand, harness H7 is a harness that aggregates the wiring of each reel (reels 110-112) in a one-to-one relationship, and if harness H7 is disconnected, a load will be generated when all reels (reels 110-112) are manually rotated, allowing for simultaneous inspection. Note that if some of the wiring is broken or some terminals are not connected correctly, the load will disappear when any of the corresponding reels are manually rotated, and by also inspecting harnesses H8-H10 at this time, it will be possible to narrow down which part is causing the problem.

[0132] Figure 18 shows a configuration in which boards (left reel motor board 700BL, center reel motor board 700BC, right reel motor board 700BR) on which stepping motor 700 is mounted and a board (main control board 300B) on which ICs 1-3 that control stepping motor 700 are mounted are connected via main connection board 300BM and reel relay board 700BM2. Figure 19 is a simplified diagram of the circuit that controls stepping motor 700 of left reel board 700BL in Figure 18.

[0133] Comparing Figures 14 and 19, the difference is that capacitors C2 and C3, which were provided on the main control board 300B in Figure 14, are provided on the reel relay board 700BM2 in Figure 19. Also different is that Figure 19 includes capacitor C4 on the main connection board 300BM and IC4 on the reel relay board 700BM2, which are not included in the circuit in Figure 14. Note that IC4 provided on the reel relay board 700BM2 is a buffer that holds a signal from IC1, and when no power supply voltage is supplied, it is in a conductive state due to parasitic capacitance and parasitic diodes, just like IC1.

[0134] 14 and 19 have the above-mentioned differences, they share the commonality of establishing a circuit configuration PT1 that runs from the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110 (more specifically, each of the coils LA, LB, LA-, and LB-) through resistor R1, LED D1, capacitors C1-C3, and load component ZA, and then through IC1 to the stepping motor 700. That is, the circuit to the left of harness H15 in FIG. 19 corresponds to the circuit to the left of harness H3 in FIG. 14. For example, while it has been explained that in the circuits of FIGS. 13 and 14, an abnormality in harness H3 (such as disconnection of the harness, a broken wire, or an incorrectly connected terminal) can be detected by manually rotating the reel, in the circuits of FIGS. 18 and 19, an abnormality in harnesses H15 and H14 (such as disconnection of the harness, a broken wire, or an incorrectly connected terminal) can be detected by manually rotating the reel.

[0135] Furthermore, to be able to check whether circuit configuration PT1 is established by manually rotating the reels, as in this embodiment, circuit configuration PT1 must not be established within the reel motor boards (left reel motor board 700BL, center reel motor board 700BC, right reel motor board 700BR) on which stepping motor 700 is mounted. In other words, circuit configuration PT1 is established across the reel motor boards, the boards closer to the power supply than the reel motors, and the harnesses connecting these boards, making it possible to check for abnormalities in the circuit boards and the connecting harnesses. Even if circuit configuration PT1 is completed within the reel motor boards, if the circuit configuration is not established due to poor mounting or damaged components, for example, manually rotating the reels will feel less responsive. However, in this case, the abnormality in only the reel motor board will be detected, and abnormalities in other harnesses, etc., will not be detected. On the other hand, as in this embodiment, the circuit configuration PT1 is configured across the reel motor board, the board on the power supply side of the reel motor, and the harness connecting these boards, so that not only can the harness be checked for insertion or removal status, but if the harness is inserted and there is a light feel, it can be detected that an abnormality has occurred somewhere between the reel motor board, the board on the power supply side of the reel motor, and the harness connecting these boards, which can provide an opportunity to start an inspection focusing on multiple components and prevent the power from being turned on when a potential abnormality is occurring.

[0136] The power supply board 252B provided in each of the examples shown in FIGS. 13, 16, and 18 supplies a power supply voltage (5V, 24V) and ground, and is connected to the power supply voltages (5V, 24V) and ground of the other boards via harnesses. A capacitor is provided between the 24V power supply and ground on this power supply board 252B. Therefore, when the reels 110-112 are manually rotated with the power turned off, part of the current generated in the coil of the stepping motor 700 also flows into this capacitor, causing it to be charged (accumulated). If an abnormality occurs in the harness of the power supply board 252B (harness H1 in FIG. 13, harness H6 in FIG. 16, or harness H11 in FIG. 18) (e.g., the harness (connector) is disconnected or partially broken) but the other harnesses are normal, no current flows through the capacitor provided on the power supply board 252B, and thus no back electromotive force is generated, resulting in a smaller load than when the harnesses are normal. 18, a similar phenomenon occurs when there is an abnormality in the harness H14. Furthermore, in the example of Fig. 18, if the reel relay board 700BM2 is configured such that a power supply path from the main connection board 300BM is not provided, and instead a harness that supplies power from the power supply board 252B is directly connected, a similar phenomenon to the above will occur if there is an abnormality in this directly connected harness. Therefore, depending on the capacitance of the capacitor provided on the power supply board 252B, it may be possible to infer an abnormality in the harness around the power supply board 252B (such as a disconnected harness, a broken wire in some of the wiring, or a terminal not in the correct connection position) by manually rotating the reel.

[0137] Furthermore, depending on the configuration of elements and circuits, a power supply voltage (for example, 5V in FIG. 13; in other words, the drive voltage for digital circuits and digital signals such as ICs) different from the power supply voltage used to drive the reels (for example, 24V in FIG. 13; in other words, the drive voltage for analog circuits and analog signals such as motors) may be provided. In such a configuration, if an element such as a resistor is provided between circuits with different power supply voltages, a current (current due to induced electromotive force) resulting from manual rotation of the reels when the power is turned off may flow through an element such as a resistor provided between these power supply voltages. In other words, circuit configuration PT1 may be configured not only to include circuits intended to operate with the power supply voltage used to drive the reels, but also to include other circuits.

[0138] As described above, regardless of the configuration of the board, an abnormality may be discovered by manually rotating the reel.

[0139] <About the board configuration (2)> In addition to the board configurations described in Figures 13 to 19, there are various other board configurations used in gaming machines. Examples of various board configurations will be described below using Figures 20 and 21. Figures 20 and 21 are block diagrams showing examples of connections between the motors that drive the left, center, and right reels and the various boards. In Figures 20 and 21, the circled figures "left," "center," and "right" indicate the motors that drive the left, center, and right reels (hereinafter, these may be referred to as the left motor, center motor, and right motor, respectively).

[0140] In Figure 20(a), the power supply unit shown on the left side is connected to the performance connection board and the reel relay board, which are in turn connected to the main control board and the left motor, center motor, and right motor. In this example, power to drive the left motor, center motor, and right motor is supplied via the route: power supply unit → harness HN2 → reel relay board → harness HN1. In this case, harness HN1 and harness HN2 form part of the circuit for driving the motors.

[0141] In the above configuration, similar to the operation described in the example of Figure 13, when the reel is manually rotated with the power turned off, an electromotive force is generated in the circuit driving the motor, and a counter-electromotive force is generated to counteract the change caused by this electromotive force. This counter-electromotive force creates a load (feel, resistance, weight, and difficulty in rotating) when the reel is manually rotated. However, if the circuit driving one (or all) of the motors is not functioning due to factors such as a disconnection or break in harness HN1 or harness HN2, the above electromotive force, counter-electromotive force, and load will not be generated (or will be small) for the corresponding reel even when it is manually rotated. By focusing on the difference in load when rotating such reels, it is possible to detect connection abnormalities, damage, or circuit abnormalities in harness HN1 or harness HN2. Note that in this example, the harnesses connected to the motors are described separately, but the same applies when they are combined into a single harness (as in the following examples).

[0142] In Figure 20(b), the power supply unit shown on the left side is connected to a power supply relay board, which is in turn connected to the performance control board and the main control board, with the main control board being connected to the left motor, center motor, and right motor via the reel relay board. In this example, power for driving the left motor, center motor, and right motor is supplied via the following route: power supply unit → harness HN4 → power supply relay board → harness HN3 → main control board → harness HN2 → reel relay board → harness HN1. At this time, harnesses HN1 to HN4 form part of the circuit for driving the motors.

[0143] In the above configuration, similar to the operation described in the example of Figure 13, when the reel is manually rotated with the power turned off, an electromotive force is generated in the circuit that drives the motor, and a counter-electromotive force is generated that attempts to counteract the change caused by this electromotive force. This counter-electromotive force creates a load (feel, resistance, weight, difficulty in rotation) when the reel is manually rotated. However, if the circuit for driving one (or all) of the motors is not established due to factors such as a disconnection or break in any of the harnesses HN1 to HN4, the above electromotive force, counter-electromotive force, and load will not be generated (or will be small) for the corresponding reel even when it is manually rotated. By focusing on the difference in load when rotating such reels, it is possible to discover connection abnormalities, damage, and circuit abnormalities in the harnesses HN1 to HN4.

[0144] Furthermore, even if there is no reel relay board or harness HN2, and a configuration is adopted in which the main control board is connected to each of the left motor, center motor, and right motor via harness HN1, it is possible to discover connection abnormalities, damage, and circuit abnormalities in harness HN1, harness HN3, and harness HN4 by focusing on the difference in load when the reel is rotated.

[0145] In Figure 20(c), the power supply unit shown on the left side is connected to a power supply relay board, which is in turn connected to a main control board, which is connected to a performance control board and a reel relay board, each of which is connected to a left motor, a center motor, and a right motor. In this example, power for driving the left motor, center motor, and right motor is supplied via the following route: power supply unit → harness HN4 → power supply relay board → harness HN3 → main control board → harness HN2 → reel relay board → harness HN1. At this time, harnesses HN1 to HN4 form part of the circuit for driving the motors.

[0146] In the above configuration, similar to the operation described in the example of Figure 13, when the reel is manually rotated with the power turned off, an electromotive force is generated in the circuit that drives the motor, and a counter-electromotive force is generated that attempts to counteract the change caused by this electromotive force. This counter-electromotive force creates a load (feel, resistance, weight, difficulty in rotation) when the reel is manually rotated. However, if the circuit for driving one (or all) of the motors is not established due to factors such as a disconnection or break in any of the harnesses HN1 to HN4, the above electromotive force, counter-electromotive force, and load will not be generated (or will be small) for the corresponding reel even when it is manually rotated. By focusing on the difference in load when rotating such reels, it is possible to discover connection abnormalities, damage, and circuit abnormalities in the harnesses HN1 to HN4.

[0147] In Figure 21(d), the power supply unit shown on the left end is connected to the performance control board and the main control board, and the main control board is further connected to the medal count control board and the reel relay board, of which the reel relay board is connected to the left motor, center motor, and right motor, respectively. In this example, the power for driving the left motor, center motor, and right motor is supplied via the route: power supply unit → harness HN3 → main control board → harness HN2 → reel relay board → harness HN1. At this time, harnesses HN1 to HN3 constitute part of the circuit for driving the motors.

[0148] In the above configuration, similar to the operation described in the example of Figure 13, when the reel is manually rotated with the power turned off, an electromotive force is generated in the circuit that drives the motor, and a counter-electromotive force is generated that attempts to counteract the change caused by this electromotive force. This counter-electromotive force creates a load (feel, resistance, weight, difficulty in rotation) when manually rotating the reel. However, if the circuit for driving one (or all) of the motors is not established due to factors such as a disconnection or break in any of the harnesses HN1 to HN3, the above electromotive force, counter-electromotive force, and load will not be generated (or will be small) for the corresponding reel even when it is manually rotated. By focusing on the difference in load when rotating such reels, it is possible to discover connection abnormalities, damage, and circuit abnormalities in the harnesses HN1 to HN3.

[0149] In Figure 21(e), the power supply device shown on the left side is connected to the performance connection board and the motor drive board, and the motor drive board is further connected to the main control board and the reel relay board, of which the reel relay board is connected to the left motor, center motor, and right motor, respectively. In this example, power for driving the left motor, center motor, and right motor is supplied via the route: power supply device → harness HN3 → motor drive board → harness HN2 → reel relay board → harness HN1. At this time, harnesses HN1 to HN3 form part of the circuit for driving the motors.

[0150] In the above configuration, similar to the operation described in the example of Figure 13, when the reel is manually rotated with the power turned off, an electromotive force is generated in the circuit that drives the motor, and a counter-electromotive force is generated that attempts to counteract the change caused by this electromotive force. This counter-electromotive force creates a load (feel, resistance, weight, difficulty in rotation) when manually rotating the reel. However, if the circuit for driving one (or all) of the motors is not established due to factors such as a disconnection or break in any of the harnesses HN1 to HN3, the above electromotive force, counter-electromotive force, and load will not be generated (or will be small) for the corresponding reel even when it is manually rotated. By focusing on the difference in load when rotating such reels, it is possible to discover connection abnormalities, damage, and circuit abnormalities in the harnesses HN1 to HN3.

[0151] In Figure 21 (f), the power supply unit shown on the left end is connected to the performance connection board and the power supply relay board, which are in turn connected to the main connection board and the medal count control board, and the main connection board is connected to the main control board and the left motor, center motor, and right motor, respectively. In this example, the power for driving the left motor, center motor, and right motor is supplied via the route: power supply unit → harness HN3 → power supply relay board → harness HN2 → main connection board → harness HN1. At this time, harnesses HN1 to HN3 form part of the circuit for driving the motors.

[0152] In the above configuration, similar to the operation described in the example of Figure 13, when the reel is manually rotated with the power turned off, an electromotive force is generated in the circuit that drives the motor, and a counter-electromotive force is generated that attempts to counteract the change caused by this electromotive force. This counter-electromotive force creates a load (feel, resistance, weight, difficulty in rotation) when manually rotating the reel. However, if the circuit for driving one (or all) of the motors is not established due to factors such as a disconnection or break in any of the harnesses HN1 to HN3, the above electromotive force, counter-electromotive force, and load will not be generated (or will be small) for the corresponding reel even when it is manually rotated. By focusing on the difference in load when rotating such reels, it is possible to discover connection abnormalities, damage, and circuit abnormalities in the harnesses HN1 to HN3.

[0153] In Figures 20 and 21, harnesses that make up the circuit for driving the motor are indicated by symbols. Harnesses without symbols are not part of the circuit for driving the motor, so even if any of them are disconnected or broken, there is no difference in the load when the reel is rotated. For example, in Figures 20(a) and 21(f), the left motor, center motor, and right motor and the main control board are each configured to receive power from the same board (the reel relay board in Figure 20(a) and the main connection board in Figure 21(f)). The left motor, center motor, and right motor are each in a parallel relationship with the main control board (all connected to the same board, not hierarchical in a tree structure with the power supply at the top, not power supplier and receiver, not on the power supply line). In this type of relationship, even if the harness on the main control board side is disconnected, there is no difference in the load when the reel is rotated.

[0154] 20 and 21 explain that an abnormality in the harness that constitutes the circuit for driving the motor can cause a difference in the load when the reel is rotated, but depending on the circuit configuration, an abnormality in the harness may not cause much difference in the load when the reel is rotated. This point will be explained below using Figure 22. Figure 22 is a simplified diagram showing the circuit for driving the motor (hereinafter referred to as the motor drive circuit).

[0155] In Figure 22(a), the motor on the right is driven by the power supply on the left. Furthermore, when the power supply is off, manually rotating the reel (motor) generates electromotive force and counter-electromotive force in the motor drive circuit, creating a load. If the circuit is broken at the point indicated by the dotted line CL, the motor will not drive, and since the circuit is not complete, no electromotive force or counter-electromotive force is generated, and no load is created. A case in which an abnormality occurs in the numbered harnesses in Figures 20 and 21 basically corresponds to a case in which the circuit is broken at the point indicated by the dotted line CL in Figure 22(a).

[0156] Figure 22(b) shows the circuit of Figure 22(a) with an additional path connected to component S. For example, if a control IC is provided separately from the power supply, a capacitor may be provided together to ensure the operating voltage of the control IC. Component S generically indicates the presence of such a component, and is not limited to a capacitor.

[0157] In Figure 22(b), the motor on the right is driven by the power supply on the left, just as in Figure 22(a), and when the power is off, manually rotating the reel (motor) generates electromotive force and counter-electromotive force in the motor drive circuit, creating a load. If the circuit is broken at the point indicated by dotted line CL (on the power supply side of component S, upstream of component S), the motor will not drive, of course. However, when the reel (motor) is manually rotated, a circuit consisting of the motor and component S (hereinafter referred to as the abnormality circuit) is established in addition to the motor drive circuit, and electromotive force and counter-electromotive force are generated in this abnormality circuit, creating a load. Note that the load on the abnormality circuit is different from when the motor drive circuit is established.

[0158] The motor drive circuit is designed to ensure the current required to drive the motor, but this current is not necessarily guaranteed sufficiently in the circuit during abnormal conditions. For example, a relatively large-capacity capacitor (such as an electrolytic capacitor) may be installed together with the control IC to stabilize its operation. If component S is a large-capacity capacitor, it can pass a sufficient amount of current, and the load on the circuit during abnormal conditions will be similar to that when the reel drive circuit is functioning.

[0159] For example, if there is a large-capacity capacitor or control IC on the reel relay board in Figures 20 and 21 (main connection board in Figure 21(f)), the abnormality circuit in Figure 22(b) will be established when harness HN2 is unplugged, and a load may be generated when the reel is rotated manually.

[0160] On the other hand, if the reel relay board in Figures 20 and 21 (or the main connection board in Figure 21(f)) does not have a large-capacity capacitor or control IC, the situation shown in Figure 22(a) may occur, in which no load is generated when the reel is manually rotated when the harness HN2 is unplugged, or the load generated when the reel is manually rotated may be small even though the abnormality circuit shown in Figure 22(b) is established. In this case, a large-capacity capacitor, control IC, and components necessary for generating power supply voltage are mounted on a certain board located closer to the power supply (upstream / input side) than the reel relay board. In Figure 20(a), this certain board corresponds to the board equipped with the power generation circuit in the power supply unit. In Figures 20(b) and (c), this corresponds to the main control board, power relay board, or board equipped with the power generation circuit in the power supply unit. In Figure 21(d), this corresponds to the main control board or board equipped with the power generation circuit in the power supply unit. 21(e) corresponds to a motor drive board or a board equipped with a power generation circuit in a power supply device, and FIG. 21(f) corresponds to a power relay board or a board equipped with a power generation circuit in a power supply unit.

[0161] <Load and power supply status when rotating the reel manually> The relationship between the power supply state and the period during which a load occurs when the reel is manually spun will be explained below using Figure 23. Figure 23 is a diagram showing the change in the magnitude of the load when the reel is manually spun in response to changes in the power supply state.

[0162] Figure 23 shows the changes that occur when the drive voltage of the reel drive circuit drops from 24V to 0V as the power switch is turned from ON to OFF, and then increases from 0V to 24V as the power switch is turned from OFF to ON. Figure 23 also shows that the 24V monitor lamp (lamp that indicates the drive voltage status) gradually goes out (becomes less bright) as the drive voltage drops from 24V to 0V, and then gradually lights up (becomes more bright) as the drive voltage increases from 0V to 24V.

[0163] When the power switch is in the ON position, the power supply voltage (24 V) is supplied to the reel drive circuit, so the drive voltage is 24 V. At this time, even if you manually spin the reels, the current is controlled by the control IC (switching element, transistor, etc.), so as explained above, no load is generated (or only a small load is generated) (see <Load when manually spinning the reels with the power on>).

[0164] When the power switch is turned off (no power supply voltage is being supplied), the charge stored in the capacitor is supplied to the reel drive circuit, but as this charge is released, the drive voltage gradually drops. Even if the drive voltage drops slightly at this time, the control IC for the reel drive circuit can still operate as long as it remains above the stable drive voltage. Figure 23 shows the period when the drive voltage is above this stable drive voltage (the period when it is the first voltage). During this period, even if the reel is rotated manually, the current is controlled by the control IC, so no load is generated (or only a small load is generated).

[0165] Next, Figure 23 shows a period during which the drive voltage is below the stable drive voltage (the period when the drive voltage is at the second voltage). When the drive voltage falls below the stable drive voltage, the control IC stops operating (making normal operation impossible). Furthermore, the CPU of the main control unit also stops operating (the program stops due to the voltage drop), resulting in the control IC being placed in an uncontrolled state. The CPU of the main control unit may output a reset signal to the control IC when the voltage drops below the voltage at which the program stops, and the control IC may stop operating upon receiving the reset signal. In this way, the control IC transitions to a state where it no longer controls the current, gradually creating a load when the reels are manually rotated. Furthermore, as the charge stored in the capacitor decreases, the current flows more easily, gradually increasing the load when the reels are manually rotated. In this example, the load increases sharply in the latter half of the period when the drive voltage is at the second voltage. This change is an example of a change caused by a decrease in the charge stored in the capacitor.

[0166] Furthermore, Figure 23 shows that the drive voltage has become 0V. At this time, the control IC is not operating (switching elements, transistors, etc.; FETs are in a conductive state), and when the reel is rotated manually, an electromotive force is generated in the circuit that drives the motor, and a counter-electromotive force is also generated that tries to cancel out the change caused by this electromotive force. This counter-electromotive force creates a load when the reel is rotated manually (feeling, resistance, weight, difficulty in rotation, reverse torque). This operation is as explained above (see <Operation when rotating the reel manually with the power off (1)>). Figure 23 shows that the above load is at its maximum during the period when the drive voltage is 0V.

[0167] As described above, when the power switch is turned OFF, the load gradually increases when the reel is rotated manually. In this example, the 24V monitor lamp indicates that operation has completely stopped. However, by checking the load when the reel is rotated manually, it is possible to confirm this completely and safely proceed with disassembly and replacement. Furthermore, as the 24V monitor lamp gradually goes out, the load when the reel is rotated manually also changes, allowing for visual confirmation. Even in configurations where the 24V monitor lamp's extinction and the change in load when the reel is rotated manually do not necessarily coincide, this can be used as a guide to when the charge is low. Checking both the 24V monitor lamp and the response when the reel is rotated manually further enhances safety during disassembly and replacement. Similarly, when the power switch (described later) is turned ON, the charge accumulation and voltage increase can be confirmed by checking the 24V monitor lamp's illumination and the change in load when the reel is rotated manually.

[0168] Next, the power switch is turned on (power supply voltage is being supplied), and the drive voltage rises. Figure 23 shows a period in which the drive voltage is below the stable drive voltage (the period when the drive voltage is at the second voltage). During this period, as the drive voltage approaches the stable drive voltage, the capacitor is charged. As the charge increases, the current stops flowing, and the load when the reel is manually rotated gradually decreases. Also, during this period, the control IC gradually begins to operate, and when the CPU of the main control unit begins to operate, the control IC enters a state where it controls the current (the FET enters an insulating state). As the control IC changes to a state where it controls the current, the load when the reel is manually rotated gradually disappears. In this example, the load suddenly decreases in the latter half of the period when the second voltage is being used, but this change is an example of a change caused by the control IC starting to operate normally.

[0169] 23 shows the period when the drive voltage is equal to or higher than the stable drive voltage (the first voltage period). During this period, the control IC of the reel drive circuit operates normally and controls the current, so there is no (or only a small) load even when the reel is rotated manually.

[0170] <Regarding the operating noise caused by the load when rotating the reel manually> In the examples above, we have explained how a load (feel, resistance, weight, and difficulty in rotation) occurs when manually rotating a reel, depending on the state of the power supply and the circuit. This load is not constant relative to the rotation of the reel but fluctuates periodically due to the so-called cogging torque caused by the motor's structure. This load fluctuation causes the motor to vibrate and generate operating noise. Furthermore, in configurations where gears are provided between the reel and the motor, manually rotating the reel generates gear operating noise. The greater the load, the stronger the gear meshing, and the louder the gear operating noise. Furthermore, changes in the magnetic field generated within the motor can cause vibrations in coils, etc., which can result in operating noise. The volume of these operating noises changes depending on the size of the load; as the load decreases, the operating noise decreases, and as the load increases, the operating noise increases accordingly. The pitch of these operating noises can also change depending on the size of the load; as the load decreases, the sound becomes higher, and as the load increases, the sound becomes lower. It is preferable that the external force applied to the reel (motor) be constant, regardless of whether the load is high (e.g., when the power is off) or low (e.g., when the power is on). Because the operating noise may change depending on the power supply status and harness connection status, applying a constant external force allows for more accurate detection of the power supply status and abnormalities. Note that a "constant external force" may be an external force that moves the reel halfway at the reel's steady rotation speed (79 rotations per minute, or 750 ms per rotation) because moving the stepping motor one step with an external force may produce a noticeable difference in load but a small operating noise. Alternatively, a constant external force can be applied by attaching a weighted string to the reel and hanging it downward. However, because the load is generated when circuit configuration PT1 is enabled or disabled, the operating noise changes even if the external force applied to the reel (motor) is not constant, providing a similar effect for detecting the power supply status and abnormalities.In this way, the sound of the motor changes depending on the load (response, resistance, weight, difficulty in rotation, reverse torque) that occurs when the reel is rotated manually, so even if the operator does not feel a sense of response when manually rotating the reel, they can determine whether the motor is energized or if there is an abnormality by the sound of the motor at that time. This is not limited to reels, but is the same for moving performance devices (moving bodies).

[0171] As explained above, the load (feel, resistance, weight, difficulty in rotation, reverse torque) that occurs when rotating a reel manually is not limited to just one reel, but applies equally (the relationship is the same) to all three reels: left, center, and right. The operating noise that occurs due to differences in load, the amount of movement due to inertial rotation, and the time it takes for the reel to stop from inertial rotation also apply equally (the relationship is the same) to all reels. For example, by manually moving three reels at the same time and determining the feel, inspection time can be shortened.

[0172] <Motor type> The stepping motor 700 in the above embodiment employs a so-called unipolar motor, but a bipolar motor may also be employed. This will be explained below with reference to Figures 24 and 25. Figure 24 is a diagram showing a modification of Figure 14. Figure 25 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of IC1 in Figure 24.

[0173] In the modified example shown in FIG. 24, the unipolar motor used in FIG. 14 is replaced with a bipolar motor. In this modified example, IC1 is replaced with one for controlling a bipolar motor. In a bipolar motor, the pair of A-phase and A-phase is controlled by a common coil LA (LA-), and the pair of B-phase and B-phase is controlled by another common coil. The coils controlling B-phase and B-phase are controlled in the same way as the coils LA for A-phase and A-phase. For this reason, the coils controlling B-phase and B-phase are not shown in the figure, and the excitation of A-phase and A-phase will be described below using FIG. 25.

[0174] Figure 25 shows transistors TR21, TR22, TR23, and TR24 provided inside IC1. When exciting phase A, transistors TR21 and TR24 are controlled to be on, and transistors TR22 and TR23 are controlled to be off. In contrast, when exciting phase A-, transistors TR21 and TR24 are controlled to be off, and transistors TR22 and TR23 are controlled to be on. This control reverses the direction of the current when exciting phase A and the current when exciting phase A- (see the arrows in Figure 25). In other words, phase A and phase A- are controlled by reversing the magnetic field of coil LA.

[0175] Next, we will explain the case when the power is off and there are no abnormalities in the circuit (when the connectors and harnesses are properly connected). In this case, when the left reel 110 is manually rotated, electromagnetic induction generates electromotive forces in the A-phase (A-phase) coil LA and the B-phase (B-phase) coil, sequentially, causing current to flow in the opposite direction to that when the reel is driven (counterclockwise from the stepping motor 700 in Figure 24). Specifically, as indicated by dotted arrows (1) to (7) in Figure 25, a circuit configuration PT1 is established, in which current flows from the stepping motor 700 of the left reel 110 through IC1, through the wiring on the 24V power supply side, via resistor R1, LED D1, capacitor CA, and load component ZA, and then through the wiring on the ground side back through IC1 to the stepping motor 700. This circuit configuration PT1 allows current to flow through. The current path within IC1 will be explained below using Figure 25.

[0176] Transistors TR21, TR22, TR23, and TR24 provided inside IC1 have so-called parasitic diodes and parasitic capacitances (physical structures equivalent to diodes and capacitors in terms of structure) that are not provided inside IC1. In Figure 25, these parasitic diodes PD21, PD22, PD23, and PD24 and parasitic capacitances PC21, PC22, PC23, and PC24 are indicated by dotted lines. When the left reel 110 is manually spun, the internal current path of IC1 flowing from coil LA to the 24V power supply is formed by parasitic diode PD21 (or parasitic diode PD22). Furthermore, the internal current path of IC1 returning from the ground side to coil LA is formed by parasitic diode PD24 (or parasitic diode PD23). Note that some types of ICs may have voltage-resistant protection diodes to protect the transistors from back electromotive force. In such cases, the current path is formed by these voltage-resistant protection diodes.

[0177] As described above, when a bipolar motor is used, just as when a unipolar motor is used, if the reel is manually spun with the power turned off, a current due to electromagnetic induction flows through circuit configuration PT1. Furthermore, as with the example in Figure 14, a load is also generated when the reel is manually spun. As such, the behavior when the reel is manually spun, as explained above, is unrelated to differences in motor type, so it may be possible to discover an abnormality by observing the behavior when the reel is manually spun, regardless of the motor type.

[0178] <About manually operating moving parts other than the reel> In the above explanation, it has been explained that an abnormality may be discovered by the behavior of the reels 110 to 112 when they are manually spun. In addition to the reels 110 to 112, gaming machines may also be provided with movable bodies that are operated by motors, and if such movable bodies are configured with a circuit such as the circuit configuration PT1 in Fig. 14, an induced electromotive force or a counter electromotive force is generated in the motor when the movable body is manually operated, and therefore an abnormality may be discovered by the operation of the movable body.

[0179] For example, Figure 13 shows that a motor is provided in the medal payout device 180. The medal payout device 180 has a hopper that is operated by the motor, and an abnormality may be discovered from differences in the load when this hopper is operated manually or differences in the illumination state of the LED.

[0180] Furthermore, for example, when a configuration is adopted in which a movable body for effect is driven by a motor, an abnormality may be discovered in the same manner as above by manually operating this movable body. The following will be explained using Figure 26.

[0181] 26 shows the performance control board 400B on the left, the harness H21 connecting this performance control board 400B to the power supply board 252B, and the performance movable body relay board 400BM connected by the harness H22. Furthermore, on the right side of the drawing, the motor board 400BL connected to the performance movable body relay board 400BM by the harness H23 is shown.

[0182] The performance control board 400B is a board equivalent to the first sub-controller 400 in FIG. 4. Note that some of the configuration and wiring are omitted in the illustration. The first sub-controller 400 includes the CPU 404 in FIG. 4, and various control signals are output from this CPU 404. FIG. 26 shows that wiring is provided for outputting a drive signal for the movable body from the CPU 404 to IC 424a. This IC 424a corresponds to the drive circuit 424 in FIG. 4, and controls the stepping motor 700 for the movable body in accordance with the signal from CPU 404. FIG. 26 shows that wiring from IC 424a is connected to the terminal of the stepping motor 700 for the movable body.

[0183] The stepping motor 700 in FIG. 26 is a so-called bipolar type, and is provided with a coil LsA corresponding to the A-phase and the A-phase, and a coil LsB corresponding to the B-phase and the B-phase. Drive signals Φ0 and Φ1 in FIG. 26 are input / output terminals for signals controlling the excitation of coil LsA, and drive signals Φ2 and Φ3 are input / output terminals for signals controlling the excitation of coil LsB. A-phase excitation occurs when a current flows from drive signal Φ0 to drive signal Φ1, and A-phase excitation occurs when a current flows from drive signal Φ1 to drive signal Φ0. Furthermore, B-phase excitation occurs when a current flows from drive signal Φ2 to drive signal Φ3, and B-phase excitation occurs when a current flows from drive signal Φ3 to drive signal Φ2.

[0184] When IC424a receives an A-phase excitation signal from CPU 404, it controls the current so that it flows from drive signal Φ0 to drive signal Φ1, and when it receives an A-phase excitation signal, it controls the current so that it flows from drive signal Φ1 to drive signal Φ0. When IC424a receives a B-phase excitation signal from CPU 404, it controls the current so that it flows from drive signal Φ2 to drive signal Φ3, and when it receives a B-phase excitation signal, it controls the current so that it flows from drive signal Φ3 to drive signal Φ2.

[0185] Figure 26 also shows resistor Rs1 and LED Ds1 connected in series between the 5V power supply and ground of performance control board 400B. Of these, LED Ds1 serves to notify by emitting light that the power is on. Figure 26 also shows that multiple capacitors (e.g., capacitors Cs1 and Cs2) are provided to stabilize operation and remove noise.

[0186] The circuit in Figure 26 will be described below in the case where the power is turned off and there are no abnormalities in the circuit (i.e., the connectors and harnesses are properly connected). In this case, when the movable body is manually rotated, an electromotive force is generated in coils LsA and LsB due to electromagnetic induction, causing a current to flow in the opposite direction to that when the movable body is driven. Specifically, a circuit configuration PS1 is established, in which a current flows from the coils (more specifically, coils LsA and LsB) of stepping motor 700 of the movable body along the wiring of drive signal Φ0, via resistor Rs2 and bead Ls1, to IC424a, then through the inside of IC424a, via the wiring on the 5V power supply side, through resistor Rs1 and LED Ds1, and finally from the ground side, back through the inside of IC424a, via bead Ls1 and resistor Rs2, along the wiring of drive signal Φ1, to stepping motor 700. This completes the circuit configuration PS1, and a current flows through this circuit configuration PS1.

[0187] As described above, when a movable body is used, as in the case of a reel, if the movable body is rotated manually with the power turned off, a current due to electromagnetic induction flows through the circuit configuration PS1. Furthermore, as in the example of Figure 14, a load is also generated when the movable body is rotated manually.

[0188] If there is an abnormality in circuit configuration PS1 in Figure 26 above (the circuit is not connected, the resistance is higher than normal, or the connector or harness is not connected properly), the same phenomenon as when there is an abnormality in circuit configuration PT1 in Figures 13 and 14 occurs. For example, if harnesses H22 and H23 are disconnected, even if the movable body is manually operated, no back EMF is generated in any of the circuits connected to coils LsA and LsB, and no load is generated when the movable body is manually operated. If harnesses H22 and H23 are not disconnected, when the movable body is manually operated, back EMF is generated in the circuits connected to coils LsA and LsB, and a larger load is generated than when harnesses H22 and H23 are disconnected. This difference in load may indicate an abnormality in the circuit around the movable body's motor.

[0189] <Other> In this embodiment, a slot machine 100 using medals (coins) as a gaming medium is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but this is not limited to this and the present invention can be applied to slot machines using gaming balls (e.g., pachinko balls) as a gaming medium, pachinko machines, arrange ball gaming machines, janball gaming machines, smart ball gaming machines, etc.

[0190] In addition, the slot machine may be a slot machine that does not use medals but only exchanges electronic data, such as one that operates on a mobile terminal (smartphone, game console) or a personal computer using a program that simulates operation based on the above configuration, in which case the gaming medium includes electronic data corresponding to medals, and inserting the gaming medium includes inputting the electronic data from a specified external device (electronic storage device), and paying out the gaming medium includes outputting the electronic data to the specified external device (electronic storage device).

[0191] Although the present embodiment has been described above, it is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiment of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention, and such modifications and changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the functions and effects described in the embodiment of the invention are merely a list of the most preferable functions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the functions and effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0192] <Technical Concepts Corresponding to the Embodiments> The technical ideas described above will be described below with reference to the corresponding configurations.

[0193] In the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is equipped with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <About the board configuration> for other details), The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are electrically connected is defined as a connected state; a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are not electrically connected is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a second state, a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the second state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0194] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a load imposed on the movable body in the first state is greater than that imposed on the movable body in the second state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0195] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load component ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, In the first state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) extending from the motor via the first component to the motor is established, In the second state, the circuit configuration is not established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0196] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Configuration of the board>) on which a first connector (for example, connectors CN2 to CN4 in FIG. 13) is arranged, The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness having a plurality of wires (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), the harness has a second connector (for example, connector CN2-1 in FIG. 14) at one end thereof, which is connected to the first connector; a first connection state is a state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected and no disconnections occur in the plurality of wirings and the plurality of wirings function normally; a second connection state is a state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected and a disconnection occurs in at least one of the plurality of wirings; a state in which the first connector and the second connector are not connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; The first connection state and the power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off are defined as a first state, The second state is a power-off state in which the second connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are cut off, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a load in manual operation of the movable body may be different between the first state and the second state; a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the third state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0197] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a load imposed by manual operation of the movable body may be greater in the first state than in the second state; a load imposed on the movable body in the first state is greater than that imposed on the movable body in the third state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0198] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load component ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, The motor has a plurality of coils (e.g., coil LA, coil LA-, coil LB, coil LB-), In the first state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) is established from each of the plurality of coils via the first component to each of the plurality of coils, In the second state, the circuit configuration corresponding to any of the plurality of coils is not established, In the third state, none of the circuit configurations are established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0199] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Configuration of the board>) on which a first connector (for example, connectors CN2 to CN4 in FIG. 13) is arranged, The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), the harness has a second connector (for example, connector CN2-1 in FIG. 14) at one end thereof, the second connector having a plurality of terminals for connection to the first connector; a first connection state is a state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected and the plurality of terminals are in a normal connection position; a second connection state is a state in which the first connector and the second connector are connected but at least some of the plurality of terminals are in a position different from the normal connection position; a state in which the first connector and the second connector are not connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; The first connection state and the power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off are defined as a first state, The second state is a power-off state in which the second connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are cut off, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a load in manual operation of the movable body may be different between the first state and the second state; a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the third state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0200] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a load imposed by manual operation of the movable body may be greater in the first state than in the second state; a load imposed on the movable body in the first state is greater than that imposed on the movable body in the third state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0201] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load component ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, The motor has a plurality of coils (e.g., coil LA, coil LA-, coil LB, coil LB-), In the first state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) is established from each of the plurality of coils via the first component to each of the plurality of coils, In the second state, the circuit configuration corresponding to any of the plurality of coils is not established, In the third state, none of the circuit configurations are established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0202] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with reels (e.g., reels 110-112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is equipped with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <About the board configuration> for other details), The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are electrically connected is defined as a connected state; a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are not electrically connected is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a second state, a load in manual operation of the reel differs between the first state and the second state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0203] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The torque required to rotate the motor by manual operation of the reel differs between the first state and the second state. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power off (1)> and <Torque during brake control>).

[0204] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a torque required to rotate the motor by manual operation of the reel in the first state is defined as a first torque; a torque required to rotate the motor by manual operation of the reel in the second state is defined as a second torque; The first torque is greater than the second torque. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power off (1)> and <Torque during brake control>).

[0205] In addition, the gaming machine described above, A torque when stopping the reel that is rotating during a game on the gaming machine is a third torque, the third torque is greater than the first torque, The third torque is greater than the second torque. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Regarding torque during brake control>).

[0206] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load component ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, In the first state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) extending from the motor via the first component to the motor is established, In the second state, the circuit configuration is not established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0207] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is equipped with a predetermined board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <About the board configuration> for other details), The motor is electrically connected to the predetermined circuit board via a harness (for example, harnesses H3 to H5 in FIG. 13; see <Configuration of Circuit Board> for other details), a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are electrically connected is defined as a connected state; a state in which the predetermined board and the harness are not electrically connected is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the second state, a load in manual operation of the movable body is different between the first state and the third state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0208] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a load imposed by manual operation of the movable body is greater in the first state than in the second state; a load imposed on the movable body in the first state is greater than that imposed on the movable body in the third state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0209] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the predetermined board is a board on which a first component (for example, a resistor R1, an LED D1, a capacitor CA, a load component ZA, and IC1 in FIG. 14) is disposed, In the connected state, a circuit configuration (for example, circuit configuration PT1 in FIG. 14 ) is established from the motor via the first component to the motor itself, In the non-connected state, the circuit configuration is not established. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0210] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with reels (e.g., reels 110-112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected to each other is called a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the forward rotation direction in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the forward rotation direction in the first state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the reverse direction in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the reverse direction in the first state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0211] With this gaming machine, the load differs whether the reel is rotating forward or backward, so when workers move the reel to check it, the reel's movement is not limited to one direction, making the check easier. Also, even if a worker's clothing or tools accidentally come into contact with the reel, the reel's light weight makes it easy to rotate, so the force applied to the reel can be deflected without resisting it, making it less likely to break down.

[0212] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a state in which the first substrate and the motor are not electrically connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the forward rotation direction in the third state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the forward rotation direction in the first state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the reverse direction in the third state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the reverse direction in the first state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0213] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are not electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force is lighter than the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0214] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0215] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine having a plurality of reels (for example, reels 110 to 112) corresponding to each of a plurality of motors, each of the plurality of reels can be operated by being driven by a corresponding one of the plurality of motors; The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)> and <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the plurality of motors, a state in which the first substrate and the plurality of motors are electrically connected to each other is called a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, a weight of the plurality of reels when operated by an external force in the second state is lighter than a weight of the plurality of reels when operated by an external force in the first state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0216] In this gaming machine, when an operator moves the reels to check them, the multiple reels will move in the same way if they are normal, making it easier to detect abnormalities from differences in movement. Also, even if an operator's clothing or tools accidentally come into contact with a reel, the light weight of the multiple reels makes them easy to rotate, so they can absorb the force applied to the reels without resisting it, making it less likely to cause a malfunction.

[0217] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a state in which the first substrate and the plurality of motors are not electrically connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a weight of the plurality of reels when operated by an external force in the third state is lighter than a weight of the plurality of reels when operated by an external force in the first state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0218] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the plurality of reels, the weight when the reels are operated by an external force in a state in which the first substrate and the second substrate are not electrically connected in the first state is lighter than the weight when the reels are operated by an external force in a state in which the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected in the first state. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0219] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0220] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with reels (e.g., reels 110-112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected to each other is called a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, An operation sound when the reel is operated by an external force in the first state is different from an operation sound when the reel is operated by an external force in the second state. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power off (1)>, <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power on>, and <Operating noise associated with the load when the reels are manually spun>).

[0221] This gaming machine makes it easy to detect abnormalities due to the difference in the operating sounds of the reels when they are spun. Also, if an operator accidentally touches the reels with their clothing or tools, the operator may be able to notice the contact due to the operating sounds of the reels.

[0222] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state is different from a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the second state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0223] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0224] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The operation sound is higher or lower in the second state than in the first state. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the operating sound caused by the load when the reels are manually spun>) has been described.

[0225] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are not electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force is lighter than the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0226] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0227] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with reels (e.g., reels 110-112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected to each other is called a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, an amount of movement when a predetermined external force is applied to the reel to cause it to move by inertia in the first state is different from an amount of movement when the predetermined external force is applied to the reel to cause it to move by inertia in the second state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0228] In this gaming machine, abnormalities can be easily detected based on the difference in the amount of movement when the reels are rotated by inertia. Also, if an operator's clothing or tools accidentally come into contact with the reels, this amount of movement can make it easier to notice the contact. Furthermore, the greater the amount of movement, the more easily the force applied to the reels can be deflected without resisting it, making it less likely for malfunctions to occur.

[0229] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a weight of the reel when operated by the predetermined external force in the first state is different from a weight of the reel when operated by the predetermined external force in the second state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0230] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the weight of the reel when operated by the predetermined external force in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by the predetermined external force in the first state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0231] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The amount of movement is greater in the second state than in the first state. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0232] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are not electrically connected and the reel is operated by the predetermined external force is lighter than the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are electrically connected and the reel is operated by the predetermined external force. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0233] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0234] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112, a movable body for performance) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected to each other is called a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the first direction in the second state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the first direction in the first state, a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the first state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the second direction in the second state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0235] In this gaming machine, the load varies regardless of the direction of movement of the movable body, so when an operator moves the movable body to check, the direction of movement of the movable body is not limited to one direction, making the checking work easier. Also, even if an operator's clothing or tools accidentally come into contact with the movable body, the movable body's light weight makes it easy to move, so the force applied to the movable body can be deflected without resisting it, making it less likely to malfunction.

[0236] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a state in which the first substrate and the motor are not electrically connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the first direction in the third state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the first direction in the first state, a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the second direction in the third state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the second direction in the first state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0237] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a state where the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected is lighter than the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a state where the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0238] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0239] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112, a movable body for performance) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected to each other is called a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, an operation sound when the movable body is operated by an external force in the first state is different from an operation sound when the movable body is operated by an external force in the second state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power off (1)>, <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power on>, and <Operating noise associated with the load when the reels are manually spun>).

[0240] With this gaming machine, abnormalities can be easily detected from the difference in the operating sound when the movable body is moved. Also, if an operator's clothing or a tool they are wearing accidentally touches a movable body, the operator may be able to notice the contact by the operating sound of the movable body.

[0241] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in the first state is different from a weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in the second state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0242] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in the second state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in the first state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0243] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The operation sound is higher or lower in the second state than in the first state. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the operating sound caused by the load when the reels are manually spun>) has been described.

[0244] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a state where the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected is lighter than the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a state where the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0245] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0246] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with reels (e.g., reels 110-112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, The gaming machine includes a first harness having a plurality of wires; a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected via the first harness is defined as a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the forward rotation direction in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the forward rotation direction in the first state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the reverse direction in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the reverse direction in the first state, In the first state, when at least one of the plurality of wires of the first harness is broken, the weight of the reel when the reel is moved in one of the forward and reverse directions by an external force is different from the weight of the reel when the reel is moved in the one direction by an external force when the certain wire is not broken. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0247] With this gaming machine, the load differs whether the reel is rotating forward or backward, so when workers move the reel to check it, the reel's movement is not limited to one direction, making the check easier. Also, even if a worker's clothing or tools accidentally come into contact with the reel, the reel's light weight makes it easy to rotate, so the force applied to the reel can be deflected without resisting it, making it less likely to break down.

[0248] In addition, the gaming machine described above, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the reel is moved by an external force in one direction, either a forward direction or a reverse direction, when there is a break in the certain wiring is lighter than the weight of the reel when the reel is moved by an external force in the one direction when there is no break in the certain wiring. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0249] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a state in which the first substrate and the motor are not electrically connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the forward rotation direction in the third state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the forward rotation direction in the first state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the reverse direction in the third state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the reverse direction in the first state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0250] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are not electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force is lighter than the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0251] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0252] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine having a plurality of reels (for example, reels 110 to 112) corresponding to each of a plurality of motors, each of the plurality of reels can be operated by being driven by a corresponding one of the plurality of motors; The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)> and <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the plurality of motors, The gaming machine includes a first harness having a plurality of wires; a state in which the first board and the plurality of motors are electrically connected via the first harness is defined as a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, a weight of the plurality of reels when operated by an external force in the second state is lighter than a weight of the plurality of reels when operated by an external force in the first state; In the plurality of reels, a weight when the reels are operated by an external force in the first state when at least one of the plurality of wires of the first harness has been disconnected is different from a weight when the reels are operated by an external force in the first state when no disconnection has occurred in the certain wire. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0253] In this gaming machine, when an operator moves the reels to check them, the multiple reels will move in the same way if they are normal, making it easier to detect abnormalities from differences in movement. Also, even if an operator's clothing or tools accidentally come into contact with a reel, the light weight of the multiple reels makes them easy to rotate, so they can absorb the force applied to the reels without resisting it, making it less likely to cause a malfunction.

[0254] In addition, the gaming machine described above, In the plurality of reels, a weight when the reels are operated by an external force in the first state when a break has occurred in the certain wire is lighter than a weight when the reels are operated by an external force in the first state when no break has occurred in the certain wire. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0255] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a state in which the first substrate and the plurality of motors are not electrically connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a weight of the plurality of reels when operated by an external force in the third state is lighter than a weight of the plurality of reels when operated by an external force in the first state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0256] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the plurality of reels, the weight when the reels are operated by an external force in a state in which the first substrate and the second substrate are not electrically connected in the first state is lighter than the weight when the reels are operated by an external force in a state in which the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected in the first state. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0257] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0258] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with reels (e.g., reels 110-112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, The gaming machine includes a first harness having a plurality of wires; a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected via the first harness is defined as a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, an operation sound when the reel is operated by an external force in the first state is different from an operation sound when the reel is operated by an external force in the second state; In the first state, when at least one of the plurality of wires of the first harness is broken, an operating sound when the reel is operated by an external force is different from an operating sound when the reel is operated by an external force when the certain wire is not broken. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power off (1)>, <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power on>, and <Operating noise associated with the load when the reels are manually spun>).

[0259] This gaming machine makes it easy to detect abnormalities due to the difference in the operating sounds of the reels when they are spun. Also, if an operator accidentally touches the reels with their clothing or tools, the operator may be able to notice the contact due to the operating sounds of the reels.

[0260] In addition, the gaming machine described above, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the certain wiring is broken and the reel is operated by an external force is different from the weight of the reel when the certain wiring is not broken and the reel is operated by an external force. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0261] In addition, the gaming machine described above, In the first state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in a case where the certain wiring is broken is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in a case where the certain wiring is not broken. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0262] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state is different from a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the second state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0263] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0264] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The operation sound is higher or lower in the second state than in the first state. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the operating sound caused by the load when the reels are manually spun>) has been described.

[0265] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are not electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force is lighter than the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0266] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0267] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with reels (e.g., reels 110-112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, The gaming machine includes a first harness having a plurality of wires; a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected via the first harness is defined as a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, an amount of movement when a predetermined external force is applied to the reel to cause it to move by inertia in the first state is different from an amount of movement when the predetermined external force is applied to the reel to cause it to move by inertia in the second state; In the first state, the weight of the reel when it is operated by the predetermined external force in a case where at least one of the plurality of wires of the first harness has been broken is different from the weight of the reel when it is operated by the predetermined external force in a case where the certain wire has not been broken. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0268] In this gaming machine, abnormalities can be easily detected from the difference in the amount of movement and weight when the reels are rotated by inertia. Also, if a worker's clothing or tools accidentally come into contact with the reels, this amount of movement can make it easier to notice the contact. Furthermore, the greater this amount of movement, the more easily the force applied to the reels can be deflected without resisting it, making it less likely for malfunctions to occur.

[0269] In addition, the gaming machine described above, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the reel is operated by the predetermined external force in a case where the certain wiring is not broken is lighter than the weight of the reel when the reel is operated by the predetermined external force in a case where the certain wiring is broken. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0270] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a weight of the reel when operated by the predetermined external force in the first state is different from a weight of the reel when operated by the predetermined external force in the second state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0271] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the weight of the reel when operated by the predetermined external force in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by the predetermined external force in the first state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0272] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The amount of movement is greater in the second state than in the first state. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0273] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are not electrically connected and the reel is operated by the predetermined external force is lighter than the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are electrically connected and the reel is operated by the predetermined external force. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0274] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0275] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with reels (e.g., reels 110-112) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, The gaming machine includes a first harness having a plurality of wires; a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected by the connector of the first harness attached thereto is defined as a connected state; a state in which the first board and the motor are not electrically connected to each other without the connector of the first harness attached thereto is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state, a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state is different from a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the third state; In the first state, the weight of the reel when it is operated by an external force in a case where at least one of the plurality of wires of the first harness is broken is different from the weight of the reel when it is operated by an external force in a case where the certain wire is not broken. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0276] In this gaming machine, abnormalities can be easily detected by the difference in load when the reel is operated by an external force. Also, even if an operator's clothing or tools accidentally come into contact with the reel, the weight of the reel is lighter in the first state than in the second state, making it easier to rotate, and the force applied to the reel can be deflected without resisting, making it less likely to cause a malfunction.

[0277] In addition, the gaming machine described above, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the third state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0278] In addition, the gaming machine described above, In the first state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in a case where the certain wiring is broken is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in a case where the certain wiring is not broken. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0279] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are not electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force is lighter than the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0280] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0281] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112, a movable body for performance) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, The gaming machine includes a first harness having a plurality of wires; a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected via the first harness is defined as a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the first direction in the second state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the first direction in the first state, a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the second state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the second direction in the first state, In the first state, when a break occurs in at least one of the plurality of wires of the first harness, the weight of the movable body when the movable body is moved in one of the first direction or the second direction by an external force is different from the weight of the movable body when the break does not occur in the certain wire. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0282] In this gaming machine, the load varies regardless of the direction of movement of the movable body, so when an operator moves the movable body to check, the direction of movement of the movable body is not limited to one direction, making the checking work easier. Also, even if an operator's clothing or tools accidentally come into contact with the movable body, the movable body's light weight makes it easy to move, so the force applied to the movable body can be deflected without resisting it, making it less likely to malfunction.

[0283] In addition, the gaming machine described above, In the first state, the weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in one of the first direction and the second direction when no break occurs in the certain wiring is lighter than the weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the one direction when a break occurs in the certain wiring. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0284] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a state in which the first substrate and the motor are not electrically connected to each other is defined as a non-connected state; A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the first direction in the third state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the first direction in the first state, a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the second direction in the third state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when moved by an external force in the second direction in the first state; The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0285] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a state where the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected is lighter than the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a state where the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0286] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0287] Also, in the above explanation, A gaming machine equipped with a movable body (for example, reels 110 to 112, a movable body for performance) that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine is provided with a first board (for example, a main control board 300B in FIG. 13, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) that can be electrically connected to the motor, The gaming machine includes a first harness having a plurality of wires; a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected via the first harness is defined as a connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, an operation sound when the movable body is operated by an external force in the first state is different from an operation sound when the movable body is operated by an external force in the second state; In the first state, an operation sound generated when the movable body is operated by an external force in a case where at least one of the plurality of wires of the first harness is disconnected is different from an operation sound generated when the movable body is operated by an external force in a case where the certain wire is not disconnected. We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power off (1)>, <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power on>, and <Operating noise associated with the load when the reels are manually spun>).

[0288] With this gaming machine, abnormalities can be easily detected from the difference in the operating sound when the movable body is moved. Also, if an operator's clothing or a tool they are wearing accidentally touches a movable body, the operator may be able to notice the contact by the operating sound of the movable body.

[0289] In addition, the gaming machine described above, In the first state, a weight of the movable body when it is operated by an external force in a case where a break occurs in the certain wiring is different from a weight of the movable body when it is operated by an external force in a case where no break occurs in the certain wiring. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0290] In addition, the gaming machine described above, In the first state, the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a case where a break has occurred in the certain wiring is lighter than the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a case where no break has occurred in the certain wiring. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)>) has been described.

[0291] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in the first state is different from a weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in the second state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0292] In addition, the gaming machine described above, a weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in the second state is lighter than a weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in the first state; We have described a gaming machine characterized by the above (see, for example, <Operation when the reels are manually spun with the power turned off (1)> and <Load when the reels are manually spun with the power turned on>).

[0293] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The operation sound is higher or lower in the second state than in the first state. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the operating sound caused by the load when the reels are manually spun>) has been described.

[0294] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a state where the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected is lighter than the weight of the movable body when operated by an external force in a state where the first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0295] In addition, the gaming machine described above, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. The gaming machine characterized by the above (for example, see <Regarding the configuration of the board (1)>, <Regarding the configuration of the board (2)>) has been described.

[0296] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine (slot machine) will be described with reference to Figures 27 to 47. Note that, for terms that overlap with other embodiments, the terms of this embodiment take priority, and for descriptions that overlap with drawings other than Figures 27 to 47, the descriptions of Figures 27 to 47 take priority.

[0297] The slot machine described below employs a so-called medal-less configuration, which uses information equivalent to the number of actual medals (virtual medal count), and in the following description, this information will be referred to as "medal count."

[0298] [First embodiment] The slot machine of this embodiment is a gaming machine in which a predetermined number of gaming medals are inserted, and multiple reels each bearing multiple types of patterns begin to rotate upon receiving a predetermined rotation start instruction operation, and based on the reception of the rotation start instruction operation, a lottery is held to determine whether multiple types of internal winning combinations have been won, and each of the multiple reels stops spinning individually upon receiving a predetermined rotation stop instruction operation.If the conditions determined by the combination of patterns when the multiple reels stop based on the result of the lottery meet the predetermined payout conditions, a process to pay out the number of gaming medals is executed and the game ends, but if they do not meet the predetermined payout conditions, the process to pay out the number of gaming medals is not executed and the game ends;

[0299] Conventionally, there are gaming machines that display the number of coins won during advantageous gaming states such as during an automatic timer (AT) or a bonus, thereby giving the player a sense of satisfaction. However, such satisfaction is not felt until a certain number of coins is won (for example, 500 coins, 1000 coins, etc.). Conversely, when a small number of coins is won (for example, 50 coins or 100 coins), the player may feel dissatisfied rather than satisfied, so there is a risk that displaying the number of coins won may upset the player.

[0300] In addition, in the past, if a bet amount that could not be played (a bet amount that did not meet the specified amount) was set, the demo screen was not displayed. Therefore, if a game was finished with a bet amount that could not be played, the game machine was not recognized as an empty machine and was left as an empty machine for a long time.

[0301] In this embodiment, a gaming machine that can solve the above problem is provided.

[0302] <Overall structure> First, the basic configuration of the slot machine 100 and the basic configuration of the lending machine 700 will be described with reference to Figure 27. Figure 27 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100 and the lending machine 700 as viewed from the front side (player side).

[0303] The slot machine 100 shown in Figure 27 corresponds to an example of the gaming machine of the present invention, and includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 attached to the front side of the main body 101 and capable of opening and closing relative to the main body 101. Three reels (left reel 110, center reel 111, right reel 112) with multiple types of symbols arranged on their outer peripheries are housed inside the center of the main body 101 (not shown), and are configured to be rotatable inside the slot machine 100. These reels 110 to 112 are driven to rotate by a drive device such as a stepping motor.

[0304] In this embodiment, an appropriate number of each symbol is printed at equal intervals on a strip-shaped member, and this strip-shaped member is attached to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame to form each of the reels 110 to 112. When viewed by a player, the symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are displayed in approximately three rows vertically through a display window 113, making a total of nine symbols visible. The symbol displayed on the top row of the left reel 110 is called the left reel top symbol, the symbol displayed on the middle row of the left reel 110 is called the left reel middle symbol, the symbol displayed on the bottom row of the left reel 110 is called the left reel bottom symbol, the symbol displayed on the top row of the middle reel 111 is called the middle reel top symbol, the symbol displayed on the middle row of the left reel 111 is called the middle reel middle symbol, the symbol displayed on the bottom row of the middle reel 111 is called the middle reel bottom symbol, the symbol displayed on the top row of the right reel 112 is called the right reel top symbol, the symbol displayed on the middle row of the right reel 112 is called the right reel middle symbol, and the symbol displayed on the bottom row of the right reel 112 is called the right reel bottom symbol. Each symbol on each reel 110 to 112 is displayed three vertically on each of the reels 110 to 112 through the display window 113, for a total of nine symbols. By spinning each of the reels 110-112, the combination of symbols seen by the player changes. In other words, each of the reels 110-112 functions as a display device that variably displays a plurality of combinations of symbols. Note that, in addition to reels, electronic image display devices such as liquid crystal display devices can also be used as such display devices. Also, although the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 27 has three reels located inside the center of the slot machine 100, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

[0305] A backlight (not shown) is disposed on the back of each of the reels 110-112 to illuminate the individual symbols displayed in the display window 113. It is desirable that the backlight be shielded for each symbol so that each symbol can be evenly illuminated. An optical sensor (not shown) consisting of a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section is disposed near each of the reels 110-112 within the slot machine 100, and a light-shielding piece of a certain length attached to the reel passes between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the optical sensor. The rotational position of the symbols on the reels is determined based on the detection results of the optical sensor, and the reels 110-112 are stopped so that the desired symbols are displayed on the pay line.

[0306] The payline indicator lamp 120 indicates the active paylines. A payline is a line that determines whether a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination is displayed. The active paylines are predetermined based on the number of medals bet as gaming media. There are five paylines. For example, if one medal is bet, the middle horizontal payline is active. If two medals are bet, the upper horizontal payline and the lower horizontal payline are active, resulting in three active paylines. If three medals are bet, the lower right-hand side payline and the upper right-hand side payline are active, resulting in five active paylines. The number of paylines is not limited to five. For example, if one medal is bet, the five active paylines may be the middle horizontal payline, the upper horizontal payline, the lower horizontal payline, the lower right-hand side payline, and the upper right-hand side payline. Hereinafter, the active paylines may be referred to as active lines.

[0307] The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that notifies the player that, for example, a specific winning combination (for example, a bonus combination or a special combination) has been internally won in an internal lottery described below, or that this internal winning state has been carried over. The medal insertion possible lamp 124 is a lamp that notifies the player that a game medal can be inserted. The replay lamp 122 is a lamp that notifies the player that the current game can be replayed (no medal insertion is necessary) if a replay combination, which is one of the winning combinations, was won in the previous game. The reel panel lamp 128 is a lamp for presentation purposes.

[0308] The bet button 130 or 132 is a button for inserting a predetermined number of medals (called credits) electronically stored in the slot machine 100. In the slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 27, each press of the bet button 130 inserts one medal. Pressing the button once inserts one medal, pressing it once again inserts one additional medal (total of two medals), and pressing it once again inserts one additional medal (total of three medals). Pressing the bet button 132 inserts three medals. Hereinafter, the bet button 130 may be referred to as the "1-coin bet button," and the bet button 132 may be referred to as the "MAX bet button." The game medal insertion lamp 129 lights up lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when the specified number of medals has been inserted, the game start lamp 121 lights up to indicate that a game can be started. Note that the slot machine 100 of this embodiment is a gaming machine exclusively for betting three medals, so the specified number of medals is three.

[0309] The game information display 126 is a display for displaying various internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals paid out to a player as a result of winning some kind of winning combination. Note that hereinafter, the expression "given to the player" may also be used to mean the same thing as "paid out to the player." The game information display 126 and the payout number display 127 are configured as 7-segment (SEG) displays.

[0310] The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. In other words, when the bet button 130 or 132 is operated and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. The operation of the start lever 135 is called the operation to start a game.

[0311] The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137-139, each consisting of a left stop button 137, a center stop button 138, and a right stop button 139. The stop buttons 137-139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110-112 that have started spinning by operating the start lever 135, and are associated with each of the reels 110-112. More specifically, the left reel 110 can be stopped by operating the left stop button 137, the center reel 111 can be stopped by operating the center stop button 138, and the right reel 112 can be stopped by operating the right stop button 139. Hereinafter, operations of the stop buttons 137-139 are referred to as stop operations, with the first stop operation being referred to as the first stop operation, the next stop operation being referred to as the second stop operation, and the final stop operation being referred to as the third stop operation. The reels stopped in response to these stop operations are referred to as the first stop reel, the second stop reel, and the third stop reel, respectively. Furthermore, the order in which the stop buttons 137-139 are operated to stop all of the spinning reels 110-112 is referred to as the operation sequence or push sequence. Furthermore, the operation sequence in which the first stop operation is the stop operation for the left reel 110, the second stop operation is the stop operation for the center reel 111, and the third stop operation is the stop operation for the right reel 112 is referred to as the "forward push operation sequence" or simply "forward push," and the stop operation in which the first stop operation is the stop operation for the right reel 112, the second stop operation is the stop operation for the center reel 111, and the third stop operation is the stop operation for the left reel 110 is referred to as the "reverse push operation sequence" or simply "reverse push." ​​Note that light-emitting elements may be provided inside each of the stop buttons 137-139, and when the stop buttons 137-139 can be operated, the light-emitting elements can be lit to notify the player.

[0312] The instruction monitor 125 is a display for displaying information about the operation sequence (press order) of the stop buttons 137 to 139. This instruction monitor 125 is also configured with a 7-segment (SEG) display. For example, when instructing to operate the left stop button 137, the middle stop button 138, and the right stop button 139 in that order, the instruction monitor 125 displays "1," and when instructing to operate the left stop button 137, the right stop button 139, and the middle stop button 138 in that order, the instruction monitor 125 displays "2."

[0313] The settlement button 134 is a button for returning inserted game medals (number of bets) to the medal number control unit 350. The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted.

[0314] The game medal count display device 170 is a five-digit seven-segment (SEG) display device, and is a device that displays the game medal count recorded in the medal count control unit 350 shown in FIG.

[0315] The count button 171 is an operation means for transmitting information on the number of game medals recorded in the medal count control unit 350 shown in FIG.

[0316] Below the stop button unit 136, there is provided a title panel 162 on which the model name is displayed and various certificate stamps are attached.

[0317] The sound hole 145 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker 277 (see FIG. 28) provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right sides of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for livening up the game. A performance device 160 is provided above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the performance device 160 for outputting the sound of a speaker 272 (see FIG. 28) to the outside. This effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 consisting of two shutters, a right shutter 163a and a left shutter 163b, which can be opened and closed horizontally, and an effect image display device 157 (liquid crystal display device) disposed behind the shutter 163. When the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened horizontally outward in front of the effect image display device 157, the display screen of the effect image display device 157 appears in front of the slot machine 100 (on the player's side, front side). Note that the display device does not have to be a liquid crystal display device; any display device capable of displaying various effect images and various game information may be used. For example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, a reel (drum), or a display device consisting of a projector and a screen may be used. The display screen is rectangular and configured so that the entire screen can be viewed by the player. In this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but it may also be square. In addition, decorations (not shown) may be provided around the periphery of the display screen, so that part of the periphery of the display screen is hidden by the decorations, making the display screen appear irregularly shaped. In this embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but it may also be a curved surface. This effect image display device 157 corresponds to an example of an effect means.

[0318] 27 is sometimes called a card unit and corresponds to an example of the gaming media management device of the present invention. This lending machine 700 is installed in a one-to-one relationship with the slot machine 100.

[0319] The lending machine 700 accepts cards. There are two types of "cards" referred to here. One is a visitor card (also called a general card) with a prepaid function, which is a gaming storage medium issued to general players who are not registered as members. The other is a membership card, which is a gaming storage medium issued to member players who have registered as members at the gaming facility. An IC card is used as the card.

[0320] The card stores a value, which includes the "number of medals held" and the "money balance," which is the balance of prepaid money.

[0321] The lending machine 700 that accepts a card has the function of converting the "number of possessed medals" stored on the card into the "number of gaming medals (number of credits)." The "number of gaming medals (number of credits)" is data that can be used to set the number of bets and can also be converted into the "number of possessed medals." The "number of gaming medals" can be obtained by debiting the "money balance" or "number of possessed medals" on the card. The "number of gaming medals" also includes the number of medals won by winning. This "number of gaming medals" is managed by the medal count control unit 350 shown in FIG. 28, and is the number of electronic medals (amount of electronic gaming value) electromagnetically stored. By inserting medals using the bet buttons 130, 132, the "number of gaming medals" is subtracted.

[0322] The "number of possessed medals" is a value obtained by converting the "number of game medals (number of credits)" into a count. This "number of possessed medals" is stored in a manner that allows it to be specified by the player's card. In other words, by operating the count button 171, the "number of game medals" is converted into the "number of possessed medals" and can be stored on the card. The "number of possessed medals" may also be managed by a management device for managing the number of possessed medals that is installed in the gaming facility.

[0323] The front side of the lending machine 700 is provided with a bill insertion slot 701 at the top for inserting bills and a card insertion slot 702 at the bottom for inserting cards. A membership card or visitor card inserted into this card insertion slot 702 is accepted by a card reader / writer, and the information stored on the card is read. The authenticity and type of bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 701 are identified, and the face value of the bill is stored as the "money balance" on the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702.

[0324] An information display 703 is provided below the bill insertion slot 701. This information display 703 is a display that provides operation guidance for the lending machine 700 and the status of the slot machine 100 by means of text and images. The surface may be configured as a touch panel, and various operations may be input by touching various displayed display items with a finger.

[0325] Below the information display 703, a money balance display 705 and a medal count balance display 706 are arranged in two rows, one above the other. The money balance display 705 displays the "money balance" stored in the card inserted in the card insertion slot 702 as a monetary amount. On the other hand, the medal count balance display 706 displays the "number of medals held" stored in the card inserted in the card insertion slot 702 as the number of medals.

[0326] A lending button 707 and a card return button 708 are provided in the vertical center of the lending machine 700. The lending button 707 is an operating means for withdrawing the "money balance" stored in the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702 to obtain the "number of game medals." Specifically, if the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702 has a "money balance," an LED lamp built into the lending button 707 lights up in a manner indicating that withdrawal is possible. By operating the lending button 707 in this state, the "number of game medals" is increased according to the amount of money withdrawn. For example, a "number of game medals" equivalent to a predetermined amount of 1,000 yen is added. Furthermore, if the "money balance" of the card is less than a predetermined amount (e.g., less than 1,000 yen), only the "number of game medals" converted from the current balance at a predetermined rate is added. Note that even if the "cash balance" of the card is less than a predetermined amount, the "number of possessed medals" stored on the card may be replenished, and the "number of game medals" may be increased by a predetermined amount. The card return button 708 is operated when the player ends the game, and is an operating means for storing the "number of possessed medals" determined at the end of the game in the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702 and ejecting it. The "number of possessed medals" determined at the end of the game is the number of medals obtained by subtracting the number of medals converted to the "number of game medals" from the "number of possessed medals" stored on the card inserted into the card insertion slot 702, and then adding the number of game medals counted by the counting operation. The data of the "cash balance," "number of possessed medals," and "number of game medals" explained above are converted in the following order: "cash balance" and "number of possessed medals" → "number of game medals" → "number of possessed medals." In this way, the "number of medals held" specified by the card is converted into the "number of game medals," and in the slot machine 100 of this embodiment, the "number of game medals" can be used to set the number of bets, so it is possible to provide a new slot machine (controlled game machine) that does not use real medals for gaming, without causing confusion to players who are accustomed to conventional slot machines in which real medals are loaned to them, credits are secured by inserting those real medals, and the number of bets is set using those credits.

[0327] Although this specification does not refer to the "number of medals saved," this "number of medals saved" refers to the number of medals deposited in the gaming facility, rather than being stored on the card. In the gaming facility, the number of medals a player has acquired through play may be managed as "points" by the hall management terminal or other management computer for the day, and as the "number of medals saved" from the day after the acquisition. When both the "number of medals saved" and the "number of medals saved" are stored, priority is given to deducting the "number of medals saved." Furthermore, both the "number of medals saved" and the "number of medals saved" may be stored in a host server (not shown) in association with the card number. In the case of a visitor card, the "number of medals saved" is stored directly on the visitor card, but the "number of medals saved" may also be stored in the host server in association with the card number. When storing the number of medals saved in the host server in association with the card number, data identifying the time the data was stored in the host server may be written to the card (membership card, visitor card) and then discharged. Furthermore, the "cash balance" is written directly onto the card (membership card, visitor card) and then discharged. The "number of possessed medals" is stored on the card (membership card, visitor card) or in the host server, for example, when the counting button 171 is operated and the counting process is performed. However, instead of this, it may be stored all at once when the card is returned. Furthermore, when a player finishes playing and returns the card from the lending machine 700, the "number of possessed medals" stored in the lending machine 700 may be temporarily stored as saved medals in the hall management terminal 800. When the player inserts the card into the same or a different lending machine 700 on the same day as the card is returned, only the "number of possessed medals" for that day that was temporarily stored as saved medals may be stored again in the lending machine 700, and the "number of game medals" may be added within the range of the "number of possessed medals" so that the player can play.

[0328] The rental machine 700 may also be provided with an IR photosensitive unit that receives infrared signals from a remote control carried by an attendant at the game center, converts them into electronic signals, and outputs them.

[0329] Furthermore, in the lending machine 700 shown in FIG. 27, the lending of "game medal count" was possible by operating the lending button 707 and debiting the "money balance" stored on the card. However, it may also be possible to debit the "owned medal count" recorded on the card and convert it into "game medal count." Specifically, a medal button is provided on the lending machine 700, and if the card inserted in the card insertion slot 702 contains "owned medal count," an LED lamp built into the owned medal button lights up in a manner indicating that withdrawal is possible. By operating the owned medal button in this state, if the owned medal count is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number (e.g., 50), the "game medal count" is increased by a predetermined number (e.g., 50). Furthermore, the number of owned medals acquired by the player during play as described above is stored on the card as "owned points" for the day, or is managed by the hall management terminal 800 or other management computer, and a replay button is provided on the lending machine 700. If there are "points," the LED lamp built into the replay button will light up in a manner indicating that withdrawal is possible. By operating the replay button in this state, a predetermined number (for example, 50) of "game medals" may be added.

[0330] <Circuit configuration of control unit> Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 28. Note that this figure shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

[0331] The control unit of the slot machine 100 is broadly composed of a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game, a first sub-control unit 400 that controls the main presentation in response to command signals (hereinafter simply referred to as "commands") sent by the main control unit 300, and a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on the commands sent from the first sub-control unit 400. With regard to the main control unit 300, if the data capacity becomes too large it becomes difficult to verify the program and it can also become a breeding ground for illegal modifications, which can lead to security issues, so there are limits on the data capacity of the ROM 306 and RAM 308 of the main control unit 300.

[0332] <Main control unit> First, we will explain the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100. The main control unit 300 has a game control unit 302 that controls the progress of the game and a medal count control unit 350 that controls the number of game medals owned by the player. The game control unit 302 corresponds to an example of game control means, and the medal count control unit 350 corresponds to an example of game value number control means. The game control unit 302 is equipped with a CPU 304, a ROM 306 that stores control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery for winning combinations, reel symbol arrangements and stop positions, etc., a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling input and output of various devices, a counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, etc., and a WDT (watchdog timer) (not shown). Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and RAM 308, and the same applies to the medal count control unit 350, first sub-control unit 400, and second sub-control unit 500, which will be described later. The CPU 304 of the game control unit 302 operates by receiving a clock signal with a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator (not shown) as a system clock. Furthermore, when the CPU 304 is powered on, it transmits frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 304 at each interrupt time. The CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits drive pulses in response to the interrupt request. For example, if the clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1 / 256, and the frequency division data in the ROM 306 is set to 47, the reference time for the interrupt is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz = 1.504 ms.

[0333] The main control unit 300 is equipped with a random number generating circuit (not shown) which is used as a hardware random number counter that fluctuates values ​​within the range of 0 to 65535 based on a clock signal input from a crystal oscillator (not shown), and a start-up signal output circuit (not shown) which outputs a start-up signal (reset signal) when power is turned on, and the CPU 304 of the game control unit 302 starts game control when a start-up signal is input from this start-up signal output circuit.

[0334] The CPU 304 of the game control unit 302 also monitors the states of the bet buttons 130, 132, the start lever 135, the stop buttons 137-139, and the settlement button 134 at each interrupt time. For example, when it detects that the bet buttons 130, 132 have been turned on, it executes a process of electronically inserting medals stored electronically in the medal count control unit 350 as medals to be inserted into the game. When it detects that the start lever 135 has been turned on, it outputs a signal indicating this detection to the random number generation circuit. Upon receiving this signal, the random number generation circuit latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores random numbers to be used in the lottery. When it detects that the left stop button 137, the center stop button 138, or the right stop button 139 has been turned on, it executes control to stop the reels 110-112 corresponding to each stop button if they are in a stoppable state. When it is detected that the settlement button 134 has been turned on, a process of electronically returning the inserted gaming medals to the medal count control unit 350 is executed.

[0335] The CPU 304 of the game control unit 302 also monitors the status of various sensors 318 (such as the optical sensor of the left reel 110, the optical sensor of the center reel 111, and the optical sensor of the right reel 112) at each interrupt time. The optical sensors of the left reel 110, the center reel 111, and the right reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of the reels 110-112, and turn L level each time a light-shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes by. Rotational position information indicating how far the reel has rotated from the reference position between the time it turns L level and the time it next turns L level is calculated based on the count value of the clock signal output by the crystal oscillator 315b. When the CPU 304 detects the L level signal, it determines that the reel has made one rotation and resets the reel rotational position information to zero. This rotational position information is stored in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300.

[0336] The main control unit 300 includes a drive circuit 322 that drives the motors provided on the reels 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 that drives display devices such as the instruction monitor 125, game information display 126, and payout number display 127, and a drive circuit 326 that drives various lamps 336 (winning line display lamp 120, notification lamp 123, game medal insertion possible lamp 124, replay lamp 122, game medal insertion lamp 129, game start lamp 121, etc.).

[0337] Furthermore, the slot machine 100 has setting values ​​that vary in the degree of advantage to the player. Setting 1 to Setting 6 are available as setting values. The higher the setting value, the greater the advantage to the player tends to be. Specifically, an internal winning probability is determined for each setting value. Even if the internal winning probability is the same for each setting value, setting differences may be provided for lotteries related to AT, such as AT transition lotteries and AT addition lotteries, and lotteries related to CZ, such as CZ transition lotteries and high-probability transition lotteries that give an advantage to CZ transitions. A setting change button 175, which is operated when changing the setting value, is connected to the game control unit 302.

[0338] In addition, an information output circuit 328 is connected to the game control unit 302, and the main control unit 300 outputs game information (e.g., information indicating the game status) of the slot machine 100 to an information input circuit 650 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via this information output circuit 328.

[0339] In addition, the main control unit 300 is equipped with a voltage monitoring circuit (not shown) that monitors the voltage value of the power supply supplied to the main control unit 300 from the power management unit (not shown), and this voltage monitoring circuit outputs a low voltage signal indicating a drop in voltage to each of the game control unit 302 and the medal count control unit 350 when the voltage value of the power supply is below a predetermined value (e.g., 9V).

[0340] 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.

[0341] Like the game control unit 302, the medal count control unit 350 is equipped with a CPU 354, a ROM 356, a RAM 358, an I / O 360 for controlling input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 362 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPUs 304 and 354 are mounted on the same circuit board and connected via a buffer IC. This allows the CPU 304 to use the ROM 306 and RAM 308 without using the ROM 356 and RAM 358, and the CPU 354 to use the ROM 356 and RAM 358 without using the ROM 306 and RAM 308. A WDT (watchdog timer), not shown, is also mounted. The CPU 354 of the medal count control unit 350 also operates by inputting a clock signal with a predetermined cycle output by a crystal oscillator, not shown, as a system clock. Furthermore, when the power is turned on, the CPU 354 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 356 to the counter timer 362. The counter timer 362 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 354 at each interrupt time. The CPU 354 operates in response to this interrupt request. The medal count control unit 350 executes interrupt processing every 0.745 ms. The CPU 354 also repeatedly communicates with the lending machine 700 at 300 ms intervals.

[0342] The CPU 354 of the medal count control unit 350 also has a start-up signal output circuit (not shown) that outputs a start-up signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on, and the CPU 354 of the medal count control unit 350 also starts medal count control when a start-up signal is input from this start-up signal output circuit.

[0343] A game medal count display device 170 configured with a 5-digit 7-segment (SEG) display, a count button 171, and a game medal count clear button 172 are connected to the basic circuit of the medal count control unit 350.

[0344] The basic circuit of the medal count control unit 350 is also connected to the lending machine 700 via a lending machine connection terminal board 790. The medal count control unit 350 communicates with the lending machine 700 in both directions.

[0345] The medal count control unit 350 transmits various commands to the game control unit 302. The game control unit 302 also transmits various commands to the medal count control unit 350. In other words, communication between the medal count control unit 350 and the game control unit 302 is also two-way communication.

[0346] Furthermore, the medal count control unit 350 stores the "number of game medals" in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 358. Specifically, the "number of game medals" is stored in a credit counter. The medal count control unit 350 updates the "number of game medals" stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 358 by addition processing or subtraction processing. Examples of addition processing include processing based on a payout command sent from the game control unit 302, processing based on a settlement command sent from the game control unit 302, and processing based on a lending notification sent from the lending machine 700. On the other hand, examples of subtraction processing include counting processing based on operation of the count button 171 and processing based on an insertion command sent from the game control unit 302.

[0347] The medal count clear button 172 shown in FIG. 28 is located in a position where it cannot be operated by a player (for example, in a position where it cannot be operated without opening the front door 102), and is an operating means for clearing the "medal count" stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 358. For example, if a player leaves the game with "2" remaining in the medal count, it becomes difficult to determine whether the player who left "2" intends to continue playing, and another player is unable to start playing. However, if the medal count can be cleared by a store clerk's operation, another player can be welcomed sooner. Note that the "medal count" does not necessarily have to be cleared when the medal count clear button 172 is operated. For example, it may be cleared when the medal count is two or less, and counted in the same way as when the count button 171 is operated when three or more medals are remaining. If the counting button 171 malfunctions and cannot recognize that it has been operated, the "number of game medals" cannot be converted to the "number of held medals," potentially causing a disadvantage to the player. However, if counting can be performed by a store clerk, this does not cause any disadvantage to the player. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a new counting button for store clerks, which does not increase costs. Instead of distinguishing between clearing and counting based on the number of game medals, clearing and counting may be determined by the method of operation of the game medal count clear button 172. For example, clearing occurs when the game medal count clear button 172 is pressed briefly, and counting occurs when the game medal count clear button 172 is pressed for a long time. Either clearing or counting can be easily selected regardless of the number of game medals. Furthermore, clearing occurs when only the game medal count clear button 172 is pressed, and counting occurs when the game medal count clear button 172 and another button are pressed simultaneously. The possibility of operating the game medal count clear button 172 incorrectly is reduced, making it easy to select either clearing or counting.

[0348] <Sub-controller> Next, the first sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 receives control commands sent by the main control unit 300 (game control unit 302) via an input interface. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 based on these control commands. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling the input and output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time, number of times, etc. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by receiving a clock signal with a predetermined period output by a crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. The ROM 406 stores control programs and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, as well as data for controlling the backlight illumination pattern and various displays.

[0349] 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.

[0350] The first sub-control unit 400 is also provided with an audio amplifier IC 418, which is connected to speakers 272, 277 via an output interface. The audio amplifier IC 418 controls the sound output from the amplifier and speakers 272, 277 in response to commands from the CPU 404. An S-ROM (sound ROM) in which sound data is stored is connected to the audio amplifier IC 418, and sound data acquired from this ROM is amplified by the amplifier and output from the speakers 272, 277. These speakers 272, 277 correspond to an example of a performance means.

[0351] The first sub-controller 400 is also provided with a drive circuit 422, and various lamps 420 (upper lamps, lower lamps, side lamps 144, title panel lamps, bet button lamps, reel backlights, etc.) are connected to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface. The various lamps 420 correspond to an example of a performance means.

[0352] 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.

[0353] 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.

[0354] The CPU 404 also transmits and receives signals to the second sub-control unit 500 via the output interface. The second sub-control unit 500 performs various controls of the performance device 160, including display control of the performance image display device 157. The second sub-control unit 500 may be configured with multiple control units, such as a control unit that controls the display of the performance image display device 157 and a control unit that controls various performance drive devices (for example, a control unit that controls the motor drive of the shutter 163).

[0355] 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.

[0356] The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the timing of this interrupt request.

[0357] The second sub-control unit 500 is also provided with a VDP 516 (video display processor), which is connected to the ROM 506 and VRAM 518 via a bus. The VDP 516 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of ​​the VRAM 518, and displays the image on the performance image display device 157.

[0358] <Demo screen transition> Next, a demo screen transition according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 29 and 30. As mentioned above, the slot machine 100 is a three-coin bet-only machine.

[0359] In this embodiment, the demo screen is started (A) after the number of medals won on the day (MY) has reached a predetermined number L, and (1) when the waiting time M has elapsed since all reels stopped, (2) when the number of bets (number of wagers) is not the specified number, that is, when the number of bets is 1 or 2 and the waiting time M has elapsed since the medal was inserted, or (3) when the waiting time M has elapsed since any operation was performed on the gaming machine.

[0360] Here, "some operation on the gaming machine" refers to an operation on the counting button 171 or the settlement button 143, or an operation on an effect button for calling up a player menu screen or adjusting the volume and light intensity. These operations are accepted during the period before the game starts (non-play period), and the demo screen starts when the waiting time M has elapsed since the last of these operations was performed. In this embodiment, the predetermined number L is 1000 coins and the waiting time M is 1 minute, but this is not limited to this.

[0361] Here, MY refers to the number of medals acquired from the point where the difference in number of medals on that day (the cumulative value of the difference between the number of medals inserted and the number of medals paid out in one game (number of medals paid out - number of medals inserted)) is the smallest (the point where the game was most successful). Also, the stopping of all reels refers to a state where the game is waiting to start, and more precisely, it means that the medal insertion enable lamp 124 is lit.

[0362] FIG. 29(A) shows a time chart relating to demo screen transitions in the case where the number of bets is 0 (case (A) and (1) above) in this embodiment. In this case, as shown in FIG. 29(A), the liquid crystal display device 157 continues to display the game screen d1 (FIG. 30(B-1) described later) from the previous game, but since no medals are bet, the display of the demo screen d2 (FIGS. 30(B-2) to (B-4) described later; the configuration of the demo screen d2 will be described in detail later) begins at time t2 when the waiting time M has elapsed from time t1 when all the reels have stopped. The demo screen d2 is displayed from time t1 until time t3 when the specified number of medals, 3, is bet.

[0363] Figure 29(B) shows a time chart related to demo screen transitions in the case of a conventional bet of 2. Conventionally, when medals less than the specified number are bet, as shown in Figure 29(B), even at time t5 when the waiting time M has elapsed from time t4 when the bet was made, demo screen d2 is not displayed, and game screen d1 continues to be displayed. In other words, conventionally, when medals less than the specified number are bet, demo screen d2 is not displayed.

[0364] Therefore, in the past, even if a game was finished with fewer than the required number of medals bet, the demo screen would not be displayed, making it difficult to recognize the machine as vacant, and there was a problem that the machine would be left vacant for a long time.

[0365] In contrast, Fig. 30(A) shows a time chart relating to demo screen transitions in the case of a bet number of 2 in this embodiment (case (A) and (2) above). In this case, as shown in Fig. 30(A), the liquid crystal display device 157 continues to display the game screen d1 from the previous game, but at time t5, when a waiting time M has elapsed since time t4, when medals less than the specified number are bet, the demo screen d2 is displayed until time t3, when the specified number of medals, 3, is bet, as in Fig. 29(A).

[0366] As a result, in this embodiment, even if a game ends with less than the specified number of medals bet, the demo screen d2 is displayed, making it easier to recognize that the machine is vacant. In other words, it is possible to prevent vacant machines from being left unattended for a long time.

[0367] In the slot machine 100 of this embodiment, even if the number of credits is one or two, the bet button 132 can be operated, and one or two medals equal to the number of credits can be inserted.

[0368] Here, the configuration and display example of the demo screen d2 will be described with reference to the above-mentioned FIGS. 29(A), 30(A), and 30(B).

[0369] Fig. 30 (B-1) shows a display example of the game screen d1, and Figs. 30 (B-2) to (B-4) show display examples of the demo screen d2. As shown in Figs. 29 (A) and 30 (A), the demo screen d2 of this embodiment is specifically composed of a performance introduction display screen d2A, a machine name display screen d2B, a warning display screen d2C, and a company name display screen d2D. Each demo screen is controlled to be displayed cyclically in the following order over a predetermined display time: performance introduction display screen d2A → machine name display screen d2B → warning display screen d2C → company name display screen d2D → performance introduction display screen d2A → ...

[0370] The effect introduction display screen d2A is a demo display screen that introduces effects executed in the slot machine 100, as shown in FIG. 30(B-2). The model name display screen d2B is a demo display screen that displays the model name of the slot machine 100 (not shown). The caution display screen d2C is a demo display screen that displays a message that warns against addiction to games (for example, "Be careful not to get addicted!"), as shown in FIG. 30(B-3). The company name display screen d2D is a demo display screen that displays the name of the company that manufactures and sells the slot machine 100 (not shown).

[0371] Furthermore, the demo screen d2 of this embodiment displays a maximum number display d10, as shown in Fig. 29(A) and Fig. 30(A). The maximum number display d10 is an image that displays the maximum MY value for the day. The maximum number display d10 of this embodiment is displayed when the maximum MY value is 1000 or more, and is not displayed when the maximum MY value is less than 1000, so the value displayed in the maximum number display d10 is a value of 1000 or more. As shown in Figs. 30(B-2) to (B-4), the maximum number display d10 is displayed together with the demo screen d2.

[0372] As a result, according to the present embodiment, the maximum coin count display d10 is displayed on the demo screen d2 only when the winning number of coins is such that the player feels satisfied, so that a player who views the maximum coin count display d10 will not have a negative impression. Also, when the demo screen d2 is displayed during non-play, the maximum coin count display d10 is displayed only when the maximum MY value of the day is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (1000 coins), so that an available machine can be promoted as a "machine that will pay out" and an incentive to play can be achieved. Conversely, when the maximum MY value of the day is less than the predetermined number (1000 coins), the maximum coin count display d10 is not displayed, so that a player will not have a negative impression that it is a "machine that will not pay out."

[0373] In addition, since the maximum number display d10 is displayed using the liquid crystal display device 157 of the slot machine 100, an empty machine can be easily found without being distracted by the data display of each machine. As a result, trouble between customers, such as starting to play on a machine reserved by another player, can be prevented.

[0374] Furthermore, the maximum number of coins display d10 on the demo screen d2 eliminates the need for player operation compared to transitioning from a menu screen to display a ranking of the number of coins won, the number of coins won, the number of times the game has been controlled to an advantageous state, etc.

[0375] Furthermore, even if the game is ended with less than the specified number of medals bet, the screen will transition to the demo screen d2 and show the maximum number of medals d10, which prevents the machine from being left vacant for a long time and also encourages players to play.

[0376] In this embodiment, the maximum number display d10 is displayed on the performance introduction display screen d2A, the machine name display screen d2B, and the warning display screen d2C, but is not displayed on the company name display screen d2D, but is not limited to this. For example, the demo screen d2 may not be displayed on the warning display screen d2C, or the demo screen d2 may be displayed on the company name display screen d2D.

[0377] <Slump graph> Next, the display of the maximum number display d10 and the advance notification d20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 31. Fig. 31 is an example of a slump graph showing the transition of the difference in number of coins in the slot machine 100.

[0378] The slot machine 100 of this embodiment has a complete function. The complete function is a function that disables play on that day when the number of coins won (MY) for that day reaches a specified number MA (for example, 19,000 coins in this embodiment). The advance notification d20 is a display effect that notifies that the MY for that day is approaching the specified number MA. In this embodiment, when MY reaches 18,500 coins or more, the advance notification d20 begins to be executed, and the number of coins remaining up to the specified number MA is displayed.

[0379] Fig. 30 (B-4) shows an example of the display of advance notification d20 on demo screen d2. As shown in Fig. 30 (B-4), advance notification d20 is displayed together with maximum number display d10 on demo screen d2. Note that maximum number display d10 is displayed larger than advance notification d20, making it more noticeable than advance notification d20.

[0380] According to Figure 31, the minimum difference in coins is -2000 at time T1, so MY is calculated based on the number of coins won from this minimum value of -2000. From time T0 to time T4, MY is 1000 or less, so the maximum coin count display d10 is not displayed on demo screen d2. Hereinafter, the section in which the maximum coin count display d10 is not displayed on demo screen d2 will be referred to as the "maximum coin count non-display section," and the section in which the maximum coin count display d10 is displayed on demo screen d2 will be referred to as the "maximum coin count display section." The section from time T0 to time T4 is the maximum coin count non-display section. On the other hand, the section from time T4 onwards is the section in which MY reaches 1000 or more, so it becomes the maximum coin count display section.

[0381] In the section from time T4 to time T5, the MY value increases, so the value of the maximum number display d10 is updated ("Maximum number updated" shown in Figure 31). Then, at time T5, the maximum number display d10 is displayed as 1500. Next, in the section from time T5 to time T9, the MY value decreases or increases, but MY does not exceed 1500, so the value of the maximum number display d10 remains 1500 ("Maximum 1500" shown in Figure 31). In this way, even in sections where medals decrease, the maximum MY value up to that point is displayed, so the maximum number display d10 can be promoted as a machine with the potential to pay out.

[0382] In the section from time T9 to time T11, the MY value increases, so the value of the maximum coin count display d10 is updated. Here, the section from time T10 to time T11 is not in the AT state but in the normal state, but the number of medals won is slightly increasing, so the value of the maximum coin count display d10 is updated. In this embodiment, whether in the AT state or the normal state, the updated maximum coin count display d10 is displayed on the demo screen d2. Then, at time T11, the maximum coin count display d10 of 3020 is displayed. Next, in the section from time T11 to time T13, the MY value decreases or increases, but MY does not exceed 3020, so the value of the maximum coin count display d10 remains 3020 ("Maximum 3020 coins" shown in Figure 31).

[0383] In the section from time T13 to time T15, the MY value is increasing, so the value of the maximum number display d10 is updated. Here, the MY value reaches 18,500 at time T14, so the advance notification d20 begins to be displayed from time T14 onwards. The advance notification d20 is displayed until MY reaches 19,500. Furthermore, at time T15, the maximum number display d10 of 18,700 is displayed. Next, in the section from time T15 to time T17, the MY value is decreasing or increasing, but MY does not exceed 18,700, so the value of the maximum number display d10 remains 18,700 ("Maximum 18,700" shown in Figure 31).

[0384] In this embodiment, the maximum number of coins display d10 starts to be displayed after the MY value for the day reaches 1,000 or more, thereby preventing the player from having a negative impression that the machine "doesn't pay out," thereby encouraging the player to play. Even if the MY value decreases, the maximum MY value up to that point continues to be displayed, so the machine can be promoted as having potential. Furthermore, when the MY value is 18,500 or more, the advance notice d20 is displayed along with the maximum number of coins display d10, allowing the player to grasp the number of coins remaining up to the specified number of coins of 19,000.

[0385] Note that the slump graph shown in Figure 31 shows a case where the number of balls dispensed increases from time T8 onward. However, we will now consider the case where the number of balls dispensed does not increase after time T8. Even if the number of balls dispensed continues to decrease from time T8 onward and the difference in number of balls falls below -1500, the maximum number display d10 will display "1500." This is because the maximum MY (the maximum increase from the minimum value) of 1500 has not been updated. For example, if the number of medals increases after the difference in number of balls reaches -3000, and the number of balls dispensed does not increase until the difference in number of balls reaches -1500, the maximum MY of 1500 is not updated, and the maximum number display d10 will display "1500." However, if the difference in number of balls dispensed increases beyond -1500, the maximum MY is updated to be greater than 1500, and the maximum number display d10 will display the updated maximum MY value.

[0386] <Slot machine operation> Maximum number update process Next, the maximum number update process will be described with reference to Fig. 32. Fig. 32 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the maximum number update process executed by the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400.

[0387] When the main control unit 300 enters a state of waiting for a game to start, it transmits the current MY value (the MY value up to the previous game) to the first sub-control unit 400 (step S101). Here, the state of waiting for a game to start is a state in which it is possible to insert a medal, or more precisely, a state in which the medal insertion possible lamp 124 is lit. As a result, the first sub-control unit 400 receives the current MY value NV.

[0388] Next, the main control unit 300 accepts a game start operation by operating the start lever 135 (step S102), and waits until the reels 110 to 112 start to spin (step S103). Meanwhile, at this wait timing, the first sub-control unit 400 refers to the MY value transmitted in step S101 (step S201). As a result, the first sub-control unit 400 grasps the current MY value NV.

[0389] Next, when the wait ends, the main control unit 300 spins the reels 110-112 (step S104), and when a stop operation is received from a stop button 137-139 (step S105), the main control unit 300 stops the corresponding reel 110-112. The main control unit 300 performs a winning determination process based on the stopping state of all reels 110-112 and performs a medal payout process (step S106). In the winning determination process, if a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination is displayed on an activated winning line, it is determined that the winning combination has been won. In the medal payout process, if a winning combination that offers a payout has been won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out. Also, in step S106, the main control unit 300 transmits the number of medals inserted BV and the number of medals paid out OV for the game to the first sub-control unit 400.

[0390] As a result, the first sub-control unit 400 receives the number of medals inserted BV and the number of medals paid out OV for the game (step S202), and calculates the number of medals remaining until the complete function is activated ZV (step S203). Specifically, the remaining number ZV = specified number MA - received MY value NV - (number of medals paid out OV - number of medals inserted BV). For example, if the specified number MA is 19,000, the MY value NV is 5,000, the number of medals inserted is 3, and the number of medals paid out is 10, the remaining number ZV is 13,993.

[0391] Next, the first sub-control unit 400 calculates a new MY value (hereinafter referred to as "current MY value") NV that reflects the current game. Specifically, current MY value NV = specified number of coins MA - remaining number of coins ZV. For example, if the specified number of coins MA is 19,000 and the remaining number of coins ZV calculated in step S203 is 13,993, the current MY value NV is 5,007 coins.

[0392] Next, the first sub-control unit 400 determines whether the current MY value NV is greater than the display value DV of the current maximum number display d10 (hereinafter also referred to as the "demo MY display value") (step S205). If the current MY value NV is greater than the demo MY display value DV (step S205: YES), the first sub-control unit 400 sets the current MY value NV to the demo MY display value DV (step S206); if not (step S205: NO), the first sub-control unit 400 terminates the maximum number update process.

[0393] On the other hand, after completing the process of step S106, the main control unit 300 executes a counter update process for calculating MY (step S107), and returns to step S101.

[0394] In this way, according to the maximum coin number update process of this embodiment, the demo MY display value is updated only when the current MY value is greater than the demo MY display value, so the demo MY display value will not decrease, but will only maintain its current state or increase. In other words, the maximum coin number display d10 displayed on the demo screen d2 will not decrease, which can encourage players to play.

[0395] -Maximum number display processing Next, the maximum number display process on the demo screen d2 (hereinafter simply referred to as "maximum number display process") will be explained using Figures 33(A) and (B). Figure 33(A) is a flowchart showing the flow of the maximum number display process executed by the second sub-control unit 500. The maximum number display process is a process that is executed every predetermined time (timer interrupt time).

[0396] The second sub-control unit 500 determines whether it has detected either a display marker or a non-display marker (steps S301, S305). Here, the display marker is a marker indicating that the demo MY display value DV will start to be displayed on the screen while the demo screen d2 is being displayed, and the non-display marker is a marker indicating that the demo MY display value DV will start to be hidden on the screen. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33(C-1), a display marker is attached to the beginning of the performance introduction screen d2A that constitutes the demo screen d2, and a non-display marker is attached to the beginning of the company name screen d2D. Therefore, when a display marker is detected on the currently displayed demo screen d2, control is performed so that the demo MY display value DV will be displayed on the screen thereafter, and when a non-display marker is detected, control is performed so that the demo MY display value DV will not be displayed on the screen thereafter.

[0397] When the second sub-control unit 500 detects a display marker (step S301: YES), specifically, it sets the current demo MY display value DV to the "demo MY value" extension command on the performance introduction screen d2A, model name screen d2B, and warning screen d2C (step S302), and then sets the display mode corresponding to the current demo MY display value DV to the "demo MY color" extension command (step S303). After processing step S303, the process proceeds to step S307.

[0398] Here, the extension command is a parameter accompanying the LCD command as shown in FIG. 33(B), and a "Demo MY Numeric Value" indicating the value of the Demo MY display value DV and a "Demo MY Color" indicating the color of the Demo MY display value DV are stored in predetermined bit positions of the 1-byte LCD command. Specifically, the Demo MY Color in this embodiment is set to display or hide depending on the value of the Demo MY display value DV, and a value related to the color when displayed. Specifically, (1) when the Demo MY display value DV is 999 or less, the color is hidden; (2) when 1000 is 1000 or less, the color is silver; (3) when 3000 is 1000 or less, the color is gold; and (4) when the Demo MY display value DV is 5000 or more, the color is rainbow. In this way, in step S303, the display or hide state and the display color are set.

[0399] Furthermore, if the second sub-control unit 500 detects a hidden marker (step S305: YES), it sets the "Demo MY Color" extension command to "Hide" (step S306). After processing step S306, the process proceeds to step S307.

[0400] On the other hand, if the second sub-control unit 500 does not detect either the displayed marker or the non-displayed marker (step S301: NO, step S305: NO), the second sub-control unit 500 proceeds to step S307.

[0401] Next, the second sub-control unit 500 executes a display update process (step S307). In the display update process, an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 based on the values ​​set in the liquid crystal display command.

[0402] As described above, according to the maximum number display process of this embodiment, the demo MY display value is displayed on the demo screen d2 only when the value is MY1000 or more, so that the number of balls dispensed can be appealed to the user on an empty machine, thereby encouraging the user to play. Also, since the display color is changed according to the value of the demo MY display value, the dispensed ball status can be appealed to the user visually by the display color. Furthermore, since the display and non-display of the demo MY display value are controlled by the display marker and non-display marker, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the configuration of the demo screen d2.

[0403] In this embodiment, even if the demo MY display value DV is less than 1000 sheets, the "demo MY value" is set, but the "demo MY color" is hidden, so that the maximum number display d10 is not displayed on the demo screen d2 (first method). However, other control methods may be used to prevent the maximum number display d10 from being displayed on the demo screen d2 when the demo MY display value DV is less than 1000 sheets. For example, when the demo MY display value DV is less than 1000 sheets, the "demo MY value" may not be set (second method). The first method has the advantage of reducing the amount of program code, but the disadvantage of displaying the maximum number display d10 at an unintended timing if there is a data error. On the other hand, the second method has the advantage of more reliably controlling display / hide, but the disadvantage of increasing the amount of program code due to the addition of a branching algorithm.

[0404] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 33(C-1), a display marker is placed at the beginning of the performance introduction screen d2A and a non-display marker is placed at the beginning of the company name screen d2D, but as shown in Fig. 7(C-2), a non-display marker may be placed at the beginning of the company name screen d2D and a display marker may be placed at the end of the company name screen d2D. The same control as that shown in Fig. 33(C-1) can be executed.

[0405] <Modification> In this embodiment, the maximum number display d10 displays the maximum MY value for the day, but it may also display the maximum payout number. Since the number of bets is not taken into account when it comes to the payout number, a larger number can be displayed, further emphasizing the appeal of the payout. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the maximum number display d10 reflects the difference in the number of medals acquired by irregular button presses, but the difference may not be reflected in the case of irregular button presses. It is possible to display a larger number of medals than the number of medals acquired displayed on the result screen at the end of a favorable game.

[0406] In this embodiment, if the number of coins bet is not the specified number, i.e., if the number of coins bet is 1 or 2, the demo screen is displayed when the waiting time M has elapsed since the coin was inserted. However, the demo screen may also be displayed when the number of coins bet is the specified number, i.e., if the number of coins bet is 3. Furthermore, the demo screen may also be displayed when the waiting time M has elapsed after a replay win. While the waiting time M is set to 1 minute in this embodiment, the waiting time...

Claims

1. A gaming machine equipped with reels that can be operated by driving a motor, The gaming machine includes a first substrate electrically connectable to the motor, The gaming machine includes a first harness having a plurality of wires; a state in which the first board and the motor are electrically connected by the connector of the first harness attached thereto is defined as a connected state; a state in which the first board and the motor are not electrically connected to each other without the connector of the first harness attached thereto is defined as a non-connected state; A first state is a power-off state in which the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off and the connected state is cut off, A power supply state in which the connection state and the power supply to the gaming machine are in a second state, A power-off state in which the power supply to the game machine is cut off and the disconnected state is a third state; the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the second state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state, a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state is different from a weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the third state; In the first state, the weight of the reel when it is operated by an external force in a case where at least one of the plurality of wires of the first harness is broken is different from the weight of the reel when it is operated by an external force in a case where the certain wire is not broken. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the third state is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in the first state; A gaming machine characterized by the above.

3. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, In the first state, the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in a case where the certain wiring is not broken is lighter than the weight of the reel when operated by an external force in a case where the certain wiring is broken. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

4. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are not electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force is lighter than the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

5. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

6. The gaming machine according to claim 3, The gaming machine further includes a second board electrically connectable to the first board, In the first state, the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are not electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force is lighter than the weight of the reel when the first board and the second board are electrically connected and the reel is operated by an external force. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

7. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 6, The first substrate is a substrate that receives power from the second substrate side. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

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