Gaming machine

Abstract

To execute appropriate information processing when an abnormal response command is received.SOLUTION: After a bet request command for bet number "1" is sent from main control, when receiving a bet request command for bet number "3" due to noise or the like, token number control sends a bet request response command indicating that the bet request command for the bet number "3" has been accepted normally to the main control, if the bet number "3" is possible. When receiving the bet request response command for the bet number "3" after sending the bet request command for the bet number "1", the main control executes error processing ((5) in the figure).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 102

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a gaming value (gaming medium), there has been known a gaming machine (referred to as a "smart gaming machine", "medal-less gaming machine", "managed gaming machine", "enclosed gaming machine", etc.) that uses electronic information (electronic medals) without using physical medals (as tangible objects). (For example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to enable appropriate information processing in a gaming machine that uses electronic information as a gaming value.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention solves the above problems by the following means (shown in parentheses, indicating the configuration of the corresponding embodiment). The present invention has a predetermined display device (role ratio monitor 113) capable of displaying a game history, after the power of the gaming machine (10) is turned on and the connection with the lending unit (200) is confirmed for a predetermined period (in FIG. 93, "Yes" in step S240), it is possible to store information indicating that it is connected to the lending unit (information that the connected flag is on) (in FIG. 93, step S241), After information indicating that a connection to the lending unit is stored (in Figure 94, step S261 is set to "Yes"), the machine information notification can be sent to the lending unit (in Figure 94, steps S275, S278, S280), The aforementioned predetermined display device is configured to display the calculated bonus ratio, If the calculated bonus ratio is "100", the bonus ratio can be displayed as "99". If the calculated bonus ratio is "100", the bonus ratio included in the information sent to the lending unit will be set to "100" and the transmission process can be executed. death, If the calculated bonus payout ratio is a specific value exceeding "100", the bonus payout ratio included in the information sent to the lending unit can be set to a predetermined value different from the specific value (the predetermined value is a value of "100" or less) and the transmission process can be executed accordingly. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, appropriate information processing becomes possible. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram illustrating the control of a slot machine, which is an example of a gaming machine, in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a power supply path 1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a power supply path 2 in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows a list of commands (main control commands) transmitted from the main control board to the dispensing control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows a list of commands (dispensing control commands) transmitted from the dispensing control board to the main control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows a list of commands (management device commands) transmitted from the management device to the dispensing control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 7]It is a diagram showing a list of commands (game machine commands) transmitted from the payout control board to the management device in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the main routine in the payout control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control command analysis process in step S110 of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control command analysis process in step S110 of FIG. 8 and is a flowchart following FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the lending process in step S119 of FIG. 8. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the counting process in step S117 of FIG. 8. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the main routine in the main control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the power-on process in the main control board and the payout control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the setting change process in the main control board and the payout control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the three-bet process in the main control board and the payout control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the one-bet process in the main control board and the payout control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the game start process in the main control board and the payout control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the game end process in the main control board and the payout control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 20]It is a flowchart showing the flow of payout processing in the main control board and the payout control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 21] It is a flowchart showing the flow of return processing in the main control board and the payout control board in the first embodiment. [Figure 22] It is a flowchart showing the flow of power-on processing in the payout control board and the management device in the first embodiment. [Figure 23] It is a flowchart showing the flow of lending processing in the payout control board and the management device in the first embodiment. [Figure 24] It is a flowchart showing the flow of counting processing in the payout control board and the management device in the first embodiment. [Figure 25] It is a flowchart showing the flow of counting processing in the payout control board and the management device in the first embodiment, and is a flowchart following FIG. 24. [Figure 26] It is a diagram showing the waveforms of data signals and strobe signals of serial communication between the payout control board and the management device in the first embodiment. [Figure 27] It is a timing chart showing the on / off of each signal at the time of lending electronic medals in the first embodiment. [Figure 28] It is a timing chart showing the on / off of each signal at the time of counting (returning) electronic medals in the first embodiment. [Figure 29] It is a block diagram showing an outline of the control of the gaming machine in the second embodiment. [Figure 30] It is a diagram explaining the telegrams between the gaming machine and the lending unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 31] It is a diagram explaining gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, and hall control / fraud monitoring information in the second embodiment. [Figure 32] It is a time chart showing the basic communication sequence in the second embodiment. [Figure 33]In the second embodiment, this is a time chart showing example 1 of the startup sequence (when the gaming machine starts up first). [Figure 34] In the second embodiment, this is a time chart showing example 2 of the startup sequence (when the loan unit starts up first). [Figure 35] In the second embodiment, this is a time chart showing the basic sequence of notifications for gaming machine information. [Figure 36] In the second embodiment, this is a time chart showing the counting notification sequence. [Figure 37] This is a flowchart showing the counting process in the second embodiment. [Figure 38] In the second embodiment, this is a time chart showing the loan notification sequence. [Figure 39] This diagram shows a gaming machine information notification timer and a gaming machine information notification request flag in the second embodiment. [Figure 40] In the second embodiment, this is a time chart showing the update sequence of the gaming machine information notification timer. [Figure 41] This is a flowchart showing the management of gaming machine information in the second embodiment. [Figure 42] This figure shows the internal memory of the main CPU 55 in the third embodiment, where (A) shows an overview of the internal memory and (B) shows the internal register area. [Figure 43] This diagram shows the detailed configuration of the F register. [Figure 44] This figure shows the stack region in the third embodiment. [Figure 45] This diagram shows the main instructions in the third embodiment. [Figure 46] This diagram shows the configurations of LDF and LD instructions. [Figure 47] This diagram shows the configuration of the CALLEX instruction. [Figure 48] This figure shows examples of conventional CALL and RET instructions. [Figure 49]This is a flowchart showing the program start (M_PRG_SET) in the third embodiment. [Figure 50] This figure shows an example using the CALLEX instruction and the jump instruction. [Figure 51] This is a block diagram illustrating the control of a gaming machine in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 52] This figure shows the memory map of the built-in memory in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 53] This diagram shows the division of regions in the fourth embodiment, with (A) showing Example 1 and (B) showing Example 2. [Figure 54] This figure illustrates communication between regions in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 55] This figure shows an example program (Example 1) for control regions 1 to 3. [Figure 56] This figure shows an example program (Example 2) for control regions 1 to 3. [Figure 57] This figure shows an example program (Example 3) for control regions 1 to 3. [Figure 58] This figure shows a modified example of the program in control regions 1 to 3. [Figure 59] This flowchart shows the process of assigning the number of game media by the main control means in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 60] This flowchart shows the process of assigning the number of game media by the game media number control means in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 61] This is a flowchart showing the interrupt processing (I_INTR) of the game medium number control means in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 62] Figure 61 is a flowchart showing the input port reading process (I_IN_READ) in step S801. [Figure 63] This is a flowchart showing the gaming machine information management (I_INF_CTL) in step S802 of Figure 61. [Figure 64] Figure 63 is a flowchart showing the Hall Control / Fraud Monitoring Information Set (I_INF_INJ) in step S823. [Figure 65] Figure 63 is a flowchart showing the gaming machine performance information set (I_INF_ABI) in step S824. [Figure 66] This is a flowchart showing the gaming machine installation information set (I_INF_INS) in step S825 of Figure 63. [Figure 67] This figure shows the update sequence of the gaming machine information notification timer in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 68] Figure 61 is a flowchart of the counting control (I_CAL_CTL) in step S803. [Figure 69] This is a flowchart of Example 1 of loan control (I_LEN_CTL) in step S805 of Figure 61. [Figure 70] This is a flowchart of Example 2 of the loan control (I_LEN_CTL) in step S805 of Figure 61. [Figure 71] This is a flowchart of Example 3 of the loan control (I_LEN_CTL) in step S805 of Figure 61. [Figure 72] This is a flowchart of Example 4 of the loan control (I_LEN_CTL) in step S805 of Figure 61. [Figure 73] This flowchart shows an example 1 of threshold processing of the main control means in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 74] This flowchart shows an example 2 of threshold processing of the main control means in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 75] This is a flowchart showing an example 1 of the threshold notification processing of the sub-control means in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 76] This is a flowchart showing an example 2 of the threshold notification processing of the sub-control means in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 77] This is a block diagram showing a gaming machine in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 78] This figure shows the memory area provided in the medal count control RWM in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 79]This figure shows the memory area provided in the medal count control RWM in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 80] In the sixth embodiment, the ratio calculation process is shown as a flowchart. [Figure 81] In the sixth embodiment, the ratio calculation process is shown as a flowchart. [Figure 82] Figure 81 shows a flowchart for calculating the ratio every 400 games in step S691. [Figure 83] Figure 81 shows a flowchart for calculating the ratio every 400 games in step S691. [Figure 84] This figure shows the changes in the difference and MY in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 85] This figure shows the relationship between the changes in the difference counter and the MY counter and the power on / off state in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 86] This is a flowchart showing the flow from power-on to main processing in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 87] Figure 86 is a flowchart showing the error handling in step S543. [Figure 88] This is a flowchart showing the complete function calculation process in step S555 of Figure 86. [Figure 89] In the sixth embodiment, (a) is a diagram showing an image that foreshadows the activation of the complete function, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of displaying the activation of the complete function as an image. [Figure 90] This figure shows the sixth embodiment, which includes a storage area for transmitting gaming machine performance information and a storage area for transmitting gaming machine installation information. [Figure 91] This figure shows the storage area for transmitting hall control fraud monitoring information in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 92] This is a flowchart showing the main processing of the medal count control CPU in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 93] This is a flowchart showing the interrupt processing by the medal count control CPU in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 94] Figure 93 shows a flowchart for managing gaming machine information in step S244. [Figure 95] In the sixth embodiment, this is a time chart showing the update sequence of the gaming machine information notification timer. [Figure 96] In the sixth embodiment, this is a time chart showing the update sequence of the gaming machine information notification timer. [Figure 97] This flowchart shows the generation of gaming machine performance information in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 98] This flowchart shows the process for storing the ratio in the memory area for transmitting gaming machine performance information in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 99] Figure 98 is a flowchart showing the ratio update process in step S675. [Figure 100] The diagram shows the transmission and reception of commands between the main control CPU and the medal count control CPU in the seventh embodiment, where (a) shows an overview and (b) shows the content of the command. [Figure 101] This figure shows an example of sending and receiving a bet request command and a bet request response command in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 102] This figure shows an example of sending and receiving a bet request command and a bet request response command in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 103] This figure shows an example in the seventh embodiment where no bet request command is sent. [Figure 104] This figure shows an example of sending and receiving a settlement request command and a settlement request response command in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 105] This figure shows an example of sending and receiving a settlement request command and a settlement request response command in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 106] This figure shows an example of sending and receiving a grant request command and a grant request response command in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 107] This figure shows an example of sending and receiving a grant request command and a grant request response command in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 108]This is a flowchart showing the main control process in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 109] Figure 108 is a flowchart showing the game start set process in step S932. [Figure 110] Figure 108 is a flowchart showing the betting waiting process in step S933. [Figure 111] Figure 108 is a flowchart showing the settlement process in step S935. [Figure 112] Figure 111 is a flowchart showing the waiting for a request response command from the medal count control CPU 520 in step S975. [Figure 113] Figure 108 is a flowchart showing the betting process in step S936. [Figure 114] Figure 108 is a flowchart showing the granting process in step S945. [Figure 115] This is a flowchart showing the main control interrupt processing by the main control CPU in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 116] This is a flowchart showing the main processing of the medal count control CPU (medal count control main processing) in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 117] Figure 116 is a flowchart showing the main control command reception process in step S1062. [Figure 118] Figure 117 is a flowchart showing the process of receiving a bet request command in step S1077. [Figure 119] Figure 117 is a flowchart showing the process of receiving a settlement request command in step S1078. [Figure 120] Figure 117 is a flowchart showing the process of receiving a grant request command in step S1079. [Figure 121] This is a flowchart showing the medal count control interrupt processing by the medal count control CPU in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 122] This figure shows examples of image displays when the VL signal is off and when a communication error occurs, according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 123] This figure shows an example of an image display when the complete function is activated while the VL signal is off, according to the seventh embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] In this specification, the meanings of the terms are as follows: "Game value (game medium)" refers to a medium used for gaming, and in this embodiment, it is "electronic information (electronic medal)". Furthermore, "electronic information (electronic medals)" refers to the electronic information that is generated when money (banknotes) is inserted into the management device (CR unit) 200, corresponding to the amount of money inserted. This electronic information, in whole or in part, can then be credited to the gaming machine as game value for playing games.

[0009] Furthermore, the "management device (CR unit) 200" is a device for managing the lending and payout of electronic information as game value, and is installed for each gaming machine, positioned adjacent to the gaming machine. In a pachinko parlor, the management device 200 is called a "sand" because it is placed between the gaming machines. The gaming machine and the corresponding management device 200 constitute the "gaming system". Furthermore, "lending" refers to transferring electronic information as game value from the management device 200 to the gaming machine and crediting it inside the gaming machine.

[0010] Furthermore, "counting" refers to returning the electronic information, which represents the game value credited inside the gaming machine, to the management device 200. When the counting switch 47 is operated, the electronic information, which represents the game value credited inside the gaming machine, is returned to the management device 200. At this time, the number of credits becomes "0", and the electronic information managed by the management device 200 is increased by that amount. Furthermore, "credit" refers to the storage of electronic information as game value within a gaming machine. Furthermore, "betting" refers to placing a wager of electronic information as game value in order to play the game. When the bet switch 40 is operated, the electronic information as game value that has been credited is placed as a bet.

[0011] "Specified number" refers to the number of bets that can be placed to start (execute) the game in question. Furthermore, "payout" refers to adding a number of electronic pieces of game value to the number of credits based on the winning combination, corresponding to the payout for the winning combination. Furthermore, "bet medals" refer to electronic information representing the value of the game that is bet to play the game. Furthermore, "stored medals" refer to electronic information that is credited (stored) as game value.

[0012] Furthermore, "storage bet" refers to betting some or all of the electronic information credited as game value inside the gaming machine, within the range of bets possible in that game, by operating the bet switch 40, in order to play the game. Furthermore, "automatic betting" refers to the automatic betting of the number of electronic values ​​representing the game value that was bet in the previous game, by the control processing of the slot machine 10 as a gaming device when a replay is won.

[0013] Furthermore, "cancel" refers to the process of converting the electronic information (bet tokens) representing the bet value back into credits by operating the cancel switch 46. When the cancel switch 46 is operated, the electronic information representing the bet value is converted back into credits. At this time, the number of bet tokens becomes "0" and that amount is added to the number of credits. Furthermore, "return" refers to storing the electronic information, which represents the game value, stored inside the management device 200 onto a card (such as a magnetic card or IC card), and then ejecting that card from the card reader / writer 205. When the return switch 203 is operated, the electronic information is stored on the card and ejected from the card reader / writer 205.

[0014] Furthermore, when the game progresses as "N-1" game, "N" game, "N+1" game, ... (where "N" is an integer greater than or equal to 2), if the current game is "N" game, the "N" game is referred to as the "current game". The "N-1" game is referred to as the "previous game". And the "N+1" game is referred to as the "next game".

[0015] In this specification, numbers with "(B)" appended to the end (especially the 8th bit) represent binary numbers. Similarly, numbers with "(H)" appended to the end represent hexadecimal numbers. Specifically, for example, the number "16" in decimal is written as "00010000(B)" in binary and "10(H)" in hexadecimal. In addition, numbers that represent decimal numbers will be written as "16(D)" as needed. However, when it is clear whether the number is in binary, decimal, or hexadecimal, the trailing symbols "(B)", "(D)", and "(H)" may be omitted, respectively.

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings and other documents. <First Embodiment> The slot machine 10, an example of a gaming machine in the first embodiment, uses electronic information (electronic tokens) as the gaming value (gaming medium) instead of physical tokens (tangible objects). For this reason, the slot machine 10 of this embodiment does not have a token slot, a token selector, a token dispensing device, etc.

[0017] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a management device (CR unit) 200 is located adjacent to the slot machine 10, and the slot machine 10 and the management device 200 are connected in a way that allows for bidirectional communication. Electronic tokens can be transferred between the slot machine 10 and the management device 200 via communication, and the slot machine 10 can play games using the electronic tokens transferred from the management device 200.

[0018] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the control of a slot machine 10, which is an example of a gaming machine in the first embodiment. Figure 1 shows the slot machine 10 along with a management device (CR unit) 200 and a hall computer 300. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the slot machine 10 is equipped with a main control board 50, a sub-control board 80, and a payout control board 100 (credit management board) as typical control boards.

[0019] In Figure 1, the solid lines represent communication lines indicating data exchange, and the direction of the arrows indicates the direction of data flow. For example, the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 are configured to communicate bidirectionally. In contrast, the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 communicate unidirectionally, with the main control board 50 communicating with the sub-control board 80. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the main control board 50 has an input port 51 and an output port 52, and is equipped with an RWM 53, ROM 54, and main CPU 55, etc. (This does not mean that it is equipped with only the components shown in Figure 1).

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the main control board 50 and peripheral devices for game progression, including operation switches such as the bet switch 40, are electrically connected via an input port 51 or an output port 52. The input port 51 is a connection point to which signals such as those from operation switches are input, and the output port 52 is a connection point to which signals are transmitted to peripheral devices such as the motor 32. In Figure 1, input peripherals are indicated by arrows pointing from the peripheral to the main control board 50, and output peripherals are indicated by arrows pointing from the main control board 50 to the peripheral (the same applies to the sub-control board 80).

[0021] Furthermore, the RWM53 is a storage medium capable of storing (updating) various data (variables) based on the progress of the game, etc. Furthermore, ROM54 is a storage medium that stores programs and various data (such as data tables) necessary for the game to progress. Furthermore, the main CPU 55 refers to a CPU (an IC equipped with arithmetic functions) provided on the main control board 50, which executes programs and performs calculations necessary for the progress of the game. Specifically, it performs tasks such as drawing winning combinations, controlling the drive of the reels 31, and paying out winning combinations.

[0022] Furthermore, the main control board 50 is equipped with an MPU including an RWM 53, ROM 54, main CPU 55, and registers. Note that the RWM 53 and ROM 54 may be provided externally, in addition to being mounted inside the MPU. Furthermore, the sub-control board 80, which will be described later, also includes an MPU containing an RWM83, ROM84, and sub-CPU85. Note that the RWM83 and ROM84 may be provided externally, in addition to being mounted inside the MPU.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the slot machine 10 is equipped with a bet switch 40, a start switch 41, (left, middle, right) stop switches 42, a cancel switch 46, and a counting switch 47 as operating switches for the player. The bet switch 40, start switch 41, (left, center, right) stop switches 42, and cancel switch 46 are electrically connected to the main control board 50, while the counting switch 47 is electrically connected not to the main control board 50, but to the payout control board 100 (credit management board), which will be described later.

[0024] Here, "operation switch" (or simply "switch") refers to a device (including electrical circuits and / or electrical components) that switches an electrical signal on or off based on the operation of an operating body by a player (operator) (receiving external force), and does not limit the shape of the operating body operated by the player. When the operation switch is in the off state, for example, light from the light-emitting element continues to enter the light-receiving element (when the light-receiving element continues to detect light, the operation switch is in the off state). When the operation switch (operating body) is operated by a player or the like, light from the light-emitting element stops entering the light-receiving element. When this state is detected, an electrical signal indicating that the operation switch has been turned on is transmitted to the main control board 50. Alternatively, the operation switch may be configured such that when it is in the off state, light from the light-emitting element does not enter the light-receiving element, and it turns on when light from the light-emitting element enters the light-receiving element.

[0025] In this embodiment, the operating body of the start switch 41 is lever-shaped (and therefore also referred to as the "start lever (switch) 41"), while the operating bodies of the bet switch 40, stop switch 42, cancel switch 46, and counting switch 47 are push buttons (and therefore also referred to as the "bet button (switch) 40," "stop button (switch) 42," "cancel button (switch) 46," and "counting button (switch) 47").

[0026] Furthermore, although not shown in Figure 1, an LED (light-emitting means) is provided on and / or around or near the operating body of the operating switch. When the operation of the operating switch is permitted, for example, the LED corresponding to the operating switch emits blue light, and when the operation of the operating switch is not permitted, for example, the LED of the operating switch emits red light, thereby indicating the permitted / not permitted state of the operating switch to the player.

[0027] The bet switch 40 is an operation switch that is operated by the player when they want to bet the electronic tokens credited inside the slot machine 10 for the current game. In this embodiment, the bet switch 40 includes a 1-bet switch 40a for betting one electronic token in one operation, and a 3-bet switch 40b for betting three (maximum number, specified number) electronic tokens in one operation. Alternatively, the system may be equipped with only one bet switch 40, and by operating this bet switch 40 once, three (maximum number, specified number) of the credited electronic tokens may be bet.

[0028] Furthermore, the start switch 41 is an operating switch that is operated by the player when starting (starting the rotation of) all of the reels 31 (left, middle, and right). Furthermore, there are three stop switches 42, one for each of the three reels 31 (left, middle, and right), and these are operating switches that the player uses to stop the corresponding reel 31.

[0029] Furthermore, the cancel switch 46 is an operation switch that is operated by the player when returning the bet electronic tokens (bet tokens) back to credits. When the cancel switch 46 is operated, the bet electronic tokens are returned to the credits. At this time, the bet count becomes "0" and that amount is added to the credits. For example, if 3 electronic tokens are bet, operating the cancel switch 46 will change the bet count from "3" to "0" and "3" will be added to the credits.

[0030] The power switch 11 is a switch that is operated to turn the power of the slot machine 10 on or off. The setting key switch 12 is a switch that is operated when changing settings or confirming settings. Insert the setting key into the setting key slot and rotate it 90 degrees clockwise to turn on the setting key switch 12. Furthermore, if the power switch 11 is turned off (power off), and the setting key switch 12 is turned on, then the power switch 11 is turned on in this state, the system will enter setting change mode. Furthermore, when the power switch 11 is turned on, the device enters the setting confirmation mode.

[0031] The setting switch 13 is a switch that is operated when changing the setting value. Each time the setting switch 13 is operated while changing the settings, the setting value is incremented by "1". In this embodiment, there are six setting values, from setting 1 to setting 6. During setting changes, each time the setting switch 13 is operated, the setting value switches from "1" → "2" → ... → "6" → "1" → ... During the setting change process, one of the setting values ​​will be displayed on a designated display device, and when the start switch 41 is operated, the displayed setting value will be confirmed.

[0032] The reset switch 14 is operated when initializing the RWM53 or clearing errors. When the reset switch 14 is turned on and the power switch 11 is turned on, an initialization process is performed and predetermined data stored in the RWM 53 is cleared. Furthermore, the error is cleared when the cause of the error is removed and the reset switch 14 is operated (turned on).

[0033] Furthermore, the main control board 50 outputs external signals (external terminal signals) to the external centralized terminal board 190 from a portion of the output port 52. Here, "external signal" refers to a signal that is output to an external device (such as a hall computer 300 or a data counter installed in the hall) via the external centralized terminal board 190. As shown in Figure 1, the main control board 50 is electrically connected to the hall computer 300 via the external centralized terminal board 190. The main control board 50 transmits signals unidirectionally to the external centralized terminal board 190, and the external centralized terminal board 190 transmits signals unidirectionally to the hall computer 300.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the slot machine 10 is equipped with a winning count display LED 78 and a credit count display LED 76 as coin count display devices. The acquired amount display LED 78 is electrically connected to the main control board 50, while the credit count display LED 76 is electrically connected not to the main control board 50, but to the payout control board 100 (credit count management board), which will be described later. The winnings display LED 78 is an LED that displays the number of electronic tokens dispensed (the number of tokens won by the player) when a winning combination is achieved, and it consists of two digits: a higher digit and a lower digit. Furthermore, the LED 78 displaying the number of acquired tokens may be controlled to turn off when there are no electronic tokens to be dispensed. Alternatively, the higher digits may be turned off, and only the lower digits may be displayed as "0".

[0035] Additionally, the acquired count display LED 78 normally displays the number of electronic medals dispensed (acquired), but in the event of an error, it functions as an LED that displays the nature (type) of the error. Furthermore, the acquired count display LED 78 also functions as an LED that displays button-pressing order information (indicating a favorable button-pressing order) in games that notify the button-pressing order during AT (Attack Time). Therefore, the acquisition count display LED 78 in this embodiment is an LED that also displays the number of coins dispensed (acquisition count), error details, and button press order instruction information. However, it is not limited to this, and a dedicated LED for displaying button press order instruction information may also be provided. Furthermore, during AT mode, the notification of advantageous button press sequences is also performed by the image display device 23 connected to the sub-control board 80.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the main control board 50 is electrically connected to the motor 32 (a stepping motor in this embodiment) of the pattern display device. The pattern display device includes three reels (in this embodiment) for displaying patterns, a motor 32 for driving each reel 31, and a reel sensor 33 for detecting the position of the reels 31.

[0037] The motor 32 serves as a driving means for rotating the reels 31, is connected to the rotation center of each reel 31, and is controlled by the reel control means 65. Here, the reel 31 consists of a left reel 31, a middle reel 31, and a right reel 31. The stop switch 42 operated to stop the left reel 31 is the left stop switch 42, the stop switch 42 operated to stop the middle reel 31 is the middle stop switch 42, and the stop switch 42 operated to stop the right reel 31 is the right stop switch 42.

[0038] Reel 31 is ring-shaped, and a reel tape printed with multiple types of patterns (patterns that constitute combinations of patterns corresponding to winning combinations) is attached to its outer surface. Furthermore, each reel 31 is provided with one (or more) index. The index is provided in a convex shape on, for example, the circumferential surface of the reel 31 and is used to detect whether the reel 31 has passed a predetermined position or has completed one rotation. Each index is detected by the reel sensor 33.

[0039] The reel sensor 33 is electrically connected to the main control board 50. When the reel sensor 33 detects an index, its input signal is sent to the main control board 50, and it is detected that the reel 31 has passed a predetermined position. Furthermore, the ROM 54 stores in advance the pattern on the reference position at the moment the reel sensor 33 detects the index on the reel 31. This makes it possible to detect the pattern on the reference position at the moment the index is detected. In addition, from the moment the reel sensor 33 detects the index on the reel 31, it becomes possible to determine how many pulses the (stepping) motor 32 needs to be driven to stop the pattern on the active line, counting from the pattern on the reference position.

[0040] When a player starts a game, they bet the credited electronic tokens by operating the bet switch 40. When the start switch 41 is operated with the prescribed number of electronic tokens for the game bet, the signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 50. Upon receiving this signal, the main control board 50 performs a draw using the role draw means 61 (internal draw means) and controls all the motors 32 to rotate all the reels 31. As the reels 31 are rotated by the motors 32 in this way, the symbols on the reels 31 are displayed moving up and down in the display window at a predetermined speed.

[0041] Then, the player operates the stop switch 42 to stop the rotation of the reel 31 corresponding to that stop switch 42 (for example, the left reel 31 corresponding to the left stop switch 42). When the stop switch 42 is operated, the signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 50. Upon receiving this signal, the main control board 50 drives and controls the motor 32 corresponding to the stop switch 42 to stop the reels 31 associated with that motor 32 in accordance with the lottery result of the role lottery means 61 (the result determined by the internal lottery means). The game result of the current game is then displayed based on the combination of symbols when all the reels 31 stop. Furthermore, when a combination of symbols corresponding to any role stops on an active line (when that role is won), the electronic medals corresponding to the won role are dispensed.

[0042] Next, the specific configuration of the main control board 50 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the main CPU 55 of the main control board 50 is equipped with the following role selection means 61, etc. The following means in this embodiment are illustrative and are not limited to the means shown in this embodiment. The role lottery means 61 conducts a lottery (determination, selection) of winning numbers. Here, "the lottery of winning numbers by the role lottery means 61" is the same as "internal lottery" in the Regulations of the Entertainment Business Act (Regulations concerning the certification and type approval of gaming machines, etc.; hereinafter simply referred to as "the Regulations"), and the result of the lottery by the role lottery means 61 is the same as "the result determined by the internal lottery" in the Regulations. Therefore, the role lottery means 61 is also referred to as "internal lottery means 61" in accordance with the Regulations.

[0043] Once the winning number is determined by the role lottery means 61, the prize and replay condition device number and the special feature condition device number are determined based on that winning number, and the prize and replay condition device and special feature condition device that can be activated in that game are determined. For this reason, the role lottery means 61 is also referred to as the condition device number determination (lottery or selection) means, the winning role determination (lottery or selection) means, etc. The prize draw means 61 includes, for example, a random number generation means for the draw (such as a hardware random number generator), a random number extraction means for extracting random numbers generated by the random number generation means, and a winning number determination means for determining the winning numbers based on the random numbers extracted by the random number extraction means.

[0044] The random number generation means generates random numbers within a predetermined range (for example, "0" to "65535" in decimal). The random numbers are such that a counter that counts one count every 200 nanoseconds continuously counts within the range of "0" to "65535" as one cycle, and continues to count random numbers as long as the slot machine 10 is powered on. The random number extraction means extracts random numbers generated by the random number generation means at a predetermined time, in this embodiment, when the start switch 41 is operated (turned on) by the player. The winning number determination means determines the winning number corresponding to the area to which the random number extracted by the random number extraction means belongs by comparing it with the lottery table.

[0045] The winning flag control means 62 controls the on / off state of the winning flags corresponding to each role based on the lottery results from the role lottery means 61. In this embodiment, each role is provided with a winning flag. When any role is won in the role lottery by the role lottery means 61, the winning flag for that role is turned on (the winning flag is set). A role can be won in two ways: there is one winning role (single win), or there are multiple winning roles (duplicate win).

[0046] The reel control means 65 controls the rotation of all (3) reels 31 to begin when it receives a command to start the rotation of the reels 31, and in this embodiment in particular when it detects the operation (on) of the start switch 41. Furthermore, after the winning numbers are determined by the role lottery means 61, the reel control means 65 refers to the on / off status of the winning flag in the current game, selects a stop position determination table corresponding to the on / off status of the winning flag, and when the stop switch 42 is operated, it determines the stop position of the reel 31 corresponding to the stop switch 42 based on the timing of detecting the operation (on) of the stop switch 42, and controls the motor 32 to stop the reel 31 at the determined position.

[0047] For example, in a game where at least one winning flag is set to ON, the reel control means 65 controls the reel 31 to stop within the range of reel 31 stop control so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role (the role for which the winning flag is ON) can be stopped on an active line, while controlling the reel 31 to stop so that the symbol combination corresponding to roles other than the winning role (the role for which the winning flag is OFF) cannot be stopped on an active line. Here, "within the range of the reel 31 stop control" means the time from the moment the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 actually stops, or the range of rotations (number of moving symbols) of the reel 31.

[0048] In this embodiment, the reel 31 rotates at a constant speed of approximately 80 revolutions per minute. Furthermore, when the stop switch 42 is operated, the time from the moment the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 stops is set to within 190ms, except for a predetermined reel 31 that is in MB operation (for example, the middle reel 31). As a result, in this embodiment, except for a predetermined reel 31 that is in MB operation, the maximum number of moving symbols from the moment the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 stops is set to 4 symbols. On the other hand, for a predetermined reel 31 during MB operation, the time from the moment the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 stops is set to within 75ms. As a result, for a predetermined reel 31 during MB operation, the maximum number of symbols that move from the moment the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 stops is set to 1 symbol.

[0049] Then, at the moment the operation of the stop switch 42 is detected, if any of the symbols within the stopping control range of the reel 31 is a symbol that should be stopped on a predetermined active line, the stop switch 42 is controlled to stop that symbol on the predetermined active line when the stop switch 42 is operated. In other words, if the reel 31 is stopped immediately at the moment the stop switch 42 is operated and the symbols for the winning combination do not stop on a predetermined valid line, the reel 31 is rotated and moved within the range of the stop control of the reel 31 until it is stopped, thereby controlling it to stop the symbols for the winning combination as much as possible on the predetermined valid line (pull-in stop control).

[0050] Conversely, if stopping the reels 31 immediately at the moment the stop switch 42 is operated would cause a combination of symbols that does not correspond to the winning number to stop on an active line, then when the reels 31 stop, the reels 31 are rotated and moved within the range of the reel 31 stop control to prevent combinations of symbols that do not correspond to the winning number from stopping on an active line (kick stop control). Furthermore, in games where multiple winning combinations are achieved (for example, when a specific combination of symbols is triggered), the priority order for which winning combinations are awarded is predetermined according to the order in which the stop switches 42 are pressed and the timing of their operation. Based on this predetermined priority order, the system controls the retraction and stopping of the symbols related to the highest priority winning combination.

[0051] The prize determination means 66 determines, when the reel 31 stops, whether the combination of symbols on the reel 31 that stopped on the active line corresponds to a winning combination. Here, the prize determination means 66 does not actually detect whether or not a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination has stopped on an active line. Specifically, it determines in advance which symbol combinations will stop on an active line before the reels 31 actually stop, or which symbol combinations will stop on an active line after the reels 31 have stopped, based on the condition device activated during the game and the order in which the stop switch 42 is pressed and / or the timing of operation of the stop switch 42.

[0052] The payout means 67 performs the process of adding a number of electronic medals corresponding to the winning combination to the credit count when the winning combination is determined by the winning determination means 66 to match the winning combination of symbols that stopped on the active line when the reel 31 stops, and when that combination is awarded. Furthermore, when a replay is awarded, the payout mechanism 67 is controlled to automatically insert (automatically bet) the number of electronic tokens inserted in the current game, without adding the electronic tokens to the credit count.

[0053] The main control board 50 transmits information (control commands) necessary for the effects to be output by the sub-control board 80 to the sub-control board 80. Examples of control commands include information about when the bet switch 40 is operated, information about when the start switch 41 is operated, information about the result of the prize draw (result determined by an internal draw), information about when the stop switch 42 is operated, and information about the winning prize.

[0054] The sub-control board 80 controls the selection and output of visual effects (information) during gameplay and while waiting for gameplay to begin. Here, the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 are electrically connected, and the main control board 50 transmits information (control commands) necessary for outputting the performance to the sub-control board 80 in one direction via serial communication. Furthermore, the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80 are not limited to being electrically connected; they may also be connected using optical communication means. Moreover, in both the electrical connection and the optical communication connection, the communication method may be parallel communication, not just serial communication, and serial and parallel communication may be used in combination.

[0055] The sub-control board 80, like the main control board 50, includes an input port 81, an output port 82, an RWM 83, a ROM 84, and a sub-CPU 85, etc. The sub-control board 80 is electrically connected to the following peripheral devices for performance, such as the performance lamps 21 shown in Figure 1, via the input port 81 or output port 82. However, the peripheral devices for performance are not limited to these.

[0056] RWM83 is a storage medium that can temporarily store data and other information captured by the sub-CPU85 when it controls the performance. Furthermore, ROM84 is a storage medium that stores data for performance purposes, such as programs and various data used when conducting lotteries related to performances. Furthermore, the sub-CPU 85 refers to a CPU (an IC equipped with arithmetic functions) provided on the sub-control board 80, which executes programs and performs calculations necessary for outputting effects during gameplay and while waiting for gameplay to begin.

[0057] Furthermore, the performance lamps 21 are made of, for example, LEDs, and when predetermined conditions are met, they light up or flash in predetermined patterns. The performance lamps 21 include backlights positioned on the inner circumference of each reel 31 to illuminate the symbols displayed on the reels 31 (three symbols arranged vertically in a row visible through the display window) from behind, fluorescent lights that illuminate the symbols on the reels 31 from above, and frame lamps positioned on the front of the front door of the slot machine 10 that flash when a winning combination is achieved. Furthermore, the speaker 22 outputs a predetermined sound when certain conditions are met, in order to perform various effects during gameplay.

[0058] Furthermore, the image display device 23 consists of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a dot display, etc., and displays various performance images (correct button press order, performances corresponding to the conditional device that operates during the game, etc.) and game information (number of plays and number of coins acquired when the special feature is activated or during the advantageous period (AT), etc.). Furthermore, the sub-CPU 85 of the sub-control board 80 is equipped with a performance output control means 91. Based on control commands transmitted from the main control board 50, the performance output control means 91 determines when and what kind of performance to output, and based on this decision, controls the peripheral devices for performance to output various performances.

[0059] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the slot machine 10 is equipped with a payout control board 100 (credit management board). Furthermore, the payout control board 100 manages the number of credits for the electronic medals. Here, the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 are electrically connected and configured to enable bidirectional communication. Furthermore, the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 are not limited to being electrically connected; they may also be connected using optical communication means. Furthermore, in both electrical and optical communication connections, serial communication, parallel communication, or a combination of serial and parallel communication may be used.

[0060] The payout control board 100, like the main control board 50 and the sub-control board 80, includes an input port 101, an output port 102, an RWM 103, a ROM 104, and a credit count management CPU 105, etc. Furthermore, the payout control board 100 is electrically connected to the main control board 50, the counting switch 47 which serves as an operation switch, the credit count display LED 76 which serves as a coin count display device, and the external management device (CR unit) 200 of the slot machine 10 via the input port 101 or the output port 102.

[0061] RWM103 is a storage medium capable of temporarily storing data acquired by the credit management CPU 105 when managing the number of credits. Furthermore, ROM104 is a storage medium that stores programs and various data used to manage the number of credits. Furthermore, the credit count management CPU 105 refers to a CPU (an IC equipped with arithmetic functions) provided on the payout control board 100, which executes programs and performs calculations necessary for managing the number of credits.

[0062] Furthermore, the counting switch 47 is an operation switch operated by the player when returning the electronic tokens credited inside the slot machine 10 to the management device 200. When the counting switch 47 is operated, the electronic tokens credited inside the slot machine 10 are returned to the management device 200. At this time, the number of credits becomes "0", and the number of electronic tokens managed by the management device 200 is increased by that amount. For example, if 100 electronic tokens are credited inside the slot machine 10, operating the counting switch 47 will change the number of credits from "100" to "0", and "100" will be added to the number of electronic tokens managed by the management device 200.

[0063] Furthermore, for example, if 3 electronic tokens are bet and 100 electronic tokens are credited, operating the cancel switch 46 will return the bet electronic tokens to the credit. At this time, the number of bets will change from "3" to "0", and the number of credits will change from "100" to "103". Subsequently, operating the counting switch 47 will change the number of credits from "103" to "0", and "103" will be added to the number of electronic tokens managed by the management device 200. Thus, in this embodiment, when a player stops playing, if there are any electronic tokens that have been bet, first the cancel switch 46 is operated to return the bet electronic tokens to the credit, and then the counting switch 47 is operated to return the credited electronic tokens to the management device 200.

[0064] However, if a replay was awarded in the previous game and the same number of electronic tokens that were bet in the previous game were automatically bet, the machine is configured so that these automatically bet electronic tokens cannot be returned to the credits even if the cancel switch 46 is operated. In other words, the machine is configured so that the automatically bet electronic tokens cannot be returned to the credits even if the cancel switch 46 is operated. Furthermore, both the electronic medals bet based on the operation of the bet switch 40 and the electronic medals automatically bet based on a replay win may be returned to credits by operating the cancel switch 46.

[0065] Alternatively, the counting switch 47 may be operated to return the bet electronic tokens and credited electronic tokens to the management device 200. For example, if 3 electronic tokens have been bet and 100 electronic tokens have been credited, operating the counting switch 47 may cause the bet and credited electronic tokens to be returned to the management device 200, the number of bets and credits to become "0", and "103" to be added to the number of electronic tokens managed by the management device 200. In this case, a cancel switch 46 may or may not be provided.

[0066] Additionally, the credit count display LED 76 is an LED that displays the number of electronic tokens credited inside the slot machine 10. In this embodiment, up to 10,000 electronic tokens can be credited. In other words, the upper limit of the number of credits is set to "10,000". For this reason, the credit count display LED 76 consists of 5 digits. Note that the maximum number of credits is not limited to "10,000"; for example, it could be "15,000," "30,000," or "50,000." Furthermore, the number of digits in the credit count display LED76 is not limited to 5 digits; it can be set appropriately to match the upper limit of the credit count.

[0067] Furthermore, the dispensing control board 100 is capable of transmitting an enable signal to the main control board 50. The main control board 50 is configured to be able to perform various processes when the enable signal is on, and to be unable to perform predetermined processes when the enable signal is off. In this embodiment, when the number of credits reaches the upper limit, that is, when the display on the credit count indicator LED 76 reaches "10000", the enable signal is turned off. When the enable signal is turned off, the main control board 50 controls the system to disable operation of the bet switch 40 and the start switch 41. Alternatively, the enable signal may be turned off when the number of credits reaches "15,000", "30,000", or "50,000".

[0068] Furthermore, for example, the system may allow both normal gameplay and special gameplay that is more advantageous to the player than normal gameplay (1BB game; Type 1 Big Bonus Game; operation of Type 1 continuous mechanism), and when transitioning from normal gameplay to special gameplay, the game may be stopped at the end of the special game, preventing further gameplay. In other words, a stop function may be provided. The conditions for stopping the game are not limited to the end of the special game, but can be set as appropriate. The enable signal may also be turned off when the conditions for stopping the game are met.

[0069] In this case, the system can be equipped with a stop-out setting switch to enable (switch) the stop-out function (stop-out enabled) or disable (stop-out disabled). It can also be equipped with a stop-out release switch to release the stop-out function. When the conditions for stopping the game are met, the stop-out release switch can be operated to release the stop-out function, allow the game to continue, and turn on the enable signal. The stop-out release switch can also be used in conjunction with other switches, such as a setting switch 13 or a reset switch 14.

[0070] Furthermore, the credit count management CPU 105 of the payout control board 100 includes a credit count management means 111. The credit count management means 111 manages the number of credits (adds or subtracts them) based on control commands transmitted from the main control board 50, control commands transmitted from the management device 200, and the operation of the counting switch 47, and also controls the display of the number of credits on the credit count display LED 76.

[0071] Furthermore, the control unit (CR unit) 200 is a device for managing the lending and payout of electronic tokens. One control unit 200 is installed for each slot machine 10. In the hall, the control unit 200 is placed between the slot machines 10 and is therefore called a "sand." A single gaming system is composed of a slot machine 10 and the corresponding control unit 200.

[0072] As shown in Figure 1, the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10 and the management device 200 are electrically connected and configured to enable bidirectional communication. The payout control board 100 and the management device 200 are connected via a terminal board for connecting to the game ball dispensing device. Furthermore, the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200 are not limited to being electrically connected; they may also be connected using optical communication means. Furthermore, in both electrical and optical communication connections, serial communication, parallel communication, or a combination of serial and parallel communication may be used.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the dispensing control board 100 is capable of bidirectional communication with the main control board 50, as well as with the management device 200. Furthermore, through communication between the management device 200 and the payout control board 100, electronic medals can be transferred (lent) from the management device 200 to the payout control board 100, and the lent electronic medals can be credited to the payout control board 100.

[0074] Furthermore, communication between the payout control board 100 and the main control board 50 allows players to bet electronic medals credited to the payout control board 100 and play the game. When a winning combination is achieved, the dispensed electronic medals can be credited to the payout control board 100. Furthermore, when a player stops playing, communication between the management device 200 and the payout control board 100 allows the electronic medals credited to the payout control board 100 to be transferred (refunded) to the management device 200.

[0075] As shown in Figure 1, the management device 200 includes a banknote slot 201, a lending switch 202, a return switch 203, a unit display unit 204, and a card reader / writer 205, etc. The banknote slot 201 is for inserting banknotes (for example, 1,000 yen bills) necessary for dispensing electronic medals. When a banknote inserted into the management device 200 from the banknote slot 201 is correctly recognized, the value corresponding to the inserted banknote is displayed on the value display unit 204. The value display unit 204 consists of, for example, a 3-digit 7-segment display. For example, when a 1,000 yen bill is inserted, the value displayed is "10", and when a 10,000 yen bill is inserted, the value displayed is "100".

[0076] The dispensing switch 202 is a switch operated by the player when dispensing electronic tokens, provided that the remaining number of tokens is displayed on the token display unit 204. For example, each time the lending switch 202 is pressed, an electronic medal equivalent to a value of "10" can be lent out. Here, for example, suppose that when a 1,000 yen bill is inserted into the management device 200 from the bill slot 201, the number of units displayed on the unit display unit 204 is "10", and the number of electronic tokens lent out for each unit "1" is 5. In this case, when the unit display unit 204 displays "10", operating the lending switch 202 will result in 50 electronic tokens being lent out. Then, through communication between the management device 200 and the payout control board 100, the 50 lent electronic tokens are credited to the payout control board 100.

[0077] The number of electronic medals credited to the payout control board 100 is displayed on the credit count display LED 76. For example, when the credit count is "0" and 50 electronic medals are lent out, the display on the credit count display LED 76 changes from "0" to "50". Thus, in this embodiment, no physical (tangible) medals are lent to the player; instead, the lent electronic medals are transferred from the management device 200 to the payout control board 100 and credited through communication between the management device 200 and the payout control board 100.

[0078] The return switch 203 is a switch that is operated by the player when they stop playing. When the counting switch 47 of the slot machine 10 is operated, the electronic tokens are returned from the slot machine 10 to the management device. Then, when the return switch 203 of the management device 200 is operated, the number of electronic tokens returned from the slot machine 10 to the management device 200, and the number of electronic tokens corresponding to the number displayed on the frequency display unit 204, are stored as electronic data on a card (magnetic card, IC card, etc.), and that card is ejected from the output slot of the card reader / writer 205.

[0079] For example, suppose the frequency display unit 204 of the management device 200 displays a frequency of "10" (equivalent to 50 electronic tokens). Furthermore, suppose that 150 electronic tokens are returned from the slot machine 10 to the management device 200 by operating the counting switch 47 of the slot machine 10. At this time, when the return switch 203 of the management device 200 is operated, electronic data equivalent to 200 electronic tokens is stored on a card and ejected from the output port of the card reader / writer 205. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the management device 200 is electrically connected to the hall computer 300. Information regarding the lending and redemption of electronic tokens is transmitted unidirectionally from the management device 200 to the hall computer 300.

[0080] Figure 2 shows an example of a power supply path 1. Although not shown in Figure 1, the slot machine 10 is equipped with a power supply board 150, as shown in Figure 2. The power supply board 150 is also equipped with a capacitor 151 for energy storage, and the payout control board 100 is also equipped with a capacitor 106 for energy storage. Furthermore, the power supply board 150 and the main control board 50 are connected by harness A161, and power can be supplied from the power supply board 150 to the main control board 50 through this harness A161.

[0081] Furthermore, the power supply board 150 and the dispensing control board 100 are connected by harness C163, and power can be supplied from the power supply board 150 to the dispensing control board 100 through this harness C163. The power supply board 150 is supplied with AC power from an external source. The power supply board 150 then converts the AC to DC power and supplies it to the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100. Furthermore, the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 are connected by harness B162, and power can be supplied from the main control board 50 to the dispensing control board 100, or from the dispensing control board 100 to the main control board 50, through this harness B162.

[0082] Furthermore, the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 are connected by harness D164, and bidirectional command communication is possible between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 through this harness D164. The payout control board 100 is a control board that manages the number of credits for electronic tokens, and its stability is crucial to the players' profits. Therefore, power is supplied directly from the power supply board 150 to the payout control board 100 via harness C163.

[0083] Furthermore, if harness C163 is disconnected, power can be supplied from the power supply board 150 to the dispensing control board 100 via harness A161, the main control board 50, and harness B162. Furthermore, the payout control board 100 is equipped with a capacitor 106 for energy storage, and when the power supply from the power supply board 150 is interrupted, power can be supplied to the payout control board 100 from the capacitor 106.

[0084] Furthermore, if harnesses A161 and C163 are disconnected, power can be supplied from capacitor 106 to the dispensing control board 100, and power can also be supplied from the dispensing control board 100 to the main control board 50 through harness B162. Thus, in Example 1, the payout control board 100 is equipped with a capacitor 106 for backup power supply, so that even if the power supply from the power supply board 150 is interrupted due to the cutting of harness A161 or harness C163, the payout control board 100 and the main control board 50 will continue to operate, ensuring that the processing in the event of a power outage is reliably executed and preventing any disadvantage to the player.

[0085] Figure 3 shows an example of a power supply path, Part 2. As shown in Figure 3, in Example 2, the power supply board 150 does not have a capacitor installed, while the payout control board 100 is equipped with capacitors A107 and B108 for energy storage. Furthermore, the power supply board 150 and the main control board 50 are connected by harness E165, and power can be supplied from the power supply board 150 to the main control board 50 through this harness E165.

[0086] Furthermore, the power supply board 150 and the dispensing control board 100 are connected by a harness G167, and power can be supplied from the power supply board 150 to the dispensing control board 100 through this harness G167. Furthermore, the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 are connected by a harness F166, and power can be supplied from the main control board 50 to the dispensing control board 100, or from the dispensing control board 100 to the main control board 50, through this harness F166.

[0087] Furthermore, the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 are connected by harness H168, and bidirectional command communication is possible between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 through this harness H168. Furthermore, if harness G167 is disconnected, power can be supplied from the power supply board 150 to the dispensing control board 100 via harness E165, the main control board 50, and harness F166.

[0088] Furthermore, the dispensing control board 100 is equipped with capacitors A107 and B108 for energy storage, and when the power supply from the power supply board 150 is interrupted, power can be supplied to the dispensing control board 100 from capacitors A107 and B108. Furthermore, if harnesses E165 and G167 are disconnected, power can be supplied to the dispensing control board 100 from capacitors A107 and B108, and power can also be supplied to the main control board 50 from capacitor A107 through harness F166.

[0089] In Example 2, as in Example 1, when the power supply from the power supply board 150 is interrupted, power is supplied to the payout control board 100 and the main control board 50 from the backup power supply capacitor mounted on the payout control board 100. However, in Example 2, capacitor B108 is used as a backup power supply specifically for the payout control board 100. This ensures that even if the power supply from the power supply board 150 is interrupted due to the cutting of harness E165 or harness G167, the payout control board 100, which manages the number of credits for electronic tokens, will continue to operate reliably, and the processing during a power outage will be reliably executed, so as not to cause any disadvantage to the player.

[0090] In Example 2, it is preferable to set the capacitance of capacitor B108 to be greater than that of capacitor A107. This ensures that backup power is reliably supplied to the payout control board 100, which is crucial to the player's profits, and that processing in the event of a power outage is reliably executed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the power is lost, the program on the dispensing control board 100 is set to stop before the program on the main control board 50. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when power is restored after an outage, the program on the dispensing control board 100 is set to start before the program on the main control board 50.

[0091] Figures 4 to 7 show a list of commands. Figure 4 shows a list of commands transmitted from the main control board 50 to the dispensing control board 100, and Figure 5 shows a list of commands transmitted from the dispensing control board 100 to the main control board 50. Furthermore, Figure 6 shows a list of commands transmitted from the management device 200 to the dispensing control board 100, and Figure 7 shows a list of commands transmitted from the dispensing control board 100 to the management device 200.

[0092] Here, the commands transmitted from the main control board 50 to the dispensing control board 100 are collectively referred to as "main control commands." Furthermore, the commands transmitted from the payout control board 100 to the main control board 50 are collectively referred to as "payout control commands." Furthermore, the commands transmitted from the payout control board 100 to the management device 200 are collectively referred to as "gaming machine commands." Furthermore, the commands transmitted from the management device 200 to the dispensing control board 100 are collectively referred to as "management device commands."

[0093] In this embodiment, the main control command, payout control command, gaming machine command, and management device command are all composed of 16-bit (2-byte) data. Furthermore, the main control command, payout control command, gaming machine command, and management device command are all composed of a preceding command (upper 8 bits) and a succeeding command (lower 8 bits). In other words, a single main control command, payout control command, gaming machine command, and management device command is composed of 16-bit (2-byte) data consisting of a preceding command and a succeeding command. Furthermore, the preceding command is data indicating the type of command, and the succeeding command is data indicating the parameters (variables). In this embodiment, commands are sent and received via serial communication between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100, and between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200.

[0094] In Figures 4 to 7, the data in the "Preceding" column represents the preceding command (upper 8 bits), and the data in the "Successor" column represents the succeeding command (lower 8 bits). Both the preceding and succeeding commands are represented in hexadecimal. The main control commands are the eight types listed in the "Contents" column in Figure 4. Of these eight types of commands, the setting change start command, setting change end command, game start + RT status command, and game end + game status command are collectively referred to as "game information commands." Furthermore, the insertion request command, payout request command, and return request command are collectively referred to as "calculation request commands."

[0095] The 12 types of commands listed in the "Contents" column in Figure 5 can be cited as payout control commands. Furthermore, the ACK response to a payout request command is also called a "payout repetition command," and the NAK response to a payout request command is also called a "payout failure command." Similarly, the ACK response and NAK response to a payout request command, and the ACK response and NAK response to a return request command are also called "payout repetition command," "payout failure command," "return repetition command," and "return failure command," respectively. Additionally, the NAK response in case of an abnormality is also called an "error command."

[0096] The five types of commands listed in the "Contents" column in Figure 6 can be cited as management device commands. Furthermore, the ACK response to a lower-level counting request command is also referred to as a "lower-level counting repetition command," and the ACK response to a higher-level counting request command is also referred to as a "higher-level counting repetition command." The 13 types of commands listed in the "Contents" column of Figure 7 can be cited as gaming machine commands. The ACK response to the loan request command is also referred to as the "loan repetition command."

[0097] In Figure 4, the startup confirmation command is a command used by the main control board 50 to confirm whether communication between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 is normal, and is a command sent from the main control board 50 to the dispensing control board 100 when the power is turned on. When power is turned on, the main control board 50 sends a startup confirmation command to the dispensing control board 100. When the dispensing control board 100 receives the startup confirmation command, it sends it back to the main control board 50 as is (the ACK response to the startup confirmation command shown in Figure 5). Then, on the main control board 50 side, the transmitted startup confirmation command is sent back from the dispensing control board 100 as is, allowing it to determine that communication between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 is normal.

[0098] Furthermore, as described above, when the power is cut off, the program on the dispensing control board 100 stops before the program on the main control board 50, and when the power is restored after a power outage, the program on the dispensing control board 100 starts before the program on the main control board 50. Here, when the power is turned on, that is, when the system recovers from a power outage, the main control board 50 sends a startup confirmation command to the dispensing control board 100. However, since the program on the dispensing control board 100 starts up first, it can reliably receive the startup confirmation command. The main control board 50 is then configured to proceed with the subsequent processing once it determines that communication between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 is normal, based on the fact that the startup confirmation command it sent has been sent back by the dispensing control board 100.

[0099] In Figure 4, the setting change start command is a command used to inform the payout control board 100 that the machine has entered setting change mode, and is a command sent from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 100 when the machine enters setting change mode. The subsequent "01H" indicates that the setting key switch 12 is in the ON state. When the main control board 50 transitions to the setting change mode, it sends a setting change start command to the dispensing control board 100. Upon receiving the setting change start command, the dispensing control board 100 sends it back to the main control board 50 (ACK response to the setting change start command shown in Figure 5), and also sends the setting change start command to the management device 200 (Figure 7). In other words, the dispensing control board 100 sends the setting change start command to both the main control board 50 and the management device 200.

[0100] As a result, the dispensing control board 100 can determine that it has entered the setting change mode. The main control board 50 can also determine that it has successfully communicated the transition to the setting change mode to the dispensing control board 100 because the transmitted setting change start command is sent back from the dispensing control board 100. Furthermore, the management device 200 can also determine that it has entered the setting change mode.

[0101] In Figure 4, the setting change completion command is a command used to inform the payout control board 100 that the setting change mode has ended, and is a command sent from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 100 when the setting change mode ends. The subsequent "00H" indicates that the setting key switch 12 is in the off state. When the setting change mode ends, the main control board 50 sends a setting change completion command to the dispensing control board 100. Upon receiving the setting change completion command, the dispensing control board 100 sends it back to the main control board 50 (ACK response for the setting change completion command shown in Figure 5), and also sends the setting change completion command to the management device 200 (Figure 7). In other words, the dispensing control board 100 sends the setting change completion command to both the main control board 50 and the management device 200.

[0102] As a result, the dispensing control board 100 can determine that the setting change mode has ended. The main control board 50 can also determine that the dispensing control board 100 has been notified of the end of the setting change mode because the transmitted setting change end command is sent back to it. Furthermore, the management device 200 can also determine that the setting change mode has ended.

[0103] In Figure 4, the "Game Start + RT State" command is a command used to communicate to the payout control board 100 that the game has started and that the RT state is active. This command is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 100 when the start switch 41 is turned on. When the start switch 41 is turned on, the main control board 50 sends a game start + RT state command to the payout control board 100. When the payout control board 100 receives the game start + RT state command, it sends it back to the main control board 50 as is (an ACK response to the game start + RT state command shown in Figure 5), and also sends the game start + RT state command to the management device 200 (Figure 7). In other words, the payout control board 100 sends the game start + RT state command to both the main control board 50 and the management device 200.

[0104] As a result, the payout control board 100 can determine that the game has started and that the RT (Replay Time) state is in effect. The main control board 50 can also determine that the game start and RT state have been successfully transmitted to the payout control board 100 because the transmitted game start + RT state command is sent back from the payout control board 100. Furthermore, the management device 200 can also determine that the game has started and that the RT state is in effect.

[0105] In Figure 4, the "Game End + Game Status" command is a command used to communicate to the payout control board 100 that the game has ended and the game status. This command is sent from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 100 when the third stop switch 42 (the stop switch 42 corresponding to the last reel to stop, 31) changes from on to off. When the third stop switch 42 is turned from on to off (the player releases their hand from the third stop switch 42), the main control board 50 sends a game end + game status command to the payout control board 100. When the payout control board 100 receives the game end + game status command, it sends it back to the main control board 50 as is (an ACK response for the game end + game status command shown in Figure 5), and also sends the game end + game status command to the management device 200 (Figure 7). In other words, the payout control board 100 sends the game end + game status command to both the main control board 50 and the management device 200.

[0106] As a result, the payout control board 100 can determine that the game has ended and the game status. The main control board 50 can determine that the game has ended and the game status has been successfully transmitted to the payout control board 100 because the transmitted game end + game status command is sent back from the payout control board 100. Furthermore, the management device 200 can also determine that the game has ended and the game status.

[0107] In Figure 4, the input request command is a command that requests the payout control board 100 to subtract the number of bets from the number of credits, and is a command that is sent from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 100 when the bet switch 40 is turned ON. Furthermore, the command following the input request command indicates the number of bets (the number to be requested to be deducted from the number of credits based on the operation of the bet switch 40).

[0108] In this embodiment, when the 1-bet switch 40a is turned ON, the main control board 50 sends a "2001H" (1-coin insertion request command) to the payout control board 100 as an insertion request command, requesting that the number of bets "1" be subtracted from the number of credits. Furthermore, when the 3-bet switch 40b is turned on, the main control board 50 sends a "2003H" (3-coin insertion request command) to the payout control board 100 as an insertion request command, requesting that the number of bets "3" be subtracted from the number of credits. When the 3-bet switch 40b is turned on, the payout control board 100 may receive three commands requesting the insertion of a single coin.

[0109] Furthermore, when the payout control board 100 receives a payout request command, it determines whether or not it can accept the payout request, specifically whether or not the number of credits is equal to or greater than the number of bets (the number indicated by the command following the payout request command). Then, when it determines that it can accept the input request, that is, when it determines that the number of credits is equal to or greater than the number of bets, the payout control board 100 performs a process to subtract the number of bets from the number of credits, performs a process to update the display of the credit count display LED 76, and sends an input confirmation command to the main control board 50 (sending the received input request command back to the main control board 50 as is (ACK response of input request command shown in Figure 5)).

[0110] For example, when the number of credits is "50" and the machine receives the command "2003H" requesting the insertion of 3 credits, the payout control board 100 subtracts the number of bets "3" indicated by the subsequent command in the "2003H" request from the number of credits "50", changes the display on the credit count display LED 76 from "50" to "47", and sends the insertion repetition command to the main control board 50. In contrast, when the payout control board 100 determines that the input request cannot be accepted, that is, when it determines that the number of credits is less than the number of bets (for example, when the number of credits is "2" and a command "2003H" requesting the insertion of 3 credits is received), the payout control board 100 does not perform the process of subtracting the number of bets from the number of credits, but instead sends an input rejection command to the main control board 50 (NAK response to input request command shown in Figure 5).

[0111] Furthermore, when the main control board 50 receives an input repetition command (meaning the input request command that was sent is sent back from the payout control board 100 as is), it determines that the request to subtract the number of bets from the number of credits has been approved, and executes processing corresponding to the electronic medal bet (for example, the process of lighting up the 1-bet indicator LED to the 3-bet indicator LED, and the process of making the start switch 41 available for operation). In response to this, when a command indicating that input is not permitted is received, the main control board 50 determines that the request to subtract the number of bets from the number of credits was not authorized and does not perform the processing corresponding to the electronic medal bet. Furthermore, if neither an input confirmation command nor an input failure command is received after a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the input request command, a timeout occurs, and the main control board 50 sends the input request command again to the dispensing control board 100.

[0112] Thus, when requesting the payout control board 100 to subtract the number of bets from the number of credits, a single round-trip command communication is performed between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100. This ensures that the processing related to electronic medal betting is reliably executed on both the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100, and that the number of credits is managed accurately, thus preventing any disadvantage to the players.

[0113] Furthermore, as described above, when the power is cut off, the program on the dispensing control board 100 stops before the program on the main control board 50, and when the power is restored after a power outage, the program on the dispensing control board 100 starts before the program on the main control board 50. Furthermore, when the bet switch 40 is turned on, the main control board 50 sends a betting request command to the payout control board 100. Upon receiving the betting request command, the payout control board 100 sends a betting repetition command to the main control board 50 if it is possible to accept the betting request, and sends a betting failure command to the main control board 50 if it is not possible to accept the betting request.

[0114] Furthermore, when the main control board 50 receives an insert repetition command, it executes processing according to the electronic medal bet. When it receives an insert not allowed command, it does not execute processing according to the electronic medal bet. If it does not receive either an insert repetition command or an insert not allowed command, it sends an insert request command to the payout control board 100 again. Here, suppose that after the main control board 50 sends an insertion request command to the dispensing control board 100, but before the dispensing control board 100 receives the insertion request command, a power outage occurs and the program on the dispensing control board 100 stops. In this case, the main control board 50 will not receive either the insertion repetition command or the insertion impossible command, and after the power is restored from the power outage, it will send the insertion request command to the dispensing control board 100 again, thus ensuring reliable command transmission and reception between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100.

[0115] Furthermore, suppose the main control board 50 sends an insertion request command to the dispensing control board 100, and the dispensing control board 100 receives the insertion request command, but before it can send an insertion repetition command or an insertion impossible command to the main control board 50, a power outage occurs and the program on the dispensing control board 100 stops. In this case, after the power is restored from the power outage, the dispensing control board 100 sends an insertion repetition command or an insertion impossible command to the main control board 50, so that commands can be reliably sent and received between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100.

[0116] When power is turned on, that is, when power is restored from a power outage, the main control board 50 sends a startup confirmation command to the dispensing control board 100. When the dispensing control board 100 receives the startup confirmation command, it sends it back to the main control board 50 as is. When the main control board 50 receives the startup confirmation command back from the dispensing control board 100 as is, it determines that communication between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 is normal. Subsequently, the dispensing control board 100 sends either an insertion repetition command or an insertion invalid command to the main control board 50. Therefore, when power is restored from a power outage, the program on the dispensing control board 100 starts up before the program on the main control board 50, but the main control board 50 can reliably receive the insertion repetition command or the insertion invalid command.

[0117] Furthermore, suppose the main control board 50 sends an insertion request command to the dispensing control board 100, the dispensing control board 100 receives the insertion request command and sends an insertion repetition command or an insertion impossible command to the main control board 50, after which a power outage occurs and the program on the dispensing control board 100 stops. In this case, since the program on the main control board 50 stops after the program on the dispensing control board 100 stops, the main control board 50 can receive the insertion repetition command or insertion impossible command sent by the dispensing control board 100, thus ensuring reliable transmission and reception of commands between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100.

[0118] In Figure 4, the payout request command is a command that requests the payout control board 100 to add the number of payouts to the number of credits, and is a command that is sent from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 100 when the third stop switch 42 changes from on to off. Furthermore, the command following the payout request command indicates the number of payouts (the number of credits to be added based on the winning combination).

[0119] For example, when a 10-coin payout is achieved, the main control board 50 sends a payout request command "210AH" to the payout control board 100 when the third stop switch 42 changes from on to off, requesting that the payout amount "10" be added to the credit count. Furthermore, even when no winning combination is achieved, the main control board 50 sends a payout request command to the payout control board 100 when the third stop switch 42 changes from on to off. In this case, since the number of payouts is "0", the payout request command is "2100H".

[0120] Furthermore, when the payout control board 100 receives a payout request command, it determines whether or not it can accept the payout request, specifically whether or not the number of credits exceeds the upper limit of the number of credits (in this embodiment, "10000") by adding the number of payouts (the number indicated by the command following the payout request command) to the number of credits. Then, when it is determined that a payout request can be accepted, that is, when it is determined that the number of credits plus the number of payouts will not exceed the upper limit of the number of credits, the payout control board 100 executes the process of adding the number of payouts to the number of credits, executes the process of updating the display of the credit count display LED 76, and sends a payout repetition command to the main control board 50 (sending the received payout request command back to the main control board 50 as is (ACK response of the payout request command shown in Figure 5)).

[0121] For example, when the number of credits is "50" and a payout request command "210AH" (payout of 10 credits) is received, the payout control board 100 performs the process of adding the payout amount "10" indicated by the subsequent command of the payout request command "210AH" to the number of credits "50", changes the display of the credit count display LED from "50" to "60", and sends a payout repetition command to the main control board 50.

[0122] In contrast, when the payout request is deemed unacceptable, that is, when the payout control board 100 determines that adding the number of payouts to the number of credits will exceed the upper limit of the number of credits (for example, when the number of credits is "9995" and a payout request command "210AH" (pay out 10 coins) is received), the payout control board 100 does not perform the process of adding the number of payouts to the number of credits and instead sends a payout impossible command to the main control board 50 (NAK response to the payout request command shown in Figure 5).

[0123] Furthermore, when a payout repetition command is received (the sent payout request command is sent back as is from the payout control board 100), the main control board 50 determines that the request to add the payout amount to the credit count has been approved and executes processing corresponding to the payout of electronic medals based on the winning combination (for example, the process of displaying the number of electronic medals paid out on the acquired amount display LED 78). In response to this, when a payout denied command is received, the main control board 50 determines that the request to add the payout amount to the credit count was not permitted and does not perform the processing corresponding to the payout of electronic medals based on winning a prize.

[0124] Thus, when requesting the payout control board 100 to add the number of payouts corresponding to the winning combination to the number of credits, a single round-trip command communication is performed between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100. This ensures that the processing related to the payout of electronic medals based on winning combinations is reliably executed on both the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100, and that the number of credits is managed accurately, thus preventing any disadvantage to the player.

[0125] In Figure 4, the return request command is a command that requests the payout control board 100 to return the bet electronic medals to credit, and is a command that is sent from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 100 when the cancel switch 46 is turned ON. Furthermore, the command following the return request command indicates the number of tokens to be returned (the number of tokens to be added to the credit count based on their return). For example, if the cancel switch 46 is operated while 3 electronic tokens are bet, the main control board 50, upon the turn of the cancel switch 46, sends a command "2203H" to the payout control board 100 as a return request command, requesting that the number of tokens to be returned, "3", be added to the number of credits.

[0126] Furthermore, when the dispensing control board 100 receives a return request command, it determines whether or not it can accept the return request, specifically whether or not the number of credits exceeds the upper limit of the number of credits (in this embodiment, "10000") by adding the number of credits to be returned (the number indicated by the command following the return request command). Then, when it is determined that a return request can be accepted, that is, when it is determined that the number of credits plus the number of returned credits will still be less than or equal to the upper limit of the number of credits, the payout control board 100 executes the process of adding the number of returned credits to the number of credits, executes the process of updating the display of the credit count display LED 76, and sends a return confirmation command to the main control board 50 (the received return request command is sent back to the main control board 50 as is (ACK response of the return request command shown in Figure 5)).

[0127] For example, when the number of credits is "100" and a return request command "2203H" is received, the payout control board 100 adds the number of credits to be returned, "3", which is indicated by the subsequent command of the return request command "2203H", to the number of credits "100", changes the display of the credit count LED from "100" to "103", and sends a return repetition command to the main control board 50.

[0128] In contrast, when the payout control board 100 determines that the return request cannot be accepted, that is, when it determines that adding the number of returned items to the number of credits will exceed the upper limit of the number of credits (for example, when the number of credits is "9999" and a return request command "2203H" is received (a request to return 3 electronic medals)), the payout control board 100 does not perform the process of adding the number of returned items to the number of credits, but instead sends a return impossible command to the main control board 50 (NAK response to the return request command shown in Figure 5).

[0129] Furthermore, when a return confirmation command is received (the sent return request command is sent back as is from the payout control board 100), the main control board 50 determines that the request to add the number of returned tokens to the number of credits has been approved, and executes processing corresponding to the return of the electronic tokens (for example, the process of turning off the 1-bet indicator LED to the 3-bet indicator LED, and the process of making it impossible to accept operation of the start switch 41). In response to this, when a command indicating that the return is not permitted is received, the main control board 50 determines that the request to add the number of returned items to the number of credits was not authorized and does not perform any processing corresponding to the return of the electronic medals.

[0130] Thus, when requesting the payout control board 100 to return the bet electronic medals to credit, a single round-trip command communication is performed between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100. This ensures that the process for returning electronic tokens is reliably executed on both the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100, and that the number of credits is managed accurately, thus preventing any disadvantage to the players.

[0131] In Figure 6, the loan request command is a command that requests the dispensing control board 100 to add the number of loaned items to the number of credits, and is a command that is sent from the management device (CR unit) 200 to the dispensing control board 100 when the loan switch 202 is turned ON. Furthermore, the command following the loan request command indicates the number of items to be borrowed (the number of electronic medals to be added to the credit count based on the borrowing).

[0132] For example, when a 1,000 yen bill is inserted into the banknote slot 201 of the management device 200 and the unit display unit 204 displays the unit "10", if the lending switch 202 is operated, the management device 200, upon turning on the lending switch 202, sends a "4032H" command to the dispensing control board 100 as a lending request command, requesting that the number of loans "50" be added to the number of credits.

[0133] Furthermore, when the dispensing control board 100 receives a loan request command, it determines whether or not the loan request can be accepted, specifically, whether or not the number of credits exceeds the upper limit of the number of credits (in this embodiment, "10000") by adding the number of loans (the number indicated by the command following the loan request command) to the number of credits. Then, when it is determined that a loan request can be accepted, that is, when it is determined that the number of loans added to the number of credits is less than or equal to the upper limit of the number of credits, the dispensing control board 100 sends a loan repetition command to the management device 200 (sending the received loan request command back to the management device 200 as is (ACK response of the loan request command shown in Figure 7)).

[0134] In response to this, when the system determines that the loan request cannot be accepted, that is, when it determines that adding the number of loaned items to the number of credits will exceed the upper limit of the number of credits (for example, when the number of credits is "9955" and a loan request command "4032H" (number of loaned items "50") is received), the dispensing control board 100 sends an error command "E000H" to the management device 200 (the NAK response in case of abnormality shown in Figure 7).

[0135] Furthermore, when a loan repetition command is received (the loan request command that was sent is sent back from the dispensing control board 100 as is), the management device 200 sends a loan instruction command to the dispensing control board 100 instructing it to execute the loan request, and also performs a process to update the display on the frequency display unit 204 according to the number of items borrowed.

[0136] For example, if the management device 200 sends "4032H" (number of credits to be borrowed "50") as a loan request command to the dispensing control board 100, and then the dispensing control board 100 sends "4032H" (ACK response to the loan request command) as a loan repetition command to the management device 200, the management device 200 sends "4132H" as a loan instruction command to the dispensing control board 100, instructing it to add the number of credits to be borrowed "50". Furthermore, the management device 200 performs a process to subtract the number of credits to be borrowed "50", which corresponds to the number of credits borrowed "50", from the number currently displayed in the credit display unit 204.

[0137] In response to this, when an error command is received, the management device 200 controls itself to return to the standby state. Furthermore, upon receiving a loan instruction command, the payout control board 100 executes a process to add the number of loaned credits to the number of credits and updates the display on the credit count display LED 76. For example, when the number of credits is "50" and the lending instruction command "4132H" (number of credits to be lent "50") is received, the payout control board 100 performs a process to add the number of credits "50" indicated by the subsequent command of the lending instruction command "4132H" to the number of credits "50", and changes the display of the credit count display LED from "50" to "100".

[0138] Thus, when lending electronic tokens from the management device 200 to the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10, one and a half round trips of command communication are performed between the management device 200 and the payout control board 100. This ensures that the processing related to the lending of electronic tokens is reliably executed by both the management device 200 and the payout control board 100, and that the number of credits is managed accurately, thus preventing any disadvantage to the players.

[0139] In Figure 7, the lower counting request command and the upper counting request command are commands that request the management device (CR unit) 200 to pay out electronic medals, and are commands that are sent from the payout control board 100 to the management device 200 when the counting switch 47 is turned ON. Furthermore, the command following the lower-order counting request command indicates the lower 8 bits when the number of refunded items (credits) is represented in 16 bits (2 bytes). Furthermore, the command following the upper-order counting request command indicates the upper 8 bits when the number of payouts (credits) is represented in 16 bits. In other words, the number of payouts is determined from the commands following the lower-level counting request command and the commands following the higher-level counting request command.

[0140] As described above, in this embodiment, the upper limit of the number of credits is set to "10000(D)". The upper limit of the number of credits "10000(D)" is represented as "10011100010000(B)" in binary and as "2710(H)" in hexadecimal. Thus, the upper limit of the number of credits "10000(D)" cannot be represented with 8 bits (1 byte). For this reason, in this embodiment, the number of payouts (number of credits) is specified using 16 bits (2 bytes) in the command following the lower counting request command and the command following the upper counting request command.

[0141] For example, suppose the payout control board 100 has 1000 electronic medals credited (credit count "1000(D)") and the counting switch 47 is operated. Here, the credit count "1000(D)" is represented as "1111101000(B)" in binary and as "03E8(H)" in hexadecimal. In this case, the lower count request command is "50E8(H)" and the upper count request command is "5103(H)". When the counting switch 47 is turned on, the payout control board 100 sends "50E8(H)" to the management device 200 as the lower count request command.

[0142] Furthermore, upon receiving a lower-level counting request command, the management device 200 determines whether or not it is possible to accept a refund request. Then, when it determines that a refund request can be accepted, the management device 200 sends a lower count repetition command to the dispensing control board 100 (the received lower count request command is sent back to the dispensing control board 100 as is (ACK response of the lower count request command shown in Figure 6)). In response, if the management device 200 determines that it cannot accept the refund request, it sends an error command "E000H" to the payout control board 100 (NAK response in case of abnormality shown in Figure 6). In this case, the management device 200 controls the system to return to the standby state.

[0143] Furthermore, when a lower-level counting repetition command is received (the lower-level counting request command that was sent is sent back as is from the management device 200), the dispensing control board 100 sends "5103(H)" to the management device 200 as a higher-level counting request command. In response to this, when an error command is received, the dispensing control board 100 controls itself to return to a standby state without sending a higher-level counting request command.

[0144] Furthermore, upon receiving a higher-level counting request command, the management device 200 sends a higher-level counting repetition command to the dispensing control board 100 (sending the received higher-level counting request command back to the dispensing control board 100 as is (ACK response of the higher-level counting request command shown in Figure 6)). Furthermore, when a higher-level counting repetition command is received (the higher-level counting request command that was sent is sent back as is from the management device 200), the payout control board 100 sends a counting instruction command to the management device 200, and also executes a process to clear the credit count (set it to "0") and update the display of the credit count display LED 76 (set it to "0").

[0145] Furthermore, upon receiving a counting instruction command, the management device 200 controls the system to perform a process that reflects the number of payouts specified from the lower-level counting request command and the higher-level counting request command into the number of electronic medals managed by the management device 200. Subsequently, when the return switch 203 is operated, the management device 200 stores as electronic data the number of electronic tokens returned to the management device 200 from the slot machine 10 (payout control board 100) by the operation of the counting switch 47, and the number of electronic tokens corresponding to the number displayed on the frequency display unit 204, on a card (magnetic card, IC card, etc.), and ejects the card from the ejection port of the card reader / writer 205.

[0146] Thus, when the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10 pays out electronic tokens to the management device 200, one and a half round trips of command communication are performed between the payout control board 100 and the management device 200. This ensures that the processing related to the refund of electronic tokens is reliably executed on both the payout control board 100 and the management device 200, and that the number of credits is managed accurately, thus preventing any disadvantage to the players.

[0147] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the credit management CPU 105 is assigned a unique ID consisting of 4 bytes of data. In Figure 7, the first to fourth bytes of the CPU unique ID are commands that transmit the first to fourth bytes of the unique ID of the credit management CPU 105 to the management device 200. When powered on, the dispensing control board 100 sequentially transmits the first to fourth bytes of the CPU-specific ID to the management device 200.

[0148] Furthermore, when the management device 200 receives the first to fourth bytes of the CPU-specific ID, it stores them in a predetermined memory area and then sequentially transmits them to the hall computer 300. Furthermore, when the hall computer 300 receives the first to fourth bytes of the CPU-specific ID, it stores (saves) them in a predetermined memory area. Furthermore, the management device 200 and the hall computer 300 are capable of storing the first to fourth bytes of the stored CPU-specific ID as a history.

[0149] For example, if the payout control board 100 is illegally replaced, the credit number management CPU 105 mounted on the payout control board 100 will change. Therefore, at the boundary of the replacement, the 1st byte to the 4th byte of the CPU unique ID stored in the management device 200 and the hall computer 300 will also change. Therefore, by checking whether the 1st byte to the 4th byte of the CPU unique ID stored in the management device 200 and the hall computer 300 have changed midway, it is possible to determine whether the payout control board 100 has been illegally replaced.

[0150] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the main routine in the payout control board 100. In the main routine of the payout control board 100, when any signal is input to the input port 101 in step S101, the process proceeds to the next step S102, and the payout control board 100 executes a determination process as to whether the input signal is an on signal of the count switch 47. Here, when it is determined that the signal is an on signal of the count switch 47, the process proceeds to the next step S103, and a process of turning on the count request flag is executed. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S104. On the contrary, when it is determined that the signal is not an on signal of the count switch 47, step S103 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S104.

[0151] In step S104, the payout control board 100 executes a determination process as to whether the VL signal is on. Here, if the VL signal (a signal of direct current 18V) is supplied from the management device (CR unit) 200 to the payout control board 100, in step S104, it is determined that the VL signal is on, and it is determined that the management device 200 and the payout control board 100 are normally connected, and the process proceeds to step S105, and a process of clearing the VL error flag is executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S107. In response to this, if the VL signal is not supplied from the management device 200 to the dispensing control board 100, step S104 determines that the VL signal is off and that the management device 200 and the dispensing control board 100 are not properly connected, and proceeds to step S106 to set the VL error flag. Then proceeds to step S107.

[0152] In step S107, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether the signal input to (received) at the input port 101 is a main control command. If the system determines that the input signal is a main control command, it proceeds to the next step S108, where the dispensing control board 100 stores (saves) the input main control command in a predetermined memory area of ​​the RWM 103. Then, it proceeds to the next step S109. If, in response to this, it is determined that the input signal is not a main control command, step S108 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S109.

[0153] In step S109, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether the stored command is a main control command or not. If the system determines that the stored command is a main control command, it proceeds to the next step S110, where the dispensing control board 100 performs the main control command analysis process (Figures 9 and 10). Details of the main control command analysis process will be described later. After the main control command analysis process is completed, the system proceeds to the next step S111.

[0154] In step S111, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not the counting process (Figure 12) is currently being executed. Here, the counting process is initiated when "Yes" is selected in step S116, which will be described later. The details of this process will be described later. In addition, the main routine of the dispensing control board 100 can be executed in parallel with the counting process. For this reason, in step S111 of the main routine of the dispensing control board 100, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the counting process is currently being executed. Furthermore, a counting process flag is set at the start of the counting process and cleared at the end of the process. This allows you to determine whether or not the counting process is currently running by checking whether the counting process flag is on or off.

[0155] Then, if it is determined in step S111 that counting is in progress, the process according to this flowchart is terminated without executing the processes from step S113 onward. If it is determined in step S111 that a counting process is currently being executed, the ongoing counting process will continue. In contrast, if it is determined in step S111 that the counting process is not currently being performed, the process proceeds to step S113, where the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not the lending process (Figure 11) is currently being performed.

[0156] Here, the loan process is initiated when "Yes" is selected in step S118, which will be described later. The details of this process will be described later. In addition, the main routine of the dispensing control board 100 can be executed in parallel with the loan process. For this reason, in step S113 of the main routine of the dispensing control board 100, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the loan process is currently running. Furthermore, a "loan in progress" flag is set at the start of the loan process, and cleared at the end of the loan process. This allows you to determine whether or not a loan process is currently underway by checking whether the "loan in progress" flag is on or off.

[0157] Then, if it is determined in step S113 that the lending process is in progress, the process according to this flowchart is terminated without executing the processes from step S115 onward. If it is determined in step S113 that a loan process is currently underway, the ongoing loan process will continue. In contrast, if it is determined in step S113 that the lending process is not currently being executed, the process proceeds to step S115, where the payout control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not it is currently transmitting a game machine command.

[0158] Here, the game machine command transmission process is executed when the result in step S118, described later, is "No". Furthermore, while the game machine command transmission process is being executed, the main routine of the payout control board 100 can be executed in parallel with this game machine command transmission process. For this reason, in step S115 of the main routine of the payout control board 100, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the game machine command transmission process is currently being executed. Then, if it is determined in step S115 that the game machine command transmission process is in progress, the process according to this flowchart is terminated without executing the processes from step S116 onward. In contrast, if it is determined in step S115 that the game machine command transmission process is not currently being executed, the process proceeds to step S116, where the payout control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not the counting request flag is on.

[0159] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S116 that the counting request flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S117, and the dispensing control board 100 starts the counting process (Figure 12). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. In contrast, if it is determined in step S116 that the counting request flag is off, the process proceeds to step S118, where the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether the signal input to (received by) the input port 101 is a loan request command.

[0160] If the system determines that the input (received) signal is a loan request command, it proceeds to step S119, and the dispensing control board 100 starts the loan process (Figure 11). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. If the system determines that the input signal is not a loan request command, it proceeds to step S120, and the payout control board 100 executes the game machine command transmission process. This process involves sending the game machine command to the management device 200. The process according to this flowchart then ends.

[0161] As described above, in step S111, it is determined whether or not the counting process is currently being executed. If it is determined that the counting process is currently being executed, the process continues without executing the processes from step S113 onward. If it is determined that the counting process is not currently being executed, the process proceeds to step S113 to determine whether or not the lending process is currently being executed. Furthermore, in step S116, it is determined whether the counting request flag is on or off. If it is determined that the counting request flag is on, the process proceeds to step S117 to start the counting process. If it is determined that the counting request flag is off, the process proceeds to step S118 to determine whether a loan request command has been received.

[0162] Thus, the payout control board 100 is capable of performing counting processing (processing related to the refund of electronic medals) and lending processing (processing related to the lending of electronic medals), and is configured to prioritize the execution of counting processing over lending processing by performing a determination process to determine whether or not counting processing is in progress before determining whether or not lending processing is in progress, and by performing a determination process to determine whether or not the counting request flag is on before determining whether or not a lending request command has been received. When the counting switch 47 is operated, the dispensing control board 100 performs the counting process. Furthermore, when the loan switch 202 is operated and a loan request command is sent from the management device 200 to the dispensing control board 100, the dispensing control board 100 executes the loan process.

[0163] Furthermore, when the counting switch 47 and the lending switch 202 are operated simultaneously, the payout control board 100 executes the counting process and does not execute the lending process in order to prioritize the counting process. Once the lent pachinko balls are returned, if they cannot be exchanged equivalently for currency, it will result in disadvantages for the player. However, by prioritizing the counting process and executing the counting process without executing the lending process, it is possible to avoid disadvantaging the player.

[0164] Furthermore, when the counting switch 47 is operated during the execution of the lending process, the payout control board 100 accepts the operation of the counting switch 47, continues the ongoing lending process, and executes the counting process when the lending process ends. That is, the payout control board 100 can accept the operation of the counting switch 47 at any time, including during the execution of the lending process or the rotation of the reel 31. By accepting the operation of the counting switch 47, the counting process can be executed at an appropriate timing later. Thereby, by operating the counting switch 47 once, it is possible to ensure that the pachinko balls are always returned, eliminating the need to re-operate the counting switch 47, thus preventing annoyance to the player.

[0165] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show a subroutine of the main control command analysis process in step S110 of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a flowchart following FIG. 9. As described above, the commands transmitted from the main control board 50 to the payout control board 100 are collectively referred to as main control commands. Also, as main control commands, eight types of commands described in the "Content" column in FIG. 4 can be cited. In the main control command analysis process, it is determined which of the eight types of commands has been received, and processing corresponding to the received command is executed.

[0166] Specifically, in the main control command analysis process, step S131 performs a determination process to determine whether the error flag is on (i.e., whether an error has occurred). Then, if it is determined that the error flag is on, the process proceeds to step S132, where the dispensing control board 100 executes the process of sending an error command to the main control board 50. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. If, in contrast, it is determined that the error flag is off, the process proceeds to step S133.

[0167] In step S133, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether the received command is a startup confirmation command. Then, when the received command is determined to be a startup confirmation command, the process proceeds to step S134, and the dispensing control board 100 sends the received startup confirmation command back to the main control board 50 as is (ACK response for startup confirmation command). If, however, the system determines that the received command is not a startup confirmation command, it proceeds to step S135.

[0168] When the process proceeds to step S135, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether the received command is an insertion request command, a return request command, or a dispensing request command, that is, whether it is a calculation request command. Then, when it is determined that the received command is either an input request command, a return request command, or a payout request command, that is, when it is determined to be a calculation request command, the process proceeds to step S138 in Figure 10. On the other hand, if it is determined that the received command is neither a request to insert, a request to return, nor a request to withdraw, that is, if it is determined that it is not a request to perform an operation, the process proceeds to step S136.

[0169] Here, if the received command is a startup confirmation command, the response in step S133 is "Yes" and the process proceeds to step S134. If the received command is a calculation request command (insertion request command, return request command, or payout request command), the response in step S135 is "Yes" and the process proceeds to step S138 in Figure 10. Therefore, the response in step S135 is "No" and the process proceeds to step S136 when one of the eight types of commands shown in the "Contents" column of Figure 4 is received: a setting change start command, a setting change end command, a game start + RT state command, or a game end + game state command, that is, when a game information command is received.

[0170] Then, in step S136, the payout control board 100 executes the process of setting the received game information command (setting change start command, setting change end command, game start + RT status command, or game end + game status command) into the command buffer for transmission to the management device. In the next step S137, it executes the process of sending the received game information command back to the main control board 50 as is (ACK response for game information command). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. Furthermore, when the process of setting the game information command in the command buffer for sending to the management device is executed in step S136, the interrupt processing on the payout control board 100 executed after this process will send the game information command stored in the command buffer for sending to the management device to the management device 200.

[0171] Furthermore, when the process proceeds to step S138 in Figure 10, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether the received command is a dispensing request command or not. Then, when the received command is determined to be a payout request command, the process proceeds to step S139, where the payout control board 100 performs the process of masking the subsequent command (lower 8 bits) of the payout request command with "03H (00000011B)". As mentioned above, the command following the insert request command indicates the number of bets. The maximum number of bets is set to "3," so when inserting 3 coins, the command following the insert request command will be "03H(00000011B)." In other words, the maximum number of bets can be represented by bits D0 to D1 in the command following the insert request command.

[0172] Therefore, in step S139, a process is executed to mask the command following the input request command with "03H(00000011B)". In other words, an AND operation is performed between the command following the input request command and "03H(00000011B)". This allows all bits except D0-D1 in the command following the input request command to be set to "0," and even if "1" is entered as noise in D2-D7 in the command following the input request command, it can be set to "0," thus preventing the incorrect subtraction of more than "3" from the credit count during input.

[0173] Furthermore, after executing the process in step S139, the process proceeds to step S140, where the payout control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether "(number of credits - number of bets) < 0", that is, whether the number of credits is less than the number of bets. Then, when it is determined that the number of credits is less than the number of bets, the process proceeds to step S141, and the payout control board 100 executes the process of sending a "cannot insert" command to the main control board 50 (NAK response to the insert request command). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0174] In response, if the payout control board 100 determines that the number of credits is equal to or greater than the number of bets, it proceeds to step S142 and performs the process of subtracting the number of bets from the number of credits. In the next step S143, it sends an insertion confirmation command to the main control board 50 (sending the received insertion request command back to the main control board 50 as is) (ACK response to the insertion request command). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0175] Furthermore, if in step S138 it is determined that the received command is not a payout request command, the process proceeds to step S144, where the payout control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not the received command is a payout request command. Then, when it determines that the received command is a payout request command, the process proceeds to step S145, where the payout control board 100 performs the process of masking the subsequent command (lower 8 bits) of the payout request command with "0FH (00001111B)". As mentioned above, the command following the payout request command indicates the number of tokens to be dispensed. The maximum number of tokens to be dispensed is set to "15," so when 15 tokens are dispensed, the command following the payout request command will be "0EH(00001110B)." In other words, the maximum number of tokens to be dispensed can be represented by bits D0 to D3 in the command following the payout request command.

[0176] Therefore, in step S145, a process is executed to mask the command following the payout request command with "0FH(00001111B)". In other words, an AND operation is performed between the command following the payout request command and "0FH(00001111B)". This makes it possible to set all bits except D0 to D3 in the command following the payout request command to "0", and even if "1" is introduced as noise into D4 to D7 bits in the command following the payout request command, this can be changed to "0", so that a number exceeding "15" is not mistakenly added to the number of credits when paying out.

[0177] Furthermore, after executing the process in step S145, the process proceeds to step S146, where the payout control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether "(number of credits + number of payouts) > upper limit," that is, whether adding the number of payouts to the number of credits exceeds the upper limit of the number of credits (in this embodiment, "10000"). Then, if it is determined that adding the number of payouts to the number of credits exceeds the upper limit of the number of credits, the process proceeds to step S147, and the payout control board 100 executes the process of sending a payout impossible command to the main control board 50 (NAK response to payout request command). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0178] In response to this, if the payout control board 100 determines that adding the number of payouts to the number of credits does not exceed the upper limit of the number of credits, the payout control board 100 proceeds to step S148 and executes the process of adding the number of payouts to the number of credits. In the next step S149, it executes the process of sending a payout repetition command to the main control board 50 (sending the received payout request command back to the main control board 50 as is) (ACK response to the payout request command). Then the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0179] Furthermore, if in step S144 it is determined that the received command is not a dispensing request command, the process proceeds to step S150, where the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether the received command is a return request command or not. Then, when it is determined that the received command is a return request command, the process proceeds to step S151, and the dispensing control board 100 performs the process of masking the subsequent command (lower 8 bits) of the return request command with "03H (00000011B)". As mentioned above, the command following the return request command indicates the number of tokens to be returned. Also, since the maximum number of bets is "3", the maximum number of tokens to be returned is also "3". When 3 tokens are returned, the command following the return request command becomes "03H (00000011B)". In other words, the maximum number of tokens to be returned, like the maximum number of bets, can be represented by bits D0 to D1 in the command following the return request command.

[0180] Therefore, in step S151, a process is executed to mask the command following the return request command with "03H(00000011B)". In other words, an AND operation is performed between the command following the return request command and "03H(00000011B)". This makes it possible to set all bits except D0 to D1 in the command following the return request command to "0", and even if "1" is introduced as noise into D2 to D7 bits in the command following the return request command, this can be changed to "0", so that a number exceeding "3" is not mistakenly added to the credit count when returning the card.

[0181] Furthermore, after executing the process in step S151, the process proceeds to step S152, where the payout control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether "(number of credits + number of returned credits) > upper limit," that is, whether adding the number of returned credits to the number of credits exceeds the upper limit of the number of credits (in this embodiment, "10000"). Then, if it is determined that adding the number of returned credits to the total number of credits exceeds the upper limit of the total number of credits, the process proceeds to step S153, and the payout control board 100 executes the process of sending a return-rejection command to the main control board 50 (NAK response to the return request command). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0182] In response to this, if the payout control board 100 determines that adding the number of returned credits to the total number of credits does not exceed the upper limit of the total number of credits, the payout control board 100 proceeds to step S154 and executes the process of adding the number of returned credits to the total number of credits. In the next step S155, it sends a return confirmation command to the main control board 50 (sending the received return request command back to the main control board 50 as is) (ACK response to the return request command). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. Once the process described in this flowchart is complete, the process proceeds to step S111 shown in Figure 8.

[0183] Figure 11 shows the subroutine for the loan process in step S119 of Figure 8. Note that "Loan Process 1" in Figure 11 indicates that it represents only a portion of the loan process in step S119 of Figure 8. The remaining portion of this loan process is illustrated in Figure 23 (referred to as "Loan Process 2"), which will be discussed later. If it is determined in step S118 of Figure 8 that a loan request command has been received, the process proceeds to step S119 of Figure 8. This initiates the loan process shown in Figure 11. In the loan process, in step S161, the dispensing control board 100 sends a loan repetition command to the management device 200 (sending the received loan request command back to the management device 200 as is) (ACK response to the loan request command). Then, the process proceeds to the next step, S162.

[0184] In step S162, the dispensing control board 100 repeatedly performs a determination process to determine whether or not the transmission of the loan repetition command has been completed until it determines "Yes". If it determines "Yes" in step S162, it proceeds to step S163. When the process proceeds to step S163, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not it has received a management device command. As described above, a management device command is a general term for commands sent from the management device 200 to the dispensing control board 100. Then, if it is determined in step S163 that a management device command has been received, the process proceeds to step S164, where a determination is made as to whether the received management device command is a loan instruction command.

[0185] In response to this, if step S163 determines that no management device command has been received, the process proceeds to step S168, where the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether a timeout has occurred (a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the loan repetition command was sent). If a timeout is determined in step S168, the process proceeds to step S169, where the dispensing control board 100 sets an error flag. The process according to this flowchart then ends. In response to this, if it is determined in step S168 that a timeout has not occurred, the process in step S163 is executed again.

[0186] Furthermore, if in step S164 the management device determines that the received command is a loan instruction command, the process proceeds to step S165, where the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether the number of items to be loaned (the subsequent command (lower 8 bits) of the loan request command and the subsequent command (lower 8 bits) of the loan instruction command match. If, in step S165, it is determined that there is no match, the process proceeds to the next step S166, in which the dispensing control board 100 stores (saves) the subsequent command (lower 8 bits) of the loan instruction command as the number of items to be dispensed in a predetermined memory area of ​​the RWM103. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S167. In contrast, if it is determined in step S165 that they match, step S166 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S167.

[0187] When the process proceeds to step S167, the payout control board 100 performs the process of adding the number of loaned items to the number of credits. Then, the process according to this flowchart is completed. Furthermore, if in step S164 the management device determines that the received command is not a loan instruction command, the process proceeds to step S169, and the dispensing control board 100 sets an error flag. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. If an error flag is set in step S169, then in step S131 of the main control command analysis process shown in Figure 9, which is executed after this process, it is determined to be "Yes," and the process proceeds to step S132. Then, an error command is sent to the main control board 50.

[0188] Figure 12 shows the subroutine for the counting process in step S117 of Figure 8. Note that "Counting Process 1" in Figure 12 indicates that it represents only a portion of the counting process in step S117 of Figure 8. The remaining portion of this counting process is illustrated in Figure 24 (referred to as "Counting Process 2"), which will be discussed later. If it is determined in step S116 of Figure 8 that the counting request flag is on, the process proceeds to step S117 of Figure 8. This initiates the counting process shown in Figure 12. In the counting process, in step S181, the dispensing control board 100 sends a lower counting request command to the management device 200. The process then proceeds to the next step, S182.

[0189] In step S182, the dispensing control board 100 repeatedly performs a determination process to determine whether or not it has completed sending the lower counting request command until it determines "Yes". If it determines "Yes" in step S182, it proceeds to step S183. When the process proceeds to step S183, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not it has received a management device command. Then, in step S183, if it is determined that a control device command has been received, the process proceeds to step S184, where a determination is made as to whether the received command and the transmitted command match. In other words, a determination is made as to whether the transmitted lower-level counting request command was sent back from the control device 200 as is (i.e., a lower-level counting repetition command was received).

[0190] In response to this, if step S183 determines that no management device command has been received, the process proceeds to step S192, where the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether a timeout has occurred (a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the lower counting request command was sent). If a timeout is determined in step S192, the process proceeds to step S194, where the dispensing control board 100 sets an error flag. The process according to this flowchart then ends. In response to this, if it is determined in step S192 that a timeout has not occurred, the process in step S183 is executed again.

[0191] Furthermore, in step S184, if it is determined that the received command and the transmitted command match (that the transmitted lower-level counting request command was sent back from the management device 200 as is), the process proceeds to step S185, where the dispensing control board 100 executes the process of transmitting the higher-level counting request command to the management device 200. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S186. In response to this, if step S184 determines that the received command and the transmitted command do not match, the process proceeds to step S194, and the dispensing control board 100 sets an error flag. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0192] When the process proceeds to step S186, the dispensing control board 100 repeatedly performs a determination process to determine whether or not it has completed sending the higher-level counting request command until it determines "Yes". If it determines "Yes" in step S186, the process proceeds to step S187. When the process proceeds to step S187, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not it has received a management device command. Then, in step S187, if it is determined that a control device command has been received, the process proceeds to step S188, where a determination is made as to whether the received command and the transmitted command match. In other words, a determination is made as to whether the transmitted higher-level counting request command was sent back from the control device 200 as is (i.e., a higher-level counting repetition command was received).

[0193] In response to this, if step S187 determines that no management device command has been received, the process proceeds to step S193, where the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether a timeout has occurred (a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the transmission of the higher-level counting request command). If a timeout is determined in step S193, the process proceeds to step S194, where the dispensing control board 100 sets an error flag. The process according to this flowchart then ends. In response to this, if it is determined in step S193 that a timeout has not occurred, the process in step S187 is executed again.

[0194] Furthermore, in step S188, if it is determined that the received command and the transmitted command match (that the transmitted higher-level counting request command was sent back from the management device 200 as is), the process proceeds to step S189, where the dispensing control board 100 executes the process of transmitting a counting instruction command to the management device 200. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S190. In response to this, if step S188 determines that the received command and the transmitted command do not match, the process proceeds to step S194, and the dispensing control board 100 sets an error flag. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0195] When the process proceeds to step S190, the dispensing control board 100 repeatedly performs a determination process to determine whether or not the transmission of the counting instruction command has been completed until it determines "Yes". If it determines "Yes" in step S190, the process proceeds to step S191. When the process proceeds to step S191, the payout control board 100 executes a process to clear the credit count (set it to "0"). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. If an error flag is set in step S194, then in step S131 of the main control command analysis process shown in Figure 9, which is executed after this process, it is determined to be "Yes," and the process proceeds to step S132. Then, an error command is sent to the main control board 50.

[0196] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the main routine in the main control board 50. In the main control board 50, when the power is turned on, the power-on process is performed in step S201. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S202. Step S202 involves determining whether the setting key switch 12 is ON or OFF.

[0197] If, in step S202, it is determined that the setting key switch 12 is ON, the process proceeds to step S203 and the setting change process is executed. After the setting change process is completed, the process proceeds to step S211. In response to this, if it is determined in step S202 that the setting key switch 12 is off, the process proceeds to step S204 and the game recovery process is executed. After the game recovery process is completed, the process proceeds to step S211. Step S211 is where the process of deciding whether to bet three cards or one card is performed. If it is determined to bet three cards, the process proceeds to step S205; if it is determined to bet one card, the process proceeds to step S206.

[0198] Step S205 is executed, which is the 3-coin bet process (Figure 16). This process involves betting three credited electronic tokens based on the operation of the 3-bet switch 40b. Details of the 3-coin bet process will be described later. After the 3-coin bet process is completed, the player proceeds to step S212. Step S206 is executed, which is the single-coin bet process (Figure 17). This process involves betting one credited electronic medal based on the operation of the single-bet switch 40a. Details of the single-coin bet process will be described later. After the single-coin bet process is completed, the process proceeds to step S212.

[0199] Step S212 is where a decision process to start or cancel is performed. If it is determined to start, the process proceeds to step S207; if it is determined to cancel, the process proceeds to step S210. Step S207 is executed, and the game start process (Figure 18) is performed. This process starts the game based on the operation of the start switch 41. Details of the game start process will be described later. After the game start process is completed, the next step S208 is performed.

[0200] In step S208, the game termination process (Figure 19) is executed. This process terminates the game based on the fact that the stop switch 42 has been operated and all reels 31 have stopped rotating. Details of the game termination process will be described later. After the game termination process is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S209, where the payout process (Figure 20) is executed. This process pays out electronic tokens based on the winning combinations. After the payout process is completed, the process returns to step S211. Step S210 is performed, which involves executing the return process (Figure 21). This process returns the bet electronic medals to credit based on the operation of the cancel switch 46. Once the return process is complete, the process returns to step S211.

[0201] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the power-on process flow in the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100. In Figure 14, the flowchart on the left shows the power-on process in the main control board 50, and the flowchart on the right shows the power-on process 1 in the dispensing control board 100. Note that "power-on process 1" in Figure 14 indicates that it represents only a part of the power-on process in the dispensing control board 100. The remaining part of this power-on process is illustrated in Figure 22 (referred to as "power-on process 2"), which will be described later. Also, in Figure 14, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 during the power-on process. Figure 14 and Figures 15 to 21, which will be described later, show the command transmission and reception status between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100. Furthermore, Figures 23 to 25, which will be described later, show the command transmission and reception status between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200.

[0202] When the slot machine 10 is powered on, power is supplied from the power supply board 150 to the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100. Then, the program on the main control board 50 starts up, and the program on the payout control board 100 also starts up. At this time, the power-on process is executed on the main control board 50, and the power-on process 1 is executed on the payout control board 100.

[0203] First, we will explain the power-on process in the main control board 50 shown on the left side of Figure 14. The flowchart shown on the left side of Figure 14 shows the subroutine for the power-on process in step S201 of Figure 13. In step S301, the main control board 50 performs an initialization process. Once the initialization process is complete, the process proceeds to the next step S302. In step S302, the main control board 50 executes the process of sending a startup confirmation command to the dispensing control board 100. Then, it proceeds to the next step S303. In step S303, the main control board 50 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for an ACK response to the startup confirmation command from the dispensing control board 100.

[0204] Then, when the transmitted startup confirmation command is sent back from the dispensing control board 100 (an ACK response is received), the process according to this flowchart ends. After the process according to this flowchart ends, the process proceeds to step S202 shown in Figure 13. In response to this, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the startup confirmation command was sent and there is no ACK response to the startup confirmation command (a timeout occurs), or if an error command is sent from the dispensing control board 100 (a NAK response is received), the process proceeds to step S304, and the main control board 50 performs a process to decrement the retransmission counter. The retransmission counter is used to count the number of times the startup confirmation command has been retransmitted, and its initial value is set to "2" when the startup confirmation command is first sent. Note that the initial value of the retransmission counter is not limited to "2"; it could be, for example, "3".

[0205] Furthermore, once the retransmission counter decrementing process is complete, the process proceeds to the next step S305, in which the main control board 50 performs a determination process to determine whether the retransmission counter is "0" or not. If the retransmission counter is determined to be "0", the process proceeds to the next step S306, and the main control board 50 performs error handling. If, in response, it is determined that the retransmission counter is not "0", then step S302 is executed again.

[0206] Next, we will explain the power-on process 1 in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the right side of Figure 14. In step S401, the dispensing control board 100 performs an initialization process. Once the initialization process is complete, the process proceeds to the next step S402. In step S402, the dispensing control board 100 executes command reception processing. This process involves receiving a startup confirmation command transmitted from the main control board 50. Upon receiving the startup confirmation command, the process proceeds to the next step S403, where the dispensing control board 100 sends the received startup confirmation command back to the main control board 50 (ACK response to the startup confirmation command). After sending the received startup confirmation command back to the main control board 50, the process according to this flowchart is completed.

[0207] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the setting change process in the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100. In Figure 15, the flowchart on the left shows the flow of the setting change process in the main control board 50, and the flowchart on the right shows the flow of the setting change process in the dispensing control board 100. Also in Figure 15, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 during the setting change process.

[0208] First, we will explain the setting change process in the main control board 50 shown on the left side of Figure 15. The flowchart shown on the left side of Figure 15 shows the subroutine for the setting change process in step S203 of Figure 13. When the power is turned on, if the setting key switch 12 is ON, the main control board 50 executes a setting change process. In this setting change process, in step S311, a setting change start command is sent to the dispensing control board 100. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S312. In step S312, the main control board 50 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for an ACK response to the setting change start command from the dispensing control board 100. At this point, if the setting change start command that was sent is sent back from the payout control board 100, the main control board 50 determines that the payout control board 100 has responded with an ACK to the setting change start command and proceeds to the setting value change process in step S203. In this process, each time the setting switch 13 is operated, the display of the setting value switches from "1" → "2" → ... → "6" → "1" → ... and when the start switch 41 is operated, the displayed setting value is confirmed. After the setting value change process is completed, the process proceeds to step S313.

[0209] In response to this, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the setting change start command was sent and there is no ACK response to the setting change start command (a timeout occurs), or if an error command is sent from the dispensing control board 100 (a NAK response is received), the process returns to step S311, and the main control board 50 executes the process of sending the setting change start command to the dispensing control board 100 again. Next, in step S313, the main control board 50 executes the process of sending a setting change completion command to the dispensing control board 100. Then, it proceeds to the next step S314.

[0210] In step S314, the main control board 50 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for an ACK response from the dispensing control board 100 for the setting change completion command. If the transmitted setting change completion command is sent back from the dispensing control board 100, the main control board 50 determines that it has received an ACK response from the dispensing control board 100 for the setting change completion command and terminates the process according to this flowchart. After terminating the process according to this flowchart, the process proceeds to step S211 shown in Figure 13. In response to this, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the setting change completion command was sent and there is no ACK response for the setting change completion command (a timeout occurs), or if an error command is sent from the dispensing control board 100 (a NAK response is received), the process returns to step S313, and the main control board 50 executes the process of sending the setting change completion command to the dispensing control board 100 again.

[0211] Next, we will explain the flow of the setting change process in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the right side of Figure 15. In step S411, the dispensing control board 100 executes a command reception process. This process involves receiving a setting change start command transmitted from the main control board 50. Upon receiving the setting change start command, the process proceeds to the next step S412, where the dispensing control board 100 sends the received setting change start command back to the main control board 50 (ACK response for the setting change start command). The process then proceeds to the next step S413.

[0212] When the process proceeds to step S413, the dispensing control board 100 executes a command reception process. This process is for receiving the setting change completion command transmitted from the main control board 50. Upon receiving the setting change completion command, the process proceeds to the next step S414, where the dispensing control board 100 executes a process to send the received setting change completion command back to the main control board 50 (ACK response for the setting change completion command). After sending the received setting change completion command back to the main control board 50, the process according to this flowchart is completed.

[0213] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of 3-bet processing in the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100. In Figure 16, the flowchart on the left shows the flow of 3-bet processing on the main control board 50, and the flowchart on the right shows the flow of 3-bet processing on the payout control board 100. Also in Figure 16, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100 during 3-bet processing.

[0214] Furthermore, Figure 16 shows an example where, during a 3-coin bet process, a 1-coin bet request command ("2001H") is sent three times as a bet request command, requesting that the number of credits be subtracted by the bet amount "1". Furthermore, when processing a 3-coin bet, it is not limited to sending a 1-coin insertion request command three times; instead, a 3-coin insertion request command ("2003H") that requests subtracting the bet amount "3" from the credit count may be sent once.

[0215] First, we will explain the 3-bet processing on the main control board 50 shown on the left side of Figure 16. The flowchart shown on the left side of Figure 16 shows the subroutine for the 3-bet processing in step S205 of Figure 13. In step S321, the main control board 50 performs a determination process to determine whether a specified number of electronic tokens have been bet. If it determines that a specified number of electronic tokens have been bet, the process according to this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if it determines that a specified number of electronic tokens have not been bet, and the operation (on) of the 3-bet switch 40b is detected in the next step S322, the process proceeds to the next step S323. In step S323, the main control board 50 executes the process of sending a single-card insertion request command to the dispensing control board 100 as an insertion request command. Then, it proceeds to the next step S324.

[0216] In step S324, the main control board 50 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for the dispensing control board 100 to send a single-card insertion repetition command (ACK response to the single-card insertion request command). Then, upon receiving the "single-coin insertion" command (the transmitted single-coin insertion request command is sent back from the dispensing control board 100 as is), the main control board 50 determines that the dispensing control board 100 has given an ACK response to the single-coin insertion request command and proceeds to step S325.

[0217] In response to this, if a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the "one-card insertion request" command in step S323 and the "one-card insertion repetition" command has not been received (a timeout occurs), or if an error command is sent from the dispensing control board 100 (a NAK response is received), the process returns to step S323, and the main control board 50 executes the process of sending the "one-card insertion request" command to the dispensing control board 100 again. Subsequently, the main control board 50 performs the same processing as in steps S323 and S324 in steps S325 and S326, and steps S327 and S328. That is, it repeats the same processing as in steps S323 and S324 three times. Then, the processing according to this flowchart is completed. After the processing according to this flowchart is completed, the process proceeds to step S212 shown in Figure 13.

[0218] Next, we will explain the 3-bet processing in the payout control board 100 shown on the right side of Figure 16. In step S421, the dispensing control board 100 executes a command reception process. This process is for receiving a single-coin insertion request command transmitted from the main control board 50. Upon receiving the single-coin insertion request command, the process proceeds to the next step S422, where the dispensing control board 100 executes the process of sending a single-coin insertion repetition command to the main control board 50 (sending the received single-coin insertion request command back to the main control board 50 as is) (ACK response for the single-coin insertion request command). The process then proceeds to the next step S423. Subsequently, the dispensing control board 100 performs the same processing as in steps S421 and S422 in steps S423 and S424, and steps S425 and S426. That is, it repeats the same processing as in steps S421 and S422 three times. Then, the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

[0219] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of single-bet processing in the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100. In Figure 17, the flowchart on the left shows the flow of single-bet processing on the main control board 50, and the flowchart on the right shows the flow of single-bet processing on the payout control board 100. Also in Figure 17, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100 during single-bet processing.

[0220] First, we will explain the single-bet processing on the main control board 50 shown on the left side of Figure 17. The flowchart shown on the left side of Figure 17 shows the subroutine for single-bet processing in step S206 of Figure 13. In step S331, the main control board 50 performs a determination process to determine whether a specified number of electronic tokens have been bet. If it determines that a specified number of electronic tokens have been bet, the process according to this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if it determines that a specified number of electronic tokens have not been bet, and the operation (on) of the 1-bet switch 40a is detected in the next step S332, the process proceeds to the next step S333. In step S333, the main control board 50 executes the process of sending a single-card insertion request command to the dispensing control board 100 as an insertion request command. Then, it proceeds to the next step S334.

[0221] In step S334, the main control board 50 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for the dispensing control board 100 to send a single-card insertion repetition command (ACK response to the single-card insertion request command). Then, upon receiving the "single-coin insertion" command (the transmitted single-coin insertion request command is sent back from the dispensing control board 100), the main control board 50 determines that it has received an ACK response from the dispensing control board 100 for the single-coin insertion request command, and terminates the processing according to this flowchart. After terminating the processing according to this flowchart, the process proceeds to step S212 shown in Figure 13.

[0222] In response to this, if a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the "one-card insertion request" command in step S333 and the "one-card insertion repetition" command has not been received (a timeout occurs), or if an error command is sent from the dispensing control board 100 (a NAK response is received), the process returns to step S333, and the main control board 50 executes the process of sending the "one-card insertion request" command to the dispensing control board 100 again.

[0223] Next, we will explain the single-bet processing in the payout control board 100 shown on the right side of Figure 17. In step S431, the dispensing control board 100 executes a command reception process. This process is for receiving a single-card insertion request command transmitted from the main control board 50. Upon receiving the single-card insertion request command, the process proceeds to the next step S432, where the dispensing control board 100 executes the process of sending a single-card insertion repetition command to the main control board 50 (sending the received single-card insertion request command back to the main control board 50 as is) (ACK response for the single-card insertion request command). The process according to this flowchart then ends.

[0224] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the game start process in the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100. In Figure 18, the flowchart on the left shows the flow of the game start process in the main control board 50, and the flowchart on the right shows the flow of the game start process in the payout control board 100. Also in Figure 18, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100 during the game start process.

[0225] First, let's explain the game start process in the main control board 50 shown on the left side of Figure 18. The flowchart shown on the left side of Figure 18 shows the subroutine for the game start process in step S207 of Figure 13. In step S351, the main control board 50 performs a determination process to determine whether a specified number of electronic tokens have been bet. If it determines that a specified number of electronic tokens have not been bet, the process according to this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if it determines that a specified number of electronic tokens have been bet, and the operation (on) of the start switch 41 is detected in the next step S352, the process proceeds to the next step S353. In step S353, the main control board 50 executes the process of sending a game start + RT state command to the payout control board 100. Then, it proceeds to the next step S354. In step S354, the main control board 50 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for the payout control board 100 to send back a game start + RT state command (ACK response).

[0226] Then, when the transmitted game start + RT state command is sent back from the payout control board 100, the main control board 50 determines that an ACK response has been received from the payout control board 100 and terminates the processing according to this flowchart. After terminating the processing according to this flowchart, the process proceeds to step S208 shown in Figure 13. In response to this, if no ACK response is received (timeout) after a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the game start + RT state command in step S353, or if an error command is sent from the payout control board 100 (a NAK response is received), the process returns to step S353, and the main control board 50 executes the process of sending the game start + RT state command to the payout control board 100 again.

[0227] Next, we will explain the game start process in the payout control board 100 shown on the right side of Figure 18. In step S451, the payout control board 100 executes a command reception process. This process involves receiving the game start + RT state command transmitted from the main control board 50. Upon receiving the game start + RT state command, the process proceeds to the next step S452, where the payout control board 100 sends the received game start + RT state command back to the main control board 50 (ACK response). This completes the process according to this flowchart.

[0228] Figure 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of game termination processing in the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100. In Figure 19, the flowchart on the left shows the flow of the game termination process in the main control board 50, and the flowchart on the right shows the flow of the game termination process in the payout control board 100. Also in Figure 19, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the main control board 50 and the payout control board 100 during the game termination process.

[0229] First, we will explain the game termination process in the main control board 50 shown on the left side of Figure 19. The flowchart shown on the left side of Figure 19 shows the subroutine for the game termination process in step S208 of Figure 13. In step S361, the main control board 50 performs a determination process to determine whether the third stop switch 42 (the stop switch 42 corresponding to the last reel to stop 31) has changed from on to off. If it determines that the third stop switch 42 is not off, the process according to this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, if it determines that the third stop switch 42 has turned off, the process proceeds to step S362. When the process proceeds to step S362, the main control board 50 executes the process of sending a game end + game status command to the payout control board 100. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S363. In step S363, the main control board 50 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for the payout control board 100 to send back a game end + game status command (ACK response).

[0230] Then, when the transmitted game end + game status command is sent back from the payout control board 100, the main control board 50 determines that an ACK response has been received from the payout control board 100 and terminates the processing according to this flowchart. After terminating the processing according to this flowchart, the process proceeds to step S209 shown in Figure 13. In response to this, if no ACK response is received (timeout) after a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the game end + game status command in step S362, or if an error command is sent from the payout control board 100 (a NAK response is received), the process returns to step S362, and the main control board 50 executes the process of sending the game end + game status command to the payout control board 100 again.

[0231] Next, we will explain the game termination process in the payout control board 100 shown on the right side of Figure 19. In step S461, the payout control board 100 executes a command reception process. This process receives the game end + game status command transmitted from the main control board 50. Upon receiving the game end + game status command, the process proceeds to the next step S462, where the payout control board 100 sends the received game end + game status command back to the main control board 50 (ACK response). This completes the process according to this flowchart.

[0232] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the dispensing process in the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100. In Figure 20, the flowchart on the left shows the flow of the dispensing process in the main control board 50, and the flowchart on the right shows the flow of the dispensing process in the dispensing control board 100. Also in Figure 20, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 during the dispensing process.

[0233] First, we will explain the dispensing process in the main control board 50 shown on the left side of Figure 20. The flowchart shown on the left side of Figure 20 shows the subroutine for the dispensing process in step S209 of Figure 13. In step S371, the main control board 50 executes the process of sending a payout request command to the payout control board 100. Then, it proceeds to the next step S372. In step S372, the main control board 50 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for a payout repetition command to be sent from the payout control board 100 (ACK response to the payout request command).

[0234] Then, upon receiving a payout repetition command (the transmitted payout request command is sent back from the payout control board 100 as is), the main control board 50 determines that an ACK response to the payout request command has been received from the payout control board 100, and terminates the processing according to this flowchart. After terminating the processing according to this flowchart, the process returns to step S211 shown in Figure 13. In response to this, if a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the payout request command in step S371 and the payout repetition command has not been received (timeout occurs), or if an error command is sent from the payout control board 100 (NAK response is received), the process returns to step S371, and the main control board 50 executes the process of sending the payout request command to the payout control board 100 again.

[0235] Next, we will explain the dispensing process in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the right side of Figure 20. In step S471, the dispensing control board 100 executes a command reception process. This process involves receiving a dispensing request command transmitted from the main control board 50. Upon receiving the dispensing request command, the process proceeds to the next step S472, where the dispensing control board 100 sends a dispensing repetition command to the main control board 50 (sending the received dispensing request command back to the main control board 50 as is) (ACK response to the dispensing request command). The process according to this flowchart then ends.

[0236] Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the return process in the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100. In Figure 21, the flowchart on the left shows the return processing flow in the main control board 50, and the flowchart on the right shows the return processing flow in the dispensing control board 100. Also in Figure 21, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 during the return processing.

[0237] First, let's explain the return process in the main control board 50 shown on the left side of Figure 21. The flowchart shown on the left side of Figure 20 shows the subroutine for the return process in step S210 of Figure 13. In step S341, the main control board 50 performs a determination process to determine whether or not there are any bet electronic tokens. If it determines that there are no bet electronic tokens, the process according to this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if it determines that there are bet electronic tokens, and the operation (on) of the cancel switch 46 is detected in the next step S342, the process proceeds to the next step S343. In step S343, the main control board 50 executes the process of sending a return request command to the dispensing control board 100. Then, it proceeds to the next step S344. In step S344, the main control board 50 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for a return confirmation command to be sent from the dispensing control board 100 (ACK response to the return request command).

[0238] Then, upon receiving a return confirmation command (the sent return request command is sent back from the dispensing control board 100 as is), the main control board 50 determines that it has received an ACK response to the return request command from the dispensing control board 100 and terminates the process according to this flowchart. After terminating the process according to this flowchart, the process returns to step S211 shown in Figure 13. In response to this, if a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the return request command in step S343 and the return repetition command has not been received (timeout), or if an error command is sent from the dispensing control board 100 (NAK response), the process returns to step S343, and the main control board 50 executes the process of sending the return request command to the dispensing control board 100 again.

[0239] Next, we will explain the return process in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the right side of Figure 21. In step S441, the dispensing control board 100 executes a command reception process. This process involves receiving a return request command transmitted from the main control board 50. Upon receiving the return request command, the process proceeds to the next step S442, where the dispensing control board 100 sends a return repetition command to the main control board 50 (sending the received return request command back to the main control board 50 as is) (ACK response to the return request command). The process according to this flowchart then ends.

[0240] Figure 22 is a flowchart showing the power-on process flow in the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200. In Figure 22, the flowchart on the left shows the flow of the power-on process 2 in the dispensing control board 100, and the flowchart on the right shows the flow of the power-on process in the management device 200. Also in Figure 22, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200 during the power-on process. When the power to the slot machine 10 and the management device 200 is turned on, the program on the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10 starts up, and the program on the management device 200 also starts up. At this time, a power-on process is executed on the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10, and a power-on process is executed on the management device 200.

[0241] Here, power-on process 1 in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the right in Figure 14, and power-on process 2 in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the left in Figure 22, are both processes executed in the dispensing control board 100 when the power is turned on, and some of the processes overlap. Furthermore, processes with the same content are assigned the same step number. However, in the power-on process 1 of the dispensing control board 100 shown on the right side of Figure 14, only the processes necessary to explain the transmission and reception of commands between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100 are extracted and illustrated, while the illustration of other processes is omitted. In contrast, in the power-on process 2 of the dispensing control board 100 shown on the left side of Figure 22, only the processes necessary to explain the transmission and reception of commands between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200 are extracted and illustrated, while the illustration of other processes is omitted.

[0242] First, we will explain the power-on process 2 in the payout control board 100 shown on the left side of Figure 22. In step S401, the dispensing control board 100 performs an initialization process. Once the initialization process is complete, the process proceeds to the next step S502. Note that step S401 in Figure 22 and step S401 in Figure 14 are the same process. When the process proceeds to step S502, the dispensing control board 100 executes the process of sequentially transmitting the first to fourth bytes of the CPU-specific ID to the dispensing control board 100. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S503. In step S503, the main control board 50 performs a determination process to determine whether or not the transmission of the 4th byte of the CPU-specific ID has been completed. If it determines that the transmission of the 4th byte of the CPU-specific ID has been completed, the process according to this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, if it determines that the transmission of the 4th byte of the CPU-specific ID has not been completed, the process returns to step S502, and the dispensing control board 100 performs a process to sequentially transmit the 1st to 4th bytes of the CPU-specific ID to the dispensing control board 100 again.

[0243] Next, we will explain the power-on process in the control device 200 shown on the right side of Figure 22. In step S601, the management device 200 performs an initialization process. Once the initialization process is complete, the process proceeds to the next step, S602. In step S602, the management device 200 executes a command reception process. This process involves receiving the first to fourth bytes of the CPU-specific ID transmitted from the dispensing control board 100. Upon receiving the first to fourth bytes of the CPU-specific ID, the process proceeds to the next step S603, where the management device 200 performs a determination process to determine whether the received command is a CPU-specific ID.

[0244] Here, if in step S603 the system determines that the received command is a CPU-specific ID, it proceeds to the next step S604, where the management device 200 stores (saves) the first to fourth bytes of the received CPU-specific ID in a predetermined memory area. Then, it proceeds to the next step S605. In response to this, if it is determined in step S603 that the received command is not a CPU-specific ID, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

[0245] When the process proceeds to step S605, the management device 200 performs a determination process to determine whether or not it has completed receiving the fourth byte of the CPU-specific ID. Then, in step S605, if it is determined that the reception of the 4th byte of the CPU-specific ID has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step S606, in which the management device 200 executes the process of sending the 1st to 4th bytes of the CPU-specific ID to the hall computer 300. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. In contrast, if it is determined in step S605 that the reception of the 4th byte of the CPU-specific ID has not been completed, step S606 is skipped and the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

[0246] Figure 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of the lending process in the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200. In Figure 23, the flowchart on the left shows the flow of loan processing 2 in the dispensing control board 100, and the flowchart on the right shows the flow of loan processing in the management device 200. Also in Figure 23, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200 during the loan processing.

[0247] Here, both the loan process 1 in the dispensing control board 100 shown in Figure 11 and the loan process 2 in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the left side of Figure 23 represent subroutines of the loan process in step S119 of Figure 8, and some of the processing overlaps. Furthermore, the same step number is assigned to processes with the same content. However, in the loan process 1 of the dispensing control board 100 shown in Figure 11, the processing during the loan process is illustrated in detail. In contrast, in the loan process 2 of the dispensing control board 100 shown on the left side of Figure 23, only the processes necessary to explain the sending and receiving of commands between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200 are extracted and illustrated, while the illustration of other processes is omitted.

[0248] First, we will explain the lending process in the management device 200 shown on the right side of Figure 23. In step S611, when the operation (on) of the lending switch 202 is detected, the process proceeds to the next step S612, in which the management device 200 performs the process of turning off the lending LED, disabling the operation of the lending switch 202 (making it unacceptable), and disabling the operation of the return switch 203 (making it unacceptable). Then, the process proceeds to the next step S613. The "Available for Loan" LED indicates whether or not electronic medals can be borrowed. When lit, it indicates that electronic medals can be borrowed, and when unlit, it indicates that electronic medals cannot be borrowed.

[0249] In step S613, the management device 200 sends a loan request command to the dispensing control board 100. Then, the process proceeds to the next step, S614. In step S614, the management device 200 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for a loan repetition command to be sent from the dispensing control board 100 (ACK response to the loan request command).

[0250] Then, upon receiving a loan repetition command (the loan request command that was sent is sent back from the dispensing control board 100 as is), the management device 200 determines that the dispensing control board 100 has given an ACK response to the loan request command and proceeds to the next step S615. Furthermore, if an error command is sent from the dispensing control board 100 (a NAK response is received), the process proceeds to step S617. Furthermore, if a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the loan request command in step S613 and the loan repetition command has not been received (a timeout occurs), the process proceeds to step S618, and the management device 200 performs error processing.

[0251] In step S615, the management device 200 sends a loan instruction command to the dispensing control board 100. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 616. In step S616, the management device 200 performs a process to subtract the number of loaned items. Then, it proceeds to the next step S617. When the process proceeds to step S617, the management device 200 performs the following actions: turning on the available LED, enabling (making available for loan) the operation of the loan switch 202, and enabling (making available for loan) the operation of the return switch 203. Then, the process according to this flowchart is completed.

[0252] Next, we will explain the loan process 2 in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the left side of Figure 23. In step S511, the dispensing control board 100 performs command reception processing. This processing involves receiving a loan request command transmitted from the management device 200. Upon receiving the loan request command, the process proceeds to step S118.

[0253] When the process proceeds to step S118, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether the received command is a loan request command. Note that step S118 in Figure 23 and step S118 in Figure 8 are the same process. If the system determines that the received command is a loan request command, it proceeds to step S513, where the dispensing control board 100 stores (saves) the received loan request command in a predetermined memory area of ​​the RWM 103. Then, it proceeds to the next step, S514. If the system determines that the received command is not a loan request command, the process described in this flowchart is terminated.

[0254] When the process proceeds to step S514, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not it can accept a loan request, specifically whether or not the number of credits exceeds the upper limit by adding the number of loans (the number indicated by the command following the loan request command) to the number of credits. Here, in step S514, if it is determined that the loan request can be accepted, that is, if it is determined that the number of loans added to the number of credits is less than or equal to the upper limit of the number of credits, the process proceeds to step S161, and the dispensing control board 100 sends a loan repetition command to the management device 200 (sending the received loan request command back to the management device 200 as is) (ACK response to the loan request command). Then, the process proceeds to step S164.

[0255] In response to this, if in step S514 it is determined that the loan request cannot be accepted, that is, if it is determined that adding the number of loaned items to the number of credits will exceed the upper limit of the number of credits, the process proceeds to step S515, and the dispensing control board 100 sends an error command to the management device 200 (NAK response). Then, the process proceeds to step S169, and the dispensing control board 100 executes the process of setting an error flag. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0256] When the process proceeds to step S164, the dispensing control board 100 performs a determination process to determine whether or not it has received a loan instruction command. Here, if it is determined in step S164 that a loan instruction command has been received, the process proceeds to step S167, where the payout control board 100 adds the number of loaned items to the number of credits. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0257] In response to this, if it is determined in step S164 that a loan instruction command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S169, where the dispensing control board 100 executes a process to set an error flag. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. Note that steps S161, S164, S167, and S169 in Figure 23 and steps S161, S164, S167, and S169 in Figure 11 represent the same process.

[0258] Figures 24 and 25 are flowcharts showing the counting process in the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200. Figure 25 is a flowchart following Figure 24. In Figures 24 and 25, the flowchart on the left shows the counting process in the dispensing control board 100, and the flowchart on the right shows the counting process in the management device 200. In Figures 24 and 25, the arrow between the left and right flowcharts indicates the transmission direction of commands sent and received between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200 during the counting process.

[0259] Here, counting process 1 in the dispensing control board 100 shown in Figure 12, and counting process 2 in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the left side in Figures 24 and 25, both represent subroutines of the counting process in step S117 of Figure 8, and some of the processes overlap. Furthermore, processes with the same content are assigned the same step number. However, in the counting process 1 of the dispensing control board 100 shown in Figure 12, the processing during the counting process is illustrated in detail. In contrast, in the counting process 2 of the dispensing control board 100 shown on the left side of Figures 24 and 25, only the processes necessary to explain the transmission and reception of commands between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200 are extracted and illustrated, while the illustration of other processes is omitted.

[0260] First, we will explain the counting process in the dispensing control board 100 shown on the left side of Figures 24 and 25. In step S181, the dispensing control board 100 sends a lower counting request command to the management device 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S533. In step S533, the dispensing control board 100 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for a lower count repetition command to be sent from the management device 200 (ACK response to the lower count request command).

[0261] Then, upon receiving a lower-count repetition command (the transmitted lower-count request command is sent back from the management device 200 as is), the dispensing control board 100 determines that it has received an ACK response from the management device 200 for the lower-count request command and proceeds to step S185. Furthermore, if an error command is sent from the management device 200 (a NAK response is received), the process according to this flowchart will terminate. Furthermore, if a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the lower count request command in step S181 and the lower count repetition command has not been received (a timeout occurs), the process proceeds to step S194, where the dispensing control board 100 executes a process to set an error flag. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0262] When the process proceeds to step S185, the dispensing control board 100 sends a higher-level counting request command to the management device 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S535 in Figure 25. In step S535, the dispensing control board 100 performs a response waiting process. This process waits for a higher-level counting repetition command to be sent from the management device 200 (ACK response to the higher-level counting request command).

[0263] Then, upon receiving a higher-level counting repetition command (the higher-level counting request command that was sent is sent back from the management device 200 as is), the dispensing control board 100 determines that an ACK response has been received from the management device 200 for the higher-level counting request command, and proceeds to step S189. In response, if an error command is sent from the management device 200 (a NAK response is received), or if a predetermined time has elapsed since sending the higher-level counting request command in step S185 of Figure 24 and the higher-level counting repetition command is not received (a timeout occurs), the process proceeds to step S194, where the dispensing control board 100 executes the process of setting an error flag. Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. Note that the error handling in step S538 in Figure 24 and the error handling in step S538 in Figure 25 are the same process.

[0264] When the process proceeds to step S189, the dispensing control board 100 sends a counting instruction command to the management device 200, and the process proceeds to step S191. Step S191 executes the process of clearing the credit count (setting it to "0"). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends. Note that steps S181, S185, S189, S191, and S194 in Figures 24 and 25, and steps S181, S185, S189, S191, and S194 in Figure 12, represent the same processing.

[0265] Next, we will explain the counting process in the control device 200 shown on the right side of Figures 24 and 25. In step S631, the management device 200 performs command reception processing. This process involves receiving a lower-level counting request command transmitted from the dispensing control board 100. Upon receiving the lower-level counting request command, the device proceeds to the next step S632.

[0266] When the process proceeds to step S632, the management device 200 performs a determination process to determine whether the received command is a lower-level counting request command. If, in step S632, the system determines that the received command is a lower-level counting request command, it proceeds to the next step S633, where the management device 200 stores (saves) the received lower-level counting request command in a predetermined memory area. Then, it proceeds to the next step S634. In contrast, if it is determined in step S632 that the received command is not a lower-level counting request command, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

[0267] When the process proceeds to step S634, the management device 200 performs a determination process to determine whether or not it can accept a counting (refund) request. Here, if it is determined in step S634 that a counting (refund) request can be accepted, the process proceeds to step S636, where the management device 200 performs the process of turning off the available LED, disabling (not accepting) the operation of the loan switch 202, and disabling (not accepting) the operation of the return switch 203. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S637. In response to this, if step S634 determines that the counting (refund) request cannot be accepted, the process proceeds to step S635, and the management device 200 sends an error command to the dispensing control board 100 (NAK response). Then, the process according to this flowchart ends.

[0268] When the process proceeds to step S637, the management device 200 sends a lower count repetition command to the dispensing control board 100 (sending the received lower count request command back to the dispensing control board 100 as is) (ACK response to the lower count request command). Then, the process proceeds to the next step S638. In step S638, the management device 200 performs command reception processing. This process involves receiving a higher-level counting request command transmitted from the dispensing control board 100. Upon receiving the higher-level counting request command, the process proceeds to step S639 in Figure 25.

[0269] When the process proceeds to step S639, the management device 200 performs a determination process to determine whether the received command is a higher-level counting request command. Here, if in step S639 it is determined that the received command is a higher-level counting request command, the process proceeds to step S641, where the management device 200 stores (saves) the received higher-level counting request command in a predetermined memory area. Then, the process proceeds to step S642. In response to this, if in step S639 the system determines that the received command is not a higher-level counting request command, the system proceeds to step S640, where the management device 200 sends an error command to the dispensing control board 100 (NAK response). Then, in step S647, the system proceeds to step S647, where the management device 200 performs error processing.

[0270] When the process proceeds to step S642, the management device 200 sends a higher-level counting repetition command to the dispensing control board 100 (it sends the received higher-level counting request command back to the dispensing control board 100 as is) (ACK response). Then, the process proceeds to the next step S643. In step S643, the control device 200 performs command reception processing. This process involves receiving a counting instruction command transmitted from the dispensing control board 100. Upon receiving the counting instruction command, the device proceeds to the next step S644.

[0271] When the process proceeds to step S644, the control device 200 performs a determination process to determine whether the received command is a counting instruction command. If the received command is determined to be a counting instruction command, the process proceeds to the next step S645, in which the management device 200 performs a process to reflect the number of payouts identified from the lower-level counting request command and the higher-level counting request command into the number of electronic medals managed by the management device 200. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S646. If the system determines that the received command is not a counting instruction command, it proceeds to step S647, and the control device 200 performs error processing.

[0272] When the process proceeds to step S646, the management device 200 performs the following actions: turning on the available LED, enabling (making available for loan) the operation of the loan switch 202, and enabling (making available for loan) the operation of the return switch 203. Then, the process according to this flowchart is completed.

[0273] Figure 26 shows the waveforms of the data signal and strobe signal in serial communication between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200. Figures 23 to 25 show the commands transmitted and received between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200, including loan request commands, lower count request commands, and upper count request commands. As described above, these commands consist of a preceding command (upper 8 bits) and a succeeding command (lower 8 bits).

[0274] Figure 26 shows the waveforms of the data signal and strobe signal for each of these commands, with the preceding and succeeding commands constituting them as a single unit. As shown in Figure 26, data signals are transmitted one bit at a time between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200, from bit D0 (DB0) to bit D7 (DB7), and these are read one bit at a time when the strobe signal is ON.

[0275] Figure 27 is a timing chart showing the on / off states of each signal during electronic medal lending. Figure 23 shows the commands transmitted and received between the payout control board 100 and the management device 200 when electronic medals are dispensed, while Figure 27 shows the on / off timing of each signal of the payout control board 100 and the management device 200 when electronic medals are dispensed.

[0276] As shown in Figure 27, once the power to the slot machine 10 and the control device 200 is turned on, the return switch 203 of the control device 200 becomes available for operation. Subsequently, the data signals of the payout control board 100 and the management device 200 of the slot machine 10 become "0", and the strobe signals of the payout control board 100 and the management device 200 of the slot machine 10 are turned off. Subsequently, the dispensing switch 202 of the management device 200 becomes operational, and its operating state changes from standby to normal. The normal state means that the management device 200 can dispense electronic tokens and that gameplay on the slot machine 10 can proceed.

[0277] Then, when the operation (on) of the loan switch 202 of the management device 200 is detected, first, the operation of the loan switch 202 and the return switch 203 of the management device 200 becomes unacceptable, and then the preceding and succeeding commands of the loan request command are sequentially sent from the management device 200 to the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10. Subsequently, the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10 sequentially transmits the preceding and succeeding commands of the loan repetition command to the management device 200. Subsequently, the management device 200 sequentially transmits the preceding and succeeding commands of the loan instruction command to the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10. Once the loan instruction command has been sent, the loan switch 202 and return switch 203 on the management device 200 become available for operation.

[0278] Figure 28 is a timing chart showing the on / off states of each signal during electronic medal counting (payout). Figures 24 and 25 show the commands transmitted and received between the payout control board 100 and the management device 200 during electronic medal counting, while Figure 28 shows the on / off timing of each signal of the payout control board 100 and the management device 200 during electronic medal counting.

[0279] As shown in Figure 28, once the power to the slot machine 10 and the control device 200 is turned on, the return switch 203 of the control device 200 becomes available for operation. Subsequently, the data signals of the payout control board 100 and the management device 200 of the slot machine 10 become "0", and the strobe signals of the payout control board 100 and the management device 200 of the slot machine 10 are turned off. Subsequently, the lending switch 202 of the management device 200 becomes operational, and the operating state changes from standby to normal. Up to this point, it is the same as in Figure 27.

[0280] Then, when the operation (on) of the counting switch 47 of the slot machine 10 is detected, first, the operation of the lending switch 202 and return switch 203 of the management device 200 becomes unacceptable, and then the preceding and succeeding commands of the lower counting request command are sequentially transmitted from the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10 to the management device 200. Subsequently, the management device 200 sequentially transmits the preceding and succeeding commands of the lower count repetition command to the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10.

[0281] Subsequently, the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10 sequentially transmits the preceding and succeeding commands of the higher-level counting request command to the management device 200. Subsequently, the management device 200 sequentially transmits the preceding and succeeding commands of the higher-level count repetition command to the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10. Subsequently, the payout control board 100 of the slot machine 10 sequentially transmits the preceding and succeeding commands of the counting instruction command to the management device 200. Once the counting instruction command has been sent, the lending switch 202 and return switch 203 of the management device 200 become available for operation.

[0282] Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications are possible, for example, as follows. (1) In this embodiment, the various commands shown in Figures 4 to 7 are assumed to consist of 16 bits of data, which are the preceding command (upper 8 bits) and the succeeding command (lower 8 bits). However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and may be 8 bits or 32 bits, for example.

[0283] (2) In this embodiment, commands are sent and received via serial communication between the main control board 50 and the dispensing control board 100, and between the dispensing control board 100 and the management device 200. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and parallel communication may be used, or serial communication and parallel communication may be used in combination. (3) In this embodiment, the main control board 50 is shown to send a single-bill insertion request command to the payout control board 100 three times when the 3-bet switch 40b is turned on. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and a three-bill insertion request command may be sent once.

[0284] (4) In this embodiment, the main control board 50 sent a payout request command to the payout control board 100 when the third stop switch 42 changed from on to off. However, it is not limited to this, and the payout request command may also be sent when all reels 31 are stopped. (5) In this embodiment, even when no winning combination is achieved, the main control board 50 sends a payout request command to the payout control board 100 with a payout quantity of "0" when the third stop switch 42 changes from on to off. However, the invention is not limited to this, and it is not necessary to send a payout request command when no winning combination is achieved.

[0285] (6) In this embodiment, a slot machine 10 was given as an example of a gaming machine, but the slot machine 10 is not limited to a "slot machine" (so-called "pachislo gaming machine") installed in a Type 4 business establishment subject to the Entertainment Business Act, and can also be applied to casino machines, for example. Furthermore, the present invention may also be applied to pachinko gaming machines. (7) All embodiments and various modifications described herein may be implemented not only individually but also in combination as appropriate.

[0286] <Second Embodiment> The gaming machine 10 of the second embodiment is a medalless gaming machine that does not use physical tokens, similar to the first embodiment. Here, the term "medalless" in the designation "medalless gaming machine" means that it does not use physical tokens. Therefore, even in "medalless gaming machines," the use of gaming media (gaming value) for gameplay is the same as in conventional gaming machines, and the gaming media used for gameplay in medalless gaming machines is sometimes simply referred to as "medals." Therefore, the term "medal" can refer not only to physical medals but also to intangible medals (for example, electronic data). Furthermore, medals as intangible objects may be referred to as game media, game value, score (or simply "points"), electronic medals, electronic data, electronic information, electronic game media, electronic game value, etc. In the following description of the second embodiment, the "medals" used as intangible objects in the game machine 10 (medalless game machine) will be referred to as "game media".

[0287] "Lending" refers to the transmission of the gaming media necessary for playing the game from the lending unit 200 to the gaming machine 10. "Credit" refers to storing (crediting) game media in the gaming machine 10. "Credited game media" corresponds to the data stored in the RWM103 of the game media count control board 100. "Bet" refers to placing a bet using game tokens to play the game. When the bet switch 40 (1-bet switch 40a or 3-bet switch 40b) is operated, a predetermined number of game tokens corresponding to the data stored in the RWM 103 of the game token count control board 100 are bet. "Bet" is also referred to as "inserting." Note that "inserting" refers not only to placing physical tokens into the game machine through the token slot, but also to betting game tokens (electronic tokens) by operating the bet switch 40.

[0288] "Settlement" refers to returning the bet game tokens to the RWM103 of the game token count control board 100 (as credits), and is performed by operating the settlement switch 46. "Settlement" may also be referred to as "return" or "cancel." Therefore, the "settlement switch 46" may also be referred to as the "return switch 46" or the "cancel switch 46." When the bet switch 40 is operated while the gaming media are stored as data (credits) in the RWM 103 of the gaming media count control board 100, a predetermined number of gaming media are bet (added to the bet count), and the data (credit count) in the RWM 103 of the gaming media count control board 100 is deducted by the number of bets. On the other hand, when the settlement switch 46 is operated while gaming media are bet, the previous bet count (number of gaming media) becomes "0", and the previous bet count is added back to the RWM 103 of the gaming media count control board 100 (returned to credits).

[0289] "Granting" means adding a number of game media corresponding to the payout for the winning combination to the number of credits stored in the game machine 10, based on the winning combination. "Granting" is also referred to as "dispensing." It should be noted that "dispensing" does not only refer to the actual ejection of tokens from the token return slot, but also includes the process of adding the number of game tokens corresponding to the winning combination to the number of game tokens stored in the RWM103 of the game token count control board 100 when a winning combination is achieved. In the second embodiment, the "dispensing means 67" in the first embodiment is referred to as the "amount control means 67". "Counting" refers to returning the gaming media stored (credited) in the gaming machine 10 (RWM103 of the gaming media count control board 100) to the dispensing unit 200, and is performed by operating the counting switch 47. When the counting switch 47 is operated, a predetermined number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine 10 is subtracted, and the subtracted amount of gaming media is added to the dispensing unit 300.

[0290] "Returning" game media from the dispensing unit 200 means storing the number of game media stored in the dispensing unit 200 onto a game media count storage medium (magnetic card, IC card, IC coin, etc.) and discharging it externally (to the player). A reader / writer is used to store the number of game media stored in the dispensing unit 200 onto the game media count storage medium (the dispensing unit 200 has a built-in reader / writer). As mentioned above, although it has been explained that "settlement" may sometimes be referred to as "return," in the second embodiment, "return" refers to storing the number of game media stored in the lending unit 200 in the game media number storage medium and discharging it to the outside (player).

[0291] The LEDs used in the second embodiment, such as the set value display means 73 and the ratio monitor 113, consist of 7 segments for each digit. A "7-segment" in this context refers to a system that includes 7 segment elements in addition to a DP (decimal point) segment.

[0292] "Notification" refers to sending (outputting) a message from the gaming machine 10 to the dispensing unit 200, or from the dispensing unit 200 to the gaming machine 10, and is synonymous with "transmission" and "output". In the following, for example, the notification of gaming machine information may be referred to as "sending," or for example, the gaming machine information may be referred to as "notifying."

[0293] At least a portion of the storage area of ​​RWM or ROM is sometimes referred to as "storage area" and sometimes as "storage means," and both terms are synonymous. Furthermore, control boards (such as main and sub-control boards) are sometimes referred to as "control means." Additionally, the CPU is sometimes referred to as "control means."

[0294] Figure 29 is a block diagram of the gaming machine 10 (slot machine) in the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, it was referred to as "slot machine 10," but in the second embodiment, it is referred to as "gaming machine 10." Furthermore, while it was referred to as "main control board 50" in the first embodiment, it will be referred to as "principal control board 50" in the second embodiment. Similarly, while it was referred to as "sub-control board 80" in the first embodiment, it will be referred to as "secondary control board 80" in the second embodiment. However, the principal control board may also be referred to as the main control board, and the secondary control board may also be referred to as the secondary control board (both having the same meaning). Furthermore, while the first embodiment referred to it as the "payout control board 100," the second embodiment refers to it as the "game medium quantity control board 100." However, the game medium quantity control board may also be referred to as the payout control board, as the two terms have the same meaning.

[0295] Furthermore, while it was referred to as the "credit count display LED 76" in the first embodiment, it is referred to as the "game medium count display unit 121" in the second embodiment. Both have the same function and are composed of, for example, five-digit LEDs. Furthermore, while it was referred to as the "acquisition count display LED 78" in the first embodiment, it is referred to as the "award count display unit 78" in the second embodiment. Both have the same function and are composed of, for example, two-digit LEDs.

[0296] When the main control board 50 is considered as one of the main control boards, the game medium count control board 100 is the other main control board. For this reason, the RWM 53, ROM 54, and CPU 55 of the main control board 50 are sometimes referred to as the first main control RWM 53, the first main control ROM 54, and the first main control CPU 55, respectively. Furthermore, the RWM103, ROM104, and CPU105 of the game media control board 100 are sometimes referred to as the second main control RWM103, second main control ROM14, and second main control CPU105, respectively.

[0297] Furthermore, while the first embodiment referred to it as the "management device (CR unit) 200," the second embodiment refers to it as the "lending unit 200." Both have the same function. The lending unit 200 may also be referred to as the "dedicated unit 200." One dispensing unit 200 is provided for each gaming machine 10. In other words, one dispensing unit 200 is a device dedicated to one gaming machine 10. In contrast, the hall computer 300, which is electrically connected to the lending unit 200, may be provided for each lending unit 200, or one hall computer 300 may be provided for multiple lending units 200. Similarly, the management computer 400, which is electrically connected to the lending unit 200, may be provided for each lending unit 200 (there may be a one-to-one connection between the lending unit 200 and the management computer 400), or there may be one management computer 400 for each of the multiple lending units 200.

[0298] The Hall Computer 300 is a computer used to collect data for hall operations. For example, it compiles data such as the number of games played, the number of coins inserted, the number of coins dispensed, the difference in MY (number of coins), the number of times the special features were activated, and the number of coins lent out each day. The management computer 400 is a computer for transmitting information to an external location (for example, an external center outside the hall). Like the hall computer 300, the management computer 400 is also installed inside the hall. In Figure 29, the hall computer 300 and the management computer 400 are shown separately, but they could also be combined into a single computer.

[0299] In the main control board 50, a bet count storage means 53a and an assignment count storage means 53b are provided as part of the storage area of ​​the RWM 53. The bet count storage means 53a stores the current number of bets. Meanwhile, a bet count display unit 77 is connected to the main control board 50. The bet count display unit 77 is a device that displays the number of bets stored in the bet count storage means 53a, and is composed of, for example, two-digit LEDs. Furthermore, the grant number storage means 53b stores the number of game media granted when a predetermined number of game media are granted based on the winning of a minor role. Meanwhile, a number display unit 78 is connected to the main control board 50. The number display unit 78 is a device that displays the number of numbers stored in the number storage means 53b, and is composed of, for example, two-digit LEDs.

[0300] Furthermore, although not shown in the first embodiment (Figure 1), a setting value display means 73 is mounted on the main control board 50. The setting value display means 73 is composed of, for example, a single-digit LED and can display the current setting value in the setting change state and the setting confirmation state. On the other hand, the payout ratio monitor 113, which will be described later, is mounted on the game medium number control board 100, not on the main control board 50. However, it is not limited to this, and the payout ratio monitor 113 may also be mounted on the main control board 50.

[0301] The game medium count control board 100 is also referred to as the second main control board (means), payout control board (means), medal count control board (means), medal count display control board (means), or game medium count display control board (means), etc. Similar to the main control board 50, the game medium count control board 100 requires security to prevent fraud, so it is housed in a board case and sealed with a crimp (sealing member), making it difficult to open the board case (access to the game medium count control board 100).

[0302] The game medium count control board 100, like the main control board 50, is equipped with an independent RWM 103, ROM 104, and CPU 105. These RWM 103, ROM 104, and CPU 105 may be integrated into a single chip. The game medium count control board 100 is configured to control the display of the game medium count display unit 121, transmit information to the dispensing unit 200 via the connection terminal board 130, and receive information from the dispensing unit 200 via the connection terminal board 130. It is also configured to transmit information to the main control board 50 and receive information from the main control board 50. In Figure 29, the direction of the arrows between each board indicates the direction of information transmission and reception. Therefore, the main control board 50 and the game medium count control board 100 are configured to enable bidirectional communication.

[0303] In Figure 29, the main control board 50 and the game medium count control board 100 are shown as separate components, but it is also possible to configure them from a single main control board. However, even in this case, the first main control RWM 53, first main control ROM 54, first main control CPU 55, second main control RWM 103, second main control ROM 104, and second main control CPU 105 will all be provided on the same board.

[0304] The RWM103 of the game medium count control board 100 is equipped with a game medium count storage means 103a (also referred to as the "game medium count storage area (_NB_MEDAL)") that stores the number of game mediums (number of credits). When game mediums are awarded due to winning a small prize, the number of game mediums (data) in the game medium count storage means 103a is updated (added). Furthermore, when a game is placed to start a game, the game media (data) in the game media count storage means 103a is updated (deducted) by the number of game media corresponding to the number of bets.

[0305] Furthermore, a game medium count display board 120 is electrically connected to the game medium count control board 100. A game medium count display unit 121 is mounted on this game medium count display board 120. The game medium count display unit 121 displays the number of game mediums stored in the game medium count storage means 103a and is composed of, for example, five-digit LEDs. For example, let's assume that the number of game media stored in the game media number storage means 103a is "100". In this case, the game media number display unit 121 will display "100".

[0306] When the 3-bet switch 40b is operated to start a game, the bet operation signal is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the game medium count control board 100. The game medium count control board 100 determines whether the bet is possible based on the number of game media stored in the game medium count storage means 103a, and if it determines that the bet is possible, it transmits a bet signal to the main control board 50. When the main control board 50 receives the bet signal, it executes the bet process and stores the bet number in the bet count storage means 53a. When the bet number stored in the bet count storage means 53a is updated from "0" to "3", the display (last digit) of the bet number display unit 77 is also updated from "0" to "3".

[0307] Furthermore, when the game medium count control board 100 transmits a bet signal to the main control board 50 as described above, it updates the number of game mediums stored in the game medium count storage means 103a. In this example, the number of game mediums is updated from "100" to "97". When the number of game mediums stored in the game medium count storage means 103a is updated from "100" to "97", the display on the game medium count display unit 121 is also updated from "100" to "97".

[0308] A settlement switch 46 is connected to the main control board 50. The settlement switch 46 is operated when returning the bet amount (in other words, when setting the bet amount to "0"). When the number of bets is stored in the bet count storage means 53a and the number of bets is displayed in the bet count display unit 77, if the settlement switch 46 is operated before the start switch 41 is operated (before the game starts), the number of bets is returned (reset to its original value). For example, as in the example above, when the settlement switch 46 is operated while "3" is stored in the bet count storage means 53a and "97" is stored in the game medium count storage means 103a, the bet count stored in the bet count storage means 53a is updated from "3" to "0". As a result, the display on the bet count display unit 77 is updated from "3" to "0".

[0309] Furthermore, based on the operation of the settlement switch 46, a settlement signal (a signal equivalent to returning the bet number "3") is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the game medium count control board 100. Upon receiving this settlement signal, the game medium count control board 100 updates the number of game media stored in the game medium count storage means 103a from "97" to "100". As a result, the display on the game medium count display unit 121 is updated from "97" to "100".

[0310] Thus, the settlement switch 46 is used to reset the bet on game tokens (to set the number of bets to "0"). Therefore, even if the settlement switch 46 is operated, the number of game tokens stored in the game token count storage means 103a will not be reduced. Furthermore, even if the settlement switch 46 is operated when no bets are stored in the bet count storage means 53a, the number of bets stored in the bet count storage means 53a remains "0", and the number of game media stored in the game media storage means 103a also remains unchanged. To initiate this settlement process, it is determined whether the settlement switch 46 is being operated. If the settlement switch 46 is not being operated, the settlement process is not initiated. If the settlement switch 46 is being operated, it is determined whether the number of bets stored in the bet count storage means 53a is "0". Furthermore, if the number of bets stored in the bet count storage means 53a is "0", the settlement process is not initiated. If the number of bets stored in the bet count storage means 53a is not "0", the settlement process is initiated. As a result, when comparing the situation in which the settlement switch 46 is operated with the situation in which the number of bets stored in the bet count storage means 53a is "0", the situation in which the settlement switch 46 is operated is relatively less frequent. Therefore, by determining whether or not the settlement switch 46 is operated first, the processing burden can be reduced.

[0311] When the start switch 41 is operated while the number of bets is "3", the number of bets for that game is determined and the game starts (the reels 31 begin to spin). In this case, the number of bets stored in the bet storage means 53a may be cleared when the start switch 41 is operated (when the game starts), or it may be cleared when all the reels 31 stop. When the number of bets stored in the bet storage means 53a is cleared, the display on the bet display unit 77 is also updated to "0".

[0312] In this game, for example, when a small win with a payout of "8" is achieved, the main control board 50 stores "8" in the payout storage means 53b. When the value stored in the payout storage means 53b is updated to "8", the display (last digit) of the payout display unit 78 is also updated from "0" to "8". Furthermore, when a game medium is provided, a provision (payout) signal is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the game medium count control board 100. When the game medium count control board 100 receives the provision signal, it adds the number of game mediums corresponding to the provision signal to the number of game mediums stored in the game medium count storage means 103a. In this example, the number of game mediums stored in the game medium count storage means 103a is updated from "97" to "105". When the number of game mediums stored in the game medium count storage means 103a is updated from "97" to "105", the display on the game medium count display unit 121 is also updated from "97" to "105".

[0313] Furthermore, after the number of awarded points is stored in the number of awarded points storage means 53b, the number of awarded points stored in the number of awarded points storage means 53b is cleared when the start switch 41 is operated for the next game (at the start of the game) or when all reels 31 are stopped for the next game. When the number of awarded points stored in the number of awarded points storage means 53b is cleared, the display on the number of awarded points display unit 78 is also updated to "0".

[0314] Furthermore, the game media count display unit 121 is configured to display error information corresponding to the error that occurred. In this case, error information may be displayed instead of the number of game media displayed on the game media count display unit 121, or the number of game media and error information may be displayed alternately. For example, the number of game media may be displayed for "3" seconds → error information may be displayed for "3" seconds → the number of game media may be displayed for "3" seconds → ... and so on. When the game media count display unit 121 is composed of 5-digit LEDs, if the error information to be displayed is, for example, "E1", it may be displayed as "000E1", "---E1", "E1000", "E1---", etc.

[0315] If the game media count display unit 121 does not display error information corresponding to the error that occurred, the assigned number display unit 78 may display error information corresponding to the error that occurred. In this case, the assigned number display unit 78 may display the error information after displaying the number of game media that have been assigned. For example, as described above, if the assigned number is "8", the assigned number display unit 78 may display (count up) "00" → "01" → "02" → ... "07" → "08" and then display "E1" (an example of an error code).

[0316] The counting switch 47 is electrically connected to the game medium control board 100. Although not shown in the figure, the counting switch 47 is located on the control panel of the game machine 10, for example, similar to the bet switch 40. When the counting switch 47 is operated, the game media (information) stored in the game media count storage means 103a can be transmitted to the lending unit 200 via the connection terminal board 130. For example, if the game media count storage means 103a has "200" stored in it, when the counting switch 47 is operated, the information "200" is transmitted to the connection terminal board 130 as the count value, and then the information "200" is transmitted to the lending unit 200 as the count value. After the counting switch 47 is operated and the count value is transmitted, the game media count storage means 103a is configured to store "0".

[0317] Furthermore, when the counting switch 47 is operated and the game media count display unit 121 shows "200", if the counting switch 47 is operated and the information "200" is transmitted to the dispensing unit 200 as the counted value, the display on the game media count display unit 121 is updated to "0".

[0318] The game medium count control board 100 is provided with a total game medium count clear switch 112. When the total game medium count clear switch 112 is operated, the (total) number of game mediums stored in the game medium count storage means 103a of the game medium count control board 100 can be cleared (stored as "0"). When the number of game mediums stored in the game medium count storage means 103a is cleared, the number of game mediums displayed on the game medium count display unit 121 is also updated to "0". Note that the only information cleared by operating the total number of game media stores in the game media storage means 103a is the total number of game media stores; other information is not cleared.

[0319] For example, if the number of bets stored in the bet count storage means 53a is "3" and the number of game media stored in the game media count storage means 103a is "1000", when the total number of game media clear switch 112 is operated, the number of bets stored in the bet count storage means 53a remains "3", but the number of game media stored in the game media count storage means 103a becomes "0". In other words, when the total number of game media clear switch 112 is operated, the number of bets stored in the bet count storage means 53a is not cleared. Similarly, if the lending unit 200's lending-available game media storage means 206 stores "50" as the number of lending-available game media, and the number of game media stored in the game media storage means 103a is "1000", then when the total number of game media clear switch 112 is operated, the number of lending-available game media stored in the lending-available game media storage means 206 remains "50", but the number of game media stored in the game media storage means 103a becomes "0". In other words, when the total number of game media clear switch 112 is operated, the number of lending-available game media stored in the lending-available game media storage means 206 is not cleared.

[0320] The total number of game tokens clear switch 112 can be operated by pressing it once, by pressing and holding it for a predetermined amount of time, or by turning on the power while it is being pressed. The total number of game tokens clear switch 112 is located in a position that cannot be operated by the player, for example, on the game tokens control board 100, inside the casing of the game machine 10, or on the back of the front door of the game machine 10. If the total number of game media is cleared by operating the Total Number of Game Media Clear Switch 112, the Total Number of Game Media Clear status is turned ON, and the Total Number of Game Media Clear status remains ON until one game is completed, after which the Total Number of Game Media Clear status is turned OFF. Information regarding the total number of gaming media clear status may be transmitted to the lending unit 200. When the lending unit 200 receives information that the total number of gaming media clear status is ON, it clears the total number of gaming media stored in the lending unit 200. Furthermore, if a lending gaming media is provided by the lending unit 200 while the total number of gaming media clear status is ON in the gaming machine 10, the total number of gaming media clear status remains ON, and the number of lending gaming media is newly added to the gaming media storage means 103a.

[0321] Furthermore, the total number of game media clear switch 112 is ineffective if operated during gameplay, and becomes effective only when operated during game standby (before gameplay starts or after gameplay ends). In this case, the game media control board 100 determines whether or not gameplay is in progress based on the game start information and game end information transmitted from the main control board 50, and disables operation of the total number of game media clear switch 112 when gameplay is in progress.

[0322] However, the total number of game media clear switch 112 may be enabled by operation during gameplay. In this case, the total number of game media clear status is changed from on to off based on the end of the next game after the total number of game media clear switch 112 was operated. In other words, the total number of game media clear status is kept on at the end of the game in which the total number of game media clear switch 112 was operated, and is turned off when the next game ends. This ensures that even if the total number of game media clear status is only on for a short time (for example, when the total number of game media clear switch 112 is operated just before the end of a game), the total number of game media clear status can be kept on for the next game, thus deterring fraudulent activity that would clear the total number of game media.

[0323] Furthermore, the total number of game media clear status may be turned off after the end of a game in which the total number of game media clear switch 112 was operated. In this case, capacity can be reduced by standardizing the program that updates the total number of game media clear status.

[0324] The role ratio monitor 113 displays a predetermined ratio and is composed of, for example, a 4-digit LED (7 segments (with DP segments)). In the second embodiment, the interrupt period of the game medium number control board 100 is set to "1" ms. The interrupt period of the main control board 50 is "2.235" ms. Then, four interrupts constitute one cycle, causing the four-digit LEDs on the role ratio monitor 113 to light up dynamically. Specifically, for example, an LED display counter is provided, and for each interrupt, "00000001(B)" "00000010(B)" "00000100(B)" "00001000(B)" Configure it to circulate.

[0325] Furthermore, when the LED display counter is "00000001(B)", the units digit LED of the role ratio monitor 113 is made lit (other LEDs are turned off), when the LED display counter is "00000010(B)", the tens digit LED of the role ratio monitor 113 is made lit (other LEDs are turned off), when the LED display counter is "00000100(B)", the hundreds digit LED of the role ratio monitor 113 is made lit (other LEDs are turned off), and when the LED display counter is "00001000(B)", the thousands digit LED of the role ratio monitor 113 is made lit (other LEDs are turned off).

[0326] Of the four LEDs that make up the ratio monitor 113, the two LEDs on the left (thousands and hundreds digits) are called "identification segments" and display the type of information. The two LEDs on the right (tens and ones digits) are called "ratio segments" and display the calculated ratio. In the second embodiment, the ratio monitor 113 repeatedly displays the following six items of information as ratios at predetermined intervals: (1) to (6). (1) Cumulative ratio of special features including instructions (7P.), or cumulative ratio of advantageous period (7U.) (2) Consecutive bonus payout ratio (6000 games played) (6 years) (3) Ratio of special features (6000 games played) (7 years.) (4) Consecutive bonus round ratio (cumulative) (6A.) (5) Total percentage of special features (7A.) (6) Ratio of special features and other status (cumulative) (5H.)

[0327] When displaying either the identification segment or the ratio segment, the units digit DP segment of the identification segment is illuminated to clearly define the boundary between the identification segment and the ratio segment. In this case, the tens digit DP segments of the identification segment and the tens and units digits of the ratio segment are not illuminated. In the above notation, for example, "P." means that the letters "P" are displayed using the seven segments in the ones place of the identification segment, and the DP segments of those seven segments are illuminated.

[0328] For example, when displaying the cumulative ratio of bonus items including instructions, if the ratio is "50%", the symbol "7P." indicating the cumulative ratio of bonus items including instructions will be displayed on the identification segment, and "50" will be displayed on the ratio segment. Here, "cumulative" refers to the sum of the numbers that have been continuously counted up to that point, and in this embodiment, the count continues until it reaches at least "175,000" game plays. Furthermore, even after the number of games played exceeds "175,000," the count continues to be added until it reaches a value (upper limit) that can be stored in the memory area at the predetermined address of the RWM103. Furthermore, "6000 games" refers to the total number of games played, with each set consisting of 400 games, and 15 such sets being combined.

[0329] The ratios of the six items mentioned above are explained below. (1) Ratio of accessories including instructions (cumulative total) The "Instruction-Included Bonus Ratio (Cumulative)" is a ratio in which the cumulative number of bonuses granted (where "number of bonuses granted" refers to the number of bonuses granted in the game medium; the same applies hereinafter) is the denominator, and the numerator is the sum of the cumulative number of bonuses granted when bonuses are activated (RB, CB, SB) and the cumulative number of instructions granted when bonuses are activated. Furthermore, the above-mentioned "sum" refers, firstly, to the sum of the values ​​stored in both memory areas if separate memory areas are provided for storing the number of points awarded when the special feature is activated and for storing the number of points awarded by instruction. Secondly, if a single memory area (instruction-inclusive special feature counter) is provided that stores both the number of points awarded when the special feature is activated and the number of points awarded when the instruction function is activated (hereinafter referred to as "number of points awarded including instruction"), then the sum refers to the value in that single memory area.

[0330] For example, if the number of games played is 175,000 or more, the cumulative number of awarded items is 200,000, and the cumulative number of awarded items with instructions is 100,000, the ratio of awarded items with instructions is calculated to be 50. Note that "cumulative" does not necessarily refer to the cumulative total of all games played. For example, if the cumulative number of awarded items reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, 1,677,215), or if the cumulative number of games played plus the number of games played in the current game exceeds the upper limit, the cumulative number of awarded items, and the sum of the cumulative number of awarded items when the items are activated and the cumulative number of awarded items with instructions will not be updated in subsequent games.

[0331] Furthermore, "activation of the instruction function" refers to a game in which, in a game where the draw result for a role (winning number) results in an advantageous / disadvantageous outcome depending on the operation of the stop switch 42, the operation of the stop switch 42 to obtain a favorable outcome is notified (instructed). For example, it corresponds to a game in which the correct button press order is notified when a so-called button-press order bell is won. In the case of gaming machine 10 that does not have a special feature, the "special feature ratio including instructions" is the value obtained by dividing the cumulative number of instructions given by the operation of the instruction function by the total number of instructions given.

[0332] Regarding the "number of prizes awarded in games where the instruction function is activated," in games where the instruction function is activated, if a prize with a value of "15" is won based on the stop switch 42 being operated in the displayed order, for example, "15" will be added to the number of prizes awarded including the instruction and the total number of prizes awarded. In contrast, in a game where the instruction function is activated, if the stop switch 42 is operated in a different order than the displayed order, and a small prize with a value of "3" is awarded, then "3" is added to the number of prizes awarded including the instruction and the total number of prizes awarded. Furthermore, in a game where the instruction function is activated, if the stop switch 42 is operated in a different order than the displayed order, resulting in a missed winning combination (no winning combination), the number of instruction-based bonus items awarded and the total number of bonus items awarded will be the same as the previous game.

[0333] Furthermore, in a game where the instruction function is activated, if the stop switch 42 is operated in a different order than the displayed order, resulting in a missed winning combination, the values ​​of both the number of combinations (counters) are adjusted by adding "0" to the number of combinations including the instruction and the total number of combinations, so that the values ​​of both combinations (counters) are the same as in the previous game.

[0334] (2) Proportion of advantageous period (cumulative) The "advantageous period ratio (cumulative)" is a ratio where the cumulative number of games played is the denominator and the cumulative number of games played during the advantageous period is the numerator. For example, if the cumulative number of games played is "20,000" and the cumulative number of games played during the advantageous period is "18,000", the advantageous period ratio is calculated to be "90". It should be noted that "cumulative" does not necessarily refer to the total number of games played. For example, if the cumulative number of games played reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, "65535"), the game is configured so that the cumulative number of games played and the number of games played in the advantageous period will not be updated in subsequent games. The above "Instructed Bonus Item Ratio (Cumulative)" or "Advantageous Section Ratio (Cumulative)" will be displayed depending on the specifications of the gaming machine 10. Specifically, for gaming machines equipped with an instruction function, the "Instructed Bonus Item Ratio (Cumulative)" will be displayed, and the "Advantageous Section Ratio (Cumulative)" will not be displayed. Conversely, for gaming machines without an instruction function, the "Advantageous Section Ratio (Cumulative)" will be displayed, and the "Instructed Bonus Item Ratio (Cumulative)" will not be displayed.

[0335] (3) Consecutive bonus payout ratio (6000 games), Consecutive bonus payout ratio (cumulative) The "Consecutive Bonus Activation Ratio (6000 Games)" is the ratio in which the number of bonuses awarded over 6000 games is the denominator, and the number of bonuses awarded during consecutive bonus activations (RB) within 6000 games is the numerator. Furthermore, the "cumulative consecutive bonus ratio" is the ratio in which the number of bonuses awarded during consecutive bonus (RB) activations is used as the numerator, with the number of bonuses awarded during the cumulative number of games played being the denominator. For example, if the cumulative number of games played is a predetermined number (for example, 17,500 times) or more, and the number of bonuses awarded during the cumulative number of games played is "20,000", and the number of bonuses awarded during consecutive bonus activations is "10,000", then the cumulative consecutive bonus ratio is calculated to be "50". It should be noted that "cumulative" does not necessarily refer to the total of all games played. For example, if the cumulative number of awarded points reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, "65535"), or if the cumulative number of awarded points from the current game exceeds the upper limit, the cumulative number of awarded points and the number of game tokens awarded during consecutive bonus activations will not be updated in subsequent games.

[0336] (4) Payout ratio (6000 games), Payout ratio (cumulative) The "bonus round ratio (6000 games)" is the ratio in which the number of bonus rounds awarded when bonus rounds (RB, CB, SB) are activated is used as the numerator, and the number of bonus rounds awarded when bonus rounds are activated is used as the numerator, with the number of bonus rounds awarded when bonus rounds (RB, CB, SB) are activated being used as the denominator. Furthermore, the "Cumulative Bonus Ratio" is the ratio where the number of bonuses awarded in the cumulative number of games played is the denominator, and the number of bonuses awarded when bonuses (RB, CB, SB) are activated in the cumulative number of games played is the numerator. For example, if the cumulative number of games played is a predetermined number (for example, 17,500 times) or more, and the cumulative number of bonuses awarded is "20,000", and the cumulative number of bonuses awarded when bonuses are activated is "10,000", then the Cumulative Bonus Ratio is calculated to be "50". It should be noted that "cumulative" does not necessarily refer to the total for all games played. For example, if the cumulative number of awarded points reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, "65535"), or if adding the number of awarded points from the current game to the cumulative number of awarded points exceeds the upper limit, the system is configured so that the cumulative number of awarded points and the number of game tokens awarded when the cumulative bonus item is activated will not be updated in subsequent games.

[0337] (5) Ratio of special features and other conditions (cumulative) The "Ratio of Bonus Features (Cumulative)" is a ratio where the denominator is the cumulative number of games played, and the numerator is the number of games in which bonus features (RB, CB, SB) were activated, or the number of games in which consecutive bonus features (1BB, 2BB) were activated. For example, if the cumulative number of games played is "20,000" and the cumulative number of games in which bonus features were activated or consecutive bonus features were activated is "5,000", the Ratio of Bonus Features (Cumulative) is calculated to be "25". Note that the cumulative total does not necessarily refer to the total number of games played. For example, if the cumulative number of games played reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, "175,000"), the cumulative number of games played, as well as the number of games played when a special feature is activated or when consecutive special features are activated, will not be updated in subsequent games.

[0338] Furthermore, for any of the six items listed above, if a gaming machine does not possess the corresponding function, the ratio segment will light up with "--". For example, if the "RB (Type 1 Special Bonus)" is not present, there is no continuous bonus ratio, so when displaying "Continuous Bonus Ratio (6000 Games)" and "Continuous Bonus Ratio (Cumulative)", the ratio segment will light up as "--".

[0339] Furthermore, if the calculated ratio results in a decimal place, the decimal part will be truncated before display. For example, if the calculated ratio is "49.99", it will be displayed as "49". Furthermore, if the calculated ratio is "100", it will display "99". Furthermore, if the calculated ratio is less than 10, a "0" will be displayed in the tens place. Specifically, if the calculated ratio is 9%, "09" will be displayed.

[0340] The identification segment and ratio segment of the role ratio monitor 113 may flash. Firstly, if the ratio is above a threshold, the ratio segment will flash. The threshold values ​​(%) for each ratio are as follows: (1) Cumulative ratio of bonus features including instructions or cumulative ratio of advantageous period: 70 (2) Consecutive bonus round ratio (6000 games): 60 (3) Ratio of special features (6000 games): 70 (4) Consecutive bonus round ratio (cumulative): 60 (5) Percentage of special features (cumulative): 70 (6) Cumulative ratio of special features and other statuses: 50 Therefore, for example, when the cumulative ratio of bonus items including the indicator is "69", the "69" on the ratio segment will light up when the cumulative ratio of bonus items including the indicator is displayed, but when it is "70", it will blink.

[0341] Secondly, if the cumulative number of games played falls below the standard number of games played, the identification segment will flash. The standard number of games for each ratio is as follows: (1) Cumulative ratio of bonus features including instructions or cumulative ratio of advantageous periods: 175,000 (2) Consecutive bonus round ratio (6000 games): 6000 (3) Ratio of special features (6000 games): 6000 (4) Consecutive bonus round ratio (cumulative): 17500 (5) Total percentage of special features: 17500 (6) Ratio of special features / conditions (cumulative): 175,000

[0342] Therefore, for example, when the cumulative number of games played is "6000", the identification segment (6y.) lights up when the continuous bonus ratio (6000 games) is displayed. Conversely, for example, when the cumulative number of games played is "5999", the identification segment (6y.) blinks when the continuous bonus ratio (6000 games) is displayed. Furthermore, if the cumulative number of games played is less than "400" (the number of games per set), the ratio segment will display "00".

[0343] Furthermore, when displaying identification segments or ratio segments with flashing lights, it is preferable to set one flashing cycle, consisting of an on-time of 0.3 seconds and an off-time of 0.3 seconds, to 0.6 seconds, with a tolerance of ±10%. In the second embodiment, the switching between on and off in the flashing display is managed (controlled) as follows. First, the RWM103 is equipped with a timer area called "Blinking Switching Time (_TM_CHG_FLS)" (2 bytes) to manage the blinking switching time.

[0344] The flashing switching time is initialized (stored as "0") when the gaming machine 10 is powered on, and is incremented by "1" for each interrupt. As mentioned above, the interrupt time is "1" ms. Furthermore, the flashing switching time is configured to cycle from "0" to "299". Furthermore, the RWM103 is equipped with a "flashing toggle flag (_FL_CHG_FLS)" (1 byte) to determine whether the light is on or off. The blinking toggle flag is initialized when the power is turned on (stored as "0"), and then switches between "0" and "1" every "300"ms. "0" means the light is on, and "1" means the light is off.

[0345] When updating the blinking switch time, the current timer value is subtracted by "299". Specifically, it works as follows: Example 1) When the initial value is "0" and an update operation is performed, the result is "0-299=298". In this case, a carry flag becomes "1" because a carry occurs. Example 2) When the update process is performed when the blinking switching time is "298", the result is "298-299=1". At this time, a carry flag becomes "1" because a carry occurs. Example 3) When the update process is performed when the blinking switching time is "299", the result is "299-299=0". In this case, since no carry occurs, the carry flag becomes "0".

[0346] Then, after updating the blinking switch time, if the carry flag is "1", the blinking switch flag is not updated, and if the carry flag is "0", the blinking switch flag is updated. As a result, the blinking switch flag switches every "300" ms. Specifically, it works as follows: Example 1) When the blinking toggle flag is "0" (lit), it will change to "1" (off) when the update process is performed. Example 2) When the blinking toggle flag is "1" (off), the update process will change it to "0" (on).

[0347] Furthermore, the ratio monitor 113 displays a test pattern to allow verification of whether each LED segment element is functioning correctly. The test pattern displays "8.8.8.8." (all LED segment elements (including segment DP)) after power-on until the number of times the carry flag has been "0" reaches "16," i.e., "300ms × 16 times = 4800ms" has elapsed. Note that each of the four LEDs on the role ratio monitor 113 is dynamically lit every interrupt (1ms), so strictly speaking, not all four LEDs are lit at the same time.

[0348] After displaying the test pattern for 4800 ms, the system transitions to displaying the above-mentioned (1) advantageous section ratio (cumulative) or instruction-included bonus ratio (cumulative) to (6) bonus state ratio (cumulative), with each of (1) to (6) being displayed for 4800 ms, and this process is repeated. Therefore, Power on ↓ (0) Display test pattern (4800ms) ↓ (1) Display of the cumulative ratio of bonus items including instructions or the cumulative ratio of advantageous periods (4800ms) ↓ (2) Display of the ratio of consecutive bonus items (6000 games played) (4800ms) ↓ (3) Display of bonus item ratio (6000 games played) (4800ms) ↓ (4) Display of the ratio of consecutive special effects (cumulative) (4800ms) ↓ (5) Display of the ratio of special features (cumulative) (4800ms) ↓ (6) Display of the ratio of special features and other statuses (cumulative) (4800ms) ↓ (1) Display of the cumulative ratio of bonus items including instructions or the cumulative ratio of advantageous periods (4800ms) ↓ : This is the result. Furthermore, the ratios (1) to (6) above will also be displayed, similar to the test pattern, until the number of times the carry flag becomes "0" reaches "16" (300ms x 16 times = 4800ms).

[0349] As mentioned above, when the identification segment or ratio segment is displayed with blinking, it will repeatedly light up for 300 ms and turn off for 300 ms (one cycle is 600 ms). Then, when the on / off time is T1 and the display time of the test pattern or ratio is T2, T2 = T1 × 2 × n (where n is a natural number) By setting it to this configuration, the timing of switching between on and off can be synchronized with the timing of switching between the test pattern display or the ratio display, resulting in a visually appealing display and preventing viewers of the ratio monitor 113 from mistakenly believing it may be malfunctioning. In the above example, when "T1" is set to "300" ms, "T2" will be a multiple of "600" ms. However, in order to make each ratio display time "5000 ms ± 10%", "T2" should be set to "4800" ms.

[0350] For example, if you want to flash the test pattern and then flash the advantageous interval ratio, Test pattern (light on for 300ms. Total 300ms.) ↓ Test pattern (lights off for 300ms. Total 600ms.) ↓ : ↓ Test pattern (light on for 300ms. Total 4500ms.) ↓ Test pattern (lights off for 300ms. Total 4800ms. Test pattern display ended.) ↓ Advantageous period ratio (light on for 300ms) ↓ Advantageous period ratio (lights off for 300ms) ↓ : This is the result.

[0351] In this way, when displaying information, the indicator light can remain lit for 300 ms. In other words, it prevents the indicator light from turning off before 300 ms have elapsed after it has started to display information. Furthermore, it prevents the information from turning off immediately after it has started to display (which could lead to the misconception that there is a malfunction).

[0352] Let's return to the block diagram in Figure 29 for the explanation. The sub-control board 80 is the same as the sub-control board 80 in the first embodiment (Figure 1), so its description is omitted. However, the RWM 83, ROM 84, and CPU 85 of the sub-control board 80 may be referred to as sub-control RWM 83, sub-control ROM 84, and sub-control CPU 85, respectively. The same applies to the stage lamp 21, speaker 22, and image display device 23 that are electrically connected to the sub-control board 80 as in the first embodiment. The connection terminal board (also referred to as the "game ball dispensing device connection terminal board") 130 serves as a relay board for bidirectional communication between the game machine 10 and the dispensing unit 200.

[0353] The lending unit 200 corresponds to the management device 200 in the first embodiment (Figure 1). Similar to the first embodiment, it is provided with a lending switch 202, a return switch 203, and the like. Furthermore, the loanable gaming media count display unit 204 corresponds to the frequency display unit 204 in the first embodiment and displays the maximum number of gaming media that can be loaned from the loan unit 200 to the gaming machine 10, and is composed of, for example, three-digit LEDs.

[0354] Furthermore, the lendable game media count storage means 206 stores the maximum number of game media that can be lent from the lending unit 200 to the game machine 10, and is composed of, for example, an RWM (Real Money Display) provided inside the lending unit 200. The number of lendable game media stored in the lendable game media count storage means 206 is displayed on the lendable game media count display unit 204.

[0355] When the number of available gaming media stored in the storage means 206 is "400", and the lending switch 202 is operated, and the specification is that "50" gaming media will be lent from the lending unit 200 to the gaming machine 10 with one operation of the lending switch 202, then after a lending notification is sent, "50" is added to the number of gaming media stored in the storage means 103a. Meanwhile, the number of available gaming media stored in the storage means 206 is updated from "400" to "350".

[0356] Furthermore, when the return switch 203 is operated, the number of game media stored in the loanable game media number storage means 206 of the loan unit 200 is stored in a game media number storage medium (magnetic card, IC card, IC coin, etc.), and the game media number storage medium is ejected from the loan unit 200. Furthermore, if the number of game media stored in the game media storage means 103a of the game media number control board 100 is greater than "0", and the number of game media stored in the lending unit 200's lending available game media storage means 206 is not stored, the game media number storage medium will not be ejected even if the return switch 203 is operated. In other words, even if the number of game media is stored in the game media number storage means 103a of the game media number control board 100, if the number of game media is not stored in the lending unit 200's lending available game media storage means 206, the game media number storage medium will not be ejected even if the return switch 203 is operated.

[0357] Therefore, in the above case, by operating the counting switch 47, the number of game media stored in the game media number storage means 103a is transmitted to the lending unit 200, and the number of game media is stored in the lendable game media number storage means 206. After that, by operating the return switch 203, the number of game media stored in the lendable game media number storage means 206 is stored in the game media number storage medium and discharged from the lending unit 200. When the number of game media stored in the lendable game media number storage means 206 is stored in the game media number storage medium, the number of lendable game media stored in the lendable game media number storage means 206 is updated to "0".

[0358] Figure 30 is a diagram illustrating the message used for communication between the gaming machine 10 and the lending unit 200. As shown in Figure 30, the types of messages are as follows: 1. Gaming machine information notification 2. Counting Notification 3. Loan Notification 4. Loan receipt result response A system is in place. Of these messages, the gaming machine information notification, counting notification, and loan receipt result response are messages transmitted from the gaming machine 10 to the loan unit 200. On the other hand, the loan notification is a message sent from the loan unit 200 to the gaming machine 10.

[0359] Furthermore, each message consists of the following five data points. (1) Message length (2) Command (3) Serial number, counting serial number, or loan serial number (4) Data section (5) Checksum The data set consisting of the five elements described above is called a "telegram," and it is transmitted in a single transmission. In other words, it is not transmitted in separate parts.

[0360] (1) Message length "Message length" refers to the length of the data, which consists of five components: message length, command, serial number (serial number, counting serial number, or loan serial number), data section, and checksum. It is composed of 1-byte data. For example, if the message length is 1 byte, the command is 1 byte, the serial number is 1 byte, the data section is 14 bytes, and the checksum is 1 byte, the message will be 18 bytes, and the message length will be the data corresponding to 18 bytes (12h).

[0361] (2) Command A "command" is data used to indicate the type of message it is, such as a game machine information notification, counting notification, loan notification, or loan receipt result response, and consists of 1-byte data. For example, as shown in Figure 30, the command for game machine information notification is set to "01h", the command for counting notification is set to "02h", the command for loan notification is set to "13h", and the command for loan receipt result response is set to "03h". The recipient of the message can identify the type of message by determining the value of the command.

[0362] (3) Serial number "Serial number" refers to the data number included in the gaming machine information notification, counting notification, loan notification, and loan receipt result response. The serial number included in the gaming machine information notification is called the "serial number," the serial number included in the counting notification is called the "counting serial number," the serial number included in the loan notification is called the "loan serial number," and the serial number included in the loan receipt result response is called the "loan serial number." These various serial numbers are numerical values ​​within the range of "0" to "FFh" and consist of 1-byte data. The serial number is controlled to notify "00h" when the gaming machine 10 is powered on. Additionally, after power-on, the serial number is updated (+1) each time a notification is sent. The next value after the serial number "FFh" is updated to "01h" (+1 twice) (it will not become "0").

[0363] (4) Data section The "data section" refers to the data corresponding to the gaming machine information notification, counting notification, loan notification, and loan receipt result response. Details of the data section for each message will be described later. (5) Checksum A "checksum" is a value that represents the lower byte of the sum of five data components: message length, command, serial number, data section, and checksum. Using this checksum, the receiving side can identify data corruption during communication. For example, the gaming machine 10 or the dispensing unit 200 can count the number of messages whose checksums do not match to check for communication problems. For example, the gaming machine 10 may display the number of messages whose checksums do not match on an image display device 23 or the like under predetermined conditions (such as during a setting confirmation mode where setting values ​​can be checked or a setting change mode where setting values ​​can be changed).

[0364] Next, we will explain each of the data sections: the gaming machine information notification, the counting notification, the loan notification, and the loan receipt result response. 1. Data section of the gaming machine information notification. As shown in Figure 30, the data section of the gaming machine information notification consists of the gaming machine type, gaming machine information type, and gaming machine information. a) Types of gaming machines "Gaming machine type" refers to information used to identify the type of gaming machine. This information includes data such as the management medium, organization classification, and gaming machine type.

[0365] b) Type of gaming machine information "Gaming machine information type" is information used to identify whether the gaming machine information being notified is gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, or hall control / fraud monitoring information. "00h" is notified when gaming machine performance information is notified, "01h" is notified when gaming machine installation information is notified, and "02h" is notified when hall control / fraud monitoring information is notified.

[0366] c) Gaming machine information "Gaming machine information" consists of gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, and hall computer / fraud monitoring information. Only one of these three types of gaming machine information is transmitted. Here, the hall control system and fraud monitoring information are transmitted, in principle, every 300 ms (each time a gaming machine information notification is sent). Additionally, information on the installation of gaming machines is transmitted every 60 seconds. Furthermore, gaming machine performance information will be transmitted every 180 seconds as a general rule. In the above, "as a general rule" means that if the transmission timings of multiple gaming machine information overlap, the gaming machine information with the higher priority will be transmitted. In other words, if the transmission timings of gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, and hall control / fraud monitoring information overlap, one of them will be transmitted according to its priority. As shown in Figure 30, gaming machine installation information, which is transmitted every "60" seconds, has the first priority, and gaming machine performance information, which is transmitted every "180" seconds, has the second priority.

[0367] Furthermore, the transmission cycle of the hall control fraud monitoring information, which is "300" ms, can be within the range of "300" to "310" ms. Similarly, the transmission cycle for gaming machine installation information, which is "60" seconds, can be within the range of "60" to "62" seconds. Similarly, the transmission cycle for gaming machine performance information, which is "180" seconds, can be within the range of "180" to "186" seconds. However, the transmission period range mentioned above is not random each time, but rather a predetermined value is used for transmission.

[0368] Figure 31 is a diagram illustrating the specific configuration of the gaming machine information in the gaming machine information notification, which includes gaming machine performance information, gaming machine installation information, and hall computer / fraud monitoring information. (a) Gaming machine performance information The performance information for gaming machines consists of the following information, such as the total number of units inserted. a) Total number of inputs "Total Insertion Count" refers to the cumulative number of game media inserted since the power was turned on. If a power outage occurs and the power is subsequently turned on, the total insertion count may be "0". For example, if the cumulative number of games played is "1000" and the cumulative number of game media inserted is "2000", the total insertion count will be "2000", and "2000" may be output as the total insertion count. If a power outage occurs and the power is subsequently turned on, the total insertion count may be "0". Furthermore, if a replay is won through a winning combination lottery and the corresponding symbol combination is displayed, the bet for the next game in that game is not included in the total insertion count.

[0369] b) Total number of grants "Total number of issued items" refers to the cumulative number of game tokens issued since the power was turned on. If a power outage occurs and the power is subsequently turned on, "0" may be output as the total number of issued items. For example, if the cumulative number of issued game tokens is "2000" in a cumulative total of "1000" games, the total number of issued items will be "2000," and "2000" may be output as the total number of issued items. If a power outage occurs and the power is subsequently turned on, "0" may be output as the total number of issued items. Furthermore, if the number of bets for a given game are automatically placed based on the display of a symbol combination corresponding to a replay, those automatically placed bets will not be included in the "amount awarded."

[0370] c) MY (number of differences) "MY" is also referred to as "difference" or "difference in the number of sheets". "MY" is information about the maximum difference that can be calculated from the number of game media provided and the number of game media inserted since the power was turned on. If a power outage occurs and the power is subsequently turned on, "0" may be output as MY. Specifically, "MY" is the maximum difference, which is the increase in the number of game media from the point when the number of game media was at its lowest point (total number provided minus total number inserted), based on the point when the number of game media was at its lowest point when the game result was obtained. For example, in a cumulative total of "1000" games, if the difference in the number of game media was smallest at the "100th" game, with the number of game media at that time being "-200", and the difference in the number of game media was largest at the "800th" game from that point, with the number of game media at that time being "+800", then MY would be "+1000", and "1000" may be output as MY. If a power outage occurs and the power is subsequently turned on, "0" may be output as MY.

[0371] d) Total number of special items awarded "Total number of bonus items awarded" refers to the total number (cumulative number) of game tokens awarded through the operation of bonus items (Single Bonus (SB), Regular Bonus (RB), and Challenge Bonus (CB)) since the power was turned on. If the power is lost and then turned on again, "0" may be output as the total number of bonus items awarded. For example, if the total number of game tokens obtained through the operation of bonus items was "100" in a cumulative total of "1000" games, the total number of bonus items awarded would be "100", and "100" may be output as the total number of bonus items awarded. If the power is lost and then turned on again, "0" may be output as the total number of bonus items awarded.

[0372] e) Total number of consecutive bonus items awarded "Total number of consecutive bonus rounds awarded" refers to the total number (cumulative number) of game tokens awarded through the operation of consecutive bonus rounds (Type 1 special bonus rounds, also called Regular Bonuses (RB)) since the power was turned on. If the power is lost and then turned on again, "0" may be output as the total number of consecutive bonus rounds awarded. For example, if the total number of game tokens obtained through the operation of consecutive bonus rounds was "100" in a cumulative total of "1000" games, the total number of consecutive bonus rounds awarded would be "100," and "100" may be output as the total number of consecutive bonus rounds awarded. If the power is lost and then turned on again, "0" may be output as the total number of consecutive bonus rounds awarded. Furthermore, the number of game tokens awarded through the activation of the Type 1 Special Prize by the Type 1 Special Prize Continuous Activation Device (also known as "Type 1 BB") is also accumulated as the total number of consecutive prizes awarded.

[0373] f) Ratio of special features As mentioned above, this is the value of the cumulative payout ratio displayed by the payout ratio monitor 113. When the cumulative number of games played is less than a predetermined number (for example, 17,500 times), the system is configured to output "FFh" as the cumulative payout ratio. g) Consecutive bonus round ratio As mentioned above, this is the cumulative ratio of consecutive winning combinations displayed by the winning combination monitor 113. When the cumulative number of games played is less than a predetermined number (for example, 17,500 times), the system is configured to output "FFh" as the cumulative ratio of consecutive winning combinations.

[0374] h) Ratio of advantageous period As mentioned above, this is the value of the advantageous section ratio (cumulative) displayed by the role ratio monitor 113. When the cumulative number of games played is less than a predetermined number (for example, 175,000 times), the system is configured to output "FFh" as the advantageous section ratio. Furthermore, even in gaming machines that do not have an advantageous section, the system is configured to output "FFh". i) Ratio of instructions included As mentioned above, this is the value of the cumulative ratio of bonus items including instructions, displayed by the bonus item ratio monitor 113. When the cumulative number of games played is less than a predetermined number (for example, 175,000 times), the system is configured to output "FFh" as the bonus item ratio including instructions. Furthermore, even in gaming machines that do not have bonus items or instruction functions, the system is configured to output "FFh".

[0375] j) Ratio of the state of special features, etc. As mentioned above, this is the value of the cumulative ratio of bonus features and other features displayed by the feature ratio monitor 113. When the cumulative number of games played is less than a predetermined number (for example, 175,000 times), the system is configured to output "FFh" as the bonus feature and other features ratio. Furthermore, even in gaming machines that do not have bonus features, the system is configured to output "FFh". k) Number of games played "Number of games played" refers to the cumulative number of games played since the gaming machine 10 was powered on. This count is reset (stored as "0") when the gaming machine 10 is powered on. l) Others Other types of information, such as information used in the lending unit 200, can be mentioned, but their explanation is omitted in this embodiment.

[0376] (i) Information on the installation of gaming machines The gaming machine installation information consists of the following information, such as the main control chip ID number. a) Main control chip ID number The "main control chip ID number" is information that includes an individual chip number used to identify the main control chip, which is an integrated unit of the CPU 55, RWM 53, and ROM 54 located on the main control board 50. This information will be different for each gaming machine 10, even if they are the same model. b) Main control chip manufacturer code The "main control chip manufacturer code" is information indicating the gaming machine manufacturer, stored in the main control chip's internal memory.

[0377] c) Main control chip product code The "main control chip product code" is information that indicates the model name of the gaming machine 10, stored in the built-in memory of the main control chip. The main control chip ID number, main control chip manufacturer code, and main control chip product code mentioned above are configured to be transmitted from the main control board 50 to the game medium count control board 100 during the power-on process when the power of the game machine 10 is turned on. The RWM 103 of the game medium count control board 100 is configured to store the main control chip ID number, main control chip manufacturer code, and main control chip product code, respectively.

[0378] d) Gaming media count control chip ID number The "Game Media Count Control Chip ID Number" is information that includes an individual chip number used to identify the game media count control chip, which is an integrated unit of the CPU 105, RWM 103, and ROM 104 located on the game media count control board 100. This information will be different for each game machine 10, even if they are of the same model. In the case of a gaming machine that does not have a gaming media count control board 100, the gaming media count control chip ID number "000000000000000000h" can be output to the dispensing unit 200.

[0379] e) Manufacturer code for the game media count control chip The "Game Machine Count Control Chip Manufacturer Code" is information indicating the game machine manufacturer, stored in the built-in memory (ROM54) of the game machine count control chip. In the case of a gaming machine that does not have a gaming media count control board 100, the manufacturer code for the gaming media count control chip, "000000h", can be output to the lending unit 200. f) Product code for the gaming media count control chip The "Game Media Count Control Chip Product Code" is information indicating the model name of the gaming machine 10, stored in the built-in memory (ROM 54) of the main control chip. In the case of a gaming machine that does not have a gaming media control board 100, the gaming media control chip product code "0000000000000000h" can be output to the rental unit.

[0380] (c) Hall control and fraud monitoring information Hall control and fraud monitoring information consists of the following information, such as the number of gaming devices used. a) Number of gaming media "Number of game media" refers to information indicating the current number (total) of game media stored in the game media control board 100. This number is decreased by inserting game media (betting) and increased by granting game media based on winning small prizes. The current number of game media is stored in the game media storage means 103a and displayed on the game media display unit 121. For example, if "2000" is stored as the number of game media, "0007D0h" can be output to the dispensing unit 200 as the number of game media. The upper limit of the number of game media that can be stored in the game media control board 100 is "16383(D)". Furthermore, by transmitting the current number of gaming media (every 300 ms) to the lending unit 200, the lending unit 200 can also manage the number of gaming media. This further enhances security.

[0381] b) Number of inputs "Number of tokens inserted" refers to information indicating the number of game tokens that have been inserted (bet). For example, if "3" game tokens are inserted (bet), "03h" can be output to the dispensing unit 200. Also, if the number of tokens inserted, "3", is returned to the game token control board 100 by operating the settlement switch 46 before the game starts (before the start switch 41 is operated), "FDh", which corresponds to "-3", can be output to the dispensing unit 200. In other words, information ranging from "-3" (FDh) to +3 (03h) can be output to the dispensing unit 200.

[0382] c) Number of awards "Number of awarded" refers to information indicating the number of game tokens (payouts) awarded based on the combination of symbols that stopped (won) on the active lines after all reels 31 have stopped. For example, if the number of game tokens awarded is "8", the information "08h" can be output, and if "15" is awarded, "0Fh" can be output to the dispensing unit 200. In this way, the gaming machine 10 transmits the aforementioned "number of gaming media," "number of media inserted," and "number of media provided" to the lending unit 200, enabling the lending unit 200 to detect any abnormalities in the number of gaming media.

[0383] d) Main control state 1 "Main control state 1" is information indicating the state of the game. Specifically, each bit in a 1-byte data is assigned to indicate which game state it is. For example, when bit D0 is "1", it indicates the RB state; when bit D1 is "1", it indicates the BB state; and when bit D2 is "1", it indicates the AT state. The gaming machine 10 can then output this information to the dispensing unit 200.

[0384] Bits D3 to D6 correspond to game machine status signals 1 to 4. The usage of game machine status signals 1 to 4 can be changed or not used depending on the type of game machine 10. For example, game machine status signal 1 can be output each time the number of game media provided by AT reaches "100". Bit D7 is unused and is configured to output "0" regardless of the type of game machine 10. With this configuration, for example, when notifying that the game is in AT state, "00000100B" can be output to the dispensing unit 200.

[0385] e) Main control state 2 "Main control state 2" is information indicating the state of the game, similar to main control state 1. Bits D0 to D2 correspond to game machine state signals 5 to 7. The usage of game state signals 5 to 7 can be changed or not used depending on the type of game machine 10. For example, game state signal 5 can be output when transitioning to a specific RT state (re-play probability change (high probability) state). Bits D3 to D7 are unused and are configured to output "0" regardless of the type of game machine 10. With this configuration, for example, when transitioning to a specific RT state, "00000001B" can be output to the lending unit 200.

[0386] f) Gaming machine error status "Gaming machine error status" refers to information including error codes that indicate errors occurring in gaming machine 10. Specifically, bits D0 to D5 indicate the error code. Bit D6 indicates whether the error is in the game medium control board 100 (in this case, bit D6 is "0") or in the main control board 50 (in this case, bit D6 is "1"). Bit D7 indicates whether the dispensing unit 200 only provides error notification (in this case, bit D7 is "0") or whether the dispensing unit 200 provides error notification and also notifies the hall computer 300 of the error code through the dispensing unit 200 (in this case, bit D7 is "1").

[0387] For example, suppose the gaming machine 10 is capable of detecting two types of errors: random number anomaly errors and radio wave anomaly errors. In this case, the error codes for random number anomaly errors are defined as "00001B" and for radio wave anomaly errors as "00010B", and it becomes possible to output information including these error codes. Specifically, if a random number anomaly error is an error in the main control board 50 and the dispensing unit 200 only provides error notification, then "01000001B" can be output to the dispensing unit 200. Also, if a radio wave anomaly error is an error in the game medium count control board 100 and the dispensing unit 200 provides error notification and also notifies the hall computer 300 of the error code, then "10000010B" can be output to the dispensing unit 200. If no error has occurred, or if the gaming machine does not have an error code, then "00000000B" can be output to the dispensing unit 200.

[0388] g) Gaming machine fraud 1 (main control) "Gaming machine fraud 1 (main control)" refers to information regarding the detection of fraud related to the main control board 50 and the status of the main control board 50. The signals of gaming machine fraud 1 (main control) are treated as signals for the hall computer 300. In other words, each signal of gaming machine fraud 1 (main control) output from the gaming machine 10 is output to the hall computer 300 via the dispensing unit 200.

[0389] The signals that constitute the Gaming Machine Irregularity 1 (Main Control) are as follows: First, the D0 bit is assigned the setting change signal. When the D0 bit is "1", it indicates that the setting is being changed (in setting change mode) or that the setting has been changed. The setting change signal is that the D0 bit is "1" from the time the setting is being changed until the end of one game after the setting change (for example, when all 31 reels have stopped and the game medium distribution process is complete). In situations other than the time the setting is being changed until the end of one game after the setting change, the D0 bit is "0". The D1 bit is assigned the setting confirmation signal. When setting confirmation is in progress (setting confirmation mode), the D1 bit is "1", and in all other situations, the D1 bit is "0".

[0390] The D2 bit is assigned to fraud detection signal 1, the D3 bit to fraud detection signal 2, and the D4 bit to fraud detection signal 3. For example, in a gaming machine 10 where an anomaly in the random number generation is considered fraudulent, if the detection of an anomaly in the random number generation is assigned to fraud detection signal 1, the D2 bit will be "1" when an anomaly in the random number generation is detected, and "0" when an anomaly in the random number generation is not detected. The D5 bit is assigned a security signal. Specifically, the D5 bit is "1" when the device is outputting an unauthorized detection signal, a setting change signal, or a setting confirmation signal, and is "0" in all other situations. Bits D6 and D7 are unused and will both be set to "0".

[0391] h) Gaming machine fraud 2 (main control or number of gaming media control) "Gaming machine fraud 2 (main control or game medium count control)" refers to information indicating the detection of fraud related to the main control board 50 or the game medium count control board 100, or the status related to the main control board 50 or the game medium count control board 100. The signals of gaming machine fraud 2 (main control or game medium count control) are treated as signals for the hall computer 300. In other words, each signal of gaming machine fraud 2 (main control or game medium count control) output from the gaming machine 10 is output to the hall computer 300 through the dispensing unit 200.

[0392] The signals that constitute the second type of illegal game machine operation (main control or game media count control) are as follows: The D0 bit is assigned the setting door open signal. The "setting door open signal" is a signal that indicates whether or not the setting key switch cover, which covers the setting key switch 12 used to change settings, is open. When the setting key switch cover is open, the D0 bit is "1", and when the setting key switch cover is closed, the D0 bit is "0". In gaming machines that do not have a setting key switch cover, or gaming machines that do not have a function to detect when the setting key switch cover is open, the D0 bit is "0".

[0393] The D1 bit is assigned the door open signal. The "door open signal" is information indicating whether or not the door of the gaming machine 10 (also called the "front door") is open. When the door of the gaming machine 10 is open, the D1 bit is "1", and when the door of the gaming machine 10 is closed, the D1 bit is "0". The D2 bit is unused and is set to "0". The D3 bit is assigned to "game media count clear detection." "Game media count clear detection" is the detection that the total game media count clear switch 112, located on the game media count control board 100, has been operated (the total game media count has been cleared). The D3 bit becomes "1" when the operation of the total number of game media clear switch 112 is detected, and becomes "0" when the operation of the total number of game media clear switch 112 is not detected. In the case of a game machine that does not have a total number of game media clear switch 112, the D3 bit becomes "0". Bits D4 through D7 are unused and will be set to "0".

[0394] i) Gaming machine fraud 3 (main control or control of the number of gaming media) "Gaming machine fraud 3" is provided as a backup and is used for detecting fraud related to the main control board 50 or the gaming medium count control board 100, and for displaying information on the status of the main control board 50 or the gaming medium count control board 100. In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the gaming machine fraud 3 (main control or number of gaming media control) is unused, and bits D0 to D7 are "0". Furthermore, although not shown in Figure 31, other information is also provided as hall control fraud monitoring information, but its explanation is omitted in this embodiment.

[0395] Return to Figure 30 for explanation. 2. Data section of the counting notification The data section of the counting notification consists of the number of counted gaming media and the cumulative number of counted gaming media. a) Number of countable gaming media The "counted number of game media" is the number of game media that the gaming machine 10 sends (returns) to the dispensing unit 2...

Claims

[Claim 1] It has a predetermined display device capable of displaying the game history, After the gaming machine's power is turned on and the connection to the dispensing unit is confirmed for a predetermined period, information indicating that it is connected to the dispensing unit can be stored. After information indicating that it is connected to the rental unit is stored, it becomes possible to send a gaming machine information notification to the rental unit. The aforementioned predetermined display device is configured to display the calculated bonus ratio, If the calculated bonus ratio is "100", the display process can be executed with the bonus ratio set to "99". If the calculated bonus ratio is "100", the bonus ratio included in the information sent to the lending unit will be set to "100", and the transmission process will be executed. If the calculated bonus payout ratio is a specific value exceeding "100", the bonus payout ratio included in the information sent to the lending unit will be set to a predetermined value different from the specific value (the predetermined value is a value of "100" or less) and the transmission process will be executed accordingly. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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