Abstract:
In order to make it easy to change the necessary device specifications when adapted to paper currencies in circulation in a plurality of countries and regions, a paper currency processing device (M 1 ) has: a paper currency slot (M 5 ) which is capable of handling the paper currency (T) of multiple currency circulation regions from the outside of the device; a paper currency transfer mechanism for transferring the paper currency (T) between the paper currency slot (M 5 ) and various locations inside the device; and a plurality of paper currency cases linked to the paper currency transfer mechanism. The paper currency transfer mechanism is controlled in such a manner that the paper currency case associated with a currency circulation area is identified, and the paper currency (T) is transferred into the identified paper currency case.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a bill processing unit storing bills and a gaming machine including the same. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     According to a known arrangement, a plurality of stackers storing stacked bills are provided as bill processing units for storing bills, the type of each bill is specified when it is taken into the machine, and the bills are sorted by type by transporting the bills to the stackers of the respective types (Patent Literatures 1-4). Furthermore, Patent Literature 5 discloses an authenticity determination method taking into account of bill specifications of respective countries, such as ink and paper quality. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literatures 
     
         
         [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Utility-Model Publication No. 6-51967 
         [Patent Literature 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-352298 
         [Patent Literature 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-2484 
         [Patent Literature 4] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-296794 
         [Patent Literature 5] Pamphlet of International Publication No, 2009/093717 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The known bill processing unit aims at sorting and storing only bills distributed in a particular country or area. For this reason, the known bill processing unit must be adjusted, before used in each country or area, to conduct information processing and to have the mechanical specifications corresponding to the bills distributed in the country or area. It has therefore been desired to conceive of a way to easily change such settings. 
     An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a bill processing unit in which a change in the specifications of the unit required to correspond to bills distributed in a plurality of countries or areas is easily done, and a gaming machine provided with the bill processing unit. 
     Solution to Problem 
     According to the present invention, a bill processing unit includes: a bill slot allowing bills of a plurality of currency circulation zones to be dealt with from an outside; a bill transportation mechanism configured to transport the bills between the bill slot and parts of the bill processing unit; a plurality of bill cases connected to the bill transportation mechanism; a storage configured to store identification data of each of the bill cases and identification data of each of the currency circulation zones in association with one another; a bill reader configured to read information from the bills while the bills are being transported by the bill transportation mechanism; a bill identifying unit configured to identify the currency circulation zone of each of the bills based on bill information data read by the bill reader; and an import control unit configured to specify one of the bill cases associated with the currency circulation zone identified by the bill identifying unit based on the identification data stored in the storage and control the bill transportation mechanism to import the bills to the specified bill case. 
     According to the arrangement above, because the bills in the currency circulation zone identified by the bill identifying unit are imported to the bill case associated with that currency circulation zone, it is possible to sort the bills in accordance with the currency circulation zones in which the bills are issued and store the bills. With this, it is possible to adjust the device specifications in accordance with the currency circulation zone of the bills simply by, for example, selecting a bill case in consideration of the capacity thereof and the frequency of the use of the bills, in such a way that a bill case having a large capacity is selected for the bills of a frequently-used currency circulation zone, whereas a bill case having a small capacity is selected for the bills of a not-frequently-used currency circulation zone. 
     According tot present invention, in addition to the above, the bill processing unit may further include: a currency circulation zone classification unit configured to classify sets of information data of the respective currency circulation zones stored in the storage into information data of a particular currency circulation zone and information data of other currency circulation zones; a payout instruction unit configured to receive from the outside an instruction to pay out the bills; and an export control unit configured to specify, in response to an instruction from the payout instruction unit, one of the bill cases associated with the particular currency circulation zone based on the identification data stored in the storage, and control the bill transportation mechanism to export the bills from the specified bill case to the bill slot. 
     According to the arrangement above, when an instruction to pay out the bills is made to the payout instruction unit from the outside, the bills of the particular currency circulation zone are exported to the bill slot by the bill transportation mechanism. The bills of the particular currency circulation zone are therefore easily received. 
     According to the present invention, the bill processing unit may further include: a payout amount specifying unit configured to receive a payout amount of the bills from the outside, the export control unit controlling the bill transportation mechanism to export the bills, the number of which corresponds to the payout amount specified in the payout amount specifying unit, to the bill slot. 
     According to the arrangement above, as the bills the number of which has been specified from the outside, are exported to the bill slot by the bill transportation mechanism, with the result that the bills corresponding to a desired amount of money are received. 
     According to the present invention, the bill processing unit may be arranged so that the currency circulation zone classification unit sets a currency circulation zone in which the bill processing unit is installed as the particular currency circulation zone. 
     According to the arrangement above, when an instruction to pay out the bills is made to the payout instruction unit from the outside, the bills of the currency circulation zone in which the bill processing unit is installed, i.e., the bills of the player&#39;s country are exported to the bill slot. As such, the bills of the player&#39;s country are easily received. 
     According to the present invention, the bill processing unit may further include: a currency circulation zone selection unit that allows one of the currency circulation zones stored in the storage to be selectable from the outside, the export control unit setting, when one of the currency circulation zones is selected in the currency circulation zone selection unit, the selected one of the currency circulation zones as the particular currency circulation zone. 
     According to the arrangement above, as the bills of the currency circulation zone selected from the outside are exported to the bill slot, the bills of the desired currency circulation zone are received for a desired amount of money. 
     According to the present invention, the bill processing unit may further include: a total amount calculation unit configured to calculate the total monetary amount of the bills stored in the bill case; and an export determination unit configured to compare the payout amount specified by the payout amount specifying unit with the total monetary amount in the bill case from which payout is conducted, and prohibit the export control unit from controlling the bill transportation mechanism to conduct export when the payout amount is equal to or larger than the total monetary amount. 
     According to the arrangement above, it is possible to prevent in advance the occurrence of the case where the bills stored in the bill case run out while the bills are being paid out and the case is refilled with bills. 
     According to the present invention, the bill processing unit may further include: a countermeasure information output unit configured to, when the export determination unit prohibits the export, output at least one set of countermeasure information regarding the prohibition of the export to be recognizable by an operator who has instructed payout of the bills; a countermeasure information selection unit configured to allow the operator to select a set of the countermeasure information; and a countermeasure information execution unit configured to execute a process associated with the set of countermeasure information selected in the countermeasure information selection unit. 
     According to the arrangement above, because at least one set of countermeasure information in case of the prohibition of the payout of the bills is presented to the operator, the operator is able to take measures in line with his/her intention. 
     According to the present invention, the at least one countermeasure information may include: staff person calling information with which a staff person dealing with the bills in the bill cases is called; selection encouragement information with which the operator is encouraged to select another one of the currency circulation zones with which the payout is possible; and payout cancellation information with which the payout of the bills is canceled. 
     According to the arrangement above, because at least one set of countermeasure information in case of the prohibition of the payout of the bills is selectable by the operator, the operator is able to take measures in line with his/her intention. 
     According to the present invention, each of the bill cases may include: a storing frame configured to store the bills in a stacked form; a partition plate configured to contact an end of each of the bills stored in the storing frame; and a partition plate supporting mechanism configured to support the partition plate to be movable forward and backward with respect to the end of each of the bills. 
     Because this allows a bill case of a single type to store differently sized and/or differently shaped bills, the manufacturing cost of the bill case is reduced as compared to cases where bill cases are provided for respective types and sizes of bills. 
     According to the present invention, a gaming machine may include the bill processing unit arranged as described above. 
     According to the arrangement above, when installing a gaming machine in each country, only a simple initial setting is required to play games on the gaming machine with bills issued or circulated in each country. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, a change in device specifications required to correspond to bills distributed in a plurality of countries or areas is easily done. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an operation state of a bill processing unit mounted on a gaming machine. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the internal arrangement of the components in the gaming machine. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bill processing unit. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bill processing unit. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the internal structure of the bill processing unit. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the bill case. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross section taken along the X-X line in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates how bills are imported into the case bill. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the bill processing controller. 
         FIG. 10  shows a bill management table. 
         FIG. 11  is an explanatory diagram of a functional flow of the gaming machine. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a game system. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an entire gaming machine. 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram of a PTS system. 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram of a PTS system. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a slot machine in the gaming machine. 
         FIG. 17  is an explanatory diagram of a button layout of a control panel. 
         FIG. 18  is a magnified perspective view of a PTS terminal. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a display state of a PTS terminal. 
         FIG. 20  is an electrical block diagram of the slot machine. 
         FIG. 21  is an electrical block diagram of a PTS terminal. 
         FIG. 22  is an electrical block diagram of an IC card. 
         FIG. 23  is an explanatory diagram of a code No. determination table. 
         FIG. 24  is an explanatory drawing of a payout control table. 
         FIG. 25  is an explanatory drawing of a free game quantity table. 
         FIG. 26  is an explanatory diagram of a display state of a symbol display device. 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a bill payout screen. 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a bill payout screen. 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a payout selection screen and a bill selection screen. 
         FIG. 30  is a flowchart of a boot process routine. 
         FIG. 31  is a flowchart of a base game process routine. 
         FIG. 32  is a flowchart of a base game process routine. 
         FIG. 33  is a flowchart of a free game process routine. 
         FIG. 34  is a flowchart of a common game process routine. 
         FIG. 35  is a flowchart of a bill storing process routine. 
         FIG. 36  is a flowchart of a payout amount input process routine. 
         FIG. 37  is a flowchart of an area change process routine. 
         FIG. 38  is a flowchart of a payout process routine. 
         FIG. 39  is a flowchart of a bill payment process routine. 
         FIG. 40  is a flowchart of a bill switching process routine. 
         FIG. 41  is a flowchart of a bill discharging process routine. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     (Outline of Bill Processing Unit) 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a bill processing unit M 1  is arranged to be able to sort bills T that are a type of currency in accordance with each currency circulation zone in a country or area and individually store each type of sorted bills T, and is detachably provided in a cabinet  11  of a slot machine  10 . While the present embodiment assumes that the bill processing unit M 1  is used for the slot machine  10 , the unit may be used for gaming machines other than the slot machine  10  and devices other than gaming machines. Details of the gaming machine having the bill processing unit M 1  and the slot machine  10  will be given later. 
     To describe the bill processing unit M 1  more specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the bill processing unit M 1  includes: a bill slot M 5  that makes it possible to introduce bills T of a plurality of currency circulation zones into the device; a bill transportation mechanism (including components such as a bill transportation path M 3  and transportation rollers M 14 B,  15 B,  16 B, and  17 B) that transports bills T from the bill slot M 5  to various parts in the device; a plurality of bill cases M 300  connected to the bill transportation mechanism; a storage (a ROM M 222  and a RAM M 224  in  FIG. 9  and a bill management table in  FIG. 10 ) configured to store the identification data of each bill case M 300  and the identification data of a currency circulation zone in association with one another; a bill reader M 8  configured to read information from a bill T while the bill T is being transported by the bill transportation mechanism; a bill identifying unit M 230  shown in  FIG. 9  configured to specify the currency circulation zone of a bill T based on bill information data read by the bill reader M 8 ; and an import control unit (a ROM M 222 , a RAM M 224 , and a CPU M 220  in  FIG. 9 ) configured to specify which bill case M 300  is associated with the currency circulation zone specified by the bill identifying unit M 230  based on the identification data (storage stage, bill type, or the like) stored in the storage (a bill management table in  FIG. 10 ) and control the bill transportation mechanism to import the bill T into the specified bill case M 300 . 
     It is noted that the term “bill T” is a type of currency. The term “currency” encompasses not only legal currencies issued by governments but also local currencies each used in a particular community and international currencies transacted internationally, such as Euro and United States Dollar. The term “currency circulation zone” indicates a geographical range in which the currency is used for transaction. For example, in case of a currency circulated in a country, the range within the border of the country is the currency circulation zone. In case of a common currency circulated in an area constituted by a plurality of countries, the area is the currency circulation zone. Furthermore, in case of a currency circulated in a region of a country, the region is the currency circulation zone. 
     The bill processing unit M 1  arranged as above is able to import the bills T associated with the currency circulation zone identified by the bill identifying unit M 230  to the bill case M 300  associated with that currency circulation zone. Bills T are therefore sorted by the currency circulation zone where each bill T was issued and stored. With this, it is possible to adjust the device specifications in accordance with the currency circulation zone of the bills T simply by, for example, selecting a bill case M 300  in consideration of the capacity thereof and the frequency of the use of the bills T, in such away that a bill case M 300  having a large capacity is selected for the bills T of a frequently-used currency circulation zone, whereas a bill case M 300  having a small capacity is selected for the bills T of a not-frequently-used currency circulation zone. In this way, in the bill processing unit M 1  the replacement of the bill case M 300  or the collection of the bills T when the bill case M 300  is fully filled with the bills T is less frequently required, and hence the availability of the device such as the gaming machine is improved. 
     Furthermore, while a conventional bill processing unit M 1  is designed solely in consideration of bills T in the currency circulation zone in which the unit is installed, the bill processing unit M 1  arranged as described above is designed in consideration of not only bills T in the currency circulation zone in which the unit is installed but also bills T circulated outside that currency circulation zone. This allows foreigners living outside the currency circulation zone to play games without doing troublesome currency exchange from the currencies circulated in their homes. 
     The bill processing unit M 1  further has an arrangement of paying out bills T of a particular currency circulation zone such as a player&#39;s country. More specifically, the bill processing unit M 1  includes: a currency circulation zone classification unit (bill processing controller M 200  shown in  FIG. 9 ) configured to classify information data of currency circulation zones stored in a storage into information data of a particular currency circulation zone and information data of other currency circulation zones; a payout instruction unit (a touch panel  720  of a PTS terminal  700  in  FIG. 1 ) which is able to receive an instruction from the outside to pay out a bill T; and an export control unit (a bill processing controller M 200  shown in  FIG. 9 ) configured to specify a bill case M 300  (storage stage) associated with the particular currency circulation zone based on the identification data stored in the storage, in response to an instruction input to the payout instruction unit, and control the bill transportation mechanism to export a bill T from the specified bill case M 300  to the bill slot M 5 . 
     In connection with the above, while the payout instruction unit of the present embodiment utilizes the touch panel  720  of the PTS terminal  700  shown in  FIG. 1  as an operation panel, an operation panel dedicated to the bill processing unit M 1  may be used as the payout instruction unit. 
     In the bill processing unit M 1  arranged as above, when, for example, in the bill payout screen F 1  shown in  FIG. 27  an instruction to payout a bill T is made from the outside through the payout instruction unit, a bill T in a particular currency circulation zone indicated by the U.S. flag or the like on the currency displaying portion F 2  is exported to the bill slot M 5  by the bill transportation mechanism. As such, the bill T of the particular currency circulation zone is easily receivable. 
     In addition to the above, the bill processing unit M 1  has an arrangement of specifying a payout amount. More specifically, the bill processing unit M 1  is arranged to include a payout amount specifying unit (e.g., the touch panel  720  of the PTS terminal  700 ) that makes it possible to specify the payout amount of bills T from the outside and the export control unit is arranged to control the bill transportation mechanism such that the bills T, the monetary amount of which has been specified by the payout amount specifying unit, are exported to the bill slot M 5 . 
     In the bill processing unit M 1  arranged as above, when, for example, a payout amount displaying portion F 3  is pressed in the bill payout screen F 1  shown in  FIG. 27 , the bills T the monetary amount of which has been specified from the outside are exported to the bill slot M 5  by the bill transportation mechanism. As such, a desired number of bills T is received. 
     In addition to the above, the bill processing unit M 1  is arranged to exchange bills T of a player&#39;s own currency circulation zone to bills T of a particular currency circulation zone and pay out the exchanged bills T. More specifically, the currency circulation zone classification unit of the bill processing unit M 1  is arranged so that the currency circulation zone where the bill processing unit M 1  is installed is set as the particular currency circulation zone. In the bill processing unit M 1  arranged as above, when an instruction to pay out bills T is made from the outside through the payout instruction unit, bills T of the currency circulation zone where the bill processing unit is installed, i.e., bills T of the player&#39;s country is exported to the bill slot M 5 . As such, bills T of the player&#39;s own country are easily receivable. 
     In addition to the above, the bill processing unit M 1  is arranged to be able to specify the currency circulation zone. More specifically, the bill processing unit M 1  includes a currency circulation zone selection unit (such as the touch panel  720  of the PTS terminal  700 ) which makes it possible to select one of currency circulation zones stored in the storage from the outside, and when one of the currency circulation zones is selected by using the currency circulation zone selection unit, the export control unit sets the selected currency circulation zone as the particular currency circulation zone. 
     In the bill processing unit M 1  arranged as above, when, for example, the currency selection portion F 5  is pressed in the bill payout screen F 1  shown in  FIG. 28 , bills T of the externally-selected currency circulation zone are exported to the bill slot M 5 . As such, it is possible to receive a desired monetary amount of bills T of a desired currency circulation zone. 
     In addition to the above, the bill processing unit M 1  has an arrangement of prohibiting the export of bills T when it is impossible to payout the total amount. More specifically, the bill processing unit M 1  includes a total amount calculation unit (the bill processing controller M 200  in  FIG. 9 ) configured to calculate the total monetary amount of bills T stored in the bill case M 300  and an export determination unit (bill processing controller M 200  in  FIG. 9 ) configured to compare a payout amount specified by the payout amount specifying unit with the total amount in the bill case M 300  from which the payout is conducted, and prevent the export control unit from instructing the bill transportation mechanism to export when the payout amount is larger than the total amount. 
     In the bill processing unit M 1  arranged above, it is possible to prevent in advance the occurrence of the case where the bills T stored in the bill case M 300  run out while the bills T are being paid out and the case M 300  is refilled with bills T. 
     In addition to the above, the bill processing unit M 1  has an arrangement of notifying countermeasure information concerning the export prohibition by sound or image display. More specifically, the bill processing unit M 1  includes: when the export control is prohibited by the export determination unit, a countermeasure information output unit (such as the LCD  719  of the PTS terminal  700 ) configured to output at least one set of countermeasure information regarding the prohibition of the export control to be recognizable by the operator who has instructed the payout of bills T, a countermeasure information selection unit (such as the touch panel  720  of the PTS terminal  700 ) which allows the operator to select a set of countermeasure information, and a countermeasure information execution unit (the bill processing controller M 200  in  FIG. 9 ) configured to execute a process associated with the set of countermeasure information selected by the countermeasure information selection unit. 
     In the bill processing unit M 1  arranged as above, for example, in the payout-impossible screen F 9  shown in  FIG. 29  at least one set of countermeasure information when the payout of bills T is prohibited, such as a cancellation button F 72 , a staff person calling button F 71 , and a bill switching button F 73 , is presented to the operator, and hence the operator is able to take measures in line with his/her intention. 
     In addition to the above, the bill processing unit M 1  has an arrangement of notifying specific functions of sets of countermeasure information regarding the prohibition of export. More specifically, the bill processing unit M 1  is arranged to be able to notify one of the following sets of information as the countermeasure information: staff person calling information for calling a staff person dealing with bills T in the bill cases M 300 ; selection encouragement information encouraging the operator to select a currency circulation zone with which payout is possible; and payout cancellation information with which payout of bills T is canceled. The bill processing unit M 1  arranged as above allows the operator to select a set of specific information of at least one set of countermeasure information concerning the prohibition of the payout of bills T, and hence the operation is able to easily take measures in line with his/her intention. 
     (Bill Processing Unit: Device Main Body M 2 ) 
     The bill processing unit M 1  arranged as above is installed so that the bill slot M 5  allowing bills T to pass through matches an insertion slot  22   a  of the bill entry  22  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The bill processing unit M 1  includes a device main body M 2  having the bill slot M 5  and a bill housing unit M 100  provided in the device main body M 2  to house bills T therein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the device main body M 2  includes a main body frame M 2 A and a door member M 2 B arranged to be rationally opened or closed about one end portion of the main body frame M 2 A. The main body frame M 2 A and the door member M 2 B are arranged so that, when the door member M 2 B is closed with respect to the main body frame M 2 A, a gap (bill transportation path M 3 ) where bills T are transported is formed between these members, and the bill slot M 5  is formed to match the bill transportation path M 3 , on the side on which the members are exposed to the front surface. The bill slot M 5  is a slit allowing bills T to be inserted into the device main body M 2  with the short side of each bill T being the leading end. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , in the device main body M 2  are provided: a bill transportation path M 3 ; a bill transportation mechanism configured to transport bills T along the bill transportation path M 3 ; an insertion detection sensor M 7  configured to detect bills T inserted into the bill slot M 5 ; a bill reader M 8  provided on the downstream of the insertion detection sensor M 7  to read information on each bill T being transported; a skew correction mechanism M 10  configured to precisely position each bill T with respect to the bill reader M 8 ; a movable piece passing detection sensor M 12  configured to detect that a bill T passes through a pair of movable pieces constituting the skew correction mechanism; and an ejection detection sensor M 18  configured to detect that a bill T has been ejected to the bill housing unit M 100 . 
     Now, the components of the device main body M 2  will be detailed. The bill transportation path M 3  extends toward the rear side from the bill slot M 5 , and includes a first transportation path M 3 A, a second transportation path M 3 B that extends to the downstream from the first transportation path M 3 A and is inclined downward from the first transportation path M 3 A at a predetermined angle, and a third transportation path M 3 C connected to the downstream end of the second transportation path M 3 B. The third transportation path M 3 C is vertically positioned along the rear end face of the bill housing unit M 100 . The third transportation path M 3 C is able to be connected with the leasing end of the bill case M 300 , to allow bills T to be imported to or exported from the bill case M 300 . 
     The bill transportation mechanism allows bills T having been inserted through the bill slot M 5  to be transported to each bill case M 300  along the insertion direction, and allows bills T being stored in the third transportation path M 3 C or being inserted to be sent back toward the bill slot M 5 . This bill transportation mechanism includes a motor provided in the device main body M 2  as a driving source and transportation roller pairs M 14 A and  14 B, M 15 A and  15 B, M 16 A and  16 B, and M 17 A and  17 B that are rotated by the motor and are provided at predetermined intervals in the bill transportation path M 3  along the bill transportation direction. 
     The transportation roller pairs are disposed so that a part of the pairs is exposed to the bill transportation path M 3 , and are each arranged so that a transportation roller below the bill transportation path M 3  is driven by the motor whereas a transportation roller M 14 A,  15 A,  16 A or M 17 A provided above the path is a pinch roller driven by the motor-driven roller. A single pair of transportation rollers M 14 A and M 14 B that sandwiches a bill T inserted through the bill slot M 5  first and transports the bill T toward the rear side is provided at a central portion of the bill transportation path M 3 , and pairs of transportation rollers M 15 A and M 15 B, M 16 A and M 16 B, and M 17 A and M 17 B that are serially provided on the downstream of the pair of rollers M 14 A and M 14 B are provided at two parts along the width direction of the bill transportation path M 3 . 
     In regard to the aforesaid pair of transportation rollers M 14 A and M 14 B in the vicinity of the bill slot M 5 , the pair is normally arranged so that the upper transportation roller M 14 A is detached from the lower transportation roller M 14 B, and the upper transportation roller M 14 A is moved toward the lower transportation roller M 14 B to sandwich an inserted bill T, when the insertion of the bill T is detected by the insertion detection sensor M 7 . 
     That is to say, the upper transportation roller M 14 A is driven by a roller elevation motor M 70  (see  FIG. 9 ) which is a driving source to contact or move away from the lower transportation roller M 14 B. In this regard, when the skew correction mechanism M 10  executes a process (skew correction process) of correcting the tilting of an inserted bill T and aligning the bill T with the bill reader M 8 , the upper transportation roller M 14 A moves away from the lower transportation roller M 14 B to dismiss the load on the bill T, and when the skew correction process ends, the upper transportation roller M 14 A is driven again toward the lower transportation roller M 14 B to sandwich the bill T between the rollers. The driving source may be a solenoid or the like instead of the motor. 
     In addition to the above, the skew correction mechanism M 10  is provided with a pair of left and right movable pieces M 10 A for skew correction. As a motor M 40  for the skew correction mechanism is driven, the left and right movable pieces M 10 A move close to each other, so that a process of skew correction of the bill T is conducted. 
     The transportation roller provided below the above-described bill transportation path M 3  is rotationally driven by a motor and a pulley provided at an end of the driving shaft of each transportation roller. That is to say, a driving pulley is attached to the output shaft of the motor, and a driving belt wraps the pulley provided at an end of the driving shaft of each transportation roller and the driving pulley of the motor. The driving belt is engaged with tension pulleys at suitable parts so that the loosening of the belt is prevented. 
     As the motor rotates forward in the structure described above, the transportation rollers are rotated forward in sync with the motor and transport the bill T in the insertion direction. On the other hand, when the motor rotates backward, the transportation rollers are rotated backward in sync with the motor, and the bill T is transported toward the bill slot M 5 . 
     The insertion detection sensor M 7  generates a detection signal when detecting a bill T having been inserted into the bill slot M 5 . When the detection signal is output, the motor rotates forward and the bill T is transported in the insertion direction. The insertion detection sensor M 7  of the present embodiment is provided between the pair of transportation rollers M 14 A and M 14 B and the skew correction mechanism M 10 , and is constituted by an optical sensor, e.g., a retro-reflective photo sensor. Alternatively, the sensor M 7  may be constituted by a mechanical sensor. 
     In addition to the above, the movable piece passing detection sensor M 12  generates a detection signal when a detection result indicates that the leading end of the bill T has passed through the pair of left and right movable pieces M 10 A constituting the skew correction mechanism M 10 . When this detection signal is output, the motor is stopped and the skew correction process is conducted. The movable piece passing detection sensor M 12  of the present embodiment is provided upstream of the bill reader M 8 , and is constituted by an optical sensor or a mechanical sensor in the same manner as the insertion detection sensor. 
     In addition to the above, the ejection detection sensor M 18  detects the rear end of the passing bill T to find that the bill T is ejected to the bill housing unit M 100 . The sensor M 18  is provided immediately upstream of the bill housing unit M 100 , on the downstream side of the second transportation path M 3 B. Once the ejection detection sensor M 18  outputs the detection signal, the motor is stopped and the process of transporting the bill T is terminated. The ejection detection sensor M 18  is also constituted by an optical sensor or a mechanical sensor in the same manner as the insertion detection sensor. 
     The bill reader M 8  has a function of reading bill information data from a bill T which is transported after the skew thereof is corrected by the skew correction mechanism M 10 . The bill information data is used not only for the validity (authenticity) of the bill T but also to identify the currency circulation zone of the bill T. In the present embodiment, the bill reader M 8  is arranged to include a line sensor that reads information by applying light to the both sides of the transported bill T and receiving transmitted light and reflected light by light receiving elements. This bill reader M 8  is provided on the first transportation path M 3 A. 
     (Bill Processing Unit: Bill Housing Unit M 100 ) 
     The device main body M 2  arranged as above is detachably provided with a bill housing unit M 10 . The bill housing unit M 100  is removed from the device main body M 2  in such a way that a handle M 101  on the front surface is pulled after an unillustrated locking mechanism is unlocked. 
     The bill housing unit M 100  includes a box-shaped cabinet M 100 A and bill cases M 300  provided in the cabinet M 100 A. The cabinet M 100 A has the handle M 101  on its front surface and detachably houses the bill case M 300  therein in a horizontal manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , each bill case M 300  includes a storing frame M 301  storing stacked bills T, a first partition plate M 302  contacting the ends of the bills T stored in the storing frame M 301 , and a first partition plate supporting mechanism M 303  that supports the first partition plate M 302  to be movable with respect to the ends of the bills T. Because this allows a bill case M 300  of a single type to store differently sized and/or differently shaped bills T as the supporting position of the first partition plate M 302  is changed, the manufacturing cost of the bill case M 300  is reduced as compared to cases where bill cases M 300  are provided for respective types and sizes of bills T. 
     To more specifically describe the bill case M 300 , the storing frame M 301  of the bill case M 300  is rectangular parallelepiped in shape and is open-top to allow a staff person to supply or remove bills T. Alternatively, the storing frame M 301  may have an openable lid on the upper surface. 
     In addition to the above, a bill passing hole M 301   a  is made through the downstream end face of the storing frame M 301  in an import direction A. The bill passing hole M 301   a  is open to the third transportation path M 3 C to allow bills T to move between the storing frame M 301  and the third transportation path M 3 C. Furthermore, in the vicinity of the bill passing hole M 301   a , an import/export mechanism M 309  is provided to import and export bills T from and to the storing frame M 301 . This import/export mechanism M 309  may be provided in the bill case M 300  or in the third transportation path M 3 C. The import/export mechanism M 309  is preferably formed as a unit and detachable to the bill case M 300  or the third transportation path M 3 C. 
     Inside the storing frame M 301  is provided a horizontal supporting plate M 306  supporting the first partition plate M 302 , bills T, or the like. Above the bottom surface of the storing frame M 301 , the horizontal supporting plate M 306  is disposed to be in parallel to the bottom surface of the storing frame M 301 . As the horizontal supporting plate M 306  divides the internal space of the storing frame M 301  into upper and lower spaces, a first housing chamber M 301 A is formed above the supporting plate M 306  and a second housing chamber M 301 B is formed below the supporting plate M 306 . 
     On the upper surface of the horizontal supporting plate M 306  is provided a first partition plate M 302  that positions the bills T in the longitudinal direction. This first partition plate M 302  is provided upstream of bills T in the import direction A. The first partition plate M 302  includes a bill contacting portion M 302   a  that positions the bills T in the import direction A and a partition plate supporter M 302   b  supporting the bill contacting portion M 302   a . The bill contacting portion M 302   a  is formed so that at least the surface contacting the bills T is flat to be able to contact the entirety of the upstream side of the bills T in the import direction A. The bill contacting portion M 302   a  is disposed to be vertical with respect to the horizontal supporting plate M 306 , and is arranged so that the upper end thereof is higher than the height of the maximally-stacked bills T. On the other hand, the partition plate supporter M 302   b  is provided at the lower end portion of the bill contacting portion M 302   a . The partition plate supporter M 302   b  is formed so that the contacting surface contacting the horizontal supporting plate M 306  is a rectangular flat plate to surface-contact the horizontal supporting plate M 306 , so as to keep the bill contacting portion M 302   a  to be vertically positioned. 
     The first partition plate M 302  described above is supported by the first partition plate supporting mechanism M 303  to be movable forward and backward. The first partition plate supporting mechanism M 303  includes a fitting member M 303   a  provided on the lower surface of the partition plate supporter M 302   b  and fitting holes M 303   b  made through the horizontal supporting plate M 306 . The fitting member  303   a  is rectangular parallelepiped in shape and is positioned to be long in the direction orthogonal to the import direction A of bills T. Each fitting hole M 303   b  is shaped and sized to be fitted with the fitting member  303   a . The direction in which the fitting hole M 303   b  are lined up is in parallel to the import direction A of bills T. With this, the first partition plate supporting mechanism M 303  is able to position the first partition plate M 302  in forward and backward directions with respect to the import direction A, as a fitting hole M 303   b  to which the fitting member is fitted is selected. 
     The fitting holes M 303   b  may be provided at regular intervals or provided at intervals corresponding to the sizes of the bills to be stored. When the fitting holes M 303   b  are at regular intervals, it is possible to position the first partition plate M 302  to be optimal for many sizes of bills. On the other hand, when the fitting holes M 303   b  are provided at intervals corresponding to the sizes of the bills to be stored, the first partition plate M 302  is easily disposed. 
     In addition to the above, on the upper surface of the horizontal supporting plate M 306  are provided two second partition plates M 307  configured to position the bills T in the width directions. These second partition plates M 307  are disposed to face each other and to be able to contact or get close to the respective ends of the bills T in the width directions. 
     The second partition plates M 307  are provided to be horizontal with respect to the import direction A, and in each of which at least the surface contacting the bills T has a planar shape. The second partition plates M 307  are disposed to be vertical with respect to the horizontal supporting plate M 306  and the height of the upper end of each plate is arranged to be higher than the height of the maximally-stacked bills T. The second partition plates M 307  are arranged to be symmetrical about the crosswise center line O of the horizontal supporting plates M 306 , and are movable forward and backward with respect to the center line. With this, by adjusting the distance between the second partition plates M 307 , it is possible to set the storage width to be optical for bills T of various sizes. 
     In addition to the above, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the distance between the second partition plates M 307  is wide at the downstream ends in the import direction A. That is to say, each second partition plate M 307  has a guide portion M 307   a  at the downstream end portion in the import direction A. The guide portion M 307   a  is curved outward in the width direction from the upstream to the downstream in the import direction A. With this, the second partition plates M 307  make it possible to import bills T by guiding the bills T between the second partition plates M 307  without clogging the bills T, even if, at the initial stage of the import of the bills T, the transportation direction and the crosswise transportation position of the bills T are slightly deviated from the correct direction and position. 
     The second partition plates M 307  are supported by the second partition plate supporting mechanism M 308 . The second partition plate supporting mechanism M 308  includes guide mechanisms M 3081  and a symmetrical movement mechanism M 3082 . The guide mechanisms M 3081  are provided on the upstream side and on the downstream side in the import direction A, respectively. Each guide mechanisms M 3081  includes a guide groove hole M 3081   a  formed to extend in the width direction of the horizontal supporting plate M 306  and a fitting member M 3081   b  movably fitted to the guide groove hole M 3081   a . The guide groove holes M 3081   a  are arranged to be in parallel to each other. The fitting members M 3081   b  fitted to the guide groove holes M 3081   a  are connected to the lower ends of the second partition plates M 307 . This allows the guide mechanisms M 3081  to move the second partition plates M 307  while keeping the plates to be in parallel to the import direction A. 
     Between the above-described guide mechanisms M 3081  is provided a symmetrical movement mechanism M 3082 . The important part of the symmetrical movement mechanism M 3082  is provided at the second housing chamber M 301 B below the horizontal supporting plate M 306 . The symmetrical movement mechanism M 3082  includes an insertion hole M 3081   b  made through the horizontal supporting plate M 306 , gears M 3083  provided at the crosswise ends of the horizontal supporting plate M 306  to be symmetrical with each other, a chain M 3084  attached to the gears M 3083 , and connecting members M 3086  connecting the chain M 3084  with the second partition plates M 307 . 
     One connecting member M 3086  is attached to a predetermined part of the chain M 3084  on the upstream in the import direction A. The other connecting member M 3086  is attached to a predetermined part of the chain M 3084  on the downstream in the import direction A. With this, when one of the second partition plates M 307  is moved for a predetermined distance in the width direction, the second partition plate supporting mechanism M 308  moves the other second partition plate M 307  for a predetermined distance in the opposite direction. 
     (Electrical Structure of Bill Processing Unit) 
     A bill processing controller M 200  controlling the bill processing unit M 1  will be described with reference to the block diagram in  FIG. 9 . 
     The bill processing controller M 200  illustrated by the block diagram in  FIG. 9  includes a control board M 210  controlling the operations of the driving units described above. This control board M 210  controls the operations of the driving units, and on the control board M 210  are mounted a CPU (Central Processing Unit) M 220 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) M 222 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) M 224 , the bill identifying unit M 230 , and a communication unit M 91  constituting a bill identification unit. 
     The ROM M 222  stores operation programs of the driving units such as the motor M 13  for the bill transportation mechanism, the motor M 20  for driving the pressing plate, the motor M 40  for driving the skew correction mechanism, and the motor M 70  for the roller elevation, and permanent data such as various programs including an authenticity determination program for the a bill identifying unit M 230  and a currency circulation zone determination program. 
     The CPU M 220  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM M 222  to exchange signals with the above-described driving units via an I/O port M 240  so as to perform the overall control of the bill processing unit. That is to say, via the I/O port M 240 , the CPU M 220  is connected to the motor M 13  for the bill transportation mechanism, the motor M 20  for driving the pressing plate, the motor M 40  for driving the skew correction mechanism, and the motor M 70  for the roller elevation, and these driving units are controlled by control signals from the CPU M 220  based on an operation program stored in the ROM M 222 . Furthermore, via the I/O port M 240 , the CPU M 220  receives detection signals from the insertion detection sensor M 7 , the movable piece passing detection sensor M 12 , and the ejection detection sensor M 18 . Based on the detection signals, the above-described driving units are controlled. 
     Furthermore, via the I/O port M 240 , the CPU M 220  receives a detection signal generated based on transmitted or reflected light from an identification target, from the photo acceptance portion M 81   a  of the light emitting/receiving unit M 81  of the bill reader M 8  described above. 
     The RAM M 224  temporarily stores data and programs used when the CPU M 220  operates, and obtains and temporarily stores light receiving data from a bill T which is the identification target (i.e., image data constituted by pixels). 
     The bill identifying unit M 230  conducts an authenticity determination process and a currency circulation zone determination process for a bill T to be transported, and determines the authenticity of the bill T and identifies the currency circulation zone and the face value. This bill identifying unit M 230  includes a converter M 231  configured to convert receiving light data of the identification target stored in the RAM M 224  into pixel information including color information (gray level) having brightness for each pixel and a data processing unit M 231  configured to process image data regarding the bill T obtained from the reflected light and the transmitted light based on the pixel information converted by the converter M 231 , such as specifying the print length of the transported bill T and conducting a correction process based on the print length. 
     In addition to the above, the bill identifying unit M 230  includes a reference data storage unit M 233  storing reference data regarding genuine bills T and a determination process unit M 235  configured to compare comparison data for which various types of data processes regarding the bills T of different face values and currency circulation zones, the authenticity of which is to be determined, have been conducted by the data processing unit M 231 , with reference data which is stored in the reference data storage unit M 233 , and determines the authenticity and specifies the currency circulation zone and the face value of the bill T. In this regard, the reference data storage unit M 233  stores data such as image data regarding genuine bills T used in the authenticity determination process and the currency circulation zone determination process, a reference value of the print length of each type of genuine bills T, and allowable range data indicating an allowable range determined based on the reference value. 
     While the reference data is stored in the dedicated reference data storage unit M 233 , the reference data may be stored in the ROM M 222  described above. Furthermore, while the reference value and the allowable range data referred to at the time of the comparison may be stored in the reference data storage unit M 233  in advance, receiving light data of a predetermined number of genuine bills may be obtained while transporting them by the bill transportation mechanism M 6 , and a reference value and an allowable range may be calculated form the obtained data and stored as reference data. 
     In addition to the above, the CPU M 220  is connected to the first light emitting portion M 80   a  and the second light emitting portion M 81   b  of the above-described bill reader M 8  via the I/O port M 240 . The lighting intervals and the turning-on/off of the first light emitting portion M 80   a  and the second light emitting portion M 81   b  are controlled by a control signal from the CPU M 220  based on an operation program stored in the above-described ROM M 222 , via the light emission control circuit M 260 . 
     (Bill Management Table) 
       FIG. 10  is a table referred to when the types of bills T and the number of stored bills are managed in the bill processing unit M 1 . The bill management table is stored in the RAM M 224  shown in  FIG. 9 . The bill management table has a storage stage field, a transportation function field, a bill type field, a maximum number of stored bills field, a number of stored bills field, and an amount of money stored field, and the table associates stored sets of data with these fields. 
     The storage stage field is a data field used for specifying the bill cases M 300  attached to the bill processing unit M 1 . In the present embodiment, as bill cases M 300  of six stages are attached to be vertically lined up, the bill case M 300  of the uppermost stage is “1” whereas the bill case M 300  of the lowermost stage is “6”. In the meanwhile, when, for example, a single bill case M 300  is sized to be as large as the fourth to sixth stages, the total number of stages is four and hence the bill case M 300  of the uppermost stage is “1” whereas the bill case M 300  of the lowermost stage is “4”. 
     The transportation function field is a data field indicating the transportation mode of bills T in the bill case M 300  of each stage. When the field indicates “import”, the transportation mode in which bills T are imported to the bill case M 300  is set. When the field indicates “export”, the transportation mode in which bills T are exported from the bill case M 300  is set. When the field indicates “import and export”, the transportation mode in which bills T are imported to and exported from the bill case M 300 . 
     The bill type field is a data field that indicates a type of a bill T. The type of a bill T includes a bill amount and a currency unit. Based on this type of a bill T, the size of the bill T is specified. The bill amount indicates a face value in a legal currency, an international currency, or a local currency, whereas the currency unit is a unit such as U.S. dollar and yen. For example, the data of the bill type indicates 10 USD, the data indicates that the bill T is U.S. 10 dollar bill, and the bill case is dealt with as a for-one-type storage stage for 10 USD. That is to say, the bill case M 300  of the first stage functions as a for-one-type storage stage storing 10 dollar bills T. When the bill type field indicates “0”, the case is dealt with as a for-mixed-types storage stage for storing any types of bills T. In other words, the for-mixed-types storage stage stores bills T of types that are different from the types of bills T stored in for-one-type storage stages, among the types of bills T registered in advance. 
     The maximum number of stored bills field is a data field indicating the maximum number of bills stored in the bill case M 300 . For example, when the field indicates “1000”, the bill case M 300  of the corresponding stage can store up to 1000 bills. This data is utilized for determining, for example, a timing to collect the bills T. 
     The number of stored bills field is a data field indicating the number of currently-stored bills T. The amount of money stored field is a data field indicating the total monetary amount of the stored bills T, and is calculated by multiplying the data in the number of stored bills field by the data in the bill type field. 
     (Gaming Machine Overview) 
     The bill processing unit M 1  arranged as above is mounted in a gaming machine. The gaming machine  300  has a multi-player type structure, where a plurality of slot machines  10  each provided as a gaming terminal are connected to a center controller  200  so as to allow data communication therebetween, as shown in  FIGS. 11 to 13 . The gaming machine  300  is configured in such a manner that a base game such as slot game is runnable individually at each slot machine  10 , and a common game is runnable in synchronization among each slot machine  10 . Note that the connection between the slot machines  10  and the center controller  200  may be wireless, wired, or a combination of these. Further, a unit of a bet amount may be a national or regional currency such as dollar, yen, and Euro, or a game point passable only at a hall where the gaming machine  300  is installed or an industry related to the gaming machine  300 . 
     More specifically, the gaming machine  300  includes the slot machines  10  and the center controller  200 . The slot machines  10  each have an input device which accepts an external input, and a terminal controller which runs the base game and which is programmed to execute various steps in order to run a common game executed at more than one of the slot machines  10 . The center controller  200  is connected in communication with the slot machines  10  and is programmed to execute various steps. 
     The terminal controller of the gaming machine  300  is arranged to be able to execute at least a first process in which a base game is run in response to a start command input to the input device, a second process in which a common game is run in response to a game start command from the center controller  200 , and a third process in which a game result of the common game is determined based on game result information from the center controller  200 . 
     It is noted that the “common game” is a sub game different from the main game of the gaming machine  300 , and is run along with the basic game or run while the basic game is stopped. Examples of the common game include craps, baseball, and soccer. 
     The center controller  200  of the gaming machine  300  is arranged to be able to execute at least a first process in which a game start command is output at a predetermined timing to a slot machine  10  which satisfies a game running condition, a second process in which the game result of the common game is determined, and a third process in which the game result determined in the second process is output, as game result information, serially to the slot machines  10 . 
     The “game running condition” is a condition for being qualified to participate in the common game. Examples of the game running condition include a cumulative value of a base game bet amount equal to or greater than a minimum bet amount, and the number of base game played being equal to or greater than a minimum number of bets. Note that the game running condition can be satisfied at the will of a player before the common game is begun. For example, when the cumulative value of bet amounts in the base game falls short of the minimum bet amount and the game running condition is not satisfied for this reason, the game running condition can be satisfied by paying a bet amount to compensate the differential between the minimum bet amount and the cumulative value of the bet amounts or making a payment for satisfying a predetermined condition, immediately before the common game is started. Further, in cases where the number of base games falls short, the game running condition can be satisfied by payment corresponding to the shortage, or by making a payment for satisfying a predetermined condition. 
     Further, the “predetermined timing” at which a game start command is outputted is a timing when a common game start condition has been satisfied at any one of the slot machines  10 . Here, examples of the common game start condition include: information of accumulated bet amounts, and an accumulated base game count. Note that the present embodiment is described using the gaming machine  300  having a center controller  200  aside from the slot machines  10 ; however, the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the gaming machine  300  may be configured in such a manner that at least one slot machine  10  has a function of the center controller  200 , and the slot machines  10  may be connected with each other so as to allow data communication therebetween. 
     The “slot machines  10 ” each are a type of gaming terminal in the gaming machine  300 . Note that the present embodiment is described using slot machines  10  as an example of gaming terminals; however, the present invention is not limited to this: The present invention may adopt a model which has a terminal controller capable of independently running some base game. 
     The “base game” in the present embodiment is run by the slot machines  10 . The base game is a slot game where a plurality of symbols  501  are rearranged. Note that the base game is not limited to slot game: The base game may be any type as long as it is independently runnable at gaming terminals such as slot machines  10 . 
     The rearrangement of the symbols  501  in the slot game is conducted on the symbol display region  614   a  of the display  614 . The slot game includes processes of: running a normal game on condition that a game value is bet, in which normal game the symbols  501  are rearranged, and awarding a normal payout according to the symbols  501  rearranged; when the symbols  501  are rearranged on a predetermined condition, running a bonus game where the symbols  501  are rearranged under such a condition that a payout rate thereof is greater than that of the normal game, and awarding a bonus payout according to the symbols  501  rearranged; and when a rescue start condition is met, running a rescue process. 
     The symbols  501  include “specific symbols  503 ” and “normal symbols  502 .” That is, the “symbols  501 ” is a superordinate conception of the specific symbols  503  and normal symbols  502 . The specific symbols  503  include wild symbols  503   a  and trigger symbols  503   b , as shown in  FIG. 26 . Each of the wild symbols  503   a  is a symbol substitutable for any type of symbols  501 . Each of the trigger symbols  503   b  is a symbol which triggers at least a bonus game. That is, a trigger symbol  503   b  triggers transition from the normal game to the bonus game, and triggers stepwise increases in the number of specific symbols  503  at an interval from the start of the bonus game. Further, the trigger symbol  503   b  triggers increases in the number of specific symbols  503  in the bonus game, that is, the trigger symbol  503   b  triggers increases in the number of trigger symbols  503   b  and/or wild symbols  503   a . Note that the trigger symbol  503   b  may trigger an increase in the number of games in the bonus game. 
     The “game value” is a coin, a bill T, or electronic valuable information corresponding to these. Note that the game value in the present invention is not particularly limited. Examples of the game value include game media such as medals, tokens, cyber money, tickets, and the like. A ticket is not particularly limited, and a later-mentioned barcoded ticket may be adopted for example. 
     The “bonus game” has a same meaning as a “feature game.” In the present embodiment, the bonus game is a game in which free games are repeated. However, the bonus game is not particularly limited and may be any type of game, provided that the bonus game is more advantageous than the normal game for a player. Another bonus game may be adopted in combination, provided that a player is given more advantageous playing conditions than the normal game. For example, the bonus game may be a game that provides a player with a chance of winning more game values than the normal game or a game that provides a player with a higher chance of winning game values than the normal game. Alternatively, the bonus game may be a game that consumes fewer amounts of game values than the normal game. In the bonus game, these games may be provided alone or in combination. 
     The “free game” is a game runnable with a bet of fewer game values than the normal game. Note that “bet of fewer amounts of game values” encompasses a bet of zero game value. The “free game” therefore may be a game runnable without a bet of a game value, which free game awards an amount of game values based on symbols  501  rearranged. In other words, the “free game” may be a game which is started without consumption of a game value. To the contrary, the “regular game” is a game runnable on condition that a game value is bet, which regular game awards an amount of game value based on the symbols  501  rearranged. In other words, the “normal game” is a game which starts with consumption of a game value. 
     The expression “rearrange” in this specification means dismissing an arrangement of symbols  501 , and arranging symbols  501  once again. “Arrangement” means a state where the symbols  501  can be visibly confirmed by a player. 
     The phrase “base payout based on the rearranged symbols  501 ” means a normal payout corresponding to a rearranged winning combination. The phrase “bonus payout based on the rearranged symbols  501 ” means a bonus payout corresponding to a rearranged winning combination. Furthermore, the term “winning combination” indicates that a winning is established. 
     Examples of a “condition in which a payout rate is higher than in the normal game” includes the running of a free game and the running of a game in which the number of wild symbols or trigger symbols is increased or a replaced symbol table is used. In the base game, a rescue process may be executed when a rescue start condition is established. 
     The “rescue process” is a process for rescuing players. Examples of the rescue process include: running a free game, running a game in which the number of wild symbols or trigger symbols is increased or a replaced symbol table is used, and awarding an insurance payout. 
     Examples of the “rescue start condition” include a state in which the normal game is excessively repeated, i.e., the normal game is repeated a predetermined number or more times and a state in which the total amount of the obtained payout is excessively small, i.e., the normal payout and the bonus payout that a single player obtained as a result of playing a game a predetermined number or more times are not higher than a predetermined value. The “rescue process” is a process for rescuing players. Examples of the rescue process include the running of a free game, the running of a game in which the number of wild symbols or trigger symbols is increased or a replaced symbol table is used, and the awarding of an insurance payout. 
     In addition to the above, the gaming machine  300  includes a common display  700  which is installed to be visible from the operating positions of all slot machines  10 . The center controller  200  may cause the common display  700  to display states until the common game start condition is established. It is noted that the “operating position” is the eye-level position of the player at each slot machine  10 . The gaming machine  300  arranged in this way allows each player to estimate the waiting time until the common game starts, by displaying on the common display  700  the states until the common game start condition is established. 
     (Functional Flow of Gaming Machine  300 : Slot Machine) 
     The gaming machine  300  having the above structure has slot machines  10  and an external controller  621  (center controller  200 ) connected to the slot machines  10  so as to allow data communication therebetween. The external controller  621  are connected to the slot machines  10  installed in the hall so that data communication is possible therebetween. 
     The slot machines  10  each include a bet button  601 , a spin button  602 , a display  614 , and a game controller  100  which controls these units. Note that the bet button  601  and the spin button  602  each are a kind of an input device. Further, the slot machine  10  includes a transceiver unit  652  which enables data communication with the external controller  621 . 
     The bet button  601  has a function of accepting a bet amount through a player&#39;s operation. The spin button  602  has a function of accepting a start of a game such as normal game through a player&#39;s operation, that is, a start operation. The display  614  has a function of displaying still-image information and moving-image information. Examples of the still-image information are various types of symbols  501 , numeral values, and signs. Examples of the moving-image information include effect video. The display  614  has a symbol display region  614   a , an image display region  614   b , and a common game display region  614   c.    
     The symbol display region  614   a  displays symbols  501 , as shown in  FIG. 26 . The image display region  614   b  displays various types of effect image information to be displayed during a game, in the form of a moving image or a still image. The common game display region  614   c  is a region where a common game such as a jackpot game is displayed. 
     The game controller  100  includes: a coin insertion/start-check unit  603 ; a normal game running unit  605 ; a bonus game start determining unit  606 ; a bonus game running unit  607 ; a random number sampling unit  615 ; a symbol determining unit  612 ; an effect-use random number sampling unit  616 ; an effect determining unit  613 ; a speaker unit  617 ; a lamp unit  618 ; a winning determining unit  619 ; and a payout unit  620 . 
     The normal game running unit  605  has a function of running a normal game on condition that the bet button unit  601  has been operated. The bonus game start determining unit  606  determines whether to run a bonus game, based on a combination of rearranged symbols  501  resulted from the normal game. In other words, the bonus game start determining unit  606  has functions of: (i) determining that the player is entitled to a bonus game when one or more trigger symbols  503   b  rearranged satisfy a predetermined condition; and (b) activating the bonus game running unit  607  so as to run a bonus game from the subsequent unit game. 
     Note that a unit game includes a series of operations executed within a period between a start of receiving a bet and a point where a winning may be resulted. For example, bet reception, rearrangement of symbols  501  having been stopped, and a payout process to award a payout are executed once each within a single unit game of the normal game. Note that a unit game in a normal game is referred to as a unit normal game. 
     The bonus game running unit  607  has a function of running the bonus game which repeats a free game for a plurality of times, merely in response to an operation on the spin button  602 . 
     The symbol determining unit  612  has functions of: determining symbols  501  to be rearranged based on a random number given from the random number sampling unit  615 ; rearranging the determined symbols  501  in the symbol display region  614   a  of the display  614 ; outputting information on rearrangement of the rearranged symbols  501  to the winning determining unit  619 ; and outputting an effect specifying signal to the effect-use random number sampling unit  616 , based on the rearrangement of the symbols  501 . 
     The effect-use random number sampling unit  616  has functions of: when receiving the effect instruction signal from the symbol determining unit  612 , extracting an effect-use random number; and outputting the effect-use random number to the effect determining unit  613 . The effect determining unit  613  has functions of: determining an effect by using the effect-use random number; outputting image information on the determined effect in the image display region  614   b  of the display  614 ; outputting audio and illumination information on the determined effect to the speaker unit  617  and the lamp unit  618 , respectively. 
     The winning determining unit  619  has functions of: determining whether a winning is achieved when information on symbols  501  rearranged and displayed on the display  614  is given; calculating an amount of payout based on a winning combination formed when it is determined that a winning has been achieved; outputting to the payout unit  620  a payout signal which is based on the payout amount. The payout unit  620  has a function of paying out a game value to a player in the form of a coin, a medal, a credit, or the like. Further, the payout unit  620  has a function of adding credit data to credit data stored on an IC card  500  inserted into a later-described PTS terminal  700 , the credit data to be added corresponding to the credit to be paid out. 
     In addition to the above, the game controller  100  includes an unillustrated storage unit which stores various types of bet amount data. The storage unit is a storage device which stores data in a rewritable manner, such as a hard disc and a memory. 
     Further, the game controller  100  has a common game running unit  653 . The common game running unit  653  has functions of: outputting bet amount information to the external controller  621  for each unit base game, the bet amount information being based on a bet amount placed as a bet on a normal game; running a common game in response to a game start command from the external controller  621 ; and accepting a bet input through the bet button unit  601  when the bet input corresponds to common game bet amount data indicating a bet amount bettable on the common game. 
     Further, the game controller  100  is connected to the PTS terminal  700 . The PTS terminal  700  is, as shown in  FIG. 18 , a unit in which components such as a LCD  719 , microphones  704  and  705 , and human detection cameras  712  and  713  are integrated. By mutually communicating with the game controller  100  and the bill processing controller M 200 , the PTS terminal  700  performs, for example, effects in games and permission to the player to instruct the payout of bills T to the bill processing unit M 1 . Particularly, the PTS terminal  700  is provided with a card insertion slot  706 , where an IC card  500  can be inserted. Thus allows a player to use a credit stored on an IC card  500  at a slot machine  10 , by inserting the IC card  500  into the card insertion slot  706 . Note that a mechanical structure of the PTS terminal  700  is detailed later. 
     Further, when receiving credit data from the PTS terminal  700 , the game controller  100  updates a credit display on the display  614 . Further, when a cash out occurs, the game controller  100  outputs cash-out credit data to the PTS terminal  700 . 
     The PTS terminal  700  of each of the slot machines  10  constituting the gaming machine  300  is connected in communication with a management server  800 , which performs central management of image downloading, IC cards  500 , and credits. 
     (Functional Flow of Gaming Machine  300 : External Controller) 
     The gaming machine  300  arranged as above is connected to an external controller  621 . The external controller  621  has a function of remotely operating and remotely monitoring an operating status of each slot machine  10  and a process such as change in various game setting values. Furthermore, the external controller  621  has a function of determining the common game start condition for each gaming terminal, and running the common game at a plurality of slot machines  10  when a result satisfying the common game start condition is achieved in any one of the gaming terminals. 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the external controller  621  includes a common game start unit  6213 , a gaming terminal selection unit  6215 , and a transceiver unit  6217 . The common game start unit  6213  has functions of: determining whether the common game start condition is established, based on information of accumulated bet amounts transmitted from each slot machine  10  in each unit base game; outputting a game start command to the slot machines  10 ; and displaying on the common display  700  a screen showing states until the common game start condition is established. 
     Note that the determination of whether the common game start condition is established is made based on the information of accumulated bet amounts, as well as all the accumulated values which increase according to repetition of the unit base games. For example, the number of base games, the time spent in playing the base game, or the like may be used as the accumulated value. 
     In addition to the above, the common game start unit  6213  has a function of outputting a game start command to a slot machine  10  in which the accumulated value which increases as the base game is repeated satisfies the game running condition. Accordingly, the common game start unit  6213  does not qualify the one or more slot machines  10  whose accumulated value is less than the minimum setting value to participate in the common game. This motivates the player to proactively repeat base games. 
     Further, the common game start unit  6213  has functions of monitoring the no-input period during which no start operation is executed, and outputting a game start command to all the slot machines  10  except one or more slot machines  10  whose no-input period equals or exceeds the time-out period. Thus, the common game start unit  6213  is capable of determining that no player is present at a slot machine  10  where no base game is run for a period of time equal to or longer than the time-out period, thus preventing such a slot machine  10  from running the common game. 
     The gaming terminal selection unit  6215  has a function of selecting a specific slot machine  10  from among the slot machines  10 , and outputting a common game start command signal to the specific slot machine  10 . The transceiver unit  6217  has a function of enabling data communication with the slot machines  10 . 
     (Entire Structure of Game System) 
     The following describes a game system  350  having the gaming machine  300  with the above structure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the game system  350  includes a plurality of slot machines  10 , and an external controller  621  which is connected to the slot machines  10  through communication lines  301 . 
     The external controller  621  is for controlling the slot machines  10 . In the present embodiment, the external controller  621  is a so-called hall server installed in a game arcade where the plurality of slot machines  10  are provided. Each slot machine  10  is allotted a unique identification number. The external controller  621  distinguishes an origin of data transmitted from each slot machine  10 . Further, the external controller  621  determines transmission destination of data with the identification number when transmitting data to a slot machine  10 . 
     Note that the game system  350  may be installed in one game arcade where various games take place such as a casino, or between a plurality of game arcades. In a case of the game system  350  being installed in one game arcade, gaming systems  350  may be provided for each floor or each section of the game arcade. The communication line  301  may have a wired or wireless structure. A dedicated line or exchange line may be employed as the communication line  301 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the game system  350  is divided into three major blocks: a management server block, a customer terminal block, and a staff terminal block. The management server block has a casino hall server  850 , a currency exchange server  860 , a casino/hotel staff management server  870 , and a download server  880 . 
     The casino hall server  850  manages an entire casino hall where slot machines  10  are installed. The currency exchange server  860  creates currency exchange rate data, based on currency exchange information and the like. The casino/hotel staff management server  870  manages the casino hall, or staff persons of a hotel associated with the casino hall. The download server  880  downloads the newest information such as information or news related to a game, and informs a player to the newest information through the PTS terminal  700  of each slot machine  10 . 
     Further, the management server block has a member management server  810 , an IC card &amp; money management server  820 , a megabucks server  830 , and an image server  840 . 
     The member management server  810  manages membership information of a player who plays at the slot machine  10 . The IC card &amp; money management server  820  manages an IC card  500  utilized at the slot machine  10 . Specifically, the IC card &amp; money management server  820  stores broken number cash data in association with an identification code, outputs the broken number cash data to the PTS terminal  700 , and the like. Note that the IC card &amp; money management server  820  creates and manages denomination rate data and the like. The megabucks server  830  manages a megabucks which is a game where a total amount of wagers is utilized as a payout, the wagers being placed at slot machines  10  provided at a plurality of casino halls and the like, for example. The image server  840  downloads a newest image such as an image or news related to a game, and informs the player thereof, through the PTS terminal  700  of each slot machine  10 . 
     The customer terminal block includes a slot machine  10 , a PTS terminal  700 , and a settlement machine  750 . The PTS terminal  700  is attachable to a slot machine  10 , and is capable of communicating with the management server  800 . The settlement machine  750  performs settlement by converting cash data into cash, stores coins or bills T as cash data onto the IC card  500 , and the like, the cash data being stored on the IC card  500  carried by the player. 
     The staff terminal block has a staff person management terminal  900  and a member card issuance terminal  950 . The staff person management terminal  900  is provided for a staff person at the casino hall to manage various types of slot machines  10 . Particularly in the present embodiment, the staff person management terminal  900  allows a staff person at the casino hall to check for a possible excess number of IC cards  500  stocked in the PTS terminal  700 , or shortage of IC cards  500  in the PTS terminal  700 . The member card issuance terminal  950  is for a player who plays games at the casino hall to obtain a member card. 
     The PTS terminal  700  is incorporated in a PTS system, as shown in  FIG. 15 . The PTS terminal  700  provided to a slot machine  10  is connected in communication with the game controller  100 , a bill validation controller  890 , and a bill processing controller M 200  of the slot machine  10 . 
     Through communication with the game controller  100 , the PTS terminal  700  executes an effect of a game with a sound or an image, updates credit data, and the like. Further, through communication with the bill validation controller  890 , the PTS terminal  700  transmits credit data necessary for settlement. 
     Further, the PTS terminal  700  is connected in communication with the management server  800 . The PTS terminal  700  communicates with the management server  800  through the two lines: a normal communication line and an additional function communication line. 
     Through the normal communication line, the PTS terminal  700  communicates data such as cash data, identification code data, player membership information, and the like. Meanwhile, through the additional function communication line, the PTS terminal  700  executes communication related to an additional function. In the present embodiment, through the additional function communication line, the PTS terminal  700  executes communication related to an exchange function, and IC card function, a biometric identification function, a camera function, a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) function which is for executing a solid-matter identification function with radio wave. 
     (Mechanical Structure of Slot Machine) 
     The following describes an entire structure of a slot machine  10  with reference to  FIG. 16 . 
     At a slot machine  10 , a coin, a bill T, or electronic valuable information corresponding to these are utilized as game medium. Specifically, credit-related data such as cash data stored on the IC card  500  is utilized in the present embodiment. 
     The slot machine  10  has a cabinet  11 , a top box  12  provided above the cabinet  11 , and a main door  13  provided on the front face of the cabinet  11 . 
     The main door  13  is provided with a lower image display panel  141  (display  614 ). The lower image display panel  141  is made of a transparent liquid crystal panel. A screen displayed on the lower image display panel  141  has display windows  150  at its center portion. The display window  150  includes twenty display blocks  28  which are arranged in five columns and four rows. The columns form simulated reels  151  to  155 , each having four display blocks  28 . The four display blocks  28  in each of the simulated reels  151  to  155  are displayed as if all the display blocks  28  are moving downward at various speeds. This enables rearrangement, in a manner that symbols  501  respectively displayed in the display blocks  28  are rotated in a longitudinal direction and stopped thereafter. 
     Here, as shown in  FIG. 26 , payline occurrence columns are provided to the left and the right of the display windows  150  in a symmetrical manner. The payline occurrence column on the left side when viewed from the player includes 25 payline occurrence parts  65 L ( 65 La,  65 Lb,  65 Lc,  65 Ld,  65 Le,  65 Lf,  65 Lg,  65 Lh,  65 Li,  65 Lj,  65 Lk,  65 Ll,  65 Lm,  65 Ln,  65 Lo,  65 Lp,  65 Lq,  65 Lr,  65 LS,  65 Lt,  65 Lu,  65 Lv,  65 Lw,  65 Lx, and  65 Ly). 
     On the other hand, the payline occurrence column on the right includes 25 payline occurrence parts  65 R ( 65 Ra,  65 Rb,  65 Rc,  65 Rd,  65 Re,  65 Rf,  65 Rg,  65 Rh,  65 Ri,  65 Rj,  65 Rk,  65 Rl,  65 Rm,  65 Rn,  65 Ro,  65 Rp,  65 Rq,  65 Rr,  65 Rs,  65 Rt,  65 Ru,  65 Rv,  65 Rw,  65 Rx, and  65 Ry). 
     Each payline occurrence part  65 L is paired with one of the payline occurrence parts  65 R. Paylines L are prescribed, each extending from one of the payline occurrence parts  65 L to one of the payline occurrence parts  65 R which are paired with each other. Although there are 25 paylines L in the present embodiment,  FIG. 26  only shows one payline L for the sake of easier understanding. 
     Each payline L is activated when the payline L connects a pair of payline occurrence parts  65 L and  65 R. The payline L otherwise is inactivated. The number of paylines L to be activated is determined based on a bet amount. In such a case where a MAXBET indicating the maximum amount of bet allowed, the maximum number of paylines L, that is, 25 paylines L are activated. An activated payline allows the symbols  501  to establish various types of winning combinations. Details of the winning combinations will be described later. 
     The present embodiment deals with a case where the slot machine  10  is a so-called video slot machine. However, the slot machine  10  of the present invention may partially adopt a so-called mechanical reel in place of the simulated reels  151  to  155 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 16 , a touch panel  69  is disposed on a front face of the lower image display panel  141 , and a player is able to input various instructions by operating the touch panel  69 . From the touch panel  69 , an input signal is transmitted to the main CPU  71 . 
     Provided below the lower image display panel  141  is a control panel  30 . In addition to various buttons, the control panel  30  has a coin entry  21  which accepts coins into the cabinet  11 , and a bill entry  22 . The bill entry  22  is connected to the bill processing unit M 1  housed in the device. Details of the bill processing unit M 1  will be given later. 
     Specifically, the control panel  30  has a reserve button  31 , a collect button  32 , and a game rule button  33  to an upper left region thereof. The control panel  30  further includes a 1-bet button  34 , a 2-bet button  35 , a 3-bet button  37 , a 5-bet button  38 , and a 10-bet button  39  to a middle left region thereof. Moreover, the control panel  30  further includes a play 2 line button  40 , a play 10 lines button  41 , a play 20 lines button  42 , and a play 40 lines button  43 , and a max lines button  44  provided to a lower left region thereof. 
     Further, the control panel  30  has the coin entry  21  and the bill entry  22  in an upper right region thereof, and a gamble button  45  and a start button  46  in a lower right region thereof. 
     The reserve button  31  is an operation button used when a player leaves the seat, or when requesting a staff person at the game arcade exchange of money. The collect button  32  is a so-called settlement button which adds credit data related to a credit obtained in various games to credit data stored on the IC card  500  inserted into the PTS terminal  700 . Furthermore, the collect button  32  outputs an image or sound on the PTS terminal  700  to ask whether the settlement is made by bills T for the player. The game rule button  33  is pushed when an operation method of a game or the like is unclear. Pushing the game rule button  33  causes a later-described upper image display panel  131  or the lower image display panel  141  to display various types of help information. 
     Each time a 1-bet button  34  is pushed, a credit is bet on each active payline L, the credit being currently owned by the player. The 2-bet button  35  is for starting a game with two bets placed on each active payline L. The 3-bet button  35  is for starting a game with three bets placed on each active payline L. The 5-bet button  35  is for starting a game with five bets placed on each active payline L. The 10-bet button  35  is for starting a game with ten bets placed on each active payline L. Thus, pushing which one of 1-bet button  34 , the 2-bet button  35 , the 3-bet button  37 , the 5-bet button  38 , and the 10-bet button  39  determines the amount of bet to be placed on each active payline L. 
     Pushing the play 2 line button  40  activates paylines L. Pushing the play 10 lines button  40  thus activates 2 paylines. Pushing the play 10 line button  41  activates paylines L. Pushing the play 10 lines button  41  thus activates ten paylines. Pushing the play 20 line button  42  activates paylines L. Pushing the play 20 lines button  42  thus activates twenty paylines. Pushing the play 2 line button  43  activates paylines L. Pushing the play 40 lines button  43  thus activates forty paylines. Pushing the max lines button  44  activates paylines L. Pushing the max lines button  44  thus activates the maximum number of paylines L: fifty paylines L. 
     The gamble button  45  is for causing transition from the bonus game to a gamble game or the like after the bonus game has ended. Here, the gamble game is run with an obtained credit. 
     The start button  46  is for starting scrolling of the symbols  501 . The start button  46  also serves as a button for starting a bonus game, adding a credit obtained in the bonus game, and the like. The coin entry  21  is for accepting a coin into the cabinet  11 . The bill entry  22  is structured to allow bills T dealt with in the bill processing unit M 1  in the cabinet  11  to be dealt with from the outside (e.g., by the player). 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , on a lower front face of the main door  13 , that is, below the control panel  30  is a coin receiving slot  18  for inserting coins, and a belly glass  132  with a character related to the slot machine  10  shown thereon. 
     Provided on a front face of the top box  12  is the upper image display panel  131 . The upper image display panel  131  is made of a liquid crystal panel, and it constitutes a display. The upper image display panel  131  displays an image related to an effect, or an image showing introduction or rules of the game. Further, the top box  12  is provided with a speaker  112  and a lamp  111 . At the slot machine  10 , an effect is executed with an image display and sound and light output. 
     Below the upper image display panel  131  is a data displayer  174  and the keypad  173 . The data displayer  174  is made of a fluorescent display, an LED, and the like. The data displayer  174  displays membership data read our from the IC card  500  inserted into the PTS terminal  700 , and data inputted by the player through the keypad  173 , for example. The keypad  173  is for inputting data. 
     (Mechanical Structure of the PTS Terminal) 
     Further, between the lower image display panel  141  and the control panel  30  is the PTS terminal  700 . The PTS terminal  700  has an LCD  719 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . The LCD  719  is provided to a center portion of the PTS terminal  700 . The LCD  719  displays an effect image which brings an effect into the game, for example. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the LCD  719  displays a bill payout screen F 1 . 
     The bill payout screen F 1  is displayed as an initial screen when the collect button  32  shown in  FIG. 17  is pressed. The bill payout screen F 1  includes a specific currency displaying portion F 2 , a key input portion F 3 , a payout amount displaying portion F 3 , and a currency selection portion F 5 . The specific currency displaying portion F 2  is a region where the currency circulation zone of the currency set as the payout target is indicated by a symbol such as a national flag. The key input portion F 3  is a region that allows input of numerical data and various types of key data such as data for confirming an operation and data for instructing cancellation. The payout amount displaying portion F 3  includes a payout amount screen F 41  configured to display numerical data input through the key input portion F 3  and a currency unit screen F 42  configured to display a currency unit. The currency selection portion F 5  is a region where area display images such as national flags indicating the currency circulation zones of payable currencies are selectably displayed. 
     On the surface of the LCD  719  is provided a touch panel  720 . The touch panel  720  allows the bill payout screen F 1  of the LCD  719  to be recognizable from the outside, so as to allow the PTS terminal  700  to function as an externally-operable operation panel of the bill processing unit M 1 . 
     Provided to an upper portion of the PTS terminal  700  is human detection cameras  712  and  713 , microphones  704  and  705 , and bass reflex speakers  707  and  708 . 
     The human detection cameras  712  and  713  detects presence of a player with the camera function thereof, and outputs a signal to a later-described unit controller  730 . The microphones  704  and  705  is utilized for allowing a player to vocally participate in a game, authenticating a player through vocal authentication, and the like. The speakers  707  and  708  execute an effect through a sound, and output a notification sound when an IC card  500  is left. The speakers  707  and  708  also output a notification sound when authentication of an IC card  500  inserted fails. Note that the speakers  707  and  708  is disposed to allow a sound to reach beyond the LCD (to the player)  719  from the back of the LCD  719  through a duct. This saves space where the speakers  707  and  708  are provided. 
     Further, the PTS terminal  700  is provided with an LED  718  and a card insertion slot  706 . The LED  718  lights up in multiple colors to report the number of IC cards  500  stored in the later-described card stacker  714 . Specifically, the LED  718  lights in yellow when five or fewer IC cards  500  are left, blue when 6 to 24 IC cards  500  are left, and green when 25 or more IC cards  500  are left. Note that when no IC cards  500  is left, or  30  IC cards  500  are left, the LED  718  lights in gray and the ongoing game is halted. Thus, the LED  718  lighting in yellow enables a staff person at the casino hall to immediately determine that there are a few IC cards  500  left so that he/she can replenish IC cards  500 . Meanwhile, the LED  718  lighting in green enables a staff person at the casino hall to immediately determine that the card stacker  714  is full of IC cards  500  left, so that he/she can remove some IC cards  500  therefrom. A staff person inserts his/her exclusive IC card  500  into the card insertion slot  706  when replenishing IC cards  500 . On the other hand, a staff person inserts what is called a replenish card through the card insertion slot  706  to remove 10 IC cards  500  and the replenish card. Accordingly, staff persons are not required to confirm the number of IC cards  500  left in the slot machine  10  on the management server, or actually open the main door  13  of the slot machine  10  to confirm the number of IC cards  500  left. This improves the security of the casino hall. 
     The card insertion slot  706  has a mechanism which allows insertion and ejection of IC cards  500 . An IC card  500  is inserted with a display unit  510  on its upper side and in such a manner that the IC card  500  faces the direction opposite to the card insertion slot  706 . Further, the IC card  500  is completely inside the slot machine  10  while the player is playing a game. The IC card  500  is ejected in such a manner that the display unit  510  is exposed during settlement. This allows the player to confirm credit-related data such as updated cash data. Note that the IC card  500  is not required to completely stay inside the slot machine  10  while the player is playing a game. Instead, the IC card  500  may be kept in such a manner that the display unit  510  is exposed during the game. This allows the player to constantly confirm the credit being updated during the game. When the human detection cameras  712  and  713  detects absence of the player during credit settlement, the IC card  500  is drawn into the slot machine  10  and kept in the card stacker  714 . This prevents such an occurrence where the IC card stays inserted into the card insertion slot  706  for a long period of time, even when a player having confirmed few credits left on the IC card  500  displayed on the display unit  510  leaves the seat with the IC card  500  purposely left inserted therein. Note that in the present embodiment, that card stacker  714  is capable of holding 30 and fewer IC cards  500 . 
     As described above, the PTS terminal  700  of the present embodiment is configured as a unit where various devices having the microphone function, the camera function, the speaker function, the display function, and the like are put together integrally. This realizes a small space necessary for the PTS terminal  700 . Accordingly, this prevents such an inconvenience which is possible with each mechanism configured as a single device, where an LCD facing the player hinders the speakers to be provided facing the player. 
     (Electrical Structure of Slot Machine) 
     The following describes a circuitry structure of the slot machine  10 , with reference to  FIG. 20 . 
     The gaming board  50  has a CPU  51 , a ROM  52 , a boot ROM  53  which are connected via an internal bus, a card slot  55  corresponding to the memory card  54 , and an IC socket  57  corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic)  56 . 
     The memory card  54  is of a non-volatile memory, and stores therein a game program and a game system program. The game program includes a program related to progress of a game, and a program for executing an effect with an image and a sound. Further, the game program includes a symbol determination program. The symbol determination program is for determining symbols to be rearranged in the display blocks  28 . 
     Further, the game program includes: a normal game symbol table data showing a normal game symbol table showing each symbol of each symbol column of the display blocks in association with a code number and a random number; a bonus game symbol table data showing a bonus game symbol table showing each symbol of each symbol column of the display blocks in association with a code number and a random number; symbol number determination table data showing a symbol column determination table; a code number determination table data showing a code number determination table; wild symbol increase amount determination table data showing a wild symbol increase amount determination table; trigger symbol increase amount determination table data showing a trigger symbol increase amount determination table; odds data showing the number and types of symbols to be rearranged on a payline in association with a payout amount; and the like. 
     Further, the card slot  55  is structured to allow insertion and ejection of a memory card  54 . The card slot  55  is connected to the motherboard  70  through an IDE bus. Thus, it is possible to remove a memory card  54  from the card slot  53 S, write another game program onto the memory card  54 , and insert the memory card  54  back into the card slot  53 S to change the type or content of a game to be run at the slot machine  10 . 
     The GAL  56  is a type of a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) having an OR fixed array structure. The GAL  56  has input ports and output ports. When an input port receives a predetermined input, corresponding data is outputted through an output port. 
     Further, the IC socket  57  is structured to allow insertion/removal of the GAL  56 . The IC socket  57  is connected to the motherboard  70  through a PCI bus. The content of a game to be run at the slot machine  10  can be changed by replacing a memory card  54  with another one with another program written thereon, or replacing the program written onto the memory card  54  with another program. 
     The CPU  51 , the ROM  52 , and the boot ROM  53  connected to each other through internal buses are connected to the motherboard  70  through a PCI bus. The PCI bus transmits signals between the motherboard  70  and the gaming board  50 , and supplies power from the motherboard  70  to the gaming board  50 . 
     The ROM  52  stores an authentication program. The boot ROM  53  stores a pre-authentication program, a program (boot code) for the CPU  51  to boot the auxiliary authentication program, and the like. 
     The authentication program is for authenticating a game program and a game system program (falsification check program). The pre-authentication program is for authenticating the authentication program. The authentication program and the pre-authentication program is described along procedures for authenticating (authentication procedure) that program to be authenticated is not falsified. 
     The motherboard  70  is constituted with a motherboard for market use (printed circuit board with fundamental parts of a personal computer built thereon), and includes a main CPU  71 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  72 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  73 , and a communication interface  82 . Note that the motherboard  70  corresponds to the game controller  100  of the present embodiment. 
     The ROM  72  is made of a memory device such as a flash memory. The ROM  72  stores therein a program such as a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) run by the main CPU  71 , and permanent data. When the main CPU  71  runs the BIOS, predetermined peripheral devices are initialized. Further, the game program and the game system program stored in the memory card  54  are installed via the gaming board  50 . Note that, in the present invention, the ROM  72  may be rewritable or non-rewritable. 
     The RAM  73  stores data utilized when the main CPU  71  operates, program such as a symbol determination program, and the like. For example, the game program, game system program, and authentication program are stored in the RAM  73  after the programs are installed. Further, the RAM  73  is provided with an operation region for executing the above programs. Examples of the operation region is a region for storing a counter which manages a game count, a bet amount, a payout amount, and a credit amount, and a region for storing a symbol determined by a lottery (code number). 
     The communication interface  82  is for communicating with the external controller  621  such as a server and the bill processing unit M 1 , through the communication line  301 . Further, the motherboard  70  is connected to a later-described door PCB (Printed Circuit Board)  90  and the main body PCB  110  via USBs. The motherboard  70  is connected to a power supply unit  81 . Further, the motherboard  70  is connected to the PTS terminal  700  via a USB. 
     When power is supplied from the power supply unit  81  to the motherboard  70 , the main CPU  71  of the motherboard  70  is booted, and power is supplied to the gaming board  50  via the PCI bus and the CPU  51  is booted. 
     The door PCB  90  and the main body PCB  110  are connected to an input device such as a switch and a sensor, and peripheral devices whose operations are controlled by the main CPU  71 . 
     The door PCB  90  is connected to the control panel  30 , a reverter  91 , a coin counter  92 C and a cold cathode tube  93 . 
     The control panel  30  is provided with a reserve switch  31 S, a collect switch  32 S, a game rule switch  33 S, a 1-bet switch  34 S, a 2-bet switch  35 S, a 3-bet switch  37 S, a 5-bet switch  38 S, a 10-bet switch  39 S, a play 2 lines switch  40 S, a play 10 lines switch  41 S, a play 20 lines switch  42 S, a play 40 lines switch  43 S, a max lines switch  44 S, a gamble switch  45 S, and a start switch  46 S, respectively corresponding to the buttons described above. Each switch detects that the corresponding button is pushed by a player, and outputs a signal to the main CPU  71 . 
     Inside the coin entry  36  is provided with the reverter  91  and the coin counter  92 C. The reverter  91  detects validity of a coin inserted into the coin entry  21 , and discharges those other than genuine coins through a coin payout exit. Further, a coin counter  92 C detects genuine coins accepted, and counts the numbers thereof. 
     The reverter  91  operates based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 , and distributes genuine coins determined by the coin counter  92 C into a hopper  113  or a not-shown cash box. When the hopper  113  is not full of coins, a valid coin is distributed there. On the other hand, when the hopper  113  is filled with coins, a valid coin is distributed into the cash box. 
     The cold cathode tube  93  functions as a backlight provided at a back of the upper image display panel  131  and the lower image display panel  141 . The cold cathode tube  93  lights based on a control signal from the main CPU  71 . 
     The main body PCB  110  is connected to the lamp  111 , the speaker  112 , the hopper  113 , the coin detection unit  113 S, the touch panel  69 , the bill entry  22 , the graphic board  130 , the key switch  173 S, and the data displayer  174 . 
     The lamp  111  lights based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 . The speaker  112  outputs a sound such as background music, based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 . 
     The hopper  113  operates based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 , and pays out the number of coins determined to be paid out to a not-shown coin tray through the coin payout exit. The coin detection unit  113 S detects a coin to be paid out from the hopper  113 , and outputs a signal to the main CPU  71 . 
     The touch panel  69  detects a position touched on the lower image display panel  141  by a player with a finger, and outputs a signal corresponding to the position detected to the main CPU  71 . 
     The bill entry  22  is for detecting validity of bills T and accepts genuine bills T into the cabinet  11 . The bills T accepted into the cabinet  11  is converted into coins, and credits corresponding to the number of coins calculated are added as credits that the player has. 
     The graphic board  130  controls display of an image to be displayed on the upper image display panel  131  and the lower image display panel  141 , based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU  71 . The graphic board  130  has a VDP (Video Display Processor) which generates image data, a video RAM which stores the image data generated by the VDP, and the like. Note that the image data utilized when image data is generated by the VDP is included in a game program read out from the memory card  54  and stored in the RAM  73 . 
     Further, the graphic board  130  is provided with a VDP (Video Display Processor) for generating image data on the basis of a control signal from the main CPU  71 , a video RAM for temporarily storing the image data generated by the VDP, and the like. Note that the image data utilized when image data is generated by the VDP is included in a game program read out from the memory card  54  and stored in the RAM  73 . 
     The key switch  173 S is provided to the keypad  173 . The key switch  173  outputs a predetermined signal to the main CPU  71  when the player operates the keypad  173 . 
     Based on a control signal output from the main CPU  71 , the data displayer  174  displays data read by the card reader  172 , or data input through the keypad  173  by the player. 
     (Electrical Structure of PTS Terminal) 
     The following describes a structure of a circuitry provided to the PTS terminal  700 , with reference to  FIG. 21 . 
     A PTS controller  720  which controls the PTS terminal  700  is connected to various functional parts as a unit controller  730  its main part. The PTS controller  720  has a CPU  731 , a communication unit  734 , a ROM  733 , and a RAM  732 . 
     The CPU  731  runs various programs stored in the later-described ROM  733 , executes calculation, and the like. Specifically, the CPU  731  runs a credit update program and converts credit data retrieved from the game controller  100  into cash data, adds the cash data to broken number cash data in the management server  800 , and transmits the data to the IC card  500 . 
     Further, the CPU  731  runs a human body detection operation program. When the credit amount based on the credit data retrieved by the game controller  100  does not equal to “0,” the CPU  731  determines whether to accept the IC card  500  into the card stacker  714 , with the human detection cameras  712  and  713 . 
     Further, the CPU  731  runs the authentication program to cross verify an identification code on the IC card  500  and the identification code in the management server  800 . 
     Further, the CPU  731  runs an audio control program to control a later-described audio control circuit unit  724  based on a result of the authentication. The audio control here refers to such a control where in the case of authentication failure, the CPU  731  controls the audio control circuit unit  724  and reports authentication failure through the speakers  707  and  708 . The communication unit  734  enables communication with the game controller  100  and the bill processing controller M 200 . 
     Further, the CPU  731  runs a device program to control operations of the LCD  719 , the microphones  704  and  705 , and the speakers  707  and  708 . The CPU  731  runs the LED control program to cause the LED  718  to light in accordance with the remaining number of IC cards  500 . 
     The ROM  733  is made of a memory device such as a flash memory. The ROM  733  stores therein permanent data to be executed by the CPU  731 . For example, the ROM  733  stores therein a credit update program which re-writes credit data stored on the IC card  500  on the basis of an instruction from the game controller  100 , a human body detection operation program, an authentication program, an audio control program, a device program, and an LED control program. 
     The RAM  732  temporarily stores therein data necessary for running the various programs stored in the ROM  733 . For example, the RAM  732  stores credit data to be updated, based on a signal from the game controller  100 . Further, the RAM  732  stores the time that a player is detected with the human detection cameras  712  and  713 , and the period of time which is counted from the point that the player is detected. 
     Further, the unit controller  730  is connected to a human detection camera control unit  722 , an LCD drive unit  723 , an audio control circuit unit  724 , a remaining card detection input unit  727 , a card insertion ejection drive unit  726 , a card detection input unit  725 , an LED drive unit  728 , and a modulator-demodulator unit  721 . 
     The human detection camera control unit  722  controls the operations of the human detection cameras  712  and  713 , on the basis of an instruction from the unit controller  730 . 
     The LCD drive unit  723  controls operations of the LCD  719 , on the basis of an instruction from the unit controller  730 . 
     The audio control circuit unit  724  controls operations of the microphones  704  and  705 , and the speakers  707  and  708 , on the basis of an instruction from the unit controller  730 . 
     The remaining card detection input unit  727  inputs to the unit controller  730  a signal for determining the remaining number of IC cards  500  stacked in the card stacker  714  determined by the remaining card detection sensor  717 . Here, the remaining card detection sensor  717  has a function of detecting the remaining number of IC cards  500  stacked in the card stacker  714 , with a not-shown infrared detection mechanism or the like, for example. 
     The card insertion ejection drive unit  726  controls operations of the card insertion ejection mechanism  716 , on the basis of an instruction from the unit controller  730 . Here, the card insertion ejection mechanism  716  has a mechanism for receiving an IC card  500  inside, and a mechanism for ejecting the IC card  500  to outside. 
     The card detection input unit  725  is for inputting a signal from the card detection sensor  715  to the unit controller  730 . Here, the card detection sensor  715  obtains various types of data such as cash data and an identification code, from the inserted IC card  500 . 
     The LED drive unit  728  controls operations of the LED  718  on the basis of an instruction from the unit controller  730 , to light the LED  718 . 
     The modulator-demodulator unit  721  converts a high frequency signal from the antenna  701  to a signal controllable by the unit controller  730 , and converts a signal from the unit controller  730  to a signal transmittable to the IC card  500  through the antenna  701 . 
     Note that the unit controller  730 , the card insertion ejection drive unit  726 , the card detection input unit  725 , and the modulator-demodulator unit  721  are also referred to as a card unit controller as a unit. 
     (Electrical Structure of IC Card) 
     The following describes a circuit of the IC card  500 , with reference to  FIGS. 21 and 22 . 
     The IC card  500  has an antenna  507 , a power control circuit  504 , a modulator-demodulator circuit  508 , a display writing IC  505 , a display driver  506 , and a display portion  510 . 
     The antenna  507  transmits and receives various signals which belong to the PTS terminal  700 , via the antenna  701 . 
     The power control circuit  504  has a second voltage increase circuit  531  and a third voltage increase circuit  532 . The second voltage increase circuit  531  raises the voltage of a signal from the antenna  507  to a voltage that the later-described modem circuit  508  can handle. The third voltage increase circuit  532  raises the voltage to a voltage with which the later-described display driver  506  can be driven. 
     The modem circuit  508  has a transmitter  521  and a detection circuit  522 . The transmitter  521  outputs a signal having a specific frequency, and converts the signal to a signal which the later-described display writing IC  505  can handle, by mixing the signal with a signal received from the antenna  507 . The detection circuit  522  detects a signal received from the antenna  507 . 
     The display writing IC  505  has a CPU  553 , a credit data memory  552 , and a display controller  551 . 
     The CPU  553  runs a cash data rewrite and update program to rewrite and update cash data stored in the credit data memory  552 , based on cash data retrieved from the PTS terminal  700 . 
     Further, the CPU  553  controls the display controller  551  so as to cause the display controller  551  to use the cash data stored in the credit data memory  552  as data for displaying cash data, and to display the cash data on the display portion  510  through the later-described display driver  506 . 
     The credit data memory  552  stores therein the cash data rewrite and update program, and credit-related data such as cash data, an identification code and cash data for display. Note that the credit-related data stored in the credit data memory  552  is also utilized for calculation and display. 
     The display controller  551 , based on a control signal from the CPU  553 , retrieves credit data for display stored in the credit data memory  552 , and displays it on the display portion  510  via the display driver  506 . 
     The IC card  500  has a communication IC  509 . The communication IC  509  has a first voltage increase circuit  543 , a transmitter  546 , a detection circuit  545 , a transmission control unit  544 , a CPU  542 , and an authentication memory  541 . The first voltage increase circuit  543  increases the voltage of terminal-side authentication data retrieved from the PTS terminal  700  to a voltage that the CPU  542  can handle. 
     The transmitter  546  outputs a signal having a specific frequency, and converts it to a signal that the CPU  542  can handle, by mixing the signal with a signal received from the antenna  507 . The detection circuit  522  detects a signal received from the antenna  507 . 
     The CPU  542  runs an authentication routine program and transmits an identification code stored in a later-described authentication memory  541  to the PTS terminal  700 , when an authentication request is issued by the PTS terminal  700 . The authentication memory  541  stores therein an authentication routine program used by the CPU  542  and an identification code. 
     (Symbols, Combinations, and the Like) 
     The symbols  301  displayed in the display windows  7 A to  7 E of the slot machine  10  forms symbol columns, each of which having twenty-two symbols. As shown in  FIG. 23 , one of code numbers 0 to 21 is assigned to each of the symbols constituting each column. Each of the symbol columns is constituted with a combination of symbols of “JACKPOT 7,” “BLUE 7,” “BELL,” “CHERRY,” “STRAWBERRY,” “PLUM,” “ORANGE,” and “APPLE.” 
     Three successive symbols in each of the symbol columns are respectively displayed (arranged) on an upper stage  7   a , a middle stage  7   b , and a lower stage  7   c  of each of the display windows  7 A,  7 B,  7 C,  7 D, and  7 E, to forma symbol matrix of five columns and three rows. When the start button is pressed to start a game after the bet button is pressed, the symbols forming a symbol matrix start scrolling. This scrolling of the symbols stops (rearrangement) after a predetermined period from the beginning of the scrolling (rearrange). 
     Various kinds of winning combinations are set in advance for each symbol. A winning combination is a combination of stopped symbols on the payline which puts the player in an advantageous state. Examples of an advantageous state include: a state where coins according to a winning combination is paid out, a state where the number of coins to be paid out is added to a credit, a state where a bonus game is started. 
     For example, a combination on the payline including an “APPLE” symbol serves as a bonus trigger which causes a transition of a gaming mode from a basic game to a bonus game. Further, when a combination including a “CHERRY” symbol is formed on the payline in a basic game, twenty coins (values) are paid out for one bet. When a combination including a “PLUM” symbol is formed on the payline in a basic game, five coins are paid out for one bet. 
     Here, a bonus game is a gaming state which provides a larger advantage than a basic game. Note that another bonus game may be employed in combination, provided that the other bonus game is advantageous to a player, i.e., the other bonus game is more advantageous than a basic game. For example, a bonus game may be a state where more coins are possibly obtained than the basic game, a state where the probability of obtaining coins is higher than in the basic game, a state where fewer coins are consumed than the basic game, free game, or the like. 
     (Payout Control Table) 
       FIG. 24  is a payout control table which controls a payout awarded in accordance to a winning combination. The payout control table is stored in the ROM  242  of the main control board  71 , and a piece of information of a payout is assigned to a type of winning combination. For example, a payout for a winning combination including a “BELL” symbol is “10.” A payout for a winning combination including a “BLUE 7” is “40.” Note that payouts for a basic game and a free game are set to be the same in the present embodiment. 
     (Free Game Quantity Table) 
       FIG. 25  is a table referred to when determining the number of free games to be played for the number of points acquired in a common game of a basic game. The points awarded in a common game correspond to the number of free games to be played in the free game quantity table. For example, when the total number of accumulated points is 4, the free games are run 80 times. When the total number of accumulated points is 8, the free games are run 160 times. Thus, by succeeding in a common game in a basic game and acquiring many points, it is possible to continue a free game for a long period of time. 
     (Display State of Slot Game) 
     The following specifically describes a display state of the lower image display panel  141  while the slot machine  10  is in operation. 
       FIG. 26  shows an example of a normal game screen which is a display screen showing a normal game displayed on the lower image display panel  141 . 
     More specifically, the normal game screen is arranged in a center portion of the symbol display device  16 , and includes: the display window  150  having the five simulated reels  151  to  155 , and the payline occurrence parts  65 L and  65 R which are arranged on both sides of the display window  150  and symmetrical with respect to the display window  150 . 
     Above the display window  150  are: the credit amount display unit  400 , a broken number cash display unit  403 , the bet amount display unit  401 , a wild symbol count display unit  415 , a trigger symbol count display unit  416 , and the payout display unit  402 . These units  400 ,  401 ,  415 ,  416 , and  402  are sequentially arranged in this order from the left side to the right side when viewed from a player. 
     The credit amount display unit  400  displays a credit amount. The broken number cash display unit  403  displays a fractional amount of cash. The bet amount display unit  401  displays a bet amount placed on the current unit game. The wild symbol count display unit  415  displays the number of wild symbols  503   a  in a unit game in progress. With this, it is possible to notify the player in advance that there are five wild symbols  503   a  in the normal game. The trigger symbol count display unit  416  displays the number of trigger symbols  503   b  in a unit game in progress. The trigger symbol count display unit  416  displays the number of trigger symbols  503   b  in a normal game in progress. The payout display unit  402  displays the number of coins to be paid out when a winning combination is achieved. 
     Blow the display window  150  are: a help button  410 ; a pay-table button  411 ; a bet unit display unit  412 ; a stock display unit  413 ; and a free game count display unit  414 . These units  410 ,  411 ,  412 ,  413 , and  414  are sequentially arranged in this order from the left side to the right side when viewed from a player. 
     The help button  410 , when pressed by a player, activates a help mode. The help mode provides a player with information to solve his/her problem regarding the game. The pay-table button  411 , when pressed by a player, activates a payout display mode in which an amount of payout is displayed. The payout display mode displays to the player a guidance screen indicating relation of a winning combination to the payout rate. 
     The bet unit display unit  412  displays a bet unit (payout unit) at the current point. With the bet unit display unit  412 , the player is able to know that, for example, he/she is allowed to participate in a game with a bet by an increment of one cent. 
     The stock display unit  413  displays a bonus game carry-over number. Here, the “bonus game carry-over number” means the remaining number of bonus games runnable subsequently to an end of the currently-run bonus game. That is, when the stock display unit  413  displays “3,” three more bonus games are consecutively runnable after the currently-run bonus game. Note that the stock display unit  413  displays the number “0” in the normal game. 
     The free game count display unit  414  displays the total number of times the bonus game is to be repeated, and how many times the bonus game has been repeated. In other words, when the free game count display unit  414  displays “0 OF 0,” the total number of times free games are to be repeated (“free game total number”) is 0, that is, the game in progress is not a bonus game. Further, when the free game count display unit  414  displays “5 OF 8,” during the bonus game, the free game total number is eight, and the current game in progress is the fifth free game. 
     (Operation of Setting Bill Processing Unit M 1 ) 
     The following will describe a case where the slot machine  10  having the bill processing unit M 1  is installed in a predetermined currency circulation zone, on the premise of the arrangements above. 
     To being with, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the sizes of bills T in the currency circulation zone in which the slot machine  10  is installed are specified. The frequency of use and the type of use are estimated for each type of the bill T, and the size (stored height) corresponding to the maximum number of bills stored in the bill case M 300  is determined. For example, for frequently-used bills T, a bill case M 300  sized (i.e., having a stored height) as large as plural stages is selected. 
     Subsequently, for each selected bill case M 300 , the longitudinal and crosswise sizes of bills T to be stored are specified. As shown in  FIG. 6 , as the longitudinal size of the bill T is specified, the attaching position of the first partition plate M 302  is adjusted so that the bill T stops at a predetermined position in the import direction A when the bill T is imported into the bill case M 300 . In the meanwhile, as the crosswise size of the bill T is specified, the opposing distance between the second partition plates M 307  is adjusted so that the bill T stops at the central position in the width direction orthogonal to the import direction A. In this connection, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the second partition plates M 307  move in a line symmetrical manner about the center line O by the second partition plate supporting mechanism M 308  in the width direction. For this reason, when one of the second partition plate M 307  is moved, the other one of the second partition plate M 307  is moved in the opposite direction for the same distance. As such, the second partition plates M 307  are easily positioned. 
     After the setting of the bill cases M 300  is completed as above, the bill cases M 300  are attached to the storing frame M 100 A. Subsequently, the storage state of each bill case M 300  is set by means of an unillustrated input terminal, the PTS terminal  700 , or the like. That is to say, as shown in  FIG. 10 , for the bill cases M 300  attached to the storing frame M 100 A, the storage stages are serially set from the uppermost stage to the lowermost stage, and the transportation function, the bill type, and the maximum number of stored bills are set. In the meanwhile, in case of a bill case M 300  dedicated for storing bills, the maximum number of stored bills T is set in advance. When the bills T are stored irrespective of the types, “0” is stored in the bill type field. 
     With this, for example, initial data is written to indicate that the bill case M 300  of the first stage is used for importing and exporting bills T and up to 1000 ten-dollar bills can be stored. In the meanwhile, initial data is written to indicate that the bill case M 300  of the fourth stage is dedicated to the import of bills T, and up to 300 ten-thousand-yen bills can be stored. 
     As such, it is possible in the bill processing unit M 1  to change the device specifications in accordance with bills T of currency circulation zones by simply changing the device specifications such that the bill cases M 300  are selected in consideration of the frequency of use and the storing capacity of bills T so that a large-capacity bill case M 300  is selected for bills T of a frequently-used currency circulation zone whereas a small-capacity bill case M 300  is selected for bills T of a less-frequency-used currency circulation zone. Therefore in the bill processing unit M 1  the frequency of the replacement of the bill cases M 300  and the collection of the bills T which are required when each bill case M 300  is fully filled with the bills T is restrained, and hence the availability of the slot machine  10  is improved. 
     (Process Operation of Slot Machine  10 : Boot Process) 
     The following describes a boot process taking place in the slot machine  1 . 
     When power is supplied to the slot machine  10 , a boot process routine shown in  FIG. 30  takes place in the motherboard  240  and the gaming board  250 . In the present embodiment, a memory card is inserted into the card slot  253 S of the gaming board  250 , and the GAL  254  is attached to the IC socket  254 S. 
     First, when a power switch is turned on (power is supplied) in the power supply unit  245 , the motherboard  240  and the gaming board  250  are booted. When the motherboard  240  and the gaming board  250  are booted, different processes are respectively carried out in parallel. That is, in the gaming board  250 , the CPU  251  carries out processes of reading a preliminary authentication program stored in the boot ROM  252 , and carrying out preliminary authentication by the preliminary authentication program. Note that the preliminary authentication is a process in which the preliminary authentication program is run to confirm and verify that authentication program is not modified in advance before importing the program into the motherboard  240  (A 1 ). 
     Meanwhile, in the motherboard  240 , the main CPU  241  runs BIOS stored in the ROM  242 . As a result, the compressed data built in the BIOS is loaded into the RAM  243  (B 1 ). Then, the main CPU  241  runs the BIOS loaded into the RAM  243 , and diagnoses and initializes various kinds of peripheral devices (B 2 ). 
     Afterwards, the main CPU  241  reads, via PCI bus, the authentication program stored in the ROM  255 , and stores the read authentication program to the RAM  243  (B 3 ). During this step, the main CPU  241  drives a checksum through an ADDSUM method (a standard check function) which is adopted in standard BIOS. Thus, it is confirmed whether or not the authentication program is stored in the RAM  243  without an error. 
     The main CPU  241  then confirms a component connected to the IDE bus. Then, the main CPU  241  accesses to the memory card  253  inserted into the card slot  253 S via the IDE bus, to read the game program and the game system program from the memory card  253 . In this case, data constituting the game program and the game system program are read in units of four bytes. Then, the main CPU  241  confirms and verifies, according to the authentication program stored in the RAM  243 , that the read game program and the game system program are not falsified (B 4 ). 
     When the authentication process ends properly, the main CPU  241  writes and stores the authenticated game program and the game system program in the RAM  243  (B 5 ). 
     The main CPU  241  then accesses to the GAL  254  attached to the IC socket  254 S to read payout rate setting data from the GAL  254 , and stores the data in the RAM  243  (B 6 ). Afterwards, the main CPU  241  reads the country identification information stored in the ROM  255  of the gaming board  250 , and stores the information to the RAM  243  (B 7 ). 
     With a result of the above authentication process, the main CPU  241  determines whether the program or data is proper (B 8 ). When the program or data is not proper (B 8 , NO), an error signal including ID information to specify a slot machine  10  is output to a centralized control device (not shown). The centralized control device specifies a slot machine  10  in an error state based on the error signal. The centralized control device then instructs a staff person standing by near the slot machine  10  to deal with the error, and stores an error history information containing a date and time and a place when/where the error has occurred, or the like (B 18 ). Then, the error state is informed in the form of an audio output from the speaker  23  of the slot machine  10 , and in the form of light emitted from the light emitting portion  20 . Afterwards, the routine in the motherboard  240  ends. 
     On the other hand, when the program or data is proper (B 8 , YES), operations of sensors disposed to the slot machine  10  are checked successively (B 9 ). Then, whether or not all the sensors operate properly is determined (B 10 ). When an error is detected in at least one sensor (B 10 , NO), the above mentioned B 18  and B 19  are carried out, and the routine ends thereafter. 
     On the other hand, when all the sensors operate properly (B 10 , Yes), operations of all drive mechanisms are checked successively (B 11 ). Then, it is determined whether or not all the drive mechanisms operate properly (B 12 ). When an error is detected in at least one driving mechanism (B 12 , NO), the above mentioned B 18  and B 19  are carried out, and the routine ends thereafter. On the other hand, when all the drive mechanisms operate properly (B 12 , Yes), operations of all illuminations are checked successively (B 13 ). Then, it is determined whether or not all the illuminations operate properly (B 14 ). Then, it is determined whether or not all the illuminations operate properly (B 14 ). When an error is detected in at least one illumination (B 14 , No), the above mentioned B 18  and B 19  are carried out, and the routine ends thereafter. 
     On the other hand, when all the illuminations operate properly (B 14 , Yes), a boot signal indicating that all the illuminations have been booted properly is output to the centralized control device (not shown) or the like (B 15 ). Afterwards, a basic game process is carried out (B 16 ), and this routine ends. The following describes a basic game process in detail. 
     (Basic Game Process) 
       FIGS. 31 and 32  are flowcharts showing a process carried out by the main CPU  241  of the slot machine  10  during a basic game of the slot machine  10 . A unit game includes a routine shown in  FIGS. 31 and 32 . Note that the slot machine  10  is booted in advance, and a variable used in the main CPU  241  on the game controller  1  side is initialized at a predetermined value. Accordingly, the slot machine  10  is constantly operated. 
     First, it is determined if there is a remaining credit, i.e., the remaining number of coins having been inserted by the player (S 1 ). Specifically, a credit amount C stored in the RAM  243  is read, and a process according to the read credit amount C is carried out. When the credit amount C is zero (S 1 , NO), the routine ends without any operation of a process since a game cannot be started. Meanwhile, when the credit amount C is equal to or more than one (S 1 , Yes), it is determined that there is at least one credit remaining and the process moves to S 2 . 
     In S 2 , it is determined whether or not the operation button  11  (bet button) is pressed (S 2 ). When the operation button  11  (bet button) is not pressed for a predetermined time (S 2 , NO), a game condition is set (S 3 ). Specifically, the number of coins to be bet on the payline in the game is determined according to the operation of the operation button  11  (bet button). During this operation, an operation signal sent upon an operation of the operation button  11  is received. According to the number of times that the operation signal is received, the bet on the payline is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . Then, the credit amount C written into the predetermined memory area of the RAM  243  is read. A total bet where the above bet is added is subtracted from the read credit C. The resulting number is stored in the predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . 
     Afterwards, it is determined whether or not an operation button  11  (start button) is pressed (S 4 ). When the operation button  11  (start button) is not pressed (S 4 , NO), S 4  is repeated until the bet button  11  is pressed. When the operation button  11  (start button) is pressed (S 4 , YES), it is determined whether or not to start a common game (S 5 ). 
     On the other hand, when the operation button  11  (bet button) is pressed in S 2  (S 2 , YES), it is determined whether or not a value of the credit amount C is equal to or more than the value of the total bet in the previous game. In other words, it is determined whether or not it is possible to start a game with the operation button  11  (bet button) being pressed. Specifically, pressing of the operation button  11  (bet button) causes reading out of a bet on the payline in the previous game and a credit amount C written in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . According to a relation of the read credit amount C to the bet, a process branches as follows depending on whether the value of the credit amount C is equal to or more than the value of total bet in the previous game. When it is determined that the value of the credit amount C is less than the value of the total bet of the previous game (S 16 , NO), the routine ends without any operation of a process since a game cannot be started. 
     Meanwhile, when it is determined that the value of the credit amount C is equal to or more than the value of the total bet of the previous game (S 16 , YES), the value of the total bet of the previous game is subtracted from the value of the credit C. Then, the resulting value is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . Afterwards, it is determined whether or not to start a common game (S 5 ). 
     When it is determined to start a common game (S 6 , YES), a common game start flag is activated (S 7 ). Specifically, data showing that the game start flag activated is written into a storage area of a common game start flag of the RAM  243 . Meanwhile, when it is determined not to start a common game (S 6 , NO), a combination determination process is carried out (S 8 ). 
     In the combination determination process, a combination of symbols to be stopped on the payline is determined first. Specifically, a command to generate a random number is sent to the random number generation circuit. Then, a random number within a predetermined range which is generated by the random number generation circuit, is sampled. The sampled random number is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . 
     Although a random number is generated in the random number generation circuit disposed outside the main CPU  241  in the present embodiment, a random number may be generated through an arithmetic process by the main CPU  241 , without the random number generating circuit. 
     Afterwards, a winning combination table for awarding a payout and a random number table stored in the ROM  242  are read. Those read winning combination table and random number table are stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . Still-displaying of symbols is controlled for each reel in accordance with the random number table. 
     Then, the random number table and the winning combination table stored in the predetermined memory area of the RAM  243  are read. The random number written into the predetermined memory area of the RAM  243  is used as a parameter to refer to the random number table. A combination of symbols to be stopped on the payline is then determined. 
     When a winning combination is determined, the winning combination table is stored into a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . The random number and the winning combination table written in the predetermined memory area of the RAM  243  are read. In accordance with the random number and the winning combination table, a combination of symbols to be stopped and still-displayed are determined. During this process, the main CPU  241  reads out a symbol arrangement table stored from the ROM  242  and stores the table in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . The table is then used as a reference. The determined stop symbol data is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . Alternatively, symbols to be stopped may be determined for each reel by using the random number table. 
     When a combination of symbols to be stopped on the payline is determined, it is determined whether or not the combination is a winning combination. When the combination of symbols to be stopped on the payline is a winning combination, a flag which indicates that a payout corresponding to the type of the winning combination will be awarded, is activated to generate the payout corresponding to the combination of symbols on the payline forming the determined winning combination. The activated flag indicating that a payout will be awarded, is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 . To the contrary, when a combination of symbols to be stopped on the payline is another combination, that is, a losing combination, the flag indicating that a payout will be awarded is not activated. 
     After the above combination determination process is carried out, reels  30 A to  30 E rotate so as to move symbols  301  in the display windows  7 A to  7 E (S 9 ). Then, the rotation continues for a predetermined time (S 10 ). Then, the rotation of reels  30 A to  30 E automatically stops (S 11 ). 
     Then, it is determined whether or not a winning combination is formed through the combination determination process in S 8  (S 12 ). Specifically, this is done based on a status of the flag stored in the predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 , which flag indicates a prize according to a combination of symbols on the payline is awarded. When the flag is not activated (S 12 , NO), it is determined that a winning combination is not formed, and the routine ends. 
     Meanwhile, when the flag is activated (S 12 , YES), it is determined whether or not the winning combination formed in the combination determination process in S 8  includes a “Blue 7.” Specifically, when the winning combination includes a “Blue 7” (S 13 , YES), the routine ends after the number of coins are paid out in accordance to the winning combination (S 17 ). 
     Meanwhile, when the winning combination does not include a “BLUE 7” (S 13 , NO), it is determined whether or not a common game end flag is activated (S 14 ). Specifically, it is determined whether or not data showing that the common game end flag is activated is written into a common game end flag area of the RAM  243 . S 14  is repeated until the common game end flag is activated (S 14  NO). When the common game end flag is activated (S 14 , YES), a free game process is carried out (S 15 ). Then, the routine ends. 
     (Free Game Process) 
     The following describes a free game process with reference to  FIG. 33 . 
     First, N denotes the number of free games (S 101 ). The number of free games is determined according to accumulated points acquired in a common game of a basic game. 
     Then, whether or not to start a common game is determined (S 102 ). When a common game is determined to start (S 103 , YES), a common game start flag is activated (S 104 ). Specifically, data indicating that the common game start flag is activated is written into a storage area of the RAM  243  for storing the common game start flag. Afterwards, the process moves to S 105 . 
     Meanwhile, when a common game is determined not to start (S 103 , NO), the process immediately moves to S 105 . Thus, a combination determination process same as above is carried out (S 105 ). A difference in this combination determination process is that the referred random number table is a free game random number table (not shown). Then, reels  30 A to  30 E start to rotate (S 106 ). After a predetermined standby time (S 107 ), an image of stopping the rotation of each of the reels  30 A to  30 E is displayed (S 108 ). 
     Then, whether or not a winning combination is formed is determined (S 109 ). When a winning combination is not formed (S 109 , NO), the process moves to S 111 . Meanwhile, when a winning combination is formed (S 109 , YES), a game medium according to the winning combination is paid out (S 110 ). Specifically, the number of coins to be paid out for the winning combination is calculated, referring to the payout control table. A credit amount stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243  is then read out. The payout value calculated above is added to the credit. The sum is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  243 , and the stored value is displayed on the credit amount display unit  9 . 
     In S 111 ,  1  is subtracted from N (S 111 ). Then, whether or not a common game end flag is activated is determined (S 112 ). Specifically, it is determined whether or not data showing that the common game end flag is activated is written into the common game end flag area of the RAM  243 . S 112  is repeated when the common game end flag is not activated (S 112 , NO). 
     When the common game end flag is activated (S 112 , YES), whether N is 0 is determined (S 113 ). When N is not 0 (S 113 , NO), the operation is carried out again from S 102 . On the other hand, when N is 0 (S 113 , YES), the routine ends. 
     (Common Game Process) 
     The following describes a common game process with reference to  FIG. 34 . 
     First, a common game screen, which is an effect screen displayed when a common game is not run, is displayed on the upper liquid crystal panel  5 A (S 201 ). Then, whether or not the common game start flag is activated is determined. Specifically, it is determined whether data showing that the common game start flag is activated is written into the game start flag area of the RAM  243  (S 202 ). 
     When the common game start flag is not activated (S 202 , NO), the routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the common game start flag is activated (S 202 , YES), an effect screen displayed when a common game is run is displayed on an upper liquid crystal panel  5 A (S 204 ). 
     Thereafter, a common game starts (S 205 ), and whether the player has won in the common game (S 206 ). More specifically, whether to succeed in a common game is determined by using a sampled random number. 
     Then, it is determined whether or not the player has won in the common game has been determined (S 207 ). When successful (S 207 , YES), the total number of accumulated points is counted up by 1 (S 208 ), and the total number of accumulated points is displayed (S 209 ). Then, it is determined whether or not the common game is run a predetermined number of times (S 210 ). Meanwhile, when the common game is unsuccessful (S 207 , NO), the total number of accumulated points is not counted up, and it is determined whether or not the common game is played for predetermined number of times (S 210 ). 
     When the common game is not played for predetermined number of times (S 210 , NO), the process is carried out again from S 203 , and a next common game starts. When a common game is repeated for, for example, ten times (S 210 , YES), the screen switches to a basic game screen (S 211 ). After determining the number of times the free game is run (S 212 ), the total number of accumulated points is reset (S 213 ). Then, after activating the common game end flag (S 214 ), this routine ends. 
     (Bill Storing Process) 
     When addition to the credit is to be done by means of bills T while the player is playing a slot game or the like as above, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a bill T is placed on the bill entry  22  and is then supplied from the insertion slot  22   a  to the bill processing unit M 1 . In so doing, the bill processing unit M 1  is executing the bill storing process routine as shown in  FIG. 35  to determine whether the bill T has been received (S 301 ). When the bill T supplied to the bill processing unit M 1  is not regarded as a genuine bill because reasons such as it is a counterfeit, does not correspond to any one of the registered types, or is severely damaged, it is determined that the receiving of the bill T is rejected (S 301 : NO), and the routine is terminated. 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the bill T supplied to the bill processing unit M 1  is a genuine bill of one of the registered types, the receiving of the bill T is permitted (S 301 : YES) and the bill type data indicating the type of the bill T having been read is obtained (S 302 ). Thereafter, with reference to the bill type field in the bill management table of  FIG. 10 , a for-one-type storage stage corresponding to the bill type data is searched for (S 303 ). Then whether a for-one-type storage stage corresponding to the bill type data exists is determined (S 304 ). 
     When the for-one-type storage stage exists (S 304 : YES), the bill T is stored in the bill case M 300  of the for-one-type storage stage (S 305 ). Thereafter, the number of stored bills data corresponding to the for-one-type storage stage is read from the number of stored bills field of the bill management table, and “1” is added to the number of stored bills data (S 306 ). As the number of stored bills data is multiplied by the face value of the bill T, the monetary amount is calculated and the amount of money stored data in the amount of money stored field of the bill management table is updated (S 307 ). 
     On the other hand, when there is no corresponding for-one-type storage stage (S 304 : NO), the bill T is stored in the bill case M 300  of the for-mixed-types storage stage, which corresponds to the bill type field of the bill management table, where “0” type data is stored (S 308 ). Thereafter, the number of stored bills data corresponding to the for-mixed-types storage stage is read from the number of stored bills field of the bill management table, and “1” is added to this number of stored bills data (S 309 ). 
     When the bill T is stored in the for-one-type storage stage or in the for-mixed-types storage stage as described above (S 304 -S 309 ), then whether at least one of the for-one-type storage stage and the for-mixed-types storage stage is full is determined. That is to say, it is determined whether the maximum number of stored bills data in the maximum number of stored bills field of the bill management table matches the number of stored bills data having been incremented by “1” (S 310 ). When the sets of data are unmatched and no stage is full (S 310 : NO), the routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the sets of data are matched and the stage is full (S 310 : YES), a staff person is notified that the stage is full and a maintenance operation such as collection of bills T from the bill case M 300  is required (S 311 ). Then the routine is terminated. 
     (Bill Storing Process) 
     Subsequently, when the player wishes to receive the credit in the form of bills T, the collect button  32  shown in  FIG. 17  is pressed. In so doing, in the bill processing unit M 1  the payout amount input process routine is being executed as shown in  FIG. 36  to determine whether the payout amount input mode is set, with the assumption that a pressure signal from the collect button  32  being a trigger signal of the payout amount input mode (S 321 ). With this, until the collect button  32  is pressed, it is determined that the payout amount input mode is not set (S 321 : NO), and the routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the collect button  32  is pressed and it is determined that the payout amount input mode is set (S 321 : YES), the bill payout screen F 1  is displayed on the LCD  719  of the PTS terminal  700  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 19  (S 322 ). 
     Thereafter, the receiving of data input through the pressing of the touch panel  720  of the PTS terminal  700  starts (S 323 ). When the data input is made, whether the operation data is an input of numerical data is determined (S 324 ). When the input data is numerical data (S 324 : YES), the bill payout screen F 1  is updated (S 325 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 27 , each time numerical data which is operation data generated when at least one of numeric key buttons “0”-“9” on the bill payout screen F 1  is input, the numerical display on the payout amount displaying portion F 3  is updated from “3” to “34” to “340”. 
     On the other hand, when the input operation is not an input of numerical data (S 324 : NO), then whether the input is an input of nationality data is determined (S 326 ). When the input is an input of nationality data (S 326 : YES), a later-described area change process is executed (S 327 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 28 , operation data generated by an input through the player&#39;s touching of a part of the selected area screen which is the entirety of the currency selection portion F 5  is determined as nationality data, and the area change process is executed. 
     On the other hand, when the operation data is not nationality data (S 324 : YES), then whether the operation data is confirmation data is determined (S 328 ). When the data is confirmation data (S 328 : YES), a payout process is executed (S 329 ) and then the routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the data is not confirmation data (S 328 : NO), the routine is re-executed from S 322 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 27 , until the “ENTER” key button on the bill payout screen F 1  is pressed, the receiving of data input and the processes are repeatedly made executable, and when the “ENTER” key button is pressed, it is determined that the operation data is confirmation data and the results of the processes executed based on the operation data are fixed. 
     (Bill Storing Process) 
     When the area change process (S 327 ) is executed in the payout amount input process, as shown in  FIG. 37 , whether the operation data is scroll data indicating scrolling is determined (S 341 ). When the data is scroll data (S 341 : YES), after the selected area screen of the currency selection portion F 5  is moved in the scrolling direction (S 342 ), the routine is terminated. For example, as shown in  FIG. 28 , when the pressurized point is moved in the crosswise direction in the figure while the pressing of the currency selection portion F 5  is maintained, it is determined that the operation data is scroll data and the selected area screen is moved in the direction in which the pressurized point moves. With this, while an area display image outside the display frame of the currency selection portion F 5  enters the display frame, an area display image having been displayed in the display frame of the currency selection portion F 5  is moved away from the frame. 
     In the meanwhile, when the data is not scroll data (S 341 : YES), then whether the operation data is selected area data indicating the specification of the selected area is determined (S 343 ). When the data is not selected area data (S 343 : NO), the routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the data is selected area data (S 343 : YES), an exchange rate between the payout currency area and the selected currency area is obtained (S 344 ), and the payout amount is converted based on the exchange rate (S 345 ). Thereafter, the converted payout amount is displayed on the payout amount screen F 41  of the payout amount displaying portion F 3  (S 346 ). Then the currency unit of the selected area is displayed on the currency unit screen F 42  (S 347 ). After the area display image of the selected area is highlighted (S 348 ), the routine is terminated. 
     With this, for example, as shown in  FIG. 28 , when the U.S. national flag which is the U.S. area display image is displayed on the specific currency displaying portion F 2  and the U.S. dollar bills T are specified as the currency to be dealt with, the currency displayed on the payout amount displaying portion F 3  is changed from U.S. dollar to Japanese yen as the player clicks the Japanese national flag which is the Japanese area display image. At the same time, because the specific currency displaying portion F 2  is switched to the Japanese area display image, the change of the currency to be dealt with to Japanese bills T is emphasized. This allows the player to easily notice that the currency unit to be dealt with has been switched to the currency unit of the desired area. 
     (Payout Process) 
     As a payout process (S 329 ) is executed in the payout amount input process shown in  FIG. 36 , a payout process routine shown in  FIG. 38  is executed. To begin with, a payout selection screen F 7  shown in  FIG. 27  is displayed (S 361 ). This payout selection screen F 7  includes a card button F 61  and a bill button F 62 . As these buttons  731   a  and  731   b  are pressed, the receiving of data input is started (S 362 ). Based on the operation data having been input, whether the data is bill selection data is determined (S 363 ). When it is determined that the input data is not bill selection data as the card button F 61  is pressed (S 363 : YES), a card payout process is executed (S 364 ) and an amount of money displayed on the card is transferred. Then the routine is terminated. 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the input data is bill selection data as the bill button F 62  is pressed (S 363 : NO), a bill payment process is executed (S 365 ) and then the bill type and the payout amount are determined, and the number of stored bills corresponding to the bill type in bill management table shown in  FIG. 10  is updated (S 367 ). 
     (Bill Payment Process) 
     When a bill payment process (S 3652 ) is executed in the payout process shown in  FIG. 38 , a bill payment process routine shown in  FIG. 39  is executed. To begin with, the amounts of money of all storage stages (bill cases M 300 ) corresponding to the currency to be paid out are added up, with the result that the total amount of money stored is calculated (S 381 ). Then whether a payout amount is not larger than the total amount of money stored is determined (S 382 ). When the payout amount is not larger than the total amount of money stored (S 382 : YES), the bill type and the number of bills T to be paid out are determined (S 383 ). Thereafter, a bill payout process is executed and bills T are paid out to the player (S 384 ), and then the routine is terminated. 
     On the other hand, when the payout amount is larger than the total amount of money stored (S 382 : NO), a payout-impossible screen F 9  shown in  FIG. 29  is displayed (S 385 ). The payout-impossible screen F 9  includes a cancellation button F 72 , a staff person calling button F 71 , and a bill switching button F 73 , and the receiving of data input starts as the buttons  731   a  and  731   b  are pressed (S 386 ). Based on the operation data having been input, whether the input data is cancellation data is determined (S 387 ). When it is determined that the input data is cancellation data as the cancellation button F 72  is pressed ( 387 : YES), the bill payout screen F 1  shown in  FIG. 27  is displayed to allow the correction of an amount of money to be paid out (S 388 ), and then the routine is terminated. 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the input data is not cancellation data ( 387 : NO), then whether the input data is staff person calling data is determined (S 389 ). When it is determined that the input data is staff person calling data as the staff person calling button F 71  is pressed (S 389 : YES), a staff person calling process is executed (S 390 ) and then the routine is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the input data is not staff person calling data (S 389 : NO), then whether the input data is bill switching data is determined (S 391 ). 
     When it is determined that the data is not bill switching data (S 391 : NO), the routine is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the data is bill switching data as the bill switching button F 73  is pressed (S 391 : YES), a bill switching process is executed (S 392 ). After the image display is switched to the bill payout screen F 1  (S 393 ), the routine is terminated. 
     (Bill Switching Process) 
     As the bill switching process is executed (S 392 ), as shown in  FIG. 40 , the image display is switched to a bill selection screen F 8  shown in  FIG. 29  (S 401 ). Then a currency circulation zone is specified as a stored currency area based on the currency type of each payable storage stage, and an exchange rate of this stored currency area is obtained (S 402 ). An amount of money of each stored currency area is considered as an individual amount of money stored, and such an individual amount of money stored is converted based on an exchange rate of the payout currency area which is the currency circulation zone where the payout is to be conducted (S 403 ). Thereafter, a stored currency area whose individual amount of money stored is not smaller than the payout amount is specified (S 404 ). 
     Then whether the number of stored currency areas is not smaller than one is determined (S 405 ). When the number of stored currency areas is smaller than one (S 405 : NO), the payout selection screen F 7  is displayed (S 406 ) and the routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the number of stored currency areas is one or more (S 405 : YES), a bill selection screen F 8  shown in  FIG. 29  is displayed (S 407 ). After an area change process is conducted (S 408 ), the routine is terminated. 
     (Bill Discharging Process) 
     AS the bill discharging process shown in  FIG. 39  is executed (S 384 ), as shown in  FIG. 41 , the bill type and the payout amount are obtained (S 421 ), and then a for-one-type storage stage corresponding to the type data is searched for (S 422 ). When a corresponding for-one-type storage stage does not exist (S 423 : NO), a staff person is notified of abnormality (S 424 ). After a game stop instruction is output to the slot machine  10  (S 425 ), the routine is terminated. 
     On the other hand, when a corresponding for-one-type storage stage exists (S 426 : YES), a single bill T is exported from this for-one-type storage stage (S 426 ). Then the number of stored bills in bill management table shown in  FIG. 10  is decremented by “1” (S 427 ), and the amount of money stored is calculated based on the number of stored bills after the decrement (S 428 ). Thereafter, whether the storage stage is empty is determined (S 429 ). When the storage stage is empty (S 429 : YES), a staff person is notified of abnormality (S 424 ) and a game stop instruction is made (S 425 ), and then the routine is terminated. ON the other hand, when the storage stage is not empty (S 429 : NO), then whether the export of all bills has been completed is determined (S 430 ). When the export of all bills has not been completed (S 430 : NO), the routine is re-executed from S 427 . On the other hand, when the export of all bills has been completed (S 430 : YES), the routine is terminated. 
     The above embodiment thus described solely serves as a specific example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to such an example. Specific structures and various means may be suitably designed or modified. Further, the effects of the present invention described in the above embodiment are not more than examples of most preferable effects achievable by the present invention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments described above. 
     Further, the detailed description above is mainly focused on characteristics of the present invention to fore the sake of easier understanding. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and is applicable to diversity of other embodiments. Further, the terms and phraseology used in the present specification are adopted solely to provide specific illustration of the present invention, and in no case should the scope of the present invention be limited by such terms and phraseology. Further, it will be obvious for those skilled in the art that the other structures, systems, methods or the like are possible, within the spirit of the invention described in the present specification. The description of claims therefore shall encompass structures equivalent to the present invention, unless otherwise such structures are regarded as to depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the abstract is provided to allow, through a simple investigation, quick analysis of the technical features and essences of the present invention by an intellectual property office, a general public institution, or one skilled in the art who is not fully familiarized with patent and legal or professional terminology. It is therefore not an intention of the abstract to limit the scope of the present invention which shall be construed on the basis of the description of the claims. To fully understand the object and effects of the present invention, it is strongly encouraged to sufficiently refer to disclosures of documents already made available. 
     The detailed description of the present invention provided hereinabove includes a process executed on a computer. The above descriptions and expressions are provided to allow the one skilled in the art to most efficiently understand the present invention. A process executed in or by respective steps yielding one result or blocks with a predetermined processing function described in the present specification shall be understood as a process with no self-contradiction. Further, the electrical or magnetic signal is transmitted/received and written in the respective steps or blocks. It should be noted that such a signal is expressed in the form of bit, value, symbol, text, terms, number, or the like solely for the sake of convenience. Although the present specification occasionally personifies the processes executed in the steps or blocks, these processes are essentially executed by various devices. Further, the other structures necessary for the steps or blocks are obvious from the above descriptions. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         M 1  bill processing unit 
         M 2  device main body 
         M 3  bill transportation path 
         M 5  bill insertion slot 
         M 6  bill transportation mechanism 
         M 8  bill reader 
         M 300  bill case 
         M 301  storing frame 
         M 302  first partition plate 
         M 303  first partition plate supporting mechanism 
         F 1  bill payout screen 
         F 2  currency displaying portion 
         F 3  payout amount displaying portion 
         F 5  currency selection portion 
         F 7  payout selection screen 
         F 8  bill selection screen 
         F 9  payout-impossible screen