JP2002028328A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine wherein an abnormal state of the game machine generated by fraudulence of a game player is notified only to workers of a game hall without making game players notice it. SOLUTION: In this game machine equipped with a discharging device which discharges game balls, the game machine is also equipped with an abnormality detecting means and an output section. In this case, the abnormality detecting means detects that such an action making the discharging device operate abnormally is applied to the game machine. The output section outputs a signal to the outside of the game machine regarding the abnormality detection by the abnormality detecting means. Thus, the abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting means is output to the outside from the output section. At the same time, the game machine is constituted in such a manner that the abnormality may not be notified at all from a notifying device which can be recognized by game players.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to an improvement in means for notifying an abnormal state of the gaming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game using a gaming machine, a game store lends a game ball (or game coin) to a player, and the player exchanges a ball obtained by the game for a premium. In this game, depending on the state of the game, more balls can be obtained than borrowed balls, and the player can gain profit.

[0003] As described above, since the profit of the player is determined by the number of prize balls discharged from the gaming machine, the player sometimes cheats and tries to obtain many balls from the gaming machine. For that purpose, the gaming machine counts the number of ejected balls and monitors the controller for abnormalities, such as whether magnetism is acting from the outside.
When the control device detects an abnormal state, the abnormal state is reported by an abnormality notification lamp provided in the gaming machine.

[0004]

However, as described above, if the occurrence of an abnormality in the gaming machine is notified by the abnormality notification lamp provided in the gaming machine, the game is notified by the abnormality notification of the gaming machine. Since the player stops the wrongdoing, it is difficult for the player to detect the wrongdoing, and it has been difficult for the game store to deal with the wrongdoing. In order to prevent such misconduct, it is necessary to notify only the employees of the game store without notifying the player that the gaming machine has detected the misconduct.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can notify only an employee of a gaming store without letting the player know an abnormal state of the gaming machine caused by a wrongdoing by the player. And

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine provided with a discharging device for discharging a game ball, which detects that an action for causing the discharging device to operate abnormally is added to the gaming machine. Abnormality detecting means, and an output unit for outputting a signal to the outside of the gaming machine in connection with the abnormality detection by the abnormality detecting means, and outputting the abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting means to the outside from the output unit In addition, it is characterized in that the notification device that can be recognized by the player is not notified of the abnormality at all.

A second invention provides a game board for providing a game,
In a gaming machine having a game control device that comprehensively controls a game performed on the game board and detects an abnormality of the game machine, the gaming machine is provided with a monitoring device separately from the game control device. An abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality not detected by the game control device,
An output unit that outputs a signal to the outside of the gaming machine in association with the abnormality detection by the abnormality detection unit, and outputs the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit to the outside from the output unit and allows the player to recognize the abnormality. It is characterized in that the abnormality is not reported at all from a simple notification device.

A third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the monitoring device is constituted by a control device for controlling discharge of game balls.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of a gaming machine, and a notifying control means for performing a notification by a notifying device which can be recognized by a player in relation to the abnormality detection by the abnormality detecting means. A game machine equipped with an output unit for outputting a signal to the outside of the game machine in connection with the abnormality detection, and when an abnormality is detected, switching whether or not to perform notification by the notification device is performed. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fifth aspect of the invention in which an abnormality is detected by an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of a gaming machine and a notification device that can be recognized by a player in relation to the abnormality detection by the abnormality detection unit. An output unit that outputs a signal to the outside of the gaming machine in connection with the abnormality detection, and when an abnormality is detected, outputs a signal to the outside from the output unit. After output, The notification is performed by the device.

In a sixth aspect, in the second to fifth aspects,
The gaming machine includes a discharging device that discharges the game ball, and the abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting unit is that an action that causes the discharging device to operate abnormally is added to the gaming machine. And

[0011] In a seventh aspect based on the first to sixth aspects,
The gaming machine includes discharge ball detection means for detecting game balls discharged from the discharge device, and the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means indicates that the discharge ball is not operated even though the discharge device is not operating. The game ball is detected by the detecting means.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the discharge system of the gaming machine, a signal to be output to the outside is generated, and a notification device that can be recognized by the player does not notify the player at all. Since only the employees of the amusement shop can know without detecting that the gaming machine has detected an abnormality, it is possible to discover the misconduct of the player and grasp the actual situation. , And can appropriately deal with wrongdoing. In particular, in the event that a prize ball is illegally ejected and an amusement store commits financial damage, the act is continued for a certain period of time,
You can suppress evidence of wrongdoing.

In the second invention, when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, a signal to be output to the outside is generated, and a notification device recognizable by the player does not notify the player at all. Although the player does not want to do so, the monitoring device can detect an abnormality that the game store wants to grasp. And
Since the monitoring device is provided separately from the game control device, the specification of the abnormality determination can be changed without changing the configuration of the game control device.

In the third aspect, since the monitoring device is constituted by the discharge control device, an abnormality relating to the operation of the discharge device can be detected by integrating the monitoring function and the game ball discharging function. Then, it is not necessary to provide a driver or the like for driving the notification device in the integrated control device, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to switch whether or not to notify the abnormality of the gaming machine by the notification device, so that the presence or absence of the notification can be selected according to the desire of the gaming shop.

In the fifth invention, when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, a signal is output to the outside and then a notification is made by a notification device recognizable by the player, so that the detected abnormality is notified to the player. Because you can be notified late,
Until the information is notified by the notification device, the fraudulent activity continues, so that evidence of the fraudulent activity can be suppressed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since an action that causes the discharge device to operate abnormally is detected as abnormal, it is possible to prevent the game store from being financially damaged by abnormal discharge of the prize balls.

In the seventh invention, an abnormality is determined by detecting a game ball by the discharged ball detecting means even though the discharging device is not operating. It can be clearly detected.

[0019]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a CR machine provided with a card ball lending unit 2. The front frame 3 of the gaming machine 1 is assembled to a body frame (outer frame) 4 via a hinge 5 so as to be openable and closable, and the game board 6 is housed in a storage frame attached to the back surface of the front frame 3.

On the surface of the game board 6, a variable display device 8, a variable winning device 10 having a large winning opening, each winning opening 11 to 1 are provided.
5, a game area in which the starting port 16, the ordinary symbol display 7, and the ordinary variable winning device 9 are provided. On the front frame 3,
A cover glass 18 that covers the front of the game board 6 is attached.

When a game ball is awarded to a normal symbol start gate (not shown), the normal symbol display 7 starts to display a variable symbol (for example, a symbol consisting of one number). When a prize to the ordinary symbol starting gate is made at a predetermined timing (specifically, when the ordinary symbol random number counter value at the time of detecting the prize is a winning value), it becomes a winning state related to the ordinary symbol, and the ordinary symbol is hit. Stop at the hit symbol (hit number). At this time, the normal variable winning device 9 provided in front of the starting port 16 is widely opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds), and the possibility of winning the game ball to the starting port 16 is increased.

The passing of the game ball to the ordinary symbol starting gate is detected by the ordinary symbol starting gate sensor 53. The passing timing of the game balls (specifically, the game control device 1
The value at the time of passage detection of the ordinary symbol random number counter provided in 00 is a predetermined storage area (ordinary symbol random number storage area) in the game control device 100 as ordinary symbol winning memory.
Is stored for up to four consecutive times. The storage number of the ordinary symbol winning memory is displayed on a memory status display composed of four LEDs provided on both sides of the ordinary symbol display device 7. The game control device 100 performs a lottery for a normal symbol based on the normal symbol winning memory.

An upper plate 21 for supplying a ball to the ball launcher is provided on an opening / closing panel 20 below the front frame 3, and a lower plate 23 and an operation unit 24 of the ball launcher are arranged on the fixed panel 22.

The card ball lending unit 2 has a card (a prepaid card or the like) inserted in the card insertion portion 25 on the front.
A card reader / writer and a ball lending control device for reading, writing, and the like of the data are built in. An operation panel 26 for the card lending unit is formed on the outer surface of the upper plate 21 of the gaming machine 1.

The operation panel 26 for the card ball lending unit is provided with a ball lending switch 28 for commanding a ball lending, a card return switch 30 for commanding a card return, a card balance display section for displaying a card balance, and the like. Have been.

On the upper part of the frame of the cover glass 18, there is provided a first notification lamp 31 for notifying an abnormal discharge of a ball by lighting.
A second notification lamp 32 is provided.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the overall structure of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

On the back side of the game board 6, a special winning opening, each winning opening 11 to 15, a winning ball collective cover (not shown) for guiding a winning ball won to the starting opening 16, and the game is totally controlled. Game control device 100, each control device (game control device 10
0, emission control device 200, decoration control device 300, display control device 350, sound control device 400, firing control device 550
Power supply device 25 for generating a predetermined voltage to be supplied to
0, a decoration control device 300 for controlling lighting / extinguishing of decoration lamps provided on the game board 6 and the front frame 3 by a decoration control command signal from the game control device 100, and a variable display device 8.
A display control device 350 for controlling the sound output from the speaker 95, a game board external terminal 41, and the like are attached.

A back mechanism board 35 is attached to the back side of the storage frame of the front frame 3. In the center of the back mechanism board 35, the control devices (game control device 100, power supply device 250, decoration control device 30) on the back side of the game board 6 are provided.
0, display control device 350, sound control device 400, etc.).

In the upper part of the back mechanism board 35, a 24-volt AC power supply is taken in from the outside of the gaming machine 1 (the island equipment of the gaming shop), relayed to the power supply device 250, and connected to the gaming machine management device. A frame external information output unit (external terminal) 42 for connecting external signal lines, a ball storage tank 36 for storing game balls, and a gutter unit (half-end sensor) provided with a half-sphere detection sensor 58 for the balls of the ball storage tank 36. Unit) 38
Is installed. The guide gutter 37 and the gutter unit 38 are formed with two channels.

On the right side of the opening window of the back mechanism panel 35, a discharge device (discharge unit 600, flow path switching unit 70) for dispensing the ball of the gutter unit 38 to a tray on the front side of the gaming machine 1.
0) is attached.

A discharge unit 6 is provided below the back mechanism panel 35.
Emission control device 200 for controlling 00, hitting ball firing device 50
In addition, a launch control device 550 for controlling the zero, a card ball rental unit relay board 43, and the like are attached.

The card ball lending unit 2 lends a game ball with a prepaid card. The discharge of the ball for rental is performed by a ball discharge device (discharge unit 60) controlled by the discharge control device 200 in accordance with a ball rental control command signal input from the card ball rental unit 2 via the card ball rental unit relay board 43.
0, the channel switching unit 700).

When a ball shot from the hitting ball shooting device 500 to the game area wins each of the winning openings 11 to 15 and the big winning opening,
A prize ball control command signal is sent from the game control device 100 to the discharge control device 200, the discharge control device 200 drives the discharge unit 600, and a predetermined number of prize balls are discharged from the discharge device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Game control device 100, discharge control device 20
0, the decoration control device 300 includes a CPU and an RA, respectively.
M, ROM, and input / output interface (I / F).

Detection signals from various detection devices are input to the game control device 100 and input to the CPU via an input / output interface. These various detecting devices include general winning opening sensors 51.1 to 51. that detect winning in the general winning openings 11 to 15. N, a special symbol starting sensor 52 for detecting a winning in the starting opening 16, a normal symbol starting sensor 53 for starting the fluctuation of the normal symbol display device 7 for determining the operation of the normal variable winning device 9 by detecting a ball, The count sensor 54 and the winning opening continuation sensor 55 for detecting winning in the winning opening, the metal frame opening sensor 56 for detecting the opening of the glass frame on the front of the game board, and the game balls discharged by the discharging unit 600 are excessively stored. Sensor 57 which detects that the supply of the game ball to the discharge unit 600 is insufficient.
8. Includes a radio wave detection sensor (not shown) for detecting that the game machine is irradiated with radio waves.

The detection signal from the overflow sensor 57 is branched via the relay board 710 and is also input to the discharge control device 200.

The CPU of the game control device 100 executes a program (game program) recorded in the ROM based on these detection signals, and performs overall control of the game (game control). Specifically, the game control device 100 outputs a prize ball control command signal and a decoration control command signal to the discharge control device 200 and the decoration control device 300, respectively, and controls these. It should be noted that the game control device 100 sends the discharge control device 2
The data to the decoration control device 300 is communicated in one direction, and the data is not transmitted from the discharge control device 200 and the decoration control device 300 to the game control device 100.

The game control device 100 transmits a control signal to the special winning opening solenoid 10A and the normal variable winning opening solenoid 9A, and controls the energization of these solenoids, so that the special variable winning device 10 and the normal variable winning device are controlled. 9 is controlled to open and close. Further, a control signal is transmitted to the ordinary symbol display device 7 to control the display.

Further, the game control device 100 monitors whether or not the prize ball is correctly discharged. More specifically, the number of prize balls that have been commanded to be discharged and transmitted as a prize ball control command signal to the discharge control device 200, and the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B
And whether the prize ball discharge is not performed although the prize ball discharge command is not transmitted. When an abnormality such as the discharge of a prize ball is detected even though the prize ball discharge command signal is not transmitted, an abnormality handling process is performed.
In the abnormality handling process, for example, an abnormality detection signal is output to the hall computer 801 from the game board external information output unit 41,
By transmitting a decoration control command signal to the decoration control device 300, the first notification lamp 31 and the second notification lamp 32 are turned on to notify the abnormality. Alternatively, the game is forcibly stopped by stopping the game control, stopping the hit ball firing, or the like.

The discharge control device 200 includes the discharge unit 6
Each detection signal of the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B for detecting a ball ejected as a prize ball from 00, and each detection signal of a ball rental sensor 714A and 714B for detecting a ball ejected as a rental ball from the ejection unit 600. Is input. Then, the discharge control device 200 controls the discharge of the game balls from the discharge unit 600 and the flow path switching in the flow path switching unit 700 based on the prize ball control command signal. The discharge control device 200 includes the game control device 100
A ball-lending control command signal is input from the card unit 2 separately from the prize-ball discharge command signal. Emission control device 200
Controls the discharge unit 600 based on the prize ball control command signal and the ball lending control command signal, and controls the discharge sensors (prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B, ball lending detection sensors 714A and 714A).
The prize balls and the lending balls are discharged using the detection signal of 14B).

The discharge control device 200 monitors whether the prize ball is discharged correctly. Specifically, whether or not the number of ejected balls instructed by the ejection control device 200 to the ejection unit 600 matches the actual number of ejected balls counted by the prize ball detecting sensors 713A and 713B and the ball letting detecting sensors 714A and 714B. And whether the ball is not discharged even though the command to discharge the ball to the discharge unit 600 is not issued. If an abnormality such as a prize ball being ejected is detected even though the ejection unit 600 is not instructed to eject the ball, an abnormality handling process is performed. In this abnormality handling process, for example, an abnormality detection signal is output from the frame external information output terminal 42 to the hall computer 801, and a decoration control command signal is transmitted to the decoration control device 300.

The decoration control device 300 includes the game control device 1
A decoration control command signal, which is a command signal for lighting (flashing) the lamp from 00, is input to drive the various lamps. Specifically, the game control device 100 and the discharge control device 2
00 detects an abnormality of the gaming machine 1, the first notification lamp 3
1. The second notification lamp 32 is turned on. Further, when the gaming machine 1 is in a big hit state, the game is to be inflected,
Decorative lamps 45.1 to 45. N is turned on (blinks).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the connection between the gaming machine and the hall computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The gaming machine 1 is connected to the island controller 802 for each island, and the island controller 802 is connected to the hall computer 801.

External information output terminal 4 for the game board of gaming machine 1
1. The island controller 80 is connected to the external information output terminal 42 for the frame.
2, a signal line to the hall computer 801 is connected, and information on the state of each of the gaming machines 1 (game state such as a big hit state, probability fluctuation state, abnormal state such as award ball discharge abnormality, etc.) is displayed. Is output from the gaming machine 1 to the island controller 802. The island controller 802 is provided for each island where the gaming machine 1 is installed, is connected to the gaming machine 1 on the island, receives information from the gaming machine 1, collects the received information, and collects the received information. Send it to computer 801. The hall computer 801 is the island controller 8
02, the information of the gaming machine 1 is collected via the island controller 802, and the state of the gaming machine 1 is monitored.
The hall computer 801 is provided with display means (display), input means (keyboard, mouse, etc.), and storage means (memory, magnetic storage device), and displays the collected state of the gaming machine 1 on the display. Record on a storage device (hard disk).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation after an error is detected by the game control device 100 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the game control device 100, the game control device 10
0 based on the detection signals of various sensors input to
Detects an abnormality (error state) in the gaming machine and notifies the notification lamp 3
By turning on 1 and 32, the abnormality of the gaming machine is notified. Specifically, the occurrence of an overflow (excessive storage of discharged game balls) detected by the overflow sensor 57,
Discharge unit 6 detected by hemisphere detecting sensor 58
An abnormality of the gaming machine such as a shortage of balls to be supplied to 00 (occurrence of an odd ball), opening of a glass frame on the front of the gaming board detected by the metal frame opening sensor 56 is detected (S1). The game control device 100 that has detected these abnormalities, the decoration control device 300
Then, a decoration control command signal is transmitted so as to light (blink) the first notification lamp 31 and the second notification lamp 32 (S2). Upon receiving the command signal, the decoration control device 300 turns on the first notification lamp 31 and the second notification lamp 32 (S3, S4).

In this embodiment, the notification lamps 31 and 32 are turned on by the decoration control device 300. However, the display control device indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the variable display device 8, or the sound control device outputs a signal from the speaker 95. It can also be configured to generate sound.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation after an error is detected by the discharge control device 200 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the discharge control device 200, the game control device 10
Apart from the abnormality detected at 0, an abnormality (error state) of the gaming machine related to award ball discharge that cannot be detected by the game control device 100 is also detected, and the notification lamps 31 and 32 are not turned on. An abnormal signal is transmitted to the hall computer 801. In step S11, the following abnormality of the gaming machine is detected. (1) When the ball discharge motor 607 is not operating, the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B and the ball lending detection sensor 71
Discharged balls were detected at 4A and 714B. (2) When the ball discharge motor 607 is operating, the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B and the ball lending detection sensor 714
A, no ejected ball is detected at 714B. (3) The card ball lending unit 2 is not connected.

The discharge control device 20 which detects these abnormalities
0 outputs a discharge system abnormality detection signal to the hall computer 801 via the frame external output terminal 42 (S1).
2). Hall computer 8 receiving this abnormality detection signal
01 indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 1
1 is displayed on the display. However, since a signal line for transmitting a signal is not provided from the discharge control device 200 to the decoration control device 300, the first notification lamp 31 and the second notification lamp 32 are turned on by the decoration control device 300. I will not do it. In addition to the first notification lamp 31 and the second notification lamp 32, a variable display device 8, a speaker 95, and a game board 6 are provided on the front of the gaming machine 1 so that a player can recognize any notification state. Although a notification device such as a provided decoration lamp is provided, the device is not operated to perform notification.

As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the discharge system of the gaming machine 1, an abnormality detection signal is output from the gaming machine 1 to the hall computer 801 without activating a notification device that can be recognized by the player. Therefore, without informing the player that the gaming machine 1 has detected an abnormality in the discharge system, only the employees of the amusement store can know, and it is possible to discover the misconduct of the player and grasp the actual situation. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately deal with wrongdoing.

In the present embodiment, an abnormality that is not reported by the notification device that can be recognized by the player is a discharge system abnormality detected by the discharge control device 200. This abnormality of the discharge system causes the discharge device (discharge unit 600) to operate abnormally. Therefore, even if the abnormality is detected by the game control device 100, if the discharging device is operated abnormally, the abnormality detection signal is sent to the hall computer 801 without being notified by the notification device that the player can recognize. It is also conceivable to perform control only to output.

In addition to the abnormalities in the discharge system, the illegal operation of radiating radio waves to the gaming machine 1 from the outside to cause a malfunction, or causing the variable prize device 10 to win a game ball other than during a big hit, as a result, In general, the discharge device is abnormally operated and illegally discharges the game ball, causing damage to the game store, so if such an illegal action is detected, the player should not be notified with a recognizable notification device, A configuration in which an abnormality detection signal is output to the hall computer 801 may be considered. Specifically, a radio wave detection sensor (not shown) is provided at a predetermined portion of the gaming machine 1 and an output of this sensor is input to the game control device 100 to detect fraud, or the game control device 100 Can be realized by a configuration in which a game ball is determined to be improper when a game ball is detected by the count sensor 54 other than during a big hit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the gaming machine shown in FIG. 7, unlike the gaming machine shown in FIG. 3, the second notification lamp 32 is connected not to the decoration control device 300 but to the discharge control device 200, and the operation of each of the notification lamps 31, 32 is performed. In order to switch between the non-operation and the non-operation, there is provided a changeover switch for switching between supply and cutoff of a signal from each of the control devices 300 and 200. Other configurations are
Since the configuration is the same as that of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 3, the description of each configuration will be omitted.

The first notification lamp 31 is a game control device 100
Is provided between the game control device 100 and the first notification lamp 31. A changeover switch 33 that can cut off a signal from the game control device 100 is provided. Further, the second notification lamp 32 is connected to the emission control device 200, and a changeover switch 34 capable of disconnecting a signal from the emission control device 200 is provided between the emission control device 200 and the second notification lamp 32. ing. This changeover switch 33,
The switch 34 may be provided on the front surface of the game control device 100 and the switch 34 may be provided on the front surface of the discharge control device 200 so that the switch can be operated from the back side of the gaming machine.

Further, the changeover switches 33 and 34 may be configured to operate independently, or may be configured so that both switches simultaneously switch on / off simultaneously.

As described above, the discharge control device 20
In the case of 0, the abnormal response processing is performed based on the result of monitoring whether or not the prize ball is correctly discharged. In the abnormal response processing according to the second embodiment, the abnormality detection signal is output from the frame external information output terminal 42 to the hole. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in addition to the output to the computer 801, the second notification lamp 32 is turned on to notify an abnormality.

By setting the switches 33 and 34, it is possible to set whether or not to notify the abnormality of the gaming machine by using the first notification lamp 31 and the second notification lamp 32, so that the player is notified. The abnormality to be performed and the abnormality not to be notified can be selected for the convenience of the game store.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an operation after an error is detected by the game control device 100 of the game machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

When the game control device 100 detects an abnormality of the gaming machine 1 (for example, a prize ball is discharged even though the prize ball discharge command is not transmitted) (S21), the game control device 100 performs the game. An abnormality detection signal is output from the panel external information output terminal 41 to the hall computer 801. (S22). The hall computer 801 that has received the abnormality detection signal displays the occurrence of the abnormality of the gaming machine 1 on the display of the hall computer 801.

Thereafter, the game control device 100 starts the timer by resetting the timer counter to "0" (S23), updates the timer by adding the value of the timer counter, and then updates the timer counter value. It is compared with a predetermined value to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S25). When the value of the timer counter reaches the predetermined value,
Proceed to the next step (S26).

After outputting an abnormality detection signal to the hall computer 801 (S22), after a predetermined time has elapsed (S2).
4 to S25), the gaming machine 1 turns on the first notification lamp 31, notifies the player that an abnormality has occurred, and gives a notice of stopping the gaming machine 1 (S31). In addition, an employee who is traveling around the game store is notified that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 1.

After outputting an abnormality detection signal to the hall computer 801, the gaming machine 1 starts a timer (S 2).
7) When a predetermined time has elapsed (S28 to S30), the gaming operation of the gaming machine 1 is forcibly stopped (S31), and illegal ejection of the prize ball is stopped. This timer loop (S28 to S3
0) is provided with a step (S29) for determining whether or not the error of the gaming machine 1 has been cleared. If an employee of the gaming machine performs an operation to clear the error within a predetermined time, this error is erroneous. Yes, it is determined that the abnormality detection signal is a false report, and the gaming machine 1 continues normal operation (S32).

In the above description of FIG. 8, it has been described that the game control device 100 detects an error.
The discharge control device 200 may be configured to detect an error. Here, the points in which the processing in the discharge control device 200 is different from the processing in the game control device 100 will be mainly described, and the description of the same processing will be omitted.

In the discharge control device 200, step S21
The following detects an abnormality of the gaming machine. (1) When the ball discharge motor 607 is not operating, the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B and the ball lending detection sensor 71
Discharged balls were detected at 4A and 714B. (2) When the ball discharge motor 607 is operating, the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B and the ball lending detection sensor 714
A, no ejected ball is detected at 714B. (3) The card ball lending unit 2 is not connected.

Thereafter, the discharge control device 200 sends an abnormality detection signal from the frame external output terminal 42 to the hall computer 8.
01 (S22).

Thereafter, the timer is started (S23), and after a lapse of a predetermined time (S24-S25), the second notification lamp 32 is turned on (S26), and an abnormality occurs in the player and the employee of the game store. Notify that

The timer operation performed thereafter (S27 to S3)
0), error cancellation (S29), gaming machine stop (S31),
The processing such as the return to the normal operation (S32) is the same as the processing in the game control device 100 described above.

As described above, the notification lamp 31 of the gaming machine 1
Since the abnormality of the gaming machine 1 is notified to the hall computer 801 before the operation of the gaming machine 32, the employee of the gaming shop can know the employee of the gaming shop first without notifying the player that the gaming machine 1 has detected the abnormality. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a fraudulent act of the player, and to prevent fraudulent acts.

Further, the hall computer 801 is notified of an abnormality of the gaming machine 1 and, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the notification lamp 3
Since the lights 1 and 32 are turned on (blinking), the employees of the gaming shop can easily find the gaming machine 1 in which the abnormality has occurred.

FIG. 9 is another flow chart showing an operation after an error is detected by the game control device 100 of the game machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, unlike the operation flowchart described with reference to FIG. 8, after outputting an abnormality detection signal to the hall computer 801 and confirming the occurrence of an abnormality in the gaming machine 1 by the hall computer 801, a first notification lamp is provided to the gaming machine 1. 31 is turned on.

When the game control device 100 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 1 (S41), the game control device 100 sends an abnormality detection signal from the external information output terminal 41 for the game board to the hall computer 801. Output. (S
42). The occurrence of the abnormality of the gaming machine 1 is displayed on the display of the hall computer 801 (S43). The employee of the game store that has noticed the occurrence of the abnormality operates the keyboard of the hall computer 801 to confirm the occurrence of the abnormality,
The hall computer 801 returns an abnormality confirmation signal to the gaming machine 1 (S44).

The gaming machine 1 which has received the abnormality confirmation signal turns on the first notification lamp 31 (S45), notifies the player that an abnormality has occurred, and stops the gaming machine 1 (S45).
Notice 30). In addition, an employee who is traveling around the game store is notified that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 1.

After the first notification lamp 31 is turned on, the gaming machine 1
Starts a timer (S46), and after a predetermined time has elapsed (S47-S49), forcibly stops the gaming operation of the gaming machine 1 (S50). This timer loop (S47 to S4
9) is provided with a step (S48) for determining whether or not the error of the gaming machine 1 has been cleared. If an employee of the gaming machine performs an operation to clear the error within a predetermined time, this error is erroneous. Yes, it is determined that the abnormality detection signal is a false report, and the gaming machine 1 continues normal operation (S51).

In the above description of FIG. 9, it has been described that the game control device 100 detects an error.
The discharge control device 200 may be configured to detect an error. Here, the points in which the processing in the discharge control device 200 is different from the processing in the game control device 100 will be mainly described, and the description of the same processing will be omitted.

In the discharge control device 200, step S41
The following detects an abnormality of the gaming machine. (1) When the ball discharge motor 607 is not operating, the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B and the ball lending detection sensor 71
Discharged balls were detected at 4A and 714B. (2) When the ball discharge motor 607 is operating, the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B and the ball lending detection sensor 714
A, no ejected ball is detected at 714B. (3) The card ball lending unit 2 is not connected.

Thereafter, the discharge control device 200 outputs an abnormality detection signal from the frame external output terminal 42 to the hall computer 8.
01 is output (S42).

Thereafter, upon receiving the abnormality confirmation signal, the second
The notification lamp 32 is turned on (S45) to notify the player and the employees of the game store of the abnormality.

The timer operation performed thereafter (S46 to S4)
9), error cancellation (S48), gaming machine stop (S50),
The processing such as the return to the normal operation (S52) is the same as the processing in the game control device 100 described above.

As described above, the notification lamp 31 of the gaming machine 1
Since the abnormality of the gaming machine 1 is notified to the hall computer 801 before the operation of the gaming machine 32, only the employee of the gaming shop can know without detecting the abnormality of the gaming machine 1 to the player. In addition, it is possible to easily cope with a fraudulent act of a player, and to prevent fraudulent acts.

Also, after the abnormality detection signal is transmitted to the management device connected to the output section and this signal is confirmed by the management device, the gaming machine notifies the abnormality of the gaming machine by the notification means. That is, after confirming the abnormality of the gaming machine 1 with the hall computer 801, the notification lamp 3
Since the lights 1 and 32 are turned on (blinking), the employees of the gaming shop can easily find the gaming machine 1 in which the abnormality has occurred.

In the abnormality occurrence processing described above, the first notification lamp 31 is turned on the gaming machine 1 immediately after the occurrence of an error is confirmed by the hall computer 801. The first notification lamp 31 may be turned on in the gaming machine 1 after a lapse of time. The elapse of the predetermined time may be measured by the gaming machine 1 which has received the abnormality confirmation signal from the hall computer 801 or the hall computer 8
It is also possible to configure so as to output an abnormality confirmation signal to the gaming machine 1 after a predetermined time has passed after the error confirmation in 01. This fixed time may be changed according to an instruction from the hall computer, and is determined in advance for each gaming machine (saved in the memory of the gaming machine, data for each gaming machine is saved in the hall computer).
Is also good. For this purpose, instead of setting the initial value of the timer counter to 0 as described above, an initial value corresponding to the elapsed time may be set, and the value may be decremented by updating the timer.

Also, instead of the hall computer 801,
The island controller 802 is provided with a function of displaying an error and confirming an error, and an employee who is traveling around the game store with the island controller 802 is made aware that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine 1,
You may comprise so that abnormality of the gaming machine 1 can be confirmed.

As described above, the notification lamp 31 of the gaming machine 1
Since the gaming machine 1 outputs an abnormality detection signal to the hall computer 801 before the 32 is operated, it is possible for only the employees of the gaming shop to know without detecting that the gaming machine 1 has detected an abnormality. It is possible to easily respond to a player's fraudulent acts, and to prevent fraudulent acts.

After the employee of the gaming machine confirms an abnormality of the gaming machine 1 with the hall computer 801, the gaming machine 1
The information lamps 31 and 32 are operated (lit and blinked), so that the employee can easily find the gaming machine 1 in which the abnormality has occurred.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of an entire gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the entire structure of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the entire gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a connection between the gaming machine and the hall computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is another flowchart when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine.

FIG. 9 is another flowchart when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Card ball rental unit 3 Front frame 4 Main frame 5 Hinge 6 Game board 8 Fluctuation display device 35 Back mechanism board 100 Game control device 200 Discharge control device 250 Power supply device 300 Decoration control device 350 Display control device 400 Sound control Apparatus 500 hitting and firing device 550 firing control device 600 discharge unit 700 flow switching unit 801 hole computer 802 island controller

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A game machine provided with a discharge device for discharging a game ball, wherein abnormality detection means for detecting that an action of causing the discharge device to operate abnormally has been applied to the game machine, and the abnormality detection means. An output unit that outputs a signal to the outside of the gaming machine in association with the abnormality detection by, and outputs the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit from the output unit to the outside, and from a notification device that can be recognized by the player. Is a gaming machine characterized in that the abnormality is not reported at all. 2. A game machine comprising: a game board for providing a game; and a game control device for generally controlling a game performed on the game board and detecting an abnormality of the game machine. Is provided with a monitoring device separately from the game control device, the monitoring device has an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality that is not detected by the game control device, and externally detects the abnormality by the abnormality detection unit. And an output unit that outputs a signal.The output unit outputs an abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit to the outside, and the notification unit that can be recognized by a player does not notify the user of the abnormality at all. A gaming machine characterized by that: 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein said monitoring device comprises a control device for controlling discharge of game balls. 4. A game comprising: abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality of a gaming machine; and notification control means for performing notification by a notification device recognizable to a player in relation to the abnormality detection by the abnormality detection means. An output unit for outputting a signal to the outside of the gaming machine in connection with the abnormality detection; and a switching unit capable of switching whether or not to perform notification by the notification device when an abnormality is detected. Gaming machine characterized by the following: 5. A gaming machine comprising: abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of a gaming machine; and notification control means for performing notification by a notification device recognizable to a player in relation to the abnormality detection by the abnormality detecting means. An output unit that outputs a signal to the outside of the gaming machine in connection with the abnormality detection, and when an abnormality is detected, after outputting a signal to the outside from the output unit, notifies the notification by the notification device. A gaming machine characterized by being performed. 6. The game machine further comprises a discharge device for discharging the game ball, wherein the abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting means is such that an action of causing the discharge device to operate abnormally is added to the game machine. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein 7. The game machine further comprises ejected ball detecting means for detecting a game ball ejected from the ejecting device, and the abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting means is determined in spite of the fact that the ejecting device is not operating. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a game ball is detected by the discharged ball detection means.