JP2003024613A - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system for improving accuracy in the discrimination of communication abnormality between a game machine for renting game balls and a card unit in the game system equipped with the game machine and the card unit. SOLUTION: On the basis of a BRQ signal (ball rent request signal) from a card unit 2, an EXS signal (rent signal showing renting of game balls) is outputted to the card unit 2 by a rent control means 70 of a Pachinko machine 1, and after the lapse of a first prescribed time T1 (30 ms) just after the output start of this EXS signal, when the output state stop of the BRQ signal from the card unit 2 is detected after the lapse of a second prescribed time T2 (50 ms) longer than the first prescribed time T1, communication abnormality is judged.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming system provided with a gaming machine for lending a gaming ball and a ball lending card unit, and more particularly, to the accuracy of determining a communication abnormality between the gaming machine and the ball lending card unit. An improved gaming system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game machine such as a pachinko machine in which a game ball is used as a game medium has a game area formed on a game board, a ball storage means (upper plate or lower plate) for storing the game ball,
Launching means for launching game balls to the game area, prize balls (game balls)
A payout means or the like for paying out is provided.

In the game area, in addition to a large number of obstacle nails, a plurality of winning means and the like are provided, and when a game ball shot in the game area wins the winning means, a few to ten or more balls are won per winning game ball. Individual prize balls are paid out by the payout means, and the prize balls can be used as game balls to be launched into the game area in the future.
In a pachinko machine or the like, the game balls contained in the upper plate are shot one by one by the launching means, and the prize balls are basically paid out to the upper plate, but the upper plate is full of game balls. In some cases, it is dispensed to the lower plate.

Now, in a game machine using a game ball as a game medium, a game ball cannot be played unless the player has the game ball. Therefore, especially at the start of the game or during the middle of the game, the game ball possessed by the player. If is consumed, you need to lend a game ball. As a technique for renting out the game balls, recently, a game system including a game machine and a card unit electrically connected to the game machine has been put into practical use.

When renting a game ball by this game system, first, a player purchases a ball lending card and inserts the ball lending card into a card unit. Information such as a frequency balance is stored in the ball lending card, and when the player performs a ball lending operation when there is a frequency balance, the frequency that is valid in one ball lending operation within that frequency balance (for example, The number of game balls for 5 degrees (for example, 125 (5 times as many as 25 times the reference number for one time)) is lent by the lending means.

The ball lending process including the communication process performed between the gaming machine and the card unit of this game system will be explained. When the ball lending operation is performed when the ball lending card inserted in the card unit has a frequency balance, A ball lending operation signal is sent from the gaming machine to the card unit. As a result, the card unit outputs a BRDY signal to the gaming machine, and subsequently outputs a BRQ signal (ball lending request signal). Further, the gaming machine receives the BRQ signal from the card unit and outputs an EXS signal (a lending signal for lending a game ball) to the card unit.

At this time, the card unit receives the EXS signal from the gaming machine, stops the output state of the BRQ signal (switches the BRQ signal from "H" level to "L" level), and the gaming machine When the stop of the output state of the BRQ signal is detected, the lending unit is controlled and a predetermined number (basic number: 25
Lending each game ball. When the gaming machine completes lending a predetermined number of gaming balls, the output state of the EXS signal is stopped (the EXS signal is switched from the “H” level to the “L” level), and the card unit outputs the EXS signal. When the status stop is detected, the frequency balance stored in the ball lending card is calculated according to the number of balls lent (to the frequency balance subtracted once).
rewrite.

When renting out the number of game balls (125) for the effective frequency (5 degrees) in one ball lending operation, the output of the BRQ signal of the card unit and the B of the game machine are performed once.
EX performed when receiving the RQ signal, output of the BRQ signal performed when receiving the EXS signal of the card unit, and performed when the rental of the game ball of the gaming machine is completed
The output state of the S signal is stopped, and this is repeated a predetermined number of times (5 times corresponding to 5 degrees), and then the card unit stops outputting the BRDY signal and ends.

[0009]

In a conventional gaming system, when a gaming ball is lent out and a communication error occurs between a gaming machine and a card unit due to noise or the like, the gaming system malfunctions. May occur.

In order to detect a communication abnormality in the communication processing between the gaming machine and the card unit of the conventional gaming system,
In each of the gaming machine and the card unit, there is known a technique of measuring a time lag of an input signal corresponding to an output signal and determining whether there is a communication abnormality. Specifically, if a stop of the output state of the BRQ signal is detected after a lapse of a predetermined time from the output of the EXS signal, it is determined that the communication is abnormal. However, the inventor of the present invention has arrived at the invention of the present application by paying attention to the fact that in the conventional communication abnormality determination technology, the abnormality determination accuracy is partially low.

An object of the present invention is, in particular, that the gaming machine outputs a lending signal to the card unit based on a ball lending request signal from the card unit, and the first predetermined time elapses immediately after the output of the lending signal is started. By the way, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming system in which it is possible to further improve the accuracy of the communication abnormality determination by determining that the communication abnormality has occurred when the output stop of the ball lending request signal from the card unit is detected.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems A gaming system of the present application includes a gaming machine and a ball lending card unit electrically connected to the gaming machine, and the card unit is based on stored information of the ball lending card. In a gaming system in which, when a ball lending request signal is output to a gaming machine, the gaming machine receives the ball lending request signal and lends the game ball, the gaming machine issues the ball lending request signal based on the ball lending request signal. A lending signal indicating that the lending is output to the card unit, and communication is performed when the output state stop of the ball lending request signal from the card unit is detected before the first predetermined time elapses immediately after the output of the lending signal is started. It is a game system characterized by determining that it is abnormal.

The gaming machine determines that communication is abnormal when it detects that the output state of the ball lending request signal from the card unit has stopped after the second predetermined time, which is longer than the first predetermined time, has elapsed immediately after the start of the lending signal output. It is desirable to configure it.

The gaming machine includes a lending means for lending a game ball,
It may be applied to a main control means mainly for controlling the game and a sub-control means for receiving the instruction from the main control means and controlling the lending of the game ball by the lending means.

In this case, the sub-control means detects the presence or absence of the output of the ball lending request signal from the card unit by one round processing based on the subprogram in order to control the lending means and lend the game balls. The output of the lending signal based on the ball lending request signal may be performed.

If the gaming machine determines that there is a communication abnormality, a notification means may be provided for giving a notification regarding the communication abnormality.
In this case, the notification means may notify the game symbols via the symbol display means capable of variably displaying the game symbols.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment includes a pachinko machine which is a gaming machine and a ball lending card unit, and the pachinko machine and the ball lending card unit cooperate with each other to provide a gaming system for lending a gaming ball which is a game medium. It is an example of the case where is applied.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game system S
Is provided with a pachinko machine 1 and a ball lending card unit 2 (hereinafter referred to as a card unit 2) provided on the left side of the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 and the card unit 2 are electrically connected to each other in a game hall. Will be installed in the island structure.

The pachinko machine 1 is a CR type 1 pachinko machine which is a so-called card type ball game machine, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, an outer frame 3 which is detachably mounted on an island structure.
And a front frame 4 pivotally attached to the outer frame 3 so as to be openable and closable.
A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 4 from the back side, and a glass door 6 having a window portion 6a is pivotally mounted on the front side of the game board 5 so as to be openable and closable.

A front plate 7 is pivotally attached to the lower side of the glass door 6 of the front frame 4 so as to be openable and closable, and a mounting plate 8 is fixed to the lower side of the front plate 7. An upper plate 7a is fixedly provided on the front plate 7, a lower plate 8a is fixedly provided on the mounting plate 8, and a firing handle 11 of the firing means 10 is mounted on the right side of the lower plate 8a.

The launching means 10 includes a launching handle 11 which can be rotated, a batting mallet 12 for batting a game ball, and a batting mallet 1.
The firing handle 1 is provided with a firing motor 13 for driving the firing handle 2.
By driving 1 to rotate the firing motor 13, the striking force by the striking mallet 12 according to the rotation angle, that is, the firing speed of the gaming balls, one by one the gaming balls housed in the upper plate 7a It is hit and fired in the game area 5a of the game board 5.

Here, in the game system S of this embodiment, a player purchases a ball lending card 2a (hereinafter referred to as a card 2a), and inserts the card 2a into the card unit 2 through the card insertion slot 2b. According to the display and operation on the operation panel 14 of the pachinko machine 1, the game ball can be rented.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the operation panel 14
Is provided on the right side of the front surface of the upper plate 7a of the pachinko machine 1, and has a balance display section 14a and a ball lending switch 14b (ball lending SW
14b) and a return switch 14c (return SW 14c). Information such as the frequency balance is stored in the card 2a. When the card 2a is inserted into the card unit 2, if the card balance exists, the frequency balance (for example, FIG.
30 degrees) is displayed on the balance display unit 14a as a maximum three-digit number.

When the ball lending SW 14b is pressed in a state where the card 2a is inserted into the card unit 2 and the frequency balance is displayed on the balance display portion 14a, one ball lending operation is effective within the frequency balance of the card 2a. Number of times (for example, 5 degrees) (for example, 125 (5 times the standard number of 25 times for one degree))
Game balls are rented out.

Every time the lending of the reference number of game balls for one time is completed, the frequency balance stored in the card 2a is rewritten according to the number of balls to be loaned (to the frequency balance subtracted once), and the frequency. The balance is displayed on the balance display unit 14a. On the other hand, with the card 2a inserted in the card unit 2, return S
When W14c is pressed, the card 2a is returned (discharged) from the card unit 2. Incidentally, when there is no card balance or when there is no more, the card 2a inserted in the card unit 2 is automatically returned.

As shown in FIG. 4, the game board 5 is provided with a guide rail 15 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in a substantially annular shape, and a game area 5a is formed inside the guide rail 15. The game ball shot by the launching means 10 is guided by the guide rail 15 and put into the game area 5a. In the game area 5a, in addition to a large number of obstacle nails (not shown) and the like, a symbol display means 16 composed of a liquid crystal display, an opening / closing special symbol starting means 17, a variable winning means 1
8, a plurality of ordinary winning means 19, two gate type ordinary symbol starting means 20 are arranged at respective predetermined positions.

Three symbol display means 16 (left, middle, right)
It has special symbol display portions 22a to 22c and two (left and right) normal symbol display portions 23a and 23b. When the game ball wins the special symbol starting means 17, the special symbol display portion 22a
To 22c, a plurality of kinds of special symbols are variably displayed, and then stopped, and the stopped symbol mode is a big hit mode (“777”).
Etc.), the open / close plate 18a of the variable winning means 18 is intermittently opened, for example, 15 times, and a profit state in which the game balls are easily won in the variable winning means 18 occurs.

On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol starting means 20, the ordinary symbol display portions 23a and 23b are stopped after being changed and displayed, and the stop symbol mode is the hit mode ("77. , Etc.), the opening / closing claw a of the special symbol starting means 17 is opened for, for example, 0.2 seconds, and the game ball is easily won in the special symbol starting means 17.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a back mechanism plate 30 is detachably mounted on the back side of the front frame 4, and this back mechanism plate 3
0 causes the game board 5 to be pressed from the back side. On the upper side of the back mechanism plate 30, a prize ball tank 33 and a tank rail 34 extending from the prize ball tank 33 are provided.
The lending means 35 is connected to the downstream end of 4.

The lending means 35 lends a game ball, which is performed in response to a request (command) from the card unit 2, and the passage unit 36 is provided downstream of the lending means 35.
The game balls rented out from the lending means 35 are rented to the upper plate 7 via the passage unit 36, and when the upper plate 7 is full of game balls, it is lent to the lower plate 8. The lending means 35 also pays out game balls (prize balls) by winning the game balls in the special symbol starting means 17, the variable winning means 18, or the normal winning means 19.

An opening 30a is formed in the back mechanism plate 30, and a back cover 37 attached to the back side of the game board 5, a special symbol starting means 17, a variable winning means 18 or a normal winning means is formed in the opening 30a. The winning ball discharge troughs (not shown) for discharging the game balls that have won the prizes are fitted in the respective 19s. A main control board 39 is provided inside a case 38 attached to the back cover 37, and a symbol control board 40 is provided on the front side thereof.

On the lower side of the main control board 39, the back cover 3
The lamp control board 4 is provided inside the case 41a attached to the No. 7 case.
2 is provided and is adjacent to the case 41a.
A sound control board 43 is provided inside b. Under the cases 41a and 41b, the back mechanism plate 30 is provided.
A power supply board 45 and a rental control board 46 are provided inside the case 44 attached to the. A firing control board 48 is provided inside the case 47 mounted on the rear side of the firing means 10.
Is provided.

Thus, these substrates 39, 40, 4
2, 43, 45, 46, and 48 are respectively formed of different boards, and control boards 39, 40, 42, except the power board 45,
The microcomputers 43, 46, and 48 are each provided with a CPU and a one-chip integrated circuit having a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

Main control board 39 and other boards 40, 4
2, 43 and 46 are electrically connected to each other via a plurality of signal lines, and are connected from the main control board 39 to the respective control boards 40, 42,
Various control commands for executing a predetermined game operation can be transmitted to 43 and 46 by one-way communication.
By adopting one-way transmission of the control command from the main control board 39, it is possible to prevent fraudulently performed via the main control board 39 and reduce the control load on the main control board 39.

Next, various functions achieved based on a plurality of control programs stored in advance in the controller of the pachinko machine 1 will be described based on the functional blocks of FIG. However, these various functions are achieved by the above-mentioned microcomputer or the like. The main control means 50 configured on the main control board 39 mainly controls the game, and the symbol control means 60 and the lending control means 7 described later.
0, the lamp control means 71, the sound control means 72, etc., and outputs a control command as necessary.

The main control means 50 comprises a lottery means 51, a judging means 52, a profit state generating means 53, a probability changing means 54, a command transmitting means 55 and the like. The lottery means 51
A minute update cycle (for example, about 2
The number for lottery is incremented by "1" for each msec cycle and updated within a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 299).
The lottery value when the game ball is won in the special symbol starting means 17 is selected by lottery, and the determination means 52 determines whether the jackpot or the jackpot is out based on the lottery value.

The profit state generating means 53 generates the above-mentioned profit state in the case of "big hit" in response to the determination result by the determining means 52. The probability varying unit 54 is the determining unit 5
When the “big hit” determination result is received from 2, the “big hit” is determined as “probability fluctuation big hit” or “non-probability fluctuation big hit”. When the "probability fluctuation jackpot" is determined, after the profit state is finished, for example, the lottery probability of the specific numerical value by the lottery means 51 is increased to increase the probability of "jackpot".

The command transmitting means 55 receives the judgment result by the judging means 52, and transmits the symbol control command to the symbol control means 60, and, in addition, if necessary,
Control commands including various data are transmitted to the rental control means 70, the lamp control means 71, the sound control means 72, and the like.

The symbol control means 60 constituted on the symbol control board 40 receives the symbol control command transmitted from the command transmitting means 55, and based on the symbol control command, the special symbol display of the symbol display means 16 Parts 22a-2
In 2c, after changing plural kinds of special symbols for a predetermined time, the symbol fluctuation is stopped.

At this time, if "probability fluctuation big hit",
A combination of odd-numbered special symbols (for example, "111") is stopped and displayed, and if "non-probability fluctuation big hit", a combination of special symbols for the number of odds (for example, "222") is stopped and displayed. If "remove" is specified, "111" to "9"
Stop symbols other than "99" (including missed reach symbols) are determined by lottery.

The lending control means 70 formed on the lending control board 46 is the command control means 5 of the main control means 50.
The payout control command transmitted from the device 5 is received, an instruction is received based on the control command, and the lending means 3
The payout motor of 5 is controlled to pay out the game balls. In addition, in order to lend a game ball, lending control means 70
Performs communication processing for the card unit 2, and the card unit 2 also performs communication processing for the lending control means 70.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lending control means 70 and the card unit 2 include at least four signal lines 80 to 8.
3 is electrically connected to the rental control means 7
0 indicates PRDY signal and EXS to the card unit 2.
A signal (a lending signal for lending a game ball) can be output, and the card unit 2 sends the lending control means 70,
The BRDY signal and the BRQ signal (ball lending request signal) can be output.

Now, a ball lending process including a communication process performed by the gaming system S between the lending control means 70 of the pachinko machine 1 and the card unit 2 will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. The lending control means 70 maintains the state in which the PRDY signal is output to the card unit 2 when the lending means 35 can lend the game ball. When the card 2a is inserted into the card unit 2 and the card 2a has a frequency balance, the ball lending switch 14b
When the user operates the card unit 2, the lending control means 70
In response, the BRDY signal is output, and then the BRQ signal is output.

On the other hand, the lending control means 70 receives the BRQ signal from the card unit 2 and controls to turn on the lending switching solenoid to switch the ball passage of the lending means 35 from the prize ball side to the ball lending side. Card unit 2
An EXS signal is output to. Then, the card unit 2 receives the EXS signal from the lending control means 70, and B
The output state of the RQ signal is stopped (the BRQ signal is switched from the “H” level to the “L” level), and the lending control means 7 is provided.
When 0 detects the stop of the output state of the BRQ signal, it drives and controls the lending motor of the lending means 35 to lend the basic number (25) of game balls.

When the lending control means 70 completes the lending of the basic number of game balls, the lending motor of the lending means 35 is stopped and controlled, and then the output of the EXS signal is stopped (the EXS signal is set to the “H” level). When the card unit 2 detects the stop of the output state of the EXS signal, the card unit 2 rewrites the frequency balance stored in the card 2a to the frequency balance obtained by subtracting 1 from the frequency balance.

When renting out the number of game balls (125) for the number of valid times (5 degrees) in one ball lending operation, the BRQ signal of the card unit and the B of the gaming machine are output once.
EXS signal output in response to the RQ signal, BRQ signal output stop in response to the EXS signal from the card unit, and EXS performed along with the completion of the game ball lending
The signal output state is stopped, and this is repeated a predetermined number of times (5 times corresponding to 5 degrees), and then the card unit stops the BRDY signal output state and ends.

By the way, in this game system S, FIG.
As shown in the time chart of, the lending control means 70 of the gaming machine 1 outputs an EXS signal (lending signal) to the card unit 2 based on the BRQ signal (ball lending request signal) from the card unit 2 and Immediately after starting the output of this EXS signal, a first predetermined time T1 (for example, T1 = 30 ms)
It is configured to judge that the communication is abnormal when the stop of the output state of the BRQ signal from the card unit 2 is detected before the passage of.

Further, immediately after the start of the output of the EXS signal, the first
A second predetermined time T2 (for example, T2) that is longer than the predetermined time T1.
2 = 50 ms), and then BRQ from card unit 2
It is configured to judge that the communication is abnormal even when the stop of the output state of the signal is detected. When it is determined that the communication is abnormal, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 10, the communication abnormality processing is performed, and the lending control means 70 stops the output state of the PRDY signal and changes the output state of the EXS signal. Then, the PRDY signal is switched between "H" level and "L" level about twice to notify the card unit 2 of the communication abnormality.

Next, the ball lending control of the card unit 2 for executing the ball lending processing including the communication processing, the control by the main program of the lending control means 70 for executing the lending processing, and the communication processing described above. The ball lending control by the sub-program of the lending control means 70 for executing the ball lending process including is described.

First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the ball lending control of the card unit 2 is started when the power is turned on, and after the initial setting (S1), the card 2a is inserted (S2; Yes), The frequency balance stored in the card 2a is read (S3), and when there is no frequency balance (S4; No), the card 2a is returned (S5) S2.
Return to. When there is a frequency balance (S4; Yes),
Ball lending SW14b is not turned on (S6; No), return SW1
When 4c is not turned on (S7; No), the process returns to S6, but when the return SW 14c is turned on (S7: No)
7; Yes), the process proceeds to S5, the card 2a is returned, and the process returns to S2.

With the card 2a inserted, the ball lending SW
When 14b is turned on (S6; Yes), the lending control means 7
A BRDY signal of "H" level is output to 0 (S
8) Then, the "H" level BRQ signal (rental request signal) is output (S9). Next, when the EXS (ball lending signal) received from the lending control means 70 is at the "H" level (S10; Yes), the BRQ signal is dropped to the "L" level for the lending control means 71 (S11).

By setting the BRQ signal to the “L” level, the basic number (25) of game balls can be rented,
Next, when the EXS (ball lending signal) received from the lending control means 70 becomes “L” level (S12; Yes), it means that the lending of the basic number (25) of game balls is completed, and is stored in the card 2a. Rewrite the frequency balance obtained by subtracting the existing frequency balance once. Here, when the frequency balance is exhausted (S
14; No) The process returns to S5 and the card 2a is returned, but when there is a frequency balance (S14; Yes), when the ball lending for one operation (for example, the ball lending for 5 times) is completed (S15). ; Yes) Return to S6, and when the ball lending for one operation is not completed (S15; No), return to S8, and S8 to S15 are executed again.

Next, as for the lending control by the main program of the lending control means 70 for executing the lending process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, when the power is turned on, the CPU is initialized (S20) and the RAM is stored. This is started together with the data clear (S21) and the CPU setting process (S22). For example, a signal such as a full signal from a full sensor for detecting that the lower plate 8a is full of game balls is read (S23), and it is determined whether or not the game balls can be rented (S24).

Next, when the game ball can be rented out (S24; Yes), a PRDY signal of "H" level is output to the lending control means 70 (S25), and the lending process (S26) can be executed. When it is not possible to rent a game ball (S24; No), the PRDY signal is set to the "L" level (S27) and the process returns to S23.

Next, the ball lending control by the sub program of the lending control means 70 can be executed in S26 by the interruption process for the lending control by the main program, and the card unit is executed by the one round process based on this sub program. The detection of the output of the BRQ signal (ball lending request signal) from 2 and the output of the EXS signal (lending signal) based on this BRQ signal are executed.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, when the ball lending control is started, when the PRDY signal is at the "H" level (S30; Yes) and when the BRDY signal is at the "H" level (S31). Yes) and when the BRQ signal (ball lending request signal) is at the “H” level (S32; Ye
s), when prize balls are not being paid out (S33; No) S3
Go to 4. When the PRDY signal is at "L" level (S
30; No), or the BRDY signal is at the "L" level (S3
1; No) or when the BRQ signal is at the "L" level, the process returns.

In step S34, the lending switching solenoid of the lending means 35 is controlled to be turned on to switch the ball passage to the ball lending side, and then an "H" level EXS signal is sent to the card unit 2. To (S3
5), simultaneously with the output of this EXS signal, the timer (t)
Is started (S36). After that, card unit 2
When the output state stop of the BRQ signal is detected from, that is,
When the BRQ signal changes from "H" level to "L" level (S37; Yes), the timer (t) is stopped (S3).
8).

Next, for the timer t clocked in S36 to S38, T1 (30 ms) <t <T2 (50 ms)
In case of (S39; Yes), communication is normal, and subsequently, the basic number (25) of ball lending processing (S40) is performed. On the other hand, when T1 (30 ms) <t <T2 (50 ms) is not satisfied (S39; No), it is determined that the communication is abnormal, and in this case, the communication abnormality is notified (S45) and the communication abnormality process (S) is performed.
46) is performed.

Here, in the communication abnormality notification in S45,
The notifying means for notifying the communication abnormality is a symbol display means 16 including a liquid crystal display, and the symbol display means 1
6 is composed of display control means (symbol control means 60), and by displaying characters such as "communication error" on the symbol display means 16, notification of communication abnormality is performed via the symbol display means 16. I am doing it.

When the ball lending for the basic number (25) is completed (S41; Yes), the EXS signal is set to the "L" level (S42), and then the BRDY signal is set to the "L" level (S43). ; Yes) Since the ball lending for one operation (for example, the ball lending for 5 times) is completed, the lending means 3
By controlling the lending switching solenoid of No. 5 to be turned off, the process of switching the ball passage to the prize ball side is performed (S44) and the process returns. On the other hand, when the BRDY signal remains at the “H” level (S43; No), the process returns to S30, and when the BRQ signal (rental request signal) then becomes the “H” level again (S32; Yes), one operation is performed. Ball lending (for example,
It is that the ball loan for 5 times) is not completed, and S35
~ S43 is executed again.

As described above, in the gaming system S including the pachinko machine 1 and the card unit 2, the pachinko machine 1 EXS the game ball based on the BRQ signal (ball lending request signal) from the card unit 2. The signal (rental signal) is output to the card unit 2, and after the output of the EXS signal starts, the first predetermined time T1 (30 ms) elapses and after the second predetermined time T2 (50 ms) elapses. When it is detected that the output state of the BRQ signal has stopped, it is determined that the communication is abnormal.

That is, when the output stop of the BRQ signal from the card unit 2 is detected after the second predetermined time T2 (50 ms) has passed immediately after the output of the EXS signal is started, it is determined not only that the communication is abnormal but also the EXS signal. Immediately after the start of the output of, until the first predetermined time T1 (30 ms) elapses, if the output stop of the BRQ signal from the card unit 2 is detected, it is determined that the communication is abnormal, so the accuracy of the communication abnormality determination is further improved. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the game system S malfunctions.

Moreover, when it is determined that there is a communication abnormality, the symbol display means 16 composed of a liquid crystal display and the display control means 60 for controlling the symbol display means 16 are applied as notification means for notifying the communication abnormality. By displaying characters such as "communication error" on the symbol display means 16, this communication abnormality can be reliably notified.

Next, a modified example will be described. 1] The first predetermined time T1 and the second predetermined time T2 can be appropriately changed. For example, when T1 is set to 35 ms and T2 is set to 45 ms, the lending control means 70 causes the TX
Immediately after starting the output of the S signal, the card unit 2 starts BR
Regarding the time t until the output state stop of the Q signal is detected,
If 35ms <t <45ms, it is determined that there is a communication error. For example, if T1 is set to 20ms and T2 is set to 50ms, 20
If ms <t <50 ms is not satisfied, it is determined that communication is abnormal.

2] Regarding the ball lending control by the subprogram of the lending control means 70 shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the interrupt processing triggered by the signal reception from the card unit 2 as in the above embodiment, the ball lending control is performed every predetermined period. It may be performed by interrupt processing.

3] When the lending control means 70 of the pachinko machine 1 determines that there is a communication error, a lamp for communication error is provided as a notification means for notifying the communication error.
This communication error lamp may be lit or blinked to notify, or a communication error sound may be emitted to notify. Alternatively, the pachinko machine 1 or the card unit 2 may be electrically connected to an external lamp, display, or the like other than those, and the communication abnormality may be notified via the external lamp, display, or the like.

4] In this embodiment, a) when the BRDY signal from the card unit 2 does not become "H" level within a predetermined monitoring time after the BRDY signal from the card unit 2 becomes "H" level, b) If all the lending is not completed, the lending control means 70 switches the EXS signal to the “L” level and then the BRQ from the card unit 2 within a predetermined monitoring time.
When the signal does not go to the “H” level, and c) when the entire lending is completed, the lending control means 70 sets the EXS signal to “L”.
Even if the BRDY signal from the card unit 2 does not become the "L" level within a predetermined monitoring time after switching to the level, it is configured to judge the communication abnormality.

5] A game machine using a game ball as a game medium, such as a pachinko machine other than the first-class pachinko machine (second-class pachinko machine, third-class pachinko machine, etc.) or an arrangement ball machine,
The present invention can be applied to various game systems including a ball lending card unit. In that case, the existing card unit can be applied, and by changing the program of the gaming machine electrically connected to this card unit, the gaming system of the present application can be configured, so it can be implemented at a very low cost. Becomes

[0069]

According to the gaming system of the present invention, in particular,
The gaming machine outputs a lending signal for lending the gaming ball to the card unit based on the ball lending request signal, and immediately after the start of outputting the lending signal until the first predetermined time elapses.
It is configured to judge that there is a communication error when the output stop of the ball lending request signal from the card unit is detected.
Since the communication abnormality is determined when the output state stop of the ball lending request signal from the card unit is detected after the second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time has elapsed immediately after the output of the lending signal is started, It is possible to improve the accuracy of determining the communication abnormality between the gaming machine and the ball lending card unit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine and a card unit included in a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a pachinko machine and a card unit.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a game board of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an operation panel.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrical connection between a lending control means and a card unit.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a ball lending process including a communication process.

FIG. 9 is a time chart showing a main part of a ball lending process.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing communication abnormality processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of ball lending control executed by the card unit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of rental control by a mail program executed by the rental control means of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of ball lending control by a sublable program executed by the lending control means of the pachinko machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

S game system 1 Pachinko machine 2 ball lending card unit 2a Ball rental card 16 symbol display means 35 Lending means 50 Main control means 62 symbol control means 70 Lending control means

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine (1) and a ball lending card unit (2) electrically connected to the gaming machine (1), wherein the card unit (2) is a ball lending card (2a). In the gaming system, when the ball lending request signal is output to the gaming machine (1) based on the stored information, the gaming machine (1) receives the ball lending request signal and lends the game ball. (1) outputs a lending signal for lending a game ball to the card unit (2) based on the ball lending request signal, and at the first predetermined time immediately after the output of the lending signal is started.
A gaming system characterized by determining that there is a communication error when the output stop of the ball lending request signal from the card unit (2) is detected before the elapse of (T1). 2. The gaming machine (1) has a second predetermined time longer than a first predetermined time (T1) immediately after the start of the output of the lending signal.
The game system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that communication is abnormal when a stop of an output state of a ball lending request signal from the card unit (2) is detected after (T2) has elapsed. 3. The gaming machine (1) includes a lending means (35) for lending a game ball, and a main control means for mainly controlling a game.
(50) and a sub-control means (70) for receiving control from the main control means (50) and performing control relating to renting of game balls by the lending means (35), the sub-control means (70) Detecting the presence or absence of output of a ball lending request signal from the card unit (2) and requesting a ball lending by one round process based on a subprogram in order to lend a game ball by controlling the lending means (35). Outputting the lending signal based on the signal.
Game system described in. 4. An informing means (16, 6) for informing of the communication abnormality when the gaming machine (1) judges that the communication abnormality occurs.
0) is provided, The game system in any one of Claims 1-3. 5. The game system according to claim 4, wherein the notification means (16, 60) notifies through a symbol display means (16) capable of variably displaying a game symbol.