JP2003181103A - Game center management system and operation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the occurrence of an abnormal circumstances on the side of a counter by communicating required information with a game machine managing device for updating and managing the game information on each game machine. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine managing device 1000 searches the game information for finding the number of acquired balls in a game machine corresponding to a stand number in response to the reception of the stand number transmitted from a counter 5000, finds the number of the acquired balls on the basis of the searched game information and transmits information presenting the found number of the acquired balls to the counter. Meanwhile, the counter 5000 finds the number of normally acquired balls on the basis of the information transmitted from the game machine managing device 1000 and discriminate whether or not the number of the acquired balls is normal or not on the basis of the found number of the normally acquired balls and a value counted by inputting the number of real game balls (step S1950). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention enables a game machine management device for updating and managing a plurality of types of game information in a plurality of game machines and a counter for counting inserted game media to communicate required information. The present invention relates to an operation program of a configured game hall management system and a counter thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A large number of game machines are arranged in a game machine, and a game machine management system is constructed so that a game machine management device updates and manages various game information from each game machine. For this reason, the game arcade side plans the management strategy of the game arcade while appropriately checking the management information of the game machine management device. Further, a counting machine for counting the game balls acquired by the player when the game balls are inserted is also provided beside the game machine group. Then, the player brings a receipt on which the counting result of the counting machine is printed to a prize exchange place to exchange a game ball and a prize.

By the way, in recent years, it has been reported that a fraudulent exchange is performed by causing a receipt to output that a gaming machine has been cheated and more game balls have been acquired than the actual number of balls acquired. There is. However, the counter side does not manage various game information of each gaming machine, and it is difficult to realize an effective fraud detecting means.

In view of this, the present invention relates to a game hall management system capable of detecting the occurrence of an abnormal situation on the counter side by communicating required information with a game machine management device that updates and manages game information of each game machine. The purpose is to provide an operation program for the counter.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a gaming machine management device for updating and managing a plurality of types of gaming information in a plurality of gaming machines, and a counting device for counting inserted gaming media. In a gaming hall management system configured to communicate required information with a gaming machine, the gaming machine management device responds to the receipt of the gaming machine identifier transmitted from the counting machine, and the gaming machine corresponding to the gaming machine identifier. The search means for searching the game information for obtaining the number of acquired balls in the machine, the calculating means for obtaining the number of acquired balls based on the searched game information, and the information indicating the obtained number of acquired balls Transmission means for transmitting to the counting machine, the counting machine, in response to an operation instruction from the player, second transmission means for transmitting the gaming machine identifier to the gaming machine management device, and the gaming machine management By the transmission means of the device Second calculating means for obtaining the number of normally acquired balls on the basis of the information transmitted as described above, counting means for counting the number of game media actually put in, and normally acquired balls obtained by the second calculating means The determination means determines whether the number of acquired balls is normal based on the number and the count value counted by the counting means.

In this invention, the gaming machine management device is
In response to receiving the gaming machine identifier transmitted from the counter, the game information for finding the number of balls to be acquired in the gaming machine corresponding to this gaming machine identifier is searched, and the number of balls to be acquired based on the searched game information. Then, information indicating the obtained number of acquired balls is transmitted to the counter. On the other hand, the counter determines the number of normally acquired balls based on the information transmitted from the gaming machine management device, and acquires based on the obtained number of normally acquired balls and the count value counted by actually inserting the game medium. It is determined whether the number of balls is normal. Therefore, by communicating required information with the gaming machine management device that updates and manages the gaming information of each gaming machine, it is possible to detect the occurrence of an abnormal situation such as fraud on the counter side.

More specifically, the determination means determines that the count value is normal when the count value is within the normal acquired sphere count, but determines that an abnormality has occurred in other cases. It is characterized by It should be noted that when the determination unit determines that the count value is normal, the configuration further includes an issuing unit that issues a recording medium in which the count value is recorded,
When the determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred, the counter side is notified to that effect, and an abnormality time processing means for transmitting information to that effect to a predetermined receiving device is further provided. be able to.

Further, the second computing means of the counter calculates the difference ball number which is the difference between the number of prize balls to the game machine and the number of discharges from the game machine, and the difference including the calculated difference ball number. A range of the number of balls can be obtained as the number of normally acquired balls.

Then, the counter displays a bar-shaped display image extending in a predetermined direction on the display screen of the display unit, and displays a part of the bar-shaped display image so that the difference sphere range can be seen. A display control means for performing the operation can be provided. The display control means of the counter can further display the counting result by the counting means by using the bar-shaped display image. More specifically, the display control means of the counting machine color-highlights the differential sphere number range in a part of the bar-shaped display image, and displays an indicator of a predetermined shape image according to the count value by the counting means. The display can be moved along the bar-shaped display image.

The counting machine may further include control means for disabling the counting process by the counting means until the operation instruction of the player is received.

According to the present invention, a gaming machine management device for updating and managing a plurality of types of gaming information in a plurality of gaming machines and a counting machine for counting the inserted gaming media can communicate required information. The gaming machine management device, in response to receipt of the gaming machine identifier transmitted from the counter, searches for game information for obtaining the number of balls acquired in the gaming machine corresponding to this gaming machine identifier. Means, and calculation means for obtaining the number of acquired balls based on the searched game information,
In an operation program for operating the counter in a game arcade management system, comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the obtained number of acquired balls to the counter, in response to an operation instruction from a player, A process of transmitting a gaming machine identifier to the gaming machine management device, a process of obtaining a normally-acquired ball number based on the information transmitted by the transmission means of the gaming machine management device, and a number of game balls actually inserted. Causes a computer to execute a process including a counting process of counting, a process of determining whether or not the acquired sphere count is normal based on the normal acquired sphere count and a count value which is the counting process result. An operation program for the above is also provided.

Such an operation can be realized by recording the operation program in a computer-readable recording medium and causing the computer to read and execute the operation program recorded in the recording medium. Examples of such a recording medium include a semiconductor recording medium such as a ROM and a semiconductor IC, an optical recording medium such as a DVDROM and a CDROM, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, and a magneto-optical recording medium. Further, the operation program may be downloaded from the information processing device to the counter or the gaming machine management device via the communication network.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a general configuration and operation on the gaming machine 3000 side managed by the gaming machine management apparatus 1000 of the embodiment of the present invention will be described, and then a main operation of the present invention will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Try to change.

(Game Machine Side) FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the game board 10. There are three (left,
The special symbol display device 10 has a display area of (middle, right), and in each of the display areas, the identification information composed of a symbol by numbers or characters can be variably displayed.
0 is arranged, and the special symbol starting port 10 is located just below it.
4 are arranged, and the normal symbol actuating gates 102, 102 are arranged on both sides of the special symbol starting port 104. Further, a pair of opening / closing members 120, 120 are provided so as to be opened / closed apart so as to form the special symbol starting port 104.

Further, below the special symbol starting port 104, a special winning opening 106, a normal symbol display device 108 and an out port 114 are arranged in this order, and further, both diagonally above the special symbol starting port 104. The lamp display device 110,
110 is provided, and a lamp display device (more specifically, an LED device) near both side ends of the game board 10.
112, 112 are provided.

Then, a game ball is won in the special symbol starting port 104 and a random number is drawn, and when this random number is a big hit value, a variable display of at least one identification information is started in each display area. After that, a predetermined display pattern (eg "7, 7, 7") is displayed on the winning effective line.
Is displayed by the special symbol display device 100, and the special winning opening 106 is controlled to be opened and closed in a predetermined pattern to be in a jackpot gaming state advantageous to the player.

Further, when the normal symbol operation gate 102 detects the passage of the game ball, a random number lottery is carried out, and when this random number is a small hit value, the ordinary symbol display device 108.
The display part of is displayed in a predetermined pattern (for example, "7" or "3"), and after that, when the opening / closing member 120 is in the open state and the game ball wins the special symbol starting opening 104, the random number is similarly generated. When the lottery is performed and the random number selected is a big hit value, the variable display in each display area is started, and then a predetermined display pattern (for example, "7, 7, 7") is displayed on the winning effective line as a special symbol. It is performed by the display device 100, and the special winning opening 106 is controlled to be opened and closed in a predetermined pattern, so that a big hit state advantageous to the player is achieved. on the other hand,
The hit balls that are not won are discharged through the out port 114.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing only the main part of the gaming machine which controls the gaming machine according to the progress of the game. Main control unit 200 that controls game operation control
Is equipped with a microprocessor with a built-in CPU, and a command data table area 20 for storing various control commands including at least various commands for controlling the special symbol display device 100, which will be described later.
RO that stores a game control program such as a control program and control data that describes 2 and a series of game machine control procedures
An M201 and a RAM 203 in which a work area is formed are provided to form an integrated one-chip microcomputer. A game operation is performed by the main control unit 200 repeatedly executing this game control program at a predetermined cycle.

Through the input port 210 in the main control unit 200, the special symbol starting switch 304, which is provided inside the special symbol starting port 104 for detecting the winning of the special symbol starting port 104 of the game ball, the normal symbol operating gate 102 Connected to the normal symbol operation switch 306 provided inside the game ball to detect the passage of the game ball, and the big winning opening switch 308 provided inside the big winning opening 106 to detect the winning of the game ball into the big winning opening 106 The main control unit 200 can receive each detection signal.

Further, the main controller 200 has an output port 21
5, a special symbol display device 100 having three display units for displaying special symbols and characters, each of which can be independently and variably displayed, and is realized by an LCD or the like, and a lamp display device 110 for controlling lighting of a lamp. , 112, a sound effect generator 116 for generating a sound effect, for example, a normal symbol display device 108 realized by a 7-segment display device, a starting opening actuating solenoid 3 for controlling the opening / closing member 120 of the starting opening.
00 and a special winning opening operating solenoid 302 for controlling opening / closing of a wide opening / closing member of the special winning opening 106 are connected, and the main control unit 200 can transmit a control signal for controlling each device. .

The main control unit 200 can transmit a predetermined number of display control commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing, and the special symbol display device 100 receives the command. Based on the command, the CPU in itself performs fine display control without depending on the main control unit 200. Furthermore, a communication mode is adopted by one-way communication in which only a command is transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100.

Then, a special symbol display device 100 for performing a symbol display effect according to the winning of the game ball to the special symbol starting port 104, a sound effect generating device 116 for performing a sound output effect by generating a sound effect together with this symbol display effect, A lamp display device 110 (112) that performs lighting control of a lighting unit (not shown) together with this symbol display performance to perform lighting control forms a peripheral device group for performance.

Further, a power supply circuit 212 for supplying power and a reset circuit 213 for outputting a reset signal at predetermined time intervals are connected to the main control unit 200, and the reset circuit 213 further includes a main control circuit. The pulse signal generated by the periodic timer counter is input from the unit 200, and the monitor signal for monitoring the current supply state from the power supply circuit 212 is input.

Now, as shown in FIG. 12, the main controller 20
The command for display control sent from 0 to the special symbol display device 100 is an identifier for identifying the classification of the command and is a 1-byte length digital information mode (MODE)
And an event (EVENT), which is 1-byte length digital information indicating the content (function) of the command to be executed, and FIGS. 6 to 9 show the ROM on the main control unit 200 side.
Command data table area 202 stored in 201
Program ROM 104 of the upper and special symbol display device 100
A part of the display control command data stored in 0 is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the display control commands include "command for changing the special symbol and designating a variation pattern (first command)", "special symbol left Command to specify the stop symbol (second command) "," Command to specify the stop symbol in the special symbol (second command) "," Command to specify the stop symbol on the right of the special symbol (second command) " , "Command for stopping special symbols (third command)". It should be noted that the first command is a command including information for designating a variation pattern such as in which pattern the pattern is variably displayed, in which pattern the character is displayed and rendered. Main control unit 2
00 sends these five commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing in one variable display control when the game situation is such that the symbol variable display is started.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the special symbol display device 100. The special symbol display device 100 has a main controller 2
Data reception circuit 1140 (including a voltage conversion circuit for converting the data level) for receiving a strobe signal or command from 00, a power supply circuit 1160 for supplying power to this voltage conversion circuit and the like, and a received command based on the received command. CPU 10 that generates control data necessary for display control by using the image processing LSI (VDP) 1060 and outputs the control data.
20 (display control means) and a program ROM 104 containing a program describing the operation procedure of the CPU 1020.
0 and R that functions as a work area or buffer memory
AM1090 and image processing LSI for performing image expansion processing
(VDP) 1060 and image processing LSI (VDP) 1
A video RAM 1080 for temporarily storing the image data expanded by 060, and an image processing LSI (VDP) 106.
A character ROM 1180 storing data necessary for 0 to develop an image, an LCD panel interface circuit 1100 for receiving and transmitting the image data temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080, and a transmission from this LCD panel interface circuit 1100. LCD panel 11 for outputting a display image using the generated image data
20 and 20.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the character RO
M1180 is a ROM title area, a ROM management information area, a character image data area in which actual character data is stored, a palette data area in which character color data is stored, and a scenario data area in which information defining character movement is stored. And the character data is stored in the character image data area in a state of being compressed by a specific compression method. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the palette data area is
Plural types of pairs of color numbers and color codes are stored.

The CPU of the special symbol display device 100
Reference numeral 1020 denotes control data generated in response to a command received by the data receiving circuit 1140, which is an image processing LSI (V
DP) 1060, the image processing LSI (VD
P) 1060 is a video RAM 108 designated by the information acquired from the scenario data area by decompressing the character data acquired from the character image data area and coloring it with the color data acquired from the palette data area.
By temporarily storing the image-developed data at the position 0, and sending the temporarily stored data to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100, the LCD panel 11
Various image displays including a variable display speed change and the like are finely performed by 20.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing command transmission / reception timing. As mentioned above, the command is 1 byte long mode (MODE) and 1
In this example, the main control unit 200 sends the mode (MODE) information in response to the first rise of the strobe signal (DUSTB) generated by itself when the command changes. Then, the event (EVENT) information is transmitted in response to the second rise of the strobe signal (DUSTB). Then, correspondingly, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device generates an interrupt when the strobe signal (DUSTB) is transmitted, receives the command by this interrupt processing, and stores it in the RAM 1090.

First, FIG. 10 (general flow chart of game control) and FIG. 11 showing the normal control operation performed by the CPU 1020 of the main control unit 200 and the special symbol display device 100.
Will be described with reference to. The series of processing shown in FIG. 10 is performed by the main control unit 200 executing a game control program (not shown) stored in the ROM 201. More specifically, the reset signal supplied from the reset circuit 213 every predetermined time (for example, 4 msec) is used as a trigger to execute from the first step, and this series of processes is repeatedly executed.

First, when the power supply circuit 212 is activated by a power switch (not shown), the main control unit 200 is activated, and it is determined whether or not the first process has been executed since the power was turned on ( Step S11
0). In case of the first processing after turning on the power (Yes)
On the other hand, the process proceeds to step S200, while in other cases (No), the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S200, a storage area clearing process is executed as an initialization process of the RAM 203, and then in step S210, data for performing the initial control process is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 203. On the other hand, in step S120, the count values of various random number generation loop counters (not shown) for the big hit determination, the small hit determination, etc. formed in the RAM 203 are incremented, and in step S130, various kinds of game machine control used. Update the timer value of the timer. Therefore, when the power is initially turned on, initialization such as RAM clearing and initial data set processing is performed to stack a predetermined stack value in the stack area of the main control unit 200, and various random number updates are performed even when the power is not initially turned on. And the like, and a second predetermined stack value corresponding to this is stacked in the stack area of the main control unit 200.

Next, in step S140, a special symbol starting switch 304, a normal symbol operating switch 306,
Input port processing of reading and storing the detection signal output from the special winning opening switch 308 into a register in the unit (not shown) via the input port 210, and then the process proceeds to step S150 to read and store data in the port input processing. Switch check processing for grasping

Next, in step S160, each switch 3
04, 306, 308, etc. are checked for disconnection or short circuit, and if these faults occur (Yes
s) While proceeding to step S220, otherwise (No) proceeding to step S180 (step S
170).

Then, in step S180, the data necessary for the display control of the normal symbol display device 108 is stored in the RAM.
A command necessary for display control of the special symbol display device 100 is stored in a predetermined area 203 (see FIGS. 6 to 9).
Are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and the timer values of the various timers are decremented (step S190). In step S180, the main control unit 200 determines the mode and event command necessary for the game control by referring to the command data table area 202, and the digital information indicating the determined mode and event is stored in the RAM 203 in a predetermined manner. Store in area.

Next, in step S195, in order to control the opening / closing of the special winning opening 106 and the opening / closing member 120 of the special symbol starting opening 104 in a predetermined pattern, the starting opening operating solenoid 300 and the special winning opening operating solenoid 302 are driven. Then, in step S220, a prize ball setting process for outputting control information for causing a prize ball payout device (not shown) to perform a payout operation is executed, and in steps S230, 240, 250, a game (not shown) is executed. External light information processing for outputting various game data to the machine management device, indicator light control processing for storing a command for controlling lighting of the lamp display devices 110, 112 in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, effect sound generation Device 11
6 executes a sound effect process of storing a command for controlling sound effect generation in a predetermined area of the RAM 203 in correspondence with the game state.

Next, in step S260, R
The data stored in the AM 203 is output to the corresponding device via the output port 215 (port output processing), and the device side receiving this outputs the control operation based on this. Then, first, a strobe signal is output to the special symbol display device 100, and the mode and event data stored in the RAM 203 in step S180 is transmitted as shown in FIG. As a result, the commands shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, for example, are transmitted to and received from the main control unit 200 in the special symbol display device 100.

In step S270, the reset circuit 21
The reset standby process is executed until the reset signal is input from 3, and when the reset signal is input, the process proceeds to step S110 to continue the gaming machine control. It should be noted that, as the reset standby processing, updating of a counter for generating various random numbers described above and the like can be mentioned.

Next, the operation of the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 which receives the command will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S1100, the CPU 1020 sets its own stack pointer,
Initialization of the RAM 1090, initialization of itself such as register clear, etc. are performed, and it is determined in step S1102 whether a new command has been input. When it is determined that a new display control command has been input (Y
es) While proceeding to step S1104, otherwise (No) proceeding to step S1110.

In step S1104, the data receiving circuit 1140 is used in the interrupt processing described with reference to FIG.
The command received by is copied to the RAM 1090, and whether the command is normal or not is checked. Next, CPU1
020 determines the start address of a processing table (not shown) so as to obtain a necessary command for performing fine display control independently of the main control unit 200, and then in step S1108, the image processing LSI 1060. The data in the necessary area of the RAM 1090 is updated in order to output to.

Next, in step S1110, RA
Based on the symbol control data set in M1090, scroll data to be output to the image processing LSI 1060 is obtained and set in the RAM 1090, the symbol display position is set, and then in step S1112, the symbol speed control is performed. Program ROM for necessary data
It is acquired from the speed table (not shown) built into the 1040 and set in the RAM 1090, and then step S
At 1114, the symbol offset value is updated based on the velocity data, and preparations are made to perform the symbol variation at the set velocity.

Next, in step S1116, RA
The animation data is acquired from the animation processing table (not shown) in which the animation processing data set in M1090 is stored, and the background image is prepared for display.
Set to P output buffer and output enable flag is "1"
It is determined whether or not (step S1118).

If the output permission flag is not "1" (No), the process returns to step S1102 to repeat the series of processes, while the output permission flag is "1" (Yes).
In step S1120, the data set in the VDP output buffer is sent to the image processing LSI 106.
Output to 0. In response to this, the image processing LSI 1060 acquires the data in the character ROM 1180 and develops the image, and the image-developed data is temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080 and then sent to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100 and the LCD panel 1120. The image is displayed by. In this way, at the set display position in the special symbol display device 100, the symbol variation display and the background image display at the set speed are performed.

13 and 14 are examples of the transmission timing of the command transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100, and are explanatory diagrams of the transmission command. As will be understood by referring to these figures, the main control unit 200, when a predetermined condition such as a game ball winning the special symbol starting opening 104 is satisfied, first, "starts the symbol variation and changes the variation pattern. Send a command for designating (), then send a command for designating the left stop design after the lapse of T1 time (), and send a command for designating a middle stop design after the lapse of T2 time (). , From now on, the command for designating the right stop symbol is transmitted after the lapse of T3 time (), and the command for stopping all the symbols after the lapse of T time from the start of variation () is transmitted.

On the other hand, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 which has received the first command () carries out a series of variable display control by performing a fine display control such as a change in the changing speed, and a third command (). After the variable display control is terminated by receiving the reception, the second command (,,
,) To display the special symbol lottery result by performing a stop display with the stop symbol specified by. In this way, the CPU 1020
Is configured to display a desired image on the display screen of the LCD panel 1120 by driving and controlling the VDP 1060.

(Main Part of the Present Invention) (Structure) FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a gaming machine management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This gaming machine management system 1
Is a plurality of gaming machines 3000, ..., 300 as described above.
0 and the gaming machine management device 1000, the communication cable 400
0 connects mutually necessary information so that they can communicate with each other. Further, when a game ball as an example of a game medium is thrown in, the counter 5000 and the game machine management device 100 which count the number of the game balls are counted.
0 is configured so that both sides can communicate required information via the communication control unit 1950.

That is, when the CPU 1200 transmits information to the counter 5000, the communication control unit 1950 transmits this information to the counter 5000 side, while the counter 50
When 00 transmits information to the gaming machine management device 1000, the communication control unit 1950 sends this information to the CPU 120.
It is configured to send to 0. It is to be noted that the gaming machines 3000, 3000, ..., 3000 are gaming machine groups forming a certain gaming machine island, and each gaming machine 3000, 3
3,000, ..., 3000 are assigned and set with machine numbers “1”, “2”, ... “N” as game machine identifiers. In addition to the gaming machine group of this gaming machine island, a large number of other gaming machine islands may be formed, and the counting machine 5000 has two
The configuration may be such that more than one table is installed.

Each of the gaming machines 3000, ..., 3000 has the number of pachinko balls discharged from the out port 114 of the gaming machine equal to 10.
Out signal that is output each time you count the number, a safe signal that is output each time a game ball is won in the winning portion such as the special symbol starting port 104 and a payout operation is performed with the number of 10 award balls, a big hit state Various game information such as a jackpot occurrence signal indicating that the communication cable 400
It is provided with a function of automatically transmitting to the gaming machine management device 1000 via 0, and the above-mentioned main control unit 200 is configured to have that function.

(Game Machine Management Device 1000) The game machine management device 1000 has an I / O port 1101 for receiving game information transmitted from each of the game machines 3000, ... 3000 via the communication cable 4000, CPU120
0, a storage device 1700 for forming a game machine management program storage unit 1720 capable of storing a game machine management program 1790 describing the processing procedure of the CPU 1200, and also storing a table and the like described later in a non-volatile manner, a storage device 1700, etc. R for storing the data read from the CPU and the calculation result necessary in the calculation process performed by the CPU 1200.
An AM 1300 and an input device 1500 for inputting necessary commands and selection data are provided.

Further, the gaming machine management apparatus 1000 reads the gaming machine management program 1790 recorded in the CDROM 2000 as a recording medium and stores the gaming machine management program 1790 in the gaming machine management program storage unit 1720 according to the instruction of the CPU 1200. A CDROM drive 1600, a display device 1800 for displaying and outputting the elapsed time of the operating state of each gaming machine and the like, and a CPU 1
A printer 19 capable of printing the processing result and the like executed by the 200.
00 and a communication control unit 1950, and the respective constituent elements are connected by a bus 1400 so as to be able to exchange necessary information with each other.

Further, the input device 1500 can be realized by an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the display device 1800 can be realized by a display device such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display device, an EL display device, and a memory. Device 17
Since 00 can be realized by a storage device such as a hard disk, this gaming machine management device 1000 can be constructed by one computer system such as a personal computer or a workstation.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a table 1731 stored in the table area 1730 of the gaming machine management apparatus 1000. This table 1731 stores the machine number and the game information in association with each other. In the example shown in FIG. 16, as game information, an out ball (1 is added when the out signal is counted 10 times), a safe ball (1 is added when the safe signal is counted 10 times), the number of special prizes (the number of occurrences of big hits is set). Is added). The main control unit 200 of each gaming machine 3000 is designed to transmit the unit number and these game information, and the CPU 1200 receives them and sends the required game information in the corresponding area of the table 1731. The game information is updated and managed by updating and storing.

The number of game balls, which is the difference between the number of safe balls and the number of out balls, is called a difference ball, and this is the number of balls acquired by the player. In the example of FIG. 16, the CPU 1200 can obtain the number of balls acquired by the player of the gaming machine with the unit number “1” by “10 × b−10 × a”.
Thus, the CPU 1200 can calculate the number of balls to be acquired at that time in the gaming machine by performing the calculation of “10 × safe ball−10 × out ball”.

When the CDROM 2000 is inserted into the not-shown insertion portion of the CDROM drive 1600, the CD
The gaming machine management program 1790 stored in the ROM 2000 is read by the CDROM drive 1600,
This is stored in the gaming machine management program storage unit 1720, and thereafter, the CPU 1200 executes this gaming machine management program to execute a series of operations on the gaming machine management apparatus 1000 side.

(Counter 5000) FIG. 17 shows a counter 500
It is a block block diagram of 0. CPU5100 is RAM5
The following operation can be realized by executing an operation program (not shown) stored in the ROM 5201 with the work area 202. Further, the throwing ball detection sensor 5350 is configured to detect the game balls actually thrown into the ball receiving portion 5300 one by one and output a detection signal, so that the CPU 5100 counts this detection signal. It is possible to count the actual thrown balls. Further, the CPU 5100 is configured to perform display control using the display unit 5400 realized by a liquid crystal display or the like.

Further, the operation unit 5600 can be constituted by a ten-key pad or the like not shown, and the CPU 5100 has the operation unit 5600.
It is configured such that the machine number that has been operated and input at 600 can be grasped and transmitted to the gaming machine management apparatus 1000 side. Furthermore, C
The PU 5100 ignores the detection signal output from the throw-in ball detection sensor 5350 and does not perform the counting process while the unit number is not input by the operation unit 5600.
Thus, the player uses the operation unit 5600 to input the table number and then inserts the acquired game ball into the ball receiving unit 5300.

When the CPU 5100 determines that the count value is normal, as will be described later, the CPU 5100 drives and controls the printing unit 5500 so that the count value is printed on the printed matter. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an abnormality, the display unit 54
A display notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred is displayed on the display screen 00, and the transmission unit 5700 is drive-controlled. The transmission-controlled transmission unit 5700 modulates and transmits this information in order to perform wireless transmission control of information indicating that there is an abnormality in the receiver carried by the hall staff (referred to as "income" as appropriate).

(Income 6000) FIG. 18 shows the income 6
It is a block diagram of 000. CPU6100 is RA
The following operations can be realized by executing an operation program (not shown) stored in the ROM 6201 using the M6202 as a work area. Receiver 630
0 demodulates the radio signal transmitted by the transmission unit 5700 of the counter 5000 and passes it to the CPU 6100. C in response to this
The PU 6100 can drive and control the voice synthesis LSI 6400 so that the earphones 6450 can hear voice information indicating occurrence of an abnormality. In addition, this income 6
000 is always carried by the staff (hall staff) on the game hall side.

(Operation) Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the counter 5000 and the gaming machine management apparatus 1000, and FIG. 20 is a display screen 54 of the display unit 5400 of the counter 5000.
It is a display example of 01.

First, in step S1900, the counter 5
The CPU 5100 of 000 determines whether or not there is an operation input of the unit number, for example, “1” using the operation unit 5600. When it is determined that the operation input has been made (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1910, and the input machine number "1"
Is transmitted to the gaming machine management device 1000. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no operation input (No), a wait state is set in step S1900. It should be noted that in this weight state, the CPU 5100 causes the thrown ball detection sensor 5
Although the detection signal from 350 is ignored and the counting process is not performed, once the platform number is input, the counting process of counting the detection signal from the thrown ball detection sensor 5350 is enabled.

Now, in step S1915, the counter 50
The information transmitted from 00 is received and it is grasped that the unit number "1" is designated. Next, in step S1920, the CPU 1200 searches for game information of the out ball and safe ball corresponding to the unit number “1” of the table 1731 and executes the calculation of the difference ball from these. In the example of FIG. 16, since the out ball and the safe ball corresponding to the unit number “1” are “a” and “b”, respectively, the difference ball is “10 × b−1”.
0xa "is calculated. This difference ball is the number of gaming machines acquired by the gaming machine of unit number "1". And at this time, CP
The U1200 clears the out ball and the safe ball stored and managed corresponding to the unit number "1". And step S19
In 25, the CPU 1200 transmits the information indicating the calculated difference sphere to the counter 5000 side.

In step S1930, the counter 50
The CPU 5100 of 00 receives this and calculates the allowable number of acquired balls. The CPU 5100 increases the number of acquired balls indicated by the difference ball information, for example, “2000” by 10 (%) as the upper limit value of 10
(1) Including the number of differential spheres calculated by using the decrease as the lower limit
Let 800-2200 "be the allowable number of balls. If the count value obtained by actually inserting the game ball into the counter 5000 later is within the allowable number of acquired balls, the counting is normally performed, and in other cases, it is assumed that an abnormality has occurred.

Then, in step S1940, FIG.
As shown in (a), the display screen 5401 of the display unit 5400.
The count value is displayed by the horizontally long bar-shaped display image. A scale is displayed on the upper side of the bar-shaped display image, and the value is set to increase toward the right side. An allowable range display portion 5 showing the previously obtained allowable acquisition ball number “1800 to 2200” in a part of this bar-shaped display image.
405 is highlighted in color. That is, the display color of the permissible range display portion 5405 is displayed in a zone different from that of the other part of the bar-shaped display image, and the permissible range display portion 54 is displayed at a glance.
You can see 05.

Further, the calculated difference sphere indicator 5402, which is an image of an arrow in the vertical direction, indicates the number of acquired balls calculated by the gaming machine management apparatus 1000, in this case "2000". Further, at this stage, the counting difference sphere indicator 5410, which is an image of a vertical arrow indicating the actual count value, indicates “0”. In addition, on the lower side of the display screen 5401, a message 54 indicating that “the winning ball can be thrown” is displayed.
06 is displayed.

Next, the player actually counts the balls acquired by the counting machine 50.
When throwing in 00, the throwing ball detection sensor 5350 detects the game balls one by one and outputs a detection signal.
00 counts the output detection signal and counts the number of game balls actually inserted. Then, the CPU 5100 sets the count difference sphere indicator 5410 to “0” according to this count value.
From the direction a to the direction b, and the lower side of the bar-shaped display image is moved and displayed (see FIG. 20B).

Then, in step S1950, it is determined whether or not the counting result is within the range of the previously-obtained allowable number of acquired balls. If it is within this range (Yes), the process moves to step S1955 to display a message 5407 to the effect of normality as shown in FIG. 20 (c), and to display information indicating the count value on a print medium such as paper. The printing unit 5500 is drive-controlled so as to print out. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20C, the arrow of the counting difference ball indicator 5410 points to one of the allowable range display portions 5405.

On the other hand, if the counting result is not within the range of the previously-obtained allowable number of acquired balls (No), step S196
The processing shifts to 0, and abnormal time processing is performed. That is, in this case, the number of balls obtained by calculation is far from the count value, so that it is determined that an abnormal situation has occurred, and the corresponding abnormal operation is performed.
The CPU 5100 displays a message 5408 to the effect that an abnormality has occurred as shown in FIG.
00 is controlled to transmit information indicating occurrence of abnormality.
In response to this, the earphone 6450 of the intercom 6000 outputs audio information indicating that an abnormal condition has occurred. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20D, the arrow of the counting difference sphere indicator 5410 points out of the allowable range display portion 5405. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which an alarm unit is provided in the counter 5000 to notify the abnormal state and an alarm is output.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the gaming machine management device 1000 includes the counting machine 5000.
In response to the reception of the machine number transmitted from, the game information for finding the number of balls to be acquired in the gaming machine 3000 corresponding to this machine number is searched, and the number of balls to be acquired is calculated based on the searched game information. , And transmits information indicating the obtained number of acquired balls to the counter. On the other hand, the counter 5000 is the gaming machine management device 1
The number of normally acquired balls is calculated based on the information transmitted from 000, and the number of normally acquired balls is normal based on the calculated number of normally acquired balls and the count value obtained by inserting the actual number of game balls. Or not. Therefore, each gaming machine 3
Gaming machine management device 100 for updating and managing 000 game information
Counter 5000 by communicating the required information with 0
The occurrence of an abnormal situation such as fraudulent activity can be detected on the side.

More specifically, the counter 5000 determines that the count value is normal when the count value is within the normally acquired number of balls, but it is easy by determining that an abnormality has occurred in other cases. It is possible to make a normal / abnormal judgment.
If it is determined to be normal, a receipt, which is a recording medium on which the count value is recorded, is issued so that the prize can be exchanged. On the other hand, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the counter 500 is provided.
In addition to notifying the 0 side of that fact, the income 6000
Since the information to that effect is transmitted to the hall staff, the hall staff can easily recognize the occurrence of the abnormality.

Further, the CPU 5100 is a gaming machine 3000.
The number of difference balls, which is the difference between the number of prize balls (safe balls × 10) and the number of discharges from the gaming machine 3000 (out balls × 10),
By obtaining the difference sphere number range including the obtained difference sphere number as the normal acquisition sphere number, it is possible to give a range to the normal value and absorb the counting error and the like.

Then, the counter 5000 displays a bar-shaped display image extending in a predetermined direction on the display screen of the display unit 5400, and a display such that the difference sphere range can be seen in a part of the bar-shaped display image. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the counting result is displayed so that the counting result can be seen by using a bar-shaped display image. More specifically, the CPU 5100 of the counter 5000
Displays the difference sphere number range in a color on a part of the bar-shaped display image, and moves the counting difference sphere indicator 5410 along the bar-shaped display image in accordance with the count value. It is possible to easily visually recognize whether the counting result is abnormal or normal.

(Other Embodiments) FIG. 21 is a block diagram of another embodiment. In this gaming system 1, the gaming machines A1 to An and the ball lending machines B1 to Bn are connected in pairs, and the ball lending information indicating the number of balls lent by the ball lending machines B1 to Bn, each gaming machine. The gaming machine management device 1000 manages throwing ball information, which is the number of thrown balls at the time of a game in A1 to An, and payout ball information, which is the number of payout balls paid out by the game. Further, the counters C1 to Cn and the ticket issuing machines D1 to Dn are connected in pairs, and the ticket issuing machines D1 to Dn and the gaming machine management device 1000 are communicatively connected to each other. Although not shown, each ticket issuing machine D1
From Dn to Dn is provided with an input unit capable of inputting a machine number (game machine identifier).

The CPU of the gaming machine management device 1000
1200, the number of customer-possessed balls obtained by subtracting the payout ball information and the ball lending information from the ball lending machine B from the thrown ball information thrown into the gaming machine A is updated at any time by unit number,
Manage.

(Operation) When the player inserts the acquired balls obtained by the game on the gaming machine A into the counting machine C, the counting machine C passes the counting result to the corresponding ticket issuing machine D. The ticket issuing machine D, which has received the counting result, prompts the player to input the unit number by a display or the like before issuing a receipt (recording medium) displaying the number of won balls. Then, the ticket issuing machine D, whose machine number has been input by an input unit (not shown), transmits the input machine number and the counting result to the gaming machine management apparatus 1000, and waits for permission to issue a receipt.

CPU 1200 of gaming machine management device 1000
Grasps the number of customer-possessed balls corresponding to the received unit number, compares this with the received counting result, and if the difference is within a preset error range, transmits a permission signal to the ticket issuing machine D. . Also, at this time, clear the number of customer balls and prepare for subsequent games. Then, the ticket issuing machine D, which has obtained the permission signal, outputs the counting result as a receipt and outputs it.

On the other hand, the number of customer balls is compared with the counting result, and if this difference is outside the preset error range, it is determined that some fraud has occurred and the ticket issuing machine D shows the receipt issuance non-permission signal and the error number. Send error information and. The ticket issuing machine D, which has received this, displays the error number on the display unit (not shown) and waits for the processing by the hall staff without executing the ticket issuing operation.
In the example of FIG. 21, the ticket issuing machine D and the counting machine C are separate bodies, but they may be integrated.

Further, by inputting the staff identifier for uniquely managing the hall staff when the hall staff performs the processing at the time of fraud, the operation of the ticket issuing machine D can be restarted, or the CPU 1200 can make the staff identifier for each staff identifier. It is also possible to manage the fraud history (eg, time of occurrence, occurrence counter number, occurrence number). In this way, since the balls won by the player are always exchanged for prizes through the counter C, the customer-possible ball information and the counter C in each of the gaming machines A1 to An managed by the gaming machine management apparatus 1000.
It becomes possible to prevent fraud by comparing the result of counting with.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of counters 5000 are arranged, abnormal information is displayed on the display screen of the display device 1800 of the gaming machine management apparatus 1000, and the like can be given.

As described above, according to the present invention,
By communicating required information with the gaming machine management device that updates and manages the gaming information of each gaming machine, it is possible to obtain the effect that the occurrence of an abnormal situation such as fraudulent activity can be detected on the counter side.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a game board 10.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of a special symbol display device 100.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a character ROM memory map and palette data.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the timing of command transmission / reception.

6 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202. FIG.

7 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202. FIG.

8 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202. FIG.

9 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a general flowchart for explaining a game control operation of the gaming machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of CPU 1020.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a data structure of a command.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing command transmission timing for displaying symbols.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining command transmission.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of the gaming machine management system 1.

16 is an explanatory diagram of a table 1731. FIG.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a counter 5000.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an income 6000.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 game board 114 Out Mouth 200 Main control unit 201 ROM 202 Command data table area 203 RAM 300 Start opening solenoid 302 Winning prize operation solenoid 304 Special symbol start switch 306 Normal pattern operation switch 308 Winning prize switch 1000 game machine management device 1101 I / O port 1200 CPU 1300 RAM 1400 bus 1500 input device 1600 CD ROM drive 1700 storage device 1720 Amusement machine management program storage section 1730 table area 1800 display 1900 printer 2000 CDROM

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A game hall management system in which a game machine management device that updates and manages a plurality of types of game information in a plurality of game machines and a counter that counts inserted game media are capable of communicating required information. In the system, the gaming machine management device, in response to receiving the gaming machine identifier transmitted from the counter, searches for game information for obtaining the number of balls acquired in the gaming machine corresponding to this gaming machine identifier. The counting means includes a sending means, a calculating means for calculating the number of acquired balls based on the searched game information, and a transmitting means for transmitting information indicating the obtained number of acquired balls to the counter. , A normal acquisition ball based on the second transmission means for transmitting the gaming machine identifier to the gaming machine management device in response to a player's operation instruction, and the information transmitted by the transmission means of the gaming machine management device Find the number Based on the number of normally acquired balls obtained by the second computing means and the count value counted by the counting means. And a determining means for determining whether or not the acquired number of balls is normal, and a game hall management system. 2. The game hall management system according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines that the count value is normal when the count value is within the normal acquisition sphere count, but otherwise. Is a game hall management system characterized by determining that an abnormality has occurred. 3. The game hall management system according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the count value is normal, a recording medium that records the count value is issued. A game hall management system characterized by further comprising means. 4. The game hall management system according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, when the determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred, the counter side is informed of that fact. An amusement hall management system further comprising abnormal time processing means for notifying and transmitting information to that effect to a predetermined receiving device. 5. The game hall management system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein the second calculation means of the counter is the number of prize balls to the game machine and the game. A game hall management system characterized in that a difference ball number, which is a difference from the number of discharges from a machine, is calculated, and a difference ball number range including the calculated difference ball number is calculated as the normally acquired ball number. 6. The game hall management system according to claim 5, wherein the counter displays a bar-shaped display image extending in a predetermined direction on a display screen of a display unit, and a part of the bar-shaped display image. 2. A game hall management system comprising display control means for displaying such that the range of the number of difference balls can be understood. 7. The game hall management system according to claim 6, wherein the display control means of the counter further displays the bar-shaped display image so that the counting result by the counting means can be understood. A game hall management system. 8. The game hall management system according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the display control means of the counter includes the differential ball number range in a part of the bar-shaped display image. A game hall management system, wherein color highlighting is performed, and an indicator of a predetermined shape image is moved and displayed along the bar-shaped display image according to the count value by the counting means. 9. The game hall management system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, wherein the counter is operated by the player. A game hall management system further comprising control means for disabling the counting process by the counting means until the acceptance. 10. A game machine management device for updating and managing a plurality of types of game information in a plurality of game machines, and a counter for counting the inserted game media are configured to be capable of communicating required information, and the game machine. The management device, in response to the receipt of the gaming machine identifier transmitted from the counter, seeks out game information for obtaining the number of balls acquired in the gaming machine corresponding to this gaming machine identifier, and the searching means. The counting machine in the game arcade management system is provided with a calculating means for obtaining the number of acquired balls based on the game information and a transmitting means for transmitting information showing the obtained number of acquired balls to the counter. In the operation program for, a process of transmitting the gaming machine identifier to the gaming machine management device in response to a player's operation instruction, and a process based on the information transmitted by the transmission means of the gaming machine management device. A process for obtaining the normally acquired number of balls, a counting process for counting the number of game media actually put in, and a normally acquired number of balls based on the normally acquired number of balls and the count value which is the result of the counting process. An operation program for causing a computer to execute a process including a process of determining whether or not