JP2008136532A - Game machine and method of outputting game information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine and a method of outputting game information capable of outputting denser game information or additional information by a simple structure without adding an external output means to the existing external output means or without bringing about a significant increase in cost. <P>SOLUTION: The external output means of the slot machine 1 comprises an operation discriminating means 120 for discriminating the operation of a condition device, for example, for a BB (big bonus) of a first kind; a symbol discriminating means 121 for discriminating the kind of symbol of the condition device; and a synchronous mixing means 122 for synchronizing with an operation state signal of the condition device generated by the operation discrimination means and generating a mixed signal by mixing an identification signal for identifying the kind of the symbol discriminated by the symbol discrimination means based on the number of pulses. As the slot machine has the external output means, the attributes (symbols) of the condition device being operated in the slot machine can be recognized in detail on the hall computer side to which the signals are output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a game information output method capable of outputting information such as an ongoing game state to an external management device (such as a hall computer).

  In recent years, most halls (game stores) where a large number of gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines are installed have management devices called hall computers that centrally manage gaming information such as the operating status of each gaming machine. It is used for efficient management and service improvement for players.

  Specifically, a conventional gaming machine has a hall computer that stores information on the input of game media such as medals and pachinko balls inserted by a player to play a game, and information on payout of game media paid out for winning. The sales amount based on the difference of the day, that is, the balance of game media is managed. Taking a slot machine as an example, a special game player (bonus game) that can play a game under conditions that are more advantageous to the player than a normal game, such as a big bonus (BB) or a regular bonus (RB). By turning on the signal of the external output port that is assigned in advance for each type of gamer while the game machine is in operation, the hall computer can determine the type of gamer currently in effect in each game machine in real time. Configured to grasp.

  By the way, in the above-described gaming machines, even if the types of game actors are the same, the operating conditions (such as the maximum number of game media to be acquired) differ depending on the internal lottery result or the combination of established symbols. In addition, due to the pursuit of game playability, it is possible that the types of game players provided in the gaming machine will increase in the future. In this case, only the conventional method of outputting only the types of special gamers as information lacks the accuracy of game information managed by the hall computer, so the jackpot history information is detailed or sufficiently satisfactory to the player. There was a risk that it would not be possible to provide such services.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing demand to output information useful for preventing illegal acts on gaming machines, such as information on setting changes and door opening, in addition to conventional gaming information. In order to respond to such a request, if the existing communication facilities etc. were changed or added to the hall, a significant cost burden had to be incurred.

  The present invention has been made in view of these conventional problems, and it is possible to provide more dense game information and additional information without adding an existing external output and without incurring a significant cost burden. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine and a game information output method capable of outputting with a simple configuration.

  The invention according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, is a gaming machine capable of outputting a signal for specifying an ongoing gaming state to the outside through a plurality of signal output ports. The operation of the condition device that activates the gaming machine of the game, the operation state signal generating means for generating the operation state signal indicating the operation state of the condition device, the attribute of the condition device is determined, the determined condition device An identification signal generating means for generating an identification signal corresponding to the attribute of the signal, a signal mixing means for generating a hybrid signal by mixing the operating state signal and the identification signal, and the hybrid signal generated by the signal mixer And a signal output means for outputting via a preset signal output port among the plurality of signal output ports.

  According to the gaming machine of claim 1, an operation state signal indicating a state of a condition device that activates a predetermined game player, and an identification generated according to an attribute such as a symbol of the condition device in operation. The signal mixing means generates a hybrid signal by mixing the signal, and the signal output means outputs the signal externally through a predetermined signal output port. By providing such an external output means, for example, the attribute information of the condition device in operation in the gaming machine can be output in detail using, for example, an existing signal output port or wiring. Thereby, in the management apparatus (for example, hall computer) of a signal output destination, useful information can be returned to a player based on the output game information, and it can contribute to provision of a high quality service, etc. . In addition, the density of game information output to the outside is increased, and for example, it is possible to cope with a low cost without requiring a significant design change or the like even for a request for adding output information that is useful for countermeasures against fraud. .

  The invention according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the identification signal is composed of a pulse signal having a number of pulses corresponding to an attribute of the condition device.

  According to the gaming machine of the second aspect, the signal output destination management device counts the number of pulse signals mixed with the operation state signal of the gaming machine condition device, thereby determining the attribute of the condition device. Can also be identified and monitored in detail.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the identification signal is a pulse signal having a length of time according to the attribute of the condition device.

  According to the gaming machine of claim 3, the signal output destination management device measures the time length of the pulse signal mixed with the operation state signal of the condition device of the gaming machine, thereby determining the attribute of the condition device. Can also be identified and monitored in detail.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming information output method in a gaming machine capable of outputting a signal for specifying an ongoing gaming state to the outside through a plurality of signal output ports, A step of determining the operation of the condition device that enables the operation, a step of generating an operation state signal indicating the determined operation state of the condition device, and an identification signal corresponding to the determined attribute of the condition device A step of mixing the operating state signal and the identification signal to generate a hybrid signal; and outputting the hybrid signal via a preset signal output port among the plurality of signal output ports; , At least.

  According to the game information output method of the fourth aspect, the attribute information of the condition device in operation in the game machine can be output in detail using, for example, an existing signal output port or wiring. Thereby, the signal output destination management device can return information useful to the player based on the outputted game information, and can contribute to the provision of a high-quality service. In addition, the density of game information output to the outside is increased, and for example, it is possible to cope with a low cost without requiring a significant design change or the like even for a request for adding output information that is useful for countermeasures against fraud. .

  As described above, according to the gaming machine or gaming information output method of the present invention, the attribute information of the condition device in operation in the gaming machine is also output in detail using the existing signal output port, wiring, etc. be able to. As a result, the signal output destination management apparatus can also identify and monitor the attribute of the condition apparatus in detail. Therefore, information useful to the player can be returned based on the output game information, which can contribute to the provision of high-quality services. In addition, the density of game information output to the outside is increased, and for example, it is possible to cope with a low cost without requiring a significant design change or the like even for a request for adding output information that is useful for countermeasures against fraud. .

  Hereinafter, a slot machine 1 will be described as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine 1, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a part of the front door 3 cut away.

  The slot machine 1 includes a box-shaped housing 2 and a front door 3 that is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the housing 2. The front mask formed on the front surface of the front door 3 is roughly divided into an upper panel portion, a middle panel portion, and a lower panel portion from the top, and these are integrally formed by a hard plastic designed to enhance visual effects as a decorative board. Is formed. In addition, a tray member 5 which is a molded product made of hard plastic and integrally formed with a tray for storing medals is attached below the lower panel portion.

  On the upper panel, decorative lamps such as the upper lamp 6a and the corner lamps 6b and 6c with built-in high-intensity light-emitting diodes are arranged, and the lamp lights or blinks when reaching or hitting a jackpot. It is carried out. In addition, sound emitting portions 7a and 7b with built-in speakers are provided at the left and right positions of the upper panel portion, and a game is produced with sound effects and musical sounds. Furthermore, a liquid crystal display unit 8 for effect image display is attached from the back of the front door 3 so as to face the screen at a central position between the sound emitting portions 7a and 7b.

  The middle panel 9 made of an acrylic plate is attached from behind the front door 3 so as to close the central opening of the middle panel portion of the substantially middle stage. A transparent display window 9a for viewing the three reels 10a, 10b, and 10c is formed in the approximate center of the middle panel 9. That is, by appropriately rotating the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c of the reel device 10 provided in the housing 2, a plurality of types of symbols drawn on the peripheral surface of each reel are displayed at the stop positions. The window 9a is variably displayed.

  Below the middle panel 9 is formed a table-like console 11 that slightly protrudes forward. On the right side of the console 11, a medal insertion unit 15 for inserting medals to bet on the game is provided. Further, on the console 11, operation switches such as a bet button 12, a start lever 13, and three stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c are arranged at predetermined positions.

  The bet button 12 is a push-type button switch for presenting the number of medals to bet on the game, and for example, three medals are bet by one press operation. The start lever 13 is a lever switch for instructing the start of rotation of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c. The start lever 13 is turned on when a lever having a spherical operation knob at the tip is tilted in any direction, up, down, left, or right. When the hand is released, the spring is automatically returned to the original position by the urging force of the spring and is turned off. The stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c are push-type button switches for individually instructing to stop the rotation of the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and are arranged in parallel corresponding to the arrangement of the reels.

  The lower panel part is a lower panel 4 on which a picture (not shown) of an appearing character is printed and displayed, for example, to allow the player to recognize the model type of the slot machine 1 and the side provided on the left and right sides thereof. The lamps 4a and 4b are provided.

  The tray member 5 attached to the lowermost part of the front door 3 has a medal payout opening 16 that is an opening for paying out medals to the tray when winning a prize and the like, and a speaker that generates a production effect sound according to the progress of the game. Sound emitting portions 17a and 17b are disposed respectively.

  In the slot machine 1, the game operation is controlled by the main control board 100 inside the housing 2 shown in FIG. The main control board 100 is a microcomputer-based control circuit board on which a CPU, ROM, RWM (Read / Write Memory), other reels 10a, 10b, 10c and an interface circuit for communication connection with an external concentration terminal board 200 described later are mounted. It is composed of

  That is, when the main control board 100 detects the insertion of the regular medal into the medal insertion unit 15, the credit is added and the inserted medal is stored internally. Then, credits are consumed according to the pressing operation of the bet button 12, and a process of betting three medals on the game is performed.

  When the start lever 13 is tilted in this game start state, the main control board 100 rotates the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c all at once. At the same time, a lottery based on random numbers (internal lottery) is performed, and a combination of symbols that can be drawn into the active line and stopped, that is, a winning combination is determined or lost. The result of this internal lottery is stored in an internal lottery result flag (RWM).

  Next, the main control board 100 sequentially stops the corresponding reels according to the pressing operation of the stop buttons 14a, 14b, and 14c. Then, after detecting that all the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c have stopped, the main control board 100 is referred to by a combination of symbols displayed on the active lines by the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c and an internal lottery flag. It is determined whether or not the combination of symbols related to the winning prize winning in the game matches. Then, when the symbols match in any of the active lines, the winning combination is determined, and the number of medals corresponding to the determined winning combination is paid back to the player.

  In this way, the player of the slot machine 1 performs a game operation for rotating / stopping the reels 10a, 10b, and 10c, and loses the bet medals if the symbols displayed on the display window 9a are not changed. By aligning the symbols in the combination, it is possible to acquire more medals than the betted by winning the winning combination, so it is possible to enjoy a game with an interest in increasing medals.

  In addition, the slot machine 1 usually provides game information such as operating status to the hall computer via the external concentration terminal board 200 for the purpose of efficient operation of the hall (game store) and improvement of service to the player. Output. Then, next, the characteristic external output means by this invention is demonstrated in detail based on several Example.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a part related to the external output means provided in the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the main control board 100 of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment performs arithmetic processing according to a predetermined program on the main control board 100, for example, the inserted medal detection means 101, the acquired medal detection means 102, and the door shown in FIG. Each means such as the open detection means 103, the condition device operation determination means 110, and the table conversion means 114 is generated. In addition, for example, the ROM 111 of the main control board 100 includes at least a condition device reference table 112 (to be described later) and an acquisition range conversion table 113 stored in advance at predetermined addresses. The external concentration terminal board 200 is equipped with communication driving elements such as relays and transistors, and seven output ports P1, P2, P3, P4, P7, P8 from which signals are externally output by the respective driving elements. And a common port P6 connected to the reference potential of each port.

  The inserted medal detection means 101 is a means for detecting a state in which a regular medal has been inserted into the medal insertion unit 15 and outputting it externally. That is, the slot machine 1 is provided with a selector (not shown) that communicates with the insertion slot of the medal insertion unit 15, and when the inserted medal is selected as a regular one, the medal sensor composed of an optical sensor detects this. Detecting and sending an input acceptance signal to the main control board 100. The inserted medal detection means 101 turns on the output port P1 for a predetermined time based on the insertion acceptance signal. The hall computer connected via the external concentration terminal board 200 constantly monitors the output port P1 and counts the number of times of the ON state, whereby the number of medals inserted into the slot machine 1 (actual insertion number). Get and manage.

  Further, the acquired medal detection means 102 turns on the output port P2 of the external concentration terminal board 200 based on a medal payout detection signal detected and output by the payout sensor when the medal payout device pays out medals for winning or the like. . As a result, the hall computer constantly monitors the output port P2 and counts the number of times of the ON state, thereby acquiring and managing the number of medals (actual acquisition number) paid out by the slot machine 1.

  Further, the door open detection means 103 monitors the open / closed state of the front door 3 of the slot machine 1 by turning on the output port P8 while the door sensor detects the open state of the front door 3 in the hall computer. As a result, when the front door 3 is opened at an inappropriate time such as during business hours or when a gaming machine is in operation, the hall manager can quickly know the occurrence of the abnormality, and fraud Can be prevented.

  Next, a description will be given of an embodiment in which a medal acquisition range that varies in accordance with an ongoing game state is output as a game state output unit that constitutes a part of the external output unit of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the game state output unit of the present embodiment includes a condition device operation determination unit 110 and a table conversion unit 114.

  The condition device operation determining means 110 is a means for determining the operation and the type of the condition device that makes the game player effective. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as a special game player (bonus game), a big bonus (hereinafter abbreviated as “BB”), a regular bonus (hereinafter abbreviated as “RB”), a challenge bonus (hereinafter “CB”). Are abbreviated to be mainly provided.

  Here, RB refers to a game combination that is given to a player continuously by a predetermined number of games or a predetermined number of winnings, which is more advantageous than usual. BB refers to a game player who frequently gives the above-mentioned RB until a predetermined end condition is satisfied, for example, the number of medals acquired reaches a certain number. Further, CB refers to a game player who gives the player a chance to push up (immediate stop by operating the stop buttons 14a, 14b, 14c). In other words, when the CB becomes effective, so-called pull-in control for stopping the reels is released according to the internal lottery result, so that the player can accurately perform the timing of the eye-catching to increase the number of small roles (medals). Payout).

  In addition, for example, the above-mentioned RB is classified into three types of RB-A, RB-B, and RB-C depending on the difference in attributes such as the type (color) of the symbols that establish such a game. Furthermore, for example, the above-mentioned BB is classified into one type and two types depending on a difference in conditions such as an operation opportunity of a game player. In these cases, the same role (game mode) has different end conditions and the maximum number of medals is greatly different.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a condition device reference table 112 having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is stored in advance in the ROM 111 of the main control board 100. In the condition device reference table 112 illustrated in FIG. 4, flag data corresponding to the type of the condition device is preliminarily assigned on a one-to-one basis for each condition device that enables the various game combinations provided in the slot machine 1. ing.

  When the condition device operation determining means 110 determines whether or not any of the condition devices is operating during the progress of the game, the condition device operation determining means 110 refers to the condition device reference table 112 in the ROM 111 to obtain flag data corresponding to the type of the condition device. It is transferred to the condition device status flag 116 of the RWM 115 and stored. The condition device status flag 116 is set by securing a data area of, for example, 8 bits (FB0 to FB7) at a predetermined storage address of the RWM 115.

  For example, the condition device operation determination means 110 is referred to in the condition device reference table 112 when determining the operation of the condition device related to the type 1 BB-A (for example, winning of the internal lottery of the type 1 BB-A) during the game. The flag data (11h) corresponding to the condition device is transferred to the condition device status flag 116 and updated. As a result, the type of the condition device that is currently in operation for the special game combination is managed so that it can be referred to as encoded flag data.

  Next, the table conversion means 114 constantly monitors the condition device state flag 116 described above, and distributes the output data (DB0 to DB3) referred to in the acquisition range conversion table 113 of the ROM 111 as needed according to the flag data. To convert. At the same time, the distributed 4-bit output data (DB0 to DB3) is output to the outside through the output ports P3, P4, P5, and P7 of the external concentrated terminal board 200 assigned in advance for each bit.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the acquisition range conversion table 113 referred to by the table conversion unit 114. As shown in FIG. 5, output data (DB0 to DB3) to be converted one-to-one is set for each of the flag data set in the various condition devices or the condition device status flag 116. In addition, each bit of the output data (DB0 to DB3) is set to indicate the maximum number of medals that can be expected during the operation of the conditional device, that is, the acquisition range in stages.

  That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the output data bit DB0 is a status bit indicating the possibility of acquiring medals not exceeding 320. That is, when the bit DB0 (output port P3) is ON, the slot machine 1 is handled in the data processing by, for example, a hall computer as an output destination, assuming that the slot machine 1 is in a gaming state where a maximum of 320 medals can be expected. Similarly, bit DB1 indicates the possibility of acquiring medals not exceeding 200, and bit DB2 is set as indicating the possibility of acquiring medals not exceeding 60. The correspondence relationship between the various condition devices (game players) and the maximum number of medals acquired in the acquisition range conversion table 113 (for example, the maximum number of medals acquired by one type BB-A is 320) is as follows. It is determined in advance based on the rules (rules) of the slot machine game.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 1 having the external output means of the first embodiment, the medal acquisition range determined according to the type of the special game player (or condition device) in operation is a plurality of bits (DB0). ~ DB3) to make external output step by step. Thus, for example, even when the number of special game actors is increased by model change or the like, a game state such as a game state using the output ports P3, P4, P5, and P7 already provided in the external concentration terminal board 200 is used. Information can be output externally without losing its accuracy. Therefore, even for such a model change, it is possible to cope with a low cost only by changing the software without changing or adding an existing communication facility in the hall.

  Also, for example, in a hall computer connected via the external concentration terminal board 200, the actual acquisition number (output port P2) transmitted at the same time is considered based on the information on the acquisition range described above. It is also possible to estimate the type of game player currently operating in the slot machine 1. It is also possible to specify the type of game player in operation based on the difference ball (balance) obtained by subtracting the actual number acquired from the actual input number (output port P1).

  Next, a second embodiment of the external output means provided in the slot machine 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing parts related to the external output means according to the second embodiment.

  In addition to the inserted medal detecting means 101, the acquired medal detecting means 102, the door open detecting means 103 shown in FIG. 6, the 1st type BB operation determining means 120, the symbol determining means 121, etc., which will be described later, are determined by the CPU of the main control board 100. It is a means produced | generated by performing a calculation process according to this program. Note that the synchronous mixing means 122, 125, and 128 shown in the figure may be implemented as a hardware logic circuit on the main control board 100.

  Among the means shown in FIG. 6, the inserted medal detection means 101, the acquired medal detection means 102, and the door open detection means 103 have already been described in the description of the first embodiment. An embodiment of the gaming state output means will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the gaming state output means according to the present embodiment is a type 1 BB operation determination that determines operation / non-operation of the condition device for enabling BB for each type (type 1 BB, type 2 BB). Means 120 and two-type BB operation judging means 123 are provided. Further, for each of the BB of one type and two types, the type (BB-A, BB) based on the color of the symbols (for example, red 7, blue 7, white 7) of the reels 10a, 10b, 10c that establish the game combination. -B, BB-C) are provided. In addition, an identification signal consisting of a short pulse signal indicating each result of the symbol discrimination means 121 and 124 is synchronously mixed with the outputs of the 1st type BB operation discrimination means 120 and the 2nd type BB action discrimination means 123, respectively, and then mixed signals are obtained. Synchronous mixing means 122 and 125 for generating

  Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a waveform of a signal specifying the type 1 BB operation and the type (symbol) output from the synchronous mixing unit 122 according to the type 1 BB to the output port P4. In the example of FIG. 7, in synchronization with the start of the operation state ON signal indicating the operation of the type 1 BB, the number of pulses of the short pulse signal having a time width t that is mixed at a constant period 2t (for example, t = 100 msec) is then determined. Is identified.

  For example, when the symbol mixing unit 122 determines that the symbol type associated with one type BB is symbol A (for example, red 7), the synchronous mixing unit 122 uses one short pulse as illustrated in FIG. A mixed signal obtained by mixing the signal with the type 1 BB operating state ON signal is output to the output port P4. When the symbol discriminating means 121 discriminates symbol B (for example, blue 7), as shown in FIG. 7B, two short pulse signals are mixed with one type BB operating state ON signal and output. When the pattern C (for example, white 7) is determined after being output to the port P4, the three short pulse signals illustrated in FIG. 7C are mixed with the type 1 BB operating state ON signal to be output to the output port P4. Output. Thereby, for example, the hall computer can grasp the operating state of the type 1 BB of the slot machine 1 by monitoring the output port P4 of the external concentration terminal board 200 and count the number of pulses of the short pulse signal. The design type can also be specified.

  Although not shown, the type of symbol may be specified by the time length of the identification signal mixed with the operation state ON signal after the operation of the type 1 BB is started.

  Also, the operation of the two-type BB synchronous mixing means 125 shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the above-described one-type BB synchronous mixing means 122 in that there are two types of BB symbols at the preset output port P7. A hybrid signal specified by the number of short pulses or the pulse length is output.

  The RB is also provided with an RB operation determining means 126 for determining the operation of the condition device, a symbol determining means 127, and a synchronous mixing means 128, similar to the above-described gaming state output means for the type 1 BB. Then, a hybrid signal specifying the type of RB symbol is output to the preset output port P3.

  Further, the CB operation determining means 129 determines the operation / non-operation of the condition device that validates CB, and turns on the output port P5 while the condition device is operating. Thereby, the hall computer can recognize whether or not the slot machine 1 is in CB operation by monitoring the state of the output port P5.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 1 having the external output means of the second embodiment, the operating state of the game combination is set via the output ports P3, P4, P7 preset for each special game combination. An identification signal composed of a short pulse signal corresponding to the type is mixed with an operation state ON signal indicating that the signal is externally output. Thereby, for example, a hall computer connected externally can grasp in detail the attributes such as symbols of the game player in operation without adding a signal output port or wiring.

  Also, the density of information contents can be increased by outputting a mixed signal in which a plurality of information contents are mixed through one signal output port. As a result, the existing communication equipment is changed to the hall in response to requests to add external outputs of various status signals such as the open state of the front door 3 and ON / OFF of the setting key switch, which is useful for countermeasures against fraud, for example.・ Low cost can be dealt with only by changing the software without any additional installation. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to strengthening fraud countermeasures without incurring a significant cost burden.

  Next, a third embodiment of the external output means according to the present invention will be described. Here, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing portions related to the external output means according to the third embodiment.

  In addition to the inserted medal detection means 101, the acquired medal detection means 102, and the door open detection means 103 shown in FIG. 8, means such as a first-type BB operation determination means 131 and a second-type BB operation determination means 132, which will be described later, are the main control board. It is a means generated by 100 CPUs executing arithmetic processing according to a predetermined program. The encoding means 136 shown in the figure may be implemented as a hardware logic circuit on the main control board 100.

  Of the means shown in FIG. 8, the inserted medal detection means 101, the acquired medal detection means 102, and the door open detection means 103 have already been described in the description of the first embodiment. An embodiment of the gaming state output means will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the gaming state output means of the present embodiment includes a type 1 BB operation determining means 131 for determining operation / non-operation of the condition device for enabling type 1 BB for each type of symbols, and Similarly, a two-type BB operation discriminating means 132 for discriminating the operation / non-operation of the condition device relating to the two types BB for each type of symbol, and an RB for discriminating the operation / non-operation of the condition device relating to the RB for each symbol type. Operation discriminating means 133, CB operation discriminating means 134 for discriminating the operation / non-operation of the condition device relating to CB for each type of symbol, and normal discriminating the operation / non-operation of the condition device relating to the ordinary accessory for each symbol type An accessory operation determining means 135 is provided.

  In addition, based on the results of the operation determining means 131 to 135 for each game combination, there is provided an encoding means 136 for converting the operation state of the condition device that makes each of these game combinations effective into output data (DB0 to DB3). ing. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the encoding unit 136 refers to the condition device conversion table 137 stored in advance in the ROM 111 to indicate the current operation state of the condition device in output data (DB0 to DB3) in binary code format. ). That is, in the condition device conversion table 137 of the type 1 conversion method illustrated in FIG. 9, output data (DB0 to DB3) in a 4-bit binary code format is associated with each condition device type on a one-to-one basis. ing. The output data (DB0 to DB3) converted in this way is output to the outside via the output ports P3, P4, P5, and P7 of the external concentration terminal board 200 set in advance.

  According to the gaming state output means including the coding means 136 of this type 1 conversion method, the hall computer as the signal output destination outputs the output data (DB0 to DB3) transmitted via the external concentrated terminal board 200 as described above. By decoding using the reverse conversion method, it is possible to identify in detail the type of game player operating in the slot machine 1. This type 1 conversion method is more suitable when externally outputting a variety of gaming states than before.

  Further, the encoding means 136 refers to, for example, the condition device conversion table 137 shown in FIG. 10 and converts the binary code into each binary code for each condition device including the duplicated and valid gamer attribution relationships. May be used (type 2).

  Here, FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of each bit waveform of the output data (DB0 to DB3) relating to the gaming state by the encoding means 136 adopting this type 2 conversion method. According to the figure, when the RB is activated while the type 1 BB-C is in operation, the output data (DB0 to DB3) changes to (0110) b to (0111) b in accordance with the operation. ing. FIG. 11B shows another example of the waveform of the output data (DB0 to DB3). Similarly, when the CB operates while the two types BB-B are operating, the output data (DB0 to DB3). ) Changes from (1011) b to (1100) b. Further, when the RB is operated independently, the output data (DB0 to DB3) is (0001) b, which is different from the value of RB during the above-described type 1 BB-C operation. A state is distinguished and identified.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 1 having the external output means of the third embodiment, the output data (DB0 to DB3) converted into the binary code format according to the type of game player in operation is output externally. I did it. Thereby, the hall computer connected externally can identify in detail the types and symbols of the game players in operation using the existing signal ports and wiring facilities. In particular, even in the case where a game player operates in combination, the detailed game state can be identified in real time. Therefore, game information and additional information with higher density can be output to the outside with a simple configuration without incurring a significant cost burden. Further, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the quality of game information and the like that are returned to the player by the hall computer and the strengthening of fraud countermeasures.

  The present invention can be widely applied to general gaming machines including pachinko machines in addition to slot machines.

It is a front view of the slot machine as one embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal structure of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram relating to external output means according to a first embodiment provided in the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure showing an example of the condition apparatus reference table referred by the external output means by 1st Example. It is a figure showing an example of the acquisition range conversion table referred with the external output means by 1st Example. FIG. 4 is a block diagram relating to external output means according to a second embodiment provided in the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure showing the waveform example of the signal which the external output means by 2nd Example outputs. FIG. 4 is a block diagram relating to external output means according to a third embodiment provided in the slot machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure showing the structural example (type 1) of the condition apparatus conversion table referred when the external output means by 3rd Example codes a game state. It is the figure showing the other structural example (type 2) of the condition apparatus conversion table referred when the external output means by 3rd Example codes a game state. It is a figure showing the example of a waveform of the signal which the external output means by 3rd Example outputs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine 2 ... Housing 3 ... Front door 4 ... Lower panel 5 ... Receptacle member 6a ... Upper lamp 6b, 6c ... Corner lamp 7a, 7b ... Sound emission part 8 ... Liquid crystal display unit 9 ... Middle panel 9a ... Display window 10a, 10b, 10c ... reel 11 ... console 12 ... bet button 13 ... start lever 14a, 14b, 14c ... stop button 15 ... medal insertion part 16 ... medal payout port 17a, 17b ... sound emission part 100 ... main control board 101 ... Inserted medal detection means 102 ... Acquired medal detection means 103 ... Door open detection means 110 ... Conditional device operation determination means 111 ... ROM
112 ... Conditional device reference table 113 ... Acquisition range conversion table 114 ... Table conversion means 115 ... RWM
116 ... Conditional device state flag 120 ... 1 type BB operation determining means 121 ... Symbol determining means 122 ... Synchronous mixing means 123 ... 2 types of BB operation determining means 124 ... Symbol determining means 125 ... Synchronous mixing means 126 ... RB operation determining means 127 ... Symbol discriminating means 128 ... Synchronous mixing means 129 ... CB operation discriminating means 131 ... 1 type BB operation discriminating means 132 ... 2 type BB operation discriminating means 133 ... RB operation discriminating means 134 ... CB operation discriminating means 135 ... Ordinary accessory discrimination means 136 ... Coding means 137 ... Condition device conversion table 200 ... External concentrated terminal boards P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P7, P8 ... Output ports DB0, DB1, DB2, DB3 ... Bits of output data

Claims (4)

A gaming machine capable of outputting a signal for identifying an ongoing gaming state to the outside through a plurality of signal output ports,
An operation state signal generating means for determining an operation of a condition device for validating a predetermined game player and generating an operation state signal indicating an operation state of the condition device;
An identification signal generating means for determining an attribute of the conditional device and generating an identification signal according to the determined attribute of the conditional device;
Signal mixing means for generating a hybrid signal by mixing the operating state signal and the identification signal;
A gaming machine comprising at least signal output means for outputting the mixed signal generated by the signal mixing means via a preset signal output port among the plurality of signal output ports.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the identification signal includes a pulse signal having a number of pulses corresponding to an attribute of the condition device.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the identification signal includes a pulse signal having a time length corresponding to an attribute of the condition device. A game information output method in a gaming machine capable of outputting a signal for identifying an ongoing game state to the outside through a plurality of signal output ports,
Determining the operation of a condition device that activates a predetermined game player;
Generating an operating state signal indicating the determined operating state of the condition device;
Generating an identification signal according to the determined attribute of the condition device;
Mixing the operating state signal and the identification signal to generate a hybrid signal;
And outputting the mixed signal through a signal output port set in advance among the plurality of signal output ports.

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