JP2018051024A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine, when the number of game balls in a circulation passage decreases excessively, capable of appropriately setting up a condition for solving determined specific abnormality.SOLUTION: A pachinko game machine 1 monitors a passage state of game balls in a circulation passage, and can determine, on the basis of the passage state, an occurrence of an error (an error code "F14") of excessively small number of circulation balls in response to a fact that the number of game balls that can be shot is less than a prescribed number (e.g., 49 game balls). Further, after determining the occurrence of the error, the pachinko game machine 1 can determine that the error is solved on the basis of detection (a cancellation condition) that shooting means 14 is continuously shot for a prescribed period (e.g., 20 seconds or more).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 27

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that encloses a predetermined number of game media and is capable of playing games using the game media.

  Conventionally, pachinko balls, which are game media, are encapsulated inside, and when the player operates a hitting operation handle, the firing solenoid of the launching device is driven and the game balls encapsulated in the game area one by one. There are known gaming machines that can be driven to play games. In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, when the game balls launched into the game area are clogged with balls on the surface of the game board and the number of game balls that can be fired becomes too small, an error of an insufficient number of circulating balls is detected ( The occurrence of a specific abnormality is determined), and the detected error is notified by a display or the like.

JP 2015-112417 A

  However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, it is described that the operation for canceling the detected error (specific abnormality) with an insufficient number of circulating balls is automatically restored without being necessary, but the specific release Conditions are not listed. For this reason, even if the ball clogging is eliminated on the game board surface, there is a possibility that the error due to the excessive number of circulating balls will not be canceled and may continue.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and the purpose thereof is to appropriately set conditions for canceling the specific abnormality determined when the number of game balls in the circulation path becomes insufficient. It is to provide a gaming machine.

(1) The present invention is a gaming machine in which a plurality of gaming media are enclosed (for example, an enclosed pachinko gaming machine P 1),
Launching means (e.g., launcher) for launching the game medium;
Supply means for supplying game media to the launch means (for example, from the collection path to the transport path / out port to the front of the launch device);
An abnormality determination unit that monitors the passage state of the game medium in the supply unit and can determine that a specific abnormality corresponding to the number of game media that can be launched is less than a predetermined number has occurred based on the passage state. For example, the payout control unit 171),
With
After determining that the specific abnormality has occurred, the abnormality determining unit determines that the specific unit has been detected based on the fact that the firing of the firing unit has been continuously detected for a predetermined period of time (for example, the detection state of the firing ball detection switch 99). It is determined that the abnormality has been resolved.

  According to such a configuration, after determining that the specific abnormality has occurred, the gaming machine determines that the specific abnormality has been resolved based on the fact that the firing of the launching unit has been continuously detected for a predetermined period. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately set conditions for canceling the abnormality that has occurred.

(2) In (1) above,
By monitoring the transport state of the game medium to the launching means (for example, the detection state of the launching ball detection switch 99), it is detected whether or not the launching means is continuously fired for a predetermined period.

  According to such a configuration, since the firing of the launching unit is detected by monitoring the transport state of the game medium to the launching unit, the launch of the game medium can be reliably detected.

(3) In the above (1) and (2),
The abnormality determination means is a game medium that can be launched when the non-winning detection means (for example, the out ball detection sensor 88) for detecting the game medium collected without winning is not detected while the launching means is stopped. It is determined that the specific abnormality has been resolved based on the fact that the state where the number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number continues for a specific time or longer (for example, when the ball clogging sensor 89 detects 2 seconds or longer).

  According to such a configuration, the gaming machine can determine that the specific abnormality has been resolved even when the launching unit is stopped, and therefore it is possible to appropriately set conditions for canceling the abnormality that has occurred. It becomes possible.

(4) In the above (1) to (3),
Further provided is a notification means (for example, an abnormality notification lamp) for notifying the specific abnormality determined by the abnormality determination means.

According to such a configuration, a specific abnormality can be notified.
(5) In the above (1) to (4),
Firing control means for controlling the firing means (for example, a payout control unit 171);
Firing number specifying means (for example, a shot detection switch 99) for specifying the number of game media fired by the launching means as the number of firings;
A collection number specifying means (for example, the game ball detection device 27) for specifying the number of collected game media as the number of collections;
A monitoring processing means (for example, a payout control unit 171) capable of executing a process for monitoring the number of firings and the number of collections;
The launch control means causes the launch means to execute a predetermined operation for launching a game medium to the game area after the power is turned on (for example, the payout control unit 171 places the game ball in the game area after the power is turned on. An operation (predetermined operation) for driving the firing solenoid 41 for firing is performed on the launching device 14),
The collection number specifying means invalidates addition to the collection number for the number of game media collected after the launching means starts the predetermined operation after the power is turned on until a predetermined period elapses (for example, After the power is turned on, the addition to the number of recovered balls is invalidated for the number of balls that have been collected after the launching device 14 starts a predetermined operation until the recovery ball detection invalid period elapses (see FIG. 24).

  According to such a configuration, the gaming machine invalidates the addition to the number of collections for the number of game media collected after the launching unit starts a predetermined operation after the power is turned on until the predetermined period elapses. Thus, it is possible to prevent an occurrence of an error between the number of shots and the number of collected game media remaining in the launching means.

(6) In the above (1) to (4),
Firing control means for controlling the firing means (for example, a payout control unit 171);
Firing number specifying means for specifying the number of game media fired by the firing means as the number of firings (for example, a shot detection switch 99);
A collection number specifying means (for example, the game ball detection device 27) for specifying the number of collected game media as the number of collections;
A monitoring processing means (for example, a payout control unit 171) capable of executing a process for monitoring the number of firings and the number of collections;
The launch control means causes the launch means to execute a predetermined operation for launching a game medium to the game area at the end of business (for example, the payout control unit 171 launches a game ball to the game area when the store is closed). To perform the operation (predetermined operation) to drive the firing solenoid 41 for causing the firing device 14 to
The collection number specifying means adds the number of game media collected after the predetermined operation is started by the launching means at the end of business to the collection number (for example, driving the launch solenoid 41 by the launching device 14 at the time of closing a store) The number of balls collected after the start is added to the number of balls collected (see FIG. 25).

  According to such a configuration, the gaming machine adds the number of collected game media after the start of the predetermined operation by the launching unit at the end of business to the collected number, so that the game medium remains in the launching unit and fired. It is possible to prevent an error from occurring between the number and the collected number.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an arrangement layout of main members. It is a disassembled perspective view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the main body frame of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from back. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view of the game ball detection apparatus of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is the figure seen from the front, (b) is the figure seen from back. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the game ball detection apparatus of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the front. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the disassembled perspective view which showed a mode that the game ball was adsorb | sucked and blocked by the game ball detection apparatus of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is the figure seen from back, (b) is front It is the figure seen from. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the ball feeding apparatus of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from back. It is the perspective view which showed the state with which the ball | bowl channel | path of the launch device of the gaming machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention was filled with game media. It is the perspective view which looked at the launch device of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from back. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit used for the card unit of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a pachinko game machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the notification process when abnormality is detected as a result of mutual authentication. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various data memorize | stored in the card unit side and the pachinko game machine side, and its transmission / reception. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline of the command and response transmitted / received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of a status information request | requirement. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of a status information response. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of a status information response. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko game machine when a card | curd is inserted in the card unit. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko game machine when a card is returned. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the relationship between the command of a card insertion notification, the CU state contained in the command of a status information request | requirement, and the insertion state of a card | curd. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine when lending a ball from the prepaid balance of the inserted card. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko game machine when paying out and holding out a ball. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a status information request | requirement reception process. It is a figure for demonstrating the kind of error which can be alert | reported in a game system. It is a figure which shows an example of the discharge operation | movement at the time of power activation. It is a figure which shows an example of the discharge operation | movement at the time of a store closing. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection conditions and cancellation | release conditions about an error of circulation ball | bowl excess. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the error cancellation process of circulation ball too few.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration of pachinko machines>
FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an arrangement layout of main members. A pachinko gaming machine (game machine) (hereinafter also abbreviated as “P”) 1 includes a main body frame 100 and an upper front frame 3A pivotally supported on the left and right sides of the main body frame 100 so as to be detachable. A lower front frame 3B which is positioned below the upper front frame 3A and pivots up and down on one side of the main body frame 100 and is detachably supported. The lower front frame 3B is disposed in front of the lower front frame 3B. The display unit 50 is provided. In the P table 1, the upper front frame 3A, the lower front frame 3B, and the display unit 50 constitute the front surface of the P table 1.

  The upper front frame 3 </ b> A and the lower front frame 3 </ b> B are separated from each other, and the upper front frame 3 </ b> A has bearings 31 a and 31 b attached on one side of the upper and lower sides being pivotally supported by hinges (not shown) of the main body frame 100. Thus, it is attached to the main body frame 100 so as to be rotatable. A game board (gauge board) 2 constituting a game board surface is detachably attached to the upper front frame 3A. The game board 2 is formed with a game area surrounded by guide rails and having a substantially circular outer edge. In this game area, game balls as game media are launched and driven.

  A first special symbol display device 4A and a second special symbol display device 4B are provided at predetermined positions of the game board 2 (on the lower right edge of the game area in the example shown in FIG. 1). Each of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B is a special symbol (special identification information) that is a plurality of types of identification information (special identification information) that can be identified in a special symbol game as an example of a variable display game. Is also displayed in a variable manner (variable display).

  An image display device 5 is provided near the center of the game area on the game board 2. The image display device 5 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or the like, and forms a display area for displaying various effect images. In the display area of the image display device 5, the first special symbol variable display by the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol variable display by the second special symbol display device 4B in the special symbol game respectively correspond to the variable display. For example, in a decorative symbol display area serving as a plurality of variable display units such as three, decorative symbols that are a plurality of types of identification information (decorative identification information) that can be identified are variably displayed. This variable display of decorative designs is also included in the variable display game.

  As an example, “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R are arranged in the display area of the image display device 5. And in response to the start of one of the changes in the first special symbol in the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B in the special symbol game, In the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R, the variation of decorative symbols (for example, vertical scroll display) is started. Thereafter, when the fixed special symbol is stopped and displayed as a variable display result in the special symbol game, the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5 are displayed. Then, the finalized decorative symbol (final stop symbol) that is the variable display result of the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed.

  In the display area of the image display device 5, a start winning storage display area 5H is arranged. In the start winning memory display area 5H, a hold memory display for displaying the variable display hold number corresponding to the special figure game (special figure hold memory number) is specified. Here, the variable display suspension corresponding to the special game is that the game ball passes through the first start winning opening formed by the normal winning ball apparatus 6A and the second starting winning opening formed by the normal variable pay ball apparatus 6B. Generated based on the start winning by entering (entering). That is, the start condition (also referred to as “execution condition”) for executing a variable display game such as a special figure game or a variable display of decorative symbols has been established, but a variable display game based on the previously established start condition is being executed. When the start condition that allows the start of the variable display game is not satisfied due to the fact that the P stand 1 is controlled to the big hit gaming state, the variable display corresponding to the established start condition is suspended. Is called.

  Below the game area on the game board 2, an ordinary winning ball device 6A and an ordinary variable winning ball device 6B are provided. The normal winning ball device 6A forms a first starting winning opening as a starting area (first starting area) that is always kept in a constant open state by a predetermined ball receiving member, for example. The normally variable winning ball apparatus 6B is an electric tulip-type accessory (ordinary electric accessory) having a pair of movable wing pieces that are changed into a normal open state that is a vertical position and an expanded open state that is a tilt position by a solenoid (not shown). And a second start winning opening is formed in the start area (second start area).

  A special variable winning ball device 7 is provided below the normal winning ball device 6A and the normal variable winning ball device 6B. The special variable winning ball apparatus 7 includes a large winning opening door that is opened and closed by a solenoid (not shown) for the large winning opening door, and the big winning as a specific region that changes between an open state and a closed state by the large winning opening door. Forming a mouth.

  A normal symbol display 20 is provided at a predetermined position of the game board 2 (on the left side of the game area in the example shown in FIG. 1). As an example, the normal symbol display 20 displays (variably displays) variable symbols of ordinary symbols (also referred to as “ordinary symbols” or “ordinary symbols”) that are a plurality of types of identification information different from the special symbols. Such variable display of normal symbols is referred to as a general game (also referred to as “normal game”).

  Above the normal symbol display 20, a universal figure holding display 25 </ b> C is provided. The usual figure hold indicator 25C is configured to include, for example, four LEDs, and displays the number of ordinary figure holds as the number of effective passing balls that have passed through the passage gate 26.

  In addition to the above configuration, the surface of the game board 2 is provided with a windmill for changing the flow direction and speed of the game balls and a number of obstacle nails. In addition, as a winning opening different from the first starting winning opening, the second starting winning opening, and the large winning opening, for example, a single or plural general winning openings that are always kept in a certain open state by a predetermined ball receiving member are provided. May be. In this case, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls may be counted as a prize ball based on the fact that a game ball that has entered one of the general prize openings is detected by a predetermined general prize ball switch. . In the lowermost part of the game area, there is provided an out port 8 through which game balls that have not entered any winning port are taken.

  Speakers for reproducing and outputting sound effects and the like are provided at the upper left and right positions of the upper front frame 3A. A decorative LED may be arranged around each structure (for example, the normal winning ball device 6A, the normal variable winning ball device 6B, the special variable winning ball device 7 and the like) in the game area of the P stand 1.

  The P stand 1 is a sealed pachinko gaming machine in which a game ball (pachinko ball) as an example of a game medium is enclosed. Enclosed pachinko gaming machines are pachinko gaming machines that use a game ball enclosed inside in exchange for a deduction of a player's points. In a sealed pachinko gaming machine, a non-magnetic game ball is sealed in order to prevent fraud using a magnet. When the player operates the batting operation handle 37, the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 8) included in the launching device 14 (FIG. 2) is driven, and game balls are shot into the game area of the game board 2 one by one. It is configured to be able to play games. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the hitting operation handle 37, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player is operating the hitting operation handle 37. Is detected by a touch sensor, and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 8) is driven. In this state, the momentum of hitting the ball is adjusted according to the amount of rotation of the hitting operation handle 37 by the player, and the game ball is shot into the game area.

  The game balls that have been thrown into the game area are won at any of the winning openings or are collected at the out opening 8 without winning. The game balls won in the winning opening and the game balls collected in the out slot 8 are returned to the launching device 14 through the circulation path in the P stand 1 again. Then, when the player operates the hitting operation handle 37, the game ball at the hitting position is again hit into the game area.

  On the side of the P base 1, card units (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as CU) 10 are installed in a one-to-one correspondence. This CU10 is issued to a visitor card having a prepaid function, which is a game recording medium issued to a general player who has not registered as a member, and to a member player who has registered as a member in the game hall. In the P platform 1 that accepts a membership card, which is a game recording medium, and uses the game value (for example, the card balance, the number of possessed balls, or the number of stored balls) owned by the player specified by the record information of those cards. It has a function for allowing a game to be performed by bullet-launching encapsulated balls as an example of a game medium. The visitor card and membership card are composed of IC cards.

  The CU 10 that has received these cards has a function of converting the game value (for example, the card balance, the number of possessed balls, the number of stored balls, etc.) owned by the player specified by the record information of the card into “game ball data”. . In the P stand 1, a ball game equivalent to the number of balls specified by the game ball data is made possible.

  On the front side of the CU 10, a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting bills, a card insertion / discharge port 309 for inserting a membership card and a visitor card, and the like are provided. The member card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 309 is received by a card reader / writer (not shown), and information recorded on the card is read.

  Here, the “storing ball” is a game medium deposited in a game hall, and is generally managed by a hall management computer or other management computer installed in the game hall.

  “Number of possessed balls” is the number of balls that the player possesses as a result of the player playing the game with the gaming machine on the card, and the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall That is. Generally, the number of balls that the player has acquired on the day of the game hall is called “mochidama”, and the number of balls that the player has acquired before the previous day and that has been deposited in the amusement hall is “save ball”. Say.

  The “game ball” is data on the number of balls that can be fired by the gaming machine. This data is generated in exchange for withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card, the holding ball, or the storage ball.

  Note that the number of possessed balls may be managed by a management device for managing the number of possessed balls set in the game hall. In short, the difference between “sold balls” and “mochidama” is the number of balls that have been deposited in the amusement hall as a result of a storage operation for depositing in the amusement hall, or is still deposited in the amusement hall. It is a point whether it is the number of balls of the stage which is not.

  In this embodiment, the stored ball data is not recorded directly on the member card, but is stored in association with the member card number in a hall server installed in a game hall such as a hall management computer, and the corresponding stored ball is stored based on the member card number. It is configured to be searchable. On the other hand, Mochitama records directly on the card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. In the case of a visitor card, Mochitama is recorded directly on the visitor card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. When storing in the hall server in association with the card number, data that can specify the time stored in the hall server may be written in the card (member card, visitor card) and discharged. Also, the prepaid balance is directly written on a card (member card, visitor card) and discharged.

  In addition, the timing of storing the holding ball in the card (member card, visitor card) or the hall server is stored at regular intervals, for example, stored in real time every time the counting button is operated and the counting process is performed. Or, when returning a card, it is memorized in a lump.

  The banknote inserted into the banknote insertion slot 302 is taken in by a currency discriminator (not shown), and its authenticity and banknote type are identified.

  A plurality of operation switch groups 38 are formed on the lower front frame 3B. The operation switch group 38 includes, for example, a ball lending button (also referred to as a lending button) and a return button. The ball lending button is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to a game ball) to withdraw the balance recorded on the inserted card and use it for a game by the P stand 1. The return button is operated when the player finishes the game, and the number of game balls determined at the end of the game on the inserted card (the number of balls at the time of card insertion-the number of conversions to game balls + counting operation) It is an operation button for memorizing and discharging the counted number of holding balls). The ball lending button and the return button may be provided in the CU 10.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the top, bottom, left, and right directions when the P table 1 is viewed from the front (front to be described later) are used as they are in the following description, and the side on which the player is located is forward (the The following explanation will be given with the opposite side as the rear). In addition, as shown to a figure, P stand 1 is comprised so that each structural member may overlap in the front-back direction.

  The P stand 1 has a vertically long rectangular outer frame 60 in the vertical direction. The outer frame 60 includes an upper plate 61 and a lower plate 62 made of a wooden plate material, and left and right side plates 63 and 64 made of a steel plate material. The upper plate 61 and the left and right side plates 63 and 64, and the lower plate 62 and the left and right side plates 63 and 64 are connected by a mounting bracket 65. Thereby, the outer frame 60 is formed in a square shape. The left and right side plates 63 and 64 are not limited to steel materials, and can be made of a metal material such as an aluminum material or a stainless material. A shaft hole 65 a is formed in the mounting bracket 65 provided at the upper left portion of the outer frame 60. A mounting pin (not shown) provided in the lower left portion of the outer frame 60 is formed with a shaft pin (not shown) protruding upward.

  The P base 1 has a main body frame 100 that is rotatably supported by the outer frame 60. The main body frame 100 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and has a rectangular shape like the outer frame 60 described above. The main body frame 100 holds the game board 2. Further, as will be described later, various driving means such as the launching device 14 are attached to the main body frame 100. A connecting piece 101 having a shaft pin 101a facing downward is attached to the upper left part of the main body frame 100 so as to protrude forward. Further, a connecting piece 102 having a shaft pin 102a protruding upward and a shaft hole (not shown) formed on the lower surface is attached to the lower left portion of the main body frame 100 so as to protrude forward.

  The shaft pin 101a formed on the connecting piece 101 of the main body frame 100 is inserted into the shaft hole 65a formed in the mounting bracket 65 of the outer frame 60, and is not shown provided at the lower left portion of the outer frame 60. The main body frame 100 is rotatably supported by the outer frame 60 by inserting the shaft pin through a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the connecting piece 102.

  Further, the P platform 1 includes an upper front frame 3A that is rotatably supported by the main body frame 100. The upper front frame 3 </ b> A is formed with a see-through window 3 </ b> C that is an opening corresponding to a game area formed on the game board 2. A transparent cover 11 that covers the see-through window 3C from the rear is attached to the upper front frame 3A by known fixing means (for example, screwing). The transparent cover 11 is made of, for example, a glass body. Thereby, the player can visually recognize the game area of the game board 2 through the transparent cover 11 attached to the see-through window 3C. The transparent cover 11 attached in this way forms a gap larger than the diameter of the game ball between the game board 2. Thereby, the game balls launched by the launching device 14 flow down the game area. The transparent cover 11 provided on the transparent window 3C is not limited to a glass body, and other transparent synthetic resins such as an acrylic resin and a polycarbonate resin may be used.

  A shaft hole (not shown) is formed in the lower surface of the connecting piece 103 of the main body frame 100. Further, a shaft pin 104 a protruding upward is formed on the upper surface of the connecting piece 104 of the main body frame 100. The upper front frame 3A is pivotally supported by these shaft holes (not shown) and a shaft pin 104a, and is rotatably supported by the main body frame 100.

  Further, the P platform 1 includes a lower front frame 3B below the upper front frame 3A. On the upper front side of the lower front frame 3B, a holding point display unit 35 and an operation unit 36 are provided, and on the right side of the lower front frame 3B, a hitting operation handle 37 for launching a game ball is provided. ing. The holding point display unit 35 is configured by a 7-segment, dot matrix LED, LCD (liquid crystal display device), and the like, and displays the player's points (game points). In addition, the operation unit 36 is provided with one or more of various switches (payment switch, interruption switch, ball lending switch, automatic ball lending switch, replay switch, card data switch, call switch), for example. ing. The hitting operation handle 37 is connected to a not-shown hitting device, and the player operates the handle ring of the hitting operation handle 37 to launch a game ball in the game area.

  In the lower front frame 3B, a display unit 50 is arranged on an arrangement surface 39 that is a space avoiding the holding point display unit 35 and the hitting ball operating handle 37. The disposition surface 39 for disposing the display unit 50 in the lower front frame 3B is formed so as to be retracted (offset) rearward from the rotation axis R of the lower front frame 3B. The arrangement surface 39 is provided with a locking portion (locking member) 39a for locking the display unit 50 to the lower front frame 3B. In addition, the latching | locking part 39a is not limited to what is provided in 2 sets side by side, for example, you may provide only one.

  In the lower front frame 3B, a shaft pin 105 facing upward is inserted into a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the lower surface of the connection piece 104 of the main body frame 100, and the shaft pin 102a of the connection piece 102 of the main body frame 100 is inserted. The main body frame 100 is rotatably supported by being inserted into a shaft hole (not shown).

  The display unit 50 is attached to the CU 10 via the arm 51A and is arranged on the arrangement surface 39 of the lower front frame 3B. The arm 51A has a plurality of rotating shafts (joints), and can move the display unit 50 freely. Therefore, the display unit 50 can be easily arranged on the arrangement surface 39. The display unit 50 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays various display screens to the player.

  Next, various devices for circulating game balls in the gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear.

  The main body frame 100 holds the game board 2 and has a launching device 14 at the upper left. The position of the launching device 14 is not limited to the upper left part of the main body frame 100, but may be the lower left part of the main body frame 100. The game balls are fired from the launch port (not shown) of the launching device 14 toward the game board 2, and the game balls that have not entered any winning hole flow down from the out port 8 toward the rear of the game board 2. To do.

  A main control board 16 and a payout control board 17 are provided behind the main body frame 100. The main control board 16 is provided on the rear side of the game board 2 and controls the progress of the game of the P table 1. The payout control board 17 is provided on a back cover 18 that covers the rear surface of the game board 2. On the payout control board 17, a ball removal switch 19 is provided for discharging game balls to the outside during maintenance or the like. Details of the beading process using the beading switch 19 will be described later. The back cover 18 has four legs 18 a, and each of the four legs 18 a is bolted to the main body frame 100. Thereby, the back cover 18 provided with the payout control board 17 is attached to the main body frame 100 in a state of covering a part of the rear surface of the main body frame 100.

  On the rear surface of the main body frame 100, a power supply device 21, a game ball detection device 27, a polishing device 23, and a lifting device 25 are further arranged. A power switch 21 a for the P base 1 is provided on the right side of the power supply device 21. The four legs 18a of the back cover 18 have a sufficient height so that the power switch 21a can be operated even when the back cover 18 is attached to the rear of the main body frame 100.

  The game ball detecting device 27 is a device that guides the game ball that has entered the out port 8 or the winning port to the polishing device 23, and constitutes a part of the circulation path. As will be described later, the polishing device 23 has a conveying screw (not shown) that constitutes a part of the circulation path. The polishing device 23 conveys the game ball toward the ball lifting device 25 with a conveyance screw (not shown) and polishes the game ball. The ball lifting device 25 is a device that transports (lifts) the game balls to the upper side of the P stand 1, and constitutes a part of the circulation path. In addition, the launching device 14 that is disposed at the upper part of the main body frame 100 and launches the game balls toward the game area of the game board 2 also constitutes a part of the circulation path. As described above, the game ball circulation path in the present embodiment basically includes the game ball detection device 27, the polishing device 23, the ball lifting device 25, and the launching device 14. Thus, the route is configured to return to the original position (for example, the firing position of the launching device 14). In addition to the above members, the game area of the game board 2 may be considered as a circulation path.

  Next, the path through which the game balls circulate in the P stand 1 will be described while explaining details of each device constituting the circulation path. In the P stand 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the game balls launched toward the game area of the game board 2 enter the winning port or the out port 8 (FIG. 3) and flow down to the game ball detecting device 27. . 4A and 4B are perspective views of the game ball detection device, where FIG. 4A is a view seen from the front, and FIG. 4B is a view seen from the rear.

  The game ball detection device 27 includes a detection device main body 29, a protective cover 68 attached to the rear surface of the detection device main body 29, and a presser plate 69 attached to the front surface. In the upper part of the detection device main body 29, an out ball receiving portion 66 that receives a game ball that has entered the out port 8 (FIG. 3) and a winning ball receiving portion 67 that receives a game ball that has entered the winning port are formed. .

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming ball detection device for a gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front. As shown in FIG. 5, the detection device main body 29 has a vertical path 120 directed downward, which is a flow path following the first inclined path 115, and a flow path following the vertical path 120. A certain second ramp 116 is formed. The presser plate 69 is attached to the front surface of the detection device main body 29 in order to define the sides of the first inclined path 115, the vertical path 120, and the second inclined path 116. The presser plate 69 is formed with a flow-down path 69 a that is a flow path following the second inclined path 116. Further, the detection device main body 29 is formed with a flow-down path 117 that guides the game ball to the rear, which is a flow path following the flow-down path 69a. Further, a third inclined path 121 (FIG. 6A) that is a flow path following the flow-down path 117 is formed on the front surface of the detection device main body 29. In addition, in the terminal part 122 of the 3rd inclined path 121, in order to form the flow path bent at right angles toward the discharge port 119 in the back, the wall body which the game ball which flowed down collides is formed.

  The protective cover 68 is provided on the rear surface of the detection device main body 29, covers the changeover switch 113, and defines the side of the third ramp 121. Further, the protective cover 68 is provided with a discharge port 119 for discharging the game ball from the game ball detection device 27. In this way, the game balls that have entered from the out port 8 (FIG. 3) are received by the out ball receiving portion 66, and the first ramp 115, the vertical path 120, the second ramp 116, the flow down path 69a, and the flow down path 117. Then, it flows down in the order of the third ramp 121 and is discharged from the discharge port 119 to the outside of the game ball detection device 27. The vertical path 120 is provided with an out ball detection sensor 88 that detects a game ball that has entered the out port 8 (FIG. 3). The out ball detection sensor 88 is a switch that detects both a magnetic material and a non-magnetic material. For example, the out ball detection sensor 88 includes a photo sensor, a micro switch, or the like. When the out ball detection sensor 88 detects a game ball made of a magnetic material or a non-magnetic material, the detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171.

  On the other hand, the game balls that have entered the winning opening flow down a ramp (not shown). Then, the ramps merge with the second ramp 116 at the junction 118 shown in FIG. 5 while changing the direction. The flow of winning balls downstream from the junction 118 is the same as the flow of game balls that have entered the out port 8 (FIG. 3). The game ball detection device 27 includes a winning ball detection sensor 110 (FIG. 10) that detects a gaming ball that has entered the winning opening. The winning ball detection sensor 110 is provided upstream of the junction (FIG. 5). The winning ball detection sensor 110 is a switch that detects both a magnetic material and a non-magnetic material. For example, the winning ball detection sensor 110 includes a photo sensor, a micro switch, or the like. When the winning ball detection sensor 110 detects a game ball made of a magnetic material or a non-magnetic material, the detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171.

  The game ball detection device 27 includes an adsorbing unit that adsorbs the magnetic material mixed in the circulation path in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and closes the flow path of the game ball with the adsorbed magnetic material. On the rear surface of the game ball detection device 27, a change-over switch 113 that can be rotated around a rotation shaft 112 (FIG. 6A) is provided. The changeover switch 113 includes an operation lever 113a and a magnet body holding portion 113b. The magnet body holding portion 113b holds a magnet body 114 made of a rectangular parallelepiped permanent magnet. When the changeover switch 113 is viewed from the rear, it is covered with the protective cover 68. However, a space is provided in which a finger can be inserted from above the protective cover 68 to rotate the changeover switch 113. Yes.

  Note that the change-over switch 113 (FIG. 6A) is attached in a state where the magnet body holding portion 113b is in contact with the stopper 123, and a sufficient interval is ensured between the magnet body 114 to be held and the game medium flowing down. Is in a state of being Therefore, the magnetic body that flows down is not attracted to the magnet body 114. That is, it can be said that the attachment state of the change-over switch 113 is a state in which it is impossible to attract the flowing game medium.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, a finger is put on the operation lever 113 a so that the magnet body 114 faces downward, and the changeover switch 113 is rotated about the rotation shaft 112. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a magnetic body is adsorbed and blocked by the game ball detection device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. b) is a view from the front.

  In the state shown in FIG. 6A, the magnet body 114 is arranged at a position adjacent to the third ramp 121 and is close to the flowing game medium. The magnet body 114 is adjacent to the terminal end 122 of the third ramp 121. The game balls flowing down the third ramp 121 collide with the wall formed at the end portion 122 and then are discharged from the discharge port 119 while changing the flow direction to the right. As described above, the game ball collides with the wall of the end portion 122, so that the flow speed of the game ball becomes slow at the end portion 122 of the third ramp 121. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the game ball 12 a made of mixed magnetic material is attracted to the magnet body 114. The game balls 12a made of the magnetic material thus adsorbed block the flow path (circulation path) of the game balls. Therefore, the subsequent non-magnetic game balls 12 are blocked and are connected upstream as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

  Generally, about 50 game balls are enclosed in a sealed pachinko gaming machine. In FIG. 6, for example, a state in which all 50 game balls 12 enclosed are connected upstream. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, even if all the enclosed game balls are blocked and connected upstream, the game ball detection device 27 A sufficiently long flow path is secured in the game ball detection device 27 so as to be accommodated in the game ball. Note that the game ball detection device 27 does not have a drive source for conveying the game ball 12. Therefore, even if the game balls 12a made of a magnetic material are blocked and the subsequent game balls 12 are connected upstream, the game balls do not come into contact with the drive source.

  Thus, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the magnetic switch 114 is rotated so that the magnet body 114 is positioned close to the flow path (circulation path), so that the non-magnetic game ball The game ball 12 a made of a magnetic material mixed in the magnetic material 12 is attracted to the magnet body 114. Thereby, the circulation of the game balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A, a ball clogging sensor 89 is provided on the back side of the second ramp 116. The ball clogging sensor 89 is configured by a photo sensor, a micro switch, or the like. The game balls before being fired by the launching device 14 stay on the second ramp 116, but when the game balls are fired by the launching device 14, the number of staying balls decreases. In particular, when game balls are continuously fired by the launching device 14, a predetermined number or more (for example, 49) of game balls are retained in the second ramp 116 in order to launch game balls with a margin without any breaks. It is necessary to keep. However, when the game balls launched into the game area cause a ball clogging on the game board surface, the number of game balls is less than a predetermined number on the second ramp 116, and the launching device 14 cannot continuously fire the game balls. Therefore, the ball clogging sensor 89 detects whether or not the game balls are clogged on the surface of the game board by detecting whether or not a predetermined number or more of the game balls stays on the second ramp 116. doing. That is, a ball clogging sensor 89 is provided at the position of the second ramp 116 when a predetermined number of game balls stay, and the ball clogging sensor 89 continuously detects the presence of a game ball for a specific time (for example, 2 seconds) or more. In this case, it is possible to detect that the game ball is not jammed on the game board surface.

  The payout control unit 171 calculates the total of the number of game balls detected by the out ball detection sensor 88 (the number of balls passing through the outlet: the number of non-winning balls) and the number of game balls (the number of winning balls) detected by the winning ball detection sensor. It is specified as the number of recovered balls (total number of returned balls). A recovery ball detection sensor is provided so that both the game balls that have passed through the winning ball detection sensor and the game ball that has passed through the out port can pass, and the number of recovered balls (total The number of returned balls may be specified.

  The game balls discharged from the game ball detection device 27 enter the polishing device 23 located below the game ball detection device 27. Although not shown, the polishing apparatus 23 mainly includes a polishing motor, a transport screw, a polishing cassette, and a cassette motor. The polishing motor is a motor for driving a polishing apparatus (conveying screw) to convey game balls in the polishing apparatus, and is disposed behind the conveying screw or the like. As described above, the transport screw transports the game balls to be polished while circulating.

  A first full detection sensor 75 is disposed in the vicinity of the polishing device 23 (here, the polishing end portion). The first fullness detection sensor 75 is, for example, a sensor at the entrance of the ball lifting device as shown in FIG. The first fullness detection sensor 75 is a sensor that detects that the game ball is full, and the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball has started to be inserted into the ball lifting device 25 by the start of the game. It also functions as a sensor. That is, the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects that a game ball has started to enter the area of the first fullness detection sensor 75, and the second fullness detection sensor 40 described later has not detected the full state of the game ball. On the condition that the ball lifting device 25 starts to be driven, and the game ball is detected to be full, the driving of the polishing motor 71 is stopped, and no more game balls are sent to the downstream side of the polishing device 23. It also has a function to make it state.

  That is, the game is performed by driving the polishing motor 71 and the polishing screw until the first full detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball is full after the polishing motor 71 starts driving (when it is not detected). The ball moves from the polishing start end toward the polishing end. Stop means is provided for stopping the driving of the polishing motor 71 when the first full detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball is full. If the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects the insertion of a game ball, the lifting motor 93 of the ball lifting device 25 constituting the circulation path starts to be driven, and the circulation path moves the game ball toward the ball lifting device 25. It can be transferred to

  The combined use of the functions of the first fullness detection sensor 75 is merely an example, and separate sensors may be provided according to the respective functions.

  The game balls that have passed through the circulation path of the polishing device 23 enter the ball lifting device 25 on the right side of the polishing device 23. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ball lifting device of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear. The ball lifting device 25 mainly has a lifting ball inlet 92, a lifting motor 93, a lifting screw 94, a lifting device cover 95, and a lifting ball outlet 96. The game balls that have entered the ball lifting device 25 from the lifting ball inlet 92 are installed so as to be sandwiched between the lifting screw 94 and the lifting device cover 95. When the sensor senses, the lifting motor 93 and the lifting screw 94 start to be driven in the same manner as the polishing motor 71, the polishing screw, and the cassette motor described above. Then, the game balls that come into contact with the lifting screw 94 are transferred upward along the lifting screw 94, and go out of the ball lifting device 25 from the lifting ball outlet 96.

  8 and 9 show the configuration of only the launching device in more detail, and the configuration of the launching device will be described with reference to these drawings. The launcher 14 includes a foul ball detection switch 33, a launch solenoid 41, a hitting hammer 42, a launch position 43, a ball passage 44, a launch ball inlet 46, a ball feed solenoid 47, a link 48, and a fulcrum 49. And has mainly. A second fullness detection sensor 40 is provided in the vicinity (back side) of the launching device 14. The 2nd fullness detection sensor 40 is a sensor which detects that the game ball arrange | positioned at a part of circulation path (the 2nd fullness detection sensor 40 is arrange | positioned, the downstream side of the ball lifting apparatus 25) was filled. The second fullness detection sensor 40 also functions as a sensor that detects that a game ball has started to be thrown into the launching device 14 at the start of the game. That is, the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that a game ball has started to enter the area of the second fullness detection sensor 40 and starts driving the launching device 14 (ball feed solenoid 47), and the game ball is full. This function is also used to stop the driving of the lifting motor 93 so that no more gaming balls are sent to the downstream side of the ball lifting device 25.

  Conversely, until the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that the game ball is full in the ball lifting device 25 (while it is not detected) after the lifting motor 93 starts driving, The game ball moves upward through the ball lifting device 25 by driving the lifting motor 93.

  The combined use of the functions of the second fullness detection sensor 40 is merely an example, and separate sensors may be provided according to the respective functions.

  Further, the drive control of the polishing motor 71 and the lifting motor 93 is performed in each case regardless of whether or not the balls are detected by the sensors (polishing entrance ball detection sensor 701, first fullness detection sensor 75) on the upstream side of the ball movement. You may control to start a drive, when the full state of a ball is no longer detected with the sensor (1st fullness detection sensor 75, 2nd fullness detection sensor 40) of the ball movement downstream.

  If the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that the game ball is full, the driving of the lifting motor 93 is stopped and no more gaming balls are sent to the moving downstream side of the ball lifting device 25. It becomes. That is, there is provided a stopping means for stopping the driving of the lifting motor 93 when the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that the game ball is full. If the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects the insertion of the game ball, the circulation path is in a state where the game ball can be transferred toward the launching device 14.

  The launch position 43 corresponds to an exit exiting the launching device 14 for launching a game ball with respect to the launch ball inlet 46. The ball passage 44 is a game ball passage that passes through the inside of the launching device 14 from the launch ball entrance 46 to the launch position 43.

  The ball feed solenoid 47 is a solenoid for transporting the game balls in the ball passage 44 toward the firing position 43. The link 48 and the fulcrum 49 are members having the same function as, for example, a polishing screw in the polishing apparatus 23 that controls the conveyance of the game balls in the ball passage 44. Specifically, when the ball feed solenoid 47 starts to be driven by the payout control board 17, the link 48 is attracted to the ball feed solenoid 47 by excitation of the ball feed solenoid (solenoid coil) 47. As a result, the link 48 rotates around the fulcrum 49. In the state where the link 48 is not attracted by the solenoid 47, as shown in FIG. 8, the flow of the subsequent game balls is stopped, but when the link 48 is attracted, the link 48 moves upward. The game balls swing and allow the game balls to flow down, and only one game ball is conveyed toward the downstream side of the ball passage 44. The link 48 is configured such that when a part in contact with a game ball is sucked, one game ball on the upstream side enters the part. By repeating excitation and de-energization of the solenoid 47, the game is played one by one. Works like sending out a ball.

  A shot ball detection switch 99 is provided slightly upstream of the link 48. When one game ball is sent out by the swing of the link 48, the shot ball detection switch 99 enters a ball non-detection state for a moment. The fired ball detection switch 99 detects that one ball has been fired by going from the ball detection state to the ball non-detection state for a moment. The payout control unit 171 receives a detection signal from the firing ball detection switch 99 and determines that one ball has been fired. Note that the firing may be detected by the second fullness detection sensor 40 instead of the firing ball detection switch 99. Specifically, the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that one ball has been fired by detecting a state where the game ball is not full for a moment from a full state. In addition, the firing may be detected by combining both the second fullness detection sensor 40 and the firing ball detection switch 99. Furthermore, another sensor may be provided in the circulation path, and the launch may be detected by detecting the flow of the game ball in the circulation path of the sensor.

  The launch solenoid 41 is a solenoid that is driven to launch a game ball from the launch position 43 toward the game area of the game board 2. The hitting hammer 42 is a hammer that hits a game ball in order to fire the game ball. The hitting hammer 42 has a rotating shaft 51 and a coil suction portion (not shown), is an arm-shaped member, and applies an impact force to the game ball as the arm moves around the rotating shaft 51. , Fire this towards the game area. Specifically, when the firing solenoid 41 (solenoid coil) is excited, the hitting hammer 42 has a coil suction portion (not shown) formed on the arm around the rotation shaft 51 to excite the solenoid coil. A reciprocating motion such as being attracted to the region or returning to the original position by the restoring force of a spring (not shown) due to the excitation release of the solenoid coil occurs, and a game ball is fired using this reciprocating motion. The intensity of the game ball firing is adjusted by a variable resistor whose resistance value changes depending on the amount of rotation of the hitting ball operating handle 37.

  The foul ball detection switch 33 is a switch that is provided in the middle of the path of the ball passage 44 and detects a state in which game balls are accumulated in the ball passage 44 and are stagnant. If the foul ball detection switch 33 detects that the game ball in the middle of the path of the ball path 44 is not fired and is stagnating, the feeding operation in which the game ball is conveyed toward the downstream of the movement of the ball path 44 is performed. The operation is stopped, and the operation of launching a game ball from the launch position 43 to the game area is performed exclusively. Specifically, for example, while the game ball firing operation is repeated three times (three game balls are fired from the firing position 43), the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 is stopped and the ball path of the game ball is stopped. The flow down to 44 is blocked by the link 48, and only the discharge (firing) of the ball from the ball passage 44 is performed. In this way, the game balls existing in the ball passage 44 are suppressed from being in an excess state.

  Here, the hitting operation of the hitting hammer 42 and the transporting operation of the game ball to the launch position 43 of the ball feed solenoid 47 are performed independently by time control. That is, the operation in which the hitting hammer 42 fires the game ball and the operation in which the ball feed solenoid 47 transports the game ball toward the firing position 43 are controlled so as to have the same speed (one in 0.6 seconds). ing.

  If the foul ball detection switch 33 is on, for example, a trajectory (launch trajectory) in the game area of the game ball fired at the launch position 43 (including the vicinity of the launch position 43), the foul ball detection switch 33 has been fired. The game ball or the hitting hammer 42 may be damaged by the impact. However, as in the present embodiment, the foul ball detection switch 33 is provided at a location (ball passage 44) different from the launch trajectory of the game ball fired at the launch position 43. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of breakage due to the game ball hitting.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the CU 10 and the P stand 1. With reference to FIG. 10, the outline of the control circuit of CU10 and P stand 1 is demonstrated.

  The CU 10 is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The CU control unit 323 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a work area of the CPU. Random Access Memory) and an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices.

  The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external communication unit (not shown) for communicating with a hall management computer and a hall server (not shown) for security management, and the payout control of the P stand 1 A security board 325 is provided for communication with the board 17 while ensuring security. The CU 10 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the P stand 1 side, and the P stand 1 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the CU 10 side. These connection parts are constituted by connectors, for example.

  The security board 325 on the CU side and the payout control board 17 on the P platform side are communicably connected via this connector and connection wiring. The security board 325 is provided with a communication control IC 325a for controlling communication between the security board 325 and the payout control board 17, and a security chip (SC) 325b for monitoring the security of the P unit 1. The SC 325b further includes a fraud detection unit 1325. The fraud detection unit 1325 performs fraud detection by monitoring the game ball addition request information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the P stand 1, and manages the key when fraud is detected. Notify server (not shown). Also, the setting value (constant) for fraud detection is notified from the key management server as board control information.

  The above-described money discriminator identifies the authenticity and type of the bill, and the identification result signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the IR photosensitive unit receives infrared rays emitted from a remote controller owned by a game attendant, the received light signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The card reader / writer reads the recorded information of the inserted card, and the read information is input to the CU control unit 323. At the same time, the data to be written to the inserted card from the CU control unit 323 to the card reader / writer. When transmitted, the card reader / writer writes the data to the inserted card.

  The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the player's possession balls when the player is playing. Data such as a balance or the number of game balls is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350 and converted into display data by the display control unit 350. The display data converted by the display control unit 350 is output to the display 312 and the display 312 displays the output display data. Further, when the player operates a touch panel provided on the surface of the display 312, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. When the player operates the ball lending button 38 a, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. Note that the ball lending button 38 a is not limited to the configuration provided in the CU 10, and may be configured to be provided in the P stand 1 and input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the replay button 38c, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the return button 38b, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323.

  The P base 1 controls the drive of the main control board 16 that controls the progress of the game of the P base 1, the payout control board 17 that manages and stores the game balls, and the firing solenoid 41 based on the commands of the payout control board 17 And a variable display device 278 are provided.

  As described above, the main control board 16 is provided on the game board 2. The main control board 16 is equipped with a game control microcomputer as the main control unit 161. A microcomputer for gaming machine control includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, and a RAM (RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU). Random Access Memory) and an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices. The main controller 161 is connected to a winning sensor 162 and a radio wave sensor 163 provided on the game board 2. The game board 2 is further provided with a display control board (effect control board) for controlling the variable display device 278 and the like.

  The payout control board 17 is provided on the main body frame 100. The payout control board 17 is equipped with a payout control microcomputer which is a payout control unit 171.

  The payout control microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a work area of the CPU. Random Access Memory) and an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices.

  In addition, the payout control board 17 is provided with a ball removal switch 19. The ball removal switch 19 is a switch for discharging the enclosed pachinko game ball by maintenance of the P stand 1 or the like. Although details will be described later, the depression of the beading switch 19 is one condition for executing the beating process. Specifically, by turning on the power switch 21a in a state where the ball removal switch is pressed, a ball removal initial process is executed, and then, when a firing operation is detected, game balls that cannot be discharged by automatic flow down are detected. The driving source (specifically, the polishing motor 71, the lifting motor 93, the ball feeding solenoid 47, and the firing solenoid 41) for discharging is automatically activated. A holding point display unit 35 is connected to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 displays the player's points (game points) and “error code” on the point display unit 35.

  Further, with respect to the payout control board 17, a fired ball detection switch 99, a winning ball detection sensor 110, an out ball detection sensor 88, a ball clogging sensor 89, a polishing entrance ball detection sensor 701, a foul ball detection switch 33, a lifting motor 93, The polishing motor 71, the ball feed solenoid 47, the first fullness detection sensor 75, the second fullness detection sensor 40, the third fullness detection sensor 77, the counting button 28, and the radio wave sensor 173 are provided in an electrically connected state. . The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting an illegal act of illegally transmitting radio waves.

  A detection signal of the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the payout control unit 171 via an input port (not shown) of the payout control board 17.

  However, if an illegal radio wave is generated, the number of game balls is not subtracted no matter how many balls are fired. Such radio fraud is detected by the radio wave sensor 173. Here, there is a possibility that the firing ball detection switch may be a target of fraud by radio waves. In other words, if the balls that were actually fired were collected and detected by the firing ball detection switch, the number of fired balls and the number of collected balls (the total number of balls that have passed through the outlet and the number of winning balls) As a result, an abnormality is detected and fraud detection information (see fraud detection information 2 in FIG. 16) of “launch / OUT inconsistent balls” is transmitted from the P unit 1 to the CU 10. However, by sending unauthorized radio waves to the fired ball detection switch to make it undetectable, there is a problem that the fraud detection information of the “number of fired / OUT mismatched balls” is not transmitted from the P unit 1 to the CU 10. . In the present embodiment, since the radio wave sensor 173 also detects unauthorized radio waves transmitted to such a shot ball detection switch, the above-described inconvenience can be prevented.

  Further, a shot ball detection switch 99 is provided slightly upstream from the ball feed solenoid 47 (see FIG. 8), and each time a play ball is detected by the shot ball detection switch 99, a payout control unit. 171 subtracts “1” from the number of game balls. Specifically, the subtraction ball number counter is updated by adding “1” and the number of game balls is updated by “1”.

  As another modified example of subtracting and updating the number of game balls by “1”, there is a method using a foul ball detection switch 33. Originally, the foul ball detection switch 33 detects the full foul ball when the foul ball is filled in the ball passage 44, as will be described later. In this case, the foul ball detection switch 33 outputs a continuous detection signal instead of an instantaneous pulse signal, and the payout control unit 171 that has received the continuous detection signal receives a foul ball in the ball passage 44. Judge that it is full. On the other hand, when the ball feed solenoid 47 is energized once and one game ball flows down the ball passage 44 and the passing ball is detected by the foul ball detection switch 33, an instantaneous pulse signal is detected as a foul ball detection. Output from the switch 33. The payout control unit 171 that has received the instantaneous pulse signal may control to update the subtraction ball number counter by “1” and update the number of game balls by “1”.

  In this way, the foul ball detection switch 33 is configured to detect a game ball passing through the ball passage 44 in order to subtract the number of game balls and detect a foul ball filling the ball passage 44 to detect both. It may be configured as a dual-purpose switch.

  From main control board 16 to payout control board 17, main control chip ID, winning opening information, round information, connection confirmation signal, winning detection signal, starting winning opening winning information, error information, number of symbols determined, jackpot information, manufacturer specific Jackpot information is sent.

  The main control chip ID (also referred to as main chip ID) is a chip ID recorded on the main control board 16 of the P base 1 and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the P base 1 is turned on. Information. The winning opening information is information including the type of winning opening (start winning opening, ordinary winning opening, large winning opening) and the number of winning balls (the number of balls to be paid out when a game ball enters the winning opening). It is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the table 1 is powered on. The round information is information on the number of rounds when the jackpot is made, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the P unit 1 is turned on.

  The connection confirmation signal is a signal for confirming that the main control board 16 and the payout control board 17 are connected, and a signal of a predetermined voltage is constantly supplied from the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 is configured to control the operation on the condition that the payout control board 17 receives the predetermined voltage signal. The winning detection signal is a detection signal of a game ball that has won a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. Upon receiving this detection signal, the payout control board 17 performs control to add the number of balls to be given to one winning ball to the number of game balls and the number of added balls. This will be described in detail later.

  The start winning award winning information is information indicating that the game ball has won a prize in either the first starting winning award or the second starting winning award. The error information is information for notifying the payout control board 17 when an error occurs while the main control board 16 is performing game control.

  The symbol determination number of times is information on symbols determined as display results of the variable display device for winnings at each start winning opening.

  The jackpot information is information indicating that a jackpot has occurred. The breakdown includes common jackpot information indicating a jackpot common to each manufacturer and manufacturer-specific jackpot information indicating a manufacturer-specific jackpot. The common jackpot information is a jackpot commonly used by each gaming machine manufacturer, such as 15 round jackpots, and includes probability variation information when a probability change occurs with the jackpot. When the time-short state (control state for shortening the variable display time of the variable display device) occurs, the time-shortage information is included. The manufacturer-specific big hit is a big hit state that is adopted only by a certain gaming machine manufacturer, such as sudden probability change (surprise).

  A health check command and a winning ball number acceptance command are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the main control board 16. The health check command is a command for checking whether or not the main control board 16 is operating normally. The prize ball number acceptance command is a command indicating that the additional number of balls has been accepted.

  The out balls collected from the out port 8 are detected by an out ball detection sensor 88 (see FIG. 4), and an out ball detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171. Also, the winning balls collected from the winning opening are detected by a winning ball detection sensor (not shown), and a winning ball detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171. Further, the polishing entrance ball detection sensor 701 detects a game ball that passes through, and a game ball detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171.

  The security board 325 of the CU 10 and the payout control board 17 of the P stand 1 are electrically connected. As will be described later, a recovery request, a recovery detail request, a communication start request, Various commands such as a communication end request, status information, card insertion notification, card return notification, and communication test request are transmitted.

  The recovery request is a command for requesting notification of recovery information to the P unit 1 as will be described later. The payout control board 17 receives the recovery request and notifies the CU 10 of the recovery information of the P unit 1. The recovery detail request is a command for requesting notification of recovery detailed information to the P unit 1. The payout control board 17 receives the recovery detail request and notifies the CU 10 of the recovery detailed information of the P unit 1. The communication start request is a command for requesting the P unit 1 to start communication. The payout control board 17 receives the communication start request and responds to the CU 10 with the communication start. The communication end request is a command for requesting the P unit 1 to end communication. The payout control board 17 receives a communication end request and responds to the CU 10 with the communication end.

  The status information request is a command for requesting the P machine 1 to notify the status information. The payout control board 17 receives the status information request and notifies the CU 10 of the status information of the P platform 1. The card insertion notification is a command for notifying the P unit 1 that a card has been inserted. The payout control board 17 receives the card insertion notification and responds to the CU 10 that the card has been inserted. The card return notification is a command for notifying the P unit 1 that the card has been returned. The payout control board 17 receives the card return notification and responds to the CU 10 that the card has been returned. The communication test request is a command for notifying the P unit 1 of test data. The payout control board 17 receives the communication test request and returns test data to the CU 10.

  Various responses such as a recovery response, a recovery detail response, a communication start response, a communication end response, a status information response, a card insertion response, a card return response, and a communication test response are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the security board 325.

  The main body frame 100 is provided with a firing control board 31 and a firing solenoid 41. The firing control board 31 emits a firing solenoid excitation output to drive the firing solenoid 41 when an input signal of a touch ring for detecting that the player is touching the hitting ball operating handle 37 is input.

  A firing control signal and a firing permission signal are output from the dispensing control board 17 to the firing control board 31. Upon receiving this, the firing control board 31 outputs a signal for exciting the firing solenoid 41. Thereby, it will be in the state by which a game ball is bullet-launched to a game area | region.

  The main body frame 100 is provided with a display unit 50. The display unit 50 receives display data from the display control unit 350 of the CU 10 and displays a display screen. As described above, in the present embodiment, the display unit 50 on the P base side is configured to be controlled on the CU side. Instead, the display unit 50 is displayed on the P base side. A display control substrate for controlling may be provided. In this case, the display control board controls the display unit 50 based on a command from the payout control unit 171. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the detection signal of the out ball detection sensor 88 and the detection signal of the firing ball detection switch 99 are input to the payout control unit 171.

<Notification processing for abnormalities occurring in card units and pachinko machines>
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a notification process when an abnormality is detected as a result of mutual authentication.

  Referring to FIG. 11, when an abnormality occurs in CU control unit 323, security board 325, payout control unit 171, or main control board 16, notification is given in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 11. For the abnormality mentioned here, the CU control unit 323, the security board 325, the payout control unit 171, or the main control board 16 is replaced with another illegally manufactured one, or malfunction or failure occurs due to noise or the like. Or offline status due to disconnection or the like. The key management server 800 shown in FIG. 11 is a key management server that stores the SID and authentication key of the CU communication control unit in association with each serial ID (also referred to as SID) of the electronic component inside the CU 10. is there. The key management server 800 is a server that can communicate with the main control board 16.

  First, when an abnormality occurs in the security board 325 of the CU 10, the CU control unit 323 detects an abnormality as a result of the mutual authentication performed between the CU control unit 323 and the security board 325 described above. This mutual authentication includes device authentication using a session key in addition to serial ID authentication and device authentication described later.

  The serial ID is a serial ID (substrate serial ID) of the security board 325, and is stored in the ROM of the security chip 325b when the security chip 325b of the security board 325 is manufactured. When the CU 10 is loaded into the amusement hall and then connected to the hall server 801, the board serial ID is downloaded from the key management server 800 of the key management center via the hall server 801 and stored in the CU control unit 323. The

  When the CU control unit 323 detects an abnormality of the security board 325, the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 to that effect and transmits an abnormality notification command to the display control unit 350 of the CU 10. The CU control unit 323 controls the display 312 to display that an abnormality has occurred, and causes the display control unit 350 to perform an abnormality notification by turning on or blinking an abnormality notification lamp (not shown). Further, the CU control unit 323 transmits a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred from the external communication unit to the hall management computer.

  When an abnormality occurs in the CU control unit 323 of the CU 10, the security substrate 325 detects the occurrence of the abnormality by the above-described mutual authentication, and notifies the payout control unit 171 of a signal indicating that (an abnormality notification signal). The security board 325 notifies the payout control unit 171 with a parallel signal via the PIF circuit 326 which is a parallel interface circuit. In response, the payout control unit 171 notifies the main control board 16 that an abnormality has occurred. As described above, the main control board 16 performs control to operate the abnormality notification lamp and transmits a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred to the hall management computer.

  When the security board 325 detects an abnormality of the payout control unit 171, the CU control unit 323 is notified of this, and the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 accordingly.

  As described above, when the security board 325 detects an abnormality in the CU control unit 323, the security board 325 notifies the payout control unit 171 via the PIF circuit 326. On the other hand, when detecting an abnormality in the payout control unit 171, the security board 325 notifies the fact. The notification is made to the CU control unit 323, and the notification destination of the occurrence of abnormality by the security board 325 is different. The reason for this is that even if the control unit in which an abnormality has occurred is notified that an abnormality has occurred, no abnormality notification control is performed, and no abnormality prevention measures are taken. In addition, the security board 325 has a communication control function but does not have an abnormality notification control function. Therefore, the abnormality notification cannot be controlled by itself, and for this reason, notification is made that an abnormality has occurred in the direction of the control unit opposite to the control unit where the abnormality has occurred. The payout control unit 171 that has received the notification of the occurrence of the abnormality from the security board 325 via the PIF circuit 326 notifies the main control board 16 accordingly. Upon receiving the notification, the main control board 16 performs the same control for abnormality notification as described above.

  When an abnormality occurs in the payout control unit 171, that fact is detected by the security board 325, and the CU control unit 323 is notified that the abnormality has occurred, and the CU control unit 323 performs the above-described abnormality notification control. The hall server 801 is notified that an abnormality has occurred. When an abnormality occurs in the payout control unit 171, it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the main control board 16, and upon receiving the notification, the above-described abnormality notification control is performed.

  As described above, the payout control board 17 detects and notifies the abnormality to the main control board 16 when an abnormality occurs in the security board 325, while notifies the abnormality to the main control board 16. It detects and notifies the security board 325 that an abnormality has occurred. As with the security board 325 described above, the payout control board 17 also performs control for anomaly notification even if a notice is given to the control unit in which an abnormality has occurred when it is detected that an abnormality has occurred. Therefore, a notification is sent to the control unit or control board on the opposite side of the control unit where the abnormality has occurred. The security board 325 and the payout control board 17 are not connected to an abnormality notification means such as an abnormality notification lamp or an abnormality notification display, and have a function of performing abnormality notification control themselves even when an abnormality is detected. Absent. In the above description, the security board 325 and the payout control board 17 are not connected to an abnormality notification means such as an abnormality notification lamp or an abnormality notification display, and perform abnormality notification control themselves even when an abnormality is detected. Although described as having no function, the security board 325 and the payout control board 17 may be provided with an abnormality notification function to directly notify that an abnormality has occurred.

<Transmission / reception mode between card unit side and pachinko machine side>
Next, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing main data among various data stored on the CU 10 side and the P stand 1 side, and transmission / reception modes thereof. With reference to FIG. 12, main ones of various data stored on each of the CU 10 side and the P stand 1 side and transmission / reception modes thereof will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the fluctuation of the number of game balls is calculated on the P stand 1 side, and the current latest game ball number is stored and managed. The CU 10 side also calculates and stores the current number of game balls, and the number of game balls is based on information transmitted from the P stand 1 side. On the other hand, the number of possessed balls (the number of cards possessed), the number of accumulated balls, and the remaining prepaid amount (remaining amount) are managed and stored on the CU 10 side.

  FIG. 12 shows RAM storage data provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU 10 side and RAM storage data mounted on the payout control board 17 on the P base 1 side. First, when the power is turned on for the first time when the P table 1 and the CU 10 are electrically connected after being installed in the amusement hall, the payout control board 17 on the P table 1 side changes from the main control board 16 to the main chip. An ID (main control chip ID) is transmitted, the main chip ID is transmitted to the CU 10 side, and a payout chip ID (payout control chip ID) stored in the payout control board 17 itself is transmitted to the CU10 side. .

  On the CU 10 side, the transmitted main chip ID and payout chip ID are stored. Next, the connection time, that is, the data at the time when the CU 10 side and the P stand 1 side are connected and the communication is started is transmitted from the CU 10 side to the P stand 1 side. Remember.

  In this state, three pieces of information of the main chip ID, the payout chip ID, and the connection time identified on the CU 10 side are stored on the CU 10 side and the P stand 1 side. When the power is turned on thereafter, the three pieces of information, that is, the main chip ID, the payout chip ID, and the previous connection time data are transmitted from the P stand 1 side to the CU 10 side.

  On the CU 10 side, the transmitted data and the already stored data are collated, and it is determined whether or not the same P unit 1 as in the previous time is connected. As for the connection time data, every time the power is turned on, new connection time data in which communication between the CU 10 side and the P stand 1 side is started is transmitted from the CU 10 side to the P stand 1 side. The time data is stored on the P table 1 side.

  Both the CU 10 and the P platform 1 add the “sequential number” to the message and transmit it. Moreover, both CU10 and P stand 1 memorize | store the "serial number" received from the other party. There are three types of “serial number”: “normal serial number”, “additional serial number”, and “counting serial number”. “Normal sequence number” indicates the sequence number of the message. The “normal serial number” is transmitted by counting up (+1) the serial number received by the CU 10 side (primary station side) with an initial value “1”. However, the “normal serial number” is not counted up at the time of retransmission. P station 1 side (secondary station side) transmits the received serial number as it is. Note that there is no response if the serial number continuity is not established. The “additional serial number” is a serial number used when the CU 10 requests the game machine 1 to add game balls. The “counting serial number” is a serial number used when the P stand 1 requests the CU 10 to count game balls.

  Only the CU 10 has the normal serial number update right. When the same normal serial number as the transmitted normal serial number is returned, the CU 10 stores the normal serial number as a backup and transmits the updated normal serial number. Only the CU 10 has the addition update right of the addition serial number. When making an addition request, the CU 10 transmits an addition serial number added to the addition serial number that has been used for communication until then to the P unit 1. When the P machine 1 approves the request, it returns the same addition serial number. When rejecting the request, the previously received addition sequence number (the addition sequence number received this time-1) is returned. Only the P-unit 1 has the right to update the counting sequence number. When making a count request, the P platform 1 transmits a count sequence number added to the count sequence number used for communication to the CU 10 until then. When the CU 10 accepts the request, it returns the same counting sequence number. When rejecting the request, the received counting sequence number (counting sequence number-1 received this time) is returned.

  In the following, regarding “normal serial number”, a configuration in which the serial number received by the CU 10 during transmission is counted up (+1) and transmitted. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and each of the P base 1 and the CU 10 or the serial number received by the P base 1 at the time of transmission is counted up (+1), and the other is the received serial number. May be transmitted as it is.

  The “addition serial number” and “counting serial number” are special serial numbers that are counted up in the addition request processing and the count request processing, respectively. Hereinafter, a description will be given of a configuration in which “normal serial number” is also counted up when the “additional serial number” and “counting serial number” are counted up. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured to stop the “normal sequence number” from being counted up when the “additional sequence number” and the “counting sequence number” are counted up. In the following, “normal serial number” is simply referred to as “serial number”. The “additional sequence number” and “counting sequence number” are also collectively referred to as “request sequence number”.

  The latest gaming machine information (game machine information being counted) is transmitted from the P stand 1 side to the CU 10 side. The latest gaming machine information is stored in the latest gaming machine information storage area of the RAM of the payout control unit 171 (see FIG. 10) on the P table 1 side. Specifically, information on the added ball number counter, information on the subtracted ball number counter, and information on the counted ball number counter are included. Note that the number of game balls is not included in the latest game machine information, and is transmitted from the P stand 1 side to the CU 10 side as a count value of the game ball number counter, as will be described later. However, instead of this, or in addition to the game ball counter, the number of game balls may be included in the latest gaming machine information.

  Information on these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU 10 side as a response. The added ball number counter is a counter that counts the added ball number. The added ball is the sum of “the number of winning balls × the number of winning balls” and “the number of back balls”. The back ball is a foul ball. That is, the addition ball indicates the number that the addition ball counter should add to the game ball. The subtraction ball number counter is a counter that counts the number of subtraction balls. The subtraction ball is the “number of fired balls”. That is, it is the number of balls in which the output change from on to off in which the shot ball detection switch 99 is in a ball non-detection state for a moment is detected. Note that the “number of balls to be subtracted” does not include the “number of balls to be counted”. The counting ball counter is a counter that counts the counting balls. The counting ball is “the number of balls converted from game balls to holding balls by the counting operation”. Here, the “prize ball” is a ball that is paid out when a ball wins a winning opening, and is a safe ball. The “fired ball” is a ball fired by the gaming machine. When there is a back ball, the number of balls obtained by subtracting the back ball is the number of fired balls. The “back ball” is a ball in which the fired ball returns without jumping onto the board surface. The “out mouth passing ball” is a ball that has passed through the out mouth 8, and the total number of the out balls and the safe balls means the number of the out mouth passing balls.

  For example, when a pachinko ball that has been placed in a game area wins and the winning information is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17, the number of balls to be added based on the winning information Is added, and the value of the added ball counter (added ball count) is transmitted from the P stand 1 side to the CU 10 side. Further, the subtraction ball counter counts the number of shot balls as the subtraction ball number based on the output change from on to off of the shot ball detection switch 99 due to the pachinko ball being shot in the game area, and the subtraction ball The value of the number counter (the number of subtraction balls) is transmitted from the P stand 1 side to the CU 10 side.

  Alternatively, the payout control unit 171 counts the number of gaming balls as the number of counting balls by pressing the counting button 28, and transmits the value of the counting ball number counter (counting number of balls) from the P stand 1 side to the CU 10 side.

  On the P-unit 1 side, each time the values of the addition ball counter, subtraction ball counter, and counting ball counter are transmitted to the CU 10 side, these count values are stored in the previous gaming machine information storage area (the RAM of the payout control unit 171). Etc.) are stored (rewritten) as backup data, and the values of the added ball counter, subtracted ball counter, and counted ball counter as the latest gaming machine information are cleared to 0 (excluding the game ball counter). In the present embodiment, “clear” has the same meaning as “initialization”.

  As a result, data on the number of added balls, the number of subtracted balls, and the number of counted balls, which are the gaming machine information transmitted to the CU 10 side immediately before, are backed up in the storage area of the previous gaming machine information (game machine information transmitted immediately before). Stored as data. When the latest gaming machine information is not transmitted from the P stand 1 side to the CU 10 side, the backup data includes not only the current counter value but also the previous counter value that was not transmitted at the next transmission. It is intended to enable transmission. The number of game balls transmitted immediately before may be added to the previous gaming machine information and stored.

  Further, the payout control board 17 updates the value of the game ball counter in response to the occurrence of a prize, the firing of a ball, the occurrence of a back ball, and the occurrence of a counting ball (conversion from a game ball to a holding ball), The updated value of the game ball counter is transmitted to the CU 10 side as the number of game balls.

  On the CU10 side, the number of game balls, the number of cards held (simply referred to as the number of balls), the number of balls, the remaining amount, the total number of added balls (total number of added balls), and total subtraction are stored in the cumulative data storage area in the RAM. The number of balls (the total number of subtracted balls) and the number of balls at the time of card insertion are stored. The number of cards possessed is the number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of possessed balls paid out (the number of balls converted from the number of cards possessed to the number of game balls) from the number of balls possessed when the card is inserted, and adding the counted number of balls. That is, the card possession number is the number of possession possessed by the player at the present time.

  The total number of added balls is added based on the value of the added ball number counter (the number of added balls) transmitted from the P stand 1 side to update the number of balls. Further, the number of balls is updated by subtracting the total number of subtraction balls based on the value of the subtraction ball counter (the number of subtraction balls) transmitted from the P stand 1 side. Further, based on the value of the counting ball counter transmitted from the P stand 1, the number of cards held is added and updated. In this way, the CU 10 can manage the latest information by updating the total added ball number, the total subtracted ball number, and the card holding ball number with the latest gaming machine information transmitted from the P unit 1 one by one. It becomes possible.

  As shown in the figure, the CU 10 has an area for storing game balls, and also receives a count value of a game ball number counter (also referred to as game ball number or game ball total number information) from the P stand 1 side. The CU 10 updates the area for storing game balls in the following procedure. In other words, the CU 10 stores the value based on the value of the addition ball number counter (addition ball number), the value of the subtraction ball number counter (subtraction ball number), and the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P stand 1 side. The number of game balls being updated is updated, and it is determined whether or not the count value of the game ball counter transmitted from the P stand 1 side at the same timing matches the updated number of game balls. If they match, the game is allowed to continue. If they do not match, control to shift to an error state is performed.

  As a result, for example, an error notification is performed by the abnormality notification lamp or the indicator 312 or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the hall management computer or hall server 801 (in this case, hall management). An error notification may be made by a computer or hall server 801). As a result, a predetermined notification that prompts an artificial response by a staff member is performed.

  Instead of shifting to the error state and stopping the game, the number of game balls stored on the CU 10 side may be replaced with the count value of the game ball number counter transmitted from the P unit 1 side. Good. Alternatively, it may be corrected to an average value of the number of game balls managed on the CU 10 side and the number of game balls stored on the P stand 1 side.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the number of game balls is also stored on the CU 10 side, but it is determined whether or not the number of game balls matches the number of game balls managed and stored on the P unit 1 side. (CU10 side function). Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which the number of game balls stored on the P stand 1 side does not match the number of game balls stored on the CU 10 side due to fraud or other circumstances, it can be checked. Here, the determination function is provided on the CU 10 side. However, for example, the number of game balls stored on the CU 10 side and stored on the P stand 1 side by the hall server 801 or the hall management computer connected to the CU 10. It is also possible to receive the number of game balls being played and determine whether or not they match.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the CU 10 has a storage area for storing the number of cards held and the number of stored balls, a storage area for storing the prepaid balance of the received (inserted) card, and the total number of added balls (the number of added balls). (Cumulative total), the total number of subtracted balls (total number of subtracted balls), and a storage area for storing balls when the card is inserted. The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 10) stores a stored ball in response to an input requesting the use of the stored ball (for example, a press input of the replay button 38c provided in the CU 10 (when there is no holding ball)). Subtract a certain number of balls from the area.

  The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 10) stores the ball according to an input requesting the use of the ball (for example, pressing input of the replay button 38c provided on the CU 10 when the ball is present). A predetermined number of balls are subtracted from the area. Further, the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 10) subtracts a predetermined value from the storage area for storing the prepaid balance in response to an input requesting use of the prepaid balance (for example, pressing input of the ball lending button 38a).

  If the player performs an operation that uses a value of a predetermined amount from the possession value (for example, the number of possessed balls, the number of stored balls, or the remaining amount of prepaid) owned by the player and uses it in the game, the number of balls to be withdrawn Is added from the CU 10 side to the P stand 1 side. In response to this, the P stand 1 side adds and updates the game ball counter.

  On the other hand, in the gaming system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accept a so-called wagon service order in which the possession value owned by the player is withdrawn and exchanged for a drink or the like. However, access to wagon services with game balls is restricted, and wagon services can only be received with holding balls. This is an image in which, in a conventional encapsulated pachinko game machine in which each counter is provided, it is prohibited to grab a ball before counting remaining on a plate and use it for a wagon service.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, when the operation for performing the wagon service is executed, if the number of balls is less than the number corresponding to the desired menu of the wagon service, the player is prompted to perform the counting operation. Has been. When the player performs a counting operation at that time, the number of counting balls based on the operation is transmitted from the P stand 1 side to the CU 10 side. In response to this, the CU 10 side subtracts the number of game balls and adds and updates the number of card possessions.

<Frame configuration used in communication>
Next, communication between the CU 10 and the P base 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. A message used in the communication is composed of a frame having a predetermined format. Transmission data (message) is always transmitted in units of one frame. That is, the divided transmission of the message is not performed. Moreover, when transmitting a message | telegram continuously, the space | interval of 1 millisecond or more is opened.

  One frame of transmission data includes a data length, a normal sequence number, an addition sequence number, a counting sequence number, a command, and a data portion. “Data length” indicates the data length of the transmission data (serial number to data portion (business message range)). “Command” is a command code of the message. The “data part” is data of a message.

<Commands and responses sent and received between the CU and the P platform>
Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the outline of the command and response transmitted / received between CU10 and P stand 1 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 13 shows the transmission direction, whether the data to be transmitted is a command or a response, the name of transmission information, and its outline.

<< Recovery request, Recovery response >>
First, a command named recovery request is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P unit 1. This recovery request command is for requesting recovery information from the P unit 1. In response to this recovery request, a response named recovery response is transmitted from the P base 1 to the CU 10. The response of this recovery response notifies the CU 10 of recovery information.

  The recovery request command is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P unit 1 after the CU 10 completes the authentication. The recovery request command requests recovery information from the CU 10 to the P unit 1, and the CU 10 first transmits the command after the authentication is completed. The recovery request includes “serial number”, “command”, “previous last transmission serial number”, and “previous final transmission count serial number”. “Serial number” is a sequence number (1 to 255). “Command” is a command code for the recovery request, and is represented by binary data in hexadecimal representation.

  “Previous last transmission sequence number” is the sequence number of the status information request command last transmitted to the P unit 1 at the time of the previous connection. When “Previous Last Transmission Sequence Number” is “0”, this indicates a state where there is no stored sequence number. The “previous last transmission serial number” is a serial number that stores the “serial number” as the last final transmission serial number (serial number) when the status information response is received by the CU 10 and when the status information response is received by the CU 10. It is.

  The “last last transmission count sequence number” is a count sequence number of the response to the status information request last transmitted to the P unit 1 at the previous connection. “Last transmission count sequence number” indicates that there is no stored sequence number when “0”. The “previous last transmission count sequence number” is a sequence number that stores the count sequence number as the previous last transmission count sequence number on the P unit 1 and the CU 10 when receiving the status information response to the CU 10 when the P unit 1 transmits the status information response. .

  In the recovery process (number of balls) of the P table 1, “store code” and “SC substrate ID” notified from the security board 325 in the count history sequence described later, and “store code” held by the P table 1 And “SC board ID” are determined to match, and if they match, the following processing is performed. If they do not match, the count request ball count = 0 is set in the subtraction register and notified to the user program.

  The P stand 1 refers to the “previous last transmission count sequence number” notified from the CU 10 and sets the count request ball count = 0 to the subtraction register when the CU 10 has not performed the count process for the count request. The user program executed on the P machine 1 is notified. When the CU 10 has already performed the counting process, the count request ball number notified to the CU 10 is set in the subtraction register and notified to the user program. When all the store codes held by the P platform 1 are “F” (hexadecimal), it is determined that the store codes match. When the “store code” notified from the security board 325 and the “store code” held by the P platform 1 do not match, the user program side is notified of the store code mismatch via the register. When the P machine 1 receives a recovery request command from the CU 10, it notifies the user program side via the register.

  The response of the recovery response is a response to the recovery information held by the P unit 1 to the CU 10. Recovery information includes “Serial Number”, “Command”, “Last Last Sending Serial Number”, “Last Inserted Card ID”, “Previous Card Insertion Time”, “Last Last Sent Additional Serial Number”, “Unit Price”, “Game Information” It includes “presence / absence of storage”, “previous gaming machine information” and “previous gaming information”. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  “Previous last transmission serial number” is data of a serial number included in the response of the status information response last transmitted to the CU 10 at the time of the previous connection, and when “0”, there is no stored serial number. “Previously inserted card ID” is data of the card ID of the card that was being inserted at the previous connection, and “0” indicates that there is no inserted card. The payout control unit 171 of the P table 1 stores and holds the card ID that was being inserted based on the information transmitted from the CU 10.

  “Previous card insertion time” is data on the insertion time of a card that was being inserted at the time of the previous connection. When “0”, there is no inserted card. This data is also represented by year information as 2 digits YY, month information as 2 digits MM, day information as 2 digits DD, time information as 2 digits hh, minute information as 2 digits mm, and second information as 2 digits ss. It is. The “previous last transmission addition serial number” is an addition serial number included in the response of the status information response last transmitted to the CU 10 at the previous connection. When “0”, there is no additional serial number. The “ball unit price” is a unit price (0.01 yen to 99.99 yen) per ball played on the P stand 1. “Game information storage presence / absence” is “0x00” when game information is not stored, and “0x01” when game information is stored.

  The “previous gaming machine information” is gaming machine information previously notified to the CU 10 and includes information on “number of gaming balls”, “game ball information”, “count requesting ball count”, and “counting serial number”. “Number of game balls” is the number of game balls notified to the CU 10 last time. “Game ball information” is the game ball information notified last time. The game ball information is, for example, information such as the number of shot balls notified to the CU 10 last time, the number of balls that have passed through the outlet, and the total number of prize balls. The “count required ball number” is the number of game balls requested to be counted. “Counting sequence number” is the counting sequence number notified to the CU 10 last time.

  The “previous game information” is game information notified to the CU 10 last time, and includes information of “number of game information” and “game information 1” to “game information n”. “Number of game information” is the number (0 to n) of game information notified to the CU 10 last time. Note that n = 0 to 22 and the length is variable. “Game information 1” is the game information 1 notified to the CU 10 last time. “Game information n” is the game information n previously notified to the CU 10. The game information n includes, for example, type information notified to the CU 10 last time, game prize ball information, and the like.

  The “previous last transmission addition serial number” is a serial number that is stored as the last final transmission addition serial number on the CU 10 side and the P base 1 when the status information request is received at the CU 10 and when the status information request is received at the P base 1.

  In the recovery process (game information) of the P table 1, the “store code” and the “SC substrate ID” notified from the security board 325 in the counting history sequence described later, the “store code” held in the P table 1, and A match determination with “SC board ID” is performed, and if the “store code” does not match, the recovery data is processed as nothing. If they match, the following processing is performed.

  When there is recovery data of game information, “game information storage presence / absence” is stored: set to 0x01, the previous “game ball number”, the previous “game ball information”, the previous “count request ball number”, the previous “ The recovery data held by the P unit 1 is set in the “counting serial number”, the previous “number of game information”, and the previous “game information 1 to n”. When there is no recovery data of game information or when the last transmission serial number is 0, “game information storage presence / absence” is set to “0x00” without storage, the previous “game ball information”, the previous “count request ball number”, the previous “0” is set in the “counting serial number” and the previous “number of game information”. However, the number of game balls notified last time is set as the number of game balls. When all the store codes held by the P platform 1 are “F” (hexadecimal), it is determined that the store codes match.

  When it is determined that the “store code” notified from the security board 325 and the store code held by the P platform 1 do not match, it is processed as no card. That is, ALL “0” is set for “last inserted card ID” and “previous card insertion time”.

  The P unit 1 stores the serial number at the time of the status information request response as the last final transmission serial number. If the “store code” and “SC board ID” notified from the security board 325 do not match the information held in the P units, the last transmission serial number = 0 is notified. If the “store code” and “SC board ID” notified from the security board 325 match the information held in the P units, the last transmitted serial number stored is notified.

  The P table 1 stores the counting sequence number as the last transmission counting sequence number at the time of transmission of the status information response. If the “store code” and “SC board ID” notified from the SC 325b do not match the information held in the P units, the last transmission count serial number is notified as 0. When the “store code” and “SC board ID” notified from the security board 325 match the information held in the P units, the last last transmission count serial number stored is notified.

  In addition, when the process of the “previous last transmission serial number” notified from the P unit 1 is not performed, the CU 10 performs the recovery process using the previous gaming machine information. If the “last last transmission serial number” process is being performed, the CU 10 performs the recovery process using only the previous gaming machine information. However, the number of balls is not recovered.

<< Recovery Request 2, Recovery Response 2 >>
A command named recovery request 2 is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P unit 1. The command of the recovery request 2 notifies the added recovery information to the P unit 1. In response to this recovery request 2, a response named recovery response 2 is transmitted from the P platform 1 to the CU 10. This response of the recovery response 2 notifies the CU 10 of the processing result of the added recovery information.

  The command of the recovery request 2 is to notify the additional recovery information to the P unit 1, and includes data of “serial number”, “command”, “previous last transmission additional serial number”, and “number of additional balls”. Yes. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. The recovery request 2 is transmitted when the CU 10 determines that it is necessary to perform the additional ball recovery process on the P platform 1. The CU 10 compares the “previous last transmission addition serial number” included in the recovery response received from the P unit 1 with the “previous final transmission addition serial number” stored in the CU 10 and matches the added ball recovery. It is determined that processing is not necessary, and in the case of mismatch, it is determined that addition ball recovery processing is necessary. When it is determined that addition ball recovery processing is necessary, a recovery request 2 is transmitted.

  The “last last transmission addition serial number” included in the recovery request 2 is data of the addition serial number of the command of the status information request last transmitted to the P unit 1 at the time of the previous connection. This is data on the number of balls added.

  Next, the recovery process of the P unit 1 will be described in detail. The recovery process of the P unit 1 is based on the recovery request 2 and, if the “last previous transmission serial number” process notified by the CU 10 has not been performed, This is a process of performing addition on the image.

  The response of the recovery response 2 notifies the CU 10 of the processing result of the added recovery information on the P unit 1 and includes “serial number”, “command”, and “recovery result”. The “recovery result” is a recovery result process OK when “0x00”, and a recovery result process NG when “0x01”. In addition, when the P stand 1 is in a state where the number of additional balls cannot be received, processing NG is returned as a recovery result.

  When performing the recovery process (additional number of balls) for the P unit 1, if the P unit 1 has not performed the process of the “previous last transmission addition serial number” notified from the CU 10, the process is processed as a “recovery result” to the CU 10. , The number of balls to be added notified from the CU 10 is set in the addition register and notified to the user program. When the number of added balls notified from the CU10 = 0, the number of added balls = 0 is set in the addition register, notified to the user program, and the processing OK is returned to the CU10. However, if the gaming machine state 1 responds with a game ball addition result (Bit5 = 1) in the state information response when the CU state of the state information request to be described later is a game ball addition request (Bit3 = 1), a “recovery” is sent to the CU10. Processing NG is returned as a “result”, and the number of balls to be added = 0 is set in the addition register and notified to the user program.

  When the “previous last transmission addition serial number” notified from the CU 10 is the same as the “previous final transmission addition serial number” held by the chip of the P unit 1, the number of balls to be added = 0 is set in the addition register, The user program is notified, and processing NG is returned as a “recovery result” to the CU 10. When “last last transmission addition serial number” notified from CU10 = 0, the number of additional balls = 0 is set in the addition register regardless of the number of additional balls notified from CU10, and the user program is notified to CU10. The process OK is returned.

  In addition, at the timing when the recovery process is completed (for example, when the recovery completion flag is set), the “previous last transmission addition serial number” notified from the CU 10 is notified to the user program via the register regardless of the recovery result. . When the recovery request 2 is not received, the “previous last transmission addition serial number” held by the chip of the P unit 1 is notified to the user program at the timing when the recovery process is completed.

<< Request for status information >>
A status information request command is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P unit 1 at predetermined intervals (for example, 200 ms). This status information request command is for requesting the status of the CU 10 to the P unit 1. The CU 10 uses this command to periodically check the status of the P unit 1. The status information request command includes the number of balls to be added from the CU 10 side to the P stand 1 side shown in FIG.

  The status information request will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of the status information request. Specific data of the status information request includes data of “serial number”, “command”, “CU state”, “additional ball number”, “additional serial number”, “counting serial number”, and “ball unit price”. Yes. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  The “CU state” represents the state of the CU 10 to be notified to the P stand 1, and the card insertion state is ON when Bit 0 is “1”, that is, the card insertion state is “0”, and the card insertion state is “0”. OFF, that is, no card is inserted. That is, Bit0 represents a state (card insertion state) in which a card (general card / member card) is inserted in CU10. In addition, a general card is being inserted by depositing into a stock card (general 0 yen 0 card) stocked in advance in the card stock section of CU10.

  When Bit1 is “1”, the card unit is being opened, and when it is “0”, the card unit is being closed. That is, Bit1 notifies the P unit 1 of the card unit opening state according to the state of the CU10. The timing for notifying the opening of the card unit is, for example, when the opening of the card unit is completed. The timing for notifying that the card unit is closed is, for example, when the store is closed. In addition, when the same state changes from opening to closing, the P stand 1 notifies the CU 10 as a count information number of all the game balls it holds as a count information response. When Bit 1 is regarded as a closing flag, the closing flag is OFF when Bit 1 is “1”, and the closing flag is ON when Bit 1 is “0”.

  When Bit 2 is “1”, the card return preparation is in progress, and when “0”, the card return preparation is not in progress. The CU 10 notifies the P stand 1 of “preparing for card return” for a certain period (10 seconds) by setting this bit during each operation of card return, simple leaving, and meal break. When the operation of the counting button 28 is detected, the P table 1 has operated the counting button once or a plurality of times if it has received a status information request with the bit ready for card return turned on. Regardless of the operation duration time, the stored game balls are all notified as count balls to the CU 10 by a status information response.

  When Bit 3 is “1”, the game ball addition request is ON, ie, there is a game ball addition request, and when “0”, the game ball addition request is OFF, ie, there is no game ball addition request. That is, Bit3 requests addition of game balls (the number of added balls) at the time of ball lending, holding ball payout, and stored ball payout operations.

  When Bit 4 is “1”, completion of counting ball reception is indicated, and “0” indicates that counting ball is not received. Bit 4 notifies P stand 1 that it has been received when the counting ball is received. That is, it is used to confirm delivery of the response “count ball” of the state information response. When receiving the counting ball reception completion, the P unit 1 checks whether the counting sequence number is the same as that of the P unit 1, and if the sequence numbers do not match, notifies the CU 10 without subtracting the number of game balls.

  When Bit 5 is “1”, card removal is waiting, and “0” indicates completion of card removal. Bit 5 notifies P stand 1 of the state of waiting for card removal from CU 10. Bit 6 and Bit 7 are not used.

  The “added ball number” is the added ball number of game balls, and the data of the added ball number is valid only when Bit 3 in the CU state is “1”. The “addition serial number” is an addition sequence number (0 to 255), and is notified by updating (+1) the sequence number when a game ball addition request is made. The “counting sequence number” is a counting sequence number (0 to 255), and the count sequence number received when the count is requested is notified as it is. However, if the continuity of the counting sequence number is not established, the counting is not received.

  The “ball unit price” is a unit price (0.01 yen to 99.99 yen) per game ball played on the P stand 1. The unit price notified from the CU 10 to the P unit 1 is stored in the RAM of the payout control board 17 of the P unit 1, for example. And the P stand 1 notifies the CU 10 by the status information response of the unit price stored in the RAM when a predetermined condition is established. Specifically, when recovery information for returning from a communication disabled state is requested from the CU 10 to the P unit 1 (a recovery request command is transmitted from the CU 10), the P unit 1 returns a response to the recovery response. Set the unit price and send it to CU10. That is, the ball unit price is not output to the outside except for notifying the CU 10 at the time of recovery response. The unit price stored in the P unit 1 is set in the response of the recovery response when the recovery request command is transmitted from the CU 10 and is transmitted to the CU 10. As a result, it is possible to accurately grasp the unit price of the game balls that were played on the P stand 1 before the recovery, and to resume the game with an appropriate game value after the recovery. Further, by not outputting the ball unit price stored in the P stand 1 to the CU 10 other than notifying the CU 10 at the time of the recovery response, security is secured so that the ball unit price is not changed illegally. Furthermore, the ball unit price stored in the P unit 1 prohibits overwriting a new unit unit price when the P unit 1 holds the number of game balls. Even if the P unit 1 holds the number of game balls, the ball unit price stored in the P unit 1 is allowed to be overwritten, and the stored game unit number is converted into the overwritten unit price and displayed. May be configured to update.

<< Status information response >>
In response to the status information request, a response of the status information response is transmitted from the P base 1 to the CU 10. This response of the status information response notifies the CU 10 of the information / status of the P unit 1. The response of the state information response includes the latest gaming machine information and the number of game balls shown in FIG.

  The status information response will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. 15 and 16 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the contents of the status information response. Specific data of the status information response includes “sequential number”, “command”, “CU control unit request information”, “number of game balls”, “number of fired balls”, “number of balls passed through outro”, “total prize ball” Number "," count required number of balls "," counting serial number "," launch strength "," gaming machine status "," gaming machine error status "," fraud detection information "," fraud detection status "," additional serial number ", And "game information" data. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  The “number of game balls” is the current number of game balls (the number of game balls as a result of calculating addition / subtraction). “Number of fired balls” is the number of fired balls (summed if there are balls fired multiple times at the time of transmission). The “number of balls that have passed through the out mouth” is the number of balls that have passed through the out mouth 8 (summed when there are a plurality of balls that have passed through during transmission). “Total number of prize balls” is the total number of prize balls in the prize ball information 1-n. The “count request ball number” is the number of game balls requested to be counted. The “counting serial number” is a counting sequence number (0 to 255), and is updated (+1) and notified when a counting is requested.

  “Launch strength” is information on the launch strength of a game ball. The “gaming machine state” indicates the state of the P machine 1 at the time when the command for requesting the state information is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P machine 1, and the “gaming machine state 1”, “gaming machine state 2”, “ It includes information on “gaming machine state 3” and “gaming machine error state”.

  For example, Bit 5 of “gaming machine state 1” indicates a result of whether or not P player 1 has added a game ball in accordance with the addition request received from CU 10. Bit5 is set to “0” when the game balls are normally added, and Bit5 is set to “1” when the game balls are not normally added.

  The “fraud detection information” is information detected by the P machine 1 at the time when the command for requesting the status information is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P machine 1, and includes “fraud detection state 1” and “fraud detection state 2”. , And “fraud detection information 1” to “fraud detection information 4”.

  For example, Bit 6 of “fraud detection state 2” is an illegal ball lending detection flag, and indicates whether or not an addition request has been received in a state where no card is inserted in the CU 10. Bit 6 is set to “0” when an addition request is received with a card inserted into CU 10, and Bit 6 is set to “1” when an addition request is received with no card inserted into CU 10. Specifically, the payout control unit 171 sets Bit 6 to “1” when it determines that a card is not inserted into the CU 10 in response to an addition request in a status information request reception process (see FIG. 22) described later. Set to. Bit 6 in “fraud detection state 2” is once set to “1”, and is maintained in a state where it is set to “1” until the power supply of P stand 1 is turned off.

  The “fraud detection information 3” is valid when Bit 6 of the “fraud detection state 2” is “1”, and the number of balls that have been tried to be lent by the card not inserted (also referred to as the number of illegal lent balls). It represents the accumulated result.

  “Addition sequence number” is a sequence number for addition, and the addition sequence number received at the time of addition request is notified as it is. However, if the continuity of the addition sequence number is not established, the addition NG is notified.

  The “fraud detection state 3” is fraud detection information of the payout control board 17. For example, Bit 1 in “fraud detection state 3” indicates fraud detection information for iron ball detection when “1”.

  The “game information” is information on the P device 1 at the time when a command for requesting the state information is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P device 1. , “Count information 1” to “count information n”.

<< Card insertion notification, card insertion response >>
A card insertion notification command is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P unit 1. This card insertion notification command notifies the P unit 1 of card insertion. In response to this card insertion notification, a response of a card insertion response is transmitted from the P base 1 to the CU 10. The response of this card insertion response is a response indicating that the card insertion notification has been received with respect to the CU 10.

  The card insertion notification command notifies the card ID and insertion time of the inserted card to the P-unit 1 when the card is inserted, and “sequential number”, “command”, “card ID”, “card insertion time”, Data of “store code” and “SC board ID” are included. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  The “card ID” is identification ID information of the IC card inserted into the CU 10 and is used for associating with a game ball held by the P stand 1. “Card insertion time” is the time when the IC card is inserted into the card insertion / eject port 309 (see FIG. 1) of the CU 10. The year information is 2 digits YY, the month information is 2 digits MM, and the day information is 2 digits. The data is DD, time information is represented by two digits hh, minute information is represented by two digits mm, and second information is represented by two digits ss. The card insertion time is used to determine whether the game ball held by the P stand 1 is the current day ball or the past ball.

  The “store code” is a store identification code in which the CU 10 is installed, and is used for associating with a game ball held by the P stand 1. It is also used to determine whether the CU 10 has been moved to the store. The CU 10 stores a store code where the CU 10 is installed. The store code is added to the security board 325 and notified to the P units. The “SC board ID” is an SC board ID for identifying the CU 10 and is used to determine whether or not the CU 10 has been replaced. The SC board ID is notified from the security board 325 with information added to the P board 1. The payout control unit 171 of the P table 1 stores information notified by the card insertion notification command such as the card ID (C-ID) and the card insertion time. The “store code” and “SC board ID” are not notified to the user program side and are deleted in the payout control circuit.

  The response of the card insertion response notifies the CU 10 that the card insertion notification has been normally received, and includes “serial number”, “command”, and “result” data. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. “Result” indicates whether or not the card ID and the card insertion time are normally overwritten when the dispensing control unit 171 receives the card insertion notification, that is, whether or not the card insertion notification is normally received. ing. When the card insertion notification is normally accepted, OK is indicated as “result”, and when the card insertion notification is not normally accepted, NG is indicated as “result”. If the “card insertion time” specified by the card insertion notification is a value having a format other than a value having a predetermined format (for example, BCD value (binary decimal number)), the result is NG. Is shown.

  Here, the operation of the P table 1 at the time of card insertion / return notification will be described. First, a card or general card is inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 309 of the CU 10 or a card is notified to the P stand 1 as a card insertion notification by depositing a general 0 yen 0 coin card. Information such as ID and card insertion time is notified. When there is a card insertion notification, the P table 1 backs up information such as the card ID and the card insertion time. However, when a card insertion notification command is received and a status information request including information on the status of the CU 10 including the card insertion status (Bit 0 = 1 in the CU status) is received (when it is determined that the card P is in the card insertion status in the P unit 1) P table 1 transmits only a response without backing up information such as card ID and card insertion time. When the card return button 322 of the CU 10 is pressed, a card return notification is made to the P unit 1, and the P unit 1 clears information such as the backed up card ID and card insertion time. The condition for canceling the card insertion state is when the P stand 1 receives the card return notification command.

  When the P table 1 has normally overwritten the card ID, the card insertion time, etc., that is, when the card insertion notification has been received normally, the card insertion flag indicating that the card is in the inserted state is stored in the RAM of the payout control unit 171. Set.

<< Card return notification, card return response >>
A card return notification command is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P unit 1. This command for notifying card return notifies the P unit 1 of card return. In response to this card return notification, a response of a card return response is transmitted from the P stand 1 to the CU 10. The response of this card return response is a response to the card return to the CU 10.

  Note that the CU 10 does not return the card when the card ID included in the command does not match the ID of the currently inserted card or when there is a problem with the card insertion time included in the command. , Such as prohibiting the writing of the possession card to the card.

  Here, the operation of the P stand 1 at the time of card insertion notification or card return notification will be described. At the time of card insertion notification, if the CU 10 performs an operation for inserting a member card, inserting a general card, or depositing a general 0 yen 0 coin card, the P stand 1 backs up the card ID and the card insertion time. When the CU 10 performs an operation of pressing the “card return” button at the time of the card return notification, the P table 1 clears the card ID and the card insertion time. Further, the P table 1 clears the card insertion flag set in the RAM of the payout control unit 171.

<Main sequence in communication between CU and P platform>
<< Send command and response >>
First, transmission of commands and responses between the CU 10 and the P platform 1 will be described. A command is transmitted from the CU 10 (primary station) to the P station 1 (secondary station), and the P station 1 returns a response to the CU 10 in response to the command. In other words, the transmission of the business message is a command / response system in which the CU 10 is a primary station and the P unit 1 is a secondary station.

  The period from the transmission of the first command to the P unit 1 from the CU 10 to the transmission of the next command is controlled to 200 ms, that is, 0.2 seconds. Further, the period from the transmission of the response from the P base 1 to the CU 10 until the transmission of the next response is controlled to 200 ms, that is, 0.2 seconds.

  Thus, both a command and a response are transmitted between the CU 10 and the P base 1 at an interval of 200 ms. On the other hand, by operating the hitting operation handle 37, the P platform 1 hits 100 pachinko balls into the game area per minute, so the hitting time interval is 0.6 seconds. As a result, a plurality of commands and responses are transmitted and received while firing one ball.

  Therefore, responses for notifying the amount of change in the number of game balls are sequentially transmitted from the P platform 1 to the CU 10 at intervals shorter than the ball firing time interval. As a result, the P stand 1 can notify the CU 10 of the amount of change in the number of game balls in detail.

  Here, the transmission interval of the command and the response is set to 200 ms. However, the transmission interval may be longer or shorter than this. For example, the transmission interval may be set to the emission time of the P table 1. It is also possible to match the interval.

<< Card insertion >>
Processing of the CU 10 and the P stand 1 when a card is inserted will be described. As shown in FIG. 17, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a card insertion state = OFF to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P machine 1 returns a response of a status information response including serial number = n and game prohibition to the CU 10.

  Thereafter, in the CU 10, when a card is inserted, the card reader / writer outputs a command signal for taking the card into the card reader / writer, and the card reader / writer reads information (such as a card ID) stored in the taken-in card. Processing at the time of card insertion, such as receiving the read information, is executed. Note that information (such as a card ID) stored in a card read by the card reader / writer may be stored in the CU 10.

  The CU 10 is in a card information inquiry state for a predetermined period after the card is inserted. This is in the middle of verifying whether the inserted card is appropriate, whether it is a member card registered at the game hall, or inquiring the hall server 801 about the holding ball, the accumulated ball, the prepaid balance, etc. This means that it is in the middle of executing the process of displaying the fact on the display 312 and displaying it on the display unit 50 on the P platform 1 side.

  Since the CU 10 does not authenticate the inserted card while displaying that the inserted card is being inquired on the display 312, the status information request including the serial number = n + 1 and the card insertion state = OFF is displayed. The command is transmitted to P unit 1. In response to this, the P machine 1 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1 and the game prohibition to the CU 10. The display unit 50 on the P platform 1 side is controlled by the display control unit 350 of the CU 10 to display that the card is being inquired.

  Thereafter, when the inserted card is authenticated, the CU 10 stores the card ID and the card insertion time of the card in the RAM of the CU control unit 323, and the serial number = n + 2, the card ID, the card insertion time, and the store code. , And a card insertion notification command including the SC board ID is transmitted to the P unit 1. The store code and the SC board ID are information added to the command when the card insertion notification command passes through the security board 325. In response to this, the P unit 1 backs up the received card ID, card insertion time, store code, and SC board ID data to the RAM of the payout control unit 171 or the like. When the P card 1 normally overwrites the card ID, the card insertion time, and the like, the card insertion flag is set in the RAM of the payout control unit 171, and the response of the card insertion response including the serial number = n + 2 and the result = OK is sent to the CU10. Reply to In the CU 10 as well, the card ID of the inserted card is stored in the RAM of the CU control unit 323 or the like.

  In response to this, the CU 10 sends a status information request command including a serial number = n + 3 and a card insertion state = ON to the P unit 1 to notify the P unit 1 of the card insertion status. The P-unit 1 receives the notification that the card is being inserted, permits the game, and returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 3 and the game permission to the CU 10, thereby indicating that the game is being permitted. To notify.

  During card insertion, the CU 10 sends a status information request command including a serial number = n + 4 and a card return ready state = ON to the P unit 1, and the P unit 1 responds to a status information response including a serial number = n + 4 and a game permission. Is returned to CU10.

  Further, a case where a card insertion notification command is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P unit 1 during card insertion will be described. First, the CU 10 transmits a card insertion notification command including a serial number = n + x, a card ID, a card insertion time, a store code, and an SC board ID to the P unit 1. When a card insertion notification command is transmitted during card insertion, the transmitted card ID and card insertion time are often different from the card ID and card insertion time of the card being inserted, and are stored in P unit 1. There is a high possibility that fraud that intentionally changes the current card ID or the card insertion time has been performed.

  Therefore, the P table 1 does not back up the received card ID, card insertion time, store code, and SC board ID data to the RAM or the like of the payout control unit 171. Whether or not the card is being inserted in the P stand 1 can be easily determined based on the card return preparation state = ON information included in the command for requesting the state information.

  Next, the P unit 1 returns a response of the card insertion response including the serial number = n + x and the result = NG to the CU 10 without backing up the received card ID, card insertion time, and the like. Note that the CU 10 does not store the card ID, the card insertion time, and the like transmitted by the card insertion notification command in the RAM of the CU control unit 323 or the like. Thereby, the card ID is intentionally transmitted to the P unit 1 while the card is inserted, and the fraudulent act such as falsification of the card ID stored in the P unit 1 can be prevented, and security is improved. Can do.

<< Card return >>
Processing of the CU 10 and the P stand 1 when the card is returned will be described. Note that FIG. 18 illustrates processing after the “card return” button is pressed. As shown in FIG. 18, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a card insertion state = ON to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P machine 1 returns a response of a status information response including serial number = n and game prohibition to the CU 10. Next, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n + 1 and card insertion state = ON to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P machine 1 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1 and the game prohibition to the CU 10.

  After that, when the card is returned, the CU 10 transmits a card return notification command including the serial number = n + 2 to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P platform 1 returns a response to the card return response including the serial number = n + 2 to the CU 10. After returning the response of the card return response to the CU 10, the P table 1 clears the card ID and the card insertion time data stored in the RAM of the payout control unit 171 and clears the card insertion flag.

  Then, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n + 3 and card insertion state = OFF to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P machine 1 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 3 and the game permission to the CU 10. Thereafter, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n + 4 and card insertion state = OFF to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P machine 1 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 4 and the game permission to the CU 10.

  The conditions for overwriting (updating) the card ID and insertion time will be described in more detail. As described above, the card ID and the insertion time are prohibited from being updated during card insertion. As a prohibiting condition, the relationship between the card insertion notification command and the CU status included in the status information request command will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the relationship among a card insertion notification command, a CU state included in a state information request command, and a card insertion state.

  First, in FIG. 19A, the CU state included in the status information request command before the card unit 1 receives the card insertion notification command is in the card insertion state (card insertion state = ON, Bit0 = “1”). ) Is shown as an example.

  The state (1) shown in FIG. 19A is a card insertion waiting state, the card 1 is not received by the P unit 1 (the card insertion flag is not set), and is transmitted from the CU 10. This is a case where the CU state included in the command for requesting the state information is not card insertion (card insertion state = OFF, Bit0 = “0”). In this case, since the CU 10 is not inserting a card, the P table 1 enables overwriting of the card ID and the insertion time when receiving a card insertion notification. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of the card insertion response including the result = OK to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  Next, the state (2) shown in FIG. 19A is a card insertion ready state, the P unit 1 has not received a command for card insertion notification (the card insertion flag is not set), and the CU 10 This is a case where the CU state included in the transmitted state information request command is card insertion (card insertion state = ON, Bit0 = “1”). Also in this case, since the CU 10 is not inserting a card, the P base 1 enables the card ID and the insertion time to be overwritten when a card insertion notification is received. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of the card insertion response including the result = OK to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  Next, a state (3) shown in FIG. 19A is a card insertion state, and the P unit 1 receives a card insertion notification command (the card insertion flag is set) and is transmitted from the CU 10. This is a case where the CU state included in the command for requesting the state information is card insertion (card insertion state = ON, Bit0 = “1”). In this case, assuming that the CU 10 is inserting a card, the P platform 1 prohibits overwriting of the card ID and the insertion time when receiving a card insertion notification. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of a card insertion response including the result = NG to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  Next, the state (4) shown in FIG. 19A is a card return preparation state, the P unit 1 has not received the card return notification command (the card insertion flag is set), and from the CU 10 This is a case where the CU state included in the transmitted command for requesting the state information is not card insertion (card insertion state = OFF, Bit0 = “0”). In this case, the P base 1 prohibits overwriting of the card ID and the insertion time when receiving the card insertion notification, assuming that the CU 10 has not yet returned the card and the card is being inserted. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of a card insertion response including the result = NG to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  Next, the state (5) shown in FIG. 19 (a) is a card return state, in which the P table 1 receives a card return notification command (the card insertion flag is not set) and is sent from the CU10. This is a case where the CU state included in the command for requesting information is not card insertion (card insertion state = OFF, Bit0 = “0”). In this case, since the CU 10 is not inserting a card, the P table 1 enables overwriting of the card ID and the insertion time when receiving a card insertion notification. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of the card insertion response including the result = OK to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 19B, the CU state included in the command of the status information request after the P table 1 receives the card insertion notification command is in the card insertion state (card insertion state = ON, Bit0 = “1”). An example is shown.

  The state (1) ′ shown in FIG. 19B is a card insertion waiting state, the P unit 1 does not receive the card insertion notification command (the card insertion flag is not set), and is transmitted from the CU 10. This is a case where the CU state included in the command for requesting the state information is not card insertion (card insertion state = OFF, Bit0 = “0”). In this case, since the CU 10 is not inserting a card, the P table 1 enables overwriting of the card ID and the insertion time when receiving a card insertion notification. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of the card insertion response including the result = OK to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  Next, a state (2) ′ shown in FIG. 19B is a card insertion preparation state, the P unit 1 receives a card insertion notification command (the card insertion flag is set), and is transmitted from the CU 10. This is a case where the CU state included in the command for requesting the state information is not card insertion (card insertion state = OFF, Bit0 = “0”). Also in this case, since the CU 10 is not inserting a card, the P base 1 enables the card ID and the insertion time to be overwritten when a card insertion notification is received. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of the card insertion response including the result = OK to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  Next, a state (3) ′ shown in FIG. 19B is a state in which a card is being inserted, and the P unit 1 receives a card insertion notification command (the card insertion flag is set) and is transmitted from the CU 10. This is the case where the CU state included in the command for requesting the state information is card insertion (card insertion state = ON, Bit0 = “1”). In this case, assuming that the CU 10 is inserting a card, the P platform 1 prohibits overwriting of the card ID and the insertion time when receiving a card insertion notification. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of a card insertion response including the result = NG to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  Next, the state (4) ′ shown in FIG. 19B is a card return preparation state, the card 1 has not received the card return notification command (the card insertion flag is set), and the CU 10 This is a case where the CU state included in the status information request command transmitted from is not in the state of card insertion (card insertion state = OFF, Bit0 = “0”). In this case, assuming that the CU 10 has not yet returned the card, the P stand 1 prohibits overwriting of the card ID and the insertion time when receiving the card insertion notification. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of a card insertion response including the result = NG to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  Next, the state (5) ′ shown in FIG. 19 (b) is a card return state, and the P table 1 receives the card return notification command (the card insertion flag is not set) and is transmitted from the CU10. This is a case where the CU state included in the command for requesting the state information is not card insertion (card insertion state = OFF, Bit0 = “0”). In this case, since the CU 10 is not inserting a card, the P table 1 enables overwriting of the card ID and the insertion time when receiving a card insertion notification. Therefore, the P platform 1 returns a response of the card insertion response including the result = OK to the CU 10 in response to the card insertion notification command.

  In this way, by limiting the conditions for overwriting (updating) the card ID and insertion time, the card ID or the like is intentionally transmitted to the P unit 1 and the card ID stored in the P unit 1 is falsified. It is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as doing and improve security. In addition, when the condition for overwriting (updating) the card ID and the insertion time is satisfied, a response of the card insertion response including the result = OK is transmitted from the P unit 1 to the CU 10. For example, a card is inserted in the CU 10. When an addition request is made due to fraud, the game balls are not added according to the addition request, but the security at the time of adding game balls can be improved.

<< Prepaid loan >>
Next, a process for lending a game ball from the prepaid balance of the inserted card will be described. In the sequence process shown in FIG. 20, the prepaid balance stored in the inserted card is 500 yen, and the number of game balls is 50 balls. First, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n, a card insertion state = ON, a game ball addition request = OFF, and an addition serial number = m to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P stand 1 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n, the number of game balls = 50, and the addition serial number = m to the CU 10. In this way, the addition sequence number is not updated while the addition request is not generated.

  Thereafter, when the player performs a lending operation (ball lending operation) by pressing the “lending” button once, the CU 10 lends the remaining amount of 500 yen, that is, 125 balls. When the ball lending button (lending button) 321 is pressed, the CU 10 determines prepaid consumption for 500 yen and backs up the data of the number of added balls = 125. As described above, the remaining amount consumption is determined by the CU 10 alone when the lending operation is performed. Thereafter, the CU 10 is in the display of addition. During the addition display, the display unit 50 is displayed that 125 balls are withdrawn from the remaining amount and added to the game balls.

  Next, the CU 10 requests the game machine 1 to add game balls. Therefore, the CU 10 transmits a command of a status information request including the serial number = n + 1, the card insertion state = ON, the game ball addition request = ON, the number of additional balls = 125, and the addition serial number = m + 1 to the P unit 1. In this way, the CU 10 counts up the serial number to “n + 1” to make a game ball addition request, and also increments the addition serial number to “m + 1” to make a game ball addition request. . The CU 10 counts up the addition sequence number to “m + 1”, updates the previous last transmission addition sequence number to “m + 1”, and backs up the data.

  On the other hand, when receiving the addition request from the CU 10, the P platform 1 executes a state information request reception process (see FIG. 22) described later. The P platform 1 determines whether or not an addition request has been accepted with a card inserted into the CU 10 by executing a status information request reception process, and if the addition request has been accepted with a card inserted. While a game ball is added, a game ball is not added unless an addition request is accepted with a card inserted.

  In this example, since the P table 1 has received the addition request with the card inserted into the CU 10, the number of game balls is updated to 50 (current number of game balls) +125 (number of added balls) = 175. Then, the last transmission addition serial number is updated to “m + 1” and the data is backed up. Since the P stand 1 notifies the CU 10 of the number of game balls = 175 and the game ball addition result = OK, the serial number = n + 1, the number of addition balls = 175, the game ball addition result = OK, and the addition serial number = m + 1. A response of the status information response including the response is returned to the CU 10. Since it is a response to the game ball addition request, the addition serial number is not counted up and is set to “m + 1” as it is.

  Thereafter, when the game ball addition request is OFF, the CU 10 counts up the serial number in the status information request and the status information response, but does not count up the additional serial number.

  After the card is returned, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including the serial number = n + x, the card insertion state = OFF, the game ball addition request = OFF, and the addition serial number = m + 1 to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P stand 1 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + x, the number of game balls = 0, and the addition serial number = m + 1 to the CU 10. The number of game balls stored in the RAM of the payout control unit 171 is cleared to 0 by returning the card.

  Here, a case will be described in which, even though the card is not inserted in the CU 10, the P stand 1 receives a game ball addition request due to fraud. For example, FIG. 20 shows an example in which the addition request is made from the CU 10 to the P unit 1 when the CU 10 is illegally operated and the card is not inserted.

  When the CU 10 sends a status information request command including the serial number = n + x + 1, the card insertion state = OFF, the game ball addition request = ON, the number of additional balls = 125, and the addition serial number = m + 2 to the P unit 1, the P unit 1 executes a state information request reception process (see FIG. 22) described later, and determines whether or not an addition request has been accepted with a card inserted into the CU 10.

  In this example, the P stand 1 accepts the addition request in a state where no card is inserted in the CU 10, and therefore sets the fraudulent ball lending detection flag to ON without adding a game ball. That is, Bit 6 of fraud detection state 2 included in the state information response is set to “1”. In addition, the P stand 1 adds the number of balls that have been illegally loaned this time (number of illegal ball rentals) to the number of illegal ball rentals that have already been stored, and the fraud detection information 3 included in the status information response. Set the number of fraudulent balls that have been accumulated. Furthermore, the P stand 1 sets the game ball addition result to NG. That is, the P machine 1 sets Bit 5 of the gaming machine state 1 included in the state information response to “1”.

  Then, the P platform 1 returns a response of the state information response including the serial number = n + x + 1, the number of game balls = 0, the game ball addition result = NG, and the addition serial number = m + 1 to the CU 10. In addition, in the P stand 1, since the game ball addition request has been made illegally, information that can specify the accumulated number of illegal ball rentals is displayed on the score display unit 35. On the other hand, in response to the game ball addition result being NG, the CU 10 notifies the hall server 801 that there has been an unauthorized addition request and information that can identify the number of accumulated illegal ball rentals.

≪Mochitama payout and savings ball payout (replay) ≫
Next, the process of paying out and holding out the stored balls will be described. In FIG. 21, the initial number of game balls is 50 balls. First, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n, a card insertion state = ON, a game ball addition request = OFF, and an addition serial number = m to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P stand 1 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n, the number of game balls = 50, and the addition serial number = m to the CU 10. In this way, the addition sequence number is not updated while the addition request is not generated.

  After that, when the player presses the possession payout button or the replay button 38c in a state where there is a possession ball or a storage ball, the CU 10 determines the consumption of 125 balls from the possession ball or the storage ball. As described above, the consumption of the holding balls or the storage balls is determined by the CU 10 alone when the operation of pressing the holding ball payout button or the replay button 38c is performed. In addition, when both the holding ball and the storage ball exist, consumption of the holding ball is given priority.

  In place of the control to prioritize the holding ball, a storage ball replay button and a holding ball replay button are provided, and the player can select and operate either the storage ball consumption or the holding ball consumption by operating the selection. You may do it. In other words, the replay button is used to obtain a game ball (game point) from a stored ball (stored medal) and a game ball (game point) from a stored ball (stored medal) replay button. You may comprise two with a holding ball (pointing) replay button.

  After confirming the consumption from the holding balls or the stored balls, the CU 10 notifies the P unit 1 of an addition request for the number of added balls = 125. Specifically, the CU 10 displays that a game ball addition process is being performed, and indicates that a serial number = n + 1, a card insertion state = ON, a game ball addition request = ON, a number of additional balls = 125, and an addition serial number = m + 1. A command for requesting status information is transmitted to the P unit 1. Thus, in order to make a game ball addition request, the CU 10 counts up the serial number to “n + 1” and also counts up the addition serial number to “m + 1”. Furthermore, the CU 10 updates the previous last transmission addition serial number to “m + 1” and backs up the data.

  On the other hand, when receiving the addition request from the CU 10, the P platform 1 determines whether or not the addition request has been received with the card inserted into the CU 10 by executing the status information request reception process, and the card is inserted. If the addition request is accepted in the state where the card is added, the number of game balls is added and updated. On the other hand, if the addition request is not accepted in the state where the card is inserted, the number of game balls is not added and updated.

  In this example, since the P table 1 has received the addition request with the card inserted into the CU 10, the number of game balls is updated to 50 (current number of game balls) +125 (number of added balls) = 175. Then, the last transmission addition serial number is updated to “m + 1” and the data is backed up. Then, the P platform 1 returns a response of the state information response including the serial number = n + 1, the number of additional balls = 175, the game ball addition result = OK and the additional serial number = m + 1 to the CU 10. Since this is a response to a game ball addition request, the addition serial number is not counted up and remains “m + 1”.

  Thereafter, when the game ball addition request is OFF, the CU 10 counts up the serial number in the status information request and the status information response, but does not count up the additional serial number.

  After the card is returned, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including the serial number = n + x, the card insertion state = OFF, the game ball addition request = OFF, and the addition serial number = m + 1 to the P unit 1. In response to this, the P stand 1 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + x, the number of game balls = 0, and the addition serial number = m + 1 to the CU 10. The number of game balls stored in the RAM of the payout control unit 171 is cleared to 0 by returning the card.

  When a command of a status information request including a serial number = n + x + 1, a card insertion state = OFF, a game ball addition request = ON, an additional ball number = 125, and an addition serial number = m + 2 is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P unit 1, that is, When an addition request is made from the CU 10 even though the card is not inserted, the P stand 1 executes a state information request reception process (see FIG. 22) described later, and the card is inserted into the CU 10. It is determined whether or not an addition request has been accepted.

  In this example, the P stand 1 accepts the addition request in a state where no card is inserted in the CU 10, and thus sets the fraudulent ball lending detection flag to ON without adding and updating the number of game balls. In addition, the P stand 1 adds the number of balls that have been illegally loaned this time (number of illegal ball rentals) to the number of illegal ball rentals that have already been stored, and the fraud detection information 3 included in the status information response. Set the number of fraudulent balls that have been accumulated. Furthermore, the P stand 1 sets the game ball addition result to NG.

  Then, the P platform 1 returns a response of the state information response including the serial number = n + x + 1, the number of game balls = 0, the game ball addition result = NG, and the addition serial number = m + 1 to the CU 10. In addition, in the P stand 1, since the game ball addition request has been made illegally, information that can specify the accumulated number of illegal ball rentals is displayed on the score display unit 35. On the other hand, in response to the game ball addition result being NG, the CU 10 notifies the hall server 801 that there has been an unauthorized addition request and information that can identify the number of accumulated illegal ball rentals.

<Status information request reception processing>
The status information request reception process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining state information request reception processing. The status information request reception process shown in FIG. 22 is executed by the payout control unit 171 of the P machine 1 every time a status information request is received from the CU 10.

  First, the P stand 1 determines whether or not a game ball addition request has been received (S10). That is, the P stand 1 determines whether or not the game ball addition request is ON for the CU state specified by the received state information request. When the game ball addition request is OFF (NO in S10), the P table 1 proceeds to the next process. On the other hand, if the game ball addition request is ON (YES in S10), the P platform 1 determines whether the continuity of the addition serial number is valid (S11).

  When the continuity of the addition sequence number is not valid (NO in S11), the P platform 1 sets the game ball addition result included in the status information response to NG (S18), and proceeds to the next process. At this time, an error notification that the continuity of the added serial number is not valid is performed in the score display unit 35. On the other hand, when the continuity of the addition serial number is valid (YES in S11), the P platform 1 normally accepts the card insertion notification by determining whether or not the card insertion flag is set in the RAM. It is determined whether or not (S12).

  If it is determined that the card insertion flag is not set, that is, the card insertion notification has not been received normally (NO in S12), the P-unit 1 is improperly lending the ball this time (illegal ball lending) (The number of balls) is accumulated and stored, and the number of illegal ball lending after accumulation is set in the fraud detection information 3 included in the status information response (S16). After that, the P machine 1 sets the fraudulent lending detection flag to ON by setting Bit 6 of the fraud detection state 2 included in the state information response to “1” (S17), and the gaming machine included in the state information response By setting Bit5 of state 1 to “1”, the game ball addition result is set to NG (S18). Thereafter, the P base 1 moves to the next process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the card insertion flag is set, that is, the card insertion notification has been normally received (YES in S12), the P table 1 inserts the card for the CU state specified by the received state information request. By determining whether or not the state is ON, it is determined whether or not the card is inserted into the CU 10 (S13).

  When it is determined that the card insertion state is OFF, that is, no card is inserted in the CU 10 (NO in S13), the P base 1 executes the processes of S16 to S18, and then proceeds to the next process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the card insertion state is ON, that is, the card is inserted in the CU 10 (YES in S13), the P stand 1 adds a game ball (S14). Thereafter, the P platform 1 sets that the game ball addition result included in the status information response is OK (Bit5 = 0 in the gaming machine state 1) (S15), and proceeds to the next processing.

<Type of error reported in gaming system>
Next, errors reported in the gaming system according to the present embodiment will be described together. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the types of errors that can be notified in the gaming system. FIG. 23 describes 36 types of errors. “Priority”, “Error code”, “Error name”, “Error detection content”, “Notification unit”, and “Error canceling method” for each error Is described.

  For example, the error with the number 28 has a “priority” of “7”, an “error code” of “F60”, an “error name” of “invalid ball lending detection”, and an “error detection content” of other than “card inserted”. “A request for adding the number of rented balls is received”, “notification means” is “game machine frame, unit”, and “error canceling method” is “automatic return”. Here, when the notification is made in the gaming machine frame, in addition to displaying the “error code” on the display device (for example, the variable display device 278) such as the holding point display unit 35, it is provided on the payout control board 17. You may alert | report by displaying an "error code" on a 7 segment type LED display. Instead of displaying the “error code”, the game may be stopped to notify the error, or the error information may be output to the outside.

  The notification means may notify the error by outputting a sound on the game board or lighting an electrical decoration depending on the type of error. The notification means may notify the error by outputting information output 1 and information output 2 to the hall control depending on the type of error. In addition to “automatic recovery”, “error canceling method” includes a “power OFF / ON” method in which the power is temporarily turned OFF to turn it ON, and a “release switch” in which the cancel switch is pressed.

  “Automatic return” is an error canceling method in which processing automatically returns from an error state when a certain canceling condition such as a certain time elapses after the notifying means performs error notification. “Power OFF / ON” is an error canceling method that literally returns from the error state by once turning off the power supply of the P stand 1 and turning it ON. The “release switch” is an error release method for returning from an error state by pressing an error release switch (not shown) provided on the payout control board 17, for example. By pressing the error release switch, an abnormality flag such as a subtraction sensor stored in the payout control board 17 is reset, and it is possible to return from the error state. That is, an error that requires an error canceling method using the “cancel switch” is mainly targeted at an error in which some data is stored in the payout control board 17 and the data needs to be reset. Errors that require an error canceling method due to “Power OFF / ON” are not only data stored in the payout control board 17 but also errors that need to be reset including data stored in the main control board 16 and the like. Mainly targeted. “Automatic return” is mainly targeted for errors that do not require data reset.

  In addition, errors that occur before execution of predetermined processing such as a user program are started include an error in in-game machine authentication error code “F91” and an in-game communication error error code “F96”. If they occur at the same time, the error with the higher priority is reported. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, since the priority of the error code “F91” is “16” and the priority of the error code “F96” is “21”, the error code “F91” having a high priority is set. It is displayed on the holding point display part 35. As long as the display device can display a plurality of errors, the plurality of errors may be displayed in order of priority.

<Processing at power-on>
Next, the firing operation on the P platform 1 when the power is turned on will be described using a sequence. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a launch operation when the power is turned on. First, when the payout control unit 171 and the main control unit 161 of the P platform 1 are turned on and turned on, the authentication process is started. Specifically, in the authentication process, information including the main chip ID and the payout chip ID is transmitted from the P table 1 to the CU 10. Further, the CU 10 sends the received main chip ID and payout chip ID to the upper management server to inquire whether the main chip ID and the payout chip ID are properly registered. If it is registered, it is a process that gives an appropriate authentication result. If an authentication process is performed and an appropriate authentication result is obtained, provisional communication between the CU 10 and the P stand 1 is possible.

  Next, in the P machine 1, the payout control unit 171 is activated first, and the payout control unit 171 shifts to a user program activation wait state of the main control unit 161. When the payout control unit 171 shifts to the main control unit activation waiting state, timing with an activation waiting monitoring timer is started (not shown). The activation waiting monitoring timer monitors the time until the user program is activated in the main control unit 161, for example, the time until 90 seconds elapse.

  The payout control unit 171 displays an error code “F97” on the holding point display unit 35, which is a 7-segment LED display, when 90 seconds have elapsed (time up) of the activation wait monitoring timer (see FIG. 23). Is displayed to notify the error of the main control board activation abnormality.

  Next, before starting the user program of the main control unit 161, when the number of game balls is 0 (zero) and the power is turned off last time, the number of fired balls and the number of recovered balls (the total of the number of balls passing out and winning balls) When there is an error in the number of balls), the payout control unit 171 launches a launch solenoid for launching five game balls as a process for driving the game balls remaining in the launch port of the launching device 14 into the game area. 41 is controlled. At this time, the payout control unit 171 drives the firing solenoid 41 to operate the hitting hammer 42, but does not operate the lifting screw 94 by driving the lifting motor 93, so that a new game ball is lifted to the launching device 14. The ball feed solenoid 47 is not operated. The payout control unit 171 sets an error flag indicating that there is an error when there is an error between the number of shot balls and the number of recovered balls when the power is turned off. Therefore, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not there is an error between the number of shot balls and the number of recovered balls based on the error flag stored when the power is turned off last time. The payout control unit 171 resets the error flag when driving control of the firing solenoid 41 for firing five game balls is performed. Further, the payout control unit 171 performs drive control of the firing solenoid 41 for firing five game balls, but the game balls remaining in the launch port of the launching device 14 can be driven into the game area. If possible, it is not limited to five balls, and for example, drive control of the firing solenoid 41 for firing three game balls may be used. Further, the driving control of the firing solenoid 41 may be performed by time management such as intermittent driving for 3 seconds instead of the number of fired balls.

  Here, the number of recovered balls can be specified by the game ball detection device 27 shown in FIG. 4, and the number of game balls that have entered the out port 8 (FIG. 3) is specified by the out ball detection sensor 88 to detect winning balls. The number of game balls that have entered the winning opening can be specified by a sensor (not shown). As the number of shot balls, the number of game balls shot in the game area by the shot ball detection switch 99 can be specified.

  The payout control unit 171 performs processing for driving the game ball remaining in the launch port of the launching device 14 into the game area by performing drive control of the launch solenoid 41, and after driving the launch solenoid 41, a predetermined period of time Even if a game ball is driven into the game area and collected by the time (for example, 15 seconds), addition to the number of collected balls is invalidated. Here, the predetermined period is a recovery ball detection invalid period in which the detection is invalidated even if a game ball that has been thrown into the game area is recovered to the out port 8 or a winning port. The payout control unit 171 does not handle the number of balls detected by the game ball detection device 27 during the recovery ball invalid period as the number of recovered balls, and does not add it to the stored number of recovered balls. Thereby, the payout control unit 171 can prevent an error between the number of fired balls and the number of collected balls. The number of recovered balls is stored in the game ball detection device 27, and the number of balls detected in the recovery ball detection invalid period by the game ball detection device 27 is not handled as the number of recovered balls, but is added to the stored number of recovered balls. You may make it not.

  Since the main control unit 161 is in a recovery ball invalid period and a recovery completion waiting state, it does not perform a game operation such as winning detection. In other words, the main control unit 161 does not specify a prize even if a game ball launched during the recovery ball invalid period enters the winning slot. When the CU 10 transmits a gaming machine connection request command to the payout control unit 171 during the collection ball invalid period, the payout control unit 171 returns a response of a game machine connection response waiting for the main control unit activation to the CU10. To do.

  Next, the payout control unit 171 executes a recovery process after the recovery ball invalid period has elapsed. In the recovery process, the payout control unit 171 transmits a recovery request command to the main control unit 161 when the collection ball invalid period has elapsed. When receiving a recovery request command from the payout control unit 171, the main control unit 161 returns a response of the recovery response. This recovery response includes the recovery data stored in the main control unit 161 (for example, information such as the gaming state, the number of game balls, and the number of balls possessed previously). When the payout control unit 171 receives the response of the recovery response from the main control unit 161, the payout control unit 171 temporarily stores the recovery data until the recovery process is started with the CU 10, and the recovery data is stored in the CU 10 during the recovery process with the CU 10. Send to. In this manner, the payout control unit 171 suppresses the influence on the recovery process due to the game balls launched during the recovery ball invalid period by executing the recovery process after the recovery ball invalid period has elapsed.

  Next, when the main control unit 161 executes the user program, the game information acquisition permission flag is turned on, and the fact that it is in the game information acquisition permission state is transmitted to the payout control unit 171. When the payout control unit 171 receives a message indicating that the game information acquisition permission state is received, the payout control unit 171 stops timing of the activation waiting monitoring timer. Further, when the payout control unit 171 receives the fact that it is in the game information acquisition permission state, the connection with the main control unit 161 shifts to a normal state (OK state). As a result, when the CU 10 next transmits a gaming machine connection request command to the payout control unit 171, the payout control unit 171 returns a response of a gaming machine connection response with a normal connection (OK state) to the CU10. To do. When the CU 10 receives a game machine connection response response indicating that the connection is in a normal state (OK state), the CU 10 starts recovery processing with the P machine 1.

  When executing the recovery process, the payout control unit 171 reads the recovery data temporarily stored by FIFO (First In, First Out) and transmits it to the CU 10. The CU 10 transmits a recovery request command to the payout control unit 171. When the payout control unit 171 receives a recovery request command from the CU 10, it returns a recovery response. This recovery response includes recovery data temporarily stored from the main control unit 161.

  When the recovery process is completed between the CU 10 and the P machine 1, a business message is started between the CU 10 and the P machine 1. Specifically, a communication start request, a communication start response command, and a response communication are performed between the CU 10 and the payout control unit 171, and the game balls are allowed to be launched on the P unit 1. Thereafter, communication of a status information request, a status information response command, and a response is performed between the CU 10 and the payout control unit 171.

  As described above, as the firing operation when the power is turned on, the payout control unit 171 performs an operation (predetermined operation) on the launching device 14 for driving the launch solenoid 41 for launching the game ball to the game area after the power is turned on. In addition, after the power is turned on, the addition to the number of recovered balls is invalidated for the number of balls recovered from the launching device 14 after the start of a predetermined operation until the recovery ball detection invalid period elapses. Therefore, the P stand 1 can prevent an error between the number of fired balls and the number of collected balls.

  In addition, the payout control unit 171 causes the firing device 14 to perform an operation (predetermined operation) for driving the firing solenoid 41 when the user control activation waiting state of the main control unit 161 after the power is turned on. By effectively utilizing the activation waiting time of the unit 161, it is possible to avoid a delay in the activation time of the P unit 1 due to execution of a predetermined operation. In addition, although the process at the time of power-on of the P stand 1 has been described, it can be similarly applied to the process at the time of power-on of the main body frame 100 (game frame).

<Processing at closing>
With reference to FIG. 25, a description will be given of the launch operation on the P platform 1 when the store is closed (end of business). FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a launch operation when the store is closed. First, the CU 10 is in a state where the card holding ball = 0 ball and there is no stock card. On the other hand, the payout control unit 171 recognizes that a game ball = 50 balls and no card is inserted in the CU 10. Then, the CU 10 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n, a CU opening state = ON, a card insertion state = OFF, a counting serial number = m, and a counting response = OFF to the payout control unit 171. In response to this, the payout control unit 171 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n, the number of game balls = 50, the counting serial number = m, the counting ball number = 0, and the counting request = OFF to the CU 10.

  When closing is set in the game hall where the CU 10 and the P stand 1 are installed, if it is determined that no card is inserted and a game ball remains in the P stand 1, processing described below is executed. . The fact that no card is inserted can be determined from the information of the card insertion state = OFF included in the command for requesting the status information, and the fact that the game ball remains in the P stand 1 indicates that the status information response It can be determined from the information of the number of game balls included in the response = 50.

  Next, the CU 10 notifies the payout control unit 171 that the CU opening state is OFF (the closing flag is ON). Specifically, a status information request including a serial number = n + x, a CU opening state = OFF (closed flag = ON), a card return preparation state = ON, a counting sequence number = m, and a counting response = OFF is transmitted to the payout control unit 171. .

  Note that the closing setting for a game hall is, for example, that the CU control unit 323 distributes a closing command to the CUs 10 from the hall management computer or the hall server 801 installed in the game hall, thereby causing the CU control unit 323 to play the game hall. It is done by judging the end of business in Japan. Specifically, when a staff member closes the hall management computer or the hall server 801, a closing command for closing the shop is distributed to each CU 10 simultaneously. Alternatively, the closing time may be set and stored in the hall management computer or the hall server 801, and the closing command may be automatically distributed to each CU 10 at the closing time. As another method, a sales end signal may be transmitted to the IR photosensitive unit 320 by a remote control operation of a business end by a store clerk, and the CU control unit 323 may determine the end of business at the game hall. As yet another method, each CU 10 is provided with a clock function, and when it is a closing time (for example, 10 o'clock), a time (for example, 10:20) after a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) of the closing time has elapsed. When time is measured by the function, control may be performed so that each CU 10 transmits a status information request including a CU opening state = OFF (a closing flag = ON) to the payout control unit 171.

  In response to this, the payout control unit 171 receives the serial number = n + x, the number of game balls at the present time as the game ball information = 50, the count serial number of m + 1 obtained by adding “1” to the received count serial number m, and the number of count balls = 50. And a status information response including counting request = ON is transmitted to the CU 10. That is, the payout control unit 171 notifies the CU 10 of the game ball information of the number of game balls = 50 in order to request the CU 10 to count the remaining game balls.

  Receiving it, the CU 10 receives the game ball information, and adds the number of counted balls = 50 sent from the payout control unit 171 to the number of held balls stored in the CU 10. Then, the CU 10 replies to the payout control unit 171 to notify the completion of the reception of the game ball information. Specifically, a status information request including serial number = n + x + 1, CU opening state = OFF (closed flag = ON), counting serial number = m + 1, and counting response = ON is transmitted to the payout control unit 171.

  The payout control unit 171 that has received the notification of the completion of reception of the game ball information subtracts the number of game balls from the number of game balls (number of game balls = 50−count of balls = 50), and displays the number of game balls = 0. Do. In addition, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not there is an error between the number of balls to be fired and the number of balls to be collected (the total number of balls that have passed through the outlet and the number of winning balls). The unit 171 performs drive control of the firing solenoid 41 for firing five game balls as processing for driving game balls remaining in the launch port of the launching device 14 into the game area. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately manage the number of fired balls and the number of recovered balls when the store is closed (when the business is closed). At this time, the payout control unit 171 drives the firing solenoid 41 to operate the hitting hammer 42, but does not operate the lifting screw 94 by driving the lifting motor 93, so that a new game ball is lifted to the launching device 14. The ball feed solenoid 47 is not operated. If there is no error, the payout control unit 171 does not perform drive control of the firing solenoid 41. Moreover, although the case where the drive control of the firing solenoid 41 is performed when the number of game balls exists in the P stand 1, the drive control of the firing solenoid 41 is executed regardless of the presence or absence of the game balls. Further, the payout control unit 171 performs drive control of the firing solenoid 41 for firing five game balls, but the game balls remaining in the launch port of the launching device 14 can be driven into the game area. If possible, it is not limited to five balls, and for example, drive control of the firing solenoid 41 for firing three game balls may be used. Further, the driving control of the firing solenoid 41 may be performed by time management such as intermittent driving for 3 seconds instead of the number of fired balls.

  The payout control unit 171 performs processing for driving the game ball remaining in the launch port of the launching device 14 into the game area by performing drive control of the launch solenoid 41, and after driving the launch solenoid 41, a predetermined period of time If a game ball is driven into the game area and collected before the lapse (for example, 15 seconds), it is added to the number of collected balls. However, the payout control unit 171 does not consider a winning even if a game ball enters the winning opening during a predetermined period, and invalidates the winning. Here, the predetermined period is a prize invalid period during which a prize is invalidated even if a game ball that has been thrown into the game area enters the prize opening. The payout control unit 171 identifies the number of balls detected by the game ball detection device 27 during the winning invalid period as the number of recovered balls, and adds it to the stored number of recovered balls. Thereby, the payout control unit 171 can prevent an error between the number of fired balls and the number of collected balls. The number of recovered balls is stored in the game ball detection device 27, and the number of balls detected in the recovery ball detection invalid period by the game ball detection device 27 is not handled as the number of recovered balls, but is added to the stored number of recovered balls. You may make it not.

  In the status information response command transmitted by the payout control unit 171 to the CU 10 during the winning invalid period, the gaming machine state 1 is Bit0 = “1” gaming prohibited, Bit1 = “1” waiting, Bit2 = “1” gaming ball none , Bit3 = "1" game ball confirmed, Bit6 = "0" launch stop switch release state information is included. Further, if the game ball enters the winning opening during the winning invalid period and the big hit or the small hit does not occur, the status information response command transmitted by the payout control unit 171 includes the number of balls passing through the out opening and the number of balls of the fraud detection information 2 ( Information on winning number abnormality 1 detection (Bit 4), winning number abnormality 2 detection (Bit 5)) is updated. Even if a game ball enters the winning opening during the winning invalid period, if the big hit or the small hit is made, the status information response command transmitted by the payout control unit 171 is information other than the information about the number of out passing balls and the fraud detection information 2 In addition, information on the gaming machine state 2 and the gaming machine state 3 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) is also updated. When the game ball enters the start winning opening during the winning invalid period, the state information response command transmitted by the payout control unit 171 may include information on the number of symbol determinations.

  In the event that a game ball enters the winning opening during a prize invalid period, if a big hit or a small hit is made, the store clerk and the payout are performed by the store clerk in order to prevent the game state from being a big hit or a small hit after the power interruption. It is preferable to clear information stored in the RAM of the control unit 171. For this reason, even if a game ball enters the winning opening during the winning invalid period, if a big hit or a small hit is made, a notification may be made to prompt an operation for clearing the information stored in the RAM. Note that the main control unit 161 and the payout control unit 171 may automatically initialize the RAM after the end of the winning invalid period from the viewpoint of reducing the work burden on the store clerk and preventing work mistakes.

  In this way, as a launch operation at the time of closing a store in the game hall, the payout control unit 171 performs an operation (predetermined operation) for driving the launch solenoid 41 for launching a game ball to the game area when the store is closed. The number of balls that are collected after the start of driving of the firing solenoid 41 by the launching device 14 at the time of closing the store is added to the number of collected balls. Therefore, the P stand 1 can prevent an error between the number of fired balls and the number of collected balls. In addition, although the process at the time of the store closing of the P stand 1 was demonstrated, it can apply similarly to the process at the time of the store closing of the main body frame 100 (game frame).

<Insufficient circulation ball error>
The P stand 1 is a sealed pachinko gaming machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are sealed. However, the game balls launched into the game area by the launching device 14 may cause clogging of the balls on the game board surface, and the number of playable balls may be too small. When the number of game balls becomes too small, even if the player performs a launch operation, there may be a problem that the game balls are not fired at the intended timing, so a ball clogging sensor on the back side of the second ramp 116 89 is provided to detect the number of game balls staying on the second ramp 116. The ball clogging sensor 89 detects whether or not a predetermined number or more (for example, 49) of game balls stays on the second ramp 116. When the number of game balls staying from the ball clogging sensor 89 becomes less than a predetermined number, the payout control unit 171 gives an error of an insufficient circulation ball of the error code “F14” (FIG. 23) on the score display unit 53. Inform.

  As shown in FIG. 23, an error with an error code “F14” having an insufficient circulation ball has a priority “35”, a notification means “game machine frame, unit”, and an error canceling method “automatic return”. Furthermore, a detection condition and a cancellation condition for a specific error of the circulating ball shortage of the error code “F14” will be described. FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a detection condition and a release condition for an error of insufficient circulating balls. First, the condition for detecting an error of insufficient circulating balls is that the out-ball detecting sensor 88 and the ball clogging sensor 89 detect that there is no gaming ball continuously for 20 seconds or longer when the game ball is stopped. To do. Note that the error of insufficient circulating balls is not detected when a game ball is being fired. Of the conditions, 20 seconds is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. It is only necessary that the state where there is no game ball continues for a certain period of time that is greater than or equal to the interval detected by circulation of game balls.

  On the other hand, the condition for canceling the error of insufficient circulating balls is that the game ball is not detected by the out ball detection sensor 88 when the game ball is being stopped, and the ball jam sensor 89 is in a state where there is a game ball continuously for 2 seconds or more. The condition is that it has been detected. In other words, if the ball clogging sensor 89 can detect a state where there is a game ball, it can be confirmed that the ball clogging that has occurred on the game board surface has been eliminated, so that an error of insufficient circulating balls can be canceled. Of the conditions, 2 seconds is an example, and any time may be used as long as a state where a game ball is present can be detected. However, when game balls are being fired, the number of game balls staying on the second ramp 116 fluctuates due to the fire of the balls, so that the out-ball detection sensor 88 and the ball clogging sensor 89 alone cause an error of insufficient circulating balls. Cannot determine whether to cancel. In particular, when performing a continuous automatic firing test in the development environment, if a ball clogging occurs on the game board surface during the test and an error with an insufficient number of circulating balls is detected once, even if the ball clogging naturally resolves, There was a possibility that the error could not be cleared. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately set the release condition assuming such a case, and the release condition for the error of insufficient circulation ball is that the game ball is continuously fired for 20 seconds or more when the game ball is being fired. It is a condition.

  Here, it is guaranteed that the number of game balls existing in the circulation path (from the polishing device 23 to the launching device 14) is 30 balls (margin 3 balls) or more because the continuous firing for 20 seconds or more is set as the release condition. It is to do. In other words, the time required to continuously shoot 33 game balls including a margin of 3 balls without interruption is (30 + 3) balls × 0.6 seconds (minimum firing interval) = 19.8 seconds (about 20 seconds). Therefore, if continuous firing of 20 seconds or more can be detected, it can be estimated that the number of game balls existing in the circulation path is 30 balls (margin 3 balls) or more. The detection of continuous firing for 20 seconds or more means that the firing ball detection switch 99 or the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects the ball firing (ball transportation) without interruption. For example, the firing ball detection switch 99 or the second fullness detection sensor 40 continuously detects ball firing (ball conveyance) for 20 seconds or more at an interval of 0.6 seconds (minimum firing interval). Here, the case where continuous firing for 20 seconds or more is detected as the release condition is described as an example, but it is not limited to 20 seconds and may be a predetermined period during which the ball can be fired without interruption.

  Next, an error canceling process for a shortage of circulating balls will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining an error canceling process for an insufficient circulating ball. First, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not an error of an insufficient circulation ball of the error code “F14” is detected (step S20). When the circulation ball shortage error is not in the detection state (step S20: NO), the payout control unit 171 returns the process to step S20 and continues monitoring whether the circulation ball shortage error is in the detection state.

  When it is in the state where the error of insufficient circulating balls is detected (step S20: YES), the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not the launching device 14 is firing a game ball (step S21). Whether or not the game ball is being fired is determined by whether or not the firing solenoid 41 of the launching device 14 is driven, the ball is fired by the firing ball detection switch 99 or the second fullness detection sensor 40 (ball Determination may be made in the transport). The determination of whether or not the game ball is being fired in step S21 is not limited to the case where the game ball is actually being fired.

  When the launching device 14 is not firing a game ball (step S21: NO), the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not the outball detection sensor 88 is in a non-detection state of the game ball (step S22). When the out ball detection sensor 88 is not in the non-detection state of the game ball (step S22: NO), the payout control unit 171 returns the process to step S21. On the other hand, if the out ball detection sensor 88 is in a non-detection state of the game ball (step S22: YES), has the payout control unit 171 detected a state where there is a game ball in the ball clogging sensor 89 continuously for 2 seconds or more? It is determined whether or not (step S23).

  When the ball clogging sensor 89 cannot continuously detect a state where there is a game ball for two seconds or more (step S23: NO), the payout control unit 171 returns the process to step S21. On the other hand, when the ball clogging sensor 89 continuously detects that there is a game ball for two seconds or more (step S23: YES), the payout control unit 171 cancels the error of the circulating ball shortage of the error code “F14” ( Step S24). The conditions at step S22 and step S23 correspond to the conditions in the upper right column of FIG.

  Returning to step S20, when the launching device 14 is firing a game ball (step S21: YES), the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not the game ball has been continuously fired for 20 seconds or more (step S21). S25). When the game ball has not been continuously fired for 20 seconds or more (step S25: NO), the payout control unit 171 returns the process to step S21. On the other hand, when the game balls are continuously fired for 20 seconds or more (step S25: YES), the payout control unit 171 cancels the error of the circulation ball shortage of the error code “F14” (step S24). The conditions at step S22 and step S23 correspond to the conditions in the lower right column of FIG.

  As described above, the P platform 1 according to the present embodiment monitors the passing situation of game balls in the circulation path, and based on the passing situation, the number of game balls that can be fired is less than a predetermined number. It can be determined that a corresponding circulation ball shortage error (specific abnormality) has occurred, and after determining that the error has occurred, the firing of the launching means 14 has been detected continuously for a predetermined period (release condition) Based on this, it is determined that the error has been resolved. For this reason, the P platform 1 according to the present embodiment can determine that the specific abnormality has been resolved based on the cancellation condition, so that it is possible to appropriately set a condition for canceling the error that has occurred. It becomes.

  It may be detected whether or not the firing of the launching device 14 continues for a predetermined period by monitoring the transport state of the game balls to the launching device 14 in the detection state of the firing ball detection switch 99. In this case, the release of the game medium can be reliably detected.

  In the P stand 1 according to the present embodiment, the state where the out ball detection sensor 88 is in a non-detection state and the number of playable balls is a predetermined number or more continues for a specific time or more while the launching device 14 is stopped. It may be determined that the error has been resolved based on the fact (release condition). In this case, since it can be determined that the error has been resolved even while the launching device 14 is stopped, it is possible to appropriately set conditions for canceling the error that has occurred.

  A point display unit 35 is provided as a notification means for reporting an error. Therefore, it is possible to notify an error. In addition, you may provide the notification means which alert | reports an error also in CU3. For example, an error code may be displayed on the display 312.

<Modifications and feature points>
Next, modifications and feature points of the present embodiment described above are listed.

  (1) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the dispensing solenoid 171 for causing the payout control unit 171 of the P stand 1 (main body frame 100) to fire the game ball to the game area after the power is turned on is provided. A driving operation (predetermined operation) is performed on the launching device 14, and after the power is turned on, a recovery ball is collected for the number of balls that have been collected after the launching device 14 starts the predetermined operation until the recovery ball detection invalid period elapses. Disable addition to numbers.

  As described above, the P stand 1 invalidates the addition to the number of collected game balls from the time when the launching device 14 starts a predetermined operation after the power is turned on until the time when the collection ball detection invalid period elapses. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an occurrence of an error between the number of fired balls and the number of collected game balls remaining in the launching device 14.

  It should be noted that the number of balls collected after the launching device 14 starts a predetermined operation after the power is turned on and before the collection ball detection invalid period elapses is specified. The specified number of balls may not be added to the number of recovered balls.

  (2) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the payout control unit 171 of the P stand 1 (main body frame 100) drives a firing solenoid 41 for firing game balls to the game area when the store is closed. The operation (predetermined operation) to be performed is performed on the launching device 14, and the number of balls recovered after the launching solenoid 41 is driven by the launching device 14 at the time of closing the store is added to the number of recovered balls.

  Thus, since the P stand 1 adds the number of game balls collected after the start of the predetermined operation by the launching device 14 at the end of business to the collected number, the number of game balls remaining and fired in the launching device 14 It is possible to prevent an error from occurring between the number and the collected number.

  (3) In the present embodiment, the payout control unit 171 performs drive control of the firing solenoid 41 when the main control unit 161 is in a user program activation waiting state after the power is turned on.

  As described above, when the main control means is in the start-up waiting state, the launching device 14 is caused to execute a predetermined operation. Therefore, P units can be obtained by effectively using the start waiting time of the main control unit 161 and executing the predetermined operation. It is possible to avoid a delay of 1 activation time.

  The payout control unit 171 may perform drive control of the firing solenoid 41 at a timing other than the user control activation waiting state of the main control unit 161 after the power is turned on.

  (4) In the present embodiment, the payout control unit 171 has 0 (zero) game balls, and when the power is turned off last time, the number of fired balls and the number of recovered balls (the sum of the number of balls passing out and winning balls) When there is an error in the number of balls), drive control of the firing solenoid 41 is performed after the power is turned on.

  According to such a configuration, when the number of game balls is 0 (zero) and there is an error between the number of shot balls and the number of collected balls when the power is turned off last time, the launching device 14 executes a predetermined operation specially. And wasteful processing is not executed.

  Note that the payout control unit 171 fires when the payout control unit 171 has either 0 (zero) game balls or there is an error between the number of shot balls and the number of recovered balls when the power is turned off last time. The drive control of the solenoid 41 may be performed.

  (5) In the present embodiment, the main control unit 161 does not specify a prize even if a game ball launched by a predetermined operation after the power is turned on enters a prize opening provided in the game area.

In this way, it is possible to suppress the gaming state from fluctuating with a predetermined operation.
(6) In the present embodiment, the payout control unit 171 transmits a recovery request command to the main control unit 161 when the collection ball invalid period has elapsed.

  As described above, it is possible to suppress the influence on the recovery process caused by causing the launching device 14 to execute the predetermined operation.

  (7) In the present embodiment, when the payout control unit 171 detects the closing flag (CU opening state = OFF) transmitted from the CU 10 and the number of gaming balls is not 0 (zero), information on the number of gaming balls is displayed. After transmitting to the CU 10 and confirming that the information is received by the CU 10, the drive control of the firing solenoid 41 is performed.

In this way, it is possible to appropriately manage the number of shots and the number of collections at the end of business.
(8) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, when the game machine addition request is made by the status information request, the P platform 1 confirms that the card insertion notification has been normally received in the process of S12. When it is determined that the inserted card insertion flag is set in the RAM, and in the process of S13, it is determined that the card insertion state is ON for the CU state specified by the status information request, the game is processed in S14. Add balls. On the other hand, when the game machine addition request is made by the status information request, the P table 1 does not have the card insertion flag set in the RAM of the payout control unit 171 in the process of S12, or in the process of S13 When it is determined that the card insertion state is OFF for the CU state specified by the information request, the process does not proceed to S14 and no game ball is added.

  As described above, even if the P stand 1 accepts the addition request, the game balls stored in the P stand 1 are not added when the card is not accepted by the CU 10, so that the security at the time of adding the game balls can be improved. it can.

  (9) As shown in FIG. 22, whether or not the P table 1 has a card insertion flag indicating that the card has been normally received based on the reception of the card insertion notification in the process of S12 is set in the RAM. By determining whether or not to add a game ball.

  In this way, the P platform 1 determines whether or not to add a game ball by determining whether or not the card insertion notification transmitted from the CU 10 has been received when the card is received by the CU 10. can do.

  (10) As shown in FIG. 22, the P stand 1 adds a game ball by determining whether or not the card insertion state is ON for the CU state specified by the state information request in the process of S13. It is determined whether or not to do.

  As described above, the P base 1 receives a state information request including a CU state (card insertion state) that is information transmitted from the CU 10 every 200 ms and that can specify that the card is received in the CU 10. By determining whether or not it has been, it is possible to determine whether or not to add a game ball.

  (11) As shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, when the P stand 1 determines that a card is not inserted into the CU 10 even though the addition request has been accepted, The accumulation result of the number of balls that have been illegally lent (number of illegal balls) is displayed on the score display unit 35. Further, when the CU 10 specifies that the game ball addition result is NG from the status information response received from the P platform 1, the CU 10 notifies the hall server 801 of the accumulation result of the number of illegal ball lending.

  In this way, since the number of balls that have not been added (number of illegal balls lent) is output as identifiable information when the card is not accepted by the CU 10, security at the time of adding game balls is improved. Can do.

  (12) When P card 1 receives a card insertion notification at any of (1), (2), (5), (1) ′, (2) ′, and (5) ′ shown in FIG. In addition, a card insertion response including information indicating that the result of card insertion is OK (the card has been normally received) is transmitted to the CU 10.

  As described above, when a predetermined transmission condition is satisfied, a card insertion response including information indicating that the card insertion result is OK (the card has been successfully received) is transmitted from the P unit 1 to the CU 10. Security when adding game balls can be further improved.

  (13) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, whether or not the P platform 1 has normally accepted the card insertion notification in the process of S <b> 12 when the game ball addition request is made by the status information request. And in the process of S13, it is determined whether or not to update the game ball by determining whether or not the card insertion state is ON for the CU state specified by the state information request. . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined whether or not the game ball is added and updated only by determining whether or not the card insertion notification is normally received, or the CU state specified by the state information request It may be determined whether or not the game ball is added and updated by determining only whether or not the card insertion state is ON.

  (14) In the present embodiment, when determining whether or not the card insertion notification has been normally received in the processing of S12 of FIG. 22, it is determined whether or not the card insertion flag is set in the RAM. However, not limited to this, it is determined whether or not the card ID and the card insertion time are stored, and if the card ID and the card insertion time are stored, it is determined that the card insertion notification has been normally received. If the card insertion time is not stored, it may be determined that the card insertion notification is not normally received.

  (15) In the present embodiment, when a card is inserted into the CU 10, a card insertion notification is transmitted from the CU 10 to the P stand 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a card insertion notification may be transmitted from the CU 10 to the P stand 1 when money such as banknotes is inserted into the CU 10. In this case, the CU 10 creates a new card ID based on the insertion of the banknote, sets the insertion time of the banknote as the card insertion time, and includes information on the card ID and the card insertion time in the card insertion notification. Good.

  (16) In the present embodiment, when the P table 1 receives the card insertion notification from the CU 10 and does not normally overwrite the card ID, the card insertion time, etc., the card insertion result is NG. The card insertion response including the information is transmitted to the CU 10. In addition to this, when the P table 1 receives a card insertion notification from the CU 10 and does not normally overwrite the card ID, the card insertion time, etc., the P table 1 uses an indicator such as the holding point display unit 35 to generate an error. Display may be performed.

  (17) In the present embodiment, when the P stand 1 does not add and update the game balls, the illegal ball lending that has already stored the number of illegal ball lending that has been attempted to be illegally lended this time. In addition to accumulating and storing the number of balls, information that can identify the accumulated number of illegal balls is displayed on the score display unit 35. However, it is not limited to this.

  For example, the P stand 1 stores only the number of illegal balls lent to be illegally lent this time when it has not added and updated the game balls, and can identify only the number of illegal balls lent. May be displayed on the holding point display unit 35.

  For example, the P stand 1 accumulates and stores the number of illegal ball rentals that have been attempted to be illegally loaned this time in the number of illegal ball rentals that have already been stored when the game balls have not been added and updated. However, information that can specify only the number of illegal ball lending that has been illegally loaned this time may be displayed on the score display unit 35.

  For example, P stand 1 does not memorize the number of illegal balls lent, and if the game balls are not added and updated, the number of illegal balls lent to be illegally rented this time is indicated. You may perform only displaying the identifiable information on the point display part 35. FIG.

  In addition, the display of information that can specify the number of illegal ball rentals may be the number of illegal ball rentals per se, or a predetermined error code may be displayed.

  Moreover, the information which can specify the number of illegal ball lending may be displayed not only on the point display unit 35 but also on other displays, or may be output as sound from a speaker.

  (18) In the present embodiment, when the CU 10 has not added and updated the game balls in the P stand 1, the illegal ball rental in which the number of illegal ball rentals to be illegally loaned this time is accumulated. Information capable of specifying the number was transmitted to the hall server 801. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the CU 10 may transmit to the hall server 801 information that can specify only the number of illegal ball balls that have been illegally loaned this time. Alternatively, the CU 10 may not transmit information that can specify the number of illegal ball rentals to the hall server 801.

  (19) In this embodiment, the CU 10 determines whether or not a card is inserted every time a status information request is sent to the P-unit 1 every 200 ms. If a card is inserted, the card is inserted. The state is set to ON, and if no card is inserted, the card insertion state is set to OFF. However, not limited to this, the CU 10 sets a flag indicating that a card has been inserted and sends a status information request every 200 ms when the card is inserted and a card insertion notification is transmitted to the P unit 1. When transmitting to 1, the card insertion state may be set to ON if the flag is set, and the card insertion state may be set to OFF if the flag is not set. When the CU 10 receives a card insertion response indicating that a card has been inserted, a card insertion notification is transmitted to the P unit 1, and the card ID and the card insertion time have been normally overwritten from the P unit 1. A flag indicating that a card has been inserted may be set. Note that the flag indicating that the card has been inserted may be cleared when the card is returned.

  (20) In the present embodiment, the P stand 1 determines whether or not a card is inserted in the CU 10 when an addition request is made during prepaid lending or replay (hereinafter also referred to as determination processing). ), If a card is not inserted, the addition of game balls is prohibited (hereinafter also referred to as addition prohibition processing). However, the P table 1 is not limited to prepaid lending or replaying, and may perform the determination process and the addition prohibition process even when there is an addition request from the CU 10 in other scenes.

  For example, by additionally inserting a card different from the card inserted in the CU 10 into the CU 10, the balls stored in the other card can be added to the game balls stored in the P stand 1. Also good. In this case, the P table 1 may execute the determination process and the addition prohibition process when an addition request is made to add the holding ball stored in another card to the game ball stored in the P table 1. . In the determination process in this case, the P base 1 determines whether or not a card that should have been originally inserted is inserted and whether or not an additionally inserted card is inserted. May be.

  Also, for example, by inserting a card in which a ball having a first value (for example, 1 yen) per ball is stored in the CU 10, the P stand 1 stores the ball stored in the card 1 It may be possible to add to game balls having a second value per ball (for example, 4 yen). Alternatively, by inserting into the CU 10 a card in which a holding ball having a second value (for example, 4 yen) per ball is inserted into the CU 10, the P stand 1 stores the holding ball stored in the card. May be added to game balls having a first value (for example, 1 yen). In this case, the P table 1 may execute the determination process and the addition prohibition process when an addition request for adding the holding ball stored in the card to the game ball stored in the P table 1 is made.

  (21) In the present embodiment, the P base 1 executes the determination process and the addition prohibition process when an addition request is made. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a subtraction request is made, the CU 10 It may be determined whether or not a card is inserted (determination process). If no card is inserted, subtraction of the game ball may be prohibited (hereinafter also referred to as subtraction prohibition process).

  For example, the P table 1 may execute the determination process and the subtraction prohibition process when the game ball stored in the P table 1 is converted into a holding ball during the counting process when the counting button 28 is pressed. Good.

  Further, for example, the P table 1 executes the determination process and the subtraction prohibition process when the game ball stored in the P table 1 is converted into a holding ball when the card is returned when the card return button 322 is pressed. May be.

  Further, for example, the P table 1 may execute the determination process and the subtraction prohibition process when the game ball stored in the P table 1 is converted into a possession ball when the order of the wagon service is received.

  In addition, for example, when the card that stores a part of the game balls stored in the P table 1 is converted into a holding ball and is issued by the CU 10, the P table 1 performs a determination process and a subtraction prohibition process. May be executed.

  (22) In the present embodiment, the P platform 1 executes the above-described determination process and the addition prohibition process and the subtraction prohibition process. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the CU 10 executes the above-described determination process. In addition, addition prohibition processing and subtraction prohibition processing may be executed.

  For example, when the CU 10 receives a status information response including information on the game ball addition result = OK and a predetermined number of game balls from the P unit 1 at the time of prepaid lending or replay, a card is inserted into the CU 10 It may be determined whether or not the ball is not subtracted unless a card is inserted. In addition, for example, when the CU 10 receives an order for conversion from a game ball to a possession ball when receiving an order for a wagon service, whether or not a card is inserted in the CU 10. If the card is not inserted, the ball may not be added. When determining whether or not a card is inserted, the CU 10 determines that a card is inserted when a card insertion response including a result = OK is received from the P-unit 1, and determines that the result = NG. It may be determined that the card is not inserted when the card insertion response including the card insertion response is received from the P table 1 or when the card insertion response to the card insertion notification is not received from the P table 1. In addition, the CU 10 determines that a card is inserted when a status information response including information indicating that the card is in the inserted state is received from the P-unit 1, and includes state information including information indicating that the card is not in the inserted state. When the response is received from the P platform 1, it may be determined that the card is not inserted.

  (23) In addition to the addition and subtraction of game balls in the P stand 1, the P stand 1 determines whether or not a card is inserted in the CU 10 when executing other predetermined processing. If is not inserted, execution of the predetermined process may be prohibited. For example, if the card is not inserted in the CU 10, the P machine 1 may prohibit a game in the P machine 1.

  (24) Moreover, although the conditions for canceling the error of insufficient circulating balls are determined in advance for the P platform 1, the conditions may be changed. For example, when the release condition is that the firing of the launching device 14 is continuously detected for 20 seconds or more, the release condition may be changed that the firing of the launching device 14 is continuously detected for 30 seconds or more. Is possible.

  (25) In addition, although it has been described that the P platform 1 notifies when an error occurs, the notification may be performed when the error is canceled. This makes it possible to determine when the error state has been resolved. In particular, when a continuous automatic firing test is performed in a development environment, the status of the test can be verified later by leaving log information of when an error condition has occurred and when it has been resolved.

<Other variations>
(1) In this embodiment, the addition sequence number and the counting sequence number are defined in the message format as different data, but these may be shared as a request sequence number. In particular, the addition of game balls and the counting of game balls are the opposite processes, so it is unlikely that both processes will occur at the same time. From this point of view, it is possible to reduce the amount of message data by sharing both serial numbers. It is.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a new request is generated until the request sequence number reaches a predetermined upper limit value, the sequence number is updated based on the previously updated value. However, instead of such control, when all the processes corresponding to one request are completed, the request sequence number may be initialized to a predetermined initial value.

  Request sequence numbers such as addition sequence numbers and count sequence numbers, and even normal sequence numbers, are not incremented one by one, but are updated (addition update, subtraction) according to a predetermined rule stored in both the P unit 1 and the CU 10. Update, update by other arithmetic expressions). In this case, the serial number is not “sequential numbers” such as 1, 2, and 3, but data that is updated based on concepts such as A, B, and C.

  (2) In the present embodiment, game points are added by consuming the card count. Alternatively, game points are added by consuming stored balls (stored medals). That is, the card frequency or the stored ball is converted into game points. On the other hand, the card power and the stored balls are not converted into points (count balls, count medals). However, the card power and the stored ball may be once converted into points.

  (3) In the present embodiment, game points are converted into points by counting operation. The conversion rate in this case is 1: 1. However, the conversion rate in the case of conversion may be other than 1: 1. For example, when 100 game points are converted, 97 points obtained by subtracting three of them may be converted into points. Or you may make it convert into the number of game balls obtained by multiplying a predetermined ratio of less than 100% with respect to a point.

  (4) The recording medium for recording the holding point in an identifiable manner may use a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. In this case, the communication unit for communicating with the mobile terminal is provided in the CU, and the CU recognizes the ID stored in the mobile terminal by holding the mobile terminal over the communication unit. The game is made possible by the procedure as described. On the other hand, at the end of the game, the portable terminal is again held over the communication unit, so that the score at the end of the game is added to the player's score through the ID.

  (5) In the present embodiment, in the communication between the CU and the gaming machine, a command-response method is adopted in which the CU is a primary station and the gaming machine is a secondary station. The relationship between and may be reversed. Alternatively, instead of adopting such a communication system having a master-slave relationship, a system may be employed in which both send data to the other party when a request to communicate occurs.

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

  1 Pachinko machine, 2S slot machine, 10 card unit, 16 main control board, 17 payout control board, 2 game board, 35 holding point display part, 171 payout control part, 309 card insertion / discharge port, 319 replay button, 320 IR light receiving unit, 321 ball lending button, 322 return button, 323 CU control unit.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine in which a plurality of gaming media are enclosed,
Launching means for launching game media;
Supply means for supplying game media to the launch means;
An abnormality determination unit that monitors a passing state of the game medium in the supply unit, and can determine that a specific abnormality corresponding to the number of game media that can be launched is less than a predetermined number based on the passing state; ,
With
The gaming machine, wherein the abnormality determining unit determines that the specific abnormality has been resolved based on the fact that the firing of the launching unit is continuously detected for a predetermined period after determining that the specific abnormality has occurred.

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