JP2020058869A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce an economic burden of a game hall when introducing an awarded point type slot machine.SOLUTION: A CU (card unit), which is connected to an awarded point type S machine (slot machine) stores awarded points usable for a game in the slot machine. The Pachinko machine transmits information on the number of additions corresponding to prize winning or the like and the number of subtractions corresponding setting of a betting number from the slot machine to the CU at each 200 ms. The CU receiving the information updates and stores the awarded points. The CU transmits an instruction for opening a front door and performs unlocking after a lapse of wait time in the slot machine receiving the instruction when opening the front door of the slot machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention is provided with a variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, and one game can be started by setting the number of bets at the score and at the same time the display result is derived on the variable display device. The present invention relates to a slot machine in which points are added in accordance with a prize generated by a display result of the variable display device after the game ends.

  A game machine with a sealed ball type is known as a game machine in which points can be played and points are added according to the occurrence of a prize. Further, as a gaming device that adds a point using a game value owned by a player and is communicably connected to the gaming machine, a card balance is used to add a point and an enclosed ball type A card unit that is communicatively connected to a gaming machine is known.

  Regarding such a conventional gaming machine and gaming device, Patent Literature 1 describes a sealed ball type gaming machine 1 and a terminal device 3 provided adjacent to the left side of the gaming machine (see Patent Literature 1). See paragraphs [0019] [0022]).

  Similarly, Patent Document 2 describes an enclosed ball game machine 100 and a ball lending machine 901 (see paragraph [0086] of Patent Document 2).

  In the case of the pachinko gaming machine described in the prior art documents 1 and 2, the points used for the game are added by the occurrence of a prize or the withdrawal of the card balance, while the pachinko balls are fired. Is subtracted by. In this way, the number of points that fluctuates according to the game situation is managed by the gaming machine itself in the past (see paragraphs [0079] and [0080] of Prior Art Document 2, paragraph [0043] of Prior Art Document 1). [0045]).

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a game card in which the final number of balls held is written by transmitting the final number of balls held to the terminal device 3 by the game point control device 51 of the gaming machine in response to the end of the game. It is described that the toner is discharged from the terminal device 3 (see paragraph [0059] of Patent Document 1).

JP, 10-337371, A JP, 2006-254955, A

  When the systems shown in the prior art documents 1 and 2 are directly applied to the slot machine, the slot machine manages the number of points. In order to manage the number of points with the slot machine itself, the slot machine needs to have a point management function. In particular, since the score is important information that should be strictly managed from the viewpoint of fraud prevention, the function required for score management is also sophisticated. As a result, the score management function is a factor that further increases the cost of the slot machine, which tends to become more sophisticated and complex in consideration of playability.

  Furthermore, in order to provide more entertaining games at the game arcade, the slot machines are replaced regardless of whether or not there is a failure.

  For this reason, it has been a great economic burden on the game arcade that the cost of slot machines, which tend to increase in cost, is further increased by the point management function.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the economic burden on a game arcade in which a point-slot type slot machine is introduced. Further, a further object of the present invention is to enable the closed state of the front member of the slot machine to be released by an instruction from the gaming machine side without affecting the game result.

(1) A connection unit (connector 220) for communicatively connecting to a gaming device (card unit 3) that adds points by using a gaming value (prepaid balance, number of medals) owned by a player, A variable display device (reel 2L, 2C, 2R) for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols is provided, and one game can be started by setting the number of bets at the score and a display result is derived on the variable display device. A slot machine (slot machine 2) in which one game is ended by being played, and points are added according to a prize generated by the display result of the variable display device,
A front member (front door 2b) that covers the front surface of the slot machine in an openable and closable manner,
Lock means for locking the front member in the closed state (front door opening solenoid 110, engagement protrusions 6a, 6b, engagement receiving pieces 7a, 7b),
When the information for instructing the unlocking by the locking means transmitted from the gaming device (FIG. 22; the front door opening request is present) is received, a new game cannot be started (gambling prohibited state (number of bets). A game prohibition means (FIG. 22; BET prohibition by the point control board 117 and the game control board 116) for making the operation invalid state),
A game prohibition information transmitting means for transmitting information indicating that the game prohibition means has brought the game prohibition state, to the game device;
Release control means (FIG. 22; lock release by holding point control board 117) for performing control for releasing the lock by the lock means after the game prohibition means sets the game prohibition state,
When the game is being executed when the information for instructing the unlocking by the lock means (FIG. 22; front door opening request is present) is received, the release control means until after the end of the game. The delay means for delaying the control for releasing the lock by the lock means (FIG. 22; the holding point control board 117 excites the front frame opening solenoid 110 until the wait time elapses (or the game ends when the game is in progress)). Delay) is included.

  Alternatively, the release control means does not accept the information for instructing the lock release when the game is in execution when the information for instructing the lock release by the lock means is received. Including means.

  According to such a configuration, the closed state of the front member can be released by an instruction from the gaming device side without affecting the game result.

(2) The specifying unit specifies the amount of change even when the holding point is changed while the game prohibiting unit is in the game prohibiting state (FIG. 22; Even if the score changes during the period, the change amount (addition number = 10 in FIG. 22) is specified.),
When the amount of change in the holding points is specified by the specifying unit while the game prohibiting unit is in the game prohibited state, the information transmitting unit provides update information for specifying the amount of change for the game. It is transmitted to the device (operation response when the number of additions = 10 in FIG. 22).

  According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to allow the gaming device to manage the number of points including the amount of change in the points after the game is prohibited.

  (3) The predetermined condition is that a predetermined game time limit (4.1 seconds) or more elapses.

  With such a configuration, even if the game is in progress when the game is prohibited, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the front member is unblocked before the game ends.

  (4) When the delay means receives information for instructing unlocking by the lock means during a game in which symbols are variably displayed on the variable display device, the game ends and the game The control for releasing the lock by the lock means is delayed until the lock state is set.

  With such a configuration, even if the game is in progress when the game is prohibited, the blockage of the front member is not released before the end of the game.

(5) Two for storing the amount of change identified by the update information transmitted by the information transmitting unit and storing the amount of change identified by the update information transmitted by the information transmitting unit one time before Change amount storage means (FIG. 5; addition number counter for storing current addition number, subtraction number counter for counting current subtraction number, area for storing previous addition number as previous score related information and area for storing previous subtraction number) )When,
An arrival determination means (point control board 117, FIG. 25) for determining arrival of the update information to the gaming device based on predetermined information transmitted from the gaming device,
The information transmitting unit, when the arrival determining unit does not determine that the update information has arrived, the update information that can specify the sum of the change amounts stored in the two change amount storing units is used for the game. (FIG. 25).

  With such a configuration, when it is not determined that the update information has arrived, update information capable of specifying the sum of the change amounts stored in the two change amount storage means is transmitted to the gaming device. Therefore, it becomes possible to collect the information about the points in the gaming device surely and efficiently.

(6) The information transmitting means transmits the update information to the gaming device each time it receives information from the gaming device instructing the transmission of update information capable of specifying the amount of change (FIG. 5, (See FIG. 25, etc.),
Change amount storage means (addition number counter, subtraction number counter) for storing the change amount specified by the update information transmitted by the information transmission means as the update information,
The change amount storage means stores the change amount sequentially specified by the specifying means while the state in which the information instructing the transmission of the update information cannot be received even after a predetermined period has elapsed since the update information was transmitted. Based on this, the stored change amount is updated (FIG. 24),
The information transmitting unit is configured to receive, when a change amount based on the change amount sequentially specified by the specifying unit is stored in the change amount storage unit, when the information for transmitting the update information is received, The update information capable of specifying the change amount stored in the change amount storage means is transmitted (FIG. 24).

  According to such a configuration, even when the communication between the gaming device and the slot machine is interrupted, it is possible to surely collect the information about the points during that period in the gaming device. .

It is a front view showing a card unit and a slot machine. It is a perspective view showing a state in which a front door of the slot machine is opened. It is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the card unit and the slot machine. It is a block diagram showing a configuration of a slot machine. It is an explanatory view for explaining various data stored in each of the card unit and the slot machine and a transmission / reception mode thereof. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of commands and responses performed between the card unit and the slot machine. (A) is an explanatory view for explaining the content of the communication start request, and (b) is an explanatory view for explaining the content of the operation instruction. (A) is an explanatory view for explaining the content of the device information response, and (b) is an explanatory view for explaining the content of the recovery response. It is explanatory drawing explaining the content of the operation response. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a manner of transmission and reception of commands and responses between the card unit and the slot machine. It is a figure which shows an example of a process when a communication interruption is detected by the card unit side. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a process when a communication failure is detected on the slot machine side. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of processing in the card unit and the slot machine at power-on. It is a diagram showing an example of a process when the card unit and the slot machine are reconnected. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of processing in a standby state where the card unit and the slot machine are not operated. FIG. 31 shows an example of processing by the card unit and the slot machine when a card is inserted into the card unit. It is a figure showing an example of processing of a card unit and a slot machine at the time of consuming the balance of a prepaid card. FIG. 38 shows an example of processing by the card unit and the slot machine during replay. FIG. 27 shows an example of processing by the card unit and the slot machine when the number of points is subtracted according to an instruction from the card unit side. It is a diagram showing an example of processing of the card unit and the slot machine when the number of points in the slot machine runs out during the game. It is a diagram showing an example of processing of the card unit and the slot machine when returning the card. FIG. 38 shows an example of processing by the card unit and the slot machine when the front door of the slot machine is unlocked and opened. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of processing of the card unit and the slot machine when the slot machine is not connected when the power supply is activated while the card unit is holding the card. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of processing by the card unit and the slot machine when an operation instruction (no requested operation) from the card unit does not reach the slot machine. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of processing by the card unit and the slot machine when an operation response (response to no request operation) from the slot machine does not reach the card unit. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of processing of the card unit and the slot machine when an operation instruction (response to the addition request) from the card unit does not reach the slot machine. FIG. 31 shows an example of processing by the card unit and the slot machine when the operation response (response to the addition request) from the slot machine does not reach the card unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of processing of the card unit and the slot machine when an operation instruction (subtraction request) from the card unit does not reach the slot machine. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of processing of the card unit and the slot machine when the operation response (response to the subtraction request) from the slot machine does not reach the card unit. FIG. 38 shows an example of processing by the card unit and the slot machine when the slot machine returns a response of addition refusal to the addition request of the card unit. FIG. 38 shows an example of processing by the card unit and the slot machine when the slot machine returns a subtraction refusal response to the card unit subtraction request. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of processing of the card unit and the slot machine when the slot machine returns a clear refusal response to the clear instruction request of the card unit. It is a figure showing an example of processing of a card unit and a slot machine when a slot machine returns a response of permission refusal to a game permission request of a card unit. It is a diagram showing an example of processing of the card unit and the slot machine when the slot machine returns a response of refusal of prohibition to the game prohibition request of the card unit. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of processing of the card unit and the slot machine when the slot machine returns a front door open refusal response to the front door open request of the card unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of recovery processing between the card unit and the slot machine when power is cut off in the card unit after reaching the operation response regarding the addition / subtraction data. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of recovery processing between the card unit and the slot machine when power failure occurs in the card unit before reaching the operation instruction. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of recovery processing between the card unit and the slot machine when power is cut off in the card unit before reaching the operation response regarding addition / subtraction data. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of recovery processing between the card unit and the slot machine when the power supply to the card unit is cut off before the addition request is reached. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of recovery processing between the card unit and the slot machine when power supply interruption occurs in the card unit before the operation response to the addition request arrives. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of recovery processing between the card unit and the slot machine in the case where a power failure occurs in the card unit before reaching the subtraction request. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of recovery processing between the card unit and the slot machine in the case where a power failure occurs in the card unit before the operation response to the subtraction request arrives. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of recovery processing between the card unit and the slot machine when the power supply to the card unit is cut off before the clear request is reached. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of recovery processing between the card unit and the slot machine when power is cut off in the card unit before the operation response to the clear request is reached.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, with reference to FIG. 1, a slot machine (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “S”) 2 is provided in parallel with each gaming island (not shown) arranged in the game hall. A card unit (hereinafter also abbreviated as CU) 3 as an example of a game device is installed in a one-to-one correspondence with the slot machine 2 at a predetermined lateral position of the machine 2.

  The card unit 3 is issued to a visitor card having a prepaid function, which is a recording medium for games issued to a general player who has not registered as a member, or a member player who has registered as a member at the game hall. A corresponding slot machine by accepting a membership card, which is a recording medium for gaming, and converting the gaming value (for example, card balance or savings medal) owned by the player specified by the recorded information of the card into a point. 2 has a function for setting a bet number in exchange for points and allowing a game to be played.

  On the front side of the card unit 3, a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting a bill, a projecting portion 305 projecting from the front of the device toward the front of the device, a card insertion port 309 for inserting a membership card or a visitor card, etc. Is provided. The member card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion slot 309 is accepted by the card reader / writer 327 (see FIG. 3), and the information recorded on the card is read. On the surface of the protruding portion 305 facing the player, the display 312 and the membership card ID recorded in the membership card and the number of medals specified by the membership ID when the membership card is received are displayed. An IR light receiving unit 315 (FIG. 1) which receives an infrared signal from a replay button 319 for carrying out the replay game used and a remote controller (not shown) possessed by an attendant at the game hall and converts the infrared signal into an electronic signal for output. (Not shown) is provided.

  The display 312 displays the prepaid balance recorded in the inserted game recording medium (card), and can display the number of points and various other information described later, and the surface has a transparent touch panel. It is configured such that various operations can be input by touching various display items displayed on the display unit of the display unit 312 with a finger.

  When the player has operated the replay button 319 and the score acquired by the player is recorded in the inserted card, a predetermined number of score points are deducted from the score and the score is used for the game. If the inserted card is a membership card and the number of points is not recorded and the saved medal is recorded in the hall management computer 1 etc., a predetermined number of points from the saved medal are given. Will be deducted and points will be given for use in the game.

  In addition, the "savings medal" is, in particular, a score point deposited in a game hall, and is generally managed by the hall management computer 1 and other management computers installed in the game hall. On the other hand, the "score" is a score that has not yet been deposited in the game hall. The points may be managed by a management device for managing the number of points set in the game hall. In short, the difference between "savings medals" and "points" is the points earned at the amusement hall after the operation of saving medals for depositing at the amusement hall has been performed, or the points still being deposited at the amusement hall. It is a point that is a score of the stage that is not entered.

  The bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 302 is taken in by the currency discriminator 344 and its authenticity or bill type is identified. Then, the player is given points according to the bill amount.

  A lending button 321 and a return button 322 are further provided on the front side of the card unit 3. The lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation for withdrawing the balance recorded in the inserted card and securing a score for use in the game. The return button 322 is an operation button which is operated when the player finishes the game and stores the fixed number of points at the end of the game in the inserted card and ejects it.

  The points given by the operation of the replay button 319 or the lending button 321 and the points given by inserting the bill into the bill insertion slot 302 are stored together in the card unit 3. This score is displayed on the display 312. The card unit 3 may be provided with a dedicated indicator for displaying the points. The card unit 3 subtracts and updates the stored points for the bet number set in the slot machine 2, and adds and updates the stored points for the winning amount generated in the slot machine 2.

  In the slot machine 2, the number of bets is set by using the points, and the points are added and updated according to the winning. Therefore, when playing a game in the slot machine 2, it is not necessary to insert a medal. Therefore, the slot machine 2 is not provided with a medal insertion slot or a medal payout slot.

  Inside the casing 1a of the slot machine 2, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter also referred to as left reel, middle reel, and right reel) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 1, among the symbols arranged on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three consecutive symbols are arranged so that they can be seen from the see-through window 10 provided on the front door 2b. On the outer peripheral portions of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, a plurality of types of symbols are drawn in a predetermined order.

  A display area 51a of a liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 4) is arranged at the front side (player side) of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R of the front door 2b.

  On the front surface side (front side in FIG. 1) of the liquid crystal display 51, an instruction (for example, touch operation) from the player to the display surface is detected, and the position (for example, a touch operation position) is specified. The light emitting devices 56a and 56b and the light receiving devices 57a and 57b, which form a touch panel for the above, are installed.

  Further, on the front door 2b, a one-sheet BET switch 5 that is operated when setting the number of bets using "points = 1" corresponding to one medal, the maximum determined according to the gaming state. It is operated when setting the bet number (for example, in the normal gaming state and RT (Replay Time) where the winning probability of replay has a high probability, "points = 3", and in bonuses "points = 2") There are provided a MAXBET switch 6, a start switch 7 operated when starting a game, and stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R operated when stopping the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, respectively.

  Further, on the front door 2b, a point display 11 for displaying the total number of points, a game auxiliary display 12 for displaying an error code, etc., and a payout display for displaying the number of points awarded by the occurrence of a prize. A container 13 is provided. Since the total number of points is displayed on the display 312 of the card unit 3 as described above, the point display 11 may not be provided in the slot machine 2.

  Further, on the front door 2b, 1BETLED14 for notifying that the bet number of 3 is set by lighting, 2BETLED15 for notifying that the bet number of 2 is set by lighting, and bet number of 3 are set. A 3BET LED 16 that notifies by lighting, a start valid LED 18 that notifies that the game start operation by operating the start switch 7 is effective, and a weight (starting rotation of the reel because a certain period has not elapsed since the start of the previous game). A waiting LED 19 that lights up to indicate that it is in a standby state and a replaying LED 20 that lights up to indicate that a replay game is in progress are provided.

  When playing a game in the slot machine 2, first, the number of bets is set using the points secured by using the card unit 3. In order to use the points, the single BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 may be operated. When the bet number is set, the pay line determined according to the bet number and the gaming state among the pay lines L1 to L4 (see FIG. 1) becomes valid, and the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, that is, the game. Is ready to start.

  The winning line is a line set to determine whether the combination of symbols displayed on the transparent window 10 of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is a combination of winning symbols. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper stage of the reel 2L, the middle stage of the reel 2C, the lower stage of the reel 2R, that is, the winning line L1 and the lower stage of the reel 2L which are set across the symbols arranged in the lower right direction, Middle stage of reel 2C, upper stage of reel 2R, that is, winning line L2 set over symbols arranged in the right upward direction, upper stage of reel 2L, middle stage of reel 2C, upper stage of reel 2R, that is, V-shaped symbols There are four types of winning lines: the winning line L3 set across the line, the lower stage of the reel 2L, the middle stage of the reel 2C, the lower stage of the reel 2R, that is, the winning line L4 set across the symbols arranged in an inverted V shape. Has been defined as. The winning line is not limited to the lines indicated by L1 to L4, and for example, the line extending over the symbols arranged in the upper stage of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, the line extending over the symbols arranged in the middle stage of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R. The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R may include a line extending over the symbols arranged in the lower row.

  When the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, 2R rotate, and the symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, 2R continuously change. When any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped and the display result is derived and displayed on the see-through window 10.

  Then, all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped to complete one game, and a predetermined symbol combination (hereinafter, also referred to as a combination) on any of the activated pay lines L1 to L4. When the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are stopped as a result of display, a prize is generated, and a player's score is determined according to the prize.

  Further, in the slot machine 2 of the present embodiment, after the game is started and the reels 2L, 2C, 2R rotate to start changing the symbols, one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R When operated, the rotation of the reels corresponding to the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is stopped and the symbols are stopped and displayed. The maximum stop delay time from the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R to the stop of the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is 190 ms (milliseconds).

  The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate 80 times per minute, and the symbols for 80 × 21 (the number of symbol frames per reel) = 1680 frames are changed, so a maximum of 4 symbols are drawn in 190 ms. It will be possible. That is, the symbols that can be selected as the stop symbols are the symbols that are displayed when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated, and the symbols that are four frames ahead of the symbols, for a total of five symbols.

  Therefore, for example, when the symbols displayed in the lower row of the reel corresponding to the stop switch when any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is used as a reference, from the symbol to four frames ahead Since the symbols can be displayed in the lower row, as a result, the symbols up to 6 frames ahead of the symbol can be displayed in the upper row. That is, in each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, when one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is operated, within 7 frames including the symbols displayed in the lower row of the reel corresponding to the stop switch. It is possible to pull in the arranged symbols on the pay line and stop them. Such reel control is called pull-in control.

  Next, referring to FIG. 2, in the slot machine 2, the front door 2b is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body frame 2a with the left edge thereof as the swing center.

  A pair of upper and lower engaging projections 6a and 6b are provided near the edge of the front door 2b opposite to the swing center. The engagement protrusions 6a and 6b are pressed downward by a spring (not shown). On the other hand, engagement receiving pieces 7a and 7b are provided at the positions of the main body frame 2a facing the engagement protrusions 6a and 6b. By pressing the open front door 2b against the main body frame 2a, the engagement protrusions 6a, 6b move over the engagement receiving pieces 7a, 7b, and in the state of overcoming, the engagement protrusions 6a, 6b are moved downward by the biasing force of the spring. It moves and becomes locked.

  A front door opening solenoid 110 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the back surface side of the front door 2b, and when the front door opening solenoid 110 is excited, it resists the biasing force of the spring and a pair of upper and lower engaging members. The fitting protrusions 6a and 6b are pushed upward, and as a result, the engagement protrusions 6a and 6b are disengaged from the engagement receiving pieces 7a and 7b to be in the unlocked state, and the front door 2b is opened.

  A front door closing detector 112 (see FIG. 3) is provided at a position in the upper portion of the main body frame 2a that comes into contact with the front door 2b, and the front door 2b has been pressed against the main body frame 2a to be in a locked state. To be detected.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an outline of a control circuit for the card unit 3 and the slot machine 2 will be described. The card unit 3 is provided with a control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The control unit 323 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Member) that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, and a RAM (Random) that functions as a work area of the CPU. Access Memory), an input / output interface for maintaining signal integrity with peripheral devices, and the like.

  The control unit 323 is provided with an external communication unit 324 for communicating with the hall management computer 1 and the like, and a gaming machine communication unit 325 for communicating with the point control board 117 of the slot machine 2. Is provided. The card unit 3 is provided with a connector 330 for connecting to the slot machine 2 side, and the slot machine 2 is provided with a connector 220 for connecting to the card unit 3 side. The gaming machine communication unit 325 and the holding point control board 117 are communicably connected to each other through the connectors 330 and 220 and the connection wiring.

  The currency discriminator 344 described above discriminates the authenticity and type of the bill, and the discrimination result signal is input to the control unit 323. When the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives the infrared light emitted from the remote controller owned by the attendant at the game arcade, the light reception signal is input to the control unit 323. The card reader / writer 327 reads the recorded information of the inserted card, the read information is input to the control unit 323, and the control unit 323 sends to the card reader / writer 327 the data to be written to the inserted card. When transmitted, the card reader / writer 327 writes the data in the inserted card.

  The control unit 323 outputs display data such as the balance or the number of points to the display unit 312, and the display unit 312 displays the output display data. Further, when the player operates the touch panel provided on the surface of the display 312, the operation signal is input to the control unit 323. When the player operates the lending button 321, the operation signal is input to the control unit 323. When the player operates the replay button 319, the operation signal is input to the control unit 323. When the player operates the return button 322, the operation signal is input to the control unit 323.

  The slot machine 2 is provided with a game control board 116 for controlling the progress of the game of the gaming machine and a holding point control board 117 in an electrically connected state.

  A game control microcomputer is mounted on the game control board 116. The game control microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Member) that stores programs and control data for the CPU to operate, and a RAM (functioning as a work area of the CPU). Random Access Memory), an input / output interface for maintaining signal integrity with peripheral devices, etc.

  The point control board 117 is equipped with a point control microcomputer. The point control microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Member) that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, and a RAM that functions as a work area of the CPU. (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices, etc. are provided.

  Further, the front door opening solenoid 110 and the front door closing detector 112 are provided in a state of being electrically connected to the holding point control board 117.

  The game control board 116 detects the start operation after setting the number of bets, variably starts the variable display devices (reels 2L, 2C, 2R) and lottery the result of one game, and stops each reel according to the stop operation. Let

  When the front door closing detector 112 detects that the front door 2b is closed, the detection signal is input to the holding point control board 117. The point holding control board 117 excites the front door opening solenoid 110 by transmitting a front door opening solenoid excitation signal to the front door opening solenoid 110 to unlock the front door 2b.

  The score control board 117 is provided with a score counter for storing the total score of the player separately from the card unit 3. The point control board 117 is for transmitting a request for addition of the number of points from the card unit 3 when the player performs an operation of deducting the valuable value owned by the player and securing the points. Upon receiving the request for addition, the board 117 adds and updates the point counter. On the other hand, the score control board 117 subtracts and updates the score counter according to the bet number setting.

  In addition, the score control board 117 transmits a signal to that effect to the game control board 116 when the value of the score counter becomes less than the minimum value required for bet number setting. When the game control board 116 receives this signal, the game control board 116 puts it into a game prohibited state in which the game cannot be newly started thereafter. Specifically, the button operation for setting the bet number is invalidated.

  The game control board 116 sends to the score control board 117 a bet number setting signal indicating the number of bets set to start the game, and a payout number signal indicating the number of points awarded according to the occurrence of a prize. Is output. The point control board 117 transmits subtraction number information for subtracting the number of points to the gaming machine communication unit 325 based on the bet number setting signal inputted from the game control board 116, and at the same time, the point number counter is decremented and updated. Based on the payout amount signal input from the game control board 116, the number-of-addition information for adding the number of points is transmitted to the gaming machine communication unit 325, and the number-of-points counter is added and updated.

  Furthermore, when the game state changes, a signal indicating that fact is transmitted from the game control board 116 to the point control board 117. The gaming state notified by this signal is, for example, a RT that makes a winning probability of a big bonus, a regular bonus, or a replay a high probability, or a notification that a sub control unit 91 can execute a navigation effect that notifies an internal lottery result. The period includes assist time (called AT), BET operation detection state, start operation detection state, reel rotation start state, reel rotation stop state, and the like.

  The control unit 323 of the card unit 3 has a function of calculating the number of points currently in the slot machine 2 on the basis of the input signals of the number of additions and the number of subtractions, and managing the number of points.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the slot machine 2 will be described based on a block diagram. The slot machine 2 is provided with a game control board 116 and an effect control board 90. The game control board 116 controls the game state, and the effect control board 90 controls the effect according to the game state.

  On the game control board 116, one BET switch 5, MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, point indicator 11, game auxiliary indicator 12, payout indicator 13, 1-3BETLED 14 to. 16, a start valid LED 18, a weighting LED 19, a replaying LED 20, a front door opening detector 21, reel sensors 33L, 33C and 33R, and reel motors 32L, 32C and 32R are connected.

  The game control board 116 is provided with a main control unit 41 including a microcomputer. The main control unit 41 includes a random number generation circuit that generates a random number in a predetermined range, a sampling circuit that acquires a random number from the random number generation circuit, and the like. The main control unit 41 performs internal lottery of winning combinations by using the random numbers acquired from the random number generating circuit.

  A liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 1) arranged on the front door 2b of the slot machine 2 and speakers 53 and 54 are connected to the effect control board 90, and these electric parts are mounted on the effect control board 90. It is driven under the control of the sub control unit 91.

  In the slot machine 2 of the present embodiment, when the winning symbols are aligned on the pay line of any of the variable display devices constituted by the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, the prize is won. The type of winning combination is determined according to the game state, but it is roughly classified into a special combination involving the transition to a big bonus (BB) and a regular bonus (RB), and a small combination involving the payout of medals. There is a replay role (replay) that enables the next game to be started without the need to set the bet number.

  In the following, the big bonus may be described as BB, and the regular bonus provided during the big bonus may be described as RB. In addition, the big bonus and the regular bonus may be simply referred to as a bonus. In order for the winning of each combination determined according to the gaming state to occur, it is necessary to win the internal lottery and set the winning flag of the combination.

  Next, a process executed by the main control unit 41 in the slot machine 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the slot machine 2, the game is progressed by repeating the game processing one game at a time, but for that purpose, first, the game must be in a state in which the progress of the game is possible.

  The "game" in the slot machine 2 is, in a narrow sense, a period from the operation of the start switch 7 to the stop of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. Since the number of bets before the operation of 7 is set, the payout of medals and the transition of the game state are performed after the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, these incidental processes are broadly included in the "game". And

  The main control unit 41 first sets the bet number by detecting the operation of the single BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6, and starts the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R by detecting the operation of the start switch 7. .

  However, when a replay prize has been won in the previous game, the same number of bets as in the previous game is automatically set by the in-replay game flag (the in-replay game flag is deleted at this stage).

  When the number of bets is set and the start switch 7 is operated, the main control unit 41 extracts a random number for internal lottery, and based on the value of the extracted random number, each winning combination determined according to the gaming state A lottery process for deciding whether or not to win a prize is performed.

  The main control unit 41 performs reel rotation processing after the lottery processing. In the reel rotation processing, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are reeled on the condition that one game regulation time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R in the previous game. The motors 32L, 32C and 32R are driven to start rotation of all the left, center and right reels 2L, 2C and 2R.

  The main controller 41 stops when a predetermined condition (detecting the reference position by the reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R after the rotation speed reaches a constant speed) is established from the start of rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. The operation of the switches 8L, 8C, 8R is valid. Then, the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R are operated by the player to stop driving the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R and stop the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R.

  When the driving of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, the main control unit 41 performs a winning determination process for determining whether or not any one of the predetermined winning symbols has been derived and displayed on the winning line. In the winning determination process, when it is determined that a winning combination such as BB is won, a process for controlling a bonus (for example, setting a bonus value corresponding to the value of the gaming state flag) is performed.

  When the winning determination process ends, the main control unit 41 performs a payout process. In the payout process, a payout number signal indicating the number of points to be given is output to the point control board 117. Further, in the payout process, as various processes not related to winning, a bonus end determination process for determining whether or not a bonus end condition corresponding to the bonus is satisfied during the bonus (BB or RB) is performed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, various data stored on the CU side and the S-unit side and their transmission / reception modes will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the CU side manages the current number of points by calculating the variation of the number of points on the S side. The current number of points is also calculated and stored on the S side. However, on the S side, the number of points is only to prevent a new game from starting as early as possible when the number of points is less than the minimum required to set the bet number (for example, 0). It is a secondary one used for. In the present embodiment, since the main management of the number of points is performed on the CU side, it is not necessary to provide a function for strictly managing the number of points on the S side, and the cost of the S number is as much as possible. Can be suppressed.

  Especially, compared to the CU, the S unit has a shorter replacement cycle in the game hall, and the replacement is performed earlier. Therefore, by providing the CU side with the main management function relating to the number of points on the S unit side and suppressing the cost on the S unit side, there is an advantage that the running cost of the amusement park where the S unit is introduced can be reduced. is there.

  FIG. 5 shows the storage data of the RAM provided in the control unit 323 on the CU side and the storage data of the RAM mounted on the holding point control board 117 on the S side. First, when the power is turned on with the S unit (slot machine 2) and the CU (card unit 3) installed in the game hall and electrically connected for the first time, the point control board 117 on the S unit side Receives the main chip ID from the game control board 116, sends the main chip ID to the CU side, and sends the payout chip ID stored in the point control board 117 itself to the CU side.

  The CU side stores the transmitted main chip ID and payout chip ID. Next, the data of the connection time, that is, the time when the CU side and the S unit side are connected and the communication is started is transmitted from the CU side to the S unit side, and the S unit side stores the transmitted connection time. .

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

  On the CU side, the transmitted data is collated with the already stored data, and it is determined whether or not the same S units as the previous one are connected. The connection time data is the new connection time data that is transmitted from the CU side to the S unit side when the connection between the CU side and the S unit side is started each time the power is turned on. Will be stored on the S side.

  In addition, the sequence number (SQN) is incremented by "1" each time the operation instruction and the operation response are updated on the CU side and the S unit side, and the sequence number is stored on the CU side and the S unit side. It The SQN is a communication number for confirming whether the communication is properly performed by updating the number each time data is transmitted and received between the CU and the S unit. The SQN is the last updated number of the updated communication numbers.

  For example, a certain operation instruction is transmitted from the CU side to the S unit side and the sequence number n at that time is transmitted, and the S unit side stores the transmitted sequence number n. When the operation response is returned from the S-unit side to the CU side, the stored sequence number n is also transmitted. On the CU side, the returned sequence number n matches the already stored sequence number n, so it is determined that the data communication is normally performed, and when the operation instruction is sent next, the sequence number is incremented by +1. The sequence number of n + 1 is sent to the S side.

  Next, the S-point side transmits the current point-related information (counting point-related information) to the CU side. This current score related information is stored by each counter in the current score related information storage area of the RAM.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the current score related information storage area of the RAM is provided with a total of four types of counters: an addition number counter, a subtraction number counter, an external output information counter, and a score point counter. There is.

  The number-of-addition counter is a counter for counting the number of points that should be added in accordance with the occurrence of winning. When a winning occurs in the S units, the game control board 116 transmits a payout number signal capable of specifying the point addition number to the point control board 117. The score control board 117 adds and updates the addition counter based on the payout number signal.

  The subtraction counter is a counter for counting the number of points to be subtracted according to the bet number setting. When the bet number setting operation is detected, the bet number setting signal is transmitted from the game control board 116 to the score control board 117. The score control board 117 adds and updates the subtraction counter based on the bet number setting signal.

  The external output counter is a counter for counting the number of times the game state has changed. As the external output counter, a counter for counting the number of transitions to BB, a counter for counting the number of transitions to RB, a counter for counting the number of transitions to RT, and a variable display device to start variable (game). There are provided a plurality of types such as a counter for counting the number of times of start) and a counter for counting the number of times of detecting a BET operation. The holding point control board 117 adds and updates the corresponding external output counter based on various signals indicating the change of the game state transmitted from the game control board 116.

  The score counter is a counter for storing the player's current score (total score). The holding point control board 117 adds and updates the holding point counter by the addition amount of the addition number counter when updating the addition number counter and updates the holding point counter by the addition amount of the subtraction number counter when adding and updating the subtraction number counter. Just subtract and update.

  A command requesting data transmission is transmitted from the CU to the S units at regular time intervals. The S units transmit the values of the four types of counters to the CU at the timing of receiving the command. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the S-units, as shown in FIG. 5, of the three types of counters out of the four types of counters except the point count counter, show the counter values of the “previous time point related information” every data transmission. Back up to storage area.

  That is, the value of the addition counter is “addition number”, the value of the subtraction number counter is “subtraction number”, the value of the external output information counter is “external output information”, and the “previous holding point related information” is stored. It is stored in the area. When the data is stored in the storage area, the data stored before that is erased. That is, new data is overwritten and saved (rewritten) in the storage area of the "previous score information".

  The addition number counter, the subtraction number counter, and the external output information counter whose counter values have been backed up in the storage area of the “previous time point related information” are initialized (cleared to 0) after that, in preparation for the next data count. To be

  As a result, to the addition number counter, the subtraction number counter, and the external output information counter, the amount of change in each data (points, external output information) since the data was transmitted to the CU last time (not transmitted to the CU) Data) will be stored. Then, the next time the data transmission request is received from the CU, the amount of change in the data from when the data transmission request was received last time to the time when the data transmission request is received this time is sent to the CU. Become. On the other hand, as described above, the total number of holding points at the current stage is stored in the holding point counter that is not initialized each time data is transmitted. Then, each time a data transmission request is received from the CU, the total number of points currently held is transmitted to the CU. That is, each time the S units receive the command instructing the transmission of the data change amount, the S unit transmits the data change amount from the previous reception of the command to the current reception.

  In other words, the data of the number of additions, the number of subtractions, and the external output information, which are the current score related information transmitted to the CU side immediately before, in the storage area of the previous score related information (the current score related information transmitted immediately before). Is stored as backup data. This backup data shows not only the value of each counter this time at the time of the next transmission, but also the value of each previous counter that was not transmitted when the point related information is not transmitted from the S unit side to the CU side. Is also to be able to send.

  On the CU side, the total addition number (addition total), the total subtraction number (subtraction total), the external output information total, and the number of points are stored in the total data storage area in the RAM.

  The CU updates the total number of additions and the number of points based on the value of the number-of-additions counter transmitted from the S side. In addition, the total subtraction number and the number of points are updated based on the value of the subtraction number counter transmitted from the S side. Further, the cumulative number of external output information is updated based on the value of the external output information counter transmitted from S units. The cumulative total of external output information is updated for each type of external output information counter. As a result, on the CU side, "BB", "RB", "RT", "AT", "BET operation detection", "start operation detection", "reel rotation start", "reel rotation" as described above. The number of occurrences is accumulated for each "stop".

  In this way, the CU can manage the latest score by updating the score with the current score-related information transmitted from the S units. Similarly, the CU can manage the latest information by updating the total number of additions, the total number of subtractions, and the total number of external output information according to the current point-related information transmitted from S units one by one. Become.

  Although the CU receives the count value of the point count counter in addition to the values of the addition number counter and the subtraction number counter from the S side, the number of points stored in itself is the number of the addition number counter and the subtraction number counter. The value is updated based on the value, and the count value of the holding point counter sent from the S side is not used. Therefore, even if the number of points sent from the S side does not match the number of points managed on the CU side, the number of points on the CU side is updated with the number of points sent from the S side. There is no need to be killed.

  Further, the CU collates the value of the score counter transmitted from the S unit side with the current score updated on the CU side to determine whether or not they match.

  On condition that it is determined that they match (match confirmation), the CU sends a normal (normal) operation request (command) to the S units and sends a normal (normal) operation response (command). (Response) continues to be received. On the other hand, when it is determined that they do not match, the CU controls to shift to the error state.

  As the control for shifting to the error state, for example, an error notification is performed by the display 312, or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the hall management computer 1 (in this case, the hall management computer 1). The error notification may be performed according to No. 1), or a predetermined notification for prompting an artificial response by a staff member can be considered.

  Alternatively, if it is determined that they do not match, the CU may generate a command for instructing the correction of the score to the score managed by the CU, and then transmit the command to the S units. Conceivable. In this case, the S unit is provided with a function of correcting the number of points stored by itself in accordance with the correction instruction command. The correction instruction command may be a command that specifies the number of points managed on the CU side, or the difference between the number of points managed on the CU side and the number of points stored on the S unit side. May be a command indicating.

  In this way, the CU receives the values of various counters transmitted from the S unit side, calculates the current score, in particular, based on the value of the addition / subtraction number counter, and manages the score. have. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a main management function on the S unit. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the game machine can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the score is also stored on the S side for the purpose of immediately prohibiting the game when the score becomes 0. However, the S-number side may not be provided with a score counter for storing the score.

  The CU does not match the function for performing the score match determination process of collating the calculated score at the present time with the value of the score counter transmitted from the S side to determine whether or not they match. Sometimes, it has a function of performing control to shift to an error state (error control at the time of disagreement).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of points is also stored on the S side, but it can be determined whether the number of points matches the number of points managed and stored on the CU side. Is set (CU side function). Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which the number of points stored on the gaming machine side does not match the number of points stored on the CU side due to misconduct or other reasons, it can be checked. Although the determination function is provided on the CU side here, for example, by the hall management computer 1 connected to the CU, the number of points stored on the CU side and the number of points stored on the S side are stored. And may be received to determine whether or not the two match.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the CU further has a storage area for storing the stored medals and a storage area for storing the card balance of the accepted (inserted) prepaid card (game card). The control unit 323 (see FIG. 3) of the CU stores the stored medals in response to an input requesting the use of the stored medals (for example, a pressing input of a replay button 319 (see FIG. 3) provided on the CU). A predetermined number of medals are subtracted from the area. Further, the control unit 323 (see FIG. 3) of the CU subtracts a predetermined value from the storage area for storing the card balance in response to an input requesting the use of the card balance (for example, pressing input of the lending button 321).

  In addition, when the player performs an operation of deducting the value from the gaming value owned by the player (for example, the prepaid balance or the number of accumulated medals), the player has a score for the debit. The number of addition requests for addition to the point counter is transmitted from the CU side to the S side. On the S-side, in response to this, the point count counter is added and updated.

  On the other hand, when an operation of ordering a so-called wagon service such as deducting the gaming value owned by the player and exchanging it for a drink etc. is executed, the number of requests for subtracting the gaming value owned by the player is from the CU side. Sent to the S side. On the S side, in response to this, the point count counter is decremented and updated.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an outline of commands and responses performed between the card unit and the slot machine will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows the transmission direction, whether the data to be transmitted is a command or a response, the name of the transmission information and its outline. First, the CU sends a command called a device information request to the S units. The device information request command requests the S units to transmit the main chip ID and the like.

  The S unit transmits a response called a device information response to the CU. The response of the device information response is to send the main chip ID and the like to the CU. The CU sends an authentication request command to the S units. This authentication request command requests S units for authentication.

  An authentication response is transmitted from the S units to the CU. The response of this authentication response notifies acceptance of the authentication request from the CU. The CU sends a recovery request command to the S units. The recovery request command requests the S units to send the recovery information.

  A response of recovery response is transmitted from the S units to the CU. The response of this recovery response is to send the recovery information held in S units to the CU. The CU sends a connection confirmation request command to the S units. This connection confirmation request command notifies the S units that they are connected.

  A response of a connection confirmation response is transmitted from the S units to the CU. The response of this connection confirmation response notifies the CU that it is in the connected state. The CU sends a notification start request command to the S units. This notification start request command requests the S units to clear the recovery information and back up the connection ID (communication start time).

  The response of the communication start response is transmitted from the S units to the CU. The response of this communication start response notifies the CU of clearing the recovery information and ending the backup of the connection ID (communication start time).

  The CU sends an operation instruction command to the S units. The command of the operation instruction is for instructing various operations (game operation) to the S machine and requesting transmission of game machine information (addition / subtraction data etc.). The CU uses this command to periodically check the status of the gaming table.

  The response of the operation response is transmitted from the S units to the CU. The response of this operation response notifies the CU of the execution result of the game operation instruction and the game table information (addition / subtraction data etc.).

  Among the commands / responses shown in FIG. 6, the contents of the communication start request, operation instruction, device information response, recovery response, and operation response will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  First, referring to FIG. 7A, the communication start request command transmitted from the CU to the S units requests the S units to clear the recovery information and receive a new communication ID (communication start time). is there. Also, the CU, at the time of sending this command, performs a process of backing up the connection time and a process of backing up the “main chip ID” and the “payout chip ID”.

  When receiving the command for clearing the recovery information (recovery request ON), the S units clear the recovery data and back up the connection time.

  The connection time is the time held in the CU, the time when the communication between the CU and the S units is started, and is transmitted from the CU to the S units. Then, this connection time is used as a connection ID for communication. The recovery clear request is data indicating whether or not there is a recovery clear request. When the recovery clear request is ON, the recovery request is present, and when the recovery clear request is OFF, the recovery request is not present.

  The operation instruction commands transmitted from the CU to the S units shown in FIG. 7B are “addition of points”, “subtraction of points”, “game permission / prohibition”, and “points” for the S units. And "clear sequence number" operation, and requests transmission of various gaming machine information. The CU uses this command to periodically check the status of S units.

  As an operation request, 7-bit data of Bit0 to Bit6 is transmitted from the CU to the S units. Regarding Bit 0, the request for addition of the points score is instructed when it is “1”, and the request for addition of the points score is not instructed when it is “0”. Regarding Bit1, when the score is "1", the request for subtraction of the score is instructed, and when it is "0", the request for subtraction of the score is not instructed. Regarding Bit2, a game permission request is instructed when it is “1”, and a game permission request is not instructed when it is “0”.

  Regarding Bit3, when "1", a game prohibition request is instructed, and when "0", a game prohibition request is absent. Regarding Bit4, the request for clearing the score and the sequence number is instructed when it is “1”, and the request for clearing the score and the sequence number is not instructed when it is “0”.

Bit5 is used to request opening of the front door.
When a plurality of bits of Bit0 to Bit5 are "1", S units sequentially execute from Bit0.

  Further, the data of the addition request number, which is valid only when Bit 0 of the operation request is “1”, is transmitted from the CU to the S units. The data of the number of addition requests indicates the value to be added to the number of points.

  Data of the subtraction request number, which is valid only when Bit 1 of the operation request is “1”, is transmitted from the CU to the S units. The subtraction request number data indicates a value to be subtracted from the score.

  Referring to FIG. 8A, the response of the device information response is transmitted from the S units to the CU. The response of the device information response is to send the information of the main chip ID and the payout chip ID to the CU. The main chip ID is the main chip ID of S units, that is, the chip ID stored in the game control board 116, and the payout chip ID is the payout of the S units stored in the holding point control board 117. It is a chip ID.

  With reference to FIG. 8B, the response of the recovery response is transmitted from the S units to the CU. The response of this recovery response is to send the recovery information held in S units to the CU. The recovery information transmitted from the S units to the CU includes a connection time, a final sequence number, and current point related information.

  The connection time is the connection time backed up by S units (connection time data received from the CU at the start of communication). The final sequence number is the sequence number received from the CU and backed up by S units. The previous point-related information is the point-related information that was previously notified, and is the previously added number that is the previously notified addition number, the previous subtraction number that is the previously notified subtraction number, and the previously notified external output information. It is each information of the external output information.

  The current point-related information is the latest point-related information, and is the current number of points which is the number of points currently held in S units, the current number of additions which is the number of additions currently held in S units, The current subtraction number, which is the subtraction number currently held by the S units, and the external output information, which is currently held by the S units.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the response of the operation response is transmitted from the S units to the CU. The response of this operation response notifies the CU of the execution result of the instruction operation and the gaming table information such as the number of points.

  The execution result is transmitted from the S units to the CU as 7-bit data of Bit0 to Bit6. Regarding Bit 0, the execution result of the point addition refusal is shown when it is “1”, and the execution result of not refusing the addition of the point is shown when it is “0”. Regarding Bit1, the execution result of the score subtraction refusal is shown when it is "1", and the execution result that the subtraction of the score is not rejected is shown when it is "0". Regarding Bit2, the execution result of the game permission rejection is shown when "1", and the execution result indicating that the game permission is not rejected is shown when "0".

  Regarding Bit3, when "1" is displayed, the execution result of the game prohibition refusal is shown, and when it is "0", the execution result indicating that the game prohibition is not rejected is shown.

  Regarding Bit4, the execution result of score and sequence number clear rejection is shown when "1", and the execution result indicating that score and sequence number clear was not rejected is shown when "0".

  For Bit 5, "1" indicates the execution result indicating that the opening of the front door is rejected, and "0" indicates the execution result indicating that the opening of the front door is not rejected.

  The score related information (current score related information) transmitted from the S units to the CU includes the score, added number, subtracted number, and external output information.

  After performing the correction process using the "addition number" and the "subtraction number", the CU checks whether or not the score points transmitted from the S units and the corrected score points match, and if they do not match. In this case, a recovery process is performed to clear recovery information such as the number of points on the S units, and the number of points on the S units is corrected to the corrected number of points on the CU side.

  The CU that has received the addition number adds this addition number to the held points. In addition, the S units back up the value of the notified addition number as the previous addition number and clear the current addition number to zero.

  Upon receiving the subtraction number, the CU subtracts the received subtraction number from the held points. In addition, the S units back up the value of the notified subtraction number as the previous subtraction number and clear the current subtraction number to zero.

  Data on the gaming machine state for notifying the state of the gaming machine to the CU from the S machine is transmitted. The data of the gaming machine state is composed of 7 bits of Bit0 to Bit6. Regarding Bit0, when it is "0", it shows the game possible state, and when it is "1", it shows the game stopped state. Regarding Bit1, when it is "0", it indicates that it is on standby, and when it is "1", it indicates that it is playing a game.

  When Bit2 is "1", it indicates inside the BB, when Bit3 is "1", it indicates that the reel is rotating, when Bit3 is "1", it indicates that the score is 0, and Bit5 indicates "1". Indicates that the game is completed, and that Bit6 is "1" indicates that the front door is under development.

  In addition, as data for notifying the state of the gaming machine, other than this, data indicating that BET has been made (data indicating that the game is in a waiting state for start), waiting (one game for regulating one game time) Data indicating that the timer is being measured) may be adopted. Furthermore, data indicating an overtime error in which a stop operation is not detected even after a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) after the reel starts rotating may be adopted.

  Further, as the data indicating the gaming state, data indicating occurrence of BB, RB, RT, etc. may be adopted.

  10 to 44 show timing charts of processing executed by the CPU in the control unit 323 of the CU and processing executed by the CPU mounted on the point holding control board 117.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the number of additions and the number of subtractions from the S unit to the CU depending on the operation response, the change of the game state of the S unit (BET operation detection, start operation detection, reel rotation start, reel Stop rotation, shift to BB, shift to RB, shift to RT, shift to AT), external output information corresponding to each is also transmitted. However, in the timing chart below, illustration of external output information is omitted.

  In addition, in FIGS. 10 to 44 below, addition refusal (rejection of added points), refusal of subtraction (rejection of subtraction of points), permission refusal (rejection of game permission), refusal of prohibition (rejection of game prohibition) are included in the operation response. , Clear rejection (denial of score and sequence number rejection) and front door open rejection are described as "ON" while the bit is set (= 1), while the bit is not set (= 0) Is described as “OFF”.

  First, with reference to FIG. 10, a mode of transmitting and receiving commands and responses between the CU and the S unit will be described. A command is sent from the CU to the S unit, and the S unit responds to the command and returns a response to the CU. After receiving the response, the CU sends the next command to the S units, and the S unit responds to the command and returns the response to the CU. As shown in FIG. 10, the period from the transmission of the first command from the CU to the S units until the transmission of the next command is controlled to 200 ms, that is, 0.2 seconds. Also, the period from the transmission of the response from the S units to the CU until the transmission of the next response is controlled to 200 ms, that is, 0.2 seconds.

  In this way, both the command and the response are transmitted between the CU and the S units at intervals of 200 ms. On the other hand, the S units cannot execute two games during the one-game restriction time of 4.1 seconds. As a result, in this embodiment, a plurality of commands and responses are transmitted and received during one game.

  Therefore, the response of the motion response for notifying the amount of change in the number of points is sequentially transmitted from the S units to the CU at intervals shorter than one game period. As a matter of course, the number of bets is set once in one game period, and the number of winnings that can be made is one. That is, the number of points that can be subtracted and the number of points added can be once in one game period. Since the response of the motion response is transmitted one after another during this one game period, the S consoles can finely notify the CU of the amount of change in the score. On the other hand, the CU is capable of holding point management in which changes in the holding points on the S side are carefully reflected.

  Although the transmission interval of the command and response is set to 200 ms here, the transmission interval may be set to a longer interval or a shorter interval. For example, the transmission interval may be one game regulation time of S units. It is also possible to match with. Alternatively, the transmission interval may be half of one game regulation time or may be shorter than that. Further, in this embodiment, the S-unit receives a command from the CU and sends back an operation response, but instead of this, when a BET operation is detected and when a winning occurs, The S units may transmit data for notifying the subtraction number or the addition number.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the processing when the communication interruption is detected on the CU side will be described. When the CU does not receive the response within 1 second after transmitting the command to the S units, the same command is transmitted to the S units again. Further, if the response is not received within 1 second after that, the same command is transmitted to the S units for the second retransmission. If no response is received from the S units within 1 second after the second retransmission, the CU determines that communication is abnormal at this stage. This communication abnormality may be caused by disconnection of the connector 330 or 220 shown in FIG. 3, disconnection of connection wiring, or power-off of the S unit.

  The CU sends a device information request command to the S units to restart the connection sequence 20 seconds after determining that the communication is abnormal. The specific content of the process of transmitting the device information request command to the S units and starting the connection sequence will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a description will be given of the processing in the case where the communication interruption is detected on the S side. A command is transmitted from the CU to the S unit, and the S unit transmits a response to the CU in response to the command. Next, if the command from the CU is not sent to the S unit for 10 seconds, the S unit determines that the communication is disconnected, and the bet number is calculated even if the one-sheet BET switch 5 and the MAXBET switch 6 are operated. The game is prohibited as a "betting number operation invalid state (game prohibited state)" that is not set, and transitions to the unconnected state. The cause of the communication interruption may be the disconnection of the connector 330 or 220, the disconnection of the connection wiring, the power interruption of the CU, or the like, as in the case described with reference to FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the processing of the connection sequence at power-on will be described. First, at the time of power activation, in S units, the game is stopped (prohibited) as a bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state), and then communication is started. First, a device information request command is transmitted from the CU to the S units. In response to this, the S units respond with a device information response. The response of the device information response includes the main chip ID and the payout chip ID.

  The CU that has received the device information response stores the information included in the device information response, and requests the S units (the S units specified by the received main chip ID and the payout chip ID) that received the response to perform an authentication request. Data of S is transmitted to S units.

The S units that have received the authentication request return an authentication response to the CU.
Upon receiving the authentication response, the CU then sends a recovery request to the S units. In response to this, the S units return the recovery information backed up inside the S units (specifically, the holding point control board 117) to the CU as a response. As described above, the recovery information includes the connection time, the last SQN (sequence number), the previous holding point related information, and the current holding point related information.

  The CU that receives this recovery response starts the recovery process from that point. The recovery process is a process for recovering the mutual data consistency between the CU and the S unit, and is not only executed at power-on, but also recovered as a trouble occurs as described later. Sometimes even executed.

  The CU counts up this SQN (sequence number) every time it transmits the "operation instruction". However, it does not count up when the operation instruction is retransmitted. The CU backs up the SQN and its request contents when transmitting the "operation request". The S unit stores the SQN received in the "operation instruction" and sends it back to the CU as it is in the "operation response". When receiving the operation instruction of the same SQN as the SQN received last time, the S-unit determines that the re-transmission statement has a communication failure and the CU retransmits the operation instruction.

  After the recovery process is completed, the CU updates the main chip ID, the payout chip ID, and the connection time to the values received from the S units, the sequence number to “0”, and the communication start request (recovery clear ON). Command is sent to S units. In response to this, the S units clear the recovery data and back up the data of the new connection time received from the CU. Then, the S-unit returns a communication start response to the CU. After that, the operation instruction command and the operation response response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S unit.

  As described above, the CU counts up the sequence number (SQN) by 1 each time this operation instruction is transmitted. First, in the first operation instruction, the operation instruction command of no game permission request and SQN = 1 is transmitted to the S units. In response to this, the S units back up the data of SQN = 1, pre-addition number = 0, and pre-subtraction number = 0. In addition, the S units clear the values of the respective counters of the number of additions and the number of subtractions, which are the current point-related information, to zero. Then, the S machines transmit to the CU, as operation responses, SQN = 1, score = 0, addition = 0, subtraction = 0, and game prohibition (game stop state).

  The CU that has received the operation response calculates the current score 0 + the received addition number 0-the received subtraction number 0 based on the operation response to back up the current score 0 and the cumulative addition = 0, Back up the subtraction total = 0.

  Next, the CU sends an operation instruction of no game permission request and SQN = 2 to the S units, and the S units receiving the request, as an operation response, SQN = 2, score = 0, addition = 0, subtraction A response of number = 0 and a game prohibition (game stop state) is returned to the CU.

  Next, the processing of the connection sequence when the CU and the S unit are reconnected will be described with reference to FIG. The connection sequence at the time of this reconnection is similar to the connection sequence at the time of starting the power supply described in FIG. 13, and differences will be mainly described here.

  First, the time when the S machines start the communication after the game is prohibited as the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state) is immediately after receiving the device information request command from the CU. This is because the S unit can recognize that the S unit receives the device information request from the CU and is reconnected.

  Next, since the connection sequence of FIG. 13 is at the time of power-on, the CU sends a communication start request command of recovery clear ON to the S units, and the S units receive the command to clear the recovery data. At the same time, the sequence number (SQN) is set to 1 in accordance with SQN = 1 sent by the first operation instruction, and all the previous score related information and the current score related information are cleared to “0”.

  However, in the case of the connection sequence of FIG. 14, since the reconnection is being performed, the reconnection is performed and the recovery process is executed, so that in the CU, the communication partner S units are connected before and after the reconnection. If it is determined that the sequence number (SQN) is not abnormal, the recovery data is taken over as it is without converting the accumulated medals into points and the replay is enabled. As a result, in the command of the communication start request transmitted from the CU to the S units at the end of the recovery process, the recovery clear OFF is transmitted. In response to this, the S-units back up the connection time received from the CU without clearing the recovery data.

  Then, the CU backs up the main chip ID and the payout chip ID transmitted from the S units at the stage when the recovery process is completed, and also the connection time, which is the time at the time of reconnection. Regarding the sequence number, if the final SQN transmitted from S units is not abnormal, the sequence number (SQN) is continued.

  On the other hand, in the CU, after the recovery process is started, if it is determined that the S units that are communication partners do not match, or if the SQN is abnormal, the recovery response transmitted from the S units The current number of points included in is recorded once in the game recording medium (card or the like) owned by the player. Then, after that, the replay button 319 is operated to use the medals of the recording medium, and the replay is enabled after converting the medals into points. At that time, similarly to the connection sequence at the time of power activation shown in FIG. 13, the recovery clear ON is transmitted as a communication start request transmitted from the CU to the S units, and the S units receive the recovery data and receive the recovery data. clear. In the CU, the sequence number is set to "0", SQN = 1 is transmitted to the S unit in the first operation instruction, and the SQN = 1 is backed up in the S unit. Further, in the S units, the pre-addition number = 0 and the pre-subtraction number = 0 are backed up, and each counter value of the addition number and the subtraction number is cleared to zero.

  Next, the processing during standby will be described with reference to FIG. The standby state is a state in which no game is being played in S units, a card is not inserted in the CU, and the lending button 321 and the replay button 319 are not operated at all.

  First, the CU sends an operation instruction command of no addition, no subtraction, and SQN = n to the S units. In response to this, the S units transmit SQN = n, score = 0, addition = 0, subtraction = 0, and game prohibition data as the response of the operation response. The CU backs up SQN = n + 1, addition request count = 0, and subtraction request count = 0 each time an operation command is transmitted. In the next operation command command from the CU to the S units, data of SQN = n + 1 is transmitted. In response to this, the S units back up SQN = n + 1, pre-addition number = 0, pre-subtraction number = 0, and clear each counter value of the addition number, subtraction number, and score.

  Then, the S consoles send SQN = n + 1, the number of points = 0, the number of additions = 0, the number of subtractions = 0, and a game prohibition response to the CU as operation responses. The CU backs up the number of points = 0, the cumulative total = 0, and the cumulative total = 0 each time the response of the operation response from the S units is received.

  The processing of the CU and the S unit when the card is inserted will be described with reference to FIG. At the time of inserting the card, the S units execute the same processing as the standby processing shown in FIG. 15 without executing any special processing by the insertion of the card.

  On the other hand, also in the CU, in the process of transmitting the command to the S units, the same process as in the standby shown in FIG. 15 is executed. Then, in the CU, when the card is inserted, a command signal for loading the card is output to the card reader / writer 327, and the information recorded on the loaded card is read by the card reader / writer 327 and the read information is read. A card insertion process such as receiving a message is executed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 17, a process of consuming the prepaid balance recorded in the inserted recording medium (card) will be described. In the process of FIG. 17, the prepaid balance is "1000" and the current score is "10". First, from the CU, as operation instructions, commands of no addition, no game allowed, SQN = n, addition request number = 0, and subtraction request number = 0 are transmitted as operation instructions. On the S-units receiving it, SQN = n, number of points = 10, number of additions = 0, number of subtractions = 0, and a response indicating that the game is acceptable are returned as operation responses.

  On the other hand, the CU lends 500 yen, that is, 25 points, by one lending operation. When the lending button (lending button) 321 is pressed in the CU, SQN = n + 1, addition request number = 25, subtraction request number = 0, and balance = 500 are backed up. In this way, the balance consumption is fixed by the CU side alone when the lending operation is performed.

  Then, the CU transmits, as operation instructions, commands of addition request existence, game existence existence, SQN = n + 1, addition request number = 25, and subtraction request number = 0 to S units. In response to this, the S units back up SQN = n + 1, pre-addition number = 0, pre-subtraction number = 0, and after creating a response, clear each counter value of the addition number and subtraction number to 0, The score is updated to a value of 35, which is obtained by adding 25 to the score 10 and the number of addition requests.

  Then, as the operation response, a response of addition refusal OFF, game refusal OFF, SQN = n + 1, number of points = 35, number of additions = 0, number of subtractions = 0, and game acceptable is returned.

  In the CU which received it, the number of points = 10 (number of points before update) + 25 (number of addition requests) + 0 (number of additions) -0 (number of subtractions) = 35 is backed up, and the cumulative addition = 0, subtraction Back up total = 0.

  As described above, unlike the determination of the balance consumption, the determination of the number of points is determined by waiting for the response of the operation response from the S units.

  In addition, in S, when an operation instruction command including the addition request number and the addition request number is received, the addition does not make a distinction between the stored medal replay and the consumption of the prepaid balance, and the subsequent sequence is performed in the same sequence. Execute the process.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 18, a process at the time of replay for consuming a medal will be described. In FIG. 18, the accumulated medal specified by the inserted recording medium (card or the like) is "1000", and the initial score is "0". The replay process in FIG. 18 is similar to the process for consuming the balance shown in FIG. In particular, on the S side, as described above, the same processing as in the case of FIG. 17 is performed in order to execute the replayed medals and the consumption of the balance in the same sequence without distinction. On the CU side, when the player's game recording medium (card or the like) is inserted, and the replay button 319 is pressed in a state where there is a saved medal specified by the card, SQN = n + 1, The point that the number of addition requests = 25 and the number of subtraction requests = 0 are backed up is the same as in the case of FIG. 17, and the stored medals are withdrawn, 1000−25 = 975 is calculated, and the 975 is backed up. This is because the balance in the case of FIG. 17 is data in units of amount of money, while the stored medals in FIG. 18 are data in units of number of medals, so it is sufficient to simply subtract 1000-25.

  Other processes are the same as the processes in FIG. As described above, the consumption of the stored medals is determined by the CU alone when the replay button 319 is pressed without waiting for the response of the operation response from the S units, and the score is from the S units. Confirm the action response of.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 19, a process of subtracting the number of points (wagon service or the like) instructed by the CU will be described. In a game arcade, a wagon service is provided in which points owned by the player are consumed and drinks and the like are provided to the player. When a player receives such a wagon service, the player calls a clerk at the amusement hall and places a wagon order, and the player places an order by operating the remote control possessed by the clerk at the amusement hall. The order details are output as an infrared signal to the IR photosensitive unit 320 of the card unit 3.

  The CU receives the infrared signal and determines that a wagon order has occurred. FIG. 19 shows a case where a wagon order that consumes the used score “300” occurs in the state where the player owns the score “1000”. When a wagon order is generated, the CU backs up SQN = n + 1, the number of addition requests = 0, and the number of subtraction requests, “300”, which is the number of points used when the wagon order is generated. At this stage, the CU does not actually subtract 300 from the score, but simply backs up "300" as the subtraction request number. Then, from the CU to the S units, as operation instructions, commands of no addition, with subtraction, SQN = n + 1, addition request number = 0 and subtraction request number = 300 are transmitted.

  Receiving it, the S unit determines whether or not the value of the score counter stored by itself is equal to or more than the subtraction request number. Note that this determination is executed by the holding point control board 117. In FIG. 19, it is assumed that the value of the score holding counter is equal to or larger than the subtraction request number. In this case, the S units back up SQN = n + 1, the number of previous additions = 0, and the number of previous subtractions = 0, and clear the values of the respective counters of the number of additions and the number of subtractions to zero. Then, according to the subtraction request number = 300, the score is updated to “700” obtained by subtracting the subtraction number 300 from the current score 1000.

  Then, from the S units to the CU, as a motion response, subtraction refusal OFF, SQN = n + 1, current number of points = 700, number of additions = 0, number of subtractions = 0, and a response indicating that the game is available are returned.

  Then, the CU calculates the number of points = 1000 (number of points before update) -300 (number of requests for subtraction) + 0 (number of additions) -0 (number of subtractions) = 700, corrects the number of points and backs up to "700". To do. In this way, the subtraction of the number of points is fixed only after waiting for the response of the operation response from the S units.

Further, the CU backs up the cumulative addition = 0 and the cumulative subtraction = 0.
On the other hand, when the S units determine that the value of the score counter stored by the S units is less than the subtraction request number, the S units do not perform the subtraction of the score points according to the subtraction request number. Further, in this case, the S-unit returns an operation response of subtraction rejection ON to the CU as an operation response. As a result, the CU is notified that the points have not been subtracted based on the subtraction request because the S units rejected the subtraction request.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 18, the subtraction of the score based on the instruction of the CU is determined only after waiting for the response of the operation response from the S units. On the other hand, as described with reference to FIG. 17, the stored medal consumption based on the instruction of the CU is determined when the CU receives the stored medal consumption.

  As described above, the determination time is different between “subtraction of points according to the instruction of the CU” and “consumption of saved medals based on the instruction of the CU” for the following reasons.

  When the CU accepted the subtraction process for the number of points such as a wagon order, there was a margin in the number of points, so a subtraction instruction was sent, but when the S units received the subtraction instruction, the points were used for the game. In some cases, there is no remaining score corresponding to the subtraction instruction.

  In such a case, if the subtraction is confirmed based on the score stored in the CU at the stage when the CU accepts the subtraction process, the game machine side may actually have no score remaining. Instead, the subtraction is confirmed, which causes a contradiction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the “subtraction of points based on the instruction of the CU” is settled by waiting for the response of the operation response from the S units.

  On the other hand, with regard to “consumed medals consumption based on the instruction of the CU”, even if the number of points stored in the S unit fluctuates when the instruction reaches the S unit, the amount corresponding to the addition instruction There is no problem adding points. Therefore, from the viewpoint of speeding up the process, the "consumed medal consumption based on the instruction of the CU" is determined when the CU accepts the consumed medal consumption.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 20, a process in the case where it is detected that there are no more points while playing a game on S units will be described. Initially, the number of points is 6, and the CU first backs up SQN = n, number of addition requests = 0, and number of subtraction requests = 0, and as operation instructions, commands of no addition, no subtraction, and SQN = n are S Send to the machine. In the case of S units, for example, SQN = n, pre-addition number = 0, and pre-subtraction number = 3 are backed up based on that the bet number 3 is set. After creating the response, each counter value of the addition number and the subtraction number is cleared to 0.

  Then, the S units transmit to the CU, SQN = n, the number of points = 3, the number of additions = 0, the number of subtractions = 3, and a game acceptable response as operation responses. In the CU, the number of points = 6 + 0−3 = 3 is calculated, and then the number of points is corrected and backed up, and the addition total = 0 and the subtraction total = 3 are backed up.

After that, the exchange of commands and responses continues for a while.
After that, when the game in which the bet number 3 is set is started on the S units, the subtraction number = 3. As a result, the number of points = 3-3 = 0. At the stage where the number of points = 0, no points are detected in S units. That is, the score control board 117 determines that the remaining score is less than or equal to the number required to set the number of bets, based on the value of the score counter stored by itself. At this stage, the score control board 117 controls the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state) to prohibit the start of a new game. Specifically, the betting point setting prohibition information for notifying the prohibition of the betting number setting is transmitted from the holding point control board 117 to the game control board 116. The game control board 116 which received this invalidates the operation of the single BET switch 5 and the MAXBET switch 6. If the game is being executed at the stage when no score is detected, that is, the variable display device is variably displaying, S machines continue the variable display game and prohibit the start of the next game.

  The CU backs up SQN = n + N, the number of addition requests = 0, and the number of subtraction requests = 0, and sends commands of no addition, no subtraction, and SQN = n + N to the S units as operation instructions.

  In S units, SQN = n + N is backed up, pre-addition number = 0 and pre-subtraction number = 3 are backed up, and a response including subtraction number = 3 is created, and then each addition and subtraction number counter value is set to 0. clear.

  Then, the S unit transmits to the CU, as an operation response, an operation response of SQN = n + N, score = 0, addition = 0, subtraction = 3, and game prohibition. This motion response is “update information that can specify the amount of change that has been specified during the period from the transmission of the first motion response to the bet number operation invalid state”.

  In response to this, the CU calculates the number of points = 3 + 0−3 = 0, corrects the number of points to 0 and backs it up, and also corrects the cumulative total of 0 and the cumulative total of subtraction = 6.

  As described above, the CU mainly manages the number of points, but the number of points on the S side is used only when it is determined whether to perform the game inhibition control (the bet number setting inhibition control). As a result, as compared with the case where the game prohibition control is performed based on the score points managed and stored in the CU, the game prohibition control can be performed in real time in accordance with the change in the score points.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 21, a process when a card return operation is performed will be described. When the return button 322 is pressed at the stage when the operation instruction from the CU to the S unit and the operation response from the S unit to the CU are made in response to the initial score = 500, the CU is As a next operation instruction, a command of prohibition request for prohibiting the game, no clear request, and SQN = n + 1 are transmitted to the S units. In S units, according to the prohibition request presence instruction included in the command, the bet number operation in which the bet number cannot be set is controlled to the invalid state (game prohibited state). After that, a weight corresponding to a predetermined time of one game regulation time (for example, 4.1 seconds) or more is provided. The predetermined time is, for example, 10 seconds. During this wait time, polling is continued between the S units and the CU. By providing the wait time in this way, if the game has already started when the prohibition request command is received from the CU (when the variable display device is in the variable display), the game result is fixed. It prevents the card from being returned.

  During this polling, a sequence is adopted in which data indicating that preparation is being performed is repeatedly transmitted from the S units to the CU, while a prohibition request is repeatedly transmitted from the CU to the S units. May be.

  Alternatively, during this polling, the S unit transmits to the CU data indicating that it is preparing once, while the CU acknowledges that the S unit is preparing. A sequence may be adopted in which the data shown is transmitted once, and thereafter, until the game ends, the CU repeatedly sends an operation instruction that does not include any instruction.

  Alternatively, during this polling, a sequence may be adopted in which data indicating prohibition refusal is transmitted from the S units to the CU, while the prohibition request is repeatedly transmitted from the CU to the S units.

  Then, when the wait time has passed, the S-units transmit to the CU, as operation responses, prohibition refusal OFF, SQN = n + N, score = 500, addition = 0, subtraction = 0, and game prohibition response. . The number of points transmitted at this time becomes the final number of points at the end of the game. It should be noted that this sequence example shows a case in which no winning occurs during the wait time, and neither the addition number nor the subtraction number changes. If a winning occurs during the wait time, the number of points according to the winning will be transmitted to the CU as the "addition number".

  The CU that has received this operation response backs up SQN = n + N + 1 and the data with a clear request. Further, the stored data of “number of points, total number of additions, total number of subtractions” is updated according to the “number of additions, number of subtractions” included in the operation response. As a result, the score at the end of the game is fixed on the CU side. In this way, since the final number of holding points is fixed on the CU side, it is not necessary to provide a holding point management function on the S side, and the cost of the S side can be suppressed as much as possible.

  In this example, the CU determines the number of points at the end of the game in response to the input of the “signal requesting the end of the game” based on the operation of the return button 322. However, the “signal requesting the end of the game” is not limited to the signal based on the operation of the return button 322.

  For example, the CU is provided with a fingerprint authentication unit that authenticates the player's fingerprint. At the time of starting the gaming machine, authentication by the fingerprint authentication unit is essential, and it is necessary that the fingerprint information specified by the game card inserted into the CU by the player at the start of the game and the fingerprint information detected by the fingerprint authentication unit match. A game is permitted as a condition. Furthermore, the authentication by the fingerprint authentication unit is indispensable also at the end of the game, and the game is ended on condition that the fingerprint information detected by the fingerprint authentication unit matches the fingerprint information detected at the start of the game. In this case, the "signal for requesting the end of the game" is the fingerprint information detected by the fingerprint authentication unit.

Alternatively, a button corresponding to the return button 322 may be provided on the S side.
In addition, when a game end request signal is input to the CU from a server or the like that manages the entire game machine installation island, the game may be ended regardless of whether or not the return button 322 is operated. In this case, a "game end request signal" is formed by the game end request signal input from the server.

  Returning to the explanation of FIG. The CU, which has backed up SQN = n + N + 1 and the data with the clear request, subsequently sends a command of the clear request and SQN = n + N + 1 to the S units as an operation instruction.

  Upon receiving this, the S units clear (initialize) the value of each stored data to 0. Here, the data cleared by the S units are the current holding point related information and the previous holding point related information shown in FIG. As a result, the values of the addition counter, subtraction counter, external output information counter, and point count counter, as well as the previous addition, subtraction, and external output information data stored as the values of those counters are cleared. (Initialized).

  Next, as a response to the operation, the S machines turn off the clear request OFF, SQN = n + N + 1, the number of points = 0, the number of additions = 0, the number of subtractions = 0, and the game prohibition response to the CU. Send. Then, the CU backs up SQN = n + N + 1, points = 0, card points = 500. The card score = 500 is a value obtained by adding 500, which is the score score received immediately before the clear request, to the score score (0 in this case) of the card.

  After that, the CU ejects the inserted card and returns it to the player. Then, as operation instructions, a command of no prohibition request, no clear request, and SQN = n + N + 2 are transmitted to the S units.

  In response to this, the S machines transmit SQN = n + N + 2, score = 0, addition = 0, subtraction = 0, and a game prohibition response to the CU.

  With reference to FIG. 22, a process of unlocking and opening the front door 2b will be described. First, as the first operation instruction, a command including an instruction of no front door opening request and no front door opening request is transmitted from the CU to the S unit. In response to this, the S units return a normal response including the score = 500 to the CU as an operation response.

  At this stage, for example, when a trouble occurs in the display of the liquid crystal display 51 after the reels 2L, 2C, 2R start rotating on the S unit and the reels 2L, 2C, 2R start to rotate, the player calls an attendant at the game hall. In this case, an attendant of the game arcade transmits an infrared signal to the IR photosensitive unit 320 to operate the remote controller possessed by the player to unlock and open the front door 2b. Receiving it, the IR photosensitive unit 320 inputs the front door opening instruction signal included in the received infrared signal to the control unit 323. Receiving the instruction input for opening the front door, the CU transmits, as operation instructions, a command of prohibition request for stopping the game, no front door opening request, and a command of SQN = n + 1 to the S units. That is, before the actual opening of the front door 2b, the operation instruction with the prohibition request and without the front door opening request is sent to the S machine so that the game cannot be newly started on the S machine. .

  In response to this, the S units control the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state) in which the bet number cannot be set. This prohibits BET operation. However, when the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are already spinning at that time and the game is in progress, the progress of the game itself is not stopped.

  For example, FIG. 22 shows a case where the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotating at the stage of being controlled to the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state).

  Next, the S unit is provided with a wait time of 4.1 seconds or more (for example, 10 seconds) corresponding to one game regulation time. During this wait time, polling is continued between the S units and the CU. By providing the wait time in this way, if the game has already started when the command with the prohibition request is received from the CU (when the variable display device is variably displaying), the game result is fixed. The front door 2b is prevented from being opened before the operation.

  Eventually, it is assumed that the result of the game already in progress when the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state) is controlled is determined, and here, for example, 10 points are won. Then, as shown in FIG. 22, even in the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state), if there is a circumstance during which points should be added, the number of points to be added from the S unit to the CU (here Then, a motion response including the addition number = 10) is transmitted. That is, even if the number of points changes while the game is prohibited, the S unit specifies the amount of change and transmits the amount of change to the CU. As a result, on the CU side, it becomes possible to manage the number of points, including the amount of change in the number of points from the game prohibited state until the game result is finalized.

  Eventually, when the wait time elapses, the S units (point holding control board 117) excite the front door opening solenoid 110 to unlock the front door 2b and open the front door 2b. In addition, the bit of Bit6 in the game table state shown in FIG. 9 is turned on, that is, a process of turning it to "1" is performed, and thereafter, the front door 2b is closed (until the detection signal from the front door closing detector 112 is input). Keep it ON. Then, the S unit returns to the CU, as an operation response, a response including a front door open refusal OFF, a game prohibition, and a response during front door development.

  If the CU does not reject the front door open request command, that is, if a response including a front door open refusal OFF response is returned, the front door 2b is determined to have been opened.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 22, according to the present embodiment, the command from the CU side regarding the closed state of the front door 2b, which is a specific example of the front members of the S units, does not affect the progress of the game. Can be canceled by.

  Note that the S point holding control boards 117 are in the game, that is, whether or not any one of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is rotating, when the command of the front door opening request is received from the CU. If any one of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is rotating, after all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, or all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped and the prize is won. The closed state of the front door 2b may be released after the calculation time of the point addition number at the time of occurrence has elapsed.

  In this case, the S unit has information for instructing the unlocking by the lock means during the game in which the symbols are variably displayed on the variable display devices (reels 2L, 2C, 2R) (the front door opening request is issued). Command is received, the control for releasing the lock by the lock means is delayed until the game ends and the game is prohibited.

  Alternatively, the S point holding control boards 117 determine whether or not the game is in progress when receiving the command for opening the front door from the CU, and open the front door when the game is in progress. Instead, a response of front door open refusal ON may be returned to the CU. That is, the S unit may accept the front door opening request only when the game is not in progress when the command with the front door opening request is received from the CU.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 23, a process when the power supply is activated while the CU is holding the card and an abnormality occurs in which the S units are not connected at that time will be described. Since the communication between the CU and the S console was interrupted while the card was inserted and playing on the S console, the device information request command was sent from the CU when the CU power was restarted. Sent to the machine. However, the response from the S units is not returned to the CU because the S units are not connected. Then, as described in FIG. 11, the CU retransmits the device information request command to the S units. If the response from S unit is not returned despite this, the second device information request is retransmitted to S unit. If no response is returned from the S units for the second retransmission, the CU determines that there is a communication error at this stage, and the display unit 312 displays that an error has occurred due to disconnection. Control.

  In this state, when the clerk at the game arcade operates the CU by remote control and outputs an infrared signal forcibly ejecting the inserted card to the IR photosensitive unit 320, the forced ejection signal is input to the control unit 323. To be done. In response, the CU adds the "score" backed up by the CU to the "score (saving medal)" of the inserted card, and clears the "score" and "connection time" of the CU to 0. After that, a command to eject the inserted card is output to the card reader / writer 327. The card reader / writer 327 that has received it ejects the card that has been taken in.

  After that, the CU sends a device information request command to the S units to perform the restart process of the connection sequence (see FIG. 13). Between the occurrence of the S-unit unconnected abnormality and the restart process of the connection sequence (see FIG. 13) until the S-unit transmits the first operation response, the addition number (for example, j) or the subtraction number ( For example, the process in the case of occurrence of r) is performed in the restart process of FIG. Referring to FIG. 13, the CU receives the first operation response from S units, calculates the score = 0 + j (the number of additions) + r (the number of subtractions), and the calculation result is the number of score = j + r. Back up.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the processing when the operation instruction (no requested operation) from the CU has not reached the S units will be described. Here, a sequence from the start of one game of 3BET to the occurrence of a prize and the addition of 15 points to the player will be exemplified.

  Upon receiving the operation instruction command from the CU, the S units back up the current addition and subtraction number currently stored in the holding point related information storage area as the previous addition and subtraction number in the holding point related information storage area. The backup clear process of storing the data and clearing the data of the current addition / subtraction number currently stored in the score related information storage area to 0 is performed, but in the case of FIG. 24, the operation instruction from the CU is sent to S units. It has not been reached. Therefore, the above-mentioned backup clear processing is not performed on the S units. As a result, each time a bet number is set, a subtraction number is generated, and each time an addition number is generated due to the occurrence of a prize, the data is added and stored in the current point-related information storage area as current point-related information.

  First, it is assumed that, at a certain point with the current number of points = 520, the S units return an action response (both the number of additions and the number of subtractions are 0) to the CU before the start of the 3BET game. Then, the CU transmits a command of no request and SQN = n as an operation instruction to the S units. However, since the command does not reach the S unit, the response from the S unit is not returned to the CU. As a result, as described with reference to FIG. 11, the CU transmits the command of the same operation instruction to the S units again. When the second transmission also does not reach the S unit, the response from the S unit is not returned to the CU, and therefore the CU retransmits the same operation instruction for the second time. When this retransmission is repeated, the value of SQN is maintained at n, and addition update of "1" is not performed. In the meantime, the 3BET game starts and then the game ends.

  When the command reaches the S number in the second retransmission, the 3BET game is started / finished on the S number, as described above, until the operation instruction is reached, depending on the bet number setting. The subtraction number is 3, and the addition number is 15 according to the winning. Therefore, the S units store the data of the subtraction number = 3 as the current score related information at the start of the game, and further store the data of the addition number = 15 as the current score related information at the end of the game. Then, using the stored number of additions = 15 and number of subtractions = 3, the current number of points = 520 + 15−3 = 532 is calculated, and SQN = n, number of points = 532, number of additions = 15, the response of the operation response of the subtraction number = 3 is transmitted to the CU.

  In response to this, the CU calculates the number of points = 520 + 15 (the number of additions) −3 (the number of subtractions) = 532, corrects the number of points in 532, and stores it.

  In this way, the S-units can keep the points that accompany the progress of the game while the state in which the operation instruction instructing the transmission of the operation response cannot be received even after the lapse of a predetermined period after the initial operation response is transmitted. The stored change amount is updated based on the change amount. Then, when the operation instruction is received, the updated amount of change in the holding points is transmitted as the addition number and the subtraction number.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 25, a process when the operation response from the S units (response to no request operation) has not reached the CU will be described. In the case shown in FIG. 25, since the command from the CU is input to the S units, the above-described backup clear processing is executed, but the SQN value of the command transmitted from the CU to the S units next time. Is the same as the previous SQN value, the S units judge that the response of the operation response sent to the CU is a retransmission due to the fact that it has not reached the CU, and the previous addition, which is the point-related information last time, is added. The current addition subtraction number as the current point related information is added to the data of the subtraction number without clearing the data to zero.

  Note that in FIG. 25, a prize is generated after the first game with 3 bets is started, 10 points are awarded to the player, and then the operation response from the S unit has not been received until the stage when the second game with 3 bets is started. An example of a sequence in the case of arrival is shown.

  Specifically, assuming that the current number of points is 520, the CU first sends a command of no request and SQN = n as an operation instruction to the S units. On the S side receiving it, the 3BET operation is detected, and at that stage, data of the number of additions = 0, the number of subtractions = 3, and the number of points = 517 is generated. In this case, the S units back up and store the data of the addition number = 0 and the subtraction number = 3 in the pre-addition number and the pre-subtraction number, and create the operation response command including these, SQN = n, the number of points = 517, the number of additions = 0, and the number of subtractions = 3 are transmitted to the CU. In addition, the S units clear the data of the current addition number and the current subtraction number as the current score related information to zero.

  However, since the response does not reach the CU, the CU transmits the same operation instruction as the previous time, that is, no request and a command of SQN = n to the S units.

  In response to this, on the S-side, a prize equivalent to 10 points has been generated, and at that stage, data of the number of additions = 10, the number of subtractions = 0, and the number of points = 527 is generated. For S units, since the SQN of the operation instruction command received this time and the SQN of the operation instruction command received the previous time have the same value of n, the response of the transmitted operation response does not reach the CU. And the data of the current addition number and the current subtraction number as the current score related information are added to those data without clearing the data of the previous addition number and the previous subtraction number as the previous score related information. And back up. As a result, the number of pre-additions = 0 + 10 = 10 and the number of pre-subtractions = 3 + 0 = 3.

  After creating the response of the operation response composed of these data, the S units clear the data of the current addition number and the current subtraction number to zero. Then, as the operation response, the S units transmit a response of SQN = n, number of points = 527, number of additions = 10, number of subtractions = 3 to the CU. However, since this response also does not reach the CU, the CU again transmits the same operation command (no request, SQN = n) command to the S units.

  In response to this, the S unit determines that both the previous SQN and the current SQN are n and has not changed, and detects that the response of the operation response is a retransmission because it has not reached the CU. To do. At this stage, the 3BET operation for starting the second game is detected on the S-side, and the data of the number of additions = 0, the number of subtractions = 3, and the number of points = 524 are generated.

  In this case, the S-series machine does not clear the data of the previous addition number and the previous subtraction number as the previous holding point related information, but adds the data of the current addition number and the current subtraction number as the current holding point related information to those data. Add and back up. As a result, the number of pre-additions = 10 + 0 = 10 and the number of pre-subtractions = 3 + 3 = 6.

  After creating the response of the operation response composed of these data, the S units clear the data of the current addition number and the current subtraction number to zero. Then, as the operation response, the S units transmit a response of SQN = n, number of points = 524, number of additions = 10, number of subtractions = 6 to the CU.

  Since the response of this operation response reaches the CU, the CU calculates the number of points = 520 + 10−6 = 524, and the data of the points is corrected and stored in 524.

  As described above, when the operation response transmitted earlier does not reach the CU, the S units do not retransmit the operation response which has not yet been reached and then transmit the next operation response, but the information which has not been reached. The information after summing up is transmitted as the next operation response. As a result, in the gaming device, it becomes possible to collect information regarding the number of points reliably and efficiently. Note that, in the example of FIG. 25, the case where the operation response from the S units has not reached once has been described, but if the operation response does not reach twice, the operation response transmitted to the third time is Will include the summed value obtained by summing the information on the operation responses transmitted the second time.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 26, a process when the operation instruction (addition request) from the CU has not reached the S units will be described. The current number of points is 520, and the number of addition requests when there is a replay of stored medals or a withdrawal operation from the prepaid balance is 25. First, the CU gives an addition request, SQN = n, and addition. A command including data of the requested number = 25 is transmitted to S units.

  However, since the command does not reach the S unit, the response from the S unit is not returned to the CU. As a result, the CU retransmits the command with the same operation instruction as described above. Since the re-transmission command also did not reach the S units, the corresponding response from the S units is not transmitted to the CU. Therefore, similarly to the above, the CU retransmits the command of the same operation instruction for the second time. This second retransmission command reaches S units. In the period in which the command of the operation instruction from the CU has not arrived, in S units, addition / subtraction data is added to the current addition / subtraction number as the current score related information and stored without performing the above-mentioned backup clear processing.

  Then, the S units calculate the number of points at the present time = 520 + 25 (the number of addition requests) +10 (the number of current additions) −3 (the number of current subtractions) = 552, set the number of points data at the present time to 552, and set the response of the action response create. Specifically, the S units transmit to the CU, as operation responses, responses of addition refusal OFF, SQN = n, number of points = 552, number of additions = 10, number of subtractions = 3.

  In response to this, the CU calculates the number of points = 520 + 25 + 10−3 = 552, and modifies and stores the point number data in 615 thereof.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 27, a process when the operation response (response to the addition request) from S units has not arrived will be described. Here, a case will be described in which with the initial number of points = 520, an operation for reusing the stored medals or withdrawing from the prepaid balance and using the game is performed, and a request for adding 25 points is generated. Further, here is a sequence in the case where a winning is not generated after the first game of 3BET is started on the S side, and subsequently a winning of 10 points is generated after the second game of 3BET is started. To illustrate.

  First, the CU transmits, as operation instructions, a command with addition request present, SQN = n, and addition request number = 25 to S units. On the S-table side, a subtraction number = 3 is generated to start the first game with a bet number of 3 on the S-table side. Therefore, on the S-table side, the addition number = 0 as the stored current score related information, The data of the subtraction number = 3 and SQN = n is backed up and stored in the score related information storage area last time, and the score = 520 + 25 + 0-3 = 542 is calculated and the score = 542 is stored.

  Then, after creating the response of the motion response, the S units clear the storage data of the current score related information storage area to 0, and as the motion response, addition refusal OFF, SQN = n, score = 542, number of addition = A response of 0 and the subtraction number = 3 is transmitted to the CU.

  However, since the response did not reach the CU, the CU retransmits the command of the same operation instruction as the previous one to the S units. At the time of the retransmission, the SQN having the same value n as the previous time is transmitted to the S units without adding and updating the SQN by “1”.

  In S units, since the SQN has received the command and has the same n value as the previous time, it is detected that the response sent was a resend because it did not reach the CU, and added to the received command. Although the number of requests = 25 is included, the points are not added and updated based on the command. That is, the addition update according to the addition request is not executed twice.

  In addition, on the S side, at that stage, a subtraction number = 3 occurs in order to start the second game with a bet number of 3. Therefore, on the S side, it is already stored in the previous score related information storage area. The data currently stored in the holding point related information storage area, that is, the number of additions = 0 and the number of subtractions = 3 are added to the previous holding point related information, and stored. Then, the number of points = 542 + 0−3 = 539 is calculated, and the number of points is corrected to 539 and stored.

  After that, the S unit creates a response of the operation response. Specifically, addition refusal OFF, SQN = n, number of points = 539, number of additions = 0, number of subtractions = 6 are transmitted to the CU as a response as operation responses.

  Since this response also did not reach the CU, the CU retransmits the command of the same operation instruction for the second time.

  In S units, retransmission detection is performed in the same manner as described above, the addition update is not performed while receiving the addition request count = 25, and the addition update corresponding to the addition request is not double-executed. Also, at this stage, the number of additions = 10 has occurred because the second game has won on the S-side. Therefore, on the S unit side, similarly to the above, after storing in the previous holding point related information storage area, calculating the number of holding points, generating a response, and clearing the current holding point related information storage area to 0, as an operation response, The response of addition refusal OFF, SQN = n, score = 549, addition = 10, subtraction = 6 is transmitted to the CU. Since this response reaches the CU, the CU calculates the number of points = 520 + 25 + 10−6 = 549, corrects the number of points to 549, and stores it.

  As described above, in S units, even if the command including the addition request number data transmitted from the CU is received, if the SQN value included in the command is the same as the SQN value of the previous command, Judges that it is a retransmission, does not judge that it is an additional addition request, does not update the addition of the points, and does not double-execute the addition update according to the addition request.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 28, the processing when the operation instruction (subtraction request) from the CU does not reach the S units will be described. A case will be described in which with the initial number of points = 520, a subtraction request of 300 points is generated due to the generation of a wagon order or the like. First, the CU transmits, as operation instructions, a command with subtraction request, SQN = n, and subtraction request number = 300 to S units. However, since the command did not reach the S unit, the response from the S unit is not returned to the CU. Therefore, the CU again sends the same operation command command to the S units. This resend command also did not reach the S unit, so the response from the S unit is not returned to the CU. Therefore, the CU retransmits the command of the same operation instruction for the second time. This second retransmission command reaches S units.

  In S units, while the command of the operation instruction from the CU has not arrived, similar to the processing of FIG. 24, each time the number of additions and the number of subtractions occur, those data are stored in the current score related information storage area. For example, in FIG. 28, it is assumed that the number of additions = 10 and the number of subtractions = 0. Then, when the command of the third operation instruction is finally input to the S units, the score = 520-300 + 10-0 = 230 is calculated, and the score = 230 is stored. Then, as an operation response, a response of subtraction refusal OFF, SQN = n, number of points = 230, number of additions = 10, number of subtractions = 0 is transmitted to the CU.

  In response to this, the CU calculates a score = 520-300 + 10-0 = 230, and the score is corrected and stored in the 230.

  Thus, when subtracting from a holding point, the CU first sends an operation instruction command including data of the subtraction request existence and the subtraction request number to the S units, and the response as the operation response to the command is CU. Wait for the reply to and subtract the subtraction request amount from the point. Although the main management function that manages the current score by adding and subtracting the score is on the CU side, for the score that changes momentarily as the game progresses on the S unit, the CU side includes the number of additions and subtractions from the S unit. It is possible to calculate the current score by adding and subtracting the score only after the motion response is sent back, and the score in CU compared to the S units for the period waiting for the motion response from that S unit. The calculation period of is delayed.

  Therefore, the current holding point data on the CU side is data with a time delay with respect to the S units, and even if the current holding points on the CU side are the subtraction request number, In reality, there is a risk that there will not be enough points remaining for the number of subtraction requests. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when subtracting the holding points, the CU waits for the response of the operation response from the S units and then subtracts the holding points for the subtraction request.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 29, a process when the operation response (response to the subtraction request) from the S units does not reach the CU will be described. Here, an example of a sequence in the case where a prize with 10 points is generated after the game with 3 bets starts on the S side is illustrated.

  With the initial number of points = 520 and the subtraction request number = 300, the CU first transmits to the S units the commands of subtraction request existence, SQN = n, and subtraction request number = 300 as operation instructions. In response to this, on the S unit side, a subtraction number = 3 occurs to start a game with a bet number of 3. Therefore, on the S unit side, the addition number = 0, the subtraction number as the current point related information. = 3, and data of SQN = n are backed up and stored in the score related information storage area last time, and score = 520-300 + 0-3 = 217 is calculated to store score = 217.

  Then, after creating the response of the action response, the S units clear the stored data in the current point-related information storage area to 0, and as the action response, addition refusal OFF, SQN = n, number of points = 217, number of addition = A response of 0 and the subtraction number = 3 is transmitted to the CU.

  However, since the response did not reach the CU, the CU retransmits the command of the same operation instruction as the previous one to the S units. At the time of the retransmission, the SQN having the same value n as the previous time is transmitted to the S units without adding and updating the SQN by “1”.

  In S units, since the SQN has received the command and has the same value of n as the previous time, it is detected that the response sent was a resend because it did not reach the CU, and subtracted to the received command. Although the number of requests = 300 is included, the point subtraction update based on the command is not performed. That is, the subtraction update corresponding to the subtraction request is not executed twice.

  Further, in S, since command resend detection is performed, similar to the processing of FIG. 25, the current holding point related information storage is performed with respect to the previous holding point related information already stored in the previous holding point related information storage area. The data stored in the area, that is, the number of additions = 10 and the number of subtractions = 3 are added and stored. The number of additions = 10 here is based on the winning result of the game. Furthermore, the number of points = 217 + 10−0 = 227 is calculated, the number of points is corrected to 227, and the result is stored.

  After that, the S unit creates a response of the operation response. Specifically, as the operation response, addition refusal OFF, SQN = n, score = 227, addition number = 10, subtraction number = 3 are transmitted to the CU as a response.

  Since this response also did not reach the CU, the CU retransmits the command of the same operation instruction for the second time.

  In S units, the retransmission detection is performed as described above, and while the subtraction request number = 300 is received, the subtraction update accompanying it is not performed, and the double execution of the subtraction update corresponding to the subtraction request is not performed. Then, similarly to the above, after the previous storage in the score related information storage area, the calculation of the score, the generation of the response, and the current score related information storage area being cleared to 0, addition rejection OFF, SQN = N, the number of points = 227, the number of additions = 10, and the number of subtractions = 3 are transmitted to the CU. Since this response reaches the CU, the CU calculates the number of points = 520−300 + 10−3 = 227, corrects the number of points to 185, and stores it.

  As described above, in S units, even if the command including the addition request number data transmitted from the CU is received, if the SQN value included in the command is the same as the SQN value of the previous command, Judges that it is a retransmission, does not judge that it is an additional subtraction request, does not perform subtraction update of the holding points, and does not perform double execution of subtraction update according to the subtraction request.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 30, a description will be given of the processing in the case where the S-units return a response of addition rejection in response to the CU addition request. Here, a sequence will be exemplified in the case where a prize is awarded with 10 points on the S side, and a new game is not started thereafter. In addition, here, it is assumed that the initial score is 520 and the balance of the game recording medium (card) inserted in the CU is 1000 yen.

  First, as an operation instruction from the CU, a command of no request and SQN = n is transmitted to the S units. On the side of the S machines that received it, the number of additions = 10 has occurred due to the occurrence of the winning. Therefore, the S machine calculates the number of points = 520 + 3-0 = 523 to calculate the number of points, the number of additions, and the number of subtractions. An operation response including data is returned to the CU. The CU calculates the score based on the motion response and corrects the score to 523.

  Next, the lending button 321 is pressed, and the CU transmits, as operation instructions, a command of addition request existence, SQN = n + 1, and addition request number = 25 to S units. At S stations, for some reason, the response of the operation response including addition refusal ON for refusing the addition is returned to the CU.

  Since the CU receives the operation response including the addition refusal OFF, the CU again transmits the operation instruction command including the addition request existence and the addition request number = 25 to the S units. In S units, the response of the operation response including addition refusal ON is returned to the CU. In response to this, the CU retransmits the command of the operation instruction including the addition request existence and the addition request number = 25 for the second time. On the other hand, when an operation response including addition refusal ON is returned from the S unit to the CU, the CU determines that the S points cannot be added and the FIN signal for terminating the connection. To S units.

  In S units, the FIN / ACK signal indicating that the connection has been terminated is returned to the CU, and recovery data is SQN = n + 3, the number of previous additions = 0, the number of previous subtraction = 0 as the previous number, The current number of points = 523, the current addition number = 0, and the current subtraction number = 0 are stored.

  On the other hand, the CU resets the communication connection after changing SQN as a backup value to n + 3 + 2 (adding 2 to make the SQN abnormal) for recovery processing to be executed thereafter. The SQN is added by "1" to the current value. However, here, “2” is added to the current value (n + 3) in order to intentionally make the SQN an abnormal value. As a result, the CU determines an abnormality having a difference of “2” with respect to the value (n + 3) of the SQN included in the recovery response transmitted from S units, and there is an addition request after recovery processing described later. And the transmission processing of the operation instruction including the addition request number = 25 is executed.

  After resetting the communication connection, the CU transmits a SYN signal as a connection establishment request to the S units. Upon receiving the request, the S-units return a SYN / ACK signal indicating that the connection establishment request has been accepted to the CU. After that, between the CU and the S unit, the device information request command, the device information response response, the authentication request command, the authentication response response, the recovery request command, and the recovery response response shown in the processing of FIG. Is transmitted and received. In the response of this recovery response, the above-mentioned recovery data stored on the S side is transmitted to the CU side.

  The CU compares the SQN = n + 3 value included in the recovery response with the backed up SQN value (n + 3 + 2), determines that there is a gap of “2”, and forces it to the S side. Abnormal time processing is executed to add points. Specifically, first, recovery is performed and the CU side forcibly adds points, that is, calculation of points = 523 (CU points) + 25 (number of addition requests) = 548 to obtain points. To 548.

  Next, the CU sends a command for forcibly adding points to the S-unit side to the S-unit by an operation instruction after recovery. Specifically, as an operation instruction, a command including an addition request (request for addition of the number of points in FIG. 7B) and the number of addition requests = 25 is transmitted to S units.

  When receiving the operation instruction (addition request) after recovery, the S unit is programmed so that the S unit cannot reject the addition request. By receiving the addition request after recovery, the S unit can hold Point = 523 + 25 = 548 is calculated and the score is corrected to 548.

  In the process of FIG. 30 as well, the consumption of the balance is determined on the CU side without waiting for the response of the operation response from the S units, so that the response including the addition refusal ON is the operation response from the S units. Even if it is returned, the balance consumption has already been decided on the CU side before that.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 31, a description will be given of the processing in the case where the S units respond with a subtraction refusal response to the subtraction request of the CU. Here, a sequence in the case where a game with 3 BETs is started on the S side on the way is illustrated.

  First, with the initial number of points = 502, the number of additions = 0 and the number of subtractions = 0 at the stage when one round trip transmission / reception of the command of the operation instruction and the response of the operation response is performed between the CU and the S unit. , There is no change in the score.

  When a wagon service order occurs at this stage and a subtraction request of 500 points occurs, the CU sends the command of subtraction request existence, SQN = n + 1, and subtraction request number = 500 to the S units as operation instructions. Send. At the stage of receiving this command, the subtraction number = 3 occurs on the S side in order to start the game with the bet number 3, and the number of points currently grasped by the S unit = 502-3 = 499. Has become. As a result, the number of points (499) at present is smaller than the number of subtraction requests (500), so that the subtraction request of 500 cannot be met. Therefore, the S-units transmit to the CU, as operation responses, subtraction refusal ON indicating that the subtraction request is rejected, SQN = n + 1, points = 499, additions = 0, subtractions = 3.

  In response to this, the CU calculates the number of points = 502 + 0-3 = 499 and corrects the number of points to 499. Then, the subtraction refusal is detected, and the subtraction cancellation process is performed. In the subtraction canceling process, for example, the display 312 displays a message such as "Cannot subtract due to insufficient points."

After that, the normal operation instruction and operation response are polled.
Next, with reference to FIG. 32, a process in the case where the S units return a clear rejection response to the CU clear instruction request will be described. An example of a sequence in the case where 10 points are won immediately after the return button is pressed will be described.

  Although the illustration is omitted in FIG. 32 when the return button 322 is pressed with the initial number of points = 520, the CU sends an operation instruction to the S units as in the process of FIG. A command including data with a prohibition request for prohibiting the game and without a clear request is transmitted to the S units. In response to this, the S machines control the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state) in which the bet number cannot be set. After that, a wait time of 4.1 seconds or more (for example, 10 seconds) corresponding to one game regulation time is provided. During this wait time, polling is continued between the S units and the CU. Then, when the wait time has passed, the S-units transmit to the CU, as operation responses, prohibition refusal OFF, SQN = n + N, score = 500, addition = 0, subtraction = 0, and game prohibition response. . As a result, the CU determines that the S machines are in the game prohibited state.

  After that, the CU updates the score and then transmits a command for clear request and an operation instruction of SQN = n + 1 to the S units. Receiving it, the S units transmit a clear response ON indicating that it cannot be cleared for some reason, SQN = n + 1, score = 530, addition = 0, subtraction = 0 to the CU. Then, the CU detects the clear refusal, transmits the command of no request and the command of SQN = n + 2 to the S units as the operation instruction, and performs the clear cancel process. The clear cancellation process is, for example, a process of displaying a message such as “Return operation has been performed but cannot be cleared and canceled” on the display 312. After that, the normal polling of the operation instruction and the operation response is performed between the CU and the S unit.

  With reference to FIG. 33, a process when S units return a response of permission rejection to the game permission request of the CU will be described. With the initial number of points = 520, and in a trouble state where some game prohibition factor has occurred, command of operation instruction and response of operation response are transmitted and received between CU and S machine in a state where game of S machines is prohibited. It is assumed that the game prohibition factor has been resolved at the "game prohibition factor elimination" stage in FIG.

  At that time, the CU transmits a command of game permission request and SQN = n + 1 to the S units as operation instructions. However, for some reason, the S unit returns to the CU an operation response command including a state in which the game cannot be continued, that is, permission rejection ON for rejecting the game permission request.

  In response to this, the CU repeatedly transmits a command including a game permission request as an operation instruction to the S units until the game is permitted.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 34, a process in the case where the S machines return a response of refusal to the game to the game prohibition request of the CU will be described. The initial score is set to 520, and a normal operation instruction command and a normal operation response response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S unit, and returned at the stage of “generation of game prohibition factor” in FIG. 34, for example. It is assumed that a game prohibition factor such as operation of the button 322 has occurred. At this stage, the CU transmits a command of game prohibition request and a command of SQN = n + 1 to the S units as operation instructions. In S units, the response of the operation response including the prohibition refusal ON for refusing the game prohibition request for some reason is returned to the CU. In response to this, the CU detects a game prohibition refusal, and transmits a command including a game prohibition request to the S units as an operation instruction until the game is prohibited.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 35, a process in the case where the S-unit returns a front door open refusal response to the CU front door open request will be described. Here, an example of a sequence in the case where a winning with 10 points is generated is illustrated.

  When the input of the opening instruction of the front door 2b is detected with the initial score = 520, although not shown in FIG. 35, the CU has the prohibition request and the front as the operation instruction, similar to the processing of FIG. While transmitting the command with the door open request to the S machines, the S machines receive the command and set the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibition state), and the response including the prohibition refusal OFF and the game prohibition as the operation response. To the CU. Then, similarly to the process of FIG. 22, the S-series machine is provided with a wait time of 4.1 seconds or more (for example, 10 seconds) corresponding to one game regulation time. During this period, the number of additions = 10 is generated due to the occurrence of winning on the S side, and an operation response including the number of additions = 10 is transmitted from the S number to the CU. After that, even during the wait time, the CU sends a command with a prohibition request and a front door open request to the S units.

  However, in response to this, the S unit transmits to the CU an operation response response including a front door open refusal ON which refuses to unlock and open the front door 2b for some reason.

  In response to this, the CU detects the front door open refusal, transmits a command including no request as an operation instruction to the S units, and after performing the front door open cancel process, executes normal polling. The process of canceling the opening of the front door is, for example, a process of displaying a message such as "The front door cannot be opened" on the display 312.

Next, the recovery process will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, with reference to FIG. 36, a recovery process at the time of power failure on the CU side after arrival of an operation response regarding addition / subtraction data will be described. Here, a sequence will be exemplified in the case where the game ends without generating a prize after a new game of 3BET has started after a prize of 10 points has been generated.

  With the initial score = 520 and SQN = n, the CU transmits an operation instruction command to the S units. On the side of the S machines that received it, the number of additions = 10 has occurred due to the occurrence of the winning. Therefore, the S machines receive the addition / subtraction data of the number of points = 530, the number of additions = 10, and the number of subtractions = 0 as the operation response. Send an action response containing to the CU. When the motion response reaches the CU, the CU modifies the score to 530. If the power supply to the CU is cut off at that stage, the command from the CU will not be transmitted to the S units thereafter.

  In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 12, if the command is not received for 10 seconds or more, the S machines determine that the communication is disconnected, transition to the unconnected state, and the game prohibited state (“play stop in the drawing”). "). However, as shown in FIG. 36, the subtraction number = 3 has already been set when the power is cut off, and a new game is started. In this case, the progress itself of the newly started game is not stopped. As a result, the subtraction data is stored in the current score related information storage area based on the subtraction number = 3, and accordingly, score = 530 + 0−3 = 527 is calculated and the score = 527 is stored.

  Next, when the power cut is restored and the CU is activated, the device information request, the device information response, the authentication request, the authentication response, the recovery request, and the recovery response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S units, as in the process of FIG. Will do.

  In S units, the recovery data is SQN = n, the number of previous additions is 10, the number of previous subtractions is 0, the number of current points is 527, the number of current additions is 0, the number of current subtractions is = 3 is stored and sent to the CU as a recovery response.

  The CU determines that the communication partners are the same, that the operation instruction is not being transmitted, and that the SQNs of both parties are the same, and performs a process of correcting the backup value based on the recovery data transmitted in the recovery response. Specifically, the number of points = 530 (number of points of CU) +0 (current addition number) −3 (current subtraction number) = 527, cumulative addition = 10, cumulative subtraction = 3 is corrected.

  Note that, in FIG. 36, the case where the game ends without generating a prize after the start of a new game with 3BETs after the occurrence of a prize of 10 points has been described as an example. However, immediately after the start of a new game with 3BET, "disconnection detection (play stop)" in FIG. 36 may occur, the bet number cannot be operated, and then the winning may occur.

  In such a case, the recovery data is generated including the points added by the winning that occurs after the "cutting detection (play stop)". For example, if the prize is 15 points, the “current number” of the “recovery data” in FIG. 36 is “current addition number = 15” and “current point number = 527 + 15”.

  Alternatively, when the winning generated after the “disconnection detection (play stop)” is a transition combination accompanied by a transition to another gaming state such as a big bonus, the external output information not shown in FIG. Even if the game state changes after the "cutting detection (play stop)" in this way, external output information corresponding to the change is generated and stored as one of the recovery data. It

  Hereinafter, the recovery will be sequentially described with reference to FIGS. 37 to 44. However, in any of the cases of FIGS. 37 to 44, the winning occurs after the “disconnection detection (play stop)”, or the gaming state. When a change occurs, recovery data is generated including the points added by the winning or the external output information according to the change of the game state.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 37, a recovery process when a power failure occurs on the CU side before the arrival of the operation instruction will be described. Here, a sequence in the case where 10 points are won after one game of 3BET is started will be exemplified.

  With the initial score = 520, the S units that have received the command of the operation instruction send to the CU a response of SQN = n, score = 517, addition count = 0, subtraction count = 3 as a motion response. Accordingly, the CU corrects the score to 517. After that, the CU sends a command of no request and a command of SQN = n + 1 to the S units as an operation instruction. If the command does not reach the S unit and the power is cut off in the CU immediately after that, the S unit cannot receive the command for 10 seconds or more after transmitting the last response, as in the process of FIG. In this case, it is determined that the communication is disconnected and the state is changed to the unconnected state, and the game is prohibited. However, as shown in FIG. 37, if the game has already started when the power is cut off, the progress of the already started game is not stopped. As a result, in the example of FIG. 37, 10 points are won as a result of the game that has already started, and the number of additions = 10. Storage based on the number of additions is performed in the current score related information storage area, and accordingly, score = 517 + 10−0 = 527 is calculated and the score = 527 is stored.

  Next, when the power is cut off in the CU and the system is activated, the device information request, the device information response, the authentication request, the authentication response, the recovery request, and the recovery response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S units, as in the process of FIG. And do.

  In S units, as recovery data, SQN = n, number of previous additions = 0, number of previous subtractions = 3, current number of points = 527, number of current additions = 10, number of current subtractions = It stores 0 and sends it to the CU as a recovery response.

  In the CU, the communication partner is the same, the operation instruction is not being sent, and the SQN on the S side is one before the SQN on the CU side, so the backup value is corrected based on the recovery data sent in the recovery response. Perform the process. Specifically, the number of points = 517 (number of points of CU) + 10 (current addition number) -0 (current subtraction number) = 527, cumulative addition = 10, subtraction cumulative = 0 are corrected.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 38, a recovery process when the power supply is cut off on the CU side before reaching the operation response regarding the addition / subtraction data will be described. Here, a sequence in the case where 10 points are won after one game of 3BET is started will be exemplified.

  In FIG. 38, with the initial score = 520, after the first operation instruction and the operation response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S units, the second operation instruction is transmitted to the S units, SQN = n + 1, The operation responses of the number of points = 517, the number of additions = 0, and the number of subtractions = 0 are transmitted from the S units to the CU.

  However, the second operation response does not reach the CU, and the power is cut off in the CU before the CU executes the operation response process according to the operation response. In this case, the S units detect the communication disconnection and enter the game prohibited state unless the command is transmitted 10 seconds after the second operation response is transmitted.

  Next, when the power cut is restored and the CU is activated, the device information request, the device information response, the authentication request, the authentication response, the recovery request, and the recovery response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S units, as in the process of FIG. Will do.

  In S units, the recovery data is SQN = n + 1, the number of previous additions is 0, the number of previous subtractions is 0, the number of current points is 527, the number of current additions is 10, the number of current subtractions is = It stores 0 and sends it to the CU as a recovery response.

  In the CU, since the communication partner is the same and the operation instruction is not being transmitted, and the SQNs of both sides match, the CU performs a process of correcting the backup value based on the recovery data transmitted in the recovery response. Specifically, the number of points = 517 (number of points of CU) +0 (current addition number) +10 (current addition number) -0 (current subtraction number) -0 (current subtraction number) = 527, cumulative addition = 0 (current Addition number) +10 (current addition number), cumulative subtraction = 0 (current subtraction number) +0 (current subtraction number).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 39, a recovery process when a power failure occurs on the CU side before the addition request arrives will be described. Here, a sequence from the start of one game with 3 BETs to the occurrence of a prize and the award of 10 points to the player is illustrated.

  With the initial number of points = 13 and the prepaid balance of 1000 yen, the normal operation instruction and the normal operation response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S units, and the number of additions = 0 and the number of subtractions = 3 generated during that time Based on this, the lending button 321 is pressed when the score becomes 10.

  Then, the CU sets SQN = n + 1 and the number of addition requests = 25, calculates the balance = 1000 yen-500 yen = 500 yen, updates the balance to 500 yen, and determines the consumption of the balance at this stage. Then, the CU transmits, as an operation instruction, a command including the addition request, SQN = n + 1, and the addition request number = 25 to the S units. If this command does not reach the S-unit, the S-unit detects disconnection and puts it in the game-prohibited state at the stage where the command has not been received since the last response was transmitted for 10 seconds.

  On the other hand, in the CU, as described with reference to FIG. 11, when there is no response from the S units due to the non-arrival of the command, the same command is repeatedly transmitted, and the response is returned even after the second retransmission. Is not returned, a communication error (communication disconnection) is detected, and 20 seconds after that, the reconnection sequence is started.

  After the start of the reconnection sequence, the CU and the S unit transmit and receive the device information request, the device information response, the authentication request, the authentication response, the recovery request, and the recovery response, as in the process of FIG.

  In S units, the recovery data is SQN = n, the number of previous additions is 0, the number of previous subtractions is 3, and the current number is the number of current points = 20, the number of current additions = 10, the number of current subtractions = It stores 0 and sends it to the CU as a recovery response.

  In the CU, since the communication partner is the same and the SQN on the S side is one before the SQN on the CU side, the backup value is corrected based on the recovery data transmitted in the recovery response. Specifically, the number of points = 10 (number of points of CU) + 25 (number of addition requests) + 10 (current number of additions) -0 (current number of subtractions) = 45, total addition = 10, subtraction total = 0 are corrected.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 40, a recovery process when a power failure occurs on the CU side before the operation response to the addition request arrives will be described. It should be noted that here, a sequence in the case where a winning of 15 points occurs after the game of 3 BETs is started on the way is illustrated.

  Initially, the number of points is 5, the prepaid balance is 1000 yen, and after the normal operation instruction and the normal operation response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S units, the lending button 321 is pressed. Then, the CU sets SQN = n + 1 and the number of requests for addition = 25, calculates balance = 1000 yen-500 yen = 500 yen, sets the balance to 500 yen, and confirms consumption of the balance at this stage. Then, the CU transmits, as operation instructions, commands of addition request existence, SQN = n + 1, and addition request number = 25 to S units.

  In response to this, on the S-side, a subtraction number = 3 occurs in order to start a game with a bet number of 3. Therefore, on the S-side, SQN = n + 1, score = 27, addition number as an operation response. = 0, the number of subtractions = 3 is transmitted to the CU. If this response does not reach the CU and the power is cut off before the CU performs the operation response process according to the response, the command from the CU is not transmitted to the S units thereafter. As described with reference to FIG. 12, in S units, if the command is not received for 10 seconds or more, it is determined that the communication is disconnected, the state is changed to the unconnected state, and the game prohibited state is set. In addition, on the S machine side, the number of additions = 10 has occurred due to the occurrence of a prize in the meantime, the memory of the current point-related information storage area is updated, and the point = 27 + 10 = 37 is calculated and the point = 37 is stored.

  Next, when the power cut is restored and the CU is activated, the device information request, the device information response, the authentication request, the authentication response, the recovery request, and the recovery response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S units, as in the process of FIG. Will do.

  In S units, the recovery data is SQN = n + 1, the number of previous additions is 0, the number of previous subtractions is 3, the current number is 37, the number of current additions is 10, the number of current subtractions is = It stores 0 and sends it to the CU as a recovery response.

  The CU determines that the communication partners are the same, the operation instruction is being transmitted, and the SQNs of both parties are the same, and the process of correcting the backup value is performed based on the recovery data transmitted in the recovery response. Specifically, the number of points = 5 (number of points of CU) +25 (number of addition requests) +0 (number of previous additions) +10 (current number of additions) −3 (number of previous subtractions) −0 (number of current subtractions) = 37, Addition total = 0 (pre-addition number) +10 (current addition number), subtraction total = 3 (pre-subtraction number) +0 (current subtraction number) are corrected.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 41, a recovery process when the power is cut off on the CU side before the subtraction request is reached will be described. Here, a sequence in the case where 10 points are won after one game of 3BET is started will be exemplified.

  When the initial score is 520, the normal operation instruction and the normal operation response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S unit, and the score becomes 517 according to the subtraction number = 3 generated during that time. When a subtraction request of 300 is generated due to a wagon service request or the like, the CU sets the command of SQN = n + 1, subtraction request number = 300, subtraction request present, SQN = n + 1, and subtraction request number = 300 to S Send to the machine.

  If this command does not reach the S unit, the S unit detects disconnection and puts it in the game prohibited state at a stage where the command is not received for 10 seconds after the last response is transmitted.

  On the other hand, in the CU, as described with reference to FIG. 11, when there is no response from the S units due to the non-arrival of the command, the same command is repeatedly transmitted, and the response is returned even after the second retransmission. Is not returned, a communication error (communication disconnection) is detected, and 20 seconds after that, the reconnection sequence is started.

  After the start of the reconnection sequence, the CU and the S unit transmit and receive the device information request, the device information response, the authentication request, the authentication response, the recovery request, and the recovery response, as in the process of FIG.

  In S units, as recovery data, SQN = n, number of previous additions = 0, number of previous subtractions = 3, current number of points = 527, number of current additions = 10, number of current subtractions = It stores 0 and sends it to the CU as a recovery response.

  In the CU, since the communication partner is the same and the SQN on the S side is one before the SQN on the CU side, it is determined that the subtraction request is not executed in the S side, and the recovery sent in the recovery response Perform processing to correct the backup value based on the data. Specifically, the number of points = 517 (number of points of CU) + 10 (current addition number) -0 (current subtraction number) = 527, cumulative addition = 10, subtraction cumulative = 0 are corrected.

  In this way, the CU determines that the subtraction request is not executed in the S units based on the value of SQN, so that the subtraction request of 300 occurs even when the backup value is corrected in the recovery process. The subtraction request number 300 is not subtracted from the score.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 42, a recovery process when a power failure occurs on the CU side before the operation response to the subtraction request arrives will be described. Here, an example of a sequence in which a game with 3 BETs starts after a prize with 10 points is awarded on the S side and a prize with 10 points is subsequently generated is illustrated.

  The initial score is set to 520, the normal operation instruction and the normal operation response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S unit, and the score is set to 530 according to the number of additions generated during that time, 300 When a request for the wagon service is generated, the CU sets SQN = n + 1 and subtraction request number = 300, and sends the command of subtraction request existence, SQN = n + 1, and subtraction request number = 300 to S units as operation instructions. To do.

  In response to this, on the S unit side, a subtraction number = 3 occurs in order to start a game with a bet number of 3, where S SQN = n + 1, score points = 227, addition number = 0, subtraction number = 3 is sent to the CU. However, if the response does not reach the CU and the power is cut off before the processing of the operation response according to the response is executed in the CU, the command from the CU is not transmitted to the S units thereafter.

  As described with reference to FIG. 12, in S units, if the command is not received for 10 seconds or more, it is determined that the communication is disconnected, the state is changed to the unconnected state, and the game prohibited state is set. Also, during that time, 10 points have been won, the data of the current point related information storage area is updated accordingly, and the number of points = 227 + 10 = 237 is calculated accordingly, and the number of points = 237 is stored. To be done.

  Next, when the power cut is restored and the CU is activated, the device information request, the device information response, the authentication request, the authentication response, the recovery request, and the recovery response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S units, as in the process of FIG. Will do.

  In S units, the recovery data is SQN = n + 1, the number of previous additions is 0, the number of previous subtractions is 3, and the current number is the number of current points = 237, the number of current additions = 10, the number of current subtractions = 3 is stored and sent to the CU as a recovery response.

  In the CU, since the communication partner is the same, the operation instruction is being transmitted, and the SQNs of both sides are the same, the S units judge that the subtraction instruction is received, and based on the recovery data transmitted in the recovery response. Perform processing to correct the backup value. Specifically, the number of points = 530 (the number of points of CU) +0 (the number of previous additions) +10 (the number of current additions) -3 (the number of previous subtractions) -0 (the number of current subtractions) = 537, the cumulative total of 0 (the previous Addition number) +10 (current addition number), cumulative subtraction = 3 (previous subtraction number) +0 (current subtraction number).

  Further, the CU transmits an operation instruction command including an addition request and an addition request number = 25 to the S units in response to the operation instruction after recovery in order to forcibly add points for the subtraction cancellation to the S unit side. In response to this, the S units calculate the score = 237 + 300 = 537, correct the score to 537, and store it.

  In this way, even when it is determined that the S units have received the subtraction instruction, the reason why the subtraction cancel process is performed is that the S unit side that receives the subtraction instruction always performs the subtraction process according to the subtraction instruction. Not necessarily, there is a possibility that the subtraction was rejected on the S side. When the subtraction is rejected on the S-side as described above, if the subtraction is confirmed on the CU side, the number of remaining points becomes a negative value. For this reason, subtraction cancellation is performed. As a result, when the power supply to the CU side is cut off, the subtraction instruction is rejected because the remaining number of points is insufficient on the S side, but the subtraction is performed. It is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the remaining number of points on the platform side becomes a negative value.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 43, a recovery process when the power is cut off on the CU side before the clear request is reached will be described. Here, an example of a sequence in the case where a prize with 10 points is generated after the game with 3 bets starts on the S side is illustrated.

  In the sequence of FIG. 43, the score is 500 when the return button 322 for returning the inserted recording medium (card) is pressed. In FIG. 43, similarly to the processing of FIG. 21, the CU transmits to the S units a command including, as an operation instruction, data with a prohibition request for prohibiting a game and without a clear request. In response to this, the S machines control the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state) in which the bet number cannot be set. After that, a wait time of 4.1 seconds or more (for example, 10 seconds) corresponding to one game regulation time is provided. During this wait time, polling is continued between the S units and the CU. Then, when the wait time has passed, the S-units transmit to the CU, as operation responses, prohibition refusal OFF, SQN = n + N, score = 497, addition = 0, subtraction = 3, game prohibition response. . As a result, the CU determines that the S machines are in the game prohibited state.

  After that, the CU updates the score to 497, and then transmits a command for clear request and an operation instruction of SQN = n + N + 1 to S units. However, when the command does not reach the S-unit, the S-unit detects the disconnection and puts it in the game-prohibited state at the stage where the command is not received for 10 seconds after the last response is transmitted. .

  On the other hand, in the CU, as described with reference to FIG. 11, when there is no response from the S units due to the non-arrival of the command, the same command is repeatedly transmitted, and the response is returned even after the second retransmission. Is not returned, a communication error (communication disconnection) is detected, and 20 seconds after that, the reconnection sequence is started.

  After the start of the reconnection sequence, the CU and the S unit transmit and receive the device information request, the device information response, the authentication request, the authentication response, the recovery request, and the recovery response, as in the process of FIG.

  In S units, the recovery data is SQN = n + N, the number of previous additions is 0 as the previous number, the number of previous subtractions is 3, the current number of points is 507, the number of current additions is 10, the number of current subtractions is = It stores 0 and sends it to the CU as a recovery response.

  In the CU, the communication partner is the same, and the SQN on the S side is one before the SQN on the CU side, so it is determined that the clear request has not arrived, and the recovery data sent in the recovery response is used as the basis. Perform processing to correct the backup value. Specifically, the number of points = 497 (current number of points) + 10 (current number of additions) -0 (current number of subtractions) = 507, cumulative addition = 10, and cumulative subtraction = 0 are corrected.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 44, a recovery process will be described in the case where a power cut occurs on the CU side before the operation response to the clear request arrives. Here, a sequence will be exemplified in which the game is not newly started on the S-side and no winning has occurred.

  In the sequence of FIG. 44, the score is 500 when the return button 322 for returning the inserted recording medium (card) is pressed. In FIG. 44, similarly to the processing of FIG. 21, the CU transmits to the S units a command including, as an operation instruction, data with a prohibition request for prohibiting a game and without clear request. In response to this, the S machines control the bet number operation invalid state (game prohibited state) in which the bet number cannot be set. After that, a wait time of 4.1 seconds or more (for example, 10 seconds) corresponding to one game regulation time is provided. During this wait time, polling is continued between the S units and the CU. Then, when the wait time has passed, the S-units transmit to the CU, as operation responses, prohibition refusal OFF, SQN = n + N, score = 500, addition = 0, subtraction = 0, and game prohibition response. . As a result, the CU determines that the S machines are in the game prohibited state.

  Then, the CU sets SQN = n + N + 1, and transmits a command including a clear request and SQN = n + N + 1 as operation instructions to the S units.

  Then, in response to this operation instruction, the S unit clears the holding point to 0 and sets the holding point to 0 according to the clear request, and also clears SQN to 0 to SQN = 0, and then, as an operation response, SQN. = 0, the number of points = 0, the number of additions = 0, and the number of subtractions = 0 are transmitted to the CU. If this response does not reach the CU and the CU cuts off the power before performing the operation response process according to the response, the command from the CU is not transmitted to the S units thereafter. As described with reference to FIG. 12, in S units, if the command is not received for 10 seconds or more, it is determined that the communication is disconnected and the state is changed to the unconnected state.

  Next, when the power cut is restored and the CU is activated, the device information request, the device information response, the authentication request, the authentication response, the recovery request, and the recovery response are transmitted and received between the CU and the S units, as in the process of FIG. Will do.

  In S units, the recovery data is SQN = 0, the number of previous additions is 0, the number of previous subtractions is 0, and the current number is the number of current points = 0, the number of current additions = 0, the number of current subtractions = It stores 0 and sends it to the CU as a recovery response.

  In the CU, the SQN on the S unit side is more than two before the SQN on the CU side, so the CU determines that the S unit on the other side does not match and corrects the backup value based on the recovery data sent in the recovery response. Do. Specifically, the number of points = 500 (backup value of CU) +0 (current addition number) -0 (current subtraction number) = 500, cumulative addition = 0 (current addition number), cumulative subtraction = 0 (current subtraction number) To fix.

  Normally, the difference in SQN between the CU side and the S unit side does not become 2 or more. Therefore, in the case of the recovery process of FIG. 44, the CU determines that the communication partners do not match, and corrects the backup value. Do. As a result, the score is corrected to the score before sending the clear request, that is, the backup value of 500. Since the CU determines that the communication partners do not match, in the reconnection sequence shown in FIG. 14, processing when the SQN is abnormal and the communication partners do not match, that is, after the points are once converted to savings medals A process that enables a replay will be executed.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 36 to 44, the S-unit backs up the data such as the number of additions transmitted to the CU immediately before the communication-disabled state even when the communication-disabled state occurs. Then, the S units transmit the recovery data including the data transmitted to the CU immediately before the occurrence of the incommunicable state and the data such as the addition number newly generated after the transmission to the CU during the recovery process. The recovery data includes the SQN of the data transmitted to the CU immediately before the occurrence of the incommunicable state. The CU compares the SQN with the SQN stored in the CU before the CU receives the data (immediately transmitted update information) transmitted by the S units to the CU immediately before the communication-disabled state occurs. It becomes possible for the CU to judge whether or not the communication incompatibility has occurred.

  In FIGS. 36 to 44, the change in the game data on the S-side during the communication disabled state to the game prohibited state (disconnection detection (play stop)) is “addition = 0, subtraction = 3. However, if the game data further changes during that period, the S units further update the stored value based on the changed data.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the number of points is managed on the CU side, it is not necessary to provide the management function on the S unit side, and the cost of the S unit is reduced as much as possible. Can be suppressed. In particular, the S unit has a short replacement cycle in the amusement hall in order to be able to provide a more interesting game as soon as possible, and tends to be replaced early in a few months if it is one year or earlier. . In addition, as new machines are being developed one after another that quickly incorporate the rapidly changing tastes of players, the cycle of machine replacement in the amusement hall tends to be faster.

  On the other hand, the CU is rarely replaced from the viewpoint of taste, and in general, the equipment is replaced according to the failure, and even if the CU is replaced due to the failure, the CU will be replaced after the appropriate repair. It is used. And if no failure occurs, replacement will not be performed for several years.

  For this reason, there is an advantage that the running cost of the game hall where the S units are introduced can be reduced by allowing the CU side to have the holding point management function instead of the S unit side and suppressing the cost of the S units.

Next, modified examples and characteristic points of the embodiment described above will be described below.
(1) The command transmission interval of the CU may be changeable. For example, it is conceivable that the transmission interval of the command can be finely changed and set by operating the switch for switching the transmission interval provided in the CU. In this case, a table in which a plurality of types of transmission interval data are stored is provided in advance in the CU, and the transmission interval according to the switch operation is selected from the table. Alternatively, the CU may be able to switch the transmission interval in response to a switching command from the management computer. Note that the transmission interval may be switched, for example, at the time of mutual authentication when communication is started between the CU and the S unit.

  (2) In the present embodiment, “a game can be started by setting a bet number for one game using a gaming value, and a variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols is displayed. A slot machine in which one game is finished by deriving a result, and a prize can be generated according to a combination of symbols derived and displayed on a predetermined pay line as a display result of the variable display device, Before the display result is derived on the variable display device, a pre-determining means for determining whether or not to permit the derivation of a combination of winning symbols for generating the winning on the pay line, and the variable display device. Derivation operation receiving means for receiving an operation for deriving a display result, and the variable display device according to the determination result of the pre-determining means and the operation received by the derivation operation receiving means. Derivation control means for performing control for deriving the indicated result, and a predetermined amount when a combination of award winning symbols accompanied by awarding of gaming value is derived on the award line among combinations of award symbols for generating the award. Slot machine including a gaming value giving means for giving a gaming value to a player. ”Is disclosed.

  (3) In the slot machine, the number of payouts corresponding to the winning combination is predetermined, and unlike the case of a pachinko gaming machine, the winnings do not occur continuously in a short period of time, and the winnings are made every game. appear. Further, the bet number is also set to one of 1 to 3, for example. Therefore, as long as the motion response is transmitted at a time interval of 200 ms, the data of the added number normally included in the motion response matches the payout amount corresponding to the winning combination. Similarly, the data of the subtraction number included in the motion response matches any of the bet numbers. For example, if the number of payouts corresponding to a winning combination is any of 3, 5, 10, and 15, the number of additions included in the action response will be one of them. Similarly, if the number of bets that can be set is 1, 2, or 3, the data of the subtraction number included in the motion response is any of 1 to 3.

  Therefore, when the number of additions and the number of subtractions included in the operation response notified to the CU are other than the predetermined values, the CU determines that an error has occurred and notifies the error, or A command instructing to prohibit the game may be sent to the S units.

  Furthermore, since the subtraction number data is generated by the bet number setting when starting one game, and the addition number data is generated by winning when the one game is over, normally, unless a retry or the like occurs, One of the addition number and the subtraction number included in one motion response becomes zero.

  Therefore, when one of the addition number and the subtraction number included in the operation response notified to the CU is not 0, and the operation response is not retry data or the like, the CU determines that an error has occurred. Then, an error notification may be given, or a command instructing to prohibit the game may be sent to the S units.

  Further, in the slot machine 2, one game regulation time is set as the minimum time required to consume one game, and in the present embodiment, it is 4.1 seconds, for example. Therefore, normally, a plurality of operation responses including the number of additions or the number of subtractions exceeding 0 are not transmitted to the CU. In addition, normally, after an operation response including a subtraction number exceeding 0 is transmitted to the CU, an operation response including a subtraction number exceeding 0 is further transmitted to the CU within one game restriction period. Absent. Similarly, normally, after an operation response including an addition number exceeding 0 is transmitted to the CU, an operation response including an addition number greater than 0 is further transmitted to the CU within one game restriction period. There is no. Therefore, when these events occur, the CU determines that an error has occurred and notifies the error or sends a command to the S unit to instruct the prohibition of the game. Good.

  (4) In the present embodiment, the data of the number of additions is generated when the winning is generated, and this is transmitted to the CU as an operation response. However, when the replay prize is generated, the score increase number is 0, and the next game is automatically set with the same bet number as that of the game in which the replay prize is generated, without reducing the score. . Therefore, the operation response at the time of the replay winning is “(a) The addition number at the time of the replay winning is 0, and the subtraction number according to the bet number setting in the next game in which the replay winning is generated is also 0”, “( b) The number of additions at the time of winning the replay is the number of bets in the game that generated the replay winning, and the number of subtractions due to the setting of the number of bets in the next game in which the replay winning is generated is the same as that number. ” There are two possible patterns. Further, in any case, the replay prize may be one of the external output information. That is, a replay prize may be added as one of a plurality of types of external output information, and the total number of replay prizes may be stored in the CU. In addition to replay winning prizes, all winning combinations are targeted for external output information, and each time a winning combination is generated by one of the winning combinations, the counter corresponding to the winning combination is updated in S units and the data is included. The operation response may be transmitted to the CU.

  (5) In the slot machine, once the variable display device starts rotating, one game cannot be ended unless the rotation is stopped. Therefore, it is impossible to interrupt the game at an arbitrary timing of the game stop transmitted from the CU side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, when a prohibition request (see FIG. 21) for returning a game card is generated while the variable display device is rotating, the final score is waited for until the end of the game. After confirming it, we decided to accept the return of the game card.

  However, in the case of such a configuration, the game card cannot be returned unless the player performs a stop operation. Therefore, when a game card return operation is detected while the reel is rotating, it is conceivable that the S unit may display a message on the liquid crystal display device or the like, or the CU may display on the display device 312 or the like, for prompting the stop operation. Alternatively, when a prohibition request for returning the game card is generated while the variable display device is rotating, the response to the refusal of the prohibition request is returned from the S unit to the CU to return the card in the game. May not be accepted. Alternatively, the CU may determine whether or not the game is being executed at the stage when the card returning operation is detected, and if the game is being executed, the CU may not accept the card returning operation. It should be noted that whether or not the game is being executed can be determined based on the external output information “reel rotation start” and “reel rotation stop” transmitted from the S units.

  (6) In the slot machine 2, for example, a lottery effect as to whether or not to shift to a certain kind of service game state such as AT is performed on the liquid crystal display device during the game, and after the game is finished, The result of the lottery effect may be displayed after the lottery effect is subsequently executed for a predetermined period. However, when such a continuous lottery effect is performed, there is a possibility that a card return operation will be performed after one game ends and before the result of the lottery effect is displayed. In such a case, the lottery effect may be interrupted, the current score may be fixed, and the card may be returned.

  (7) In the present embodiment, the number of points = 0 is detected on the S level side, and the bet number operation is disabled. However, the remaining number of points to be detected = 0 is an example. For example, in the gaming state in which only the bet number = 3 is valid, the S units detect that the number of points is less than 3 and control the bet number operation invalid state. Similarly, in the gaming state in which only the bet number = 2 is valid, the S units detect that the number of points is less than 2, and control the bet number operation invalid state. In short, the S table compares the minimum required number of bets and the number of points in the current game state, and when the former is less than the latter, controls the bet number operation invalid state.

  When such a control is performed, the bet number operation invalid state may occur when the remaining number of points is 0, or when it is a fraction such as 1 or 2, for example. When a player performs an operation to end the game, it is necessary to return a game card with a fractional value recorded, which is not very valuable. In particular, when a player does not play a game using a card in the first place and plays a game by exclusively inserting cash into the CU, he or she has to purposely issue a new worthless game card. It is uneconomical. Therefore, when a game using cash is being performed and the player's score at the stage of returning the card is less than a predetermined value, the CU prints a fraction instead of the normal game card. The paper may be printed out.

  (8) In the slot machine 2 according to the present embodiment, a prize is generated by previously winning an internal lottery and stopping the winning symbol by so-called pushing. However, instead of such a slot machine, a slot machine in which the result according to the internal lottery is always stopped and displayed on the variable display device may be used. In this case, it may be a slot machine in which each reel automatically stops after a predetermined time without performing a stop operation, or even if a stop operation button is provided for each reel, at any timing. The slot machine may be such that the result according to the internal lottery is always displayed even if the stop operation is performed.

  In this way, when a slot machine that always displays the results according to the internal lottery is displayed, the number of points to be added is determined based on the presence / absence of the prize and the prize when the internal lottery is executed. . Therefore, for example, when the internal lottery is executed when a reel start operation is detected, the number of points deducted by the bet number setting and the number of points added according to the winning are calculated at the time of the start operation. It will be decided. In such a case, the S-unit may send the addition number according to the winning when the subtraction number associated with the bet number setting is transmitted as the operation response. That is, the data of the number of additions may be transmitted at an earlier stage than the actual winning timing.

  Further, the CU may discharge a predetermined ticket or token capable of specifying the score, instead of discharging (returning) the card in response to the game ending operation.

(9) The variable display device may be configured by a liquid crystal display device instead of the rotating drum.
(10) In the present embodiment, the number of points is displayed by both the display unit 312 provided on the CU side and the point display unit 11 provided on the S side, but it is displayed only on one of them. You may do it. When the number of points is displayed by the display on the CU side, there is an advantage that the number of points can be displayed by applying the CU according to the present embodiment to an S unit without a display unit. On the other hand, when displaying the score on the S side, the display control may be performed on the CU side. Alternatively, the display control may be performed on the S side. When the display control is performed on the S side, the point display unit 11 displays the number of points managed by the CU by receiving information on the number of points to be displayed from the CU side. Is possible. In addition, when the display control is performed on the S side in this way, there is an advantage that it is possible to display the score with a high decorative (dramatic) value. When the display control is performed on the S unit side, the display of the score is based on the value of the score counter stored in the S unit itself, instead of receiving the information on the score to be displayed from the CU side. It may be controlled.

  (11) In the above-described embodiment, when subtracting the points by the wagon service or the like, as described with reference to FIG. 19 and the like, the one in which the subtraction is confirmed after the response from the S units is shown. However, not limited to this, if the number of holding points stored on the CU side is sufficiently larger than the number of subtraction requests (for example, 30 or more), the CU side keeps holding without waiting for a response from S units. The point subtraction processing may be performed, and thereafter, the operation instruction of the subtraction request may be transmitted to the S units.

  (12) In the above-described embodiment, the CU sends a command to the S unit and the S unit responds to the CU and sends a response back to the CU. Conversely, the S unit sends a command to the CU. However, the communication form may be such that the CU responds to it and sends a response back to the S units.

  (13) Further, in the above-described embodiment, communication is performed between the CU and the S units at regular intervals (for example, 200 ms). Instead, however, the CU is communicated when the need for communication arises. Alternatively, data may be transmitted from one of the S units to the other for communication.

  (14) In the above-described embodiment, the S unit returns to the CU an operation response including a refusal signal not complying with the request such as addition refusal ON, subtraction refusal ON, and clear refusal ON, and the CU side Then, it is determined that the request is rejected based on the rejection ON. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of the S-unit returning an operation response of rejection ON, the operation response including the addition / subtraction number and the point data not complying with the request from the CU is returned to the CU. Then, it may be determined whether or not the returned data (addition / subtraction number, score, etc.) is in accordance with the request, and thereby it may be determined whether or not the request is rejected.

  (15) In the above-described embodiment, the S unit determines that the communication is disconnected by the process of FIG. 12 when the command from the CU has not been transmitted for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). However, the communication disconnection may be determined by the following method.

  The slot machine 2 is provided with a connection detector that detects whether or not the slot machine 2 and the card unit 3 are electrically connected. With reference to FIG. 3, the gaming machine communication unit 325 and the holding point control board 117 are connected by the signal line as described above. In addition to the signal line, a predetermined voltage from the card unit 3 (for example, 5V). Is provided with a connection detection signal line input to the slot machine 2 side. The connection detection signal line and the signal line between the gaming machine communication unit 325 and the holding point control board 117 are formed by the same cable, and the cable is disconnected or the connectors 330 and 220 are disconnected, and further the card unit. When the power supply of 3 is cut off, the voltage of the connection detection signal line becomes 0 V, so the connection detector detects it and the detection signal is input to the holding point control board 117. To do. The holding point control board 117 determines that the detection signal has been input and the cable has been disconnected, the connectors 330 and 220 have been disconnected, and the card unit 3 has been powered off.

  (16) In the process of FIG. 30, when the S units receive the operation instruction (addition request) after the recovery, the S units are programmed so as not to reject the addition request. By receiving, in S units, the score is calculated as 523 + 25 = 548 and the score is corrected to 548. However, in some cases, even if the operation instruction (addition request) after the recovery is received in the S units, a serious error in which the holding point cannot be corrected occurs. In consideration of such a serious error state, the CU side checks the content of the operation response transmitted from the S unit after transmitting the operation instruction (addition request) after recovery, and holds the S unit side. It may be determined whether or not the point has been corrected correctly, and if not corrected, control may be performed to shift to an error state.

  That is, when the CU determines that the points cannot be added on the S units even after the forced addition process of FIG. 30 is performed, the CU performs an error control means for performing control to shift to a predetermined error state. including.

  As the control for shifting to the error state, for example, a serious error notification is given by the display 312, and a notice that a serious error has occurred is given to the hall management computer 1 so that the hall management computer 1 gives an error notice. It is conceivable that the person in charge will go to work and encourage the staff to artificially respond.

(17) On the S side, the number of additions may be counted as follows.
Counters A and B are provided on the S side as counters for counting the number of additions. First, the counter A counts the number of additions. When the transmission timing of the added number comes, the count value of the counter A is transmitted to the CU. After that, the value of the counter A is maintained, and thereafter, the number of additions is counted by the counter B. When the transmission timing of the added number comes, the count value of the counter B is transmitted to the CU. After that, while the value of the counter B is maintained, the count value of the counter A is cleared to 0, and thereafter, the number of additions is counted by the counter A. Hereinafter, the above counting by the counters A and B is repeated.

  The above counting method may be used to count the number of subtractions on the S side. Alternatively, it may be used for counting the external output information.

  (18) The S units may not send the two pieces of information of the addition number and the subtraction number to the CU, but may send one piece of information after addition / subtraction of the addition number and the subtraction number to the CU. In other words, such information also constitutes "update information capable of specifying the amount of change".

  (19) The communication method is not limited to the above command-response method. The S units may transmit the holding point-related information such as the holding points to the CU at predetermined time intervals without waiting for a command from the CU. Alternatively, the S units may not transmit the point-related information at a predetermined time interval, but may transmit the point-related information to the CU each time a predetermined amount of information is obtained. For example, it is conceivable that the addition number is transmitted to the CU each time one or two or more predetermined addition numbers occur.

  (20) In the present embodiment, two counters, an addition number counter and a subtraction number counter, are provided on the S side. However, instead of these two counters, it is possible to use one addition / subtraction counter for performing addition by increasing the number of points (occurrence of a prize, etc.) and subtracting by decreasing the number of points (setting of the bet number, etc.). In this case, the value of this one addition / subtraction counter is transmitted from the S units to the CU.

(21) The present embodiment includes the following configurations.
The game device transmits a command for instructing subtraction of points to the slot machine, and then reestablishes a communication connection with the slot machine before receiving a response to the command. In case of shifting to, it is determined whether or not the command for instructing the subtraction of the score has arrived at the slot machine based on the data transmitted from the slot machine in the process of reestablishing the communication connection. When the arrival determining means determines that the command for instructing the subtraction of the holding points has arrived, the command transmitting means cancels the instruction for subtracting the holding points by the command. Command for transmitting to the slot machine, and the sub-point updating means instructs the subtraction of the points. When the command to cancel the instruction to subtract the points is received, the points are already subtracted based on the command to subtract the points and the points are subtracted due to lack of points. In either case, the points corresponding to the cancellation amount of the subtraction instruction are added to the points stored in the auxiliary point storage means.

  (22) In the present embodiment, by operating the return button 322, a signal requesting the end of the game is input to the CU. However, the CU may be configured so that a signal requesting the end of the game can be input from the management computer or the like.

(23) The CU and the S unit may be connected so as to be wirelessly communicable instead of being connected by wire.
(24) By providing the game control board 116 with the function of the point control board 117, the point control board 117 may not be provided in the slot machine 2.

  (25) In the present embodiment, the CU resends the command up to twice if the response cannot be received within one second after sending the command, and if there is still no response, the CU determines that communication is abnormal. The connection sequence is restarted after 20 seconds (see FIG. 11). Therefore, if there is no response within 3 seconds from the transmission of the first command, the connection sequence will be restarted. However, instead of this, a longer time period from the transmission of the first command by the CU to the judgment of communication abnormality, for example, a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds, 20 seconds) at which multiple games can progress on the S-side. , 30 seconds, etc.). In this case, for example, taking FIG. 24 as an example, after receiving the operation response from the S units, the CU does not resend the command twice but three times or four times before the predetermined time elapses. If there is, it will be repeated. The command retransmission interval in this case may be 200 ms or a long time interval exceeding it, or the command may be retransmitted until a certain time elapses from the start of retransmission and after that. The interval may be changed (for example, the retransmission interval may be lengthened in the latter half of step A). Then, when the resend command finally reaches the S units before the elapse of the predetermined time, an operation response indicating the amount of change in the score for a plurality of games which has been progressing up to that time is transmitted from the S units to the CU. Become.

  The following is a list of operational effects achieved by various means and combinations of various means included in the present embodiment.

(1-1) A connection unit (connector 220) for communicatively connecting to a game device (card unit 3) that adds points by using a game value (prepaid balance, number of medals) owned by a player And a variable display device (reel 2L, 2C, 2R) for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, one game can be started by setting the number of bets at the score, and a display result on the variable display device Is a slot machine (slot machine 2) in which one game is finished by deriving a score, and points are added according to a prize generated by the display result of the variable display device,
Identification means (microcomputer for game control, microcomputer for holding point control, addition counter, subtraction counter) for specifying the amount of change (addition number, subtraction number) of the points according to the setting of the number of bets and the occurrence of winning When,
Information transmitting means (point control board 117) for transmitting update information (operation response including the number of additions and the number of subtractions) capable of specifying the amount of change to the gaming device,
A points storage means (points counter) for storing the points;
Information for instructing the subtraction of points (operation instruction including subtraction in FIG. 19), and the amount of use of the game value with respect to the points stored in the gaming apparatus side by the gaming apparatus. An instruction to receive information (an operation instruction including the addition request in FIGS. 17 and 18) for instructing the addition of the points transmitted from the gaming device side in conjunction with the addition of the points Information receiving means (point control board 117),
A point update means (point control board 117, which updates the point stored in the point storage means in accordance with the amount of change and adds and updates in accordance with the information for instructing the addition of the point (Fig. 5),
When the information for instructing the subtraction of the holding points is received, the holding point determination means (FIG. 19) for determining whether or not the holding points of the size for which the information instructs the subtraction are stored in the holding point storage means. Including a point control board 117),
The information transmitting means, when the holding point determining means determines that the holding point storage means stores a holding point having a size indicated by the information for subtraction, an acceptance response of the holding point subtraction (FIG. 19; By subtracting a holding point designated to be subtracted by the information from the holding point stored on the gaming apparatus side to the gaming apparatus by transmitting an operation response including subtraction refusal OFF) to the gaming apparatus. (FIG. 19; subtraction of points is confirmed by waiting for a motion response).

  According to such a configuration, since the slot machine transmits the amount of change in the number of points, it becomes possible to perform point management on the side of the game device. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a point management function on the slot machine side, and the cost of the slot machine can be suppressed as much as that.

  In particular, the slot machine tends to have a shorter replacement cycle in the game hall than that of the gaming machine in order to quickly provide a more interesting game. Therefore, by holding the point management function not on the slot machine side but on the gaming machine side to reduce the cost of the slot machine, there is an advantage that the running cost of the game hall where the slot machine is introduced can be reduced. is there.

  In addition, while the point addition on the side of the slot machine is promptly performed in response to the request for addition of points using the game value, when a request for subtraction of points is made, it depends on the game situation immediately after that. Since there is a possibility that the points will be insufficient for the subtraction request, the points are subtracted on the gaming machine side on the condition that the acceptance response is returned in response. As a result, when a request for adding points or a request for subtracting points is generated based on the gaming value, it is possible to quickly and surely perform the processing according to those requests.

  (1-2) When the holding point updating means receives the information for canceling the holding point subtraction instruction (FIG. 42; operation instruction after recovery (addition request present, addition request number = 300), the holding point updating means). The points corresponding to the cancellation of the subtraction instruction are added to the points stored in the point storage means (FIG. 42).

  With such a configuration, the following effects are achieved. That is, when the subtraction instruction arrives at the slot machine side, the number of points stored on the slot machine side may be less than the subtraction instruction amount due to the progress of the game. At this time, if it is unclear on the gaming device side whether or not the slot machine has rejected the subtraction instruction due to communication failure or the like, if the subtraction is confirmed, the slot machine's score will become negative. Inconvenience occurs. However, at this time, by receiving the information for canceling the subtraction instruction of the score, the slot machine causes the score stored in the score storage means to correspond to the cancellation amount of the subtraction instruction. Therefore, the inconvenience that the score on the slot machine side becomes negative can be prevented.

  (1-3) The information transmitting means sends a subtraction refusal response to the game when the holding point determination means determines that the holding point of the size instructed to be subtracted is not stored in the holding point storage means. It is transmitted to the device (FIG. 31; subtraction refusal ON operation response).

  According to such a configuration, when the subtraction instruction arrives at the slot machine side, when the number of points stored on the slot machine side becomes less than the subtraction instruction amount due to the progress of the game, the slot The machine can ask the gaming device to cancel the subtraction.

  (1-4) Includes game control means for performing game control based on the points stored in the point storage means (FIG. 20; if the number-of-points counter becomes 0, the bet number operation is disabled).

  According to such a configuration, since the game control in the slot machine is performed based on the points stored in the slot machine itself, compared to the case where the game control is performed based on the points stored in the gaming machine. Thus, the game control can be performed in real time according to the change of the score.

(1-5) The instruction information receiving unit receives information for instructing the transmission of the update information of the holding point from the gaming device (point holding control board 117),
Each time the information transmitting unit receives the information for instructing the transmission of the update information, the information transmitting unit indicates the amount of change (current point related information) from the last reception of the information to the current reception. Update information is transmitted (FIG. 5; addition number counter and subtraction number counter).

  According to such a configuration, in response to an instruction from the gaming device, the slot machine sequentially transmits to the gaming device update information indicating the amount of change based on the time of the last update information transmission. . Therefore, in the gaming device, it becomes possible to manage the latest score by updating the score with the update information transmitted one by one.

  (1-6) Receiving correction information (correction instruction command) for correcting the score (value of the score counter) stored in the score storage means to the score stored in the gaming device When this is done, a point holding means (point holding control board 117; the number of holding points is corrected according to a correction instruction command) for correcting the holding points stored in the holding point storage means based on the correction information.

  According to such a configuration, the number of points stored on the gaming machine side and the number of points stored on the gaming machine side become abnormal due to an abnormality in the size of the points stored on the slot machine side due to misconduct or other causes. Even if the stored points do not match, the points stored on the slot machine side can be corrected to the points stored on the gaming device side.

  (1-7) The information transmitting unit sequentially transmits the update information at a time interval (200 ms) shorter than a predetermined one game regulation time (4.1 s) (FIG. 10).

  With such a configuration, since the update information is transmitted at intervals shorter than the one-game restriction time, the amount of change in the score point notified by the update information is sequentially transmitted during one game. . As a result, it becomes possible to notify the gaming device of the amount of change in the number of points in detail.

  (1-8) Number of remaining points determination means (point control board 117, figure) for determining whether or not there is a remaining number of points required to continue the game based on the points stored in the auxiliary point storage means. 20) is included.

  According to such a configuration, since the update information is not transmitted in time at the time of determination, the number of points stored on the gaming device side and the actual number of points (points stored on the slot machine side) Even if there is a gap between them, it is possible to make a determination based on the actual score.

  (1-9) When the information for instructing the game prohibition is received (the operation instruction in FIG. 22 (prohibition request is present)), a game prohibition means (a score point) for changing the game prohibition state in which a new game cannot be started. The control board 117 and the game control board 116 control the bet number operation invalid state, and include "BET prohibition" in FIG.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to receive a game prohibition instruction from the gaming device side and enter a game prohibition state in which a new game cannot be started.

  (1-10) Information for instructing to set the value of the holding point stored in the holding point storage means to the initial value is received from the gaming device (operation instruction in FIGS. 21 and 44 (clear request). Based on what has been done), a score point initialization means for setting the value of the score point stored in the score point storage means to an initial value (FIG. 21, FIG. 44 (the score point control board 117 is a score point counter). Value is initialized to 0).

  With such a configuration, it is possible to initialize the holding points stored in the slot machine in response to an instruction from the gaming device side.

(1-11) For storing the amount of change specified by the update information transmitted by the information transmitting unit, and storing the amount of change specified by the update information transmitted by the information transmitting unit one time ago. Two change amount storage means (FIG. 5; an addition number counter for storing the current addition number, a subtraction number counter for counting the current subtraction number, an area for storing the previous addition number as the previous holding point related information, and a previous subtraction number) Area)
And an arrival determination means (point control board 117, FIG. 25) for determining the arrival of the update information to the gaming device based on predetermined information (SQN) transmitted from the gaming device,
The information transmitting unit, when the arrival determining unit does not determine that the update information has arrived, the update information that can specify the sum of the change amounts stored in the two change amount storing units is used for the game. (FIG. 25).

  With such a configuration, when it is not determined that the update information has arrived, update information capable of specifying the sum of the change amounts stored in the two change amount storage means is transmitted to the gaming device. Therefore, it becomes possible to collect the information about the points in the gaming device surely and efficiently.

(1-12) The information transmitting means transmits the update information to the gaming device each time it receives information instructing to transmit update information capable of specifying the amount of change from the gaming device (FIG. 5, FIG. 25, etc.),
Change amount storage means (addition number counter, subtraction number counter) for storing the change amount specified by the update information transmitted by the information transmission means as the update information,
The change amount storage means stores the change amount sequentially specified by the specifying means while the state in which the information instructing the transmission of the update information cannot be received even after a predetermined period has elapsed since the update information was transmitted. Based on this, the stored change amount is updated (FIG. 24),
The information transmitting unit is configured to receive, when a change amount based on the change amount sequentially specified by the specifying unit is stored in the change amount storage unit, when the information for transmitting the update information is received, The update information capable of specifying the change amount stored in the change amount storage means is transmitted (FIG. 24).

  According to such a configuration, even when the communication between the gaming device and the slot machine is interrupted, it is possible to surely collect the information about the points during that period in the gaming device. .

(2-1) A connection unit (connector 220) for communicatively connecting to a gaming device (card unit 3) that adds points by using a gaming value (prepaid balance, number of medals) owned by the player And a variable display device (reel 2L, 2C, 2R) for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, one game can be started by setting the number of bets at the score, and a display result on the variable display device Is a slot machine (slot machine 2) in which one game is finished by deriving a score, and points are added according to a prize generated by the display result of the variable display device,
A front member (front door 2b) that covers the front surface of the slot machine in an openable and closable manner,
Lock means for locking the front member in the closed state (front door opening solenoid 110, engagement protrusions 6a, 6b, engagement receiving pieces 7a, 7b),
Identification means (microcomputer for game control, microcomputer for holding point control, addition counter, subtraction counter) for specifying the amount of change (addition number, subtraction number) of the points according to the setting of the number of bets and the occurrence of winning When,
Information transmitting means (point control board 117) for transmitting update information (operation response including the number of additions and the number of subtractions) capable of specifying the amount of change to the gaming device,
When the information for instructing the unlocking by the locking means transmitted from the gaming device (FIG. 22; the front door opening request is present) is received, a new game cannot be started (gambling prohibited state (number of bets). A game prohibition means (FIG. 22; BET prohibition by the point control board 117 and the game control board 116) for making the operation invalid state),
Release control means (FIG. 22; lock release by holding point control board 117) for performing control for releasing the lock by the lock means after the game prohibition means sets the game prohibition state,
The release control means performs control for releasing the lock by the lock means until a predetermined condition is satisfied when information for instructing the lock release by the lock means (FIG. 22; front door open request is present) is received. The delay means for delaying (FIG. 22; the point control board 117 delays the excitation of the front frame opening solenoid 110 until the wait time elapses (or until the game ends when the game is in progress)).

  According to such a configuration, the closed state of the front member can be released by an instruction from the gaming device side without affecting the game result.

(2-2) The specifying unit specifies the amount of change even when the holding point changes while the game prohibiting unit is in the game prohibiting state (FIG. 22; S stands for the game prohibiting state). Even if the score changes during the period, the amount of change (the number of additions = 10 in FIG. 22) is specified.),
When the amount of change in the holding points is specified by the specifying unit while the game prohibiting unit is in the game prohibited state, the information transmitting unit provides update information for specifying the amount of change for the game. It is transmitted to the device (operation response when the number of additions = 10 in FIG. 22).

  According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to allow the gaming device to manage the number of points including the amount of change in the points after the game is prohibited.

  (2-3) The predetermined condition is that a time longer than a predetermined one game regulation time (4.1 seconds) elapses.

  With such a configuration, even if the game is in progress when the game is prohibited, the blockage of the front member is not released before the end of the game.

  (2-4) The delay means ends the game when information for instructing unlocking by the lock means is received during a game in which symbols are variably displayed on the variable display device. The control for releasing the lock by the lock means is delayed until the game is prohibited (FIG. 22).

  With such a configuration, even if the game is in progress when the game is prohibited, the blockage of the front member is not released before the end of the game.

(3-1) A connection unit (connector 220) for communicatively connecting to a gaming device (card unit 3) that adds points by using a gaming value (prepaid balance, number of medals) owned by the player And a variable display device (reel 2L, 2C, 2R) for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, one game can be started by setting the number of bets at the score, and a display result on the variable display device Is a slot machine (slot machine 2) in which one game is finished by deriving a score, and points are added according to a prize generated by the display result of the variable display device,
Identification means (game control microcomputer, point control microcomputer, addition counter, subtraction counter) for specifying the amount of change (addition number, subtraction number, external output information) in the game data that changes according to the progress of the game , External output information counter),
Information transmitting means (point control board 117) for transmitting update information (operation response including addition number, subtraction number, and external output information) capable of specifying the amount of change to the game device,
From the time when a communication-disabled state occurs in which no signal is transmitted from the gaming device to the time when a recovery process is performed to recover from the communication-disabled state and restore the data consistency with the slot machine. In the meantime, the communication means storage means for storing the variation amount of the game data specified by the specifying means (FIGS. 36 to 43; the CU is activated after the operation response transmitted immediately before the power supply to the CU is cut off). The number of additions, the number of subtractions, the number of points, etc., which are stored as the current number until the recovery processing is performed, and the addition number counter, the subtraction number counter, the number of points counter, etc.
The information transmitting means transmits update information capable of specifying the amount of change in the game data stored in the incommunicable time storage means to the gaming device due to the restoration processing being performed (FIGS. 36-). FIG. 43; Recovery data is transmitted as a recovery response from after the operation response transmitted immediately before the power supply to the CU is transmitted to when the CU is activated and the recovery process is performed).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to allow the gaming device to accurately manage the game data that also reflects the amount of change in the game data on the slot machine side from the time when communication is lost until the time of recovery. It will be possible.

(3-2) Game prohibition means (FIG. 36 to FIG. 43; play stop due to disconnection detection (betting number operation invalid state or game) in order to set a game prohibition state in which a new game cannot be started when the communication-disabled state occurs. Further includes a prohibited state)),
The communication-disabled time storage means is specified by the specifying means from the time when the communication-disabled state occurs to the time when the game data reaches a state in which the game data cannot be changed after the game prohibited state by the game prohibiting means. The amount of change in the played game data is stored (FIGS. 36 to 43; after the operation response is transmitted immediately before the power supply to the CU is stopped, the play is stopped (the bet number operation invalid state or the game prohibited state), and the addition is changed thereafter. Memorize numbers, subtraction numbers, etc.).

  According to such a configuration, accurate management of the game data that reflects the amount of change in the game data on the slot machine side from the time when the communication data cannot be changed until the time when the game data cannot change Can be used as a game device.

(3-3) The communication-disabled-time storage unit stores the backup amount of change immediately before, which is the change amount of the game data transmitted to the gaming device immediately before the communication-disabled state occurs. (FIGS. 36 to 43; previous number of times),
The information transmitting means,
The immediately preceding transmitted update information capable of specifying the immediately preceding transmitted change amount is transmitted to the gaming device together with the update information (FIG. 8, FIG. 36 to FIG. 43; recovery data as the previous count is transmitted as a recovery response),
Communication inability occurrence time determination information (SQN, figure) for enabling the gaming device to determine whether or not the communication inability state has occurred before the gaming device receives the immediately-previously transmitted update information. 8 (b)) is transmitted to the gaming device.

  According to such a configuration, in the gaming device, even if the variation amount of the game data transmitted to the gaming device immediately before the communication-disabled state does not reach the gaming device, it is determined to that effect. Then, it becomes possible to update the game data including the immediately-previously transmitted change amount specified by the immediately-previously-transmitted update information, and the change amount of the game data transmitted to the gaming device immediately before the communication-disabled state occurs. Even when the game arrives, it is possible to manage the game data accurately.

  (3-4) The information transmitting means is a communication number for confirming whether or not the number is updated every time data is transmitted / received to / from the gaming device and communication is properly performed. (SQN) is transmitted to the gaming device as the communication inability occurrence time determination information.

  According to such a configuration, the communication number is updated at the gaming device side every time data is transmitted / received, and the communication number is used to confirm whether or not communication is properly performed. It is possible to determine whether or not the variation amount of the game data transmitted to the gaming device immediately before the disabled state has reached the gaming device.

(4-1) A connection unit (connector 220) for communicatively connecting to a gaming device (card unit 3) that adds points by using a gaming value (prepaid balance, number of medals) owned by a player And a variable display device (reel 2L, 2C, 2R) for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, one game can be started by setting the number of bets at the score, and a display result on the variable display device Is a slot machine (slot machine 2) in which one game is finished by deriving a score, and points are added according to a prize generated by the display result of the variable display device,
A points storage means (points counter) for storing the points;
A remaining number of points determination means (point control board 117, FIG. 20) for determining whether there is a remaining number of points necessary for setting the bet number based on the number of points stored in the point storage means;
And a game prohibition means (FIG. 20 to FIG. 22; invalidation of bet number operation by the score control board 117) for setting a game prohibition state in which a new game cannot be started,
The game prohibition means,
When a predetermined information (FIG. 21, FIG. 22; an operation instruction including a prohibition request) is transmitted from the gaming device, a predetermined information-corresponding game prohibition means ((FIG. 21, FIG. 22)) is set in the game prohibition state. ,
When the remaining score determination means determines that there is no remaining score required to set the bet number, the game includes a score-corresponding game prohibition means (FIG. 20).

  According to such a configuration, as a method of setting the game-prohibited state in the point-type slot machine, when the number of points in the slot machine decreases, the slot machine side can determine that fact and set the game-prohibited state. , Because the game is prohibited due to the predetermined information being transmitted from the game device, it is possible to respond to the command from the game device, depending on the reason why it is necessary to enter the game prohibited state. It is possible to cope with both the case where the slot machine itself sets the game prohibited state and the case where the slot machine sets the game prohibited state in response to a command from the game device.

(4-2) A game device for storing and updating points can be connected to the connection unit, separately from the point storage means (see FIGS. 3 and 5),
Specific means (game control microcomputer, score control microcomputer, addition number counter, subtraction number counter) for specifying the amount of change in the number of points according to the setting of the number of bets and the occurrence of winning
The game device further includes an information transmitting unit (point control board 117) for transmitting update information (operation response including the number of additions and the number of subtractions) capable of specifying the amount of change.

  According to such a configuration, since it is possible to perform the point management on the gaming machine side, it is not necessary to provide the point management function on the slot machine side, and the cost of the slot machine is suppressed as much as possible. be able to.

  In particular, the slot machine tends to have a shorter replacement cycle in the game hall than that of the gaming machine in order to quickly provide a more interesting game. Therefore, by holding the point management function not on the slot machine side but on the gaming machine side to reduce the cost of the slot machine, there is an advantage that the running cost of the game hall where the slot machine is introduced can be reduced. is there.

  In addition, because the point management is performed on the gaming machine side, when the method of controlling to the game prohibited state by waiting for a command from the gaming machine side when the number of points decreases, It is possible to understand that the number of points has decreased in the gaming device only after the decrease is transmitted to the gaming device, and there is a possibility that the time to control the gaming prohibited state may be delayed by the time lag between them. When the number of points in the slot machine is reduced, the slot machine side discriminates to that effect and puts it in the game prohibited state, so that the inconvenience caused by the time lag can be prevented. Moreover, since the game is prohibited due to the transmission of the predetermined information from the gaming device, the command from the gaming device can be dealt with.

  (4-3) The information transmitting unit can specify the amount of change specified by the specifying unit from the time when the update information is sent until the game is prohibited by the point-holding game prohibiting unit. 20. The update information is transmitted to the gaming device (FIG. 20; the first operation response of “point number = 3, addition number = 0, subtraction number = 3”) is transmitted, and then the bet number is 3BET. The operation response of “the number of points = 0, the number of additions = 0, the number of subtractions = 3”, which is the amount of change until the operation is disabled, is further transmitted).

  According to such a configuration, the amount of change in the number of holding points from the time when the last update information is transmitted to the game prohibited state can be grasped on the gaming device side, and the final amount after the game prohibited state is reached. It becomes possible to manage the points on the game device side.

(4-4) A front member (front door 2b) that covers the front of the slot machine so as to be openable and closable,
Locking means for locking the front member in a closed state (front door opening solenoid 110, engaging protrusions 6a, 6b, engaging receiving pieces 7a, 7b),
The predetermined information is information (FIG. 9; game prohibition request of operation request Bit3 = 1, FIG. 22; prohibition request) which is transmitted when instructing the unlocking by the locking means.

  With such a configuration, when unlocking and opening the front member, it is possible to enter the game prohibited state in response to a command from the game device.

  (4-5) The predetermined information is information transmitted when requesting the game end to the game device (FIG. 9; game prohibition request with operation request Bit3 = 1; FIG. 21; operation instruction including prohibition request). ).

  With such a configuration, when the signal requesting the end of the game is input, it is possible to set the game prohibited state in response to the command from the game device.

  The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

  2 slot machine, 2L, 2C, 2R reel, 3 card unit, 2a body frame, 2b front door, 110 front door opening solenoid, 112 front door closing detector, 116 game control board, 117 holding point control board, 220 connector, 309 card insertion slot, 312 indicator, 319 replay button, 321 lend button, 322 return button, 323 control unit, 324 external communication unit, 325 gaming machine communication unit, 327 card reader / writer, 330 connector.

Claims (1)

It is equipped with a connecting part for communicatively connecting to a gaming device that adds points by using a gaming value owned by a player, and a variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, and the number of bets at the points. By setting, one game can be started and one game is ended by deriving the display result on the variable display device, and points are added according to the prize generated by the display result on the variable display device. Is a slot machine
A front member that covers the front surface of the slot machine in an openable and closable manner,
Lock means for locking the front member in a closed state;
When the information for instructing the unlocking by the locking means transmitted from the gaming device is received, the game prohibiting means for setting the game prohibited state in which a new game cannot be started,
A game prohibition information transmitting means for transmitting information indicating that the game prohibition means has brought the game prohibition state, to the game device;
Release control means for performing control for releasing the lock by the lock means after the game prohibition means sets the game prohibition state,
The unlocking control means controls the unlocking by the locking means until the end of the game when the game is running when the information for instructing the unlocking by the locking means is received. A slot machine including delay means for delaying.