JP2020178978A - Game machine and game frame - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine and a game frame capable of appropriately performing processing when performing arithmetic processing of a game performance including plural kinds of parameters having different operation contents.SOLUTION: A game machine includes a frame control board capable of repeatedly executing main-loop processing and can communicate with a game device. Performance information calculation processing can compute a game performance including a ball putout rate, the number of game balls acquired per minute (base), a generator ratio, and a continuous generator ratio as plural kinds of parameters having different operation contents. Only the ball putout rate is calculated by performance information calculation processing in first main-loop processing, and only the number of game balls acquired per minute (base) is calculated by performance information calculation processing in second main-loop processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 43

Description

The present invention relates to a game machine and a game frame.

In the enclosed game machine in which the game ball is enclosed, it is possible to perform a calculation related to the game performance information as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and output the information related to the calculated game performance information to the vocabulary unit. ..

JP-A-2018-51022

However, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, when arithmetic processing is performed on a game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different arithmetic contents, if the arithmetic processing is concentrated, the load of the arithmetic processing becomes large and may affect other processing. was there.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is a gaming machine capable of appropriately processing game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different calculation contents. It is to provide a game slot.

(1) A gaming machine (for example, P unit 2, slot machine) capable of communicating with a gaming device (for example, CU3).
A control means (for example, a frame control board 17) capable of repeatedly executing a predetermined process (for example, a main loop process) is provided.
The predetermined processing is
Communication processing for communicating with the game device (for example, SC board communication processing) and
Includes predetermined calculation processing (for example, performance information calculation processing) for performing calculations related to game performance corresponding to the addition of game value.
In the predetermined calculation process, it is possible to calculate the game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different calculation contents (for example, ball output rate, number of game balls acquired per minute (base), bonus ratio, continuous bonus ratio).
In the communication process, information on the game performance can be output every predetermined period (for example, 180 s).
The control means
The predetermined process can be executed a plurality of times within the predetermined period.
In the predetermined processing of the predetermined times in the predetermined period, calculations are performed on the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, in the first main loop processing, only the payout rate is the performance. It is calculated by the information calculation process.),
In the predetermined processing of the specific times after the predetermined times in the predetermined period, the calculation is performed on the specific types of parameters different from the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, In the second main loop process, only the number of game balls (base) acquired per minute is calculated by the performance information calculation process.)

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load required for one predetermined processing by different types of parameters to be calculated in the predetermined calculation processing.

(2) A game frame (for example, a game frame 5) of a game machine capable of communicating with a game device.
A control means (for example, a frame control board 17) capable of repeatedly executing a predetermined process (for example, a main loop process) is provided.
The predetermined processing is
Communication processing for communicating with the game device (for example, SC board communication processing) and
Includes predetermined calculation processing (for example, performance information calculation processing) for performing calculations related to game performance corresponding to the addition of game value.
In the predetermined calculation process, it is possible to calculate the game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different calculation contents (for example, ball output rate, number of game balls acquired per minute (base), bonus ratio, continuous bonus ratio).
In the communication process, information on the game performance can be output every predetermined period (for example, 180 s).
The control means
The predetermined process can be executed a plurality of times within the predetermined period.
In the predetermined processing of the predetermined times in the predetermined period, calculations are performed on the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, in the first main loop processing, only the payout rate is the performance. It is calculated by the information calculation process.),
In the predetermined processing of the specific times after the predetermined times in the predetermined period, the calculation is performed on the specific types of parameters different from the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, In the second main loop process, only the number of game balls (base) acquired per minute is calculated by the performance information calculation process.)

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load required for one predetermined processing by different types of parameters to be calculated in the predetermined calculation processing.

(3) In the game machine of (1) above
The predetermined processing includes a specific arithmetic processing (for example, performance information storage processing).
In the specific arithmetic processing, a plurality of parameters belonging to the predetermined type of parameter and a special type different from the specific type of parameter (for example, the total number of launched game balls, the total number of acquired game balls, and the number of operations of the accessory continuous operation device). , Maximum number of parameters (MY))
The specific arithmetic processing is performed in each time of the predetermined processing, and a plurality of parameters belonging to the special type are calculated in the specific arithmetic processing (for example, the calculation is performed in each time of the main loop processing).

According to such a configuration, different arithmetic processes are used for various parameters depending on the degree of processing load, so that the processing can be further optimized.

(4) In the game machines (1) and (3) above
In the communication processing, there are a plurality of types including game information (for example, hall control / fraud monitoring information), installation information (for example, game machine installation information), and game performance information (for example, game machine performance information). The information can be transmitted to the gaming device, and the transmission timing differs depending on the type of information (for example, one of the information is determined and transmitted based on the process shown in FIG. 20).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to optimize the information transmission transmitted from the game machine to the outside, and it is possible to avoid information congestion.

(5) In the game machines (1), (3)-(4) above
A storage means (for example, a program memory) in which a program for executing the predetermined process in the control means is stored in advance is further provided.
The storage means
A first area (for example, an in-area program) in which a program for executing at least the communication process is stored in advance, and a second area (for example, outside the area) in which a program for at least executing the predetermined arithmetic process is stored in advance. Program) and.

According to such a configuration, since the programs stored in the first area and the second area are separated, the common program in the first area can be used regardless of the specifications of the game frame, so that the development efficiency of the game machine can be improved. improves.

(6) In the game machine of (5) above
The processing executed by the control means includes a predetermined processing to be repeatedly performed and an interrupt processing (for example, a timer interrupt processing) different from the predetermined processing.
In the interrupt processing, a plurality of types of processing having different interrupt cycles can be executed.
In each interrupt cycle, after executing a process in which the program is stored in advance in the first area of the interrupt process (for example, port input process (FIG. 41)), the program is programmed in the second area of the interrupt process. Executes a process stored in advance (for example, a ball polishing mechanism control timer subtraction process (FIG. 41)).

According to such a configuration, the processing can be optimized in that the processing procedure is defined regardless of the interrupt cycle.

(7) In the game machines (5) and (6) above
In the storage means, a program stored in advance in the first area is common regardless of the type of the game machine (for example, a program stored in the frame common program area), and the second type depends on the type of the game machine. The programs stored in advance in the area are different (for example, the programs stored in the non-common program area).

According to such a configuration, since the common program and the different program are separated, the common program can be used regardless of the specifications of the game frame, so that the development efficiency of the game machine is improved.

It is a front view which shows the card unit and the pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit used for a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is the schematic for demonstrating the configuration of the PIF wiring which connects a card unit and a pachinko game machine. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline of the information sent and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of the game machine information notification transmitted from a pachinko game machine to a card unit. It is a figure for demonstrating the information of a game machine type. It is a figure for demonstrating the game machine performance information. It is a figure for demonstrating the game machine installation information. It is a figure for demonstrating hall control / fraud monitoring information. It is a figure for demonstrating hall control / fraud monitoring information. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence between a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the timing of the information which is sent and received between a card unit and a pachinko machine. This is a timing chart of information sent and received between the card unit and the pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the modification of the timing of the lending information and lending response information sent and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the timing of the information when the connection between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine occurs. It is a schematic diagram which shows the main thing among various data stored in each of a card unit and a pachinko game machine, and the transmission / reception mode thereof. It is a figure which shows the sequence for explaining the timing for transmitting the game machine installation information from a pachinko game machine to a card unit. It is a figure which shows the sequence for explaining the timing for transmitting the game machine performance information from a pachinko game machine to a card unit. It is a figure which shows the sequence for explaining the timing for transmitting the hall control / fraud monitoring information from a pachinko gaming machine to a card unit. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of type determination of the game machine information transmitted from a pachinko game machine to a card unit. It is a figure which shows the count notification sequence between a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the count notification sequence between a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the communication abnormality sequence during counting between a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the communication abnormality sequence by the PIF disconnection between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the communication abnormality sequence by the power failure between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the communication abnormality sequence at the time of lending between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the communication abnormality sequence at the time of lending between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence between a main control board and a frame control board. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence for demonstrating the communication timing. It is a figure which shows the list of the command which is sent and received between the main control board and a frame control board. It is a figure for demonstrating the response of the game machine installation information notification command and the game machine installation information response. It is a figure for demonstrating the command of the game machine information notification. It is a figure for demonstrating the type information included in the game information. It is a figure for demonstrating the command of a game machine information response. It is a flowchart which shows the setting change process. It is a figure which showed the memory map of a program memory and a RAM area. It is a figure which shows the structure of the area program in the program memory, and the program stored in the out-of-area program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing of the program executed by the CPU of the frame control board. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process executed in the process at power-on. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process executed in the main loop process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process executed by the timer interrupt process. It is a figure for demonstrating the performance information item. It is a timing chart for explaining the processing timing of the performance information transmission processing and the performance information calculation processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the maximum number of difference balls. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the game system including a card unit and a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the connection sequence between a card unit and a hall control output BOX. It is a figure which shows the connection sequence between a card unit and a hall control output BOX. It is a figure for demonstrating the communication between a card unit and a hall control output BOX. It is a figure for demonstrating the content which is notified to the inside of a card unit and the hall control output BOX. It is a figure which shows the list of the command which is sent and received between SC and CU control part. It is a figure which shows the sequence for explaining the timing of the information sent and received between the SC board and the CU control unit. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the information output from a hall control output BOX to a hole control. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the standard port hall control output signal. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the hall control output signal of an expansion port. It is a figure for demonstrating the type of an error and fraud detection which can be notified.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Composition of pachinko machine>
First, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Each game island (not shown) arranged in a plurality of game halls (halls) may be abbreviated as an enclosed circulation pachinko machine (hereinafter, a game machine, a pachinko machine or a P machine) as an example of a game machine. ) 2 is attached. A card unit (hereinafter, also abbreviated as CU) 3 which is an example of a gaming device is installed one-to-one with respect to the P stand 2 at a predetermined side position of the P stand 2. There is. A card unit will be described below as an example of the gaming device according to the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the game information such as jackpots, abnormality notifications, and the number of winnings can be collected by connecting to the P unit 2. It may be a call lamp device or the like.

The P stand 2 contains a game ball (pachinko ball), which is an example of a game medium, inside (hereinafter, also referred to as an enclosed ball), and is provided on the upper left side by the player operating the ball striking operation handle 25. The launching solenoid of the launching mechanism 30 which is a launching device is driven to drive the enclosed balls one by one into the game area 27 on the front surface of the game board 26 so that the game can be played. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the ball striking operation handle 25, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player is operating the ball striking operation handle 25, and the player's hand The contact is detected by the touch sensor and the firing solenoid is driven. In this state, the hitting ball launching momentum is adjusted according to the amount of rotation of the hitting ball operating handle 25 by the player, and the enclosed ball is launched into the game area 27.

When the firing solenoid is driven to drive the enclosed balls into the game area 27 one by one, the subtraction mechanism 32 subtracts one ball from the number of game balls that can be played on the P stand 2. The firing intensity of the game ball (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the firing intensity T) can be adjusted according to the rotation operation amount of the hitting ball operation handle 25 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the handle operation amount), and the handle operation amount is increased. The firing intensity T increases accordingly. Therefore, the player can adjust the firing intensity T so that the game ball passes through the area aimed at by the player by adjusting the amount of steering wheel operation. When a launching device is provided on the lower side of the game board 26, a foul ball flows down through a foul ball return path and is detected by a foul ball detection switch provided in the middle of the foul ball return path, so that the number of foul balls is negative. May be counted (that is, the game points may be added according to the detection of the foul ball detection switch).

The P stand 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called first-class pachinko gaming machine, and a variable display device (also referred to as a special symbol) 278 is provided in the center of the gaming area 27. Further, the game area 27 is provided with a plurality of types of winning openings in which the enclosed ball that has been driven can be won. In the game area 27 shown in FIG. 1, one large winning opening (variable winning ball device) 271, three ordinary winning openings 272, 273, 274, and three starting winning openings 275, 276, 277 are shown. ing. In particular, the start winning opening 276 is composed of an electric tulip that can be changed into a first state (for example, an open state) that is advantageous to the player and a second state (for example, a closed state) that is disadvantageous to the player. ..

The variable display device 278 includes a variable display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (designs), and based on the detection signals of the starting winning balls that have won each starting winning opening 275, 276, 277. Start variable display of multiple types of identification information. When the display result of the variable display device becomes a combination of specific identification information (for example, doublet), a big hit state (also referred to as a big hit game state) is set, and the big winning opening 271 is opened.

Further, the display result of the variable display device 278 is a combination of special identification information (for example, a combination of probabilistic symbols such as 777) among the combinations of jackpot symbols (doublets), so that the probabilistic jackpot state Occurs, and after the end of the jackpot state, a probability fluctuation state (probability variation state) in which the probability of occurrence of the jackpot is improved occurs.

The enclosed ball driven into the game area 27 wins in one of the winning openings or is collected in the out opening 154 without winning. The enclosed ball that has won a prize in any of the winning openings and the enclosed ball that has been collected in the out opening 154 are returned to the hitting ball launching position through the collection path in the P stand 2 again. Then, when the player operates the hitting ball operation handle 25, the enclosed ball at the hitting ball launching position is hit into the game area 27 again.

Further, a game ball number display for displaying the number of game balls is provided at a position above the ball striking operation handle 25 of the P stand 2. The game ball number display 29 is composed of a 7-segment LED display, and is controlled by a frame control unit 171 (see FIG. 2). The game ball number display 29 displays the number of game balls, the error number of the error that has occurred, and the like. The game ball number display 29 is not limited to the 7-segment LED display, and may be composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or other display.

Further, a counting button 28 for counting from the game ball to the holding ball is provided at the left position of the game ball number display 29 on the P stand 2. In the present embodiment, the counting operation is repeatedly executed according to the time that the counting button 28 is continuously pressed (for example, the counting process of 250 balls is executed every time the pressing state for 0.3 seconds continues). It should be noted that, regardless of the duration of pressing, if the button is pressed once, a predetermined number (for example, 250 balls) may be counted from the game ball to the ball held, or when the counting button 28 is pressed once. May be such that all of the game balls currently owned by the player are counted regardless of the pressing time (whether or not they are pressed for a long time). In addition, the counting speed is further improved when the card return operation is performed, and smooth card return processing is realized.

In this way, since the counting button 28 is provided on the P stand 2 side, the operability of the player sitting facing the P stand 2 can be improved as compared with the case where the counting button 28 is provided on the CU3 side. .. Further, the P stand 2 is provided with speakers 270 at the upper right position and the upper left position of the game area 27 for outputting music data to be reproduced according to the effect displayed by the variable display device 278. The position and number of speakers are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the position and number may be changed as needed.

The P stand 2 according to the present embodiment can be divided into a game board 26 and other game frames (game frame, front frame) 5. In particular, the game board 26 is different for each model of the pachinko game machine developed by each company, while the game frame 5 is a common frame regardless of the model. For this reason, it is sufficient for the game store to replace only the game board 26 when replacing the new machine.

<Card unit configuration>
Next, the configuration of the CU 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This CU3 is a visitor card (also referred to as a general card) having a prepaid function, which is a storage 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. Accepts membership cards, which are storage media for games issued to. Visitor cards and membership cards are composed of IC cards.

The CU3 that receives these cards has a function of converting the player-owned game value (for example, the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, or the number of balls stored) specified by the stored information of the card into "game ball data". .. On the P-unit 2, it is possible to play a ball corresponding to the number of balls specified by the data of the game balls. That is, the "game ball data" is data indicating the remaining number of balls that can be fired. In the following description, the "game ball data" is simply referred to as a "game ball" in the same way as a stored ball or a holding ball.

On the front side of the CU 3, a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting bills, a card insertion / discharge port 309 for inserting a membership card or a visitor card, and the like are provided. The membership card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 309 is accepted by the card reader / writer (not shown), and the information stored in the card is read.

A display 54 is provided at a portion extending from the CU 3 to the front surface side of the P stand 2. The display 54 displays the prepaid balance and the like stored in the inserted game storage medium (card), and can display the number of game balls and various other information, and has a transparent touch panel on the surface. It is configured so that various operations can be input by touching various display items displayed on the display unit of the display 54 with a finger. For example, in the display 54 shown in FIG. 1, a ball lending button 321 and a return button 319 and a replay button are displayed, and operation input can be performed by touching these display items with a finger. A replay button may be displayed on the display 54.

The ball lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to a game ball) for withdrawing the remaining amount stored in the inserted card and using it for a game by the P stand 2. The return button 319 is operated when the player finishes the game, and the fixed number of balls held at the end of the game (number of balls held when the card is inserted-number of conversions to game balls + counting operation) is inserted into the inserted card. It is a button for storing and discharging the number of balls held by the player.

When the replay button (not shown) is operated and the number of balls held by the player is stored in the inserted card, a part of the number of balls held is withdrawn and converted into a game ball. It is possible to play a game with the P stand 2 based on the game ball. On the other hand, if the inserted card is a membership card and the number of balls held is not stored and the stored balls are stored in the hall management computer or the like, a part of the stored balls is withdrawn and used as a game ball. It is converted and the game by the P stand 2 becomes possible. That is, when both the stored ball and the possessed ball are stored in association with the inserted card, the possessed ball is preferentially withdrawn. In addition to the replay button, a dedicated ball withdrawal button for withdrawing the ball may be provided, and the replay button may be a button dedicated to withdrawing stored balls.

Here, the "ball storage" is a ball that has been acquired before the previous day and is deposited in the hall, and becomes a game ball when the ball is withdrawn. The ball storage is a game medium deposited in the game hall, and is generally managed by a hall management computer or other management computer installed in the game hall.

A "holding ball" is a ball acquired on the day of the event, and becomes a game ball when the holding ball is withdrawn. In addition, the number of balls held is the number of game balls owned by the player as a result of the player playing the game on the P stand 2, and is the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall. That is. Generally, the number of balls acquired by the player on the day of the game is called "possessed ball", and the number of balls acquired by the player before the previous day and deposited in the game field is called "stored ball". Say.

The "game ball" is a ball that can be launched by the P stand 2. The data on the number of game balls is generated in exchange for withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card, the balls held, or the stored balls, as described above.

The number of balls held may be managed by a management device for managing the number of balls held in the game hall. In short, the difference between "ball storage" and "holding ball" is the number of balls deposited in the game hall after the ball storage operation for depositing in the game hall, or it is still deposited in the game hall. It is the point whether it is the number of balls at the stage where it is not.

In the present embodiment, the stored ball data is not directly stored in the membership card, but is stored in a server installed in the amusement park such as a hall management computer in association with the membership card number, and the corresponding stored ball is searched for based on the membership card number. It is configured so that it can be done. On the other hand, the holding ball is stored directly on the card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. Even in the case of a visitor card, the ball held is stored directly in the visitor card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. When storing the data in the hall server in association with the card number, data that can specify the time stored in the hall server may be written on the card (membership card, visitor card) and discharged. In addition, the prepaid balance is written directly on the card (membership card, visitor card) and discharged.

The timing of storing the ball in the card (membership card, visitor card) or hall server is stored at regular intervals, for example, when the counting button 28 is operated and the counting process is performed, the ball is stored in real time. It is conceivable that the timing may be such that the cards are to be stored or stored in a batch when the cards are returned.

In addition, when the player finishes the game and returns the card from the CU3, the ball held in the CU3 is temporarily stored in the hall server as a stored ball, and the day when the player receives the card return. When a card is inserted into the same or another CU3 again on the same day, only the balls held for the day once stored as stored balls are stored in the CU3 again, and the game balls can be added and played within the range of the balls held. You may do so.

The bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 302 is taken in by a currency classifier (not shown) to identify its authenticity and bill type.

An IR (Infrared) photosensitive unit (also referred to as an IR light receiving unit) 320 is further provided on the front side of the CU3. The IR photosensitive unit 320 is an IR photosensitive unit 320 that receives an infrared signal from a remote controller (not shown) possessed by a staff member of the amusement park, converts it into an electronic signal, and outputs the infrared signal.

Although not shown, the P stand 2 is provided with a game frame (hereinafter, also referred to as a cell) 5 and a glass door 6 that can be opened and closed with the left side edge as a swing center with respect to the frame-shaped outer frame 4. ing.

The back mechanism portion opening switch 13 shown in FIG. 2 is provided at a position in contact with the outer frame 4 in the lower portion of the game frame 5, and it is detected that the game frame 5 is opened. Further, the front decoration opening switch 12 shown in FIG. 2 is provided at the contact portion with the glass door 6 in the upper portion of the game frame 5, and it is detected by the front decoration opening switch 12 that the glass door 6 is opened. The door.

The number of times the front decoration opening switch 12 and the back mechanism opening switch 13 are opened is counted by a counting counter (not shown). The counting counter is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and can be operated by a backup power supply even when the power supply of the P unit 2 is interrupted, such as at night. Even when the power is turned off, the number of times the glass door 6 and the game frame 5 are detected to be opened can be counted and the counted value can be transmitted to the frame control unit 171 (see FIG. 2). Here, the backup power source is, for example, a capacitor or a storage battery provided in the P unit 2.

The main control board 16 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the back surface of the game board 26 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the glass door 6). Since the back surface of the outer frame 4 is closed, the main control board 16 becomes removable from the game board 26 by first opening the game frame 5 and removing the game board 26 from the game frame 5. That is, in order to remove the main control board 16 from the game board 26 or replace the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16, it is necessary to open the game frame 5, so that the back mechanism portion open switch 13 is used. The work can always be detected. Therefore, if the main control board 16 is illegally removed from the game board 26 or the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16 is illegally replaced, it can always be detected by the back mechanism opening switch 13.

Further, a frame control board 17 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the back surface of the game frame 5. The frame control board 17 also needs to be removed from the back surface of the game frame 5 after the game frame 5 is first opened. Therefore, if the frame control board 17 is illegally removed from the back surface of the game frame 5 or the semiconductor chip provided on the frame control board 17 is illegally replaced, it can always be detected by the back mechanism portion opening switch 13.

<Composition of card unit and pachinko machine>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used for the CU 3 and the P stand 2. The outline of the control circuit between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The CU 3 is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The CU control unit 323 is the main control function unit of the CU 3, and is a CPU as a control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, a RAM that functions as a work area of the CPU, and peripherals. Input / output interfaces are provided to maintain signal consistency with the equipment.

The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external output terminal 340 for communicating with a management computer, a hall controller, or the like. The CU 3 transmits the status of the CU 3 and the game machine status information (including the information displayed by the performance display monitor 40) received from the P unit 2 to the outside such as a management computer or a hall controller via the external output terminal 340. .. The CU control unit 323 communicates with the frame control board 17 of the P stand 2 via the SC board 325. The SC board 325 and the frame control board 17 are connected by, for example, a dedicated PIF wiring 322 (see FIG. 1). Communication between the CU control unit 323 and the frame control board 17 includes lending information (information on an operation for withdrawing the remaining amount stored in the inserted card and using it for a game by the P unit 2) and lending response information (lending information). (Response information to) is bidirectionally performed, and other counting information (information regarding counting processing from the game ball to the holding ball) and game machine information are transmitted in one direction from the frame control board 17 to the CU control unit 323. It is done by communication. Therefore, the P unit 2 side does not recognize whether or not the CU 3 has received the counting information and the game machine information. The CU 3 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the P stand 2 side, and the P stand 2 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the CU 3 side. These connection portions are composed of, for example, connectors. The SC board 325 is equipped with an SC microcomputer (SC) that executes various processes for ensuring security in communication between the P stand 2 and the CU 3.

The authenticity and type of banknotes are identified by the above-mentioned money classifier in the CU control unit 323, and the identification result signal is input to the CU control unit 323. Further, when the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives infrared rays emitted from a remote controller possessed by a staff member of the amusement park, the CU control unit 323 receives the received signal. The card reader / writer reads the stored information of the inserted card into the CU control unit 323, and the read information is input to the CU control unit 323, and at the same time, the CU control unit 323 writes the stored information to the card reader / writer inserted into the card. When the data is transmitted, the card reader / writer writes the data to the inserted card. The stored information of the card includes the card ID. The CU control unit 323 stores the card ID read by the card reader / writer until the end of the game.

The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the player's ball when the player is playing. Data such as the balance or the number of balls held is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350, and is converted into display data by the display control unit 350. The display data converted by the display control unit 350 is transmitted to the display 54 extending from the CU 3 to the front side of the P stand 2. An image corresponding to the display data is displayed on the display 54. Further, when the player operates the touch panel provided on the surface of the display 54, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. For example, when the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the return button 319 displayed on the display 54, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. The ball lending button 321 and the return button 319 are not limited to the configuration provided on the CU 3, but may be provided on the front surface of the CU 3 or provided on the P stand 2 to input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. There may be. When the player operates the replay button (not shown) displayed on the display 54, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. The replay button is not limited to the configuration provided on the CU 3, but may be provided on the front surface of the CU 3 or may be provided on the P stand 2 to input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323.

The P stand 2 has a main control board 16 that controls the progress of the game of the P stand 2, a frame control board 17 that manages and stores game balls, and a launch solenoid 31a that is driven and controlled based on a command from the frame control board 17. A launch control board 31 for displaying, a variable display device 278, and an effect control board 15 for displaying and controlling the variable display device 278 based on a command transmitted from the main control board 16 are provided.

The main control board 16 and the effect control board 15 are provided on the game board 26. A game control microcomputer, which is a main control unit 161, is mounted on the main control board 16. The main control unit 161 is a main control function unit of the game machine. The microcomputer for controlling a game machine maintains the consistency of signals with a CPU as a control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, a RAM that functions as a work area of the CPU, and peripheral devices. An input / output interface for this is provided. The main control unit 161 is connected to a winning sensor 162 and a radio wave sensor 163 provided on the game board 26.

When a ball wins in each of the starting winning openings 275, 276, 277, the main control unit 161 draws a random number for determining a big hit (or further including a small hit) / loss, and stores the random number. This is called hold memory. The maximum value of the number of reserved storages is, for example, "4". When the main control unit 161 is in a state where a new variable display can be started by the variable display device 278, the main control unit 161 digests one hold memory, makes a jackpot determination based on the hold memory, and derives a display result from the variable start. The variable display time up to that point is determined from multiple types. In addition, when the jackpot is decided, it is also decided whether or not to cause a probability fluctuation. The main control unit 161 transmits the result of the jackpot determination (including whether or not to make a probability change) and information on the variable display time as commands to the effect control unit 151 mounted on the effect control board 15.

For the commands related to the variable display transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151, the variable start command indicating the start of the variable display, the display result command (big hit / miss) indicating the result of the variable display, and the variable display pattern are specified. It includes a possible variable display time command, a variable stop command that indicates when to derive and display the variable display result, and so on. Further, the commands transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151 include a command that can specify the progress of the big hit during the big hit, a command that indicates the occurrence of a new hold memory, and the occurrence of a game state error. There are commands to show.

The effect control unit 151 determines the variable display content of the variable display device 278 based on these commands transmitted from the main control unit 161. For example, the effect control unit 151 specifies the variable display result and the variable display time based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 161 to determine the stop symbol and the variable display pattern (presence / absence of reach, type of reach). And also decide the production pattern of the notice production regarding big hits and reach. The effect control unit 151 displays and controls the variable display device 278 according to the determined variable display content.

The frame control board 17 is provided on the game frame 5. A frame control microcomputer, which is a frame control unit 171, is mounted on the frame control board 17. The frame control unit 171 is a frame control function unit of the game machine. The frame control microcomputer maintains signal consistency with a CPU as a control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, a RAM that functions as a work area of the CPU, and peripheral devices. An input / output interface for this is provided.

Further, with respect to the frame control board 17, the counting button 28, the performance display monitor 40, the radio wave sensor 173, the subtraction solenoid 32a, the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b, the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c, the lifting mechanism outlet sensor 33, and the out ball detection switch 701 , The front decoration opening switch 12, and the back mechanism opening switch 13 are provided in a state of being electrically connected. An out-ball detection signal is input from the out-ball detection switch 701 to the frame control board 17. The main control board 16 calculates a base value (simply also referred to as a base) based on the out-ball detection signal. The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting fraudulent acts that illegally transmit radio waves and mainly keep the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b on at all times. The detection signal of the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the frame control unit 171 via an input port (not shown) of the frame control board 17. The subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b detects the launch of the game ball by changing from off to on, and based on the detection, the frame control unit 171 subtracts "1" from the number of game balls.

Therefore, when the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b is constantly turned off due to an illegal radio wave, the number of game balls is not subtracted no matter how many balls are fired. The radio wave sensor 173 detects such fraud due to radio waves.

A performance display monitor 40 is provided on the frame control board 17. The performance display monitor 40 is a 7-segment LED display. The performance display monitor 40 displays predetermined information such as performance information, a base, a bonus ratio, and a continuous bonus ratio regarding the game value (for example, a prize ball) calculated by the frame control unit 171. The information displayed by the performance display monitor 40 can be output to the hall server or the like via the CU 3, but the P stand 2 may be provided with an external output terminal and directly output to the hall server or the like.

Here, the base is the large winning opening 271, the normal winning opening 272 to 274, and the starting winning opening 275 to 277 provided in the game area 27 with respect to the number of game balls driven into the game area 27 of the P stand 2. It is the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given according to the prize of the game ball to the winning opening such as. Further, the character ratio (also referred to as a character ratio) refers to the ratio of the game balls acquired by the game balls launched in 10 hours due to the operation of the character. In the present embodiment, the accessory ratio corresponds to the game value given by winning all the winning openings of the game balls fired in 10 hours (60,000 balls can be fired in 1 minute). Of the number of game balls to be played, the game is played in the starting winning opening 276 composed of the electric tulip which is one of the winning characters and the large winning opening 271 composed of the variable winning ball device which is one of the winning characters. The ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning a ball. Further, the continuous bonus ratio (also referred to as the continuous ratio) is the ratio of the number of game balls acquired by the game balls fired in 10 hours due to the operation of the bonus when the bonus is continuously operated. Say. In the present embodiment, the continuous bonus ratio is the game value given by winning all the winning openings of the game balls fired in 10 hours (60,000 balls can be fired in 1 minute). Of the number of corresponding game balls, the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning the game ball to the large winning opening 271 provided with the variable winning ball device which is one of the winning characters. Say.

Information such as the main control chip ID, winning opening information, round information, winning detection signal, starting winning opening winning information, error information, symbol confirmation count, and jackpot information is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17.

The main control chip ID (also referred to as the main chip ID) is a chip ID stored in the main control board 16 of the P stand 2, and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P stand 2 is turned on. Information. The winning opening information includes the type of winning opening (starting winning opening, normal winning opening, large winning opening) and the number of winning balls (the number of balls to be paid out when a game ball enters the winning opening, and the game is played on the enclosed game machine. It is managed by the game value as a game point used for a person's game, and below, the number of game balls given when a game ball enters the winning opening, and in a medalless slot, a small bonus prize such as BB This is information including the number of medals to be given (game value corresponding to medals), and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P unit 2 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds when a big hit is made, and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P unit 2 is turned on.

The winning detection signal is a detection signal of a game ball that has won a prize in a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. The frame control board 17 that receives this detection signal controls to add the number of balls to be given to one winning ball to the number of game balls and the number of additional balls.

The starting winning opening winning information is information indicating that the game ball has won a prize in any of the starting winning openings. The error information is information for notifying the frame control board 17 when an error occurs while the main control board 16 is performing game control.

The symbol fixed number of times is information on the symbol confirmed as a display result of the variable display device for winning a prize in each starting winning opening.

The jackpot information is information indicating that a jackpot has occurred, and the breakdown thereof includes common jackpot information indicating a jackpot common to each manufacturer and manufacturer-specific jackpot information indicating a manufacturer-specific jackpot. The common jackpot information is a jackpot that is commonly adopted by each game machine maker, for example, a 15-round jackpot, and if a probability change occurs due to the jackpot, the probability variation information is included, and the jackpot is accompanied by the probability variation information. When a time saving state (a control state that shortens the variable display time of the variable display device) occurs, the time saving information is included. The manufacturer-specific jackpot is a jackpot state adopted only by a certain gaming machine manufacturer, such as a sudden change (sudden probability).

A game machine installation information notification and a game machine information notification are transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17 (see FIG. 32). On the contrary, the game machine installation information response and the game machine information response are transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the main control board 16 (see FIG. 32). The game machine installation information response and the game machine information response are commands for indicating that the game machine installation information notification and the game machine information notification have been received from the main control board 16.

The SC board 325 of the CU 3 and the frame control board 17 of the P stand 2 are electrically connected via the PIF wiring 22, and various commands are transmitted from the SC board 325 to the frame control board 17 (see FIG. 4). ). On the contrary, various responses are transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the SC board 325 (see FIG. 4).

In addition to the frame control board 17, the game frame 5 is provided with a launch control board 31, a launch solenoid 31a, and a game ball number display 29. Although the game ball number display 29 may be directly attached to the game frame 5, the game frame 5 may be attached to the game frame 5 like an upper plate or a lower plate provided on the front side of a normal pachinko game machine on which balls are paid out. It may be provided in a rotatable manner. This point is the same for the display 54. The frame control unit 171 of the frame control board 17 displays the number of game balls currently owned by the player on the game ball number display 29.

A launch permission signal is output from the frame control board 17 to the launch control board 31. Upon receiving this, the launch control board 31 outputs a signal for exciting the launch solenoid 31a of the launch mechanism 30. As a result, the game ball is in a state of being shot and fired into the game area 27. The launch control board 31 emits a launch solenoid excitation output when an input signal of a touch ring for detecting that the player is touching the ball striking handle 25 is input, and drives the launch solenoid 31a.

The RAM clear switch 293 is a switch for erasing the game machine information and the game information stored in the RAM of the P unit 2, and is initially operated by a store clerk after the P unit is in an error state. It is possible to return to the state. The RAM clear switch 293 is operated by a clerk, for example, after the card is ejected.

<Circulation route of game balls>
Here, the circulation path of the game ball in the P platform 2 will be outlined with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. When the player operates the ball striking operation handle 25, the firing solenoid 31a is driven. As a result, one game ball supplied to the launch position is repelled by the hitting hammer, and the game ball is hit into the game area 27.

A subtraction reference signal is output to the subtraction mechanism 32 in conjunction with the activation of the firing solenoid 31a and the firing of the game ball. In the subtraction mechanism 32, based on the output subtraction reference signal, the subtraction solenoid 32a is energized to move the movable piece to send the game ball to the launch mechanism 30, and the game ball passes through the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b. Subtract the number of game balls.

Of the balls driven into the game area 27, the out ball that has entered the out port 154 (see FIG. 1) flows down the out ball flow path and is detected by the out ball detection switch 701 provided in the middle of the out ball flow path. ..

All the winning balls that have won the winning opening or the variable winning ball device are collected on the back of the game machine and guided to the collection ball passing path. Similarly, out balls and foul balls are also guided to the recovery ball passage path. A lifting mechanism outlet sensor 33 is provided in the collection ball passage path. Therefore, all of the winning ball, the out ball, and the foul ball are detected by the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33. That is, the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 is a switch that detects all of the bounced game balls. When the number of detections of this switch and the number of shots of the game ball ejected by the firing solenoid 31a become equal, it can be determined that all the hit game balls have been recovered.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the difference between the number of detections of the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 and the number of shots is calculated, and when this difference is not 0, the ball driven into the game area 27 is recovered. It is judged that it has not been completed. By making this determination, it can be determined whether or not the game area 27 is rolling, or whether or not there is a floating ball that is caught between nails or the like in the game area and does not fall.

<Connection between CU and P stand>
The CU 3 and the P stand 2 are connected by PIF wiring between the SC board 325 and the frame control board 17 shown in FIG. The configuration of the PIF wiring will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the PIF wiring that connects the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 3 (a) shows the wiring number and the information name of the PIF wiring connecting the CU 3 and the P stand 2, and FIG. 3 (b) shows the direction of the information and the explanation of the information for each information name. It is illustrated.

Specifically, the information name of the wiring number 1 is "insulation GND", and the isolation GND is assigned. The information name of the wiring number 2 is "insulation GND", and the wiring number 2 is used for the signal GND of the wiring number 6. The information name of the wiring number 3 is "insulation GND", and the wiring number 3 is used for the signal GND of the wiring number 7. The wiring number 4 has an information name of "PSI" and is used for transmitting connection confirmation information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3. The PSI wiring and the VL wiring are looped in the CU3, and when the VL wiring is connected, 5V of the voltage of the VL wiring is supplied as the voltage of the PSI wiring, and when the VL wiring is cut, the VL wiring. As the voltage of PSI changes from 5V to 0 (zero) V, the voltage of the PSI wiring also changes from 5V to 0 (zero) V. Therefore, the P stand 2 outputs a PSI signal (5V ON signal) as a special signal for connection confirmation to the CU 3 while detecting the connection with the CU 3 (VL = ON), and does not detect the connection with the CU 3 (V). The PSI signal is not output to the CU3 at VL = OFF).

The information name of the wiring number 5 is "insulation GND", and the isolation GND is assigned. The wiring number 6 has an information name of "rental response information, counting information, and game machine information", and is used for transmitting each information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3. The wiring number 7 has an information name of "rental information" and is used for transmitting rental information from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. The wiring numbers 8 and 9 have an information name of "insulation 5V (VL)" and are assigned as signal lines of 5V for isolation (power supply VL for connection confirmation), respectively.

<Communication between CU3 and P unit 2>
Next, the communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. The telegram used in the communication is composed of frames having a predetermined format. The transmission data (telegram) is always transmitted in units of one frame. That is, the telegram is not divided and transmitted. In addition, when transmitting telegrams continuously, leave an interval of 1 millisecond or more.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of information transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2. Hereinafter, the outline of the information (telegram) transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The frame control board 17 of the P stand 2 and the SC board 325 of the CU 3 are divided into (a) lending information, (b) lending response information, (c) counting information, and (d) gaming machine information. The message is being communicated via a common asynchronous serial communication port. The four types of information (telegrams) (a) to (d) transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 have different telegram headers, and it is possible to distinguish the type of telegram by the header. It has become.

Even if (a) lending information and (b) lending response information are communicated on a common asynchronous serial communication port, (a) lending information and (c) counting information are used on a common asynchronous serial communication port. (A) Lending information and (d) gaming machine information may be communicated via a common asynchronous serial communication port. Further, even if (b) lending response information and (c) counting information are communicated via a common asynchronous serial communication port, (b) lending response information and (d) gaming machine information are shared in common asynchronous serial communication. Communication may be performed on the port, or (c) counting information and (d) gaming machine information may be communicated on a common asynchronous serial communication port.

Lending information is shown in FIG. 4A. The lending information includes information on the number of lending balls and information on the lending serial number for communication management as information included in the telegram of the lending notification transmitted by the CU 3 to the P unit 2. The information on the number of rented balls is information on the number of game balls related to renting, and includes, for example, information on 125 balls as information on the number of game balls transmitted in one piece of information. When the number of rented balls is 0 (zero), the loan information may be transmitted by including the information of 0 (zero) in the information on the number of rented balls.

FIG. 4B shows lending response information. The loan response information includes information on the number of loaned balls received as information included in the message of the loan receipt result response transmitted by the P unit 2 to the CU 3, and information on the loan serial number for communication management. The information on the number of rented balls received is information that informs the CU 3 of the result of receiving the information on the number of rented balls transmitted from the CU3.

FIG. 4 (c) shows the counting information. In the counting information, the P unit 2 transmits to the CU 3 as a telegram of the counting notification including the number of counting balls, the cumulative number of counting balls, and the counting serial number for communication management. Note that the P unit 2 does not receive information for confirming the transmission result from the CU 3. The number of counting balls, the cumulative number of counting balls, and the counting serial number are all information for the purpose of counting game balls. The number of counting balls transmitted in one piece of information is, for example, 250 balls. When the number of counting balls is 0 (zero), the counting information may be transmitted by inserting the information of 0 (zero) in the information of the number of counting balls.

FIG. 4D shows game machine information. In the game machine information, the P unit 2 transmits the game machine installation information, the game machine performance information, and the hall control / fraud monitoring information to the CU 3. Note that the P unit 2 does not receive information for confirming the transmission result from the CU 3. The game machine installation information is information for the purpose of managing the machine history, and is transmitted to the CU 3 as a telegram of the game machine installation information notification after the power is turned on. The game machine installation information includes information such as a manufacturer code, a model code, and a chip ID number of the main / frame control CPU.

The game machine performance information is information for the purpose of totaling the performance information, and is transmitted to the CU 3 as a telegram of the game machine performance information notification. The game machine performance information outputs the result calculated based on the game, and includes the total number of launched game balls, the total number of acquired game balls, the ball output rate, the number of minute acquired game balls (low base), and the minute acquired game balls. Number (high base), total number of game balls acquired by special electric accessory, total number of game balls acquired by ordinary electric accessory, total number of game balls acquired by continuous differential device of accessory, total number of game balls acquired by start port, normal Total number of winning game balls, total number of operations of special electric accessory, total number of operation of ordinary electric accessory, total number of operation of special symbol display device, total number of operation of ordinary symbol display device, accessory ratio, continuous Includes information such as the accessory ratio. Further, as conditions for the frame control board 17 to notify the CU3 of the game machine performance information, for example, (1) notification is made 3 minutes after the power of the P stand 2 is turned on, and (2) the number of game balls to be launched is specified. Notification is made every minute (for example, 60,000 balls) is launched or every specified time (for example, 10 hours), (3) notification is given priority over game machine installation information notification, and (4) hall control / fraud monitoring information is notified. There are conditions such as notification in the next cycle (after 300 ms). It should be noted that these conditions are examples, and other conditions may be adopted, or only one of the above conditions may be adopted, or a plurality of conditions may be combined and adopted. Good.

Hallcon / fraud monitoring information is information for the purpose of information aggregation of hallcon / fraud monitoring by CU3. Hallcon / fraud monitoring information includes jackpot, probability fluctuation, time reduction, holecon information such as the number of winning balls in each winning opening, number of game balls (current number of balls held), number of game balls serial number, game machine error status, Includes fraud monitoring information such as fraud detection status.

<Notification of game machine information>
Next, the command for notifying game machine information will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the gaming machine information notification transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. The game machine information notification command shown in FIG. 5 is a command for the P unit 2 to notify the CU3 of the game machine information, and the game machine information includes the game machine installation information, the game machine performance information, and the hall controller. -Includes three types of fraud monitoring information. The type of game machine information included in the game machine information notification command is determined to be one of them according to the notification conditions of each information, and is notified to CU3.

The game machine information notification command includes telegram length information, command information, serial number information, game machine type information, game machine information type information, and game machine information. The telegram length information indicates the length of the telegram to be transmitted (telegram length to error detection code (CRC) of the communication frame). The command information indicates the command code of the telegram. The serial number information indicates the sequence number. The serial number is a sequence number that the primary station side (for example, the P unit side) counts up (+1) at the time of transmission with the initial value set to "0" and transmits. However, when the primary station side resends, the serial number is not counted up, and the secondary station side (for example, the CU side) also transmits the received serial number as it is. Since the commands and responses used for communication include message length information, command information, and serial number information in common, the following commands and responses will not be described.

The game machine type information is information for indicating the game machine type of the P unit 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining information on the type of gaming machine. In FIG. 6, if the game machine type information is "10", it indicates that the P stand 2 connected to the CU 3 is the "pachinko" of the "pachinko game machine", and if it is "11", it indicates that the "pachinko game". It indicates that it is a "parrot" of "machine". Further, if the game machine type information is "20", it means that the P stand 2 connected to the CU 3 is the "rotary cylinder" of the "rotary cylinder type game machine", and if it is "30", it means "arrange". It indicates that it is an "arranged ball" of "ball", and if it is "40", it indicates that it is a "jan ball game machine" of "jan ball game machine". In CU3, if the transmitted game machine type information is "10" or "11", the unit used for the game is displayed as "ball" as the number of game balls, for example, and the game machine type information is displayed. If is "20", the number of game medals is displayed, for example, the unit used for the game is displayed as "sheets".

Returning to FIG. 5, the information on the game machine information type is a type code indicating the type of information included in the game machine information. If the information of the game machine information type is "0x00", it means that the information included in the game machine information is the game machine performance information, and if it is "0x01", the information included in the game machine information is installed in the game machine. It indicates that it is information, and if it is "0x02", it indicates that the information included in the game machine information is hall control / fraud monitoring information. If the information of the game machine information type is a value other than the above, it is determined that the notified CU3 is abnormal.

The game machine information includes any one of game machine installation information, game machine performance information, and hall control / fraud monitoring information based on the type code set in the game machine information type information, and is notified to the CU3. The game machine performance information is information such as the number of game balls acquired per minute (base), the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio, and the game machine installation information is the manufacturer code, model code, and chip ID of the main control CPU and frame control CPU. Information such as numbers, hall control / fraud monitoring information is information such as jackpot, probability fluctuation, time reduction, number of winning balls at each winning opening, and number of game balls.

Further, the game machine information will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining game machine performance information. In FIG. 7, when the information of the game machine information type is "0x00", the game machine performance information included in the game machine information is shown. For example, the game machine information includes the total number of launched game balls, the total number of acquired game balls, the ball output rate, ..., the number of times the normal symbol display device is operated, the bonus ratio, and the continuous bonus ratio. The total number of launched game balls is the information obtained by accumulating the number of launched balls, the total number of acquired game balls is the information obtained by accumulating the number of prize balls, and the ball output rate is the total number of acquired game balls divided by the total number of launched game balls. This is the information that was given. Further, the number of times the normal symbol display device is operated is the information obtained by accumulating the number of times the normal symbol is stopped, and the bonus ratio is the information of the cumulative value of the number of prize balls for the movement of the prize / the cumulative value of the number of prize balls x 100. The object ratio is information of the cumulative value of the number of continuous operation prize balls for the accessory / the cumulative value of the number of prize balls × 100.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining game machine installation information. In FIG. 8, when the information of the game machine information type is "0x01", the game machine installation information included in the game machine information is shown. For example, the game machine information includes a main control chip ID number, a main control CPU maker code, a main control CPU model code, a frame control chip ID number, a frame control CPU maker code, and a frame control CPU model code.

9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the hall control / fraud monitoring information. In FIGS. 9 and 10, when the information of the game machine information type is "0x02", the hall control / fraud monitoring information included in the game machine information is shown. For example, the game machine information includes "game ball number", "launch ball number", "total prize ball number", "main control state", "game machine error state", "illegal detection state", and "game information". ”Is included.

"Number of game balls" indicates the current number of game balls, for example, when the number of game balls is 10,000 balls, it is shown as "0x102700". "Number of launched balls" indicates the number of launched balls (-128 to 127), subtracted the number of back balls if there are back balls, and added up if there are multiple launched balls at the time of transmission. Indicates the number. The "total number of prize balls" indicates the total number of prize balls x the number of prizes.

The "main control state" is information on the gaming state of the P unit 2, and includes "main control state 1" and "main control state 2". The "main control state 1" includes information on jackpot 1 (all jackpots), jackpot 2 (specific jackpot), jackpot 3 (big hit for shortening the fluctuation time), and information on game machine status signals 1 to 4. .. The game machine status signals 1 to 4 are used to output the status from the external output terminal 340 of the CU 3 to the outside such as a hall controller, and are output from the external output terminal of the CU 3 "external terminal plate status output signal terminals 1 to 4". 2 ”(see FIG. 54). The "main control state 1" includes information during the jackpot + time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time), during high probability, and during time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time).

The "game machine error state" includes information on an error code occurring in the game machine. Specifically, in the "game machine error state", Bits 0 to 5 represent error codes, and if Bit6 is "0", it is an error on the frame control side, if it is "1", it is an error on the main control side, and then Bit6. If is "0", only the alarm is issued, and if "1", the alarm + hall control output.

The "fraud detection state" includes "fraud detection state 1" to "fraud detection state 3". The "fraud detection state 1" is a setting confirmation mode in which the information of the setting change mode indicating that the setting is changed on the main control board 16 is Bit 0 and the setting is confirmed on the main control board 16. The information is shown in Bit1, and the fraud detection state in the main control board 16, particularly the information indicating that the board surface fraud 1 to 6 is detected is shown in Bit2 to Bit6. "Fraud detection state 2" indicates the fraud detection state on the frame control board 17, Bit0 opens the front decoration, Bit1 opens the back mechanism, Bit2 detects fraudulent radio waves, Bit3 detects the number of game balls, and Bit4 wins a prize. Includes information indicating that 1 detection of abnormal ball number and 2 detection of abnormal number of winning balls 2 have been detected. Here, the winning ball number abnormality 1 detection detects that the difference between the winning number detected by the main control board 16 and the winning number detected by the frame control board 17 is 100 balls or more, and detects the winning ball number abnormality 2 Detects that the difference between the number of launched balls and the total number of returned balls (number of winning balls + number of non-winning balls) is 100 or more. The “fraud detection state 3” indicates a fraud detection state on the frame control board 17, and includes information indicating that Bit0 detects a small ball and Bit1 detects an iron ball.

The "game information" includes information for notifying the frame control board 17 of the starting opening winning, the large winning opening winning, the number of times the symbol is confirmed, and the like generated on the main control board 16. The "game information" is composed of a total of 2 bytes of type information (upper 1 byte) and count information (lower 1 byte). The type information is composed of a data type and a data number, and a data number is set for each data type.

The type information is set for each value of the data type (Bits 4 to 7). For example, when the value of the data type is 1, it is the information of the starting opening winning. Further, a data number (Bit 0 to 3) is set for each data type, and if the data number is 1, the starting port 1 and the like and the starting port number are indicated.

As the count information, different number of times information is set for each data type. Data type is 1 = starting mouth prize, 2 = big winning mouth prize, 3 = winning mouth prize, 9 = starting mouth prize by operating the character, 10 = big winning mouth winning by continuous operation of the character, 11 = depending on the character operation In the case of winning a prize, the count information is composed of the number of prize balls (top 4 bits) and the number of prizes (bottom 4 bits). For example, when two prizes are won in the starting port 1 of three prize balls, the data type (Bit4 to 7) is "1 = starting port 1", the data number (Bit0 to 3) is "1 = starting port 1", and the prize. The game information (0x1131) in which the number of balls (Bits 4 to 7) is "3 = 3 prize balls" and the number of prizes (Bits 0 to 3) is "1 = 1 prize" is 2 data.

Next, the communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 using the telegram described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the timing of information transmitted / received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. In the sequence shown in FIG. 11, (b) the lending response information No. 1 shown in FIG. 4 is shown. 3 to No. The information of No. 4, (c) counting information, and (d) gaming machine information are transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 through a common asynchronous serial communication port. On the contrary, (a) the lending information No. 1 shown in FIG. 1-No. The information of 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 through a common asynchronous serial communication port.

The sequence shown in FIG. 11 is an example, and may be a sequence in which (c) counting information and (d) gaming machine information shown in FIG. 4 are transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 via a common asynchronous serial communication port. .. In the case of this sequence, (a) the lending information No. 1 shown in FIG. 1-No. The information of No. 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 through another asynchronous serial communication port, and (b) the rental information No. 3 to No. The information of 4 is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 through another asynchronous serial communication port. Further, (a) the lending information No. 1 shown in FIG. 1-No. The information of No. 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 through the common asynchronous serial communication port, and the No. 1 of the lending information shown in FIG. 3 to No. It may be a sequence in which the information of 4 and (c) the counting information are transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 on a common asynchronous serial communication port. In the case of this sequence, the sequence in which the game machine information (d) shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 through another asynchronous serial communication port may be used.

Of the information transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3, (d) the game machine information is transmitted every specified period A as shown in FIG. That is, the period from the transmission of information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 to the transmission of the next information is controlled to the specified period A (for example, 300 ms = 0.3 seconds). The P unit 2 can transmit the game machine information to the CU 3 every specified period A regardless of the reception status of the game machine information in the CU 3. Therefore, in the P unit 2, it is not necessary to retransmit the game machine information, it is not necessary to store the past game machine information, and the processing load can be reduced.

In this way, information is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 at intervals of 300 ms. On the other hand, in the P stand 2, 100 game balls are hit into the game area 27 per minute by operating the hit ball operation handle 25, so that the hit ball launch time interval is 0.6 seconds. As a result, a plurality of pieces of information are transmitted and received during the firing of one ball.

The game machine information communicates with the counting information on the common asynchronous serial communication port. Therefore, if you try to send counting information at the timing of sending game machine information, there is a possibility that the information will be congested within the common asynchronous serial communication port, data collision will occur, and communication will not be performed correctly. is there. Therefore, in the P unit 2, when the game machine information is transmitted to the CU 3 for each specified period A, in order to optimize the information transmission, the specified period shorter than the specified period A after the game machine information is transmitted. (C) Counting information is transmitted to CU3 at a timing corresponding to B (for example, 100 ms). The counting information is transmitted to the CU 3 every specified period B regardless of the reception status in the CU 3. If the player operates the counting button 28 before transmitting the game machine information, the number of counting balls includes information on, for example, 250 balls, and the player operates the counting button 28 on the game machine information. If not done before sending, the number of counting spheres includes information on 0 (zero) spheres.

The transmission of the counting information is not limited to the case where the counting information is transmitted within the specified period B from the timing of transmitting the game machine information, as long as the timing does not cause congestion with the game machine information, and the next game is performed after the specified period B elapses. It may be until the timing when the machine information is transmitted.

In FIG. 12, after the count information is transmitted to the CU 3, the loan information is received from the CU 3 during the reception valid time (for example, 170 ms). The lending information transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 includes information on the number of lending balls and the lending serial number. If the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the replay button before transmitting the game machine information, the number of rented balls includes, for example, information on 125 balls, and the player rents the ball button 321. Alternatively, if the replay button is not operated before the game machine information is transmitted, the number of rented balls includes information on 0 (zero) balls.

The loan response information communicates with the game machine information via the common asynchronous serial communication port. Therefore, when the loan response information is transmitted from the CU3 at the timing of transmitting the game machine information, the information is congested within the common asynchronous serial communication port, data collision occurs, and communication is not performed correctly. there is a possibility.

Therefore, the CU 3 transmits the lending information to the P unit 2 during the reception valid time after receiving the counting information. That is, the P unit 2 receives the information on the number of rented balls and the rented serial number from the CU 3 at the timing within the reception valid time after the count information is transmitted, and within the response time, the rented ball number receipt result and the rented serial number The loan response information is transmitted to CU3.

In FIG. 12, communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 which determines the timing of transmitting the counting information based on the timing of transmitting the technical machine information and determines the timing of receiving the lending information based on the timing of transmitting the counting information. Although the example of the above has been described, the communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 may be performed at another timing such as determining the timing of transmitting / receiving the counting information and the lending information based on the timing of transmitting the game machine information.

The CU 3 will explain in more detail the timing of transmitting the loan information within the reception valid time after receiving the count information. FIG. 13 is a timing chart of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine.

First, in (i) shown in FIG. 13, when the game becomes possible, the frame control board 17 transmits the game machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 300 ms. In (ii), the frame control board 17 transmits the counting information 100 ms after the game machine information is transmitted, regardless of whether or not the counting button 28 is operated by the player. Further, when the counting button 28 is pressed within the cycle of 300 ms, the counting information is transmitted with the number of counting balls set to 250. If the counting button 28 is not operated, the counting information is transmitted by inputting 0 (zero) information into the number of counting balls.

In (iii), the CU 3 transmits the lending information within 170 ms (reception valid time) from the completion of receiving the counting information. When the ball lending button 321 or the replay button is pressed within the 300 ms cycle, the lending information is transmitted with the number of lending balls set to 125. If there is no operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button, the lending information is transmitted by putting 0 (zero) information in the number of lending balls. The CU3 transmits the lending information within 170 ms from the completion of receiving the counting information, but the CU3 does not transmit the response information corresponding to the counting information. Therefore, the P unit 2 side does not recognize whether or not the CU 3 has received the counting information.

In (iv), when the frame control board 17 receives the information on the number of rented balls and the rented serial number from the CU3, it receives the rented ball number receipt result and the rented serial number lending response information within 10 ms (response time) from the reception of the information. Send to CU3. (V) After that, the same operation is repeated in a cycle of 300 ms.

At the timing shown in FIG. 13, lending information and lending response information are transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 without the player operating the ball lending button 321 or the replay button. However, unless the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the replay button, the lending information and the lending response information may not be transmitted or received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modified example of the timing of lending information and lending response information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine.

First, in (i) shown in FIG. 14, when the game becomes possible, the frame control board 17 transmits the game machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 300 ms. In (ii), the frame control board 17 transmits the counting information 100 ms after the game machine information is transmitted, regardless of whether or not the counting button 28 is operated by the player. Further, when the counting button 28 is pressed within the cycle of 300 ms, the counting information is transmitted with the number of counting balls set to 250. If the counting button 28 is not operated, the counting information is transmitted by inputting 0 (zero) information into the number of counting balls. After that, the same operation is repeated at a cycle of 300 ms.

In (iv), when the ball lending button 321 or the replay button is pressed, the CU 3 transmits the lending information with the number of lending balls set to 125 within 170 ms (reception valid time) from the completion of receiving the counting information. That is, the operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button by the player is performed before the counting information is transmitted, and after the operation, waiting for the timing of receiving the counting information from the P unit 2 within 170 ms. Lending information is sent at (valid reception time). On the other hand, when the ball lending button 321 or the replay button is not pressed, the CU 3 does not transmit the lending information even if the reception of the counting information is completed. In (v), when the frame control board 17 receives the information on the number of rented balls and the rented serial number from CU3, the frame control board 17 receives the rented ball number receipt result and the rented serial number lending response information within 10 ms (response time) from the reception of the information. Send to CU3.

Next, when information is transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine at the timing shown in FIG. 13, processing when a non-connection occurs between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the timing of information when a non-connection occurs between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. Since the processing at the timings (i) to (v) shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the processing at the timing shown in FIG. 13, the processing at the timing after (vi) will be described.

In (vi), when the PIF wiring is disconnected between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 and a disconnection occurs, the voltage of the connection confirmation power supply VL supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 is changed from 5V to 0 (vi). It changes to (zero) V (change from VL = ON to OFF). Based on the change in the voltage of the connection confirmation power supply VL supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 from 5V to 0V, the frame control board 17 signals the launch control board 31 to stop firing the game ball. Is output. As described above, by performing the processing as shown in FIG. 15, the P unit 2 can stop the launch of the game ball with a simple configuration and processing without performing authentication with the CU3. Further, based on the change in the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation from 5V to 0V, the operation of the counting button 28 on the counting switch board 37 shown in FIG. 25 becomes invalid. When the P unit 2 is the primary station, when the player operates the counting button 28 and outputs the counting information to the CU3 when the connection occurs due to the PIF wiring being disconnected or the like, the CU3 to the P unit Since the reception of the counting information is not confirmed for 2, it may be difficult for the CU 3 to perform the recovery process using the game machine information. In order not to cause a disadvantage to the player due to such an event, when a disconnection occurs between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, the operation itself of the counting button 28 is invalidated, or the output of the counting information is invalidated. There is.

Even after the disconnection between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 occurs, in (vii), the frame control board 17 transmits the game machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 300 ms when the game becomes possible. In (viii), the frame control board 17 transmits the counting information 100 ms after the game machine information is transmitted, regardless of whether or not the counting button 28 is operated by the player.

<Transmission / reception mode between the card unit side and the pachinko machine side>
Next, FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the main data stored in each of the CU3 side and the P stand 2 side and the transmission / reception mode thereof. With reference to FIG. 16, the main data stored in each of the CU3 side and the P stand 2 side and the transmission / reception mode thereof will be described.

In the present embodiment, the fluctuation of the number of game balls is calculated on the P stand 2 side, and the current latest number of game balls is stored and managed. The CU3 side also calculates and stores the current number of game balls, but the number of game balls is based on the information transmitted from the P unit 2 side. On the other hand, the number of balls held (the number of cards held), the number of stored balls, and the prepaid balance (remaining amount) are managed and stored on the CU3 side.

FIG. 16 shows the stored data of the RAM provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU3 side and the stored data of the RAM mounted on the frame control board 17 on the P stand 2 side. First, when the power supply is turned on in a state where the P stand 2 and the CU 3 are electrically connected for the first time after being installed in the amusement park, the frame control board 17 on the P stand 2 side is changed from the main control board 16 to the main chip. The ID (main control chip ID) is transmitted, the main chip ID is transmitted to the CU3 side, and the frame chip ID (frame control chip ID) stored in the frame control board 17 itself is transmitted to the CU3 side. ..

On the CU3 side, the transmitted main chip ID and frame chip ID are stored. In this state, the information of the main chip ID and the frame chip ID is stored in the CU3 side and the P stand 2 side. When the power is turned on after that, the two pieces of information, that is, the main chip ID and the frame chip ID, are transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU3 side.

On the CU3 side, the transmitted data is collated with the already stored data, and it is determined whether or not the same P unit 2 as the previous time is connected. On the other hand, in the P unit 2, after the power is turned on, information such as main chip ID and frame chip ID information, which is installation information, is transmitted to the CU 3, and then the game machine information is transmitted to the outside including the CU 3 at predetermined intervals. Is possible. Since the game machine information can be output on the P unit 2 without going through the authentication process, the processing load can be reduced.

Both the CU 3 and the P unit 2 transmit the telegram with a "serial number" added. Further, both the CU 3 and the P unit 2 store the "serial number" received from the other party. There are three types of "serial numbers": "game ball number serial numbers", "counting serial numbers", and "rental serial numbers". "Serial number" indicates the sequence number of the telegram. The "serial number" is transmitted by counting up (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission by the transmitting side (primary station side) with the initial value set to "1". However, when resending, the "serial number" is not counted up. The receiving side (secondary station side) transmits the received serial number as it is. If the continuity of the serial numbers is not established, there is no response. The "game ball number serial number" is a serial number used when the P unit 2 notifies the CU 3 of the number of game balls. The "counting serial number" is a serial number used when the P stand 2 requests the CU 3 to count the game balls. The "rental serial number" is a serial number used when the CU 3 requests the P unit 2 to lend a game ball.

The latest game machine performance information, hall control information, and fraud monitoring information are transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side. The latest game machine performance information, hall control information, and fraud monitoring information are stored in the RAM of the frame control unit 171 (see FIG. 2) on the P unit 2 side. Specifically, the information of the counting ball number counter is included. As for the number of game balls, the count value of the game ball counter is transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU3 side as fraudulent monitoring information. However, instead of this, or in addition to the game ball number counter, the game ball number may be included in the latest game machine performance information.

The information of these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU3 side as game machine information. In CU3, the change in the number of game balls is grasped from the latest game machine performance information and hall control information transmitted from the P unit 2. In CU3, for example, the number of game balls is added based on the "number of prize balls x number of winning balls" included in the hall control information, and the number of game balls is subtracted based on the "number of launch balls". Further, the counting ball number counter is a counter that counts the number of counting balls. The number of counting balls is "the number of balls converted from a game ball to a holding ball by a counting operation". The counting cumulative ball count counter is a counter that counts the counting cumulative ball count. The total number of counting balls is the "cumulative number of balls converted from a game ball to a holding ball by a counting operation", and is the cumulative number of balls counted from the RAM clear (initialization operation) or the cumulative number counted on that day. The number of balls. It is assumed that the cumulative number of balls does not change even if the player changes. Further, a 2-byte data area is allocated to the counting cumulative ball count counter, and information on 0 balls to 65,535 balls can be stored. Therefore, when the counting cumulative number of balls counts up to "0xFFFF (65,535 balls)", the counting cumulative number of balls counter updates the next value to "0x0000 (0 balls)". If a counting operation is accepted during the launch of the game ball, the update process of the game point to be counted is prioritized, the launch of the game ball is stopped, and the update process of the game point corresponding to the launch is performed. Stops execution. As a result, it is possible to prevent the timing of the subtraction of the game points to be counted and the subtraction of the game points corresponding to the firing from overlapping, and the game point update process can be realized more accurately, which is erroneous. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of update processing. Further, the subtraction of the game points to be counted and the subtraction of the game points corresponding to the firing may be performed at the same time. As a result, the launch of the game ball is not stopped, so that a smooth game can be realized. Here, the "prize ball" is a game ball given by winning a ball into the winning opening (in a medalless slot, the number of medals given by a small bonus prize such as BB (corresponding to a medal). Game value)), safe ball. The "launched ball" is a ball launched by the game machine, and if there is a back ball, the number of balls obtained by subtracting the back ball is the number of launched balls.

By pressing the counting button 28, the frame control unit 171 counts the number of game balls as the number of counting balls, and transmits the value of the counting ball counter (the number of counting balls) from the P unit 2 side to the CU3 side. Further, the frame control unit 171 updates the value of the counting cumulative ball counter every time the value of the counting ball counter (counting ball number) is counted, and the value of the counting cumulative ball counter (counting cumulative ball number). Is transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU3 side.

On the P unit 2 side, each time the value of the counting ball counter is transmitted to the CU3 side, the count value is stored (rewritten) as backup data in the previous game machine information storage area (RAM of the frame control unit 171 or the like). After that, the value of the counting ball counter is cleared to 0 (excluding the game ball counter). In the present embodiment, "clear" has the same meaning as "initialization".

As a result, the data of the number of counting balls transmitted to the CU3 side immediately before is stored as backup data in the storage area of the previous game machine information (game machine information transmitted immediately before). This backup data is not only the value of each counter this time but also the value of each previous counter that was not transmitted at the time of the next transmission when the data of the number of counting balls was not transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU3 side. Is also intended to be able to be sent. The number of game balls transmitted immediately before may be further added to the previous game machine information and stored.

Further, the frame control board 17 updates the value of the game ball number counter according to the occurrence of winning, the firing of the ball, and the generation of the counting ball (conversion from the game ball to the possessed ball), and the game after the update. The value of the ball number counter is transmitted to the CU3 side as the number of game balls.

On the CU3 side, the number of game balls, the number of cards held (simply referred to as the number of balls held), the number of stored balls, the remaining amount, and the number of balls held when the card is inserted are stored in the cumulative data storage area in the RAM. The number of balls held by the card is the number of balls lent out (the number of balls converted from the number of balls held by the card into the number of game balls) added from the number of balls held when the card is inserted. That is, the number of cards held is the number of balls held by the player at the present time.

The number of cards held is added based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P unit 2, and is subtracted from the number of game balls to update. In this way, the CU 3 can manage the latest information by updating the number of game balls and the number of cards held by the latest game machine information transmitted from the P unit 2 one by one.

As shown in the figure, the CU 3 has an area for storing the number of game balls, and also receives the count value of the game ball counter (also referred to as the number of game balls or the total number of game balls) from the P stand 2 side. .. The CU 3 updates the area for storing the number of game balls by the following procedure. That is, the CU 3 grasps the change in the number of game balls from the latest game machine performance information and the hall control information transmitted from the P unit 2 side, and is based on the value of the counting ball counter and the value of the number of rented balls. , The stored number of game balls is updated, and it is determined whether or not the count value of the game ball counter transmitted from the P unit 2 side and the updated number of game balls match. If they match, the game is allowed to continue, but if they do not match, control is performed to shift to an error state.

As a result, for example, an error notification is performed by the abnormality notification lamp or the display 54, or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the hall management computer or the hall server (in this case, the hall management computer). Or error notification may be performed by the hall server). As a result, a predetermined notification is performed to encourage the staff to take an artificial response.

In addition, instead of shifting to the error state and stopping the game, even if the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side is replaced with the count value of the game ball number counter transmitted from the P unit 2 side. Good. Alternatively, instead, it may be corrected to the average value of the number of game balls managed on the CU3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P stand 2 side.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of game balls is also stored on the CU3 side, but it is determined whether or not the number of game balls matches the number of game balls managed and stored on the P unit 2 side. (CU3 side function). Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which the number of game balls stored on the P unit 2 side does not match the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side due to fraudulent activity or other circumstances, it is possible to check that fact. Here, the determination function is provided on the CU3 side. For example, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P unit 2 side are stored by the hall server or hall management computer connected to the CU3. It may be possible to receive the number of game balls and determine whether or not the two are consistent.

Further, when the CU3 cannot receive the counting information, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the number of game balls managed and stored on the P unit 2 side do not match, so that a special process is executed. .. As the special processing, a process of displaying the history information of the game machine information is performed in order to compensate the number of game balls based on the game machine information, the number of game balls is compensated based on the history information, and an error notification is performed. Or

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the CU 3 has a storage area for storing the number of cards held and the number of stored balls, a storage area for storing the prepaid balance of the received (inserted) card, and a ball held when the card is inserted. It also has a storage area for storing. The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) stores the stored balls in response to an input requesting the use of the stored balls (for example, a pressing input of a replay button provided on the CU 3 (however, when there is no ball)). Subtract a predetermined number of stored balls from the area.

The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) stores the holding ball in response to an input requesting the use of the holding ball (for example, a pressing input of a replay button provided on the CU 3 when the holding ball is present). Subtract a predetermined number of balls from. Further, the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) subtracts a predetermined value from the storage area for storing the prepaid balance in response to an input requesting the use of the prepaid balance (for example, a pressing input of the ball lending button 321).

When the player performs an operation of lending a value of a predetermined size from the possession value owned by the player (for example, the number of balls held, the number of stored balls, or the prepaid balance) and using it for the game, the number of balls to be withdrawn. The number of rented balls for adding to the game ball number counter is transmitted from the CU3 side to the P unit 2 side. In response to this, the P-unit 2 side adds and updates the game ball number counter.

<Communication sequence between CU and P unit>
Next, the communication sequence between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 will be described. In the communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, a command-response method is adopted in which the P unit 2 is the primary station and the CU 3 is the secondary station. First, the timing of transmitting the game machine installation information from the P stand 2 to the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting the game machine installation information from the pachinko game machine to the card unit. After the activation of the P unit 2 is completed, the P unit 2 transmits a command for serial number = 0 and a game machine information notification to the CU3. After 300 ms has elapsed, the P unit 2 transmits a command for serial number = 1 and a game machine information notification to the CU 3. The P unit 2 sends a count notification command to the CU3 between the serial number = 0 and the serial number = 1, further receives a loan notification command from the CU3, and sends a loan receipt result response command to the CU3 as a response to the command. I'm replying.

In the communication sequence between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, the telegram communication that is performed between the serial number = 0 and the serial number = 1 is repeated after the activation of the P unit 2 is completed, but 1 minute from the completion of the activation of the P unit 2 ( After 60s) elapses, the P unit 2 transmits the serial number = 200, the game machine information notification command including the game machine installation information to the CU3. After that, the P stand 2 notifies the CU3 of the game machine installation information at a 1-minute cycle.

Next, the timing of transmitting the game machine performance information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting the gaming machine performance information from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. After the activation of the P unit 2 is completed, the P unit 2 transmits a command for serial number = 0 and a game machine information notification to the CU3. After 300 ms has elapsed, the P unit 2 transmits a command for serial number = 1 and a game machine information notification to the CU 3. The P unit 2 sends a count notification command to the CU3 between the serial number = 0 and the serial number = 1, further receives a loan notification command from the CU3, and sends a loan receipt result response command to the CU3 as a response to the command. I'm replying.

In the communication sequence between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, the telegram communication that is performed between the serial number = 0 and the serial number = 1 is repeated after the activation of the P unit 2 is completed, but 3 minutes after the activation of the P unit 2 is completed (3 minutes). After 180s) elapses, the P unit 2 transmits the serial number = 88, including the game machine performance information in the game machine information notification command to the CU3. After that, the P stand 2 notifies the game ball by firing a specified number of balls (for example, 60,000 balls) or at a cycle of a specified time (for example, 180s, 10 hours).

Next, the timing of transmitting the hall control / fraud monitoring information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting the hall control / fraud monitoring information from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. After the activation of the P unit 2 is completed, the P unit 2 transmits the serial number = 0, the game machine information notification command including the hall controller / fraud monitoring information to the CU3. After 300 ms has elapsed, the P unit 2 transmits the serial number = 1, the game machine information notification command including the hall controller / fraud monitoring information to the CU3. The P unit 2 sends a count notification command to the CU3 between the serial number = 0 and the serial number = 1, further receives a loan notification command from the CU3, and sends a loan receipt result response command to the CU3 as a response to the command. I'm replying.

In the communication sequence between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, after the activation of the P unit 2 is completed, the telegram communication that is performed between the serial number = 0 and the serial number = 1 is repeated. That is, from the completion of the activation of the P unit 2, the P unit 2 transmits the hall controller / fraud monitoring information to the CU 3 in the game machine information notification command at a cycle (predetermined period) of 300 ms.

The game machine information that can be included in the command of the game machine information notification is any one of the game machine installation information, the game machine performance information, and the hall control / fraud monitoring information. Each piece of information is transmitted in the cycle described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19, and specifically, the type of game machine information included in the game machine information notification command is selected according to any notification condition. Explain which one has been decided.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a process of determining the type of gaming machine information transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. The process shown in FIG. 20 is a process executed before the P unit 2 (particularly, the CPU of the frame control unit 171) issues a command to notify the game machine information to the CU 3. Since the transmission cycle of the game machine information notification command is 300 ms, the processing cycle of the timer interrupt in the CPU of the frame control unit 171 is 4 ms, so that the process shown in FIG. 20 can be sufficiently executed. is there. First, the P stand 2 determines whether or not there is a launch, a prize ball, or a state change (step S101). That is, the P stand 2 is fired and awarded when there is a change in the information shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (for example, the number of game balls, the main control state 1, the game machine error state, the fraud detection state 1, etc.). Judge that the ball has a change of state.

When it is determined that there is a launch, a prize ball, or a state change (YES in step S101), the P unit 2 selects "0x02" of the hall controller / fraud monitoring information as the type of game machine information (step S102). When "0x02" of the hall controller / fraud monitoring information is selected as the type of the game machine information, the process shown in FIG. 20 ends, and the P unit 2 sends the command of the game machine information notification to the hall controller / fraud monitoring information. The information is sent to CU3.

When it is determined that there is no launch, prize ball, or change of state (NO in step S101), the P stand 2 determines whether or not the special period has elapsed (step S103). Here, the special period is, for example, 3 minutes (180 s) from the completion of activation of the P unit 2, and the game ball is launched for the specified number of launch balls (for example, 60,000 balls) or the specified time (for example, 180 s, 10 hours). is there. When it is determined that the special period has elapsed (YES in step S103), the P unit 2 selects "0x01" of the game machine performance information as the type of game machine information (step S104). When "0x01" of the game machine performance information is selected as the type of the game machine information, the process shown in FIG. 20 is terminated, and the P unit 2 includes the game machine performance information information in the command of the game machine information notification. Send to CU3.

When it is determined that the special period has not elapsed (NO in step S103), the P unit 2 determines whether or not the predetermined cycle has elapsed (step S105). Here, the predetermined cycle is, for example, 1 minute (60 s) from the completion of starting the P unit 2, which is shorter than the special period. When it is determined that the predetermined cycle has elapsed (YES in step S105), the P unit 2 selects "0x00" of the game machine installation information as the type of game machine information (step S106). When "0x00" of the game machine installation information is selected as the type of game machine information, the process shown in FIG. 20 ends, and the P unit 2 includes the game machine installation information information in the command of the game machine information notification. Send to CU3.

When it is determined that the predetermined cycle has not elapsed (NO in step S105), the P unit 2 selects "0x02" of the hall controller / fraud monitoring information as the type of game machine information (step S107). When "0x02" of the hall controller / fraud monitoring information is selected as the type of the game machine information, the process shown in FIG. 20 ends, and the P unit 2 sends the command of the game machine information notification to the hall controller / fraud monitoring information. The information is sent to CU3. Since the hall control / fraud monitoring information transmitted to the CU 3 in step S107 is information transmitted when there is no launch, prize ball, or state change, empty information is transmitted.

As can be seen from the process shown in FIG. 20, the game machine information included in the game machine information notification command transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 includes the game machine installation information, the game machine performance information, and the hall controller / fraud monitoring information. It is one of them, and the priority of transmission is different from each other. Specifically, the priority is highest for hall control / fraud monitoring information, followed by game machine performance information and game machine installation information. However, the priority of the hall control / fraud monitoring information is lower than the game machine performance information and the game machine installation information when there is no launch, prize ball, or state change. That is, when the timing of transmitting the game machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the game machine installation information overlap, the P unit 2 gives priority to the transmission of the game machine performance information and sends the game machine installation information at the next timing. If the timing of transmitting and transmitting the game machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the hall control / fraud monitoring information overlap, the transmission of the hall control / fraud monitoring information is prioritized, and the game machine performance information is sent at the next timing. Send.

<Counting notification sequence>
Next, a counting notification sequence for counting and subtracting a part of the game ball will be described. 21 and 22 are diagrams showing a counting notification sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. 21 and 22 show a case where the counting button 28 is pressed without detecting the card return operation.

Further, in FIG. 21, the number of balls held by the inserted recording medium (membership card or visitor card) is "100", and the initial number of game balls is "1000". ..

Here, an example will be described in which counting continues in units of 250 balls while the operation of the counting button 28 is detected, and the counting operation ends when the operation of the counting button 28 is no longer detected. However, even if the number of game balls to be counted increases according to the time when the counting button 28 is pressed and held for a certain period of time, and when the counting button 28 is pressed and held for a certain period of time, the number of game balls held is all. You may count.

First, the P unit transmits a game machine information notification (hereinafter, simply referred to as a game machine information notification) including any one of the hall control / fraud monitoring information, the game machine installation information, and the game machine performance information to the CU3. .. Since the included information is hall control / fraud monitoring information, it includes information of serial number = n and number of game balls = 1000. Within 100 ms (within the specified period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the game machine information notification to the CU3, the P unit transmits the counting information including the telegram of the counting notification to the CU3.

If the player has pressed the counting button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU3, the P unit has a counting serial number = m, a counting ball number = 250, and a counting cumulative ball number = 250 in the message of the counting notification. Notify the CU3 of the counting information including the information. When the P unit sends a telegram of the counting notification including the information of the number of counting balls = 250 to the CU3, the number of gaming balls = 750 is obtained by subtracting the counted 250 balls from the information of the number of gaming balls = 1000. Update to information. On the other hand, in the P unit, if the player does not press the counting button 28 by the time the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the counting serial number = m, the number of counting balls = 0, the cumulative number of counting balls = in the message of the counting notification. Notify CU3 that there is no count including the information of 0.

For example, when the player has not operated the counting button 28, the number of counting balls included in the message of the counting notification transmitted to the CU 3 is the counting data of 0 (zero) balls. Further, when a continuous operation of less than 0.5 seconds is detected according to the operation of the counting button 28 of the player, the number of counting balls included in the telegram of the counting notification transmitted to the CU 3 is the counting data of one ball. .. This is an operation used for adjusting the fraction of the holding ball. Further, when the continuous operation of 0.5 seconds or more and less than 0.8 seconds is detected, the number of counting balls included in the message of the counting notification transmitted to the CU 3 is the counting data of 250 balls. When a continuous operation of 0.8 seconds or more is detected, the number of counting balls included in the message of the counting notification first sent to CU3 becomes the counting data of 250 balls, and the counting notification sent to CU3 every 0.3 seconds thereafter. The number of counting balls included in the message is 250 counting data. That is, when the player continuously operates the counting button 28, the counting data for 250 balls is transmitted to the CU 3 every 0.3 seconds.

The CU 3 receives the counting information from the P unit 2, adds the number of counting balls to the number of balls held, and updates the number of balls held = 100 + 250 = 350. The CU 3 sends the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification to the P stand 2 within the reception valid period (see FIG. 12) after receiving the counting information from the P stand 2 regardless of whether or not the ball lending button 321 is pressed. Send. The message of the loan notification includes information of the loan serial number = k and the number of loan balls = 0.

The P unit 2 receives the loan information from the CU 3 and transmits the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response to the CU 3 within the response time (see FIG. 12). The message of the loan receipt result response includes the information that the loan serial number = k and the number of loaned balls received = normal.

The P unit 2 transmits the game machine information notification to the CU 3 after the lapse of the specified period A (see FIG. 12) after the previous game machine information notification is transmitted to the CU 3. The new game machine information notification to be transmitted to the CU 3 includes the information of the serial number = n + 1 updated to the hall control / fraud monitoring information and the subtracted number of game balls = 750.

When the player continues to press the counting button 28 when transmitting a new game machine information notification to the CU 3, the P unit 2 updates the counting serial number = m + 1, the number of counting balls = to the telegram of the counting notification. Notify the CU3 of the counting information including the information of 250 and the cumulative number of counting balls = 500. When the P unit sends a telegram of the counting notification including the information of the number of counting balls = 250 to the CU3, the number of gaming balls = 500 by subtracting the counted 250 balls from the information of the number of gaming balls = 750 possessed. Update to information. Further, the P unit 2 adds the information of the current number of spheres = 250 to the information of the previous count cumulative number of spheres = 250, and updates the information of the count cumulative sphere = 500.

The CU 3 receives the counting information from the P unit 2, adds the number of counting balls to the number of balls held, and updates the number of balls held = 350 + 250 = 600. The CU 3 transmits the loan information including the message of the loan notification to the P unit 2 within the reception valid period after receiving the count information from the P unit 2, regardless of whether or not the ball lending button 321 is pressed. The message of the loan notification includes the updated information of the loan serial number = k + 1 and the number of loan balls = 0.

The P unit 2 receives the loan information from the CU 3 and transmits the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response to the CU 3 within the response time. The message of the loan receipt result response includes the updated loan serial number = k + 1, and the loan ball number receipt result = normal information.

In the sequence shown in FIG. 22, if the player stops pressing the count button 28 before transmitting the new game machine information notification to the CU 3, the P unit 2 is after the timing of transmitting the next game machine information notification to the CU 3. , Do not count. Specifically, in the P unit 2, when the player stops pressing the counting button 28 when transmitting a new game machine information notification to the CU 3, the counting serial number = m + 2, which is updated in the telegram of the counting notification, is counted. Notify CU3 of the counting information including the information of the number of balls = 0 and the cumulative number of counting balls = 500.

That is, the P unit sends a telegram of the counting notification including the information of the number of counting balls = 0 to the CU3 without counting, and keeps the information of the number of gaming balls held = 500 and outputs the information of the number of gaming balls. Do not update. Further, the P unit 2 does not update the information by keeping the information of the cumulative number of counting balls as the information of the previous cumulative number of counting balls = 500.

Even if the CU 3 receives the counting information from the P unit 2, the number of counting balls = 0, so the number of balls held = 600 is not updated. The CU 3 transmits the loan information including the message of the loan notification to the P unit 2 within the reception valid period after receiving the count information from the P unit 2, regardless of whether or not the ball lending button 321 is pressed. The message of the loan notification includes the updated information of the loan serial number = k + 2 and the number of loan balls = 0.

The P unit 2 receives the loan information from the CU 3 and transmits the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response to the CU 3 within the response time. The message of the loan receipt result response includes the updated loan serial number = k + 2, and the loan ball number receipt result = normal information. The P unit 2 transmits the game machine information notification to the CU 3 after the lapse of the specified period A after the previous transmission of the game machine information notification to the CU 3.

<Communication error sequence during counting>
Next, the communication abnormality sequence during counting will be described. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence during counting between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. The communication abnormality includes a case where communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 cannot be performed normally for some reason, such as when one message is lost due to noise or the like. FIG. 23 shows a case where the counting button 28 is pressed without detecting the card return operation.

Further, in FIG. 23, the number of balls held by the inserted recording medium (membership card or visitor card) is "0", and the initial number of game balls is "1000". ..

Here, when the pressing of the counting button 28 is detected, the counting operation of the game balls in a predetermined unit (for example, 250 ball units) is performed, and when the pressing of the counting button 28 is no longer detected, the counting operation is performed. An example of terminating will be described. However, even if the number of game balls to be counted increases according to the time when the counting button 28 is pressed and held for a certain period of time, and when the counting button 28 is pressed and held for a certain period of time, the number of game balls held is all. You may count.

First, the P unit transmits a game machine information notification to the CU3. The game machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls = 1000 balls. Within 100 ms (within the specified period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the game machine information notification to the CU3, the P unit transmits the counting information including the telegram of the counting notification to the CU3.

Since the player has pressed the counting button 28 by the time the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P stand 2 displays the information of the number of counting balls = 250 balls and the cumulative number of counting balls = 150 balls in the telegram of the counting notification. Including, the CU3 is notified of the counting information. When the P-unit 2 sends a message of counting notification including information on the number of counting balls = 250 balls to the CU 3, the number of gaming balls held = the number of gaming balls by subtracting the counted 250 balls from the information of 1000 balls. = Update to 750 ball information.

The CU 3 receives the counting information from the P stand 2, converts the number of counting balls into a holding ball, adds the number of counting balls to the number of holding balls, and updates the number of holding balls = 0 + 250 = 250 balls. .. Further, when the number of balls held is updated, the CU3 updates the stored cumulative number of counting balls = 0 + 250 = 250 balls.

Although not shown, the CU 3 subsequently receives the counting information from the P unit 2 and then within the reception valid period, the P unit receives the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification regardless of whether or not the ball lending button 321 is pressed. Send to 2. The P unit 2 receives the loan information from the CU 3 and transmits the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response to the CU 3 within the response time. The P unit 2 transmits the game machine information notification to the CU 3 after the lapse of the specified period A after the previous transmission of the game machine information notification to the CU 3.

When the P unit 2 detects that the player presses the counting button 28 when transmitting a new game machine information notification to the CU 3, the number of counting balls = 250 balls and the cumulative number of counting balls = 250 in the telegram of the counting notification. Notify CU3 of counting information including ball information. When the P unit sends a message of counting notification including information on the number of counting balls = 250 balls to CU3, the number of gaming balls held = 750 balls minus the counted 250 balls = the number of gaming balls = Update to information on 500 balls. Further, the P unit 2 adds the information of the current number of balls = 250 balls to the information of the previous cumulative number of counting balls = 250 balls, and updates the information of the cumulative number of counting balls = 500 balls.

However, the counting information transmitted from the P stand 2 has not reached the CU3 due to a communication abnormality, and the CU3 has not received the counting information from the P stand 2, so that 250 counting balls are missing and the number of balls held. = 250 balls remain. That is, the number of counting balls included in the P unit 2 is different depending on whether or not the condition related to the communication abnormality with the CU 3 is satisfied, the transmission is performed at a predetermined interval, and the pressing of the counting button 28 is accepted. .. Although not shown, the CU 3 subsequently transmits the lending information including the telegram of the lending notice to the P unit 2 regardless of whether or not the ball lending button 321 is pressed. Further, the P unit 2 transmits the game machine information notification to the CU 3 after the lapse of the specified period A after the previous transmission of the game machine information notification to the CU 3.

Since the player's pressing of the counting button 28 has not been detected when the game machine information notification is transmitted to the CU3, the information of the number of counting balls = 0 balls and the cumulative number of counting balls = 500 balls is added to the telegram of the counting notification. Including, the CU3 is notified of the counting information. However, since the telegram of the previous counting notification could not be received due to a communication abnormality, the cumulative number of counting balls stored in CU3 = 250 balls. Therefore, the CU3 determines that the message of the previous counting notification cannot be received due to a communication error and the counting is lost, and the previous cumulative counting number = 250 balls (cumulative counting number stored in the CU3) and the current cumulative number. Automatic correction is performed with a difference of 250 balls from the number of counting balls = 500 balls (cumulative number of counting balls newly received from the P unit 2). At this time, the CU 3 does not notify the error. The CU 3 updates the stored cumulative number of counting balls to 500 balls when the difference 250 balls are automatically corrected as holding balls.

When a counting loss occurs in the CU 3 and the automatic correction is performed, the error notification is not performed, but the hall controller or the ball holding management server may be notified that the automatic correction has been performed. Of course, even when a counting loss occurs in CU3 and it is automatically corrected, an error notification may be performed.

In the case of a gaming device that cannot be automatically corrected, a notification is sent to the clerk to urge recovery after an abnormality occurs. The clerk confirms the number of game balls of the game machine, confirms the number of balls possessed by the player and the reception history of the counting information on the screen of the game device, and determines the number of game balls of the game machine and the number of balls possessed by the player. It was necessary to calculate the difference and operate the POS terminal of the prize counter to add the difference to the player's card. In CU3, such complicated processing becomes unnecessary, a defect occurs, the number of counting balls can be automatically corrected and added to the number of balls held, and the correction work by the clerk can be eliminated to prevent work mistakes.

Of course, instead of automatically correcting the number of counting balls due to a defect in CU3 as described above, when a counting defect occurs, CU3 sets the cumulative number of counting balls of the previous time and the cumulative number of counting balls of this time in an error state. The missing value may be calculated in advance from the difference between the above, and a part of the correction work by the clerk may be reduced. The clerk who has confirmed the missing value calculated in advance by the CU 3 can add the number of counting balls to the number of balls by performing the correction work on the management server or the CU3. Even in such a case, it is possible to omit the work of checking the number of game balls of the game machine and checking the number of balls held by the player and the reception history of the counting information on the screen of the game device, so that a part of the correction work can be omitted. Can be reduced.

<Communication error sequence due to PIF disconnection>
Next, a communication abnormality sequence due to PIF disconnection will be described. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence due to a PIF disconnection between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. In FIG. 24, the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation described with reference to FIG. 15 changes from 5V to 0V (off state: VL = OFF), or the output of the connection confirmation signal PSI changes to an off state (PSI = OFF). Then, the case of detecting the PIF disconnection will be described as an example. The PIF disconnection may be detected by a method other than that shown in FIG.

First, the P unit transmits a game machine information notification to the CU3. The game machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls = 1000 balls. Within 100 ms (within the specified period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the game machine information notification to the CU3, the P unit transmits the counting information including the telegram of the counting notification to the CU3.

Since the player has pressed the counting button 28 by the time the counting information is transmitted to the CU3, the P unit includes the information of the number of counting balls = 250 balls and the cumulative number of counting balls = 250 balls in the telegram of the counting notification. Notify CU3 of the counting information. When the P-unit 2 sends a message of counting notification including information on the number of counting balls = 250 balls to the CU 3, the number of gaming balls held = the number of gaming balls by subtracting the counted 250 balls from the information of 1000 balls. = Update to 750 ball information.

The CU 3 receives the counting information from the P stand 2, converts the number of counting balls into a holding ball, adds the number of counting balls to the number of holding balls, and updates the number of holding balls = 0 + 250 = 250 balls. .. Further, when the number of balls held is updated, the CU3 updates the stored cumulative number of counting balls = 0 + 250 = 250 balls.

Although not shown, the CU 3 subsequently includes a telegram of the loan notification regardless of whether or not the ball lending button 321 is pressed within the reception valid period (see FIG. 12) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. The rental information is transmitted to the P unit 2. The P unit 2 receives the loan information from the CU 3 and transmits the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response to the CU 3 within the response time (see FIG. 12). The P unit 2 transmits the game machine information notification to the CU 3 after the lapse of the specified period A (see FIG. 12) after the previous game machine information notification is transmitted to the CU 3.

After that, when the PIF disconnection occurs, the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation changes from 5V to 0V (off state: VL = OFF), or the output of the connection confirmation signal PSI is off (PSI = OFF). ) Is detected, the PIF disconnection is detected, and the launch of the game ball is stopped. When the CU 3 detects a PIF disconnection, it displays an error and then turns off the connection confirmation power supply VL supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 shown in FIG. 3 (VL = OFF). In the P stand 2, after the PIF disconnection occurs, the launch of the game ball is stopped and the operation of the counting button 28 is invalidated.

When the power supply VL for connection confirmation is turned off, the condition regarding the communication abnormality between the P stand 2 and the CU 3 is satisfied, and thereafter, the launch of the game ball is stopped and the operation of the counting button 28 is invalid. However, regardless of whether or not the condition regarding the communication abnormality is satisfied, the counting notification including the counting information is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 at predetermined intervals. The counting information included in the counting notification has a different size of counting balls depending on whether or not the operation of the counting button 28 is accepted. As a result, the counting information (predetermined information) is information that is periodically transmitted, and when the counting information is not reached, it can be detected at an early stage.

If the player detects that the counting button 28 is pressed before the PIF disconnection occurs, the P stand 2 sends a new gaming machine information notification (not shown) to the CU 3, and then sends a counting ball to the counting notification telegram. Notify CU3 of the counting information including the information of the number = 250 balls and the cumulative counting number of balls = 500 balls. When the P unit sends a message of counting notification including information on the number of counting balls = 250 balls to CU3, the number of gaming balls held = 750 balls minus the counted 250 balls = the number of gaming balls = Update to information on 500 balls. Further, the P unit 2 adds the information of the current number of balls = 250 balls to the information of the previous cumulative number of counting balls = 250 balls, and updates the information of the cumulative number of counting balls = 500 balls.

However, the counting information transmitted from the P unit 2 has not reached the CU3 due to the occurrence of PIF disconnection, and the CU3 has not received the counting information from the P unit 2, so 250 counting balls are missing and possessed. The number of balls = 250 balls remains.

While the PIF disconnection is occurring, the P stand 2 transmits the SC board status notification to the CU 3. The SC board status notification includes information on a PIF disconnection error. When the CU 3 receives the SC board status notification including the information of the PIF disconnection error from the P stand 2, the CU 3 displays the PIF disconnection error on the display 54 or the like.

When the clerk performs an operation of canceling the PIF disconnection and canceling the error with the remote controller in response to the PIF disconnection error display, the CU 3 transmits the SC board status response to the P stand 2. The SC board state response includes information that the CU state is ready (game machine communication start OK).

After that, the P unit 2 transmits the game machine information notification to the CU 3. The game machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls = 700 balls. The previous number of game balls included in the game machine information notification received from the P unit 2 before the PIF disconnection occurs is the number of game balls = 750 balls. Therefore, the CU3 determines that the telegram of the previous count notification cannot be received due to the PIF disconnection and the count is lost, and the previous number of game balls = 750 balls (the number of game balls memorized in the CU3) and the current number of game balls. = The difference from 500 balls (the number of game balls newly received from P stand 2) is 250 balls, and automatic correction is performed. At this time, the CU 3 does not notify the error.

After that, since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 by the time the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the number of counting balls = 0 balls, the cumulative number of counting balls = 500 balls, or the total number of counting balls = 500 balls in the message of the counting notification. Notify CU3 of counting information including information on 0 balls. When a PIF disconnection occurs, it may be necessary to turn off the power of the P unit 2 in order to recover. When the power of the P stand 2 is turned off, the cumulative number of counting balls becomes 0, so that the cumulative number of counting balls cannot be used for automatic correction as shown in FIG. 23. Therefore, when the PIF disconnection occurs, the CU 3 automatically corrects the difference in the number of game balls. When the automatic correction is performed, the CU 3 uses the cumulative number of counting balls first received after the restoration as the initial value.

<Communication error sequence due to power failure>
Next, a communication abnormality sequence due to a power failure will be described. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence due to a power failure between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. In FIG. 25, a case where a power failure occurs and a power failure occurs in the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example.

First, the P unit transmits a game machine information notification to the CU3. The game machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls = 1000 balls. Within 100 ms (within the specified period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the game machine information notification to the CU3, the P unit transmits the counting information including the telegram of the counting notification to the CU3.

Since the player has pressed the counting button 28 by the time the counting information is transmitted to the CU3, the P unit includes the information of the number of counting balls = 250 balls and the cumulative number of counting balls = 250 balls in the telegram of the counting notification. Notify CU3 of the counting information. When the P-unit 2 sends a message of counting notification including information on the number of counting balls = 250 balls to the CU 3, the number of gaming balls held = the number of gaming balls by subtracting the counted 250 balls from the information of 1000 balls. = Update to 750 ball information.

The CU 3 receives the counting information from the P stand 2, converts the number of counting balls into a holding ball, adds the number of counting balls to the number of holding balls, and updates the number of holding balls = 0 + 250 = 250 balls. .. Further, when the number of balls held is updated, the CU3 updates the stored cumulative number of counting balls = 0 + 250 = 250 balls.

Although not shown, the CU 3 subsequently includes a telegram of the loan notification regardless of whether or not the ball lending button 321 is pressed within the reception valid period (see FIG. 12) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. The rental information is transmitted to the P unit 2. The P unit 2 receives the loan information from the CU 3 and transmits the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response to the CU 3 within the response time (see FIG. 12). The P unit 2 transmits the game machine information notification to the CU 3 after the lapse of the specified period A (see FIG. 12) after the previous game machine information notification is transmitted to the CU 3.

After that, the pressing of the counting button 28 by the player is further detected on the P stand 2. When the player detects the pressing of the counting button 28, the P stand 2 subtracts the counted 250 balls from the information on the number of game balls held = 750 balls and updates the information on the number of game balls = 500 balls. To do.

However, if a power failure occurs after the player detects the pressing of the counting button 28 on the P-unit 2, the P-unit 2 cannot notify the CU of the counting notification telegram. Since the CU3 cannot be notified of the counting information including the information of the number of counting balls = 250 balls and the cumulative number of counting balls = 500 balls from the P stand 2 due to the power failure, the counting information from the P stand 2 has not been received, so the number of counting balls. 250 balls are missing, and the number of balls held = 250 balls remains.

After that, the power supply is restored, the start-up process is performed by the P unit 2 and the CU 3, and when the P unit 2 and the CU 3 are restored, the P unit 2 transmits the game machine information notification to the CU 3. The game machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls = 500 balls. The previous number of game balls included in the game machine information notification received from the P unit 2 before the power failure occurs is the number of game balls = 750 balls. Therefore, the CU 3 determines that a communication interruption (electric disconnection) has occurred due to the occurrence of a power failure based on the difference in the number of game balls. Furthermore, the CU3 determines that the previous count notification telegram could not be received due to a power failure and the count was lost, and the previous number of game balls = 750 balls (the number of game balls stored in the CU3) and the current number of game balls = The difference from 500 balls (the number of game balls newly received from P stand 2) is 250 balls, and automatic correction is performed as a ball. At this time, the CU 3 does not notify the error.

After that, since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 by the time the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the number of counting balls = 0 and the cumulative number of counting balls = 0 in the message of the counting notification. Notify the CU3 of the counting information including the information. When a power failure occurs, the power of the P unit 2 is always turned off. When the power of the P stand 2 is turned off, the cumulative number of counting balls becomes 0, so that the cumulative number of counting balls cannot be used for automatic correction as shown in FIG. 23. Therefore, when a power failure occurs, the CU 3 automatically corrects the difference in the number of game balls. When the automatic correction is performed, the CU 3 uses the cumulative number of counting balls first received after the restoration as the initial value.

<Communication error sequence at the time of lending>
Next, the communication abnormality sequence at the time of lending will be described. 26 and 27 are diagrams showing a communication abnormality sequence at the time of lending between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. If a communication error occurs during lending, the number of lending balls may disappear or double addition may occur.

Specifically, as a case where the number of rented balls disappears, the unit notifies the number of rented balls and the rented serial number, but there is a case where a communication abnormality occurs during renting and the number of rented balls is not received by the game machine. is there. In this case, if counting is performed by the game machine, the unit is subsequently notified of the previous rental serial number and the number of rental balls of 0 balls. Therefore, the unit considers that the response from the game machine is normal and does not determine the number of rental balls. The number of rented balls is not resent even though it is received. As a result, the number of rented balls that should have been lent to the game machine disappears.

In addition, as a case where double addition of the number of rented balls occurs, a communication abnormality may occur during lending, but the unit may notify the number of rented balls and the rented serial number, and the game machine may have received the number of rented balls. .. In this case, when counting is performed by the game machine, the unit is subsequently notified of the previous rental serial number and the number of rental balls of 0, so that the unit receives the number of rental balls as the response is abnormal from the game machine. Despite this, the number of rented balls is resent. As a result, the number of rented balls lent to the game machine is double-added.

Therefore, the CU 3 has a function of preparing a serial number for confirmation that the P unit 2 does not accept the loan and suspending the loan processing, thereby grasping the loan status of the P unit 2 and determining whether or not the loan is made. There is. With this function, it is possible to prevent the number of rented balls lent to the game machine from being double-added.

First, the P unit transmits a game machine information notification to the CU3. The game machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls = 1000 balls. After that, when the CU 3 detects that the player presses the ball lending button 321, the CU 3 starts a process of assigning 250 game balls to the P stand 2 in a divided manner. However, the P unit transmits the counting information including the telegram of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms after transmitting the game machine information notification to the CU 3.

Since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 by the time the counting information is transmitted to the CU3, the number of counting balls = 0 and the cumulative number of counting balls = 0 are included in the message of the counting notification. Notify CU3 of the counting information. Since the CU 3 gives priority to the reception of the counting notification over the transmission of the lending notification, the information of the number of counting balls = 0 balls included in the counting notification is confirmed. After confirming the information on the number of counting balls, the CU 3 transmits the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification to the P unit 2 within the reception valid period (for example, 170 ms) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. .. In CU3, since the player presses the ball lending button 321, the telegram of the lending notification includes the information of the lending serial number = 1 and the number of lending balls = 125 balls, and notifies the P unit 2 of the lending. The CU 3 transmits information on the number of rented balls in the range of 1 to 255 balls to the P unit 2 depending on the lending unit price and the lending amount. Therefore, when renting 250 game balls, the 250 balls are divided into 125 balls and given to the P stand 2.

Upon receiving the loan information transmitted from the CU 3, the P unit 2 updates the number of game balls to 1125 balls and transmits the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response to the CU 3 within the response time (for example, 10 ms). To do. The message of the loan receipt result response includes the information of the loan serial number = 1 and the loan number receipt result = OK (normal).

The P unit 2 transmits the game machine information notification to the CU 3 after the lapse of the specified period A (for example, 300 ms) after the previous transmission of the game machine information notification to the CU 3. The new game machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes information on the number of game balls = 1125. Further, the P unit transmits the counting information including the telegram of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms after transmitting the game machine information notification to the CU 3.

Since the CU 3 gives priority to the reception of the counting notification over the transmission of the lending notification, the information of the number of counting balls = 0 balls included in the counting notification is confirmed. After confirming the information on the number of counting balls, the CU 3 transmits the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification to the P unit 2 within the reception valid period (for example, 170 ms) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. .. The CU 3 includes the information on the remaining number of rented balls divided as information on the rented serial number = 2 and the number of rented balls = 125 in the telegram of the loan notification, and notifies the P unit 2.

Upon receiving the loan information transmitted from the CU 3, the P unit 2 updates the number of game balls to 1250 balls and transmits the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response to the CU 3 within the response time (for example, 10 ms). To do. The message of the loan receipt result response includes the information of the loan serial number = 2 and the loan ball number receipt result = OK (normal).

However, an abnormality occurred in the communication between the P unit 2 and the CU3, and the telegram of the loan receipt result response sent from the P unit 2 did not reach the CU3, and the CU3 did not receive the loan receipt result response from the P unit 2. Due to the reception, the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response cannot be received within the response time (for example, 10 ms). In CU3, it is determined that the lending process is incomplete because the lending result is missing.

Regardless of whether or not the loan receipt result response by CU3 is received, P unit 2 sends the game machine information notification to CU3 after the lapse of the specified period A (for example, 300 ms) after the previous transmission of the game machine information notification to CU3. Send. The new game machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes information on the number of game balls = 1250 balls. In CU3, it is conceivable to use the information on the number of game balls included in the game machine information notification as a loan confirmation as to whether or not the loan process is completed, but since the number of game balls may not be received, the loan confirmation Do not judge. Further, the P unit transmits the counting information including the telegram of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms after transmitting the game machine information notification to the CU 3.

Since the CU 3 gives priority to the reception of the counting notification over the transmission of the lending notification, the information of the number of counting balls = 0 balls included in the counting notification is confirmed. After confirming the information on the number of counting balls, the CU 3 transmits the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification to the P unit 2 within the reception valid period (for example, 170 ms) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. .. Since CU3 determines that the lending process is incomplete because the previous lending result is missing, the lending serial number is used in the telegram of the lending notification using the serial number 0 in which the P unit 2 does not receive the loan. = 0, number of rented balls = 0 balls are included as information and notified to P unit 2. That is, the CU 3 prepares a serial number for confirmation that the P unit 2 does not accept the loan, and suspends the loan process.

The P unit 2 that has received the lending information transmitted from the CU 3 does not perform the lending process and leaves the number of game balls as 1250 as a confirmation serial number that the lending serial number = 0, so the response time (for example). Within 10 ms), the loan response information including the message of the loan receipt result response is transmitted to the CU3. Since the loan is not accepted, the message of the loan receipt result response includes the information of the previous loan serial number = 2 and the loan ball number receipt result = NG (abnormal).

When the CU3 receives the loan receipt result response including the information of the loaned ball number receipt result = NG (abnormal), the CU3 determines the loan status by referring to the serial number in the result response. Specifically, if the lending serial number included in the telegram of the previous lending notification and the lending serial number of the telegram of the received lending receipt result response match, CU3 determines that the loan has been completed and does not match (previous lending). In the case of notification-1), it is judged that the loan has not been completed.

<Communication between the main control board and the frame control board>
Next, communication between the main control board 16 (main control unit 161) and the frame control board 17 (frame control unit 171) provided in the P stand 2 (see FIG. 2) will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 28, a sequence processed between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 when the power is turned on will be described. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17.

Further, the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed by the polling method with the main control board 16 as the primary station, and the polling interval is, for example, 108 ms. The power-on notification and power-on reception communications are excluded. If the main control board 16 cannot receive the response for 108 ms after transmitting the notification message, the main control board 16 retransmits the notification message. When the main control board 16 cannot receive the response from the frame control board 17 after 10 times, it is determined that the communication line is disconnected.

Further, the frame control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 only when normal data is received. The serial numbers used for transmission and reception are stored in the storage unit for both the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17, and are used for command normality confirmation, power failure recovery, and communication line disconnection recovery.

Specifically, to explain the communication sequence, first, when the power is turned on, the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 are waited for activation, and communication is started between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17. For example, it takes a maximum of 3 minutes to start the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17. If the frame control board 17 cannot receive the game machine installation information notification within 3 minutes from the start-up, the frame control board 17 notifies the error as a communication line disconnection. If the game machine installation information notification is normally received after the communication line is disconnected, the error notification is canceled. Although the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed in plain text, encrypted communication may be performed.

The frame control board 17 does not determine a communication abnormality with the main control board 16 from the power-on until a specific period (for example, 3 minutes) (communication abnormality cannot be determined), and the frame control board 17 is mainly used after a specific period has elapsed since the power was turned on. A communication abnormality is determined with the control board 16 (communication abnormality can be determined). When the frame control board 17 determines that the communication abnormality can be determined during the communication abnormality determination period, the frame control board 17 can execute the notification that the communication abnormality has occurred. That is, the frame control board 17 does not perform a process of determining a communication abnormality with the main control board 16 during a specific period (for example, 3 minutes) after the power is turned on, and receives the game machine installation information after startup. After that, the process of determining the communication abnormality becomes possible.

First, the main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information after the start-up. Specifically, the main control board 16 transmits a command for notifying the game machine installation information to the frame control board 17 with the communication serial number set to "0". The frame control board 17 that has received the command for notifying the game machine installation information transmits the response of the game machine installation information response to the main control board 16 with the communication serial number set to "1" without counting up.

After notifying the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information, the main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the game machine information at a fixed cycle (108 ms). Specifically, the main control board 16 transmits a command for notifying game machine information to the frame control board 17 with the communication serial number set to "1". The frame control board 17 that has received the game machine information notification command transmits the response of the game machine information response to the main control board 16 with the communication serial number set to "1" without counting up. After that, when the main control board 16 transmits a command to the frame control board 17, the game machine information is notified to the frame control board 17 while counting up the communication serial number.

The main control board 16 can transmit game information such as game machine installation information or game machine information to the frame control board 17 every predetermined period (for example, 108 ms) after the power is turned on, but the main control board 16 is set to the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode. When it is controlled, the game machine is stopped and the game information such as the game machine installation information or the game machine information is not transmitted. That is, when the control of the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode is started, the main control board 16 stops the game and transmits the game machine information transmitted to the frame control board 17 every predetermined period (for example, 108 ms). Not notified. After that, when the state of being controlled in the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode ends, the main control board 16 enters the game machine stop state and transmits game information such as game machine installation information or game machine information. That is, when the control of the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode is completed, the main control board 16 restarts the game and notifies the game machine information transmitted to the frame control board 17 every predetermined period (for example, 108 ms). To resume.

Here, the relationship between the communication timing between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 and the communication timing between the frame control board 17 (P stand 2) and the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a communication sequence for explaining the communication timing. As shown in FIG. 29, the main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the game machine information at a fixed cycle (108 ms). On the other hand, the frame control board 17 transmits game machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle (300 ms) slower than a fixed cycle (108 ms) of communication with the main control board 16. The frame control board 17 may transmit game machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 200 ms instead of 300 ms.

That is, it is a communication timing in which the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 are communicated three times while the frame control board 17 and the CU 3 are communicated once. When the communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU 3 has a cycle of 200 ms, the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed by 2 while the communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU 3 is performed once. It is the communication timing to be performed. Therefore, the frame control board 17 can acquire the game machine information from the main control board 16 more frequently, so that the change of the game machine can be grasped more accurately, and the game machine information can be obtained at appropriate intervals. Can be sent to. The communication timing between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is intentionally shifted to 108 ms so that the communication timing between the frame control board 17 (P stand 2) and the CU 3 does not match. The communication cycle between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is not limited to 108 ms, and may be any cycle as long as it does not exceed 100 ms and is an integral multiple of 100 ms.

<Command between main control board and frame control board>
Next, commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 will be described. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a list of commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17.

As shown in FIG. 30, the commands transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17 include a game machine installation information notification and a game machine information notification. The game machine installation information notification command is a command for notifying the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information. The game machine information notification command is a command for notifying the frame control board 17 of the game machine information.

On the other hand, the response transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the main control board 16 includes a game machine installation information response and a game machine information response. The response of the game machine installation information response is a response for responding to the main control board 16 with the result of receiving the game machine installation information. The response of the game machine information response is a response for responding to the main control board 16 with the result of receiving the game machine information.

<Notification of game machine installation information / Response of game machine installation information>
Next, the command of the game machine installation information notification and the response of the game machine installation information response will be described in detail. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the response of the game machine installation information notification command and the game machine installation information response. The command for notifying the game machine installation information shown in FIG. 31 (a) is a command for the main control board 16 to notify the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information, and the game machine installation information is "game machine type". , "Main control chip ID number", "Main control CPU maker code", and "Main control CPU model code". The information shown in FIG. 6 is included in the "game machine type". When the main control board 16 transmits a command for notifying the game machine installation information to the frame control board 17, the communication serial number notifies the fixed value "0". In addition, the telegram of the game machine installation information notification must be completed in one frame and not divided and transmitted. Further, if the frame control board 17 cannot receive the checksum within 20 ms after receiving the message length of the game machine installation information notification, the frame control board 17 cancels the received data up to that point and receives the message length from the message length again. The same is done for the following commands and responses.

The response of the game machine installation information response shown in FIG. 31B is a response for the frame control board 17 to respond to the main control board 16 with the receipt result of the game machine installation information notification, and is "game machine installation information". Includes "receipt result". The frame control board 17 responds with the communication serial number as a fixed value "0" as in the game machine installation information notification.

<Notification of game machine information>
Next, the command for notifying game machine information will be described in detail. FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining a command for notifying game machine information. The game machine information notification command is a command for the main control board 16 to notify the frame control board 17 of game machine information (hall control information, fraud monitoring information, etc.), and is a command for "main control state" as game machine information. , "Game machine error state", "Fraud detection state", and "Game information" are included. The main control board 16 adds 1 to the communication serial number when the game machine information is notified. The communication serial number has a maximum of 255, and the count is returned to 1 after 255. Also, when the message is resent, the communication serial number is not added (updated) by 1.

The "main control state" is information on the gaming state of the P unit 2, and includes "main control state 1" and "main control state 2". The "main control state 1" includes information on jackpot 1 (all jackpots), jackpot 2 (specific jackpot), jackpot 3 (short-time jackpot), and information on game machine status signals 1 to 5. The game machine status signals 1 to 5 are used to output the status from the external output terminal 340 of the CU3 to the hallcon 810 via the hallcon output BOX811, and are output from the hallcon output BOX811 "external terminal board state output". Corresponds to "Signal Terminals 1 and 2" (see FIG. 54). The "main control state 1" includes information during the jackpot + time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time), during high probability, and during time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time). Regarding the state output signal output from the hall control output BOX811, the state output from "L" to "H" corresponds to the bit changing from "0" to "1" corresponding to the game machine state signals 1 to 5. It changes to a signal and changes from "H" to "L" in response to the change in bit corresponding to the game machine state signals 1 to 5 from "1" to "0".

The "game machine error state" includes information on an error code occurring in the game machine. The "fraud detection state 1" is a setting confirmation mode in which the information of the setting change mode indicating that the setting is changed on the main control board 16 is Bit 0 and the setting is confirmed on the main control board 16. The information is shown in Bit1, and the fraud detection state in the main control board 16, particularly the information indicating that the board surface fraud 1 to 6 is detected is shown in Bit2 to Bit6.

The "game information" includes information for notifying the frame control board 17 of the starting opening winning, the large winning opening winning, the number of times the symbol is confirmed, and the like generated on the main control board 16. The "game information" is composed of a total of 2 bytes of type information (upper 1 byte) and count information (lower 1 byte). The type information is composed of a data type and a data number, and a data number is set for each data type.

The type information will be described in more detail. FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining the type information included in the game information. The type information is set for each value of the data type (Bits 4 to 7). For example, when the value of the data type is 1, it is the information of the starting opening winning. Further, a data number (Bit 0 to 3) is set for each data type. For example, if the data number is 1, the starting port 1 and the starting port number are indicated.

When the value of the data type is 2, it is notified that a prize has been won in the special electric accessory operation, and if the data number is 1, the large prize opening 1 and the like are indicated. When the value of the data type is 9, the number of times the symbol is confirmed is notified, and when the data number is 1, the special figure number such as special figure 1 is indicated. When the value of the data type is 12, the number of bonuses, that is, the number of times the large winning opening is opened is notified, and when the data number is 1, the bonus number such as bonus 1 is indicated. When the value of the data type is 14, it is instructed to output a pulse from CU3, and the terminal of the external output terminal 340 of CU3 is indicated by the data number. When the value of the data type is 15, the state required for the calculation of the performance information is notified, and the data number is fixed at 1.

As the count information, different number of times information is set for each data type. Data type is 1 = Starting opening prize 1, 2 = Starting opening winning 2, 3 = Starting opening winning 3, 4 = Starting opening winning 1, 5 = Starting opening winning by operating other accessories 2, 6 = In the case of the starting opening winning 3 by operating other accessories, the count information is composed of the number of prize balls (upper 4 bits) and the number of winnings (lower 4 bits). For example, when two prizes are won in the starting port 1 of three prize balls, the data type (Bit4 to 7) is "1 = starting port winning", the data number (Bit0 to 3) is "1 = starting port 1", and the prize. The game information (0x1131) in which the number of balls (Bits 4 to 7) is "3 = 3 prize balls" and the number of prizes (Bits 0 to 3) is "1 = 1 prize" is 2 data.

When the data type is 9 = the number of times the symbol is confirmed, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of times the symbol is confirmed (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 10 = per special symbol and 11 = per normal symbol, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and number of hits (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 12 = the number of bonuses (the number of times the large winning opening is opened), the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of bonuses (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 13 = passage through a specific area, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of passages in the specific area (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 14 = external terminal board pulse output, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and pulse output count (lower 4 bits).

When the data type is 15 = performance information status notification, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and status flag (lower 4 bits). In the state flags (Bits 0 to 3), Bit0 indicates a base state, when Bit0 is "0", it indicates that it is in a low base, when it is "1", it indicates that it is in a high base, Bit1 indicates a jackpot state, and Bit1 indicates a jackpot state. "0" indicates a normal time, "1" indicates a big hit, Bit2 indicates a high probability state, Bit1 indicates a low probability, and "1" indicates a high probability. There is.

<Game machine information response>
FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining a command for responding to game machine information. The response of the game machine information response shown in FIG. 34 is a response for the frame control board 17 to respond to the main control board 16 with the reception result of the game machine information notification, and includes the “game machine information reception result”. There is. The frame control board 17 responds as it is to the communication serial number received in the game machine information notification. However, when the frame control board 17 receives a communication serial number whose continuity is not established, the frame control board 17 makes no response.

<Setting value change process>
Next, the CPU of the main control board 16 executes game control main processing such as initial setting processing, RAM clear processing, setting value change processing, setting value confirmation processing, random number circuit setting processing, timer interrupt setting, and interrupt permission. It is possible to execute timer interrupt processing on a regular basis.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a set value changing process executed by the CPU of the main control board 16 in the game control main process. Although not shown, the main control board 16 is provided with a lock switch, a setting changeover switch, a RAM clear switch, and a display monitor. Further, in the present embodiment, the winning probability (ball output rate) of the big hit changes according to the set value. Specifically, by using the display result judgment table (winning probability) according to the set value, the winning probability (ball output rate) of the big hit is changed. The set value is composed of 6 stages from 1 to 6, with 6 having the highest payout rate, and the smaller the value in the order of 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 the lower the payout rate. That is, when 6 is set as the set value, the advantage is highest for the player, and the smaller the value in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 is, the lower the advantage is. In other words, as for the set value, 6 which is the largest value is the most disadvantageous value for the amusement park side, and the smaller the value in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 is the more advantageous value for the amusement park side. Become.

When changing the set value, the main control board 16 inserts a predetermined setting key into the lock switch, operates the setting key to turn it from OFF to ON, and then turns on the RAM clear switch and setting changeover switch. If is set to the ON state, the setting change state is set and the setting value change process is executed. In the set value change process, the CPU of the main control board 16 first starts lighting all the segments constituting the first special symbol display device (not shown) and the second special symbol display device (not shown) (not shown). S4501).

Further, the CPU of the main control board 16 adds the setting change mode information (specific information) to the game machine information notification and transmits it to the frame control board 17 (S4502). The setting change mode information transmitted to the frame control board 17 is not notified by the frame control board 17, but is controlled to the setting change mode via the CU3 and the hall computer output BOX connected to the P stand 2. It is output to a management device such as a hall computer or a playground management computer as a security signal indicating that the information is being sent.

The main control board 16 determines whether or not any of the values 1 to 6 is stored as the set value in the address F000 of the RAM (S4503). When an invalid value other than 1 to 6 is stored in the RAM of the main control board 16 or when the set value is not stored in the RAM of the main control board 16 (NO in S4503), the main control board 16 adds information (error at the time of setting change) to the game machine information notification as a game machine error and transmits it to the frame control board 17, and proceeds to the process in S4505 (S4504). The game machine error information transmitted to the frame control board 17 is not notified by the frame control board 17, but is managed by the hall controller or the game hall management computer via the CU3 and the hall controller output BOX connected to the P stand 2. Is output to the management device such as. If any of the values 1 to 6 is stored in the RAM of the main control board 16 (YES in S4503), the process proceeds to S4505 without executing the process of S4504.

The CPU of the main control board 16 starts displaying the set value stored in the address F000 in the RAM on the display monitor (not shown) (S4505).

Then, the CPU 103 of the main control board 16 sets the setting value changing flag (S4507), and determines whether or not the setting changeover switch (not shown) is operated (S4508). If there is no operation of the setting changeover switch (NO in S4508), the process proceeds to S4511, and if there is an operation of the setting changeover switch (YES in S4508), the address in the RAM of the main control board 16 is based on the operation of the setting changeover switch. The contents of F001 are updated (S4509).

Specifically, when the setting value displayed on the display monitor is "1", the setting value "2", which is one step more advantageous for the player than the "1", is mainly set as the temporary setting value. When the set value stored in the RAM address F001 of the control board 16 and displayed on the display monitor is "2", the set value is "3", which is one step more advantageous for the player than the "2". Is stored in the RAM address F001 of the main control board 16 as a temporary setting value, and a value 1 larger than the set value displayed on the display monitor is stored in the RAM address F001 of the main control board 16 as a temporary setting. To do. When the set value displayed on the display monitor is "6", "1" may be stored in the RAM address F001 of the main control board 16 as a temporary set value.

Then, the CPU of the main control board 16 displays the set value (temporary set value) stored in the address F001 in the RAM on the display monitor (S4510), and whether or not the lock switch (not shown) is ON. Is determined (S4511).

When the lock switch is ON (YES in S4511), the CPU of the main control board 16 stores a new temporary setting value in the RAM address F001 of the main control board 16 by repeatedly executing the processes of S4508 to S4511. And the process of displaying the set value stored in the address F001 on the display monitor.

When the lock switch is OFF (NO in S4511), the CPU of the main control board 16 clears the setting value changing flag (S4512), and at the same time, sets a value (or a temporary setting value) on the display monitor. The display is finished (S4513), and all the segments constituting the first special symbol display device and the second special symbol display device are turned off (S4514).

Then, the CPU of the main control board 16 determines whether or not a temporary set value is stored in the address F001 in the RAM (S4515). When the temporary setting value is not stored in the address F001 in the RAM of the main control board 16 (NO in S4515), the process proceeds to S4518, and the temporary setting value is stored in the address F001 in the RAM of the main control board 16. (YES in S4515) further determines whether or not the value of the set value stored in the address F000 in the RAM and the value of the provisional set value stored in the address F001 are different (S4516).

When the value of the set value stored in the address F000 in the RAM of the main control board 16 and the value of the temporary set value stored in the address F001 are the same (NO in S4516), the process proceeds to S4518 and the main control When the value of the set value stored in the address F000 in the RAM of the board 16 is different from the value of the temporary set value stored in the address F001 (YES in S4516), it is stored in the address F001 in the RAM. The temporary set value is stored in the address F000 (S4517), and the process proceeds to S4518. That is, in the process of S4517, the temporary set value is updated and stored in the RAM of the main control board 16 as the actual set value.

Further, the CPU of the main control board 16 deletes the setting change mode information from the game machine information notification transmitted to the frame control board 17 and transmits it to the frame control board 17 (S4518), and ends the setting value change process. To do. The CPU of the main control board 16 is controlled to the setting change mode that was output to the management device such as the hall controller or the management computer of the game hall by deleting the setting change mode information from the game machine information notification. It is possible to stop the security signal indicating that it is. Even if the main control board 16 releases the setting change mode, the security signal is not stopped immediately, but the security signal is stopped after a delay (for example, 30 seconds later) from the release of the setting change mode. The stop control of the security signal may be performed by the main control board 16, or may be performed by any of the frame control board 17, the CU 3, and the hall controller output BOX.

The main control board 16 is set if a predetermined setting key is inserted into the lock switch, the setting key is operated to turn the setting key from OFF to ON, and only the setting changeover switch is turned ON when the power is turned on. The confirmation status is set and the setting value confirmation process is executed. In the set value confirmation process, the CPU of the main control board 16 first starts lighting all the segments constituting the first special symbol display device and the second special symbol display device, and notifies the frame control board 17 of the game machine information. Add the setting confirmation mode information (predetermined information) to and send it. The setting confirmation mode information transmitted to the frame control board 17 is used as a security signal indicating that the setting confirmation mode is controlled via the CU3 connected to the P stand 2 and the hall computer output BOX. It is output to a management device such as a management computer of a game hall.

Then, the CPU of the main control board 16 displays the set value stored in the address F001 in the RAM on the display monitor. If an invalid value other than 1 to 6 is stored in the RAM of the main control board 16 or if the set value is not stored in the RAM of the main control board 16, the main control board 16 will be charged. Information (error at the time of setting confirmation) is added to the game machine information notification as a game machine error and transmitted to the frame control board 17. The game machine error information transmitted to the frame control board 17 is not notified by the frame control board 17, but is managed by the hall controller or the game hall management computer via the CU3 and the hall controller output BOX connected to the P stand 2. Is output to the management device such as. Then, when the lock switch is turned off, the CPU of the main control board 16 deletes the setting confirmation mode information from the game machine information notification transmitted to the frame control board 17 and transmits it to the frame control board 17 for setting. The value confirmation process ends.

The CPU of the main control board 16 is controlled to the setting confirmation mode, which was output to the management device such as the hall controller or the management computer of the game hall by deleting the information of the setting confirmation mode from the game machine information notification. It is possible to stop the security signal indicating that it is. Even if the main control board 16 releases the setting confirmation mode, the security signal is not stopped immediately, but the security signal is stopped after the release of the setting confirmation mode (for example, after 1 second). The stop control of the security signal may be performed by the main control board 16, or may be performed by any of the frame control board 17, the CU 3, and the hall controller output BOX.

Although it has been described that the main control board 16 is provided with a setting changeover switch, a RAM clear switch, and a display monitor, at least one of these may be provided on the frame control board 17. For example, when the lock switch or the setting changeover switch is provided on the frame control board 17, when the lock switch or the setting changeover switch is operated, the information is transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the main control board 16. You may. Further, when the display monitor is provided on the frame control board 17, the set value may be transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the main control board 16.

<Processing on the frame control board>
Next, the processing executed by the CPU of the frame control board 17 will be described in detail. First, by executing a program on the CPU of the frame control board 17, various control processes such as power-on processing, main loop processing, and timer interrupt processing are performed. The memory space of the CPU of the frame control board 17 has a memory space for accessing the built-in registers, ROM, RAM, and the like. Specifically, FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a memory map of the program memory and the RAM area. As for the memory space of the CPU of the frame control board 17, for example, a program memory area is allocated to the built-in ROM area of the area of 0000H to 1BC3H (H indicates a hexadecimal number; the same applies hereinafter) in the memory space. The CPU of the frame control board 17 reads a program stored in the built-in ROM area and performs various control processes.

As shown in FIG. 36, the program memory includes a program area in the used area of 0000H to 0939H (simply referred to as an in-area program) and a data area in the used area of 0939H to 09AEH (simply, an in-area data area) in the memory space. The out-of-use program area of 1000H to 1B39H (also simply referred to as an out-of-area program), and the out-of-use data area of 1B40H to 1BC3H (also simply referred to as an out-of-area data area) are allocated. Further, a free area of 09AFH to 0FFFH is allocated between the data area in the area and the data area in the area. The CPU of the frame control board 17 specifies this program memory and reads the program from the ROM.

Further, although not shown, the memory space is allocated to the built-in register area. The CPU of the frame control board 17 reads data from the built-in register and writes data to the register via the built-in register area.

Further, F000H to F3FFH in the memory space are allocated to the built-in RAM area. The CPU of the frame control board 17 designates this RAM area and reads data from the RAM and writes data to the RAM. The area after F400H in the memory space is regarded as an unused area.

As shown in FIG. 36, the RAM area includes a RAM area in the used area of F000H to F12CH (simply referred to as an in-area RAM area) and a stack area in the used area of F12DH to F1FFH (simply referred to as an in-area stack area). ), The out-of-use RAM area of F200H to F297H (simply also referred to as the out-of-area RAM area), and the out-of-use stack area of F298H to F400H (simply also referred to as the out-of-area stack area) are allocated. The CPU of the frame control board 17 specifies this RAM area and reads and writes data from the RAM.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a configuration of an area program in the program memory and a program stored in the out-of-area program. The in-region program stores programs for controlling the frame control board 17, such as "power-on processing", "main control processing", "interrupt control processing", and "general-purpose processing". Furthermore, the programs in the area include "power supply", "main control communication function", "game ball rental function (dedicated PIF)", "launch control function", "game ball number display function", and "test signal output function". , "Error clearing function", and "Data area in area" programs are stored.

The "power-on processing" and "general-purpose processing" programs are stored in the out-of-area program. Furthermore, the out-of-area programs include "performance display function", "error detection function", "error cancellation function", "fraud monitoring function", "game ball circulation function", "ball polishing function", and "out-of-area data". The program of "area" is stored.

Of the program memory, the programs common to the game slots (frame common programs) are stored in the programs from the "power-on processing" to the "fraud monitoring function" of the in-region programs and the out-of-area programs. That is, the same common program is stored in the program memory regardless of the manufacturer and model. On the other hand, the programs of the "game ball circulation function", the "ball polishing function", and the "outside area data area" of the out-of-area programs store different programs depending on the specifications of the game frame. That is, a program corresponding to the specifications of the game frame for each manufacturer and model is stored in the program memory. The programs from the "error detection function" to the "out-of-area data area" are programs implemented by the CPU function (equivalent to middleware).

In this way, the program memory includes at least a frame common program area in which a program of the "main control communication function" for executing at least communication processing and game information management processing is stored, and at least predetermined arithmetic processing and game medium circulation processing. It has a different program area (non-common program area) for each frame specification in which the program of the "game ball circulation function" for execution is stored. In this way, since the programs stored in the frame common program area and the non-common program area are separated, it is possible to develop a common program and a program different for each frame specification regardless of the game frame specifications. Therefore, the development efficiency of the game machine is improved. When the usage amount of the in-area program and the out-of-area program is, for example, 3011 Kbytes as shown in FIG. 37, the frame common program area is 1860 Kbytes and the non-common program area is 1151 Kbytes, and about 38% of the programs are framed. It suffices to develop as a different program for each specification, and the development efficiency of the game machine is improved.

Further, the game frame is common to the programs stored in the frame common program area regardless of the type of game machine (for example, manufacturer, model, etc.) in the program memory, and is stored in the non-common program area depending on the type of game machine. The program being played is different. As a result, the development efficiency of the game machine is improved by using the program stored in the frame common program area only by developing different programs according to the type of the game machine. In particular, since there are multiple game frames with different specifications such as the circulation path of the game ball, such as the game frame on the upper side and the game frame on the lower side of the launching device, "game ball" is matched to the specifications of the game frame. The program of "circulation function" will also differ depending on the game frame. Therefore, since the program of the "game ball circulation function" is stored in a different program area (non-common program area) for each frame specification, only the program in that area is created according to the game frame specification. Since the program in the common frame program area can be used as it is, the development efficiency of the game machine is improved.

Next, the "power-on processing", "main control processing (main loop processing)", and "interrupt control processing (timer interrupt processing)" processing executed by the CPU of the frame control board 17 will be described in detail. FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the program executed by the CPU of the frame control board 17. Hereinafter, the CPU of the frame control board 17 is also simply referred to as the frame control board 17.

First, the frame control board 17 executes a power-on processing program when the power is turned on to the P stand 2 (step S100). When the power-on processing is completed, the frame control board 17 executes the main loop processing program (step S200), and repeatedly executes the processing required for the game. The frame control board 17 is set so that the built-in CTC (counter / timer) repeatedly generates a timer interrupt while the main loop processing program is being executed (step S300). The repetition period is set to, for example, 1 ms.

Next, the power-on processing will be described in detail. FIG. 39 is a flowchart for explaining the process executed in the power-on process. First, when the power-on processing is started, the frame control board 17 executes the CPU initial setting process (step S101) to initialize the flag set in the CPU. In addition, the frame control board 17 may perform CPU built-in register setting, power supply cutoff detection signal standby processing, communication initial setting, and the like. Further, the frame control board 17 executes a RAM clearing process (step S102) to initialize the information stored in the RAM.

Next, the frame control board 17 executes the game ball clearing process (step S103), and sets the number of game balls stored on the frame control board 17 side to 0 (zero). In addition, the frame control board 17 executes in-area initial value setting processing such as work area clearing, RAM initial value setting processing, and ball removal function transition determination processing (step S104). After that, the frame control board 17 executes the power-on processing stored in the out-of-area program area to perform the out-of-area initial value setting process (step S105). The out-of-area initial value setting process includes, for example, an out-of-area work area clear process, an out-of-area work area initial value setting process, an out-of-area port input process, and an out-of-area output port clear process.

Next, the main loop processing will be described in detail. FIG. 40 is a flowchart for explaining the process executed in the main loop process. First, the frame control board 17 executes the launch stop control process (step S201) and outputs a signal to the launch control board 31 to stop the launch of the game ball. After that, the frame control board 17 executes the main control board communication process (step S202), communicates with the main control board 16, and receives game machine information and the like from the main control board 16. The frame control board 17 executes the game machine information management process (step S203) and manages the game machine information received from the main control board 16.

Next, the frame control board 17 executes SC board communication processing (step S204), communicates with the CU3, and transmits game machine information and the like to the CU3. Further, the frame control board 17 executes the game ball number display control process (step S205) and displays the number of game balls managed on the frame control board 17 side on the game ball number display 29. After that, the frame control board 17 executes the in-region error release process (step S206).

Next, the frame control board 17 executes the ball polishing mechanism control process stored in the out-of-area program area to polish the dirt of the game ball collected from the out port 154 (step S207). After that, the frame control board 17 executes the game ball circulation mechanism control process stored in the out-of-area program area, and returns the game ball processed by the ball polishing mechanism to the launching device (step S208). Further, the frame control board 17 executes the out-of-area error detection process (step S209) and the out-of-area error release process (step S210) stored in the out-of-area program area.

Further, the frame control board 17 executes fraud detection processing (step S211), performance information storage processing (step S212), and performance information calculation processing (step S213) stored in the out-of-area program area. The performance information storage process is a process of accumulating and storing the performance information described later. Further, the performance information calculation process is a process of calculating predetermined information such as a base, a bonus ratio, and a continuous bonus ratio. The frame control board 17 can execute the other processes shown in FIG. 37 in the main loop process.

Next, timer interrupt processing will be described in detail. FIG. 41 is a flowchart for explaining the process executed by the timer interrupt process. The timer interrupt process interrupts the main loop process every 1 ms and executes the following process. First, the frame control board 17 performs a 1 ms timer subtraction process (step S301), a cassette motor drive process (step S302), and a lifting motor drive process (step S303). By executing the cassette motor drive process and the lift motor drive process, the game ball collected at the out port 154 is returned to the launching device. The cassette motor drive process and the lift motor drive process are stored in the out-of-area program area.

Next, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not to perform the process to be executed every 2 ms depending on whether or not the repetition cycle has elapsed twice (step S304). When the process to be executed every 2 ms is performed (YES in step S304), the frame control board 17 performs the 2 ms timer subtraction process (step S305) and executes the game ball number indicator LED control process (step S306). The game ball number display LED control process controls to display the number of game balls managed by the frame control board 17 on the game ball number display 29.

After that, the frame control board 17 executes the port input process (step S307), the switch detection process (step S308), and the subtraction mechanism control process (step S309) as the processes to be executed every 2 ms. The port input process controls a port for receiving information such as game machine information transmitted from the main control board 16. The switch detection process detects the state of various switches connected to the frame control board 17. The subtraction mechanism control process subtracts the number of game balls based on information such as game machine information transmitted from the main control board 16.

Further, the frame control board 17 executes the ball polishing mechanism control timer subtraction process (step S310), the ball polishing mechanism switch detection process (step S311), and the game ball circulation mechanism switch detection process (step S312) as processes executed every 2 ms. ) Is executed. The ball polishing mechanism control timer subtraction processing, the ball polishing mechanism switch detection processing, and the game ball circulation mechanism switch detection processing are stored in the out-of-area program area, and realize the function related to the circulation of the game ball collected at the out port 154. ing. In addition, the frame control board 17 executes an out-of-area error monitoring process (step S313), an out-of-area error release monitoring process (step S314), and an fraud monitoring process (step S315) as processes to be executed every 2 ms. The out-of-area error monitoring process, out-of-area error release monitoring process, and fraud monitoring process are stored in the out-of-area program area.

Next, the frame control board 17 is executed every 4 ms depending on whether or not the repetition cycle has elapsed four times after the fraud monitoring process is executed or when the process to be executed every 2 ms is not performed (NO in step S304). It is determined whether or not to perform the processing (step S316). When the process to be executed every 4 ms is performed (YES in step S316), the frame control board 17 performs the 4 ms timer subtraction process and executes the test signal output process (step S318). When the process to be executed every 4 ms is not performed (NO in step S316), the frame control board 17 ends the timer interrupt process.

Next, the performance information storage process (step S212) and the performance information calculation process (step S213) executed in the main loop process will be described in detail. First, the performance information storage process and the performance information items to be stored or calculated in the performance information calculation process will be described. FIG. 42 is a diagram for explaining performance information items. The total number of fired game balls is the cumulative number of shots detected by the frame control board 17. The total number of game balls acquired is the number of all game balls acquired by the game, and is "starting opening prize", "large winning opening winning by operating a special electric accessory", "winning opening winning", "passing through the gate". Or, "Public figure operation opening prize", "Starting opening prize by operating ordinary electric accessory", "Large winning opening prize by operating continuous electric accessory", "Prize by operating ordinary electric accessory", "By operating other accessories" This is the total number of game balls acquired by winning a prize.

The payout rate is a value obtained by multiplying the total number of acquired game balls / the total number of launched game balls x 100. The number of acquired game balls per minute (base) is a value obtained by multiplying the total number of acquired game balls in the low base / the total number of normally launched game balls in the low base × 100. The bonus ratio is a value obtained by multiplying the total number of prize balls by the movement of the bonus by the total number of acquired game balls x 100. The cumulative total number of prize balls due to the movement of the accessory is "the number of game balls acquired by the operation of the special electric accessory when the continuous operation device of the accessory is not activated" and "the number of game balls acquired by the operation of the normal electric accessory". , And "the number of game balls acquired by other characters" is the total number. The continuous bonus ratio is a value obtained by multiplying the total number of prize balls by the continuous bonus movement / the total number of acquired game balls x 100. The cumulative total number of prize balls due to the continuous movement of the accessory is the total number of "game balls acquired by the operation of the continuous accessory operation device". The above ball output rate, number of game balls acquired per minute (base), bonus ratio, and continuous bonus ratio are performance information items calculated by the performance information calculation process.

The total number of launched game balls and the total number of acquired game balls are performance information items accumulated in the performance information storage process, but in addition, "the number of times the accessory continuous operation device is operated" and "the maximum number of difference balls (MY)". and so on.

It is possible to similarly apply the performance information storage process (step S212) and the performance information calculation process (step S213) in the medalless slot machine. In that case, in the performance information item shown in FIG. 42, the total number of launched game balls is read as the total number of medals used, and the total number of acquired game balls is read as the total number of acquired medals, and the number of medals (game value corresponding to medals) is accumulated. .. For example, the total number of game balls won is the total number of medals awarded by the small winning combination in BB, RB, CB, or AT, and the number of medals awarded by the small winning combination in the normal state. .. The number of game balls acquired per minute (base) is a value obtained by multiplying the total number of medals acquired in the normal state other than BB, RB, CB, or AT / the total number of medals used in the normal state in the normal state × 100. .. Further, the accessory ratio is a value obtained by multiplying the total number of acquired medals in BB, RB, and CB by the total number of acquired medals x 100.

Next, the timing of the calculation process in the performance information calculation process will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, for example, the frame control board 17 transmits the game machine performance information 180 s after the completion of starting the game machine, and then transmits the game machine performance information at a cycle of every 180 s. In this case, the frame control board 17 performs the performance information calculation process 100 ms before the transmission in the 180 s period, but if all of the plurality of parameters are calculated in one main loop process, one main loop is performed. As the processing time becomes longer, the load of calculation processing becomes heavier. For example, when the frame control board 17 executes the performance information calculation process 100 ms before transmitting the game machine performance information, the ball output rate, the number of game balls acquired per minute (base), and the accessory ratio in one main loop process. , If all the continuous accessory ratios are calculated, there is a risk of affecting other processing in the main loop processing.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the performance information calculation process can be executed a plurality of times within a predetermined period (for example, 100 ms), and the parameters (ball output rate, minute acquisition) to be calculated in the predetermined performance information calculation process in the predetermined period can be executed. The number of game balls (base), bonus ratio, continuous bonus ratio) is set to one. Then, the frame control board 17 avoids the concentration of the calculation process by calculating another parameter in the performance information calculation process of the specific time after the predetermined time within the predetermined period.

FIG. 43 is a timing chart for explaining the processing timings of the performance information transmission processing and the performance information calculation processing. In the timing chart shown in FIG. 43, the performance information transmission process transmits the game machine performance information to the CU3 every 180s. The frame control board 17 calculates the ball output rate, the number of game balls acquired per minute (base), the bonus ratio, and the continuous bonus ratio 100 ms before transmitting the game machine performance information to the CU 3 in the performance information transmission process. In the performance information calculation process executed in the first main loop process in the period of 100 ms, one parameter is selected from a plurality of parameters and the calculation is performed, and in the second main loop process, another parameter is selected and the calculation is performed. .. That is, in the performance information transmission process executed in one main loop process, a plurality of parameters are not calculated.

When the parameters are the ball ejection rate, the number of game balls acquired per minute (base), the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio, as shown in FIG. 43, the frame control board 17 is the ball ejection in the first main loop process. Only the rate is calculated by the performance information calculation process. Next, in the frame control board 17, only the number of game balls acquired per minute (base) is calculated by the performance information calculation process in the second main loop process.

After that, in the frame control board 17, only the accessory ratio is calculated by the performance information calculation process in the third main loop process. Further, in the frame control board 17, only the continuous accessory ratio is calculated by the performance information calculation process in the fourth main loop process. The maximum processing time in each main loop processing is 3 ms. Further, in the performance information calculation process, the parameters can be sequentially processed once by providing counters in the order of processing of the ball output rate, the number of game balls acquired per minute (base), the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio.

As described with reference to FIG. 40, the main loop process includes the performance information storage process (specific arithmetic process). In the performance information accumulation process, the ball output rate, the number of game balls acquired per minute (base), the bonus ratio, the total number of launched game balls different from the continuous bonus ratio, the total number of game balls acquired, and the number of operations of the bonus continuous operation device , Performs calculations related to the maximum number of difference balls (MY) (plural parameters belonging to a special type). In each time of the main loop process, the total number of launched game balls, the total number of acquired game balls, the number of operations of the accessory continuous operation device, and the maximum number of difference balls (MY) are calculated. In the timing chart shown in FIG. 43, the total number of launched game balls, the total number of acquired game balls, the number of operations of the accessory continuous operation device, and the maximum number of difference balls ( The calculation related to MY) is performed. Therefore, the frame control board 17 can manage parameters that fluctuate during the game, such as the total number of launched game balls and the total number of acquired game balls, in real time.

Next, the maximum number of difference balls (MY) will be described in detail. FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining the maximum number of difference balls. The vertical axis shown in FIG. 44 indicates an increase or decrease in the number of game balls, which is increased by a prize ball and decreased by firing. When the power is turned on, the difference ball counter = 0 and the maximum difference ball number = 0. Then, when the game is started, the number of game balls decreases as the game balls are launched, and continues to decrease until the first big hit occurs. When the difference number counter = 0, the difference number counter is not counted even if the game ball is fired.

The number of game balls starts to increase by winning a prize ball due to the occurrence of the first big hit. The difference ball number counter is updated by the difference ball number counter + the prize ball number as a process at the time of the prize ball, and when the difference ball number counter is larger than the maximum difference ball number, the maximum difference ball number is updated. In FIG. 44, when the first big hit occurs, the difference ball number counter = 0 and the maximum difference ball number = 0. Therefore, the difference ball number counter increases as the number of prize balls increases, and the maximum difference ball number increases. The numbers will continue to be updated.

When the first big hit is completed and 1000 prize balls are won, the difference number counter = 1000 and the maximum difference number = 1000. After that, when the game is continued and the game ball is fired, the difference ball number counter is not 0, so the difference ball number counter is updated by the difference ball number counter-the number of fired balls. That is, when the difference ball number counter is 1 or more, the number of shot balls is subtracted from the difference ball number counter every time the game ball is fired.

In FIG. 44, the difference ball number counter continues to decrease until the second big hit occurs. The maximum number of difference balls is not updated while the difference number counter is decreasing. After that, the difference number counter increases by acquiring a prize ball, and continues to decrease by firing the number of game balls. Next, when the difference ball number counter exceeds the maximum difference ball number of 1000, the maximum difference ball number is updated. When the second big hit is completed and the difference ball number counter reaches 1200, the maximum difference ball number = 1200 is updated.

Since the maximum number of difference balls is included in the performance information item calculated in the performance information storage process, the CU3 is notified every 180s. The process of counting the difference ball number counter shown in FIG. 44, updating the maximum difference ball number, and notifying the CU 3 of the maximum difference ball number is repeated until the power of the P unit 2 is turned off.

<Configuration of game system including card unit and pachinko machine>
The P stand 2 is connected to the CU 3 on a one-to-one basis. In the amusement park (hall), there are a plurality of sets of the P stand 2 and the CU 3, and each set is connected to a management computer or a hall controller to form a game system. Hereinafter, a gaming system including the CU 3 and the P stand 2 will be described. FIG. 45 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a gaming system including a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. In the gaming system shown in FIG. 45, an example in which a set of P units 2 and CU 3 are connected to a management computer 802 and a hall controller 810 is shown for simplification of explanation.

The P stand 2 and the CU 3 are connected to each other via the PIF wiring 322. The PIF wiring 322 connects the PIF-E circuit 171a connected to the frame control unit 171 of the P stand 2 and the PIF-E circuit 325a connected to the SC board 325 of the CU3. In the CU 3, the information transmitted from the P stand 2 is concealed by the SC board 325 as necessary, and is output to the outside (management computer 802 or hall controller 810) via the CU control unit 323. The SC board 325 is a security monitoring board for a gaming system. The SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323 may be integrated into one.

The management computer 802 is a computer connected to the external output terminal 340 of the CU3, the card company data center 801 is the center of the card company connected to the management computer 802, and the game machine information center 800 is output from the P unit 2. It is a center that collects various kinds of information.

The Hallcon 810 is a computer that collects game information output from the P unit 2, and the Hallcon output BOX811 can receive information output from the external output terminal 340 of the CU3 by the Hallcon 810, a data lamp, or the like. It is a device that converts to a signal and outputs it. Although FIG. 45 shows a configuration in which the hall control output BOX 811 is provided outside the CU 3, the hall control output BOX 811 may be provided inside the CU 3.

<Communication between Hallcon output BOX and card unit>
The Hallcon output BOX811 is a signal conversion unit for game information, and is a device that outputs game information to the outside (for example, Hallcon 810 or the like). Further, a plurality of hall control output boxes 811 may be connected to the hall control 810 via a repeater (not shown). The Hallcon output BOX811 and the CU3 are connected by serial communication, and it is necessary to ensure some security when connecting to the CU3. Specifically, if the Hallcon output BOX811 is illegally modified and inaccurate information is output to the Hallcon 810, the inaccurate information will be provided to the player, resulting in an inappropriate state. Further, if the possibility of outputting the game machine information differs depending on the specifications of the card unit, the output of the game machine information itself may be wasted. Therefore, while unifying the output from the Hallcon output BOX811 to the outside, the Hallcon output BOX811 performs an authentication process when connecting to the CU3. The CU 3 may have a built-in circuit unit corresponding to the Hallcon output BOX811. The CU3 with a built-in circuit unit corresponding to the Hallcon output BOX811 is connected to the Hallcon 810 by serial communication, and the circuit unit corresponding to the Hallcon output BOX811 performs authentication processing, and according to the result, information on the game machine is obtained. Output is disabled. The communication between the Hallcon output BOX811 and the CU3 will be described in detail below.

46 and 47 are diagrams showing a connection sequence between the card unit and the hall controller output BOX. FIG. 46 shows a connection sequence when the Hallcon output BOX811 is turned on before the CU3, and FIG. 47 shows a connection sequence when the Hallcon output BOX811 is turned on after the CU3. Shows the connection sequence. First, in the connection sequence of FIG. 46, the hall controller output BOX811 is in a state of waiting for connection with the CU control unit 323 until the power of the CU 3 is turned on and communication with the CU control unit 323 is possible.

When the power of the CU 3 is turned on and communication with the CU control unit 323 becomes possible, the CU control unit 323 confirms the connection destination with the hall controller output BOX811 and requests the issuance of authentication data. The Hallcon output BOX811 performs a connection destination confirmation response to the connection destination confirmation from the CU control unit 323, and issues authentication data to the CU control unit 323. The issued authentication data is stored in the CU control unit 323.

On the other hand, the SC board 325 transmits a command for the hall control output BOX authentication notification to the CU control unit 323. The CU control unit 323 includes the stored authentication data in the command of the Hallcon output BOX authentication response in response to the Hallcon output BOX authentication notification, and transmits the stored authentication data to the SC board 325. The SC board 325 authenticates the hall control output BOX 811 based on the hall control output BOX authentication response. After the authentication of the Hallcon output BOX811, communication between the Hallcon output BOX811 and the CU3 is started. When the communication was started, the SC board 325 transmitted the game machine information notification including the game machine information transmitted from the P stand 2, and the CU control unit 323 transmitted from the SC board 325. The game machine information is included in the hall control information notification command and transmitted to the hall control output BOX811. If the hall control output BOX 811 cannot be authenticated (NG), the CU 3 does not communicate with the hall control output BOX 811 and does not output information.

In the connection sequence of FIG. 47, when the power of the CU 3 is turned on, the CU control unit 323 requests the hall control output BOX 811 to issue authentication data, but since the power supply of the hall control output BOX 811 is still in the OFF state, the authentication data. Not issued. The CU control unit 323 requests the issuance of authentication data until the power of the hall controller output BOX 811 is turned on, and is in a state of waiting for connection with the hole controller output BOX 811. Since the processing after the power of the hall controller output BOX811 is turned on is the same as the processing in the connection sequence of FIG. 46, the description is not repeated.

Next, the authentication process between the Hallcon output BOX811 and the CU control unit 323 will be described in detail. FIG. 48 is a diagram for explaining communication between the card unit and the hall controller output BOX. First, the CU control unit 323 requests the hall controller output BOX811 to issue authentication data. When requesting the issuance of authentication data, the CU control unit 323 transmits the information of the current date (October 0) and the information of the SC management number as the encryption source data to the Hallcon output BOX811.

In the Hallcon output BOX811, the information obtained by adding the pre-embedded fixed key, the received encryption source data and the expiration date (△ days), and the pre-embedded encryption key A are encrypted by block cipher. To carry out. The Hallcon output BOX811 issues the encrypted information as authentication data to the CU control unit 323. The issued authentication data is stored in the CU control unit 323 as the authentication data of the hall controller output BOX811.

Authentication is performed between the CU control unit 323 and the SC board 325, and communication is possible between the CU control unit 323 and the SC board 325. After that, the SC board 325 transmits a command of the hall control output BOX authentication notification to the CU control unit 323 in order to authenticate with the hall control output BOX 811. The CU control unit 323 halls the stored authentication data, the information on whether or not the hall controller output BOX 811 is connected, and the information on the current date of the encryption source data in response to the hall controller output BOX authentication notification. It is included in the command of the output BOX authentication response and transmitted to the SC board 325. On the SC board 325, the authentication data transmitted in the Hallcon output BOX authentication response is decrypted with the pre-embedded encryption key A, and the fixed key, the encryption source data, and the expiration date (△ days) are added. Get the combined information.

The SC board 325 confirms the expiration date of the authentication data from the obtained information. Specifically, the SC board 325 determines that it is valid until "current date XX day" + "expiration date Δday" = XX day + Δ day. Therefore, the SC board 325 notifies the hall control output BOX 811 of the game information if the hall control output BOX 811 is not connected but is within the expiration date. After that, the SC board 325 checks the authentication data of the Hallcon output BOX811 from the obtained information. Further, after confirming the state of the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323, the CU 3 starts communication with the P unit 2. The information notified from the SC board 325 to the Hallcon output BOX811 via the CU control unit 323 is encrypted with, for example, a fixed key. When the SC board 325 determines from the obtained information that the authentication of the hall controller output BOX811 is NG, the SC board 325 notifies the abnormality on the display 54. Of course, the CU 3 may output an error signal to the management computer 802 or the like when the authentication of the hall controller output BOX811 is NG.

Here, the contents notified in the CU 3 and the hall controller output BOX811 will be described. FIG. 49 is a diagram for explaining the contents notified in the card unit and to the hall controller output BOX. FIG. 49A illustrates the information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 among the information output to the hall controller output BOX811. As shown in FIG. 49 (a), when the expiration date of the authentication data has expired, the number of launched balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information are not notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323. However, even if the connection of the hall controller output BOX811 changes without connection, the information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 does not change. In addition to the case where the authentication data has expired, the SC board 325 does not notify the CU control unit 323 of the number of launched balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information even when the authentication fails. Further, in FIG. 49A, since various information such as the number of launched balls, the total number of winning balls, the main control state, and the game information is not notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323, these information are displayed on the CU3 side. Not done (same as the display limit on the data lamp side below). The setting change and setting confirmation information is information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 regardless of whether the authentication data has expired or not, regardless of whether or not the hall controller output BOX811 is connected. ..

FIG. 49B illustrates the information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the hall controller output BOX811. As shown in FIG. 49 (b), when the authentication data has expired, the number of launched balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information are controlled by CU as in FIG. 49 (a). The unit 323 does not notify the hall controller output BOX811. Therefore, in the Hallcon 810 connected to the Hallcon output BOX811, the display of the number of launched balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information is restricted on the display unit. Further, when the connection of the hall control output BOX 811 changes without connection, the information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 does not change, but the information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the hall control output BOX 811 is not notified. Even if the hall controller output BOX811 cannot be authenticated (NG), the CU 3 can play a game on the P unit 2 as long as it can communicate with the P unit 2. Further, even if the authentication of the hall controller output BOX811 has expired, the CU 3 can play a game on the P unit 2 as long as it can communicate with the P unit 2. Further, the hall controller output BOX811 can be connected to a data lamp (call lamp), and when the notification is restricted due to the authentication failure, the update of the data lamp display is restricted. For example, on the data lamp side, the update of the display such as the number of starts, the number of big hits, and the big hit status display is restricted. The setting change and setting confirmation information is information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the hall controller output BOX811 regardless of whether or not the authentication data has expired.

<Communication between SC board and CU control unit>
Next, communication between the SC board 325 provided in the CU 3 and the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 45) will be described. First, commands transmitted and received between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323 will be described. FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a list of commands transmitted and received between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323.

As shown in FIG. 50, the commands transmitted from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 include a game machine information notification, a counting notification, and a loan receipt result response. The game machine information notification command is a command for the SC board 325 to notify the CU control unit 323 of the game machine information and the information for the game machine information center 800. The count notification command is a command for the SC board 325 to notify the CU control unit 323 of the count information. The lending receipt result response command is a command for the SC board 325 to respond to the CU control unit 323 with the lending information receipt result.

On the other hand, the commands transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC board 325 include a telegram receipt response and a loan notification. The message reception response command is a command for the CU control unit 323 to respond to the SC board 325 with the receipt of the game machine information or the counting information. The lending notification command is a command for the CU control unit 323 to notify the lending information and the game machine information center 800 reception information to the SC board 325.

<Timing of communication between SC board and CU control unit>
Next, the timing of communication between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323 will be described. FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of information transmitted / received between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323. Of the information transmitted from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323, the game machine information notification is transmitted every 300 ms as shown in FIG. 51. When the CU control unit 323 receives the game machine information notification, it notifies the telegram reception response within 40 ms.

The game machine information notification communicates on the same communication port as the counting notification. Therefore, if an attempt is made to transmit the counting notification at the timing of transmitting the game machine information notification, the information may be congested in the communication port, data collision may occur, and communication may not be performed correctly. Therefore, in the SC board 325, when the game machine information notification is transmitted to the CU control unit 323 every 300 ms, 100 ms shorter than 300 ms after the game machine information notification is transmitted in order to optimize the information transmission. The count notification is transmitted to the CU control unit 323 at the timing corresponding to.

The transmission of the counting information is not limited to the case where the counting information is transmitted within 100 ms from the timing of transmitting the game machine information notification, and it is sufficient if the timing does not cause congestion with the game machine information notification, and the next game machine information is transmitted after 100 ms has elapsed. It may be until the timing when the notification is sent.

In FIG. 51, the CU control unit 323 notifies the telegram receipt response within 40 ms after receiving the count notification, and then transmits the loan notification to the SC board 325 within 70 ms after notifying the telegram receipt response. That is, the CU control unit 323 transmits the loan notification to the SC board 325 within 110 ms after receiving the count notification. When the SC board 325 receives the loan notification, the SC board 325 notifies the loan receipt result response within 30 ms.

In FIG. 51, the SC board 325 and the CU control determine the timing of transmitting the counting notification based on the timing of transmitting the technical machine information notification, and determine the timing of receiving the lending notification based on the timing of transmitting the counting notification. An example of communication with the unit 323 has been described, but the timing of the communication between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323 determines the timing of transmitting and receiving the counting notification and the lending notification based on the timing of transmitting the game machine information notification. Other timings may be used.

<Information output from the Hallcon output BOX to the Hallcon>
Next, the information output from the Hallcon output BOX811 to the Hallcon 810 will be described in detail. FIG. 52 is a block diagram for explaining information output from the Hallcon output BOX811 to the Hallcon 810. In FIG. 52, game machine information (hole control / fraud monitoring information) is output from the game board 26 (main control board 16) to the game frame 5 (frame control board 17) by serial communication.

The game machine information includes a pulse output that outputs information as a pulse signal and a state output that outputs information as a state signal. The pulse output includes the number of times the symbol is fixed, the starting port, and the external terminal plate pulse output signals 1 to 4. For example, in the "number of times the symbol is confirmed", the signal is output as one pulse for each time the symbol is stopped. The status signals include a jackpot 1, a jackpot 2, and external terminal board status output signals 1 to 4. For example, in "big hit 1", a state signal (ON signal) is output at all big hits.

The pulse output and the state output are output from the game frame 5 (frame control board 17) to the hall controller output BOX811 via the CU 5. The Hallcon output BOX811 has 15 ports (terminals) for performing pulse output and 13 ports (terminals) for performing state output. By outputting the pulse output and state output information from these ports (terminals), the game machine information is output from the Hallcon output BOX811 to the Hallcon 810.

First, the signal output from the standard port (terminal) will be described. FIG. 53 is a block diagram for explaining the Hallcon output signal of the standard port. The standard port is provided with terminals 1 to 20. The first terminal is for information on "number of shots", the second terminal is for information on "prize ball", the third terminal is for information on "number of symbol fluctuations 1", and the fourth terminal is for "number of symbol fluctuations 2". Each piece of information is output as a pulse signal. Further, the 5th terminal is the information about the "starting port 1", the 6th terminal is the information about the "starting port 2", the 7th terminal is the information about the "passing gate 1", and the 8th terminal is the "passing gate 2". Is output as a pulse signal. For example, in the "number of shots", a signal of one pulse is output from the first terminal for a predetermined number of shot ball data (for example, 10 balls). The 9th terminal outputs information on the "number of bonuses", the 10th terminal outputs information on the "number of winning prizes", and the 11th terminal outputs information on "passing through a specific area" as pulse signals. For example, in the "number of bonuses", a one-pulse signal is output from the ninth terminal for each opening of the large winning opening when the continuous bonus activator is not operating.

Next, the 12th terminal is about "big hit 1", the 13th terminal is about "big hit 2", the 14th terminal is about "big hit 3", and the 15th terminal is about "big hit + time saving". Each piece of information is output as a status signal. The 16th terminal is for information about "high probability medium", the 17th terminal is for information about "time saving and medium", the 18th terminal is for information about "door opening", and the 19th terminal is for information about "illegal". The 20 terminals output information about the "game machine error" as status signals. For example, in "high probability", a state signal (ON signal) is output from the 16th terminal when the probability is high. In addition, a status signal (ON signal) is output from the 20th terminal when an invalid setting value is set in the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode.

Next, the signal output from the expansion port (terminal) will be described. FIG. 54 is a block diagram for explaining the Hallcon output signal of the expansion port. The expansion port is an external output terminal prepared in advance for expansion, and is provided with terminals 21 to 28. The expansion port can output necessary game machine information to the outside by using the terminal when it is added according to the specifications of a new game machine.

The 21st terminal outputs information about the "external terminal plate pulse output signal terminal 1" to the 24th terminal outputs information about the "external terminal plate pulse output signal terminal 4" as pulse signals. For example, in the "external terminal plate pulse output signal terminal 1", a signal of 1 pulse is output from the 21st terminal for each pulse output number of times based on the information newly set according to the specifications of the game machine.

The 25th terminal is information about "setting change", the 26th terminal is information about "setting confirmation", the 27th terminal is "external terminal board state output signal terminal 1" to the 28th terminal is "external terminal board state output signal terminal 2". Information about "" is output as a status signal. For example, in the "setting change", when Bit0 of the fraud detection state 1 is "1", it is turned ON, and the state signal (ON signal) of the ON state is output from the 25th terminal during the setting change mode. In the "setting confirmation", when Bit1 of the fraud detection state 1 is "1", it is turned ON, and the state signal (ON signal) of the ON state is output from the 26th terminal during the setting confirmation mode. In the "external terminal plate state output signal terminal 1", a state signal (ON signal) is output from the 25th terminal when the external terminal state signal 1 based on the information newly set according to the specifications of the game machine is in the ON state.

In the Hallcon output BOX811, by unifying the output to the outside as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, whether or not the game machine information can be output differs depending on the specifications of the card unit, and the game machine information output itself becomes useless. It is preventing that.

<Operation after P unit error and fraud detection>
Next, the operation after the error and fraud detection of the P unit 2 will be described. FIG. 55 is a diagram for explaining the types of error and fraud detection that can be notified. In FIG. 55, 28 types of errors are described, and the "error code", "error name", "error and fraud detection content", and "operation after error and fraud detection" of each error are described. There is.

For example, for the error of number 3, the "error code" is "F06", the "error name" is "communication error in the managed game machine", and the "error detection content" is "no communication between the managed game machine game board and the managed game frame". "A response or disconnection was detected" and "Operation after error and fraud detection" detected an abnormality in the game frame 5, and the audio output of the game ball number display 29 and the game board 26 on the game frame 5 side (first). (Audio output means), LCD effect, and lighting are used to notify and output error information to the hall controller.

Here, when the game frame 5 is used for notification, the frame control board 17 is provided in addition to displaying an "error code" on a display device such as the game ball number display 29 (for example, variable display device 278) for notification. An "error code" may be displayed on the 7-segment LED display for notification. Further, instead of displaying the "error code", the game may be stopped to notify the error, or the error information may be output to the outside.

For example, the error number 23 does not start even if the "error code" is "F97", the "error name" is "main control board startup abnormality", and the "error detection content" is "main control board does not start even after the specified period elapses". "Detected that" and "Operation after error and fraud detection" detect an abnormality on the game board 26, notify by audio output, LCD effect, and lighting on the game board 26 side, stop firing, and hall. Output error information to the LCD.

Depending on the type of error, the notification means may notify the error by outputting voice on the game board or turning on the illumination. Further, the notification means may notify the error by outputting error information output or invalid information output to the hall controller depending on the type of error.

Further, for example, the error of number 27 means that the "error code" is "F75", the "error name" is "error when changing settings", and the "error detection content" is "an invalid value is stored as a setting value". "Detected" and "Operation after error and fraud detection" detect an abnormality on the game board 26, notify the error on the display monitor or the like on the game board 26 side, and output error information to the hall controller. Further, for example, the error of the number 28 means that the "error code" is "F76", the "error name" is "error at the time of setting confirmation", and the "error detection content" is "an invalid value is stored as a setting value". "Detected" and "Operation after error and fraud detection" detect an abnormality on the game board 26, notify the error on the display monitor or the like on the game board 26 side, and output error information to the hall controller.

Next, the case where the plurality of errors shown in FIG. 23 are executed will be described in more detail. Since the game frame 5 and the game board 26 perform serial communication, the error and fraud detection detected on the main control board 16 side are notified to the frame control board 17 via the serial communication. Therefore, the frame control board 17 can grasp the error and fraud detection detected on the main control board 16 side. For example, when the main control board 16 side detects a communication abnormality (error code = F06) in the management game machine and the frame control board 17 side detects a game ball circulation device abnormality (error code = F17), the frame control board 17 , It is possible to grasp the error detection on the main control board 16 side via serial communication.

The main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the error information by the information of the "game machine error state" included in the game machine information notification command shown in FIG. 32. In the "game machine error state", the error code information is displayed in Bit0 to Bit5, and the information on whether the frame control board 17 ("0") or the main control board 16 ("1") detects the error in Bit6. Bit7 includes information on the output destination of error information. When Bit 7 of the "game machine error state" is "0", only the error notification (reporting) is performed on the frame control board 17 side. Further, when Bit 7 of the "game machine error state" is "1", in addition to the error notification (reporting) on the frame control board 17 side, the error information is output (HC output) to the hall controller.

That is, when the main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the error information, the frame control board 17 sends the error information to the signal related to the game machine information shown in FIG. 10 (for example, the game machine error state). Including and transmitting to CU3. The CU 3 outputs the error information included in the signal related to the game machine information to the hall controller via the hall controller output BOX.

Therefore, in the frame control board 17, the error notification of the communication abnormality in the management game machine performed by the voice output on the main control board 16 side (for example, the game board side speaker) and the voice output on the frame control board 17 side (game frame side speaker) ), The error priority is set so as to limit the error notification of the game ball circulation device abnormality so as not to overlap with the error notification of the game ball circulation device abnormality. That is, in the frame control board 17, the error notification from the game board side speaker has a higher priority, and the error notification from the game frame side speaker is restricted while the error notification is being performed.

The frame control board 17 can detect the occurrence of an error (specific event) different from the error (predetermined event) on the main control board 16 side, and the error notification (predetermined notification) is the audio output (third) on the main control board 16 side. An error notification (specific notification) based on the fact that an error (specific event) is detected by the frame control board 17 when not performed by the 1 voice output means) is output to the voice output (second) on the frame control board 17 side. When the error notification (predetermined notification) is performed by the voice output on the main control board 16 side, the error notification (specific notification) is performed by the voice output on the frame control board 17 side. Not done at.

For example, when a game ball circulation device abnormality (error code = F17) is detected on the frame control board 17 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is notified when the error notification is not performed on the main control board 16 side. Therefore, when the error is notified on the main control board 16 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is not notified. By determining the priority of the error to be notified in this way, even when the game board 26 of one manufacturer is mounted on the game frame 5, the game board 26 of another manufacturer is mounted on the game frame 5. Even if there is, unified error notification can be performed.

Further, when an error (error code = F75) at the time of setting change is detected on the main control board 16 side, the error is notified on the main control board 16 side, but the frame control is performed without notifying the error on the frame control board 17 side. The board 17 outputs error information to the hall controller via the CU3 and the hole controller output BOX. On the other hand, if a game ball circulation device error occurs on the frame control board 17 side while a setting change error (error code = F75) is being detected on the main control board 16 side, the frame control board 17 causes a setting change error (error code = F75). Since it is possible to detect the occurrence of a game ball circulation device abnormality (specific event) different from the special event) and the frame control board 17 side does not notify the error on the main control board 16 side, the game ball on the frame control board 17 side. It is possible to notify the circulation device abnormality (error code = F17). Even if the setting value of the setting change mode is being displayed on the main control board 16 side, it is possible to similarly notify the game ball circulation device abnormality (error code = F17) on the frame control board 17 side. ..

<Structure of Embodiment>
(1) In an enclosed game machine in which a game ball is enclosed, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-170533), a frame control board for performing launch control is displayed on a display effect control board. A device control command is sent. The control commands for the display include the game machine information command, the card unit operation command, and the test command. The game machine information command includes a command indicating the game state by the game machine such as the number of jackpot occurrences and the probability change number, and the card unit operation command includes a command obtained by the player operating the card unit.

Further, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-2010902) discloses a gaming machine capable of changing settings. In the game machine, when the fluctuation is stopped or when the fluctuation starts, a character image selected according to the type of the set value before and after the change is displayed to suggest the setting change.

In the game machine of Patent Document 1, commands such as the number of times a big hit occurs and the number of probable changes are transmitted from the frame control board that controls launch to the effect control board for the display. No notification has been given. Further, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 2, a character image is displayed to suggest a setting change, but the game machine is appropriately notified to the outside that it is controlled in the setting changing mode. Absent.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to appropriately indicate to the outside that the game machine is controlled in the setting change mode in the game machine to which the setting change function is added. It is to provide a game machine and a game slot that can be notified to.

(1-1) A game board (for example, a game board 26) including a first control means (for example, a main control board 16) for controlling the progress of a game, and
A gaming machine (eg, P) that includes a game slot (eg, a game slot 5) that is communicable with the first control means and includes a second control means (eg, a frame control board 17) that manages information about the game value. Stand 2, slot machine)
The first control means can be controlled to a setting change permission state (for example, a setting change mode) that can be set to any of a plurality of setting values having different degrees of advantage for the player, and corresponds to the setting change permission state. It is possible to transmit specific information (for example, game machine information including information on the setting change mode) indicating that the setting change permission state is controlled to the second control means when the control is performed.
Based on the specific information from the first control means, the second control means can transmit information corresponding to the specific information to the outside of the game machine (for example, in the setting change mode for CU3). Notifies game machine information including information, and outputs to the hall control output BOX (FIG. 54).

According to such a configuration, in the gaming machine to which the setting changing function is added, it is possible to appropriately notify the outside that the gaming machine is controlled in the setting changing mode.

(1-2) A second control capable of communicating with a game board (for example, a game board 26) provided with a first control means (for example, a main control board 16) for controlling the progress of a game, and managing information related to the game value. A game frame (for example, a game frame 5) including means (for example, a frame control board 17).
The second control means
In the first control means that can be controlled to a setting change permission state (for example, a setting change mode) that can be set to any of a plurality of setting values having different degrees of advantage for the player, the control corresponding to the setting change permission state. Based on the fact that specific information indicating that the setting change permission state is controlled (for example, game machine information including information on the setting change mode) is received from the first control means when the above is performed. Information corresponding to the specific information can be transmitted to the outside of the game frame (for example, the CU3 is notified of the game machine information including the setting change mode information, and is output to the hall controller output BOX (FIG. 54)). ..

According to such a configuration, in the gaming machine to which the setting changing function is added, it is possible to appropriately notify the outside that the gaming machine is controlled in the setting changing mode.

(1-3) In the game machine of (1-1) above
The game board further includes a first effect control means (for example, a display monitor) capable of executing an effect based on information from the first control means.
The game frame further includes a second effect control means (for example, a game ball number display 29, a speaker 270) capable of executing an effect based on information from the second control means.
When the first control means controls the setting change permission state, the first effect control means can execute a notification that the setting change permission state is controlled (for example,). , Display the set value on the display monitor),
When the second control means receives the specific information from the first control means, the second control means outputs the information corresponding to the specific information to the game machine without outputting the information to the second effect control means. Information on the setting change mode transmitted to the frame control board 17 can be transmitted to the outside (for example, the information of the setting change mode transmitted to the frame control board 17 is not notified by the frame control board 17, and the CU3 and the hall computer output BOX connected to the P stand 2 are displayed. It is output to a management device such as a hall controller or a playground management computer as a security signal indicating that the setting change mode is controlled via the system).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid duplicate notifications regarding the setting change in the gaming machine to which the function of setting change is added.

(1-4) In the game machine of (1-3) above
The game frame further includes audio output means (for example, speaker 270).
The second control means can detect a specific event (for example, a game ball circulation device abnormality (error code = F17)) that occurs in the game frame.
When the second control means detects the occurrence of the specific event, the voice output means can execute information regarding the occurrence of the specific event (for example, the game ball circulation device on the frame control board 17 side). Anomalies (error code = F17) are notified).

According to such a configuration, in the gaming machine to which the function of changing the setting is added, the occurrence of a specific event can be appropriately notified to the outside.

(1-5) In the game machines (1-1), (1-3)-(1-4) above,
The first control means can be controlled to a setting confirmation permission state (for example, a setting confirmation mode) in which it is possible to confirm whether or not the first control means is set to any of a plurality of setting values having different degrees of advantage for the player. When the control corresponding to the setting confirmation permission state is performed, the second control means provides predetermined information (for example, game machine information including the setting change mode information) indicating that the setting confirmation permission state is controlled. Can be sent to
Based on the reception of the predetermined information, the second control means can transmit the information corresponding to the predetermined information to the outside of the game machine (for example, includes the information of the setting confirmation mode for the CU3). Notify game machine information and output to Hallcon output BOX (Fig. 54).

According to such a configuration, in the game machine to which the function of changing the setting is added, it is possible to appropriately notify the outside that the game machine is controlled in the setting confirmation mode.

(1-6) In the game machine of (1-5) above
The first control means can transmit game information to the second control means at predetermined intervals after the power is turned on, and when the first control means is controlled to the setting change permission state or the setting confirmation permission state, the game machine. The game information is not transmitted in the stopped state (for example, when the control of the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode is started, the main control board 16 stops the game and frames every predetermined period (for example, 108 ms). The game machine information transmitted to the control board 17 is not notified (FIG. 28).

According to such a configuration, in the game machine to which the function of changing the setting is added, the game in the situation where the set value can be changed is prohibited, so that appropriate control can be realized.

(1-7) In the game machine of (1-6) above
The first control means controls the specific information indicating that the setting change permission state or the setting confirmation permission state is controlled in response to the start of control of the setting change permission state or the setting confirmation permission state. The predetermined information indicating that the above is performed is transmitted to the second control means,
The second control means can receive game information from the first control means every predetermined period after the power is turned on, and determines a communication abnormality with the first control means from the power on until a specific period. When the communication abnormality is determined with the first control means after the lapse of the specific period after the power is turned on and the determination is made, it is possible to notify that the communication is abnormal (for example,). The frame control board 17 does not perform a process of determining a communication abnormality with the main control board 16 during a specific period (for example, 3 minutes) after the power is turned on, and receives the game machine installation information after startup. A process for determining a communication abnormality can be performed later (FIG. 28).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to optimize the timing of communication abnormality determination in the gaming machine to which the function of changing the setting is added.

(2) In the enclosed game machine in which the game ball is enclosed, the calculation related to the game performance information is performed as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-51022), and the calculated game performance information is related. It is possible to output the information to the vocabulary section.

However, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, when arithmetic processing is performed on a game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different arithmetic contents, if the arithmetic processing is concentrated, the load of the arithmetic processing becomes large and may affect other processing. was there.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is a gaming machine capable of appropriately processing game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different calculation contents. It is to provide a game slot.

(2-1) A gaming machine (for example, P unit 2, slot machine) capable of communicating with a gaming device.
A control means (for example, a frame control board 17) capable of repeatedly executing a predetermined process (for example, a main loop process) is provided.
The predetermined processing is
Communication processing for communicating with the game device (for example, SC board communication processing) and
Includes predetermined calculation processing (for example, performance information calculation processing) for performing calculations related to game performance corresponding to the addition of game value.
In the predetermined calculation process, it is possible to calculate the game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different calculation contents (for example, ball output rate, number of game balls acquired per minute (base), bonus ratio, continuous bonus ratio).
In the communication process, information on the game performance can be output every predetermined period (for example, 180 s).
The control means
The predetermined process can be executed a plurality of times within the predetermined period.
In the predetermined processing of the predetermined times in the predetermined period, calculations are performed on the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, in the first main loop processing, only the payout rate is the performance. It is calculated by the information calculation process.),
In the predetermined processing of the specific times after the predetermined times in the predetermined period, the calculation is performed on the specific types of parameters different from the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, In the second main loop process, only the number of game balls (base) acquired per minute is calculated by the performance information calculation process.)

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load required for one predetermined processing by different types of parameters to be calculated in the predetermined calculation processing.

(2-2) A game frame (for example, a game frame 5) of a game machine capable of communicating with a game device.
A control means (for example, a frame control board 17) capable of repeatedly executing a predetermined process (for example, a main loop process) is provided.
The predetermined processing is
Communication processing for communicating with the game device (for example, SC board communication processing) and
Includes predetermined calculation processing (for example, performance information calculation processing) for performing calculations related to game performance corresponding to the addition of game value.
In the predetermined calculation process, it is possible to calculate the game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different calculation contents (for example, ball output rate, number of game balls acquired per minute (base), bonus ratio, continuous bonus ratio).
In the communication process, information on the game performance can be output every predetermined period (for example, 180 s).
The control means
The predetermined process can be executed a plurality of times within the predetermined period.
In the predetermined processing of the predetermined times in the predetermined period, calculations are performed on the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, in the first main loop processing, only the payout rate is the performance. It is calculated by the information calculation process.),
In the predetermined processing of the specific times after the predetermined times in the predetermined period, the calculation is performed on the specific types of parameters different from the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, In the second main loop process, only the number of game balls (base) acquired per minute is calculated by the performance information calculation process.)

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load required for one predetermined processing by different types of parameters to be calculated in the predetermined calculation processing.

(2-3) In the game machine of (2-1) above
The predetermined processing includes a specific arithmetic processing (for example, performance information storage processing).
In the specific arithmetic processing, a plurality of parameters belonging to the predetermined type of parameter and a special type different from the specific type of parameter (for example, the total number of launched game balls, the total number of acquired game balls, and the number of operations of the accessory continuous operation device). , Maximum number of parameters (MY))
The specific arithmetic processing is performed in each time of the predetermined processing, and a plurality of parameters belonging to the special type are calculated in the specific arithmetic processing (for example, the calculation is performed in each time of the main loop processing).

According to such a configuration, different arithmetic processes are used for various parameters depending on the degree of processing load, so that the processing can be further optimized.

(2-4) In the game machines (2-1) and (2-3) above,
In the communication processing, there are a plurality of types including game information (for example, hall control / fraud monitoring information), installation information (for example, game machine installation information), and game performance information (for example, game machine performance information). The information can be transmitted to the gaming device, and the transmission timing differs depending on the type of information (for example, one of the information is determined and transmitted based on the process shown in FIG. 20).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to optimize the information transmission transmitted from the game machine to the outside, and it is possible to avoid information congestion.

(2-5) In the game machines (2-1), (2-3)-(2-4) above,
A storage means (for example, a program memory) in which a program for executing the predetermined process in the control means is stored in advance is further provided.
The storage means
A first area (for example, an in-area program) in which a program for executing at least the communication process is stored in advance, and a second area (for example, outside the area) in which a program for at least executing the predetermined arithmetic process is stored in advance. Program) and.

According to such a configuration, since the programs stored in the first area and the second area are separated, the common program in the first area can be used regardless of the specifications of the game frame, so that the development efficiency of the game machine can be improved. improves.

(2-6) In the game machine of (2-5) above
The processing executed by the control means includes a predetermined processing to be repeatedly performed and an interrupt processing (for example, a timer interrupt processing) different from the predetermined processing.
In the interrupt processing, a plurality of types of processing having different interrupt cycles can be executed.
In each interrupt cycle, after executing a process in which the program is stored in advance in the first area of the interrupt process (for example, port input process (FIG. 41)), the program is programmed in the second area of the interrupt process. Executes a process stored in advance (for example, a ball polishing mechanism control timer subtraction process (FIG. 41)).

According to such a configuration, the processing can be optimized in that the processing procedure is defined regardless of the interrupt cycle.

(2-7) In the game machines (2-5) and (2-6) above,
In the storage means, a program stored in advance in the first area is common regardless of the type of the game machine (for example, a program stored in the frame common program area), and the second type depends on the type of the game machine. The programs stored in advance in the area are different (for example, the programs stored in the non-common program area).

According to such a configuration, since the common program and the different program are separated, the common program can be used regardless of the specifications of the game frame, so that the development efficiency of the game machine is improved.

(3) In the enclosed game machine in which the game ball is enclosed, the calculation related to the game performance information is performed as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-51022), and the calculated game performance information is related. It is possible to output the information to the vocabulary section.

However, in the enclosed game machine as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to perform a plurality of types of processes having different properties such as communication control process and game medium circulation process as frame control. Further, since there are a plurality of game frames having different specifications such as a circulation path of the game medium, the program for the game medium circulation processing also differs depending on the game frame according to the specifications of the game frame. Therefore, if a program is created according to the specifications of the game frame, there is a risk that the development efficiency of the game machine will decrease.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine and a game frame that include a program according to the specifications of the game frame but do not reduce the development efficiency of the game machine. is there.

(3-1) A gaming machine (for example, P unit 2, slot machine) capable of communicating with a gaming device (for example, CU3).
A control means capable of executing processing (for example, a frame control board 17) and
A storage means (for example, a program memory) in which a program for executing a process by the control means is stored in advance is provided.
The processing executed by the control means includes
Communication processing for communicating with the game device (for example, a game ball lending function (dedicated PIF)) and
Game information management processing (for example, main control processing) for managing information related to the progress of the game,
Predetermined calculation processing (for example, performance display function) for performing calculations related to game performance corresponding to the addition of game value,
There is a game medium circulation process (for example, a game ball circulation function) for circulating the game medium.
The storage means
A first area (for example, a program in the area) in which a program for executing at least the communication process and the game information management process is stored in advance, and a program for at least executing the predetermined arithmetic process and the game medium circulation process. Is stored in advance and has a second area (for example, an out-of-area program).

According to such a configuration, since the programs stored in the first area and the second area are separated, the common program in the first area can be used regardless of the specifications of the game frame, so that the development efficiency of the game machine can be improved. improves.

(3-2) A game frame (for example, a game frame 5) of a game machine (for example, P machine 2, slot machine) capable of communicating with a game device (for example, CU3).
A control means capable of executing processing (for example, a frame control board 17) and
A storage means (for example, a program memory) in which a program for executing a process executed by the control means is stored in advance is provided.
The processing executed by the control means includes
Communication processing for communicating with the game device (for example, a game ball lending function (dedicated PIF)) and
Game information management processing (for example, main control processing) for managing information related to the progress of the game,
Predetermined calculation processing (for example, performance display function) for performing calculations related to game performance corresponding to the addition of game value,
There is a game medium circulation process (for example, a game ball circulation function) for circulating the game medium.
The storage means
A first area (for example, a program in the area) in which a program for executing at least the communication process and the game information management process is stored in advance, and a program for at least executing the predetermined arithmetic process and the game medium circulation process. Has a pre-stored second area (eg, an out-of-area program).

According to such a configuration, since the programs stored in the first area and the second area are separated, the common program in the first area can be used regardless of the specifications of the game frame, so that the development efficiency of the game machine can be improved. improves.

(3-3) In the game machine of (3-1) above
The processing executed by the control means includes a predetermined processing to be repeatedly performed and an interrupt processing (for example, a timer interrupt processing) different from the predetermined processing.
In the interrupt processing, a plurality of types of processing having different interrupt cycles can be executed.
In each interrupt cycle, after executing a process in which the program is stored in advance in the first area of the interrupt process (for example, port input process (FIG. 41)), the program is programmed in the second area of the interrupt process. Executes a process stored in advance (for example, a ball polishing mechanism control timer subtraction process (FIG. 41)).

According to such a configuration, the processing can be optimized in that the processing procedure is defined regardless of the interrupt cycle.

(3-4) In the game machines (3-1) and (3-3) above,
In the storage means, a program stored in advance in the first area is common regardless of the type of the game machine (for example, a program stored in the frame common program area), and the second type depends on the type of the game machine. The programs stored in advance in the area are different (for example, the programs stored in the non-common program area).

According to such a configuration, since the common program and the different program are separated, the common program can be used regardless of the specifications of the game frame, so that the development efficiency of the game machine is improved.

(3-5) In the game machines (3-1), (3-3)-(3-4) above,
The control means can repeatedly execute a predetermined process (for example, a main loop process).
The predetermined processing is
The communication process (for example, SC board communication process) stored in advance in the first area and
The predetermined arithmetic processing (for example, performance information calculation processing) stored in advance in the second area is included.
In the predetermined calculation process, it is possible to calculate the game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different calculation contents (for example, ball output rate, number of game balls acquired per minute (base), bonus ratio, continuous bonus ratio).
In the communication process, information on the game performance can be output every predetermined period (for example, 180 s).
The control means
The predetermined process can be executed a plurality of times within the predetermined period.
In the predetermined processing of the predetermined times in the predetermined period, calculations are performed on the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, in the first main loop processing, only the payout rate is the performance. It is calculated by the information calculation process.),
In the predetermined processing of the specific times after the predetermined times in the predetermined period, the calculation is performed on the specific types of parameters different from the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance (for example, In the second main loop process, only the number of game balls (base) acquired per minute is calculated by the performance information calculation process.)

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load required for one predetermined processing by different types of parameters to be calculated in the predetermined calculation processing.

(3-6) In the game machine of (3-5) above
The predetermined processing includes a specific arithmetic processing (for example, performance information storage processing).
In the specific arithmetic processing, a plurality of parameters belonging to the predetermined type of parameter and a special type different from the specific type of parameter (for example, the total number of launched game balls, the total number of acquired game balls, and the number of operations of the accessory continuous operation device). , Maximum number of parameters (MY))
The specific arithmetic processing is performed in each time of the predetermined processing, and a plurality of parameters belonging to the special type are calculated in the specific arithmetic processing (for example, the calculation is performed in each time of the main loop processing).

According to such a configuration, different arithmetic processes are used for various parameters depending on the degree of processing load, so that the processing can be further optimized.

(3-7) In the game machines (3-5) and (3-6) above,
In the communication processing, there are a plurality of types including game information (for example, hall control / fraud monitoring information), installation information (for example, game machine installation information), and game performance information (for example, game machine performance information). The information can be transmitted to the gaming device, and the transmission timing differs depending on the type of information (for example, one of the information is determined and transmitted based on the process shown in FIG. 20).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to optimize the information transmission transmitted from the game machine to the outside, and it is possible to avoid information congestion.

<Modification example>
(1) Although the above-described embodiment has been described as the P stand 2 is an enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine in which pachinko balls are enclosed, an enclosed circulation type slot machine in which medals are enclosed and a medalless slot machine It may be similarly applied to the above-described embodiment. It has been explained that the P stand 2 communicates with the CU 3 which is a unit by the frame control board 17, but in the slot machine, a communication board is provided instead of the frame control board and communicates with the unit via the communication board. I do.

(2) By operating the operation switch for displaying the accessory ratio / continuous accessory ratio provided on the frame control board 17, the accessory ratio / continuous accessory ratio is displayed on the performance display monitor 40. You may do so. Further, by operating an operation switch (for example, an error release switch, a RAM clear switch) for displaying the accessory ratio provided on the frame control board 17, the accessory ratio is displayed and the frame control board 17 displays the accessory ratio. The continuous accessory ratio may be displayed by operating an operation switch (for example, a ball removal switch, a game ball clear switch) for displaying the provided continuous accessory ratio. At this time, it may be added as a display condition that the game frame 5 is open.

(3) In the above-described embodiment and modification, the performance information, the base, the bonus ratio, the continuous bonus ratio, etc. regarding the given game value (for example, a prize ball) calculated by the frame control unit 171 are used. The predetermined information is specified by the game machine or the game device so as to be transmitted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-mentioned predetermined information may be specified by a management device such as a server inside the game hall (such as Hallcon 810) or an external server (such as the game machine information center 800). Good.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the fact that the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio are abnormal indicates that the performance display monitor 40 (FIGS. 2 and 2) is a 7-segment LED display of the frame control board 17. It is notified by displaying it on the display unit of (see 31). This notification may be performed according to a specific operation. Further, the values of the base, the accessory ratio, or the continuous accessory ratio may be displayed on the display unit of the frame control board 17. Further, the display may be displayed on a display unit that can be viewed by a player different from the display unit that the player cannot normally see, such as the display unit of the frame control board 17, for example, the display 54. In this case, the display may be displayed according to a specific operation on the touch panel of the display device 54. Further, it may be always displayed even if there is no specific operation. Also, even if the base, the bonus ratio and the continuous bonus ratio are abnormal, and at least one or more of the base, the bonus ratio and the continuous bonus ratio are displayed. Good. Also, information suggesting one or more of these pieces of information (eg, displaying a red icon, making the background red) or related information (eg, base, bonus ratio, or continuous bonus ratio). A graph display such as a bar graph or a line graph) may be displayed.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, it has been explained that the authentication data is a variable value including the information of the current date (October 0) and the information of the SC management number as the data of the encryption source. However, the authentication data is not limited to this, and is a variable value including the information of the current date (October 0), the information of the current time, and the information of the SC management number as the encryption source data. May also be a fixed value. Security is improved by making the authentication data a variable value including the information of the current date (October 0), the information of the current time, and the information of the SC management number as the encryption source data. In addition, by including the information of the current time in the authentication data, periodical authentication at regular time intervals becomes possible.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, it has been explained that the authentication of the hall controller output BOX811 by the authentication data is when the power is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication of the hall controller output BOX811 based on the authentication data may be periodically authenticated except when the power is turned on. By authenticating every hour, spoofing and copying become impossible and security is improved.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the CU3 monitors the connection status of the hall controller output BOX811, but when unconnected or unauthenticated is detected, the CU3 notifies the card company data center 801 of an alarm. You may contact the hall clerk. Further, if the CU3 monitors the connection status of the hall controller output BOX811 and a non-connection or unauthentication is detected, an error may be displayed on the CU3 and the hall clerk may be contacted.

(8) In the above-described embodiment, when the authentication data has expired, the number of launched balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information must be notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323. explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, when the expiration date of the authentication data has expired, other information such as the number of game balls and the number of counting balls may not be notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323.

(9) In the above-described embodiment, it has been explained that the information regarding the set value is not transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17, but the information is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17. Good. Further, the information regarding the set value may be transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the outside.

(10) The setting change is an operation performed by a store clerk who has been given the authority to change the setting, such as a store manager, among the game store clerk in accordance with the business plan for a specific game machine. Therefore, the work is not performed by a game store clerk who does not have the authority to change the settings. In the current game machine, when the setting change mode is controlled, a security signal is output to the hall controller to notify that the setting change mode is controlled. However, the security signal is output not only when the setting change mode is controlled, but also when an error occurs. Therefore, it is not possible to distinguish whether the setting change mode is controlled or an error has occurred based on the security signal alone, and it is possible to determine whether or not a game store clerk who does not have the setting change authority has illegally changed the setting. It was difficult to detect accurately.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 54 and the like, it is possible to notify the outside (for example, CU3, Hallcon) that the setting change mode is controlled so as to be distinguishable from other errors. Therefore, by checking the reception history of CU3 and Hallcon, it is possible to confirm the evidence that the game store clerk who does not have the authority to change the setting illegally changes the setting contrary to the business plan.

In addition, by linking the information (specific information) indicating that the setting change mode is controlled with the surveillance camera in the store, it is possible to identify the person who performed the setting change work. Specifically, the target game machine is specified according to the reception of the signal (specific information or predetermined information) corresponding to the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode by the management device (hall controller) in the store, and the game. The machine and its operator may be photographed by a security camera (surveillance camera) in the store. In this way, by making it possible to distinguish the information (specific information) indicating that the setting change mode is controlled from other information and output it to the outside, it becomes possible to detect an illegal setting change work, and the target game. By resetting the set value of the machine to the set value that matches the business plan, it is possible to avoid the operation of the game machine in a state contrary to the business plan, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of damage to the game store. It should be noted that the information (predetermined information) indicating that the setting confirmation mode is controlled can be distinguished from other information and output to the outside, and the game store clerk who does not have the authority to know the setting value illegally sets the setting value. You can check the evidence of the confirmation.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

2 Pachinko game machine, 3 card unit, 16 main control board, 17 frame control board, 26 game board, 29 game ball number indicator, 171 frame control unit, 309 card insertion / ejection port, 319 return button, 320 IR light receiving unit , 321 Ball lending button, 323 CU control unit.

Claims (2)

A gaming machine that can communicate with gaming devices,
Equipped with control means that can repeatedly execute predetermined processing
The predetermined processing is
Communication processing for communicating with the game device and
Includes predetermined calculation processing for performing calculations related to game performance corresponding to the addition of game value.
In the predetermined calculation process, it is possible to calculate the game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different calculation contents.
In the communication process, information on the game performance can be output at predetermined intervals.
The control means
The predetermined process can be executed a plurality of times within the predetermined period.
In the predetermined processing of the predetermined times in the predetermined period, calculations are performed on the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance.
In the predetermined process of a specific time after the predetermined time in the predetermined period, a game machine that calculates a specific type of parameter different from the predetermined type of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance. .. It is a game frame of a game machine that can communicate with a game device.
Equipped with control means that can repeatedly execute predetermined processing
The predetermined processing is
Communication processing for communicating with the game device and
Includes predetermined calculation processing for performing calculations related to game performance corresponding to the addition of game value.
In the predetermined calculation process, it is possible to calculate the game performance including a plurality of types of parameters having different calculation contents.
In the communication process, information on the game performance can be output at predetermined intervals.
The control means
The predetermined process can be executed a plurality of times within the predetermined period.
In the predetermined processing of the predetermined times in the predetermined period, calculations are performed on the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance.
In the predetermined processing of the specific times after the predetermined times in the predetermined period, the game frame in which the calculation is performed for the specific types of parameters different from the predetermined types of parameters among the plurality of types of parameters included in the game performance. ..