JP2724553B2 - Gaming equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique effective when used in a game machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, a slot machine, etc., using a storage medium such as a magnetic card or an electronic card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a card-type pachinko gaming system has been proposed as a typical example of a gaming device that plays a game via a card-shaped storage medium. As a card-type gaming system of this type, for example, when a card is issued, the number of held balls data corresponding to the purchase amount is stored in the card, and a game is performed within the range of the number of held balls, and the number of held balls data increased or decreased in the game is played. At the time of the end, a card which is stored in the card (Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-42227) or a card which records only the code number at the time of card purchase is issued, the number of balls held is stored in the central control device, and the card is stored. A game machine in which a stored number of balls is called by inserting it into a card reader of a pachinko machine and sent to a gaming machine so that a game can be played (Japanese Utility Model No. 61-32709, Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-17).
No. 106) has been proposed.

[0003]

In the above card-type gaming system, a card reader is provided for each gaming device. The gaming device and the card reader are driven by the same power supply system. With such a configuration, there is a possibility that the card reader malfunctions due to power supply noise particularly frequently generated in the gaming machine. By the way, since valuable data or equivalent data is stored in the card, if the card reading device malfunctions, the monetary value possessed by the player is lost, so it is absolutely necessary to avoid this.

[0004] Conventionally, in a game store, in order to improve the service to the players, so-called new replacement of replacing a previously installed gaming machine with a new gaming machine is frequently performed. .

In a card-type gaming system, a card reader is provided for each gaming device. However, if the card reader is integrated with or incorporated in the gaming device, it is still durable when a new card is replaced. Since the card readers that have not passed the number of years have to be replaced, the game store is forced to spend unnecessary money, and the cost required for new replacement becomes extremely high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to avoid a disadvantage of a player due to a malfunction of a storage medium reading means in a game machine. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the cost required for a new replacement.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to the insertion of a storage medium (card CD) provided with at least valuable data substantially equivalent to money. A game device in a game facility comprising a plurality of game devices capable of executing a game and a management device configured to be able to communicate with the game device, wherein the game device is a required game device using a game medium. An auxiliary unit (control unit) including a gaming machine main body (pachinko machine 100) for providing a game and a storage medium reading means (card reader 800) capable of reading information from an information storage section (magnetic recording section MG) of the storage medium. 160), and the gaming machine body is provided with a conversion operation means (purchase) for giving an instruction to convert required valuable data from valuable data of the storage medium into a predetermined number of gaming media. Switch 113), valuable data display means (value indicator 111) for displaying valuable data of the storage medium, and discharge operation means (end) for giving a command to discharge the storage medium inserted in the storage medium reading means. Switch 115), and a control device (for example, accessory control device 158) disposed at a predetermined position and controlling at least the game, and the auxiliary unit reads the storage medium for controlling the storage medium reading means. A control device (card reader control device 188); and a unit control device (180) for transmitting at least valuable data of a storage medium inserted in the storage medium reading means to the game machine body. A different power supply (177) is provided for each of the auxiliary units, and different power supply systems (AC24V and AC10V) are provided. Are those constructed comprising as driven by V).

[0009]

According to the above-mentioned means, the game machine is constituted by the game machine main body and the auxiliary unit, and the auxiliary unit is provided with relatively expensive storage medium reading means and storage medium reading control device. Since the auxiliary unit is configured separately from the high gaming machine body, even when replacing the gaming machine body with a new gaming machine body at a game store,
Since the storage medium reading means, the storage medium reading control device, and the like can be left on the equipment side of the game store as an auxiliary unit, it is possible to provide a gaming machine body having a relatively low cost,
It is possible to reduce the cost required for replacing a new gaming machine body and reduce the burden on a game arcade, and to provide an auxiliary unit including a gaming machine body and a storage medium reading means and a storage medium reading control device. Are driven by different power supply systems, it is extremely unlikely that power supply noise or the like generated in the main body of the gaming machine will wrap around to the auxiliary unit and cause the auxiliary unit itself to malfunction. It is possible to avoid inadvertent loss of being unusable.

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a game system in a game machine to which the present invention is applied.

The pachinko gaming system according to this embodiment is a storage medium issuing device for issuing a pachinko machine 100 as a game machine main body and a card CD as a storage medium having a local valuable value for starting a game in each pachinko machine. The issuing machine 200 as a game machine, the prize ball obtained as a result of the game, and a payment machine 300 as a storage medium payment device for paying the remaining purchase money not used for the game, and the various terminals described above. A management device 400 for managing and controlling;
The management device 400 is composed of a data transmission line 500 for organically connecting each terminal device, and these constitute an organic combined body.

The organic combination can be interposed only by the card CD, and the card can be operated and its valuable data can be converted only by the organic combination. Therefore, the pachinko machine 100, the issuing machine 200, the settlement machine 300, and the management device 400, which are the respective components of the organic binder, each have a card reader (in this specification, a card that writes data on a magnetic surface of a card is also used. The information of the card and the information of each terminal are stored in a storage device of the management device 400 in the form of a file.

Next, before a detailed description of each component of the organic combination, a card CD as a storage medium used in the system of this embodiment will be described.

Card C used in the system of this embodiment
D is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Display section PRT on which information necessary for the player, such as the issue date (= valid date) DATE, and the issue serial number n, etc., required when the damaged card is restored are printed at the time of issuance.
Are provided along the card insertion direction (the longitudinal direction of the card). Therefore, there is no need to prepare a plurality of types of cards on which different amounts of money are printed in advance.

Immediately above the print display section PRT, a perforation for recording the status of the card CD, that is, the history or status transition of the card such as issued, resurrected, played, returned to zero (zero), and settled in a perforated form. A punch hole forming area PH as a part is also provided along the card insertion direction.

By detecting the perforations formed in the card CD with the photoelectric detector, the number of balls held can be easily read out from the file of the management device using the code recorded on the magnetic surface without confirming it. The state of the card CD can be ascertained, whereby the burden on the controller of the card reader 800 and the management device 400 required to determine the processing corresponding to the state of the card can be reduced.

On the other hand, at a position slightly below the center of the card CD, there is provided a magnetic recording section MG as an information storage section coated with a band-shaped magnetic material from the front end to the vicinity of the center (FIG. 2B). )reference). However, in the magnetic recording unit MG, the card display is not limited to a part of the card CD in the longitudinal direction.
As in the case of T, the card CD may have a continuous band shape from end to end, or a magnetic material may be applied to the entire back surface of the card CD to form a magnetic recording portion.

Further, in the card CD of this embodiment, a belt-like roller running area RRA slightly wider than the transport roller in the card reader is provided between the print display section PRT and the magnetic recording section MG, that is, in the center of the card CD. Are provided along the longitudinal direction of the card CD, and the magnetic recording unit MG and the print display unit PR having important information used for determining the surface of the card, especially the card, by contact with the transport roller.
T, the authenticity discrimination area TF is prevented from being damaged, and the information can be prevented from becoming unreadable.

Further, in the card CD of this embodiment, a true / false discrimination area TF made of a security mark concealed in characters such as a hole name printed on the card surface is provided below the magnetic recording portion MG. That is, the characters "PLAZA" printed on the front surface of the card are added to the detection bit patterns B0 to B9 in which the legs of each character are provided at a pitch such as 3.5 mm as shown in FIG. Design and print to come to the corresponding position. Then, the character width is set to 0.5 to 1.5 mm, and the distance between bits is set to 3.5 mm, and "1" or "0" of each bit is represented by shading of the character. Moreover, 5 bits from the left of the 10 bits
The bit B4 and the last bit B9 are bits B0 to B0.
The shading of the character is determined so as to indicate the parity of B3 and B5 to B8. It is more preferable that the security bits concealed in the character string be formed using a special ink that can be detected only by the sensor and cannot be distinguished by human eyes.

Further, on the surface of the card CD of this embodiment, a head cleaning area HCN is provided in which a cleaning agent for removing dirt on the magnetic head is applied to a band-shaped area continuous with the magnetic recording portion MG. And At the same time, in the card CD of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3D, on the base material 11 made of a plastic such as polyester, in order to make it difficult to know where the magnetic recording portion MG is provided. A white layer 13 is formed on a magnetic layer 12 on which magnetic particles are uniformly applied, and a picture printing layer 14 is further placed thereon, and then a part thereof (a portion corresponding to the print display unit PRT) is subjected to heat-sensing. A color forming layer 15 is formed, and a transparent protective film 16 is coated thereon. A cleaning agent of the same color as the white layer 13 is applied to the cleaning area HCN, and a protective film 16
Is exposed so as not to be coated, and the cleaning area HCN is hardly changed in color from other parts, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance. Further, a pattern print layer 17 is formed on the back surface of the base material 11 of the card, and the upper surface is coated with a protective film 18.

In the card having the above structure in which the white layer 13 is formed on the surface of the magnetic layer 12, the magnetic layer 12 made of black magnetic particles is
, It is possible to provide a card with rich fashion by printing a picture, and has a function of concealing the magnetic recording unit MG.

Further, since the protective film 16 is coated on the surface of the card CD, an area holding important information used for discriminating the card, such as the print display section PRT, the magnetic recording section MG, and the authenticity discrimination area TF. Is protected, the information is less likely to be destroyed, and the reliability of the card is improved.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the magnetic recording unit MG provided on the card CD.

The magnetic recording portion MG of the card CD of this embodiment
Is composed of two tracks, of which the first track TRC1 records clock data giving sampling timing. The second track TRC2 includes, in order from the left, a 4-bit start code and a field STX containing the parity bit, a company code MKC indicating the manufacturer of the card reader, and a device code MC indicating the model of the card reader.
C, game store identification code DSC, date data DAT
E, a card number No., an issue command code FNC given from a card reader at the time of card issuance, a text field TXT containing a security data SDC read from the authenticity discrimination area, a field ETX containing a text end code, text data and an end code. Is composed of a field LRC containing an exclusive OR value (detection code) and a field STX containing a start code. Moreover,
In the date data DATE, a bit P indicating each parity is provided for every four bits, and the first four bits represent “month”, and the sixth to ninth bits and the eleventh bit represent “day”. , And the 12th to 14th bits and the 16th to 19th bits are binary-coded and recorded in the last two digits of the Christian era.

In the case of a card having a magnetic recording section, it is generally easiest to decode the recording format and recording data from the date. However, in the card CD of the above embodiment, the order of the date is changed. Since a parity bit is inserted for each bit and the correspondence of the recording bits is changed, forgery of the card becomes extremely difficult.

Further, as described above, the information recorded in the magnetic recording portion MG of the card CD of this embodiment includes an identification code DSC for specifying the usable space of the card,
Date DATE to indicate the validity of the card,
Only a card number as an identification code obtained from the issue serial number n using an appropriate function or conversion method and a check code for error detection are used, and the purchase amount and the number of balls are not recorded.

These are configured so that they can be extracted in real time from the data file of the management device 400 by the card number NO. This prevents fraud by copying the card and minimizes the damage caused by fraud. In other words, even if the card is copied, no damage occurs beyond the purchase price and the number of balls registered in the data file, so copying the card is a completely useless act.

Further, in the above embodiment, the authenticity of the card is determined not only by the magnetically recorded information recorded on the card CD but also by the authenticity discrimination area TF which is difficult to forge, so that the illegality of the card can be more reliably determined. Can be prevented. In addition, since the unauthorized card can be immediately detected by checking the authenticity discrimination area TF, the magnetic information is stored in the management device 400.
To detect fraudulent cards more quickly than sending fraudulent cards. It is to be noted that a hole is also formed in a telephone card or the like having a magnetic recording section, but a conventional card is provided to inform the user of the remaining balance, and a card reader is used to make a hole. Is not intended to be used for any processing or determination.

Next, an example of the configuration of a gaming machine for providing an original game will be described with reference to FIGS.

The gaming machine of this embodiment is provided with a pachinko machine 100 as a gaming machine main body and one-to-one correspondence with the pachinko machine, which is disposed on an island facility or the like above the gaming machine main body, and mainly relates to a display and a card reader. Control unit 160 as an auxiliary unit for controlling and collecting movable data during the game
It is composed of

The pachinko machine 100 is mounted in a machine frame 101 fixed to an island facility of a pachinko parlor by a hinge 102 so as to be openable and closable. A reinforcing plate 1 having an operation dial reinforcing member 107a at the lower portion of the machine frame 101 that withstands the weight of the pachinko machine 100 and absorbs the vibration of the hit ball launching device 103.
07 is fixed.

At the lower part of the pachinko machine 100, there is provided a hitting ball launching device 103 for firing the enclosed balls one by one into the game area and its operation dial 104. Above the operation dial 104, the card is mounted. Amount display unit 111 as a valuable data display unit, a ball number display unit 112 as a valuable data display unit, a purchase switch 113 as a conversion operation unit, an interruption switch 114, and an end switch 115 as a discharge operation unit for enabling a used game start procedure. , An operation panel 110 provided with a game state display 116 and the like. The configuration of the game area on the front of the pachinko machine is the same as that of the conventional one.

Purchase switch 113 as conversion operation means
Is related to the insertion of the card CD into the card reader 800 as a storage medium reading means incorporated in the control unit 160, and is stored in units of 200 yen or the like within a range of value as valuable data of the card CD. An instruction switch for converting a predetermined number of game balls as game media. In this embodiment, the converted game balls are the number of balls as game media data. Note that the predetermined number of game media may be converted into game balls as a predetermined number of game media without necessarily using the number of balls as game media data as in the embodiment. The remaining amount of the card CD is 100 yen for 1
In the present embodiment, the number of balls converted is displayed on the amount indicator 111, and in this embodiment, the converted ball count is displayed on the ball number display 112, and each time a game ball is fired by the hit ball firing device 103, When the winning ball is generated by subtracting one from the number of possessed balls, the number of the prize balls is added and displayed.

End switch 115 as discharge operation means
When the player wants to end the game (including a case where the player wants to change the game console) at any time, the card being used can be ejected from the control unit 160. At that time, the unit controller 19
At 0, the card is discharged from the insertion / ejection opening 802a of the card reader 800 after the remaining amount of the player and the number of possessed balls (sum of purchased balls and acquired balls) are registered in the file of the management device 400 at that time.

The interrupt switch 114 is a switch used for temporarily interrupting the game for a break although the player does not intend to stop the game at the game machine currently playing. Then, the unit controller 190 temporarily ejects the card and waits until the same card is inserted again, during which time no other cards are accepted. The purchase switch 113 among the above-mentioned switches is of a built-in lamp type, and the lamp in the purchase switch 113 blinks when the number of balls held becomes “0”.

The operation panel 110 is, as shown in FIG.
Openable front panel 105 at the bottom of pachinko machine 100
, And has a hollow shape with a triangular cross section, and the upper surface is inclined downward toward the front so that the display can be easily read.

The display panel 11 is provided inside the operation panel 110.
0a are arranged in parallel with the wiring boards 120A and 120B,
On this substrate 120A, a money amount indicator 111 and a ball number indicator 112 each composed of a 7-segment LED are provided.
The switches 113 to 115 and the built-in lamp are mounted on B, and are covered with a display plate 117.

The display 11 of the display plate 117
1 and 112 are transparent window portions 117a, and the portions corresponding to switches 113 to 115 are opening portions 1a.
17b (see FIG. 7). An operation button 118 is mounted in the opening 117b so as to cover above the switches 113 to 115. 121
Is a built-in lamp corresponding to the purchase switch 113.

At the front end of the operation panel 110, there is provided a game state display section 116 in which a display lamp 123 is covered with a translucent Fresnel lens 119 or the like. Dial 1
When it is turned 04, it turns on.

Further, on the side (left side in the embodiment) of the operation panel 110, an operation button 125 having a built-in stop switch 124 is mounted.
Is turned on, it is possible to give a command related to the game, such as stopping the operation of the accessory provided in the game section. The stop switch 124 is mounted on a wiring board 120C provided in the operation panel 110, and the wiring group 1 extending from the wiring board 120C.
26C and a wiring group 126A, 126B extending from each of the boards 120A, 120B is drawn out to the outside, and a pachinko machine control device 19 in which a lower portion of the back surface of the pachinko machine is arranged by connectors 127A to 127C connected to the ends thereof.
5 can be connected.

Since the control unit 160 is provided separately from the pachinko machine 100, only the pachinko machine 100 needs to be replaced at the time of new replacement, and the control unit 160 can be left as it is. Cost can be greatly reduced, and the burden on the game store can be reduced.

On the other hand, the pachinko machine 100 constituting the main body of the gaming machine of the present embodiment is configured as a closed-type game machine which circulates and uses the game balls sealed in the machine, and a sealed ball circulating device for circulating the sealed balls. 130 is provided on the back surface.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the configuration of the back side of the pachinko machine 100.
Shown in

A prize ball collecting gutter 131 covering a plurality of prize ball outlet holes formed so as to penetrate the game board corresponding to a prize area provided in a game area on the front of the game board is held by the frame 106. It is attached to the back of the game board. The bottom wall of the winning ball collecting gutter 131 is inclined downward toward the center to form a guide shelf 131a, and below it, an out ball gutter 132a, a first safe ball gutter 132b, and a second safe ball gutter 132c, as shown in FIG. Are formed integrally with each other. In the middle of each gutter in the guide gutter 132, a photoelectric type out sensor SNS1, a first safe sensor SNS2, and a second safe sensor SNS3 each including a pair of light emitting and receiving devices are mounted.

The guiding gutter 132 has a merging gutter portion 132d for collecting the balls flowing into each gutter at one place.
The terminal end of 32d is connected to the upstream side of the guide gutter 133 that is gently inclined to align the pachinko balls in a line as shown in FIG. 9, thereby forming the ball circulation device 130. Further, on the upstream side of the guide gutter 133, a foul ball receiving port 134 (FIG. 1) provided at the upper end of the firing rail to collect a so-called foul ball in which a hit ball hit along the firing rail returns toward the rail base. 11
(See FIG. 3) is integrally formed, and the foul ball is merged with the ball flowing down on the guide gutter 133 via the guide gutter 132. A foul sensor SNS4 is provided in the middle of the foul ball gutter 133a.

The lower end of the guide gutter 133 has a storage portion 135a for one ball, facing the lower end of the guide gutter 133.
A ball feed 135 that separates the balls on the ball 3 one by one and allows the balls to flow downward is swingably attached. A stopper 136 is fixed to the rear of the ball feed 135 to prevent the ball feed 135 from rotating more than necessary, and when the ball feed 135 is turned downward by the weight of the ball that has flowed in, the upper end surface thereof is a guide gutter. 133
The upper sphere can be prevented from flowing down. further,
A rotatable ball leveler 137 is attached in the middle of the guide gutter 133, and a slide type ball punching mechanism 138 is provided downstream.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the enclosed ball circulating device 130 is mounted on the back surface of the frame board 109, the ball removing mechanism 138 is provided with a blocking piece 148 projecting from the back surface of the frame board. The slide has been blocked and the ball cannot be removed. The enclosed ball circulating device 130 is mounted so as to be able to rotate as a whole by a hinge portion 139 provided on one side (the right side in FIG. 10), and is rotated rearward around the hinge portion 139. Then, the ball removal mechanism 138 is slid to perform the ball removal. Further, an elastic locking piece 133a is fixed to the end of the guide gutter 133, and this is fixed to the frame board 1
By engaging with the engagement step portion 149 of 09, the enclosing ball circulation device 130 can be fixed so as not to rotate.

The pachinko balls separated by the ball feed 135 pass through a ball passage hole 139 (see FIG. 11) formed in a frame board 109 provided behind the front panel 105, and are slanted toward the front of the frame board. One falls down to the base of the launch rail 140 that is fixed to the base. The firing rod 103a is disposed so as to face the base of the firing rail 140 (see FIG. 12). At the same time, below the base of the firing rail 140, an interlocking member 141 having a push-up piece 141a that is rotated in conjunction with the firing rod 103a and pushes up the ball feed 135 upward is provided.

A concave groove is formed on the upper surface of the firing rail 140 for guiding the sphere, and a firing type of a reflective photoelectric switch for detecting a sphere passing on the rail is formed on the front surface of the frame board 109. A sensor SNS5 is mounted at a distance of at least one ball from the rail upper surface by a bracket 142, and a return ball at the upper end of the mounting bracket 142 of the firing sensor SNS5 for preventing the return ball from jumping over the sensor. A blocking wall 143 is provided. Further, a foul ball receiving port 134 is formed in the frame board 109 corresponding to the upper end of the firing rail 140 to guide the return ball into the guiding gutter 132 behind the frame board, and the ball extends along the lower side of the foul ball receiving port 134. A receiving piece 144 protrudes.

The game board mounting portion 109a is provided at the upper end of the frame board 109, and the game board positioning projections 145 are provided upright at both ends. Further, along the upper end of the frame board 109, a frame engaging portion 146 having a groove capable of engaging with the frame 106 for holding the game board is formed, and as shown in FIG. Frame 106 from above
Are lowered along the positioning projections 145, and the lower ends are engaged with the grooves of the frame engaging portion 146, whereby the two can be connected. The above frame 1
Locking device 10 for detachably engaging the game board with the side wall
6 are provided, and the fasteners 147 are tightened and fixed in a state where the game board held by the frame 106 is placed on the placement portion 109 a of the frame board 109. Note that a speaker 15 for generating a sound effect related to the game is provided on one side of the front of the frame board 109 (the left side in FIG. 11).
0 is attached.

On the other hand, the front panel 105 covering the front of the frame board 109 is, as shown in FIG.
One end (left end) is attached to the lower part of the opening bordered by the inner holding frame 108c so as to be openable and closable with a fulcrum as a fulcrum, and a firing rail frame 151 positioned above the firing rail 140 corresponding to the firing rail 140 is fixed to the back side. A cutout 151a is provided in the middle of the firing rail frame 151 so that the firing sensor SNS5 can face the frame. A lock lever 152 is provided on the back surface of the front panel 105 opposite to the hinge. Above the front panel 105 in the front frame 108, the glass frame 1
54 is also mounted to be openable and closable. On the other hand, on one side opposite to the hinge portion 102 on the back surface of the front frame 108, a locking tool 156 for locking the front surface to the machine frame 101 and a locking device 157 thereof are mounted as shown in FIG. Have been. Reference numeral 155 denotes an opening lever of the glass frame 154.

The frame 106 holding the game board (see FIG. 13) and the frame board 1
09 to the fitting receiving portion 108b on the back of the front frame, the fitting projection 106b on the back of the frame, and the fitting projection 1 on the back of the frame board.
The frame 1 holding the front frame 108 and the game board by screwing together so as to make the 09b coincide with each other.
06 and the frame board 109 are integrated.

FIG. 15 shows a state in which the frame 106 and the frame board 109 are attached to the back surface of the front frame 108 in this manner, and a winning ball collecting gutter 131 is further provided on the back surface of the game board held by the frame 106. The pachinko machine control device 195 is disposed below the frame board 109. Further, on the back of the frame 106 and the winning ball collecting gutter 131, a game control device 158 is provided.
And a relay board 159 are mounted.

FIGS. 16 to 18 show an embodiment of the control unit 160 as an auxiliary unit separately formed from the pachinko machine 100 as the game machine main body.

The control unit 160 of this embodiment includes a status indicator 1 on the front of the storage frame 161 to indicate the status of the pachinko machine.
62, an analog display 163 in which a plurality of lamps are arranged in a line, a safe ball lamp 1 for displaying a winning ball generation
64, a call button 165 for calling a clerk. The analog display 163 is used to display the number of balls held in a game in an analog manner, or to display a hit state or a free state by simultaneous blinking and moving blinking.

The storage frame 161 has a speaker 166 therein.
And a card reader 800 as a storage medium reading device, a card insertion / ejection opening 802a of the card reader 800 is exposed on the front surface of the storage frame, and a card CD is inserted in the card reader 800 above the insertion / ejection opening 802a. Card holding display lamp 16 as second display means for indicating whether or not there is
7 (LED1) is provided below the card insertion / ejection opening 802a with a card insertion display lamp 168 as first display means for displaying whether or not a card can be inserted into the control unit 160.

By providing these display lamps 167 and 168, the state of the card reader 800 can be clearly displayed to the outside, and the card reader 8
00 can be notified more easily and clearly.

Further, the storage frame 16 of the control unit 160
In the inside of the front panel 161a, the pachinko machine 100 is mounted.
A test switch 179 for enabling a game operation using a test card, which will be described later, is provided in a unique state separated from the management device 400, and the switch is turned on from the outside using a pin on the front of the storage frame. A pin insertion hole 169 for allowing the pachinko machine to be operated, and a name plate 170 for specifying a machine number given to the pachinko machine are provided.

Then, inside the front panel 161a of the control unit 160, as shown in FIG. 17, a set switch 171 for the machine number displayed on the machine name plate 170, the status display 162 and the analog display 163. Lamp groups L11 to L15, L21 to L of the safe lamp 164
A lamp substrate 172 having the reference numerals 28, L31, and L32 (see FIG. 18), and a holding substrate 173 for the speaker 166 and the card insertion lamp 168 are mounted. A call switch 165a is provided behind the call button 165.

Further, in the storage frame 161, the card reader 800, the unit controller 190 for controlling the entire control unit 160, transmission means, and the monitor display 17 are provided.
Unit control device 180 having 4,175,176 and card reader control device 1 as storage medium reading control device
88 and a power supply 177 are built in. Further, below the card reader 800, a storage box 178 for perforated pieces generated when a perforation is performed by a perforation device (described later) in the card reader 800 is detachably disposed. In addition,
A card ejection switch for instructing the card reader 800 to forcibly eject the card CD is provided on a substrate constituting the card reader control device 188 (not shown).

The control unit 160 includes the front panel 1
Locking tool 179a and its release lever 1 on the free end side of 61a
79b is provided, and the release lever 179b faces the opening 161b formed at the lower end of the front panel 161a. As shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 160 is mounted on the machine frame 101 of the pachinko machine 100 and the unit mount 24 at the same height as the machine frame 101, and at this time, the front panel 161a is It is arranged so as to be flush with the front frame 108 of the pachinko machine. Therefore, the opening 161b of the front panel 161 facing the release lever 179b is normally closed on the upper surface of the front frame 108, and the opening 16
1b is exposed, and the release lever 179b can be operated. Thereby, the control unit 160
Need not be provided with a locking device.

The unit control device 180 in the control unit 160 is connected to the control device 19 of the pachinko machine 100 via a transmission line such as an optical fiber or a coaxial cable.
5 and a management controller 400 via a transmission controller and a local network (transmission cable) described later.

In the control unit 160 of the embodiment, an optical fiber connector 186 and a coaxial cable connector 187 are provided on the back surface of the storage frame 161 so that data transmission can be performed using any transmission path. See FIG. 22).

FIGS. 20 to 22 show an example of an island facility on which a game machine including the pachinko machine 100 as the game machine main body and a control unit 160 as an auxiliary unit is mounted, and a state in which the game machine is mounted thereon. It is shown.

In the island facility of this embodiment, a plurality of pillars 22 are erected on a base 21 at intervals equal to the width of the gaming machine, and a horizontal mounting is provided at a height of about 60 cm from the floor. Table 2
3 is fixed by a support 22. In addition, this mounting table 2
Above 3, a first installation shelf 24 is fixed at a position separated by the height of the machine frame 101, and a second installation shelf 25 is further secured above the first installation shelf 25 by columns 22. A top plate 26 is fixed above the second installation shelf 25 so as to cover the upper end of the column 22. The table 23 described above
The first installation stand 24 has a front end projecting slightly closer to the support 22 than the support 22.
It is located rearward by the thickness of 01.

The pachinko machines 100 and the machine frame 101 are respectively mounted on the mounting tables 23 between the columns 22, and the machine frames 10, which are coplanar with the machine frames 101, are mounted on the first mounting table 24.
1, the control unit 160 is mounted. Also,
A transmission path (not shown) constituting a local network is extended on the second installation table 25, and between the columns 22 is used for data transmission with the management device 400 via the transmission path. A transceiver 185 is mounted. In addition,
The front of the transceiver 185 is closed by the upper plate 27, and the lower part of the mounting table 23 is closed by the lower plate 28.

Further, although not shown, a 24 V power supply line extends on the lower surface of the mounting table 23, and a 100 V power line extends on the lower surface of the top plate 26. An outlet 30 for 24V power supply is provided at a position on the upper surface of the mounting table 23 corresponding to each gaming machine, and an outlet 31 for 100V power supply is provided on the bar 29 on the lower surface of the top plate 26 in correspondence with each gaming machine. Each is provided (see FIG. 22).

FIG. 23 shows an example of the configuration of a control system of the entire gaming machine including the pachinko machine 100 and the control unit 160.

Referring to FIG. 28, reference numeral 188 denotes a transport motor 8 which is a component of the card reader 800 shown in FIG.
07, a magnetic head 821, a punching device 820, and the like. Then, various switches 171 and 179 provided on the card reader controller 188, the pachinko machine controller 195, and the control unit 160, the display 162,
The units 163, 164, 168 and the speaker 166 are controlled by the unit controller 180.

Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the controller 195 of the pachinko machine 100 is connected to the unit controller 180 via an optical cable 191.
A detection signal from various sensors is input, and a drive control signal for a display or the like is output. To enable communication using an optical fiber cable, an optical multiplexed data link (interface) including a parallel-to-serial converter for converting parallel data and serial data, an optical-to-electric converter for converting electric signals to optical signals, and the like. ) Are provided between the unit controller 180 and the optical fiber cable 191 and at the connection between the optical fiber cable 191 and the pachinko machine controller 195 (described later).

By using the optical fiber cable 191 for data communication between the unit control device 180 and the pachinko machine control device 195, a large number of wirings conventionally arranged in a complicated manner behind the pachinko machine can be reduced. In addition to facilitating maintenance and management, malfunctions due to noise can be prevented.

Under the control of the pachinko machine control device 195, the money amount display 111, the ball number display 112, the purchase lamp 121, the game state display lamp 123, and the hit ball launching device 10
In addition to the control device 194 and the accessory control device 158 as a control device for controlling the game, the ball detection sensors SNS1 to SNS1 such as a purchase switch 113, an interruption switch 114, an end switch 115, and an out sensor are provided.
The signal from S5 is subjected to waveform shaping by the pachinko machine control device 195 and is supplied to the unit control device 180.

In this embodiment, the power supply system is
The pachinko machine 100 side is supplied with 24 V AC and the control unit 160 side is supplied with AC 24 V in two systems of 4 V and 100 V AC.
100V is supplied. By separately supplying the power supply in this manner, it is possible to prevent the pachinko machine control unit from being inadvertently destroyed by the influence of the power supply in a pachinko parlor having relatively many troubles in the power supply system. Also, the card reader 80
The pachinko machine 100 and the pachinko machine 100 are driven by separate power supply systems.
Since the power supply noise generated at 00 does not go around the control unit 160 and cause it to malfunction, it is possible to prevent the player from suffering unexpected damage.

FIG. 24 shows the pachinko machine control device 19.
5 is shown.

The pachinko machine controller 195 is provided with a pachinko machine controller CPU 1 comprising a microcomputer.
This enables optical data transmission between the unit control device 180 and a reset circuit RST1 that monitors a periodic watchdog pulse output from the controller CPU1 and generates a reset signal when the pulse is interrupted. Therefore, a multiplex transmission controller CNT1 having parallel / parallel conversion means for converting parallel transmission data into serial data and serial / parallel conversion means for converting serial reception data into parallel data, and a photoelectric converter connected to the optical cable 191 via the optical connector 193. Conversion circuit OET and filter circuit FL for cutting noise of detection signals from various sensors
T, decoders DEC1 and DEC2 for decoding display data to the money amount display 111 and the ball number display 112, and a driver DR for forming a display drive signal based on the output thereof.
V1 and DRV2, a purchase lamp 121, a game state display lamp 123, and a driver DRV3 for generating a drive signal of the hit ball launching device 103.

Regarding the processing of the detection signal from the sensor in the pachinko machine control device 195, the unit control device simply removes noise from the detection signal, shapes it into a fixed pulse width, and outputs it as detection data of a launch sphere or a safe sphere. 18
Send to 0. That is, the pachinko machine control device 195 does not calculate the number of safe balls or the like, and such calculation is performed on the unit control device 180 side.

In a pachinko machine, noise is easily generated due to static electricity or the like. However, even if the pachinko machine controller CPU1 runs away due to noise or the like, the reset circuit RST1 monitors the watchdog pulse. When the pulse disappears, a reset signal is generated to initialize the CPU, so that runaway can be prevented.

The watchdog pulse can be easily generated by an interrupt from a timer counter in the CPU.

FIG. 25 shows a configuration example of the unit control device 180.

The unit control unit 180 controls the data transmission between the card reader control unit 188 and the pachinko machine control unit 195 to enable the pachinko game using the card CD. It is composed of a data transmission controller 551 for controlling, a network controller 553 for establishing a transmission / reception right in a network and performing serial / parallel conversion of data under the control of the data transmission controller 551. The transfer of data between the controllers 190 and 551 and between the controllers 551 and 553 can be executed via dual port memories (RAMs) 550 and 552. Of these, memory 5
Reference numeral 52 is divided into a transmission data storage area and a reception data storage area, and measures an adjustment function for making all transmission / reception data lengths the same (packetization) and a high-speed data transmission (2.5 Mbps). It has a buffer function for it.

Each of the packet memories 552 has 256
It is composed of four pages each having a byte capacity, of which page 0 is used for transmitting a transmission request packet and page 1 is used for transmitting a regular data transmission packet. On the other hand, pages 2 and 3 are used alternately for data packet reception. Which page to use depends on the data transmission controller 5
51 instructs the network controller 553.
While the data transmission controller 551 is processing the received packet data, even if the next packet data is sent,
Since it is received by another page, all packets can be received reliably. A common reset circuit 555 is provided so that the controllers 551 and 553 can be initialized at the same time.

At the connection side of the network controller 553 with the management device 400, a signal conversion circuit 554 and a changeover switch 542 for performing waveform shaping of the received data and level conversion of the signal in order to increase the drive capability of the transmitted data. The transmission and reception signals are separated and coupled via the changeover switch 542 so as to be connectable to the optical connector 186 and to cope with the case where the transmission line of the low-layer network is constituted by a coaxial cable. The connection can be made to the branch circuit 540.
The optical transceiver 186 shown in FIG.
5 is connected.

Further, between the data transmission controller 551 and the network controller 553, a latch circuit 561 for storing the data reception result by the network controller 553 in response to a request from the data transmission controller 551, and a data transmission controller 551
Is a latch circuit 562 for storing a command such as a data transmission command to the network controller 553 and a latch circuit 563 for storing a low-layer network address, and three for displaying an abnormal communication control state in the unit controller 180. Latch circuit 5 for storing display data to monitor display 556 comprising an LED lamp
64 are provided. 557 is the latch circuit 56
This is a decoder that decodes addresses given to 1 to 564 and generates a selection signal.

On the other hand, a transceiver 571 for performing level conversion of transmission / reception data is provided between the unit controller 190 and the card reader control device 188, and a parallel / direct conversion of transmission / reception data is performed between the unit controller 190 and the pachinko machine control device 195. Multiplex transmission controller 572 and photoelectric conversion device 57
3 are connected.

Further, a latch circuit 574 for latching display data (segment data and common data) of the monetary amount and the number of balls, a purchase lamp, a game state display lamp, and a hit ball are provided to the unit controller 190 via a data bus 581. A latch circuit 575 for latching a control signal for the launching device, an input signal from various switches provided in the pachinko machine 100 and the control unit 160 is loaded on the data bus 581 at a predetermined timing, and an output signal for displaying various lamps is latched. Input / output controller 576 and speaker 1 in control unit 160
A latch circuit 577 for latching audio data and the like generated from the memory 66 is connected.

Reference numeral 582 denotes a speech synthesis LSI; 583, a low-pass filter that cuts high-frequency components to improve sound quality;
Reference numeral 4 denotes an amplifier for adjusting the volume, of which a voice synthesis LSI is used.
Reference numeral 582 stores a plurality of audio data in a built-in EPROM, selects audio data in response to a selection signal (S0 to S3) given from the unit controller 190, and outputs the audio signal in synchronization with the start signal ST. And output is stopped by the reset signal R.

Note that 558 is the unit controller 19
0, a program ROM storing a control program, 55
A program ROM 9 stores a control program for the transmission controller 551. 585 decodes an address signal output from the unit controller 190, and outputs a program memory 558, a unit memory 550,
This is a decoder that generates a selection signal for the latch circuits 574, 575, 577 and the input / output controller 576.

As described above, the unit control device 180
The management device 400, the card reader control device 188, and the pachinko machine control device 195 have information exchange windows on three sides, and perform control for playing pachinko games on the card CD under the control of the management device 400. At the same time, it has software for periodically transmitting pachinko machine game information generated as a game result to the management device 400. further,
In the unit controller 180 of this embodiment, the digit select signal (common signal) of the display data output from the unit controller 190 in order to drive the monetary value and the number of balls is periodically changed at intervals of, for example, 2 ms. Paying attention to the point that is output to the reset circuit 555
Is input as a watchdog pulse. The reset circuit 555 is configured to monitor the watchdog pulse in addition to the power-on reset and generate a reset signal when the pulse disappears.

Therefore, even if the unit controller 190 goes out of control due to noise or the like, the common signal is not output at normal intervals when the unit controller 190 goes out of control, so that the reset circuit 5
55 is activated to initialize the unit controller 190 and the data transmission controller 551, so that runaway is avoided.

At the same time, the unit controller 19
0 has an internal timer counter, and does not return ACK (positive) or NAK (negative) as a response to the transmission request within a fixed time (ex. 10 seconds), or a fixed time (ACK) after receiving the ACK. ex. 2 seconds), or when a disturbance in the internal memory (RAM) is detected, the common signal is forcibly fixed to a low or high level to reset itself. I can do it. In addition, the disorder of the internal memory can be easily determined by writing a specific code (A55A or the like) at a predetermined address in the memory at the time of initialization, and checking it by an interrupt process every 1 ms. Can be detected.

Further, the unit control device 180 of the embodiment
Means that the data transmission controller 551 operates for a certain time (5.12
Even if data cannot be transmitted within (sec), the unit controller 190 is initialized, and abnormal data is
It is handled so that it is not transmitted to 0. That is, in the embodiment, a watchdog counter area is provided in the unit memory 550, and the data transmission controller 55
1 sets a predetermined code FF each time data is transmitted to the management device 400, and sets the unit controller 19
0 counts down this counter by “1” every 20 ms. Therefore, if the state in which the data transmission controller 551 cannot transmit for 5.12 seconds or more continues, the watchdog counter of the unit memory 550 becomes “0”. It can be determined that the data transmission controller 551 has gone down and reset itself.

Further, in this embodiment, a special RAM is used as the unit memory 550 such that when data is written at a certain predetermined address (7FE), a predetermined terminal INT rises.
Utilizing this function, the data transmission controller 551 writes data at the predetermined address to start the terminal INT at the time of system startup, and inputs the signal of the terminal to the unit controller 190 to store the unit memory. Synchronization between controllers for use of 550 is provided. Note that the specific terminal INT falls when the unit controller 190 reads data at the predetermined address.

On the other hand, at the time of system startup, synchronization with the management device 400 is performed by the data transmission controller 551. The data transmission controller 551 receives a line test command (described later) transmitted from the management device 400, and responds to the reception. Is transmitted to the management device 400.

As described above, the pachinko machine control device 195 does not calculate the number of safe balls, etc., but performs such calculation on the unit control device 180 side. , A detection signal related to a game ball such as a safe signal and a signal from the purchase switch 113 are input. Unit controller 19
0 is based on these signals, the number of payout balls, the number of outgoing balls,
It calculates operation data such as the number of balls held and the amount of sales, generates operation information (game state) and monitor information relating to the pachinko machine 100, and transmits them to the transmission data area SDA (see FIG. 26
See).

The operation data and the like written in the unit memory 550 are transmitted to the management device 4 by the transmission controller 551.
The data is transmitted to the management apparatus 400 by data communication with the management apparatus 400. The data sent from the management device 400 is also temporarily stored in the reception data area RDA in the unit memory 550.
, And the unit controller 190 reads the data to receive data. The unit memory 550 has a communication area CC in which a command and status information for notifying the other controller that other transmission data and reception data are in the memory are entered.
A and working areas UWA and DW for each controller
A and an inter-controller synchronization area CSA are provided.

FIG. 26 shows the entire configuration of the unit memory 550, and [Table 1], [Table 2], and [Table 3].
The transmission data area SDA and the reception data area RDA
And a configuration example of a communication area CCA.

[0097]

[Table 1]

[0098]

[Table 2]

[0099]

[Table 3]

[0100]

[Table 4]

[0101]

[Table 5]

The monitor information 1 shown in [Table 1] includes a bit indicating that a test is being executed at system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / not set, and a hot code as shown in [Table 4]. It is composed of a bit indicating an error, a bit indicating a local network abnormality (two bits for a low layer and a high layer), a bit indicating a gaming machine abnormality, and the like. The monitor information 2 has a bit indicating an abnormality of the card reader 800 as shown in [Table 5].

Further, the operation information includes a bit indicating a stop state as shown in [Table 6], a bit indicating that the game is interrupted, a forced termination state by the management device 400 or the controller based on a communication error or illegal detection. , A bit indicating that a game is in progress, a bit indicating that the gaming machine is in a free state without a player, and the like.

[0104]

[Table 6]

According to [Table 6], the actual state of the pachinko machine is represented by the free state, 0000000000000001 during the game, 0000000000000010 at the time of forced termination reception, 0000000000000100 at the time of interruption, and 0000000000001000 at the time of the occurrence of the stop, 0000000000010000. I understand.

FIGS. 27 to 32 show a specific configuration example of a card reader 800 for a pachinko machine as a storage medium reading means provided in the control unit 160 as an auxiliary unit.

At the front end of a box-shaped case main body 801 constituting the card reader 800, a front lid 802 having a card holding display LED1 and a card insertion / ejection opening 802a is attached.
An L-shaped bracket 803 for fixing in the storage frame 161 of the control unit 160 is provided on a side wall of the case body 801.
Are fixed at the four corners.

As shown in FIG. 28, a base plate 804 serving as a card transport path is arranged in the case body 801. Above the base plate 804, a gap slightly larger than the thickness of the card is provided, and the support substrate 80
5,806 are attached.

A card insertion detecting sensor 808 comprising a motor 807 and a micro switch, and a shutter solenoid 8
09, a card insertion detection sensor 808 composed of a microswitch, a shutter solenoid 809, and reflection type optical sensors 810a and 810b for reading a security code are attached. In this embodiment, the sensors 810a,
Only one (810a) of the 810b is used, and the other sensor (810b) is provided as a spare so that the security code may be increased in the future.

The motor 807 and the shutter solenoid 8
09, a second roller shaft 811 is rotatably mounted, and the center of the second roller shaft 811 is a transport roller 81.
2 is provided, and one end of the second roller shaft 811 is made to be able to protrude outside from the side wall 801a of the case body, and a pulley 813 is fixed to the protruding end. Also,
A projector 814 that irradiates the card position detection sensor SNS1 with detection light is attached near the shutter solenoid 809, and the detection light of the second position detection sensor SNS2 is provided between the second roller shaft 811 and the motor 807. A translucent portion 815 that can transmit light is formed. Further, a light projector 816 for irradiating a detection light to the punch hole detection sensor SNSp is attached to a side of the motor 807, and a rotary encoder 817 is fixed to one end of a rotation shaft 807a of the motor 807, and Rotating shaft 807
The other end of “a” protrudes outside from the side wall 801 b of the case body 801, and a small-diameter pulley 818 is fixed thereto.

On the other hand, the first roller shaft 81 is placed on the support substrate 806 disposed on the opposite side of the card insertion / ejection port 802a.
9 is rotatably arranged, and a punch device 820 using a solenoid as driving means and a magnetic head 821 can be attached. A through-hole 822 is formed in the support substrate 806 corresponding to the magnetic head mounting position so that the head surface can face downward when the magnetic head 821 is inserted downward from above. A transport roller 823 is fixed to the center of the first roller shaft 819, and both ends of the shaft are made to be able to protrude to the outside from the side wall of the case, and pulleys 824 and 825 are attached thereto. A belt 826 is wound between the pulleys 818 and 825, and a belt 827 is wound between the pulleys 824 and 813. The rotational driving force of the motor 807 is transmitted to the first roller shaft 819 by the belt 826. And transmitted to a second roller shaft 811 by a belt 827.

Furthermore, on the lower surface of the support substrate 806,
Third and fourth card position detection sensors SNS3, SN
Light projectors 828 and 829 that irradiate S4 with detection light are attached.

Above the support substrates 805 and 806,
The first interface board 830 is arranged so as to cover this, and is fixed to the side walls 801a and 801b of the case. The interface board 830 includes the control unit 1
An interface circuit for receiving various control signals from a card reader control device 188 provided in the device 60 and for passing a read signal from a sensor or a magnetic head provided on the card reader 800 side to the card reader control device 188. Have. In addition, on the lower surface of the interface board 830, a light projector 831 is provided at a position corresponding to the light transmitting portion 815.
A speed detection sensor 832 is provided at a position corresponding to the encoder 817.

On the other hand, on the base plate 804 disposed below the supporting substrates 805 and 806, an auxiliary roller 836 urged upward by torsion springs 834 and 835 is provided at a position corresponding to the transport rollers 812 and 823. 837 is mounted so that the face slightly emerges from the openings 841 and 842 formed in the base plate. The base plate 804 has a support substrate 80
An auxiliary roller 838, which is also urged upward by a torsion spring 836, at a position corresponding to the magnetic head 821 attached so as to face downward from the through hole 822 provided in the nozzle 6, faces slightly upward from the opening 843. It is attached to put out. At the same time, the projectors 814, 816, 82
Through holes 844 are formed at positions corresponding to 8, 829 and 831, respectively. Further, the base plate 80
4 has a recess 845 along the width direction at the front end (see FIG. 30).
Is formed, and a cylindrical shielding member 846 is placed thereon. The shielding member 846 closes the card insertion / ejection opening 802a to prevent intrusion of dust, and acts so as to accept only cards having a certain rigidity or more by weight.

On the lower surface of the base plate 804, a second interface board 848 is attached by screws. On this second interface board 848, a circuit for interfacing with the card reader controller 188 is provided. Floodlights 814, 831,
828, 829 and 816,
Fourth position detection sensor SNS1, SNS2, SNS3
SNS4 and a punch hole detection sensor SNSp are attached. Also, auxiliary rollers 833, 837, 838
Relief holes 8 at positions corresponding to
49 are provided.

The upper supporting substrate 8 corresponds to the cylindrical shielding member 846 placed on the front end of the base plate 804.
An empty space 851 which is slightly larger than the shielding member 846 is formed at the front end of the shutter 05, and when the supporting substrate 805 is arranged on the base plate 804, the shielding member 846 is vertically movably housed in the empty space 851. It has become.

Further, the frame 85 constituting the empty space 851
2, an opening 853 is formed in the rear wall, and the insertion detection switch 808 is disposed behind the opening 853 to move the movable contact 808.
a protrudes from the opening 853 into the empty space 851. The distal end of the movable contact 808a is normally positioned above the shielding member 846 as shown in FIG. 30A, and when a card CD is inserted through the card insertion / ejection port 802a, ( B) As shown in FIG.
The movable contact 808a is turned to push the 6 upward, and the insertion detection sensor 808 is turned on.

The shutter solenoid 809 mounted on the support substrate 805 is disposed downward as shown in FIG. 31A, and a pin 809b formed at the tip of the plunger 809a is provided on the support substrate 805 in the solenoid demagnetized state. 31B, the card C is inserted into the corresponding hole 855 formed at the corresponding position on the upper surface of the base plate 804 as shown in FIG.
D is prevented from being inserted.

FIG. 32 shows the mounting positional relationship of various sensors and magnetic heads in the card reader 800.

The insertion detection sensor 808 is arranged on the side closest to the card insertion / ejection port 802a, and the first position detection sensor SN
S1 is disposed immediately before the transport roller. The shutter pin 809b is disposed between the insertion detection sensor 808 and the first position detection sensor SNS1, and the security code reading sensors 810a and 810b are disposed almost right beside the first position detection sensor SNS1. The second position detection sensor SNS2 is located behind the transport roller 812, the third position detection sensor SNS3 is located behind the transport roller 823, the fourth position detection sensor SNS4 is located at the innermost part of the card reader, and -4th position detection sensor SNS1
SNS4 are located on the same straight line.

Further, the punch hole detecting sensor SNSp and the punch pin PP are disposed between the second position detecting sensor SNS2 and the transport roller 823, and the magnetic head 821 is disposed between the transport roller 823 and the third position detecting sensor SNS3. Have been.

FIG. 33 shows the timing of card detection by various sensors arranged so as to have a positional relationship as shown in FIG. 32 when a card is inserted, and the timing of control signals to the motor 807 and the shutter solenoid 809. As can be seen from the figure, in the card reader 800 of this embodiment, when the card is inserted, the insertion detection sensor detects the insertion of the card, drives the motor and the shutter, and detects the position of the card with the position detection sensors SNS1 to SNS4. However, at a predetermined timing, the information on the card is read in the order of a security code, a punched hole, and a magnetic code.

Further, since the relative distances between the various sensors and the punch pins are important for accurately performing processing such as reading of the card CD and punching, the components are accurately arranged so as to have a predetermined positional relationship. Installed.

FIG. 34 shows a card reader control device 188.
A specific circuit configuration example (see FIG. 23) is shown.

A card reader controller 188 is a card reader controller CPU comprising a microcomputer.
2, a transceiver TRV that performs level conversion of a data signal transmitted and received between the unit control device 180, and drivers DRV 11 and DRV that form drive signals for monitor displays 175 and 176 provided in the control unit 160.
V12, motor 807 and punching device 820 in card reader 800, magnetic head 821, LED lamp 16
7, a driver DRV13 for generating a control signal for driving the shutter solenoid 809, a driver DRV14 for driving a relay RLY for turning on / off the power supplied to the motor 807, read data of the magnetic head in the card reader 800, and various kinds of data. A waveform shaping circuit SMG including a Schmitt trigger circuit for shaping a waveform of a detection signal from the sensor;
Flip-flop circuits F / F1, F / F for latching respective read data of two tracks read by a magnetic head
2 and a built-in power-on reset circuit and a watchdog timer. A pulse periodically output from the controller CPU2 (shared with the reset pulses of the latches LT1 and LT2) is monitored as a watchdog pulse and reset when the pulse is interrupted. Reset circuit RS for generating signal
T2.

The card reader controller CPU 2
, An ON / OFF signal from the device code setting device MCS and the card ejection switch SWc provided in the control unit 160 is input.

The four light-emitting diodes constituting the monitor display 176 include a power-on display LED 11 that is turned on while the power is turned on, and a card-in display LED 12 that indicates that the card is in the card reader. The LED 13 is used as an OK display LED 13 which is turned on when the control by the card reader controller is normally executed, and the LED 14 is unused so as to be used for any other monitor display.

On the other hand, the segment type monitor display 175
Is obtained by combining seven segments representing numbers and one dot display segment DT, as shown in Table 7 below.
, The contents of the abnormality of the card reader are indicated by a code.

[0129]

[Table 7]

The card reader controller CPU 2 operates in accordance with the control program in the built-in ROM, executes travel control of the card CD, reads out the card data, checks the card data, etc., based on a command from the unit controller 180, and The number and the control information of the card reader 800 are transmitted to the unit controller 180. Communication with the unit controller 180 is performed by a built-in serial communication circuit using the serial ports TX and RX. The output of control signals to the components constituting the card reader 800 and the input of detection signals from various sensors are shown in FIG.
This is performed through an interface circuit 198 as shown in FIG.

The flip-flop FF2 for latching the magnetic data a on the track TRC2 of the magnetic recording portion MG of the card is operated using the read clock b read from the track TRC1 and triggering the flip-flop FF1 as a sampling clock. You. The flip-flop FF1 outputs a periodic signal c by being triggered by a read clock b and reset by a pulse e output from the CPU 2.

FIG. 35 shows a card reader control device 188.
4 shows a configuration example of an interface circuit 198 provided between the input / output component and an input / output component in the card reader 180.

In the figure, reference numerals SMG1 to SMG5 denote waveform shaping circuits including Schmitt trigger gates and the like, REC1 and REC2 denote rectifier circuits, and MCCs.
1, MCC2 is a magnetizing current switching circuit, AMP1 to AMP4
Is an amplifier, MHD1 and MHD2 are magnetic heads, MT is a motor, SOL1 and SOL2 are solenoids, LED1 is a light emitting diode, DRV21 and DRV22 are drivers, S
NS11, SNS12, SNSp, SNS1 to SNS5
Is a sensor. CCC is a current switching circuit for switching the rotation direction of the motor HT, and VCC is a voltage switching circuit for switching the rotation speed of the motor MT.

The read clock signal of the read data read by the two magnetic heads MHD1 and MHD2 corresponding to the two tracks TRC1 and TRC2, respectively, is amplified by the amplifiers AMP1 and AMP3.
The data is rectified by the rectifier circuits REC1 and REC2, and further sent to the card reader controller 188 as rectangular waves through the waveform shaping circuits SMG1 and SMG3. On the other hand, the write data and the write clock supplied from the card reader control device 188 are input to the magnetizing current switching circuits MCC1 and MCC2 through the waveform shaping circuits SMG2 and SMG4, and according to the write data “1” and “0”. The direction of the head drive current is switched, amplified by the amplifiers AMP2 and AMP4, and supplied to the magnetic heads MHD1 and MHD2.

In order to drive the motor MT, the current switching circuit CCC changes the direction of the current flowing to the driver DRV21 based on the normal rotation signal and the reverse rotation signal given from the card reader control device 188, and changes the direction of the driver according to the speed switching signal. The voltage applied to the motor MT is switched by the DRV 21.

On the other hand, the security code reading sensor S
NS11 (810a), SNS12 (unused), punch hole detection sensor SNSp, position detection sensors SNS1 to SN
S4: The detection signal of the speed detection sensor SNS5 (821) is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit SMG5 and then supplied to the card reader control device 188, where the insertion detection switch 8
The detection signal 08 is noise-cut by the low-pass filter LPF, and is then shaped by the waveform shaping circuit SMG5.

FIG. 36 shows a card reader controller 188.
2 shows the timing of writing and reading magnetic data.

In the signals shown in FIG. 14, (A)-(D) relate to write data information, (E)-(G) relate to write clock information, (H)-(J) relate to read data information, and (K). ~
(M) shows the signal waveform of each part regarding the read clock information. 34 (N) to (R) show timings of signals indicated by reference symbols a to e in the card reader control device 188 of FIG.

The signals (H) and (K) are output signals of the amplifiers AMP1 and AMP3 constituting the interface circuit of FIG. 35, and the signals (I) and (L) are signals of the rectifier circuit REC1. The output signal of REC2 and the signals (J) and (M) indicate the output signals of the waveform shaping circuits SMG1 and SMG3, respectively.

In this embodiment, the so-called NRZI method is employed in which the polarity is inverted when the data is "1" and the polarity is not inverted when the data is "0" or when there is no signal. Has adopted.

Therefore, the CPU output, the write current, and the signals (B), (C), and (D) indicating the magnetization state are respectively changed when the internal data (A) of the CPU changes from “0” to “1”. It is inverted.

On the other hand, when the data written as described above is read by the magnetic head MHD2, the magnetization state (D)
The output of the amplifier AMP1 changes to + or-in accordance with the direction of magnetization when the signal changes, so that the card reader controller CPU2 corresponds to the signal (J) obtained by waveform shaping the output of the amplifier AMP1 at the rise of the read clock b. When the read data a is taken into the latch F / F2, if the signal a (N) is at a high level, it is recognized as data "1", and if the signal a is at a low level, the data is "0". (See (S) of FIG. 36).

In this embodiment, the recording density of the magnetic data on the card CD is set to 4.134 bits / mm (= 105 BP).
I) and the card transport speed was 300 mm / sec.
The pulse cycle of the read clock data is about 806 μS. Therefore, when magnetic data is written by the CPU 2, the cycle T of the CPU output (E) related to the write clock is used.
Is output as twice the clock pulse (1.612 ms).

FIG. 37 shows a configuration example of the card issuing machine 200.

The card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment includes a bill validator 210 for identifying bills for purchasing a card,
A card reader 220 for printing the amount corresponding to the purchase amount and recording the card number, a balance dispensing device 230 for discharging change, various indicators 241 to 245, and a control unit for controlling the entire issuance machine 200 250 and the like.

The front panel 201 is provided with a bill insertion slot 211, a purchase price selection switch group 212, and a price display 213 corresponding to the above-mentioned bill validator 210.

Accordingly, the player first enters the bill insertion slot 211.
When more bills are inserted, the inserted amount is displayed on the amount indicator 213. Then, by pressing a switch corresponding to a desired purchase amount from the selection switch group 212, a card corresponding to the desired purchase amount is issued from the card ejection port 202 of the card reader 220. Also,
Each of the money amount selection switches 212 is constituted by a switch with a built-in lamp. When the switch is operated, the corresponding built-in lamp is turned on. And
The inserted bill is collected in the bill storage tank 214.

The card reader 220 takes out the blank cards stored in the card tank one by one, and purchases the purchase amount, the issue date, and the management device 4 on the front surface.
The issue serial number n assigned from 00 is printed, and the card number and the identification code (store code) calculated by the management device 400, the issue date code, the check code, etc. are recorded on the magnetic surface of the card, and further issued. After punching a punch hole at the finished punching position PH1 (see FIG. 2), the card is discharged from a card discharge port 202 provided in the front panel 201. The issuance serial number n is such that the management device 400 that has received the application for card purchase from the card issuing machine 200 responds to a purchase application from a plurality of card issuing machines under its control.
The issuing serial number n is determined in the order of acceptance and is a number assigned to each card issuing machine. The code obtained by performing the code conversion processing such as the rearrangement of bits based on the issuing serial number n is referred to as a card number. The information is recorded on the magnetic surface of the card CD and issued, and the information on the card is recorded in a file in the management device 400. In addition, since the issue serial number n is printed on the print display unit PRT, the magnetic recording unit M
Even if the information of G becomes unreadable, the card can be restored from the file information of the management device 400.

In order to enable the generation of a card number from the serial number n, the control program of the management device 400 is provided with a card number generation routine and a code conversion routine. In order to confirm the coincidence between the number and the issue serial number n, an inverse conversion and inverse calculation routine is prepared.

On the other hand, when a bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 211 of the issuing machine 200 and the purchase amount is determined by the amount selection switch 212 and a balance is generated, the balance payout device 230 for paying back the balance is used to pay the bill. A bill tank 231 for stocking is provided, and bills corresponding to the balance are discharged through a bill discharge port 232 provided in the front panel 201.

Further, the front panel 201 of the card issuing machine 200 is put in through a issuing lamp 241 indicating that the card can be issued, an issue stop lamp 242 indicating that the card cannot be issued, and a bill insertion slot 211. A bill pool over display 243 that indicates that the tank 214 is full of bills, a card shortage display 244 that indicates that unissued cards in the card tank 221 are empty, and a bill tank 231 of the balance dispensing device. Change shortage indicator 24 indicating that the stock banknote has run out
5 are provided. Further, in order to detect the above state and turn on the corresponding display, the bill tanks 214 and 231 are used.
And the card tank 221 has sensors 261, 262,
263 are provided respectively.

Furthermore, the card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment
Has a plurality (several tens) of issuing machines 2 installed in a game store.
00, a machine number setting device 205 is provided inside the management device 400 so that the issuing device that issued the specific card can be grasped in the management device 400. The machine number set by the setting device 205 is The data is sent to the management device 400 and is used for generating a transmission address at the time of data communication and creating a data file for each issuing machine.

Although not particularly limited, the setting unit 205
Is displayed on the nameplate 206 attached to the upper part of the front panel 201 of the issuing machine.

FIG. 38 shows a schematic configuration example of a card reader in the issuing machine 200. Card reader 22 of this embodiment
0 is a card tank 91 in which a large number of cards whose magnetic recording section MG and print display section PRT are blank are stored.
0 and a card removal device 920 for removing cards one by one from the tank. The card removal device 920 includes transport rollers 924 and 925 disposed along the card travel path 923 and a drive motor 926 for the transport rollers 924 and 925.
And a photoelectric sensor 916 for detecting the end of the card CD taken out, and the transport roller 924 disposed opposite to an opening 910 a provided in a part of the bottom wall of the card tank 910. Then, the card in the tank is separated by one sheet and sent out to the card reader 220 side by the transport roller 925. The end of the card CD is a roller 925
Is detected by the sensor 916, and the rotation of the transport roller 924 is stopped. Thus, it is possible to prevent two cards from being fed.

When the card CD removed from the card tank 910 by the card removal device 920 is inserted into the card inlet 909 and detected by the sensor 914, the transport motor 902 composed of a pulse motor is driven to drive the belt 903. The conveyance roller 904 is rotated through the rotation. Then, the card CD is transported along the traveling path 906 while being sandwiched between the transport roller 904 and the guide roller 905, and is taken into the card reader 220. The transport motor 902 is provided with a rotation detector (sensor 5) 915 such as an encoder for detecting a rotation angle. When the card CD is transported by a predetermined amount, the motor is stopped.

At the center of the main body of the card reader 220, magnetic heads 908a and 908b are provided. One of the heads 908a writes data such as an identification code to the magnetic recording portion MG of the card, and the other head 908b
Is read for confirmation. (Since writing is not performed in the card readers 800 and 310 of the pachinko machine 100 and the settlement machine 300, the recording head 908a is unnecessary.) Then, a punch hole is formed between the magnetic heads 908a and 908b. A perforation device 907 is provided. In the card reader 220 of the issuing machine 200, the punching device 907 is driven at the time of issuing a card, so that a punch hole is punched at a predetermined punching position PH1.

Further, a photoelectric sensor 913 for detecting a punched hole is provided in the vicinity of the punching device 907 to confirm whether or not the punching has been performed by the punching device 907. This sensor 913 is used in a pachinko machine or a checkout machine to detect punch holes PH1 to PH5 punched in a card to grasp the state of the card.

A sensor 911 for detecting the end of the card and an optical sensor 912 for optically detecting a security mark on the card are arranged near the card outlet 901.

Further, behind the card reader 220 (left side in the figure), the print display section PR of the conveyed card is provided.
A printing device 930 for printing the purchase amount AM, issue date DATE, and issue serial number n for T is arranged. The printing device 930 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 931
And a guide roller 932 and a drive motor 933 corresponding to the guide roller 932, and a card detection sensor 917 and a thermal head 934 disposed between the conveyance rollers 931 and 932.

The motors 902, 926, 933 and the punching device 9 based on the detection signals of the sensors 911 to 917 are used.
07, a magnetic head 908a, 908b, and a thermal head 934 are controlled by a controller 228 including a microcomputer (188 in the pachinko machine 100,
In case of 0, it is performed by 319).

FIG. 39 shows a configuration example of the control system of the card issuing machine 200 configured as described above.

In the figure, reference numerals L1 to L5 denote lamps built in the purchase amount selection switch group 212. The lamp corresponding to the turned on switch is turned on to operate the operation button. It is illuminated from behind.

In this system, the magnetic heads 908a, 908b, the transport motor 902, the punching device 907, the printing device 930, and the card removal device 920, which are the respective components of the card reader 220, are based on the detection signals from the sensors 911 to 915. , Controlled by a controller 228 (see FIG. 6) such as a CPU (microcomputer),
The controller 228 and various sensors and indicators provided on the issuing machine 200, the bill validator 210, and the balance payout device 230 are controlled by a unit controller 251 in a control unit 250 also formed of a microcomputer. .

The unit controller 251 controls the above components and receives the card number to execute the card issuance process, collects the operation data, and transfers the operation data to the unit memory 270 as a parallel communication means comprising a dual port memory. Is written to the transmission data area SDA. The operation data written in the unit memory 270 is sent to the management device 400 by a transmission controller and a network control unit (NAU), which will be described later, by data communication with the management device 400 via a transmission cable (network). Further, data sent from the management device 400 is also temporarily written into the reception data area RDA in the unit memory 270, and the unit controller 2
The data is received by the reading of the data by 51. Unit memory 270 is provided with a shared data area CDA for storing commands and status information for notifying the other controller that transmission data and reception data are in the memory.

[Table 8], [Table 9] and [Table 10]
Each of the transmission data areas S in the unit memory 270
DA, reception data area RDA and communication area CC
A configuration example of A is shown.

[0166]

[Table 8]

[0167]

[Table 9]

[0168]

[Table 10]

The hot code shown in [Table 8] is stored in the transmission area SDA of the unit memory 270 by, for example, 010 when the system starts up.
101... 01, and periodically sent to the management device.
By checking whether the M data has been destroyed, it is possible to quickly detect an abnormality in the transmission data.

As shown in [Table 11], the monitor information 1 shown in [Table 8] includes a bit indicating that a test is being executed at the time of system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / unset, and a bit indicating hot setting. It is composed of a bit indicating a code error, a bit indicating an abnormality in the local network (transmission cable 500) (two bits for a low layer and a high layer), a bit indicating an abnormality in an issuer, and the like.

As shown in [Table 12], the monitor information 2 includes a bit indicating an abnormality in the card reader, a bit indicating the presence or absence of a card, a bit indicating a state in the banknote tank, a bit indicating a jam in the banknote, and a bit indicating a jam in the banknote. , A bit indicating the state of the balance dispenser in the bill tank, a bit indicating abnormality of the balance dispenser, and the like.

[0172]

[Table 11]

[0173]

[Table 12]

FIG. 40 shows an example of the structure of the payment machine 300 described above.

The settlement machine 300 of this embodiment includes a card reader 310 for reading the card number of the inserted card CD.
A bill payout device 320 and a coin payout device 326 for refunding an amount corresponding to an unpurchased amount remaining without being used for the card, and a printer 330 for issuing a receipt on which the number of balls held by the game is printed. It comprises various displays 340 to 342, a control unit 350 for controlling the entire settlement machine 300, and the like.

Corresponding to the card reader 310, the front panel 301 has a card insertion slot 311, a ball number display 312 for displaying the number of obtained prize balls (the number of balls), and an amount display for displaying an unpurchased amount. A vessel 313 is provided. When a player first inserts a card through the card insertion slot 311, the card reader 310 reads the card number recorded on the magnetic surface of the card CD, sends the card number to the management device 400, and receives data related to the card CD. Then, the unpurchased money amount is displayed on the money amount display 313, the acquired number of balls is displayed on the ball number display 312, and a receipt is issued by the printer 330. After the settlement, the inserted card is ejected by the punching device 807 after a punch hole is formed at a predetermined punching position PH5.

In this embodiment, a recording head is unnecessary for the card reader of the settlement machine. However, a recording head is provided, and the data on the magnetic surface of the settlement card is erased and discharged. Alternatively, decoding of the card number conversion method may be disabled to prevent forgery of the card.

The configuration of the card reader 310 is the same as that of the issuing machine 20.
This is almost the same as the card reader 220 of FIG. 0 (see FIG. 38), except that there is no card removal device 922 and no card tank 921, and the card storage tank 314 is arranged at that position.
Then, the transport direction of the card is opposite to that of the issuing machine.
The printer 330 pulls out a blank sheet of paper stocked in a roll state, prints the date of issuance, the number of balls obtained, the amount of unused money, and the card history on the surface of the sheet, and discharges it from the receipt issuing port 331. I do.

At the same time, money corresponding to the unpurchased amount is paid out from the banknote payout device 320 and the coin payout device 326 as the balance payout device. Bill dispensing device 320
Comprises a bill tank 321 for stocking bills and a bill outlet 322. In addition, since a fraction of less than 1000 yen is generated at the time of settlement, a coin dispensing device 326 including a coin tank 324 for storing coins in units of 100 yen and a coin payout port 325 is provided.

Further, the front panel 3 of the payment machine 300
01 is a check-out lamp 341 indicating that the card is being settled, and a settlement stop lamp 34 indicating that the card cannot be settled.
2. A card overflow indicator that indicates that the tank 314 has been filled with a card inserted through the card insertion slot 311 or a bill shortage indicator that indicates that stock bills in the bill tank 321 of the bill dispensing device 320 have run out. A monitor display lamp group 340 including a coin shortage indicator for indicating that stock coins in the coin tank 324 of the coin dispensing device have run out, a paper-out indicator for indicating that roll paper in the printer 330 has run out, and the like are provided. ing. Further, in order to detect each of the above states and turn on the corresponding indicators, the card tank 314 and the bill tank 32 are used.
1, the coin tank 324, and the printer 330 are provided with sensors 361, 362, 363, and 364, respectively. The coin dispensing device 326 is provided with a coin removal switch 327.

Further, the settlement machine 300 of this embodiment includes:
A machine number setting device 305 is provided in the inside in order to distinguish each of the plurality of payment machines installed in the amusement store, and to allow the management device 400 to recognize the payment machine that performed the payment of the specific card, The machine number set by the setting unit 305 is sent to the management device 400, and is used for generating a transmission address in data communication and creating a data file for each settlement machine.

Although not particularly limited, the setting device 30
The same number as the unit number set by 5 is displayed on a nameplate 306 attached to the upper part of the front panel 301 of the checkout machine.

FIG. 44 shows an example of the configuration of a control system of the settlement machine 300 configured as described above.

Note that, in FIG.
Are the lamps constituting the monitor display lamp group 340.

In this system, the magnetic head 908b, the punching device 907 and the transport motor 902 constituting the card reader 310 are controlled by a controller 319 (FIG. 37) comprising a CPU (microcomputer) based on detection signals from various sensors 911 to 915. Controller 228
The controller 319 and various sensors and indicators provided in the checkout machine, the bill dispensing device 320, the coin dispensing device 326, and the printer 330
Control unit 35 also composed of a microcomputer
It is controlled by the unit controller 351 in the area “0”.

The unit controller 351 controls the above components, checks the card number, receives and displays the card data, executes the settlement process, collects the operation data, and transfers the operation data to a unit comprising a dual port memory. Write to the transmission data area SDA in the memory 370. The operation data written in the unit memory 370 is transmitted by the transmission controller to the management device 400 via the transmission cable through the transmission cable.
Sent to 0. The data sent from the management device 400 is also temporarily stored in the reception data area R in the unit memory 370.
The data is written to the DA, and the unit controller 351 reads the data to receive data.

The unit memory 370 is provided with a shared data area CDA in which a command and status information for notifying the other controller that transmission data and reception data are in the memory are stored.

[Table 13], [Table 14] and [Table 15]
3 shows a configuration example of the transmission data area SDA, the reception data area RDA, and the communication area CCA in the unit memory 370, respectively.

[0189]

[Table 13]

[0190]

[Table 14]

As shown in [Table 14], in this embodiment, the card history data is also received, printed on a receipt together with the time data, and discharged, so that the payment data with high reliability can be provided to the player. You can impress it. However, the history data is data of up to 20 times contained in the card file.

[0192]

[Table 15]

As shown in [Table 16], the monitor information 1 shown in [Table 13] includes a bit indicating that a test is being executed at the time of system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / unset, and a hot bit. It is composed of a bit indicating a code error, a bit indicating an abnormality in the local network (transmission cable 500) (two bits for a low layer and a high layer), a bit indicating an error in a payment machine, and the like.

[0194]

[Table 16]

As shown in [Table 17], the monitor information 2 indicates a bit indicating a printer error, a bit indicating a card reader error, a bit indicating a state in a coin tank, and a jam of a coin dispenser. It is composed of a bit, a bit indicating an abnormality of the coin dispensing machine, a bit indicating a state of the bill dispensing machine in the bill tank, a bit indicating an abnormality of the bill dispensing machine, and the like.

[0196]

[Table 17]

Next, the pachinko machine 100, the card issuing machine 200, and the payment machine 300 configured as described above are comprehensively controlled, and operation data is collected in real time. A management device that immediately restores the original data state, restarts the operation of each part of the system, enables the aggregation of data necessary for the management of the amusement store, and issues a resurrection card of the same qualification when the card is damaged 400 will be described.

FIG. 42 shows a specific configuration of the management device 400, and FIG. 43 shows a system configuration of the management device 400.

The management device 400 includes a central processing unit CPU of a minicomputer class, a main memory M-MEM including a semiconductor memory (RAM), a timer (including a calendar) TMR,
Main control device 40 in which communication control device SCC and the like are stored
1 and a floppy disk storage device 402 as an auxiliary storage device provided above the main control device 401;
It comprises a hard disk storage device 403 and a personal computer 410. Further, the personal computer 410 has a built-in CRT display device 411 for displaying messages and collected data, a console 412 for the operator to give commands and setting data, and a CPU, and communicates with a central processing unit in the main control device 401. Local processing unit 4 connected via line and interrupt circuit
13 and a printer 414 for printing collected data and the like.
It is composed of

The local processing unit 413 and the central processing unit C
Communication control devices 406a, 406 for coupling with PU
b is provided in the main control device 401.

The printer 414 includes a buffer 414a for temporarily storing data to be printed in order to improve the throughput of the management device 400.

Furthermore, the management device 400 includes a card reader 407 and a pachinko machine 100 that issue a resurrection card or a test card as a medium for causing the system to perform an action from each terminal, which is unique to the pachinko gaming system. Auxiliary printer 40 that prints, in real time, emergency information generated by the system, such as "stopping" that occurs.
8 is provided above the main control unit 401, and is connected to the central processing unit CP via the communication control units 406c and 406d.
U is connected.

The SCC is a transmission control device for enabling data transmission to and from each terminal via a network.

When a power failure occurs, the operation data of all terminals volatilely held in the main storage device and the data of all issued cards are stored in the hard disk storage device 403.
Auxiliary power supply 4 that allows the management device to operate for at least about 10 minutes so that
09 is provided below the main control device 401.

In this embodiment, a system mainly including a pachinko machine 100, a card issuing machine 200, a checkout machine 300, and a management device 400 will be described. However, the present invention relates to an in-store broadcasting device, a premium exchange device, a vending machine, and the like. And the like can be extended to a system that is controlled by the management device 400. In particular, there is a possibility that the prize exchange apparatus can easily apply a system in which a prize can be exchanged directly without using the card and passing through the checkout machine 300.

Further, the console 412 constituting the management device 400 also has a unique key configuration most suitable for the pachinko game system of this embodiment.

FIG. 44 shows an example of the configuration of the console 412. FIG. 1B shows the upper surface of the console, that is, the panel surface, and FIG. 1A shows the rear surface of the console.

In FIG. 44, reference numeral 421 denotes a store opening switch for instructing the start of business for each terminal of the system, 4
Reference numeral 22 denotes a store closing switch for instructing the end of business. The card can be operated in each terminal device after the store opening switch 421 is turned on until the store closing switch 422 is turned on. Reference numeral 423 denotes an end switch for storing the operation data of all terminals in the floppy disk storage device 402 after the business is closed, and an end switch for instructing the management device to stop the operation, and 424 for instructing a recovery process of the damaged card. It is a card resurrection switch.

The four switches of the store opening switch 421, the store closing switch 422, the end switch 423, and the card recovery switch 424 are particularly important switches for the present system, and are prevented from being easily operated during the operation of the system. Therefore, it is interlocked with the key switch 420 provided behind (the upper side in the figure), and unless the key switch 420 is turned on, the switches 421 to 424 cannot be operated to be turned on. Has become.

Reference numerals 425, 426, and 427 denote ten keys, a return key, and a delete key, which are the same as those provided on a console of an ordinary personal computer or the like.

On the other hand, reference numeral 428 denotes a display menu switch for giving an instruction to display data on the card, operation data of each terminal, etc. on the screen of the CRT display device 411.
Is a CRT clear switch for requesting deletion of data displayed on the CRT display device. Reference numeral 430 denotes a print menu switch for giving a command to cause the printer 414 to print data on the card, operation data of each terminal, and the like.
Reference numeral 431 denotes a print stop switch for requesting the printer 414 to stop printing. Reference numeral 432 denotes a setting switch for requesting setting of the number of hits and the hitting mode in the pachinko machine, and 433 denotes a hitting, that is, a game continuation impossible state, in which a prize ball of the set hitting number is paid out. A stop release switch 434 for giving a release command of the stopped state of the pachinko machine that is used forcibly terminates the terminal by type at the end of business hours, or performs normal control and data collection due to a communication network abnormality or the like. A forced termination switch for forcibly terminating all terminals when it becomes impossible, or forcibly stopping a specific terminal when a player's fraud is discovered, 435 releases the suspension of the forcibly terminated terminal An end release switch 439 for performing the operation is a date and time setting switch. Further, the console 412 of the embodiment is provided with a buzzer 440 for generating a sound urging the operator to urge when an emergency such as a pachinko machine is hit and a buzzer stop switch 436 for instructing to stop sounding. Have been.

Of the above switches, switches 421 to 424 and 432 to 436 indicated by double frames in the drawing are:
These switches are built-in lamps, and when these switches are turned on, the built-in lamps are turned on during execution of the corresponding processing or while the state is continued. However, the buzzer stop switch 43
The lamp in 6 is linked with the buzzer, is turned on while the buzzer is sounding, and turned off when the stop switch 436 is pressed.

Further, the console 412 of this embodiment has a test card switch 437 for giving a test card issuance command on the back thereof, an exchange rate of purchased balls, a store code, a total number of terminals, Winning ball 1
A built-in switch 438 is provided for making a setting request such as the number of prize balls per piece. These switches 437 and 438 are different from other switches,
It is a switch that is rarely used, and is a switch that only needs to be known by a specific person (such as a manager of an amusement store), and is therefore provided on the back of the console.

Here, the test card will be described. As is clear from the configuration already described, the gaming system according to this embodiment includes all terminals (pachinko machines 10).
0, the card issuing machine 200, and the settlement machine 300)
Under the control of 00, the state shifts to an operable state by exchanging a card number and the like, and the terminal cannot operate alone. However, since the pachinko machine 100 is frequently used, jamming and so-called tulips and other accessories often break down, and it is necessary to adjust nails in the game area to adjust the payout rate. In that case, you will perform a trial strike after repair and nail adjustment,
In the present embodiment, the test switch 179 in the control unit 160 of each pachinko machine 100 is turned on, and a special test card issued by the management device 400 is inserted from the card insertion / ejection port 802a of the control unit 160. Then, a certain number of balls is given, and the pachinko machine is configured to be able to execute the game operation alone. As a result, it is not necessary to start up the entire system in trial running during non-business hours. In addition, during business hours, a trial hit can be performed without impairing the operation data during the game.

The card reader 407 provided in the management device 400 has exactly the same configuration as the card reader 220 in the card issuing machine 200 shown in FIG.

However, a method may be adopted in which a blank card is inserted from outside, a code is recorded on the magnetic surface, and the blank is ejected, without a blank card inside. In that case, the card tank can be omitted.

Further, since the test card and the resurrection card issued by the management device 400 do not always need to specify the date of use and the serial number of the issuance, unlike other general cards, even if the printing device is omitted. Good. However, it is also possible to incorporate a printing device and print out and issue the fact that the card is a test card.

When issuing a resurrection card, the punching device 8
07, a punch hole is formed at a predetermined punching position PH2 of the card.

As described above, the terminal 10 of this embodiment
0, 200, and 300 are all under the control of the management apparatus 400, and unless the management apparatus 400 is activated, they cannot operate independently in principle. Therefore, at the time of system startup, the management apparatus 400 gives setting values to all terminals and initializes them. In addition, prior to the initialization, the terminal numbers are collected from each terminal to enable data transmission, and each transmission address is formed. During the operation of the system, the operation data of all the terminals is collected in real time, and the main storage device M-ME is collected.
M.

As described above, in this embodiment, the management device 400
The amount of data that is handled is enormous. Therefore, in the embodiment, these data are organized by file management to facilitate handling.

[Table 18] shows a file configuration example of data managed by the management device 400.

These files are usually stored in the main storage device MM.
Although recorded in the EM, all files are saved in the hard disk storage device 403 at the time of power failure. Further, data files relating to the terminals, ie, pachinko machine files (hereinafter referred to as P machine files), issuing machine files and checkout machine files are stored in the floppy disk storage device 402 at the end of business hours, and are provided for monthly operation data tallying and the like. You.

[0223]

[Table 18]

Next, each file shown in [Table 18] will be described in more detail.

The set value file FL1 in the table contains system characteristics such as the exchange rate of purchased balls, store codes, the number of terminals, the number of prize balls, and the number of hits, which are stored in advance in the hard disk by console input when the system is introduced. This is a set value that varies depending on the configuration. The set value file is loaded from the hard disk HDD to the main storage device at the start of normal business. The set value file FL1 can be updated from the console by pressing a built-in switch when the pachinko machine 100 is replaced or the like.

[Table 19] shows a configuration example of the setting value file FL1.

[0227]

[Table 19]

In the table, the exchange rate of purchased balls is the number of balls lent, ie, the minimum number of possessed balls, per unit of purchase amount (for example, 200 yen), and the number of NAUs means the high-layer network and the low-layer network as a data transmission system. This is the total number of network adapter units (communication control devices) provided at the connection part with. Further, the number of prize balls from a certain pachinko machine to a certain pachinko machine is set in a table indicated by a symbol i. This prize ball count is 2 per car
The number of types of prize balls can be set. In addition, in this embodiment, as shown by i = 1 to 16, all pachinko machines of the game arcade are divided into 16 groups, and the number of two prize balls of main and sub can be set separately. ing. However, consecutive machine numbers are given to pachinko machines having the same set value, and the target range is specified by the start number and end number.

Further, the number of hits is set in the table indicated by j, and the hitting mode is set in the table indicated by k. Here, the hit mode indicates a method of calculating the number of hits (arithmetic formula). For example, a mode in which hitting is performed when the number of payout prize balls reaches the hit number, or the number of payout prize balls. There is a mode in which, when the number of hit balls is subtracted from the number of hits reaches the number of hits, hitting is performed when the hitting number is reached. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, j = 1 to 16, k = 1 to 16
As shown by, the number of hits and the hitting mode can be independently set for each of 16 groups.

[Table 20] shows a configuration example of the transmission address file FL2 used for data transmission.

[0231]

[Table 20]

In [Table 20], the type flag is a flag for indicating the type of the terminal, "1" is a pachinko machine,
"2" is a card issuing machine and "4" is a checkout machine.
"0" indicates the absence of the terminal. The terminal number and serial number are the terminal number and serial number created except for "4" and "9". The unit number is placed under one NAU (network adapter unit) regardless of the type of terminal. The number of each terminal, that is, the number that is an address on a low-layer network described later, and the channel number is the address of each terminal viewed from the management device, that is, the number that is an address on a high-layer network described later. However, in the system of the embodiment, the number of pachinko machines connected under one NAU is set to 64 or less.

The NAU number and the machine number are numbers given by the setting switches (173, 205, 305, 561) as described above. In the case of a pachinko parlor, the machine numbers of the pachinko machines are conventionally “4” and “4”. It is a jump number given by a number excluding "9". Here, the fact that "4" and "9" are not used indicates that an octal representation is possible.

[0234] Therefore, the base number expressed in decimal notation is represented by only the numerals 0 to 7 using the conversion table shown in [Table 21]. According to this, for example, the stand number “258” is described as “247”.

[0235]

[Table 21]

When this is represented by a binary code in a binary octal system, it becomes “010 · 100 · 111”. This code indicates “167” in decimal notation, so that the pachinko machine numbers missing “4” and “9” are consecutive numbers. On the other hand, in order to reduce the address on the low-layer network to 8 bits, the lower 8 bits of the above code are taken, and this is regarded as a code “1010 · 0111” expressed in a binary octal system. It becomes "A7H". Further, under one NAU, besides the pachinko machine 100, the issuing machine 200 and the settlement machine 300
Are also connected, and in order to give them an 8-bit unit number, the number of pachinko machines under one NAU is limited to 64, and the code "A7H" and the code "3FH" AND is obtained to obtain "27H". In this embodiment, this is used as the unit number. Then, the unit number is prefixed with an NAU number.
“AU number + unit number” is used as the channel number.
According to such a method, in the custom of a pachinko parlor having a serial number that does not use “4” and “9”, efficient address processing that matches the characteristics of a microcomputer that performs data processing using only the binary system is realized. It becomes possible.

The above file is created for all terminals based on the response data of the unit table request by the management device 400 after the line test.

[Table 22] shows a configuration example of the card file FL3. The card file FL3 contains information for each card.

[0239]

[Table 22]

In the table, the card number is a number obtained from the issue serial number n using the function f (n), and the number of balls and the amount of money, and the card status is the number of the card specified by the issue serial number n and the card number. This information indicates the current state, and is referred to as a card text in this embodiment. Here, the card state is, as shown in [Table 23], a bit indicating a free state that is not used for a game, a bit indicating that a game is in progress,
A bit indicating that the player is temporarily suspended from the gaming machine, a bit indicating that the card has already been settled in the checkout machine, a bit indicating that the number of balls held and the balance of the card have both become zero, It is composed of a bit indicating that a hit has occurred more than once, a bit indicating that the card has been used in a pachinko machine that has been forcibly terminated, a bit indicating that the card has been restored, and the like.

[0241]

[Table 23]

Returning to [Table 22], the terminal file serial number indicating the position of the terminal where the card is currently located and the terminal number are registered in the card file FL3.
Since pachinko parlors do not use the numbers "4" and "9" as the unit numbers, two types of terminal numbers, back and front, are generated.

Also, in Table 22, the i counter is the number of actions taken by the card, that is, the card C
D indicates the number of times the discharging operation is performed from the system as the organic binder to the outside. Corresponding to the number of times, card information such as the table number, the number of balls held, the amount of money, the time, etc. Be recorded. Statistically, the player is 2 per day
Since the game is mostly played with 0 or less pachinko machines, the card history is recorded up to 20 times in this embodiment. However, if it exceeds 20 times, i =
It is recorded in the form of updating the table indicated by 20. In the above case, the i counter does not count the interruption of the game.
That is, each card information is recorded in a new area at the time of interruption, but the value of the i-counter is substantially updated by recording the card information in the same area without updating the counter when the game end switch is turned on after the interruption is released, and recording the card information in the same area. The number is matched.

Here, the state and action of the card CD and the registration of the FL3 card information in the card file will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when a card is issued in the card issuing machine 200, the card is ejected, and the card shifts from the unissued (blank) state SS0 to the free state SS1. Then, when a card is inserted into the desired pachinko machine 100, the game state shifts to the gaming state SS2. Here, when the balls and the amount of money of the card CD become zero by the game, the card CD is ejected and the state shifts to the return-to-zero state SS3. Further, when the interruption switch 115 is pressed during the game, the card CD is ejected and the state shifts to the interruption state SS4, and returns to the game state SS2 again by reinserting the same card. Then, when the end switch 114 is pressed to end the game during the game, the card CD is ejected and the state shifts to the free state SS1. C
Card C even if forced termination or hitting by PU
D is discharged, and the game state shifts from the gaming state SS2 to the free state SS1. Checkout machine 30 with the card CD in the free state
When the payment process is performed after going to 0, the card CD is collected after the invalid mark is added, and the state is shifted to the payment completed state SS5. In the system of this embodiment, the card CD in the suspended state SS4
It is also possible to go to the checkout machine 300 without returning to the pachinko machine and carry out the checkout process. In this case, the state shifts from the suspension state SS4 to the checkout completed state SS5.

[0246] In the above state transition diagram, a circle with an arrow indicating the transition direction indicates an action involving recording of card information in the card file FL3. In each block, the code indicated by XXH is a code representing the card state shown in Table 23, and the corresponding state is expressed in hexadecimal digits (HEXA expression).

Next, [Table 24] shows a configuration example of the P machine file FL4.

In the figure, the items from the machine number to the card status are shown in the transmission data area S shown in [Table 1].
Data held in DA, which is 1 per second
It is sampled by the time management device 400 and registered in a file. The number of main prize balls, the number of sub prize balls, the number of hits, and the hit mode are set when the system starts up (Table 19).
Are registered in the P machine file FL4 based on the set value file FL1 shown in FIG.

[0249]

[Table 24]

[Table 25] and [Table 26] show the issuing machine file FL5 and the adjusting machine file FL6, respectively.
The data items shown in [Table 25] are the data held in the transmission data area SDA of the issuing machine shown in [Table 8], and the data items shown in [Table 26] are [Table 1].
3] matches the data held in the transmission data area SDA. These are sampled by the management device 400 once a second.

[0251]

[Table 25]

[0252]

[Table 26]

In Tables 25 to 27, data marked with a circle in the save column is data saved on the floppy disk FDD at the end of business.

Next, the card issuing machine 200, the pachinko machine 100, and the checkout machine 30 as terminals configured as described above.
0 and a management device 4 for centrally controlling these terminals
A data transmission path (local area network) that enables data transmission and card operation by organically coupling 00 is described. FIG. 48 shows a configuration example of a pachinko game system using a hierarchical data transmission path.

That is, 100 to 1000 terminals are grouped into 20 to 40 terminals, for example, in units such as island facilities of a game arcade, and the terminals of each group circulate at high speed on a ring-shaped transmission path. Token-passing low-layer network (token bus) 510 in which a node (terminal) having an access right called a token to be exchanged has a right to transmit and receive data in the form of a packet.
Depending on the network adapter unit (NAU)
530).

The plurality of NAUs 530 that control each low-layer network (token bus) 510 are
It is connected to the management device 400 via an A / CD high-layer network 520.

The low-layer network 510 operates at 2.5 Mbps.
(Mbit / s), the high-layer network 520 is controlled to have a transmission rate of 10 Mbps, and the NAU 530 absorbs the difference between the two transmission rates to enable smooth data transmission. This reduces the load on the management device 400 and enables a large amount of operation data to be collected.

In FIG. 48, the symbol P indicates a pachinko machine as a terminal, the symbol H indicates a card issuing machine, and the symbol S indicates a checkout machine.

Each terminal P, H, S is connected to the network 51
It is connected to a branch line branched from 0. The control units 160, 250 and 350 of each terminal are connected to the end of each branch line. In FIG. 48, a control unit of each terminal is indicated by reference numeral U.

FIG. 49 shows a circuit configuration example of the NAU (network adapter unit) 530 for buffering data transmission between the low-layer network 510 and the high-layer network 520.

The NAU 530 of this embodiment includes a low-layer network controller 533 for establishing a transmission / reception right in the low-layer network 510 and performing serial / parallel conversion of data.
A high-layer network controller 537 for establishing a transmission / reception right in a CSMA / CD type high-layer network and performing serial / parallel conversion of data; and a data transmission controller 535 for controlling data transfer between these network controllers 533 and 537. Have.
Among the above controllers, the low-layer network controller 533 is composed of a communication LSI dedicated to token passing, and the high-layer network controller 537 and the data transmission controller 535 are configured by general-purpose microcomputers.

The low-layer network 51 is connected between the low-layer network controller 533 and the data transmission controller 535 and between the data transmission controller 535 and the high-layer network controller 537.
0 and buffer packet memories 534 and 536 for absorbing a difference in data transmission speed between the high-layer network 520 and the high-level network 520, respectively. The above packet memory 534,
Reference numeral 536 denotes a dual port memory, which has a transmission data area SDA and a reception data area RDA.

Further, between the low-layer network controller 533 and the low-layer network (talks bus) 510, a branch circuit 531 for separating and coupling a transmission signal and a reception signal, and a signal conversion for level-converting a transmission / reception data signal. The circuit 532 is connected. Similarly, a signal conversion circuit 538 and a branch circuit 539 are connected between the high-layer network controller 537 and the high-layer network 520.

Further, NAU 530 of this embodiment includes:
A NAU number setting device 561 for setting a number for distinguishing a plurality of connected NAUs from each other;
A minimum number setting device 5 for setting the minimum number among terminals existing on the low-layer network 510 under the control of 0
62, and a number setting device 563 for setting the number of terminals existing on the low-layer network. The set values of the setting units 561 to 563 are input to the data transmission controller 535 in the NAU 530, and the NAU number is used to form the transmission address of each NAU in the high-layer network 520. The transmission address of each terminal in the low-layer network 510 is formed by the minimum number and the number.

The hierarchical local network (FIG. 4)
In 8), when the system starts up, the management apparatus 400 performs a line test through each NAU 530 and sets a setting value for each terminal, and the NAU 530 uses the low-layer network 510 once a second during system operation. Operation data is collected from the terminals P, H, and S and stored in its own memory. And the accumulated data is
In response to a request from the management device 400, the data is stored in the data file in the management device 400 from each NAU 530 through the high-layer network 520 once a second.

As described above, the communication network is NAU
530 as a buffer, and the high-layer network 520 transmits the transmission speed of the low-layer network 510.2.
Since the transmission rate is set to be four times the transmission rate of 5 Mbps, even in a system having 100 to 1000 terminals, each of the terminals can receive the signals from [Table 1], [Table 8], [Table 1].
A large amount of operation data as shown in [3] can be collected in the management device 400 once a second.

[Table 27] shows the types of packets received from the pachinko machine 100 transmitted from the management device 400 to the control unit 160 of the pachinko machine 100 in the data transmission system, and [Table 28] shows the types of pachinko machines. 10
The types of transmission packets transmitted from 0 to the management device 400 are shown.

[0268]

[Table 27]

[0269]

[Table 28]

The “card-in” packet described in [Table 28] corresponds to the control unit 16 of the pachinko machine 100.
When the card is inserted into the “0”, the packet is for the unit to request the management apparatus 400 for information “card text” on the card. Here, the card text is the card number, the number of balls, the amount (unused portion)
And a data field containing four pieces of information of a card state. The packet "Return to Zero" is a pachinko machine 1
00 is a packet for transmitting a card text from the control unit 160 of the pachinko machine to the management device 400 when both the number of balls held and the amount of money of the card become zero during the game.

[0271] Further, in the packet of "interruption end", the player presses the interruption switch 115 to receive the card, leaves the pachinko machine, and then inserts the card into the checkout machine without returning to the pachinko machine being interrupted and performs the settlement. This is a packet that, when executed, causes the management device 400 to issue a command to release the suspended state of the pachinko machine being suspended. As a result, the player can return to the pachinko machine that has been interrupted and can perform the settlement without pressing the game end switch 114.

The packets ACK and NAK are acknowledgments and negative acknowledgments to the other party when a transmission request is made between management apparatus 400 and control unit 160, and when there is no card text corresponding to the request. Returns a NAK packet. On the other hand, when the ACK is returned, requested data such as a card text may be added. Further, in this embodiment, a "forced termination request" packet for giving an operation stop command to the pachinko machine 100 based on a judgment of the management device 400 based on a line test, a monitor abnormality, a token bus abnormality, and the like is prepared. I have.

Note that the codes 09H, 8OH,... Of each packet shown in [Table 27] and [Table 28] are used.
Is a hexadecimal number, and the code is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the code is not limited to this.

FIGS. 54 to 59 show typical examples of packet formats used in the data transmission system (local network).

FIG. 54 shows the structure of the “line test” packet for pachinko machine 100 (common with other terminals).
FIG. 4B shows the structure of an “ACK” packet that is transmitted from the pachinko machine 100 to the management device 400.

In the column of “P machine number” to “channel number” in the packet of FIG.
When the AU receives the “line test” packet from the management device 400, the AU enters the number calculated based on the setting values of the NAU number setting switch 561 and the unit number setting switch 562, etc., and the corresponding pachinko machine 100 Send to
On the other hand, the “P machine number” in the packet of FIG.
~ The "channel number" column contains the unit controller 18
In the case of 0, a number calculated in advance based on the set value of the unit number setting device 171 is inserted and transmitted.

In FIG. 54, what is indicated by LHD is a packet head used in the low-layer network 520, and the NAU 530 in the low-layer network 510.
Data transmission between the terminal and each terminal is performed by the packet head LH
D, and data transmission between the management device 400 and the NAU 530 in the high-layer network 520 is performed using the high-layer packet head HHD.

Data transmission from the management device 400 to each terminal via the NAU 530 is performed using two packet heads HHD and LHD. In this case, the network adapter to which the terminal of the transmission destination belongs is specified by the upper packet head HHD, and when a packet is captured therein, the upper packet head HHD is removed and only the lower packet head LHD is used as a head to lower the network adapter. The packet is transmitted over the network 510 and transmitted to a designated terminal.

On the other hand, when transmitting data from each terminal to the management device 400, first, the terminal attaches only the packet head LHD for the low-layer network to the head of the data and sends out the data to the low-layer network 510. Then, the packet is captured by the NAU 530, whereupon the packet head LHD is further provided with a packet head HHD for a high-layer network, sent out over the high-layer network 520, and transmitted to the management device 400.

FIG. 55 shows a configuration example of an “initial value setting” packet from the management device 400 to each pachinko machine 100. The data column indicated by * 1 contains data read from the setting value file (see [Table 20]) of the management device 400, and these are stored in the reception data area RDA of the unit memory 550. Only the hot code of the received data is copied to the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory 550. There is no response to this received packet.

FIG. 56 shows an example of the configuration of various instruction packets without data from the management device 400 to the pachinko machine 100. In the packet type column of FIG.
Code 90H (opening code), 91H (closing code), 9
5H (forced termination request), 96H (forced termination release), 97H
A code of any of (stop release), 98H (interruption end) or B1H (restart) is entered. There is no response to the management device 400 for these received packets, and it is a one-way command transmission.

FIGS. 57A to 57C show a “card-in” packet for notifying the management device 400 that the card has been accepted, and its response packets “ACK” and “N”.
AK "will be described.

In the data field of the “card-in” transmission packet, a card text in which only the card number is written is read out from the unit memory 550 and sent. On the other hand, the response “A
The data field * 2 of the CK "packet contains the card text among the data related to the card read from the card file of the management device 400. In addition, the card state in this card text indicates the updated card state. Show.

A transmission / reception packet when the interruption switch is turned on, a transmission / reception packet when the interruption card is inserted, a transmission / reception packet when the settlement switch is turned on, and when a “return to zero” or “stop” occurs. The configuration of the transmission / reception packet is also the same as the "card-in" packet and its response packet in FIG. 57. The point where the corresponding packet code A2H, A1H, A3H, A4H or A5H enters in the packet type column and the card text in the data column. The only difference is that different data of each card is stored in the data. In particular, in the “card-in” packet, the fields of “number of balls”, “amount” and “card status” in the card text are
In contrast to "0", in other packets of the same type, data relating to the card is also entered in these fields and sent.

Further, FIG. 58 shows an example of the configuration of a “scheduled data transmission” packet, and FIGS. 59A and 59B show an example of the configuration of a “unit recovery” transmission / reception packet.

[0286] Among them, the "scheduled data transmission" packet contains all the data in the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory 550 and sends it. The management device 400 receives this data and sends it to the pachinko machine in the P machine file. Machine 10
The data of 0 is updated. On the other hand, in the “unit recovery” packet, all data in the P device file of the management device 400 and the date read from the set value file, the identification code and the hot code are made to match the configuration of the data area of the unit memory 550. I will send you. However, the reception data packet head and the card text overlapping the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory 550 omit the duplicate transmission, and the unit controller 190 copies the transmission data area SDA to the reception data area RDA. I have. In a response packet to the above packet, only all the data in the transmission data area SDA is inserted and sent.

The packets shown in FIG. 54 to FIG. 59 are not the entirety of the original packet put on the network but only the main part, and also include the alert burst and the synchronous data for finding the head of the data. A header section including a source address field indicating a transmission source, a destination address indicating a transmission destination, a count section indicating a data length, and a check code section for error detection. These are automatically generated and added by the network controller 553 in the control unit 160 of each terminal.

Next, the unit controller 180 (FIG. 2)
5) shows a control procedure for data transmission in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

Each of the controllers 1 from the reset circuit 555
When a reset pulse is supplied to 90, 551, 553, each controller clears the internal register and the internal RAM, and resets the data transmission controller 551.
Also clears the unit memory 550 for parallel communication with the unit controller 190 (step S
101, S201, S301). Then, the data transmission controller 551 writes appropriate data to a predetermined address (27FF) in the unit memory 550 (step S202). Then, the unit memory 550 raises the level of the signal INT output from the predetermined terminal. This signal INT is supplied to the unit controller 190 as an initialization signal as described above.

On the other hand, after clearing the internal register and RAM, the unit controller 190 clears the I / O port (step S102), and clears the unit memory 55.
It is monitored whether the initialization signal INT from 0 has risen (step S103). When the signal INT rises, the value set in the machine number setting unit 171 is read, and then the terminal serial number and the channel number are calculated from the machine number. (Steps S104 and S105). And
The channel number is written in the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory 550 (step S106).

The data transmission controller 551 reads the channel number in the transmission data area SDA and judges whether it is "0" (steps S203, S2).
04), when the value is not "0" due to writing by the unit controller 190, the read channel number is written to the latch LT3 (563), and then the latch LT2
A command specifying the page configuration in the packet memory 552 used for data transmission / reception is written to (562) (steps S205 and S206). Then, the network controller 553 reads the channel number in the latch LT3, stores it in the internal RAM, and determines its own address in the low-layer network (Step S30).
2) The page configuration of the packet memory 552 is read from the next latch LT2 and stored (step S30).
3). Thereby, the configuration of the transmission / reception page is determined.

After that, the data transmission controller 551
Latches the page number used for the next data reception LT
2 (step S207). Then, this becomes a reception permission command to the network controller 553. Therefore, the network controller 553 checks whether or not there is a reception page number in the latch LT2, and if there is a page number, determines that the reception has been permitted, and shifts to the reception processing of step S305 (FIG. 51) and thereafter (FIG. 51). Step S304). In step S305, the network controller 553 determines whether there is a transmission request from the NAU. Then, when there is a transmission request, after transmitting to the NAU that reception is possible,
The packet transmitted from the NAU is received, unnecessary portions such as a source address are removed by the received packet, the data portion is converted to parallel data, and the packet memory 55
The received data is written to the designated page in 2 (steps S306 to S308). Thereafter, the network controller 553 latches the received command LT1.
(561) (step S309).

Then, the data transmission controller 551 reads the data in the latch LT1 and confirms that there is a received command, reads the received data from a predetermined page of the packet memory 552, and temporarily stores it in the working area of the unit memory 550. (Steps S208, S2
09). Then, the data transmission controller 551 writes the next received page into the latch LT2. This is a command for permitting reception of the next packet (step S21).
0). This command (received page) is read and stored by the network controller 553 (step S
310), the next data can be received in parallel with the transmission of the received data from the data transmission controller 551 to the unit controller 190.

That is, the data transmission controller 551
Writes the received page into the latch LT2 in step S210, checks the command register CR2 in the unit memory 550 to confirm that it is "0", that is, there is no other transmission request to the unit controller 190 (step S211). ), The write position in the receive data area RDA is determined from the receive packet type, and the receive data in the working area is stored in the unit memory 550.
To the reception data area RDA (step S212,
S213). Then, the received packet type name is written in the command register CR2 of the communication area (step S2).
14).

Then, when the unit controller 190 monitors the command register CR2 and determines that the packet type has been written, the processing corresponding to the packet type is started (steps S107 and S108).
When the processing is completed, the command register C
R2 is cleared (step S109). On the other hand, the data transmission controller 551 writes the received packet type name in the command register CR2 in step S214, and then determines whether or not the packet is an “initial value setting” packet. To start transmission, a regular timer (1 second) in the unit memory 550 is set (steps S215 and S21).
6). If the received packet is not the "initial value setting" packet, it is determined in step S217 whether the packet is a "line test" packet. If the packet is a "line test" packet, in step S218, a process is executed to transmit the "ACK" packet as a response. If the packet is not a "line test" packet, the process directly proceeds to another process.

Next, the packet transmission processing will be described with reference to FIG.

When a packet transmission factor such as “card-in” or “suspension switch” occurs, the unit controller 190 first transmits the transmission data area SD of the unit memory 550.
Write the packet type name in the “packet type” column in A. That is, a packet head is created (step S1).
21). Then, the command register CR1 in the unit memory 550 is checked to determine whether another transmission packet has already been entered. If there is no other transmission packet, a packet type name to be transmitted is written in the command register CR1. , A transmission timer is set (steps S122 to S124).

The writing of the packet type name into the command register CR1 becomes a transmission command to the data transmission controller 551. On the other hand, the data transmission controller 55
1 monitors whether or not the packet type has entered the command register CR1 (step S221), and upon detecting that the packet type has entered, transmits the transmission data corresponding to the transmission packet type to the transmission data area in the unit memory 550. The data is read from the SDA and written to page 0 in the packet memory 552 together with the address (fixed) of the destination NAU and the number of bytes of the transmission data (step S22).
2, S223).

After that, the data transmission controller 551
Writes the transmission command of the data in page 0 into the latch LT2 (step S224).

Then, this becomes a transmission command to the network controller 553. The network controller 553 checks for a transmission command, and when there is a command, waits for acquisition of a transmission right on the network. Wait for transmission permission (steps S321 to S323). Then, after transmitting the data in page 1 of the packet memory 552, the transmission result is written into the latch LT1 (steps S324 and S32).
5). In response to this, the data transmission controller 551 checks the latch LT1 to determine whether or not the transmission has succeeded. If the transmission has failed, the data transmission controller 551 repeats the transmission process up to three times (steps S225 and S226).

The transmission result is stored in the unit memory 55.
After writing to the status register STR in the communication area of 0, the command register CR1 is cleared (steps S227 and S228).

On the other hand, after setting the transmission timer in step S124, unit controller 190 continuously monitors command register CR1 (step S1).
25) If a time-over occurs before the command register CR1 is cleared by the data transmission controller 551 in the step S228, the common signal (watchdog pulse) of the display data sent to the pachinko machine control device 195 is fixed to a low level. Then, the watchdog pulse is stopped (step S127). As a result, a reset is performed by the reset circuit 555, and steps S101, S201, and S301 are initialized.

Next, the scheduled data transmission processing will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The data transmission controller 551 includes:
The regular timer set in step S216 is checked (step S231). When one second elapses, the process proceeds to step S232, where all data in the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory 550 is read and written to the working area (step S233). . Then, the data is compared again with the data in the transmission data area SDA (step S234).
To see if there is another transmission request (packet type) to the data transmission controller 551 (step S235), read data from the working area and write it to the packet memory 552 as transmission data (steps S237, S238). At this time, the destination address (NAU), the length (number of bytes) of the transmission data, and the packet type name are written in the page 1 in the packet memory together with the transmission data. Step S2
If another packet name is included in the command register CR1 at 35, the packet is transmitted (S236), and the process proceeds to step S237.

The reason why the data coincidence is determined in step S234 is that when the unit controller 190 rewrites one byte of the data portion consisting of two bytes to the transmission data area SDA, when the regular data is transmitted, This is because undetermined data will be transmitted.
By checking the data match, the transmission data area SD
A data determination of A can be determined.

Writing of transmission data (step S238)
Thereafter, the data transmission controller 551 writes a transmission command of the data in the page 1 to the latch LT2 (step S2).
239).

Then, this becomes a transmission command to the network controller 553. The network controller 553 checks for the presence or absence of a transmission command, and when there is a command, waits for acquisition of the transmission right on the network. Wait for transmission permission (steps S331 to S333). Then, after transmitting the data in the page 1 of the packet memory, the transmission result is written into the latch LT1 (steps S334, S335). In response, the data transmission controller 551 sets the latch LT
No. 1 is checked to determine whether or not the transmission has succeeded. If the transmission has failed, the transmission process is repeated up to three times (step S24).
0, S241).

Next, the operation state of the pachinko machine 100 reflected in the operation information in the transmission operation data shown in [Table 1], the manner of transition, and the pachinko machine 100 utilizing this operation state and card state Will be described.

In the system of this embodiment, the pachinko machine 1
As the operating states of 00, as shown in FIG. 46, a reset state SS10, a forced termination state SS11 in which a game cannot be performed, and a free state SS12 opened to all the players.
And a game state S in which a game is played by a specific player
There are six states: S13, a suspended state SS14 in which the game is stopped with the game right reserved for a specific player, and a stopped state SS15 in which a predetermined number of prize balls are discharged and the game is stopped. . The free state SS12 and the suspended state S
Only S14 is a state in which a card can be accepted. In addition to the reset state SS10, the forced termination state SS11 and the hit state SS15 are states in which the card cannot be accepted. In the suspension state SS14, only the card that caused the suspension is accepted. On the other hand, in the gaming state SS13, a specific card is held inside the pachinko machine.

In each of the above-mentioned states, transition in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure is possible, and no other state transition occurs.

That is, the reset state SS10 is in the forced termination state SS1 only when an “initial value” packet is received.
Move to 1. However, when a “unit recovery” packet is received in the reset state after the recovery from the power failure, the pachinko machine returns to the state before the power failure occurred. Forced end state S
From S11, it is possible to shift only to the free state SS12, which shifts when a “store opening” packet or a “forced termination release” packet is received. In addition, free state SS12
Can be shifted to the gaming state SS13 or the forced ending state SS11, the processing shifts to the gaming state SS13 upon reception of the “card-in” packet, and shifts to the forced ending state SS11 upon receiving the “closed” packet or the “forced ending” packet. .

In the gaming state SS13, when the end switch is turned on or the return-to-zero state occurs, the free state S13 is set.
Returning to S12, if the interruption switch is turned on during the game, the operation proceeds to the interruption state SS14, and if the stopping condition is satisfied, the stopping state S
The process moves to S15. The state shifts from the interruption state SS14 or the cancellation state SS15 to the free state SS12 when the "interruption end" packet (when the settlement is performed by the settlement machine 300) or the "suspension release" packet is received, and is suspended in the interruption state SS14. Is returned to the gaming state SS13 when the card that caused is reinserted.

Further, in the free state SS12, in all of the gaming state SS13, the interrupted state SS14, and the hit state SS15, when the “forced termination request” packet is received from the management device 400, the forced termination state SS1 is set.
Move to 1.

Further, in the system of this embodiment, a test mode for enabling a game with a test card is prepared. In this mode, when the power of the entire system is turned on and online, a state transition almost similar to that in FIG. 46 is performed. Do. FIG. 47B shows a state transition diagram of the pachinko machine 100 in the online test mode. In this case, the condition of the state transition is slightly different from that in the normal operation mode.

That is, the free state S in the normal operation mode
When a normal test card is inserted after pressing the test switch in S12, the control space is switched, and the state of the pachinko machine 100 is set to the gaming state SS1 in the test mode.
Move to 3 '. Even in the test mode, it is possible to shift to the stop state or the interruption state. However, gaming state SS
It is possible to shift from 13 'to the free state SS12 when the end switch is turned on or when zero return occurs. From the stopped state SS15' to the free state SS12 ', it is not the reception of the "cancel release" packet, but When the end switch is turned on, the state returns to the test game state SS13 'when the original test card or another test card is inserted in the interrupted state SS14', and the normal free state is pressed when the end switch is pressed in the interrupted state SS14 '. Move to SS12. The control space is switched at the same time as the transition from each state in the test mode to the free state SS12. In other words, the test mode is not the test mode, but the normal operation mode. When the player wants to play the game again with the test card, it is necessary to turn on the test switch again and then insert the test card. on the other hand,
When a "forced termination request" packet is sent from the management device 400 in each state of the test mode, this is stored in the unit control device 180, and when the termination switch is turned on, each state SS13 ', SS14. ', SS15' to the forced termination state SS11.

The transition to the forced termination state SS11 is performed simultaneously with the switching of the control space, and the test mode ends.

FIG. 47C shows a state transition in the test mode when one of the pachinko machines is powered on independently and disconnected from the management apparatus 400.

Pachinko machine 100 when offline
Performs initialization upon power-on, and then enters a standby state SS20 for turning on a test switch or waiting for a “line test” packet from the management device 400. Here, when the test switch is turned on and a regular test card is subsequently inserted, a transition is made to the gaming state SS13 'in the test mode. Thereafter, under the same conditions as in FIG.
In S14 ', the state shifts to the stop state SS15'. When the end switch is turned on in each state, the state returns to the standby state SS20.

When the "line test" and "initial value setting" packets are received in the standby state SS20, the flow shifts to the forced termination state SS11 in the normal operation mode.

The control unit 1 of the pachinko machine of this embodiment
The unit control device 180 of the pachinko machine 100 refers to the operating state and the card state of the pachinko machine,
And control of the card reader 800 and communication with the management device 400 to reduce the load on the management device,
The control processing independence is maintained for a predetermined process while avoiding a malfunction due to a communication error, so that a quick response can be made to a player's action or the like.

Hereinafter, processing in the unit controller 190 using the above-mentioned pachinko machine operation information and card status will be described.

First, before explaining the processing by the unit controller 190, the unit controller 190, the pachinko machine controller 195 and the card reader controller 18
8 will be described with reference to FIG. 60 to FIG. 67.

FIG. 60 shows the procedure from initialization to opening of a store.

Communication between the card reader control device 188 and the unit controller 190 is performed by a function code.
"Initial value setting" function for giving the card reader a date code and an identification code for collating with the magnetic data read from the card, permitting the card reader to accept the card "Card accepted" function, "Card unacceptable" function to instruct card reader to stop accepting cards, "Card eject" function to instruct card eject, Card magnetic data reread "Reload" function to request the retransmission of the function code sent immediately before, "status request" to request transmission of the bit indicating the status of the card reader held in the card reader controller Function and Return Reiana PH indicating that the lifting ball cards, the amounts becomes zero at a predetermined position of the punch hole forming region
Eight kinds of commands of a "return-to-zero" function for giving a command to pierce No. 4 are prepared.

On the other hand, as a function code from the card reader control device 188 to the unit controller 190, a “card number transmission” function for sending a card number read by the card reader to the unit controller, and a function for notifying that a test card has been inserted to the unit controller. "Test card" function to inform
"Initial value request" function to request initial values such as date and identification code at reset, "Normal end" function to notify the unit controller that the requested processing has been completed normally, and conversely, processing has been completed normally "Abnormal termination" function that informs you that
A "self-discharge" function that the card reader controller determines that the inserted card is fraudulent and detects that the card has been detected by itself, and requests the unit controller 190 to retransmit the function code sent immediately before. There are eight types of "retransmission request" function and "status transmission" function for transmitting the status of the card reader in response to "reload" request or "status request".

However, the communication between the card reader control device 188 and the unit controller 190 does not unilaterally send the function code, but first the transmitting side transmits a call signal (calling code) ENQ, and the receiving side permits the communication. After receiving the response ACK, the function code is sent.

In FIG. 60, when a reset occurs due to power-on, the unit controller 190, the card reader controller CPU2, the pachinko machine controller CP
U1 initializes internal registers and the like (step S4).
01, S501, S601). When the initialization is completed, the pachinko machine controller CPU1 waits for input of a detection signal from each sensor or switch (S410).

The unit controller 190 reads the set value from the unit number setting unit 171 to calculate a serial number and a channel number, and stores them in the unit memory 550 (step S602). Then, it waits for the transmission of the "line test" packet from the management device 400 (step S60).
3).

Next, upon receiving the “initial value setting” packet, reception control from the card reader 800 is started, and a call signal ENQ from the card reader controller CPU 2 is received.
Is determined (steps S604 to S606).

On the other hand, the card reader controller CPU 2
When the initialization is completed, the unit controller 190
Sends a call signal ENQ and waits for a response signal ACK in response to the call signal (steps S502 and S503). If there is no ACK before transmission of the call signal ENQ, and if there is a call for transmission such as the “initial value setting” function from the unit controller, if there is no ACK,
It is determined whether NQ exists (step S504). And
If there is an ENQ, an ACK is transmitted and the reception of a function code is awaited (steps S504 to S506).

When the unit controller 190 receives the transmission of the call signal ENQ from the card reader controller CPU 2 in step S502 in step S606, it returns a response signal ACK (step S60).
7). Then, the card reader controller CPU2 transmits an "initialization request" function (Step S).
511). This is received by the unit controller 190 and transmission control to the card reader 800 is started, and first, an “initial value setting” function including an identification code is transmitted (steps S608 to S610).

Upon receiving this initial value, the card reader controller CPU 2 stores the date and the identification code in the internal RAM.
And returns a "normal end" function (steps S512 to S514).

The unit controller 190 receives the "normal end" function (step S611).
Waits for a “store opening code” packet from the management device 400, and upon receiving the “opening code” packet, scrolls the analog display 163 to display a wait for customer and displays the unit memory 5
50 is changed to "free" (step S6).
12 to S614). Then unit controller 19
0 transmits a "card accepted" function to the card reader controller CPU2 (step S61).
5).

When the card reader controller CPU2 receives this, the shutter is first opened, and then card insertion detection is started (steps S515 to S517). Then, the "normal end" function is returned (step S5).
18), and waits for insertion of a function or card from the unit controller 190 (step S)
520). On the other hand, when the unit controller 190 receives the “normal end” function from the card reader 800, it waits for a packet from the management device 400 or a function from the card reader controller CPU2 (step S620).

FIG. 61 shows an operation procedure when a card CD is inserted into the card reader 800.

The card reader controller CPU2 waits for a function or a card (step S520).
, When the card CD is inserted, this is detected by the insertion detection switch 808, and the motor is driven to take in the card (step S521). Next, after checking the punch hole and the security code, the magnetic data is read, and the date and the identification code are inspected (steps S522 to S525). If the card is a normal card, the function including the read card number is transmitted to the unit controller 190, and then the shutter is closed (steps S526 and S527).

When the unit controller 190 receives the card number, it sends a “card-in” packet to the management device 40.
0, the presence of the card CD is confirmed by the "ACK" packet, and the operation information is changed to "playing" (steps S621 to S623). Then, the status display lamp 1
After turning on 62 to notify the outside that the game is being played, the hit ball launching device 103 is made drivable and waits for the input of the detection signal of each sensor (steps S624 and S625).

During this time, the pachinko machine controller CPU 1
Is in a state of waiting for detection signals of sensors and switches (step S410), and after starting the launch control of the hit ball launching device, launch sensor SNS5, safe sensors SNS2, SNS3,
When the detection signals from the foul sensor SNS4 and the out sensor SNS1 are detected, the detection signals are sent to the unit controller 1
90 is notified (steps S411 to S416). In addition, at this time, the return ball and the launch ball are distinguished from each other based on the difference in the detection time of the launch sensor, and the return number is output as a foul ball detection signal (step S416). On the other hand, when the unit controller 190 receives the detection signal of the sensor, the unit controller 190 performs an operation according to the type of the signal, obtains the number of balls being played, and updates the unit memory 550 (steps S626 to S63).
When the detection signal of the purchase switch 113 is received together with 0), an operation of reducing the unused amount of the card and increasing the number of balls held is performed (step S631).

In FIG. 62, during the game, the interruption switch 114
The operation procedure when is turned on is shown.

When the unit controller 190 detects that the interruption switch is turned on, the unit controller 190 stops the control of the hit ball launching device 103 and sends the "interruption switch" to the management device 400.
The packet is transmitted (steps S632 to S634).
Then, when “ACK” is returned from the management device 400, the operation information in the unit memory 550 is changed to “interrupted”, the game state display lamp 123 is driven to blink, and the interruption display is performed. The "card ejection" function is transmitted to the card reader controller CPU2 (steps S635 to S637).

When the card reader controller CPU2 receives this function, the shutter is opened, the motor MT is reversed, the card CD is ejected, and a "normal end" function is sent to the unit controller 190 (steps S528 to S531). It waits for insertion or function (step S532). on the other hand,
After receiving the “normal end” function (step S638), unit controller 190 waits for reception of a packet or function (step S620).

Thereafter, the suspended card is transferred to the card reader 8.
00, the card reader controller CPU
In step S2, the card is taken in, checked and transmitted, and the shutter is closed according to the same procedure as steps S521 to S527.
538). On the other hand, the unit controller 190 compares the received card number with the card number in the unit memory to check whether or not the card has been interrupted, and transmits a “suspended card-in” packet to the management device 400 if they match. (Steps S639 to S641). When the response "ACK" is received, the operating state is changed to "playing", the game state display lamp is changed to a continuously lit game display, and the control of the hitting ball launcher is started (step S6).
42 to S644).

By the way, in the system of this embodiment, when the suspended card is settled by the settlement machine 300, the suspended pachinko machine is released. Therefore, FIG.
When the "interruption end" packet is sent from the management device 400 in the packet of step S620 of step 2 or the function reception waiting state, the unit controller 190 changes the operation information to "free" and displays the lamps 123 and 163 in the customer waiting display. , And waits for packet or function reception again (step S620).

FIG. 63 shows an operation procedure when the end switch 115 as the discharge operation means is turned on.

When the unit controller 190 detects that the end switch has been turned on, the unit controller 190 stops driving the hit ball launching device 103 and then sends the “end switch” packet to the management device 4.
00 (steps S645 to S647). And
When the response “ACK” is received, the operation information is “free”.
, The game state display lamp 123 is turned off, the analog display 163 is scrolled to change to the customer waiting display, and then the "card ejection" function is sent to the card reader controller (steps S648 to S650).

Upon receiving the function, the card reader controller CPU2 opens the shutter, drives the motor MT to eject the card, and returns a "normal end" function to the unit controller (steps S539 to S542). Then, it waits for card insertion or function reception (step S520).

On the other hand, upon receiving the "normal end" function from the card reader controller CPU2, the unit controller 190 waits for a packet from the management device 400 or a function from the card reader controller CPU2 (steps S651, S62).
0). During this time, the pachinko machine controller CPU1 is waiting for the input of the detection signal of the sensor (step S41).
0).

Next, a procedure in the case where a return-to-zero state in which both the number of balls held and the amount of money become “0” during the game of FIG. 61 will be described with reference to FIG.

As a result of the calculation of the number of balls in steps S626 to S631, it is determined whether or not the number of balls and the amount of money have become "0".
If “0”, the drive control of the hitting ball launching device 103 is stopped, and then the search timer for 10 seconds is turned on (step S
652-S654). Then, it is checked whether or not the number of floating balls (the number of launched balls−the number of collected balls) existing in the game board has become “0”, and it is further determined whether or not the search timer has passed 10 seconds (steps S655 and S656). If the number of floating balls becomes “0” or the search timer has passed 10 seconds, a “return-to-zero” packet is transmitted to the management device 400 (step S658). Also, if there is a floating ball count within 10 seconds after the launching device stops, a safe ball or foul ball,
Check if there is an out ball, and if so, step S626.
Returning to S631, the number of balls is calculated again (step S65)
7).

Then, “ACK” from the management device 400
When the packet is received, the operation information is changed to "free", and then the lamps 123 and 163 are changed to the customer waiting display.
A "return to zero" function is transmitted to the card reader controller (steps S659 to S662).

When the card reader controller CPU2 receives this function, the card reader controller CPU2 punches a punch hole at the return-to-zero hole punching position, opens the shutter, and ejects the card (steps S543 to S546). Then, the “normal end” function is executed by the unit controller 190.
To wait for card insertion or function reception (steps S547 and S520).

On the other hand, the unit controller 190
When the "normal end" function is received, a packet or function wait state is set (step S66).
3, S620).

FIG. 65 shows a processing procedure when a hit state occurs during the game in FIG. 61.

After calculating the number of balls and the amount of money in steps S626 to S631, a hit calculation is performed, and it is determined whether or not the calculated value has reached the number of hits (steps S664 and S665). When the number of hits has been reached, the drive control of the hit ball launching device 103 is stopped, and then a “hit” packet is transmitted to the management device 400 (steps S666 and S667).

Then, “ACK” from the management device 400
When a packet is received, the operation information is changed to "stop",
The game state display lamp 123 is turned off, and the analog display 16
3 is changed to a stop display (blinking drive) (step S66)
8-S670). After that, the tap sound is output from the speaker 166, and then the card reader controller CPU2 is turned off.
Then, a "card cannot be accepted" function is transmitted to the user (steps S671, S672).

When the card reader controller CPU2 receives this function, the shutter is opened to eject the card CD, and then the shutter is closed to prohibit card insertion. Then, the "normal end" function is transmitted to the unit controller 190, and the function controller waits for function reception (steps S551 to S55).
6). Then, the unit controller 190 receives the “normal end” function and enters a packet waiting state.
(Steps S673, S674).

After that, the management device 400 sends a “cancel release”
When a packet is sent, the unit controller 19
0 changes the operation information to “free”, and the lamps 123, 1
63 is changed to the customer waiting display, and then a "card accepted" function is transmitted to the card reader controller CPU2 (steps S675 to S678).

Then, the card reader controller CPU
2. After opening the shutter to start card insertion detection and transmitting a "normal end" function (step S5)
57 to S560), and waits for insertion of a function or a card (step S520). On the other hand, the unit controller 190 receives the “normal end” function (step S679), and waits for reception of a packet or function (step S620).

During this time, the pachinko machine controller CPU 1
Are in a state of waiting for input of a detection signal of each sensor and switch (step S410).

FIG. 66 shows a processing procedure at the time of forced termination. 60, 63, 64, and 65 (step S62).
When the “forced end” packet is sent from the management device 400 at 0), the unit controller 190 changes the operation information to “forced end”, turns off the lamps 123 and 163, and displays the number of balls and the amount display. After clearing to "0",
A "card cannot be accepted" function is transmitted to the card reader controller CPU2 (steps S681 to S68).
4).

Then, the card reader controller CPU
Step 2 is to determine whether a card CD is present in the card reader 800 after receiving the function, to open the shutter to eject the card CD if the card is inserted, and to go to step S565 if there is no card. Then, after closing the shutter, the "normal end" function is transmitted, and the function waits for reception (step S56).
1 to S567).

On the other hand, when the unit controller 190 receives the "normal end" function from the card reader controller CPU2, it waits for packet reception (steps S685, S686).

After that, when a “forced termination release” packet is sent from the management device 400, the unit controller 190 changes the operation information to “free”, and
3, 163 is changed to the customer waiting display, and then a "card accepted" function is transmitted to the card reader controller (steps S687 to S690).

Then, the card reader controller CPU
2. After opening the shutter to start card insertion detection and transmitting a "normal end" function (step S5)
68 to S571), and waits for insertion of a function or a card (step S520). On the other hand, the unit controller 190 receives the “normal end” function (step S691), and waits for reception of a packet or function (step S620). During this time, the pachinko machine controller CPU1 is in a state of waiting for input of a detection signal of each sensor and switch (step S410).

FIG. 67 shows a procedure of a unit recovery process after a power failure occurs.

When the power failure is recovered, each controller C
The PU1, CPU2, and 190 respectively initialize internal registers and the like (steps S421, S581, and S70).
1) Then, the unit controller 190 reads the unit number from the unit number setting unit 171 to calculate the serial number and the channel number, store them in the unit memory 550, and waits for the reception of the "line test" packet (steps S702 and S70).
3).

On the other hand, after initialization, the pachinko machine controller CPU1 waits for input of a detection signal of a sensor or switch (step S410), and the card reader controller CP
U2 is the step S50 at the time of power-on reset in FIG.
2 to S506, after transmitting the call signal ENQ,
ACK and ENQ from unit controller 190
Is determined, and upon receiving ENQ, it returns ACK and then waits for function reception (step S5).
82-S586).

The unit controller 190 determines in step S
When the "line test" packet is received at 703, the "unit recovery data" packet sent from the management device 400 is subsequently received, the data in the unit memory 550 is returned to the state before the power failure occurred, and the "ACK" packet is received. Is returned (steps S704 and S705). then,
After the firing drive control is turned off irrespective of the state before the power failure, if the previous operating state is a game, the operation information is set to "free" (steps S706 and S707). next,
Since a "restart" packet is sent from the management device 400, if it is received, transmission / reception control with the card reader controller CPU2 is started, and a call signal ENQ is transmitted first (steps S708 to S71).
0). When a response signal ACK is received, an "initial value setting" function is sent to the card reader controller CPU2 (steps S711 and S71).
2).

The card reader controller CPU2
Upon receiving the "initial value setting" function, the date and the identification code are stored, and then the "normal end" function is returned. Upon receiving this, the unit controller 190
The lamps 123 and 163 are displayed according to the operation information (steps S713 and S714). That is, the original operating state returns to the original display state except for “in game”. Subsequently, the unit controller 190 transmits a function corresponding to the operation information (step S715). That is,
If it is "free", it sends the "reload" function of the card, if it is "suspended", it sends the "card accepted" function, otherwise it sends the "card not accepted" function.

Then, the card reader controller CPU
2 executes processing corresponding to the transmitted function, and then determines whether a card CD is present in the card reader 800. If no card is present, a "status" function is transmitted (steps S590 to S590). S
592). When the card CD is present in the card reader 800, the authenticity of the card CD corresponding to the steps S522 to 525 is determined, the card number is put into the function and transmitted, and then the step S520 is performed.
Wait for function reception or card insertion corresponding to.

On the other hand, when the unit controller 190 receives the “status” function from the card reader 800, it waits for a packet or a function corresponding to step S 620, and receives the function including the card number and “card in” corresponding to step S 622. "After transmitting the packet to the management device 400, the game processing is started according to the procedure of steps S623 to S631 in FIG.

As described above, when the operating state before the power failure occurs is “in game”, the game is restarted after rereading and checking the card CD, so that erroneous data ( In particular, reliability can be improved by avoiding confusion caused by transmission of a card number, and illegal acts such as removal of a card CD during a power failure can be eliminated.

Next, a specific control procedure in unit controller 190 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The processing in the unit controller 190 includes an initialization task after power-on or reset,
There are ten types of main tasks that follow, a timer interrupt process based on an interrupt signal input from the timer every 1 millisecond, and a serial interrupt process that occurs when a function is transmitted to and received from the card reader controller CPU2.

Of these, ten types of main tasks are repeatedly executed by real-time processing. Here, the ten types of main tasks are a packet reception task and a card reader control task, a packet transmission task, an error control task, a ball count calculation task, a switch detection task, a sound output task, a timer control task, a lamp drive task, and a port. There are ten types of output control tasks.

FIG. 68 shows the procedure for timer interrupt processing, and FIG. 69 shows the procedure for serial interrupt processing.

In the timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 68, first, the hot code (A55A) in the unit memory 550 is checked (procedure P1). If there is an abnormality, the reset is performed. The timer is reset (procedure P2). Next, after the timer prepared in the internal RAM of the unit controller 190 is updated, “FFH” is set by the data transmission controller 551 every time transmission is performed, and −1 is decremented every 20 mS. Check the counter (procedures P3 and P4). Here, if the watchdog counter is "0", it is determined that the data transmission controller 551 has gone down, and the common signal for driving the segment type display is fixed and reset by the reset circuit 555 is applied.

If the watchdog counter is normal,
After performing the next sensor and switch detection processing (see FIG. 70), the switch detection signal invalidation processing (see FIG. 71)
(Procedures P5 and P6).

Thereafter, the amount data and the number-of-balls data are read from the unit memory 550 and code-converted. Based on the read data, the segment data and common data of the amount display 111 and the number-of-balls display 112 are formed and output. The number of balls is dynamically displayed (procedures P7 and P8).

On the other hand, in the serial interrupt processing of FIG.
When an interrupt is received from the transmission buffer or the reception buffer inside the unit controller 190, it is first determined whether or not the reception is an interruption. If the interruption is a reception interruption, one byte of received data is transferred to the internal RAM (procedures P11 and P12).
Further, when the serial interrupt is an interrupt from the transmission buffer, a one-byte transmission process of converting the one-byte transmission data into serial data by shifting the transmission buffer and outputting the serial data is executed (procedures P13 and P1).
4). Note that the serial interrupt is automatically executed by the CPU when transmission / reception data enters the reception buffer or transmission buffer.
, An interrupt signal is input.

The sensor and switch detection processing during the timer interruption processing (FIG. 68) is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

That is, first, the on / off states of the purchase switch 113, the interruption switch 114, the settlement switch 115, the test switch 179, and the call switch 165a are read and compared with the previous state (procedures P51 and P51).
52). In the comparison of the states, it is possible to easily know whether the state has changed by performing a logical operation such as an exclusive OR. Here, if there is a switch that is newly turned on, the on state of the switch is saved in the internal RAM (procedure P53).

Next, it is determined whether or not the sensor is being detected (procedure P54), that is, whether or not the game is being played. If the sensor is being detected, the firing sensor SNS5 and the safe sensor SN are detected.
The states of S2, SNS3, foul sensor SNS4, and out sensor SNS1 are read and compared with the previous states (procedures P55 and P56). If there is a sensor that is newly turned on, the on state of the sensor is set to the internal R
Save to AM (procedure P57).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the driving control of the hit ball launching device 103 is being performed.
Jump to step P57 if not controlled
Invalidates the ON state of the firing sensor saved in the RAM (procedures P58 and P59). Then, if the firing sensor is turned on after looking at the data saved in RAM,
The counter for counting the number of floating balls provided in the RAM is added (procedures P60 and P61). If the firing sensor is off, the process proceeds to the next procedure P62 without incrementing the number of floating balls and determines whether the number of floating balls is “0”. Here, if the number of floating balls is "0", the ON state of the first safe sensor SNS2 saved in the RAM is invalidated (procedure P76), and if it is not "0", it is checked whether the first safe sensor is ON and ON. Then subtract the number of floating balls (procedure P
63, P64), and if the first safe sensor is off, the process directly proceeds to the procedure P65, and it is determined again whether or not the number of floating balls is “0”.

If the number of floating balls is "0", the on-state of the second safe sensor SNS3 saved in the RAM is invalidated (procedure P77). If not, it is checked whether the second safe sensor is on. If it is on, the number of floating balls is subtracted (procedures P66 and P67), and if the second safe sensor is off, the process proceeds directly to procedure P68 to determine again whether the number of floating balls is "0". Here, if the number of floating balls is "0", the foul sensor SNS4 saved in the RAM.
Is invalidated (procedure P78). If it is not "0", it is checked whether or not the foul sensor is on. If it is on, the number of floating balls is subtracted (procedures P69 and P70). Proceeding directly to procedure P71, it is determined again whether the number of floating balls is "0". Here, if the number of floating balls is "0", the out sensor S saved in the RAM
Invalidates the ON state of NS1 (procedure P79), and returns "0"
If not, it is checked whether or not the out sensor is on. If it is on, the number of floating balls is subtracted (procedures P72 and P73). If the out sensor is off, procedure P74 is used.
If either of the safe sensors 1 or 2 is valid, an instruction is made to reserve the hit sound and turn on the safe ball display lamp, and then the ON counter for the valid ON-state sensor saved in the RAM Is added (+1) (procedure P75).

Thereafter, the switch invalidating process shown in FIG. 71 is executed. In this process, first, it is checked whether the operating state is "playing", and if "playing", the ON state of the test switch saved in the RAM is invalidated (procedures P81 and P82). Switch 11
After invalidating the ON state of No. 3 (procedure P83), it is determined whether or not the card state is "return to zero".
Is invalidated (procedures P84 and P85).

As described above, in the control of the pachinko machine 100 by the unit controller 190 of this embodiment, the concept of floating balls is adopted, and the number of winning balls, out balls and foul balls is subtracted from the number of shooting balls. Balls are regarded as floating balls in the game board, and if a winning ball or the like is detected such that the number of floating balls becomes “0” or less, it is invalidated. Thus, an erroneous detection signal due to noise or the like can be eliminated, and the calculation accuracy of the number of balls can be improved.

Next, the initialization task by the unit controller 190 and the ten kinds of main tasks to be processed in real time will be described.

FIG. 72 shows the initialization task.

When a reset signal is input from the reset circuit 555 at the time of power-on or when the watchdog pulse disappears, the unit controller 190 starts the initialization task, first clears the internal RAM, and checks the internal RAM with a check code at a predetermined address. Is written, an initial value is set in an internal register, and an I / O port is set to a predetermined initial state (procedures P91 to P93). Then, after setting a plurality of reference timers prepared in the RAM, the data transmission controller 551 waits for the rise of the initialization signal INT output by writing to the unit memory 550 (procedure P94, procedure P94).
P95). Then, when the INT signal rises, the setting number of the unit number setting switch 171 is read, the serial number and the channel number are calculated, and they are written in the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory 550. It waits for a "test" packet to be sent (procedures P96 to P98) and checks the test switch 179. And "line test"
If a packet is received, return an "ACK" packet to the management device before returning to the main task. If the test switch is turned on before receiving a "line test" packet, set the test mode flag and then shift to the main task. I do.

FIG. 73 shows a unit controller 190.
The processing procedure of the "packet receiving task" among the ten types of main tasks is shown.

In this task, first, the unit memory 550 is checked to determine whether a packet has been sent from the management device 400.
A check is made to see if a K "packet is waiting to be returned (procedures P101 and P102). If no (No), the procedure returns to procedure P101 to repeat the above procedure, and returns to procedure P10.
When an "ACK" packet is waited for in step 2, procedure P103
Then, the procedure P1 in the packet transmission task in FIG. 98 is performed.
The ACK waiting timer set at 57 is read. Next, it is checked whether or not the timer has timed out. If the timer has timed out, an ACK reception error flag in the internal RAM is set (procedure P10).
4, P105). This flag is referred to in an error control task (FIG. 99) described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step P101 that there is a received packet, the type name of the received packet is read from the unit memory 550 into the internal RAM, and it is first determined whether or not it is a “NAK” packet (procedure P10).
6, P107). If it is "NAK", the NAK flag prepared in the RAM is set (procedure P108).
Proceeding to 9, it is determined whether the received packet is registered. If it is an unregistered packet, procedure P11
0 clears the packet type name in the command register CR2 of the unit memory 550 to “0” and returns to the procedure P10
Return to 1. It is determined that no packet has been received by clearing the command register CR2.

If it is determined in step P109 that the received packet has been registered, procedures P111 to P125
To determine which packet it is, and execute a process (FIGS. 74 to 87) according to the type of the found packet.

FIG. 74 shows the procedure of the "initial value setting" packet receiving process in the packet receiving task.

Upon receiving the "initial value setting" packet, unit controller 190 copies the hot code to the transmission data area in the corresponding column in reception data area RDA of unit memory 550 (procedures P301 and P302). ). The head of the transmitted packet is divided into the reception data area RDA and the transmission data area S.
By writing to DA, the unit controller 190
, The creation of a packet head for the transmission data area SDA can be simplified. Next, the "initial value not set" bit in the monitor information 1 is checked to determine whether or not the initial value has been received (procedure P303). If the initial value has been received, the procedure immediately proceeds to the procedure P306, and if not received, the procedure proceeds to the procedures P304 and P305. After changing the information to "forced termination" and disabling transmission to the card reader 800, the procedure P3
The process proceeds to step 06 to enable communication control (reception) with the card reader 800. The “initial value setting” packet may be transmitted even when the prize ball or the number of hits is changed on the console of the management device 400 after the store is opened, and in that case, it is not preferable to change the operation information. Then, by checking the flag of the internal RAM, it is checked whether it is in the test mode or not (procedure P307). If it is in the test mode, the process proceeds to the procedure P310. If the flag has been transmitted and the transmission has been completed, the initial value transmission flag is cleared (procedure P309), and then the procedure P
The process proceeds to step 310 to permit transmission to the card reader 800. Then, the "initial value setting" function is transferred to a predetermined area of the internal RAM (transmission buffer area).
, A transmission reservation is made, and it is determined whether the initial value has been received again by checking the flag (procedures P311 and P311).
312).

[0396] In the procedure P308, the card reader 80
If the “initial value setting” function to 0 has not been transmitted yet, the procedure jumps to the procedure P312 because the “initial value request” from the card reader 800 at the time of the initial initial value transmission.
This is because the initial value is transmitted after receiving the function. When it is determined in the procedure P312 that the initial value packet has not been received, the procedure P31
The process proceeds to step 3 where the "initial value setting" bit of the monitor information 1 is cleared, and if it is determined that the initial value has been received, the process proceeds from the procedure P312 to P314 to reserve the transmission of the "initial value setting" function and then return to the original state. The process returns to the processing routine (FIG. 73).

FIG. 75 shows the procedure of the "opening code" packet receiving process in the packet receiving task.

When the unit controller 190 receives the “store opening code” packet, it first sets the operation information to “free”.
After the setting is made, it is determined whether or not the mode is the test mode by looking at the flag (procedures P321 and P322). If it is in the test mode, the process returns to the original routine. If it is in the normal operation mode, the display by the lamps 123 and 163 is changed to the customer waiting state, and then the "card accepted" function is set to R.
After writing to the AM and making a transmission reservation, the card insertion lamp 168 is changed to blinking drive, and the process returns to the original routine (procedures P323, P324, and P325).

FIG. 76 shows the procedure of the "close code" packet receiving process in the packet receiving task.

[0400] When the unit controller 190 receives the "store closing code" packet, it first checks the operation information, and if the operation information is "playing" or "interrupted", returns directly to the original routine. The "close code" is normally sent after the "forced end" packet, so the "close code" should not be sent even if there is a pachinko machine being played or suspended. Thereby, it functions as a safety device when the store closing switch is turned on by mistake. If the operation information is not “playing” or “interruption”, the operation information is changed to “forced termination”, and the flag is checked to determine whether or not the operation is in the test mode (procedures P331 to P33).
3). If it is in the test mode, the process returns to the original routine. If it is in the normal operation mode, all lamps are turned off, a "card cannot be accepted" function is written in the RAM, transmission is reserved, and the process returns to the original routine (procedure P334). , P336).

After the operation information is changed to “forced end” in procedure P332, the test mode is determined (P333).
Is performed to accept the “closed” packet during the online test mode operation and to immediately shift the pachinko machine to the forced termination state after the test mode ends.

FIG. 77 shows the procedure of the “forced end” packet receiving process in the packet receiving task of FIG. 73.

When unit controller 190 receives the "forced end" packet, it first clears the card text data in transmission data area SDA of unit memory 550, and then changes the operation information to "forced end" (procedures P341 and P342). . Then, the next procedure P343
Then, the "test mode" flag is checked, and if it is in the test mode, the process returns to the original routine as it is, so that it is possible to immediately shift to the forced termination state after the test mode ends. On the other hand, in the normal operation mode, after stopping the detection of the sensor and the control of the hit ball launching device 103, all the lamps are turned off, a "card cannot be accepted" function is sent to the card reader, and a sound is sent to a predetermined address in the internal RAM. The data for designating the type is written, the output of the forced end sound is reserved, and the process returns to the original routine (FIG. 73) (procedure P34).
4-P348). As a result, the pachinko machine 100 ejects the card during the game and becomes unable to play the game, and otherwise enters a state where the card is not accepted.

FIG. 78 shows a processing procedure when a "forced termination release" packet is received.

Upon receiving the "forced termination release" packet, unit controller 190 first checks the operation information to determine whether or not the forced termination is in progress. If not, the unit controller 190 returns to the original routine without doing anything (procedure P351). ). If the operation information is being forcibly terminated, change the operation information to "free",
The flag is checked to determine whether the mode is the test mode (procedures P352 and P353). Here, during the test mode, the routine returns to the original routine as it is, and the pachinko machine can be immediately shifted to the free state after the end of the test mode.

On the other hand, when not in the test mode, the display of the lamp is changed to the customer waiting state, and then the card reader 800
Is made, the card insertion lamp 168 is changed to the blinking state, and the process returns to the original routine (FIG. 73) (procedures P354 to P3).
56).

FIG. 79 shows the procedure of the “cancel release” packet receiving process.

This procedure is almost the same as the procedure for canceling the forced termination in FIG. The only difference is that after the operation information is set to "free" in the procedure P362, the stop operation register in the unit memory 550 is cleared and then the test mode is judged.

FIG. 80 shows the procedure of the "interruption end" packet reception process.

This procedure is almost the same as the procedure for canceling the forced termination in FIG. The difference is that after setting the operation information to “free” in the procedure P372, the card text data in the unit memory 550 is cleared and then the test mode is determined, and the card can be accepted even during suspension. Therefore, there is no need to make a transmission reservation for the “card accepted” function corresponding to the procedure P355.

FIG. 81 shows a procedure for receiving a “unit recovery” packet in the packet reception task of FIG. 73.

[0412] Upon receiving this packet, the unit controller 190 first copies the packet head of the reception data area RDA to the transmission data area SDA, and then clears the "initial value setting" bit of the monitor information 1 (procedures P381 and P382). . The “unit recovery” packet is transmitted when an abnormality is found in the scheduled data collection or when power failure is recovered, but in the former case, the unit controller 190 has already received and held the initial value. Also, when the power failure is recovered, the “unit recovery” packet is transmitted after the “initial value setting” packet is transmitted.

After the bit of the monitor information 1 is cleared, the control of the hit ball launching device 103 and the detection of the sensor are stopped,
After canceling the transmission reservation of the packet or function that occurred before the abnormality was found, clearing the flag relating to the packet transmission and the control of the card reader 800, and stopping the operation,
The transmission of the “ACK” packet to the management device 400 is reserved (P383 to P387).

Next, the restored transmission data area SDA
The operation information is checked, and if the original operation state is not playing, the routine returns to the original routine (FIG. 73). If the game is playing, the operation information is changed to "free", and then the routine returns.
This is to make it match the actual state and to smoothly execute the processing according to the operation information in the processing of the “restart” packet transmitted thereafter.

FIG. 82 shows the procedure for receiving a "restart" packet.

[0416] Upon receiving the "restart" packet, the unit controller 190 starts communication control with the card reader and makes a transmission reservation for the "initial value setting" function (procedures P391 and P392).

Next, the operation information is checked, and if "forced termination" is determined, the flow shifts to the procedure P341 in FIG. 77, and the pachinko machine 100 is operated in the same procedure as in the forced termination request processing as before the operation stop by the "unit recovery" packet. (Procedure P393).

If the operation information is "stop", the flow shifts to the later-described procedure P483 in FIG. 87 to bring the pachinko machine 100 into the stop state (procedure P394). After making a transmission reservation of the "card accepted" function for the reader 800, the process shifts to the later-described procedure P427 of FIG. 84, and the pachinko machine 100 is brought into a game suspended state (procedures P395 and P396).

On the other hand, when the operation information is other than “forced end”, “stop”, or “interrupted”, ie, “free”
At this time (FIG. 81), the operation information does not indicate "playing" because of the unit recovery processing procedure P389), the lamp display is set to the customer waiting state, and then the card reader 800 is instructed to reread the card. A transmission reservation of the "reload" function is made, the card insertion lamp 168 is driven to blink, and the process returns to the original routine (FIG. 73) (procedure P3).
97-P399).

FIG. 83 shows a processing procedure when a response to the “card-in” packet is received in the packet reception task of FIG. 73.

When the unit controller 190 responds to the “card-in” packet, the controller
Check if CK is waiting (procedure P401)
Then, "A" containing the card text without waiting for ACK
When a CK "packet arrives, it is regarded as an error and the card text data in the reception data area RDA is cleared (procedure P402). On the other hand, if a packet arrives in an ACK waiting state, it is determined whether or not the packet is a NAK (negative response). A check is made (procedure P403). If the card is NAK, it is determined that the card does not exist. The "card ejection" function is transmitted to the card reader 800, and a sound output for generating a sound indicating that the card is not accepted is reserved. Return (procedures P405 and P406). Further, even when the response is not a NAK, if the card number in the "ACK" packet does not match the previously transmitted card number, the flow shifts to procedures P404 and P405 to reject the acceptance of the card (procedure P404). .

If the card numbers match in procedure P404, the card text data in the reception data area RDA sent by the “ACK” packet is copied to a corresponding position in the transmission data area SDA, and
The number of balls in the card text is copied to the “number of balls” field in the operation data area (procedures P407 and P408).

[0423] Thereafter, the card status in the card text is checked (procedure P409). If the card is in the "stopped" status, the card status is set to "free", and the operation information of the pachinko machine 100 is set to "gaming". After rewriting to "medium", transmission reservation of the "end switch" packet to the management device 400 is made (procedures P421 to P423). As a result, the "end switch" packet is transmitted to the management device, and when the "ACK" packet is returned, the card is ejected by the end switch processing described later (FIG. 85), and the game with the hit card is disabled. You.

On the other hand, if it is not a hit card, the procedure P40
Move from P9 to P410 to check the operation information, "Free"
If so, the column of the number of customers in the transmission data area SDA is updated (procedure P411), and if it is not “free” (during suspension), the process directly proceeds to procedure P412, and the operation information is changed to “playing”. Then, after changing the lamp display to the game state, the floating ball number counter in the internal RAM is cleared, and detection by the sensor is started (procedures P413 to P413).
P415). Next, the number of balls in the card text is checked. If the number is "0", the driving control of the hit ball launching device 103 is started if it is not "0". (Procedure P
416-P418).

[0425] Also, when a response "ACK" packet from the management device 400 to the "interrupted card-in" packet is received, the packet is processed according to the same procedure as the processing procedure of the response packet to "card-in" shown in FIG.

FIG. 84 shows a processing procedure when a response to the "interrupt switch" packet is received in the packet reception task of FIG.

When there is a response to the "interrupt switch" packet, unit controller 190 checks whether the controller is in an ACK waiting state (procedure P425).
If an "ACK" packet arrives without waiting for an ACK, the process returns to the original routine without doing anything. Next, it is checked whether or not the response packet is NAK (procedure P426).
If it is not K, the operation information is changed to "interrupted", the lamp display is changed to the interrupted display state, and then the detection by the sensor and the drive control of the hit ball launching device 103 are stopped. A discharge sound output reservation is made (procedures P427 to P432).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step P426 that NAK is received, the flow shifts to step P433 where it is determined whether or not the pachinko machine operation information in the received data is "playing". Since the response to the game itself is strange, the process returns to the original routine (FIG. 73) without doing anything. If the game is being played, the card state is changed to "playing", and then the detection by the sensor and the hit ball firing control are started ( Procedures P433 to P436). In other words, if the NAK is returned from the management device 400 and the operation information indicates that the game is in progress even if the interruption switch is pressed, the card status is returned to the game and the shift of the pachinko machine to the interrupted state is refused. To interrupt the operation, press the interrupt switch again.

FIG. 85 shows a processing procedure when an "ACK" packet for the "end switch" packet is received.

This process is executed along substantially the same flow as the “ACK” reception process of the “interruption switch” in FIG. The difference is that when the card text in the transmission data area SDA is cleared (procedure P443), the operation information is changed to "free" instead of "pausing", and the lamp display is changed to a customer waiting display (procedures P444 and P445). ) Is a point. Also in this process, if the operation information indicates that the game is being played when the NAK is received, the card state is returned to the game and the end process is stopped (procedures P451 to P4).
54).

FIG. 86 shows a processing procedure when an “ACK” packet for a “return-to-zero” packet is received.

This process is executed according to the same flow as the “ACK” receiving process of the “end switch” in FIG. 85 (procedures P461 to P474).

The process of receiving the “ACK” packet for the “stop” packet shown in FIG. 87 is executed in substantially the same flow as the process of receiving the “ACK” of the “interruption switch” in FIG. (Procedures P481 to P494). The only difference is that in addition to the card ejection function, a transmission reservation (procedure P488) of a card rejection function is entered.

FIG. 88 shows a unit controller 190.
The processing procedure of the card reader control task among the ten types of main tasks is shown.

In this task, first, a flag in the internal RAM is checked to determine whether or not the card reader 800 can be controlled. If no, the serial transmission interrupt and the reception interrupt are prohibited (procedures P131 to P133). .

On the other hand, when the card reader 800 can be controlled, the procedure shifts from procedure P131 to P134 to determine whether the function is being transmitted. Next, it is determined whether the function is being received. If the function is being received, it is checked whether the reception is completed within the set time (procedures P135 and P14).
0). In addition, it is checked whether or not there is a function in the reception buffer area of the internal RAM, and if there is a reception function (procedure P136), the reception data transformed into a form that is easy to transmit is restored to the original form, or a parity error occurs. After checking whether there is no code or the length of the code is correct (procedure P141), the type of the function is determined (procedures P143 to P150), and the corresponding processing (FIGS. 89 to 96) is executed.

[0437] If it is determined in step P136 that there is no reception function, the flow shifts to step P137 to determine whether or not a response function from the card reader controller CPU2 is in a wait state. Check (procedure P142). If not waiting for a response function, it is determined whether or not the function can be transmitted. If transmission is possible, it is determined whether or not there is a function to be transmitted (procedure P13).
9) If there is a transmission function, function transmission processing (see FIG. 97) is executed.

[0438] Fig. 89 shows the procedure of the reception process of the "test card" function in the card reader control task.

When this function is received, first, the flag is checked to determine whether or not the “test card” function is waiting (procedure P501). This flag is set when the test switch 179 is turned on in the switch detection task (see FIG. 106). If it is waiting for a function, then it checks whether the operation information is "free", and if it is free, checks whether it is offline (procedure P50).
2, P503). If the state is off-line, the same or different number of prize balls for a test game as is sent from the management device 400 when stored online in the program ROM is set (procedure P504). This is because the number of prize balls is not sent from the management device 400 during offline. After setting the number of prize balls, the first number of balls (0) and the amount (1000 yen) fixedly given to the test card are set (procedure P
505).

[0440] When online, the procedure jumps from procedure P503 to P505, skipping the setting of the number of prize balls in procedure P504, and setting the number of balls and the amount of money. After that, the counter for counting the number of floating balls is cleared, the lamp display state is changed, control of the hit ball launching device 103 and detection of the sensor are started, and a reservation for outputting a sound indicating successful card reception is made. The operation information in the test mode operation data area is changed during the game, and the process returns to the original routine (procedures P506 to P511).

On the other hand, when the test card function is received without waiting for the test card function, the procedure moves from the procedure P501 to the procedure P512 to check whether the operation information in the test mode operation data area (see [Table 1]) is “interrupted”. Determine whether or not. If the interruption switch 114 is pressed during the game in the test mode and the operation is interrupted, the interruption is released by inserting the test card without pressing the test switch, and the game can be resumed. Since the number has already been set, the routine immediately shifts to procedure P506 to enable the test game to be restarted.

If it is determined in the above procedure P512 that the operation information is not interrupted, the flow shifts to procedure P513 to determine whether or not the operation information is offline. Here, when it is determined that the game is offline, the process shifts to the procedure P504 to set the number of prize balls and the like, and prepares for a test game. this is,
This is because an unexpected situation is assumed, and if there is a test card at the time of off-line, there is no particular problem even if the test mode is entered.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the procedure P513 that the online mode is set, the transmission reservation of the "card ejection" function and the output reservation of the card unsuccessful sound are made (procedures P514 and P515). That is, when the test card is inserted without pressing the test switch 179 at the time of online, the test card is ejected and the test game is not started. As a result, it is possible to prevent an illegal game by a player.

FIG. 90 shows a processing procedure at the time of accepting the “send card number” function in the card reader control task of FIG. 88.

[0445] Here, the flag is first checked to determine whether or not the "test card" function reception waiting state is established, and then whether or not the test mode is being executed is determined (procedures P521 and P52).
2). If it is determined that the reception of the function is waiting or the test mode is set, the process jumps to step P525 to make a “card ejection” function transmission reservation, and then makes a reservation for outputting a card reception failure sound (procedure P526). In other words, even if a regular game card is inserted immediately after the test switch is turned on or during the suspension of the test mode, the normal game card is ejected immediately to prohibit the transition to the normal game.

[0446] On the other hand, if neither the "test card" function reception waiting state nor the test mode is in effect, the flow shifts to procedure P523 to determine whether or not the operation information is being interrupted. (Procedure P527). If suspended, the card number read in procedure P524 is compared with the card number in the transmission data area SDA. If they do not match, the process proceeds to procedure P525 to make a card ejection reservation, When the numbers match, the procedure shifts to procedure P528, and "pause card in"
Make a packet transmission reservation.

FIG. 91 shows the procedure of the “status” function reception processing in the card reader control task of FIG. 88.

When this function is received, the "abnormal termination" flag is first cleared, and then statuses 1 and 2 in the reception buffer are saved in the internal RAM (procedure P53).
1, P532). The "abnormal end" flag is referred to in the error control task procedure P170 in FIG.

Next, it is determined whether or not the “card accepted” function has been transmitted in the previous transmission, whether or not the card exists in the reader, and whether or not the operation information is “in game” (procedure P533). ＰP535). Here, since the previous transmission is a "card accepted" function and the card is present in the reader and the game is not in a normal state except during a game, the "card ejection" function transmission and ejection sound output reservation are made. It is determined whether the end of the test mode is on-line or off-line, and if it is still off-line, the flow shifts to procedure P98 in FIG. 72 to wait for reception of a "line test" packet (procedures P536 to P538).

On the other hand, when the previous card accepting function has not been transmitted or the card is not in the reader even if it has been transmitted, or even if the card accepting function is transmitted and the card is in the reader, the message "Playing If no, the process goes to the procedure P538 without making a card ejection reservation and determines whether the test mode is online or offline at the end of the test mode. If offline, the process jumps to the "line test" packet wait.

FIG. 92 shows a processing procedure when the "retransmission request" function is received.

In this case, it is first determined whether or not a retransmission request was made in the previous transmission (procedure P541). If yes, it is strange that the retransmission request is returned in response to the retransmission request.
Set the reader error flag (procedure P54)
3). This is because, when a retransmission request is returned in response to a retransmission request, this is repeated thereafter, and other function transmissions cannot be performed. On the other hand, if no in procedure P541, a retransmission reservation for the function already transmitted (procedure P54
Perform 2) again, and then return to the original routine. The reader error flag is referred to in the procedure P163 in the error control task in FIG.

FIG. 93 shows a unit controller 190.
94 shows the processing procedure when the "normal end" function is received, and FIG. 94 shows the processing procedure when the "abnormal end" function is received.

When the "normal end" function is received, the error flag is cleared (procedure P545), and the flow shifts to the procedure P531 in FIG. 91. Thereafter, the process is performed in accordance with the same procedure as when the "status" function is received. On the other hand, when the "abnormal termination" function is received, the status 1 transmitted at the same time is checked, and if the initial value to the card reader is not set, the process jumps to the procedure P532 in FIG. If not, the "abnormal end" flag is set, and the process jumps to the procedure P532 to execute the same processing as the status reception processing (procedures P546 and P547). The "abnormal end" flag is referred to during the error control task in FIG. 99, and the card cannot be accepted thereafter.

FIG. 95 shows the procedure of the “initial value request” function receiving process in the card reader control task of FIG. 88.

When this function is received, first, a transmission reservation of the “initial value setting” function is made, and it is determined by referring to the flag whether the transmission is prohibited (procedure P
551, P552). Here, if transmission is prohibited, procedure P5
If transmission is permitted in step 55 and transmission is not prohibited, procedure P5
At 53, the operation information of the pachinko machine is checked, and if it is "free", "playing" or "suspended", a transmission reservation of a "card accepted" function is made (procedure P554). On the other hand, if the determination in the procedure P553 is other than “free”, “in game”, or “interrupted” (stop or forced termination), a transmission reservation of the “card cannot be accepted” function is made (procedure P5).
56).

When it is determined that the "self-discharge" function is received during the task of FIG. 88, the output reservation of the card unsuccessful sound is made as shown in FIG. 96, and the routine returns to the original routine (procedure P558).

Next, FIG. 97 shows a transmission processing procedure when it is determined in step P139 that there is a transmission function during the processing of the card reader control task in FIG. 88.

In transmitting the function, first, the number of retries (for example, three times) is set in the internal RAM, then the ACK reception timer (5 seconds) is set, and the call signal EN is set.
Q to the card reader 800 (procedure P
560-P562). Then, if ACK does not arrive, it is determined whether the timer set in procedure P561 has expired (procedures P563 and P564). Even if the time is over, the number of retries is checked. If the number of retries has not reached the predetermined number (three times), the flow returns to procedure P561, the timer is reset, and the transmission of ENQ is repeated. If the number of retries is exceeded without receiving an ACK, the transmission of the function is stopped after setting an error flag (procedures P565, P566, and P567). On the other hand, if ACK is returned within the number of retries, the transmission data is created, then the STX code is first put into the transmission buffer to start transmission, and the transmission flag is set (procedures P568 to P568).
570).

FIG. 98 shows a unit controller 190.
The following shows the processing procedure of the packet transmission task among the ten types of main tasks.

In this task, it is first determined whether or not there is a packet to be transmitted. If there is a packet, the packet type name is written in the packet head section of the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory 550, and the packet type name is stored in the command register CR1 in the communication area. The packet type name is entered, and a packet transmission timer is set (procedures P151 to P154). The data transmission controller 551 starts transmitting the corresponding packet by writing the packet type name into the command register CR1, and when the transmission is completed, the command register CR1
Clear

When there is no transmission packet in procedure P151 or after setting the transmission timer in procedure P154,
It is determined in step P155 whether the transmission timer has been set. If the transmission timer has been set, the process proceeds to step P156. If not, the process returns to P151. In the procedure P156, it is determined whether or not the command register CR1 is "0" upon completion of the transmission, and if it is not yet "0", it is determined whether or not the transmission timer is over (procedure P1).
59). If the transmission timer has not expired, the process returns to procedure P151. On the other hand, when the transmission timer has expired, the "Z-80 error" flag is set and then the transmission timer is reset (procedures P160 and P15).
8).

When the command register CR1 becomes “0” in the procedure P156, if the transmitted packet is of a type that receives “ACK” such as “card in”, the ACK waiting timer ( 10 seconds) and then reset the transmission timer (procedure P156,
P157). This ACK waiting timer is referred to in procedures P103 and P104 in the packet reception task in FIG.

FIG. 99 shows a unit controller 190.
3 shows the procedure of the error control task among the main tasks.

In this task, first, “Z-80 error”
The flag (see P160 in FIG. 98) and the "packet ACK error" flag (see P105 in FIG. 73) are checked (procedures P161 and P162), and if either flag is set, the process proceeds to procedure P174. The timer interruption and the serial interruption are prohibited, and the CPU is powered down after the task processing is stopped (procedures P175 and P176). The above procedure (P174
To P176) can be executed, for example, by fixing the level of the segment display common signal serving as a watchdog pulse and resetting the unit controller 190 by the reset circuit 555.

On the other hand, when neither the “Z-80 error” flag nor the “packet ACK error” flag is set, the “reader error” flag (see P543 in FIG. 92, FIG. 93).
If the flag is not set, check the unit memory 550.
After resetting the "reader abnormal" bit of the monitor information 2 in the procedure, the procedure returns to the procedure P161 (procedures P163 and P16).
4). If the "reader error" flag has been set, the process shifts to procedure P165, sets the "reader error" bit of the monitor information 2, clears all the reader control flags, and enables reader control. (Procedures P166, P167). Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the test mode is being set and whether or not the initial value is set (procedures P168 and P169). If the test mode is set or the initial value is not set, the test mode shown in FIG. 107 is ended. Execute the process.

If the initial value is set instead of the test mode, an “abnormal end” flag (FIG. 94) is set in procedure P170.
Check the procedure P547), if the flag is “0”, return to the procedure P161. If the “abnormal termination” flag is set, proceed to the procedure P171 and change the operation information to “forced termination”. After that, the transmission reservation of the “card cannot be accepted” function is made, the “abnormal termination” flag is cleared, and the procedure returns to the procedure P161 (procedure P1).
72, P173).

FIG. 100 shows the unit controller 19.
The procedure of the ball number calculation task among the ten main tasks of 0 is shown.

In this task, first, it is determined whether or not a sensor is being detected, that is, a game is being performed by checking a flag or a signal (procedure P181). If no sensor is being detected, a counter for counting the number of times each sensor is turned on is cleared (step P181). Procedure P182),
During sensor detection, the firing sensor SNS5 obtained by the processing of FIG. 70 according to the procedures P183 to P199, the first
Read the number of times each of the safe sensor SNS2, the second safe sensor SNS3, the foul sensor SNS4, and the out sensor SNS1 is turned on, calculate the total number of prize balls, the number of balls played, the number of balls out, and the number of differences, and finally hit the ball. The total number of prize balls is added to the calculation register (procedure P200).

FIG. 101 shows the unit controller 19.
The procedure of the switch detection task of the main task 0 is shown.

In this task, first, it is determined whether or not the sensor is being detected by checking the flag or the signal (procedure P201).
13. It is checked whether the end switch 115, the call switch 165a or the test switch 179 is turned on (procedures P202 to P206). When any one of the switches is turned on, a corresponding process (see FIGS. 103 to 106) is executed. When the call switch among the above switches is turned on, the status display lamp 162 of the pachinko machine 100 is changed to blinking, and the output of the switch operation sound is reserved (procedure P21).
9).

On the other hand, when a sensor is being detected in procedure P201, the flow shifts to procedure P207 to determine whether or not a search timer (procedure P216) described later is operating. It is determined whether or not the number of balls and the amount are “0”. If the number of balls is "0" and the amount is not "0", purchase request processing (procedure P217) is performed. More specifically, an output reservation for a sound prompting the purchase switch 113 to be turned on and a display update reservation for blinking of a lamp built in the purchase switch are made.

If both the number of balls and the amount of money are "0", the search timer (10 seconds) is operated to start the return-to-zero determination, and the output of the sound notifying that the search timer is operating is reserved, and then the procedure is started. Return to P201 (Procedure P2
15, P216).

[0474] Then, it is determined again in the procedure P207 whether the search timer is operating, and if it is operating, the process proceeds to the procedure P208, in which it is determined whether there is any floating ball remaining in the game board.
Here, if there is no floating ball, the process proceeds to procedure P212,
It determines the occurrence of a zero return and reserves the transmission of the “return zero” packet.

[0475] In this zero-return determination procedure, FIG.
A test mode end process as shown in FIG. 7 is performed, and if a zero is generated during the test mode, the test mode is ended.

On the other hand, while floating balls remain during the operation of the search timer, the process proceeds from procedure P208 to P209 to determine whether the search timer (10 seconds) has expired. The process returns to P212 to return to zero. This is because it is usually impossible for floating balls to exist even after 10 seconds have elapsed since the number of balls reached “0”.

If the search timer has not expired, the flow shifts from procedure P209 to P210 to determine again whether or not the number of balls is "0". If not, the search timer is stopped to return to zero. Is stopped (procedure P21).
1). This considers the case where the floating ball wins the winning opening during the operation of the search timer and the number of balls held is added, whereby the game control is continued again. If the number of balls is not “0” while the search timer is not operating, the procedure P2
The process proceeds to 18 to determine whether or not the value of the hit calculation register has become larger than a predetermined number of hits. When the value has increased, hitting processing as shown in FIG. 102 is executed. For the number of hits, a plurality of hitting modes may be prepared in advance, a mode may be selected by a program or the like, and the number of hits according to the mode may be compared with the value of the hitting operation register.

FIG. 102 shows the procedure of the hitting process during the process of FIG.

In the stop processing, first, the flag is checked to determine whether or not the apparatus is in the test mode (procedure P581). If the apparatus is not in the test mode, transmission of a "stop" packet is reserved and the unit memory After the number of hits in 550 is updated (+1) and the card status is set to "hit and free", the detection of the sensor and the drive control of the hitting ball firing device 103 are stopped, and the output of hitting sound is reserved ( Procedure P582
~ P587). Although the card ejection command has not been issued here, the “stop” packet is transmitted to the management device 4.
When the ACK is returned, the "card ejection" function is sent to the card reader 800 in the receiving process (FIG. 87) (procedure P487).
As described above, the card CD is ejected when hitting occurs.

[0480] On the other hand, if a stop occurs during the test mode, the procedure shifts from procedure P581 to P591 to "stop".
When the ACK for the packet is received, the procedures P591 to P597 substantially the same as the procedures P483 to P489 (excluding P488) in FIG. The test mode takes into account that the test mode is executed even when the device is not connected to the management device and is offline. When a stop occurs during the test mode, the end switch 115
Is turned on, the process shifts to the test mode end process, and the subsequent state is determined depending on whether it is online or offline (see FIGS. 106 and 107).

FIG. 103 shows the procedure of interrupted switch processing during the switch detection task of FIG.

When the interruption switch 114 is turned on,
This process is started, and it is first determined whether or not the test mode is being set (procedure P601). Here, if the test mode is not set, the process proceeds to procedure P602, in which the reservation of the transmission of the "interruption switch" packet is made, and then the card state is changed to "interruption". Stop and return to the original routine (procedures P603 to P6
05). The ejection of the card due to the turning on of the interruption switch is performed when an ACK packet corresponding to the above packet is received (see FIG. 84). On the other hand, if the interruption switch is turned on during the test mode, the operation information is updated, the card ejection function transmission reservation,
The display of the control stop lamp is changed (procedures P611 to P616). This is for offline test mode.

FIG. 104 shows the procedure of the purchase switch process in the switch detection task of FIG. 101.

When the purchase switch 113 is turned on, first, an instruction to turn off the lamp 121 (hereinafter, referred to as a purchase lamp) built in the purchase switch is given (procedure P621). This lamp is lit as long as the amount of money does not become "0", and is driven to blink by the purchase request procedure P217 in FIG. 75 performed when the number of balls becomes "0". The blinking is stopped at the same time when the purchase switch is turned on. Next, it is determined whether the amount of the card is "0", and if it is "0", the process returns to the routine of FIG. 101 without doing anything (procedure P622).

[0485] On the other hand, if the amount remains, the procedure P6
The process proceeds to step S23, where the conversion rate of the purchased ball is read, and then the number of balls corresponding to 200 yen is added to the number of balls and the number of balls in the unit memory 550 (procedure P624). Then, the frequency of the amount of money (the balance) is “−2”, the number of purchases is “+1”,
It is determined whether or not the amount has become “0” after the sales frequency is increased by “+2” (procedures P625 to P628). Here, if the amount is "0", the drive control of the hitting ball launching device 103 is started without turning on the purchase lamp or turning on the purchase lamp when the balance is left (procedure P6).
28-P630). Accordingly, the purchase lamp is temporarily turned off when the purchase switch 113 is turned on, but is turned on immediately while there is a balance. Further, when the player turns on the purchase switch based on the purchase request sound and the display, the purchase lamp shifts from blinking to lighting or from blinking to lighting according to the amount of the card CD.

After the control of the hitting ball firing device is started, the output of the purchase request sound is canceled, the output of the switch operation sound is reserved, and the process is terminated (procedures P631, P632).

FIG. 105 shows the procedure of the end switch processing in the switch detection task of FIG.

[0488] When the end switch 115 is detected to be on, the detection of the sensor is first stopped, and then the hit ball firing device 10 is turned off.
3 (the procedures P641 and P64)
2). Then, in a procedure P643, it is determined whether or not the test mode is set. If the test mode is set, the process proceeds to a test mode end process shown in FIG. 107. Change to "free" (procedure P644, P64
5). The card ejection command, lamp display change, and the like are performed during the process of receiving the response packet ACK for the "end switch" (FIG. 85).

FIG. 106 shows the procedure of test switch processing in the switch detection task of FIG.

[0490] When the ON of the test switch 179 is detected, first, a switch operation sound output reservation and a test card function wait flag are set (procedure P65).
1, P652). This flag is referred to in a procedure P501 in FIG. 89 showing the procedure of the test card processing. Then, it is determined whether or not it is offline. If it is offline, it makes a transmission reservation for the "card accepted" function to the card reader 800, and if it is online, it does nothing. That is, the transmission of the “card accepted” function is not performed. Therefore, when online, the mode shifts to the test mode only when the acceptance of the card is enabled. However, even if the card can be actually accepted online (during suspension), the test card is ejected when the operation information is other than "free" (FIG. 89).
Procedures P502 and P513).

The test switch processing (procedure P
651-P654), it is also possible to set a timer to return to the original state when a test card is not inserted within a certain time after the test switch is turned on.

FIG. 107 shows a specific procedure of the error control task of FIG. 99 and the test mode end processing during the end switch processing of FIG. 105.

When this process is started, first, all lamps are turned off, the detection of the sensors and the drive control of the hit ball launching device 103 are stopped, and it is determined whether the process is offline or online (procedures P661 to P664). Here, if online, it is checked whether the operation information of the pachinko machine is "forced termination" (procedure P665), and if forced termination, transmission reservation of the "card cannot be accepted" function and output reservation of the card ejection sound are made, and the routine returns to the original routine ( Procedure P671, P67
2). Note that the card reader 800 indicates “card cannot be accepted”
When the function is received, the card held is ejected and then the card is not accepted. In the case other than the forced termination, the display of the lamps 123 and 163 is changed to the customer waiting state, and then it is checked whether the operation information in the operation data area in the test mode is “stop” (procedures P666 and P6).
67). If it is a stop, the process jumps directly to the procedure P670. If it is not a stop, the transmission reservation of the "card ejection" function and the output reservation of the card ejection sound (procedures P668, P669) are made, and then the procedure goes to the procedure P670. Change the display of the card insertion lamp to blink and return to the original routine. Therefore, the pachinko machine 100 returns from the test mode to the “free” state in the normal operation mode.

[0494] When the player is in the stop state as described above, the procedure P6 is performed.
68 (card ejection function transmission reservation) is skipped and the procedure jumps from procedure P667 to P670.
This is done in the stop processing of FIG. 102 (procedure P59
This is from 1) in order to avoid duplication of procedures.
Also, the reason why the procedure P669 (card ejection sound output reservation) is omitted at the time of stopping is to prevent the ejection sound from being output when the card is not ejected. That is,
In the test mode, when a hit occurs, the card is ejected at that time. Then, when the end switch 115 is turned on, the process shifts to the test mode end process (procedure P643 in FIG. 105). Is output because it becomes inconsistent with reality.

[0495] On the other hand, if it is determined in step P664 that it is offline, the flow shifts to step P673 to make a transmission reservation for the "card cannot be accepted" function and an output reservation for the card ejection sound. Flag is set, and it is checked whether the "reader error" flag is set (procedure P673-
P676). Here, if there is no reader error, the process returns to the original routine. If there is a reader error, the flow shifts to procedure P677 to clear the "offline at the end of test mode" flag and then wait for a "line test" packet (procedure in FIG. 72). P98). The above flag is "Status"
Procedure P538 in function reception processing (FIG. 91)
When the status is transmitted, this flag is seen and the process shifts to a line test wait. That is, when there is no reader error, the procedure returns to the original routine after the end of the procedures P673 to P676, and then shifts to the line test wait when the status 1 and 2 are received together with the "normal end" function after the card is ejected from the card reader. . On the other hand, when there is a reader error, if the card ejection process is executed in response to the function of procedure P673, when statuses 1 and 2 are sent together with “abnormal termination” from card reader 800, procedure P53 in FIG.
In step P677, the "offline at the end of the test mode" flag is cleared in order to prevent the system from shifting to the line test wait state and making it impossible to remove the card.

FIG. 108 shows the unit controller 19.
The processing procedure of the sound control task among the ten main tasks 0 is shown.

In this task, “hit sound”, “switch operation sound”, “card ejection sound”, “card reception success sound”,
Alternatively, it is checked whether or not there is an output reservation for "card reception failure sound" (procedures P221 to P225). And then a speech synthesis circuit (Sound I
C) Reset 582 to stop the sound being output (procedures P231 and P232). Then, the procedure P2
The process proceeds to 34, where a control signal is given to the sound IC to output the selected sound. Then, it is determined whether or not the set output time has elapsed, and if it is over, the output is stopped (procedures P235 and P237). On the other hand, if the output time has not exceeded, it is determined whether the output sound is a repetitive sound,
If the sound is not a repetitive sound, the sound output is stopped (procedures P236 and P237). However, even if the sound output stop command is issued in the procedure P237, the sound IC does not stop sound output until one phrase of the sound being output ends, and stops at the end of the phrase.

If no output reservation is made for any of the above five types of sounds, it is checked in step P226 whether sound is being output. If output is in progress, the process proceeds to step P235 to check whether the output time has been exceeded. . On the other hand, when the sound is not being output, it is checked whether there is an output reservation of “search timer sound”, “purchase request sound”, “stop sound” or “forced end sound” (procedures P227 to P230). After setting data and time to specify the sound to be played (procedure P23
3) The procedure shifts to procedure P234 to start sound output, and stops sound output when a time-out occurs. In other words, these four sounds are output after the output of other sounds is completed.

FIG. 109 shows the unit controller 19.
The procedure of the timer control task among the 0 main tasks is shown.

[0500] In this task, 10 m which is a reference for a blinking lamp, a packet transmission timer, an ACK reception timer, etc.
It manages two reference timers, S and 100 ms, and
Update 10ms timer every 0ms (decrement)
And updates the 100 ms timer every 100 ms
(Procedures P241 to P244).

FIG. 110 shows a unit controller 190.
The processing procedure of the lamp display control task among the main tasks of FIG.

In this task, the safe ball lamp 164 and the P machine status display lamp 16
2. When the purchase switch built-in lamp 121, the card insertion lamp 168, and the game status lamp 123 are updated,
Change the display state (procedures P251 to P25)
5). Next, it is determined whether "customer waiting display" or "stop display" is necessary.
63 is scrolled and all lamps of the analog display 163 are blinked simultaneously at the time of stop display (procedure P
256-P259). Further, the necessity of displaying the number of balls is determined, and if necessary, the lamps of the analog display 163 are turned on in order from the left according to the number of balls (procedure P
260, P261). In addition, the analog display of the number of balls is performed in a so-called log display in which the number of balls displayed by one lamp increases as the number of lit lamps increases. Further, when none of the "customer wait display", "stop display" and "ball count display" is required, the analog lamp 163 is turned off (procedure P262).

[0503] The following Table 29 shows an example of the display state of each lamp according to the state of the pachinko machine 100.

[0504] In the table, x mark is off, o mark is on,
The symbol Δ indicates blinking, S indicates scroll display, and A indicates analog logarithmic display according to the number of balls. In the "search" column during the game, the display amount is displayed while the search timer (10 seconds) is operating with the amount of money and the number of balls being zero, and the state shifts to the return to zero state after 10 seconds.

[0505]

[Table 29]

The main tasks of the unit controller 190 include a port output control task in addition to the above nine kinds of tasks. In this task, a process of outputting the output state determined in each task to the corresponding I / O port is executed (not shown).

FIG. 111 shows the timing of input / output signals when controlling the pachinko machine 100 according to the above control flow.

The numbers representing the number of balls are, for example, a purchase ball rate of 50 pieces / 200 yen and a main prize ball number of 13
And the number of sub prize balls calculated as seven.

After receiving a response packet ACK to the "card-in" packet at timing t1, when the ON signal of the purchase switch 113 comes in at timing t2, the firing drive control signal is changed to high level, and the hit ball firing device 103 can be driven. At the same time, the frequency of the balance of the card is subtracted by "2", the number of balls for 200 yen is added, and the display of the amount of money and the number of balls are updated.

Thereafter, when a detection pulse is received from each sensor, the number of floating balls and the number of balls are calculated in the unit controller 550 in real time, and the number of balls and the display thereof are changed one after another. When the number of floating balls is "0" inside the controller, even if there is a detection pulse (see P1) of the safe sensor, this is invalidated, and the prize ball number corresponding thereto is not added.

[0511] During such game control, the interrupt switch 1
When the ON signal 14 is input (timing t3), the firing drive control signal is turned off. However, the display is maintained in the state at the time of interruption. After that, AC of "Suspended Card In"
When the K packet is received (timing t4), the game control is started again, the game ends when the ON signal of the end switch 115 is input (timing t5), and the ACK of the "end switch" is received (time t5). At timing t6), the display, the number of balls, and the amount data are cleared to “0”.

[0512] On the other hand, if a return-to-zero state occurs in which both the amount of money and the number of balls of the card become "0" during the game (timing t7), the search timer is started and the detection pulse of the safe sensor 1 or 2 is detected within 10 seconds. If there is no packet, a "return-to-zero" packet is transmitted, and the number of floating balls is cleared to "0" at the time (t8) when the ACK is received. If the number of floating balls becomes “0” during the operation of the search timer, a “return-to-zero” packet is transmitted at that time.

Next, an example of a card reader control procedure by the card reader control device 188 based on a command from the unit controller 190 will be described with reference to FIGS. 112 to 141.

[0514] Communication between the card reader control device 188 and the unit controller 190 is performed by a function code.
"Initial value setting" function for giving the card reader 800 a date code and an identification code for collating with the magnetic data read from the card, permitting the card reader to accept the card Function to accept the card, a function to disable the card reader to instruct the card reader to stop accepting the card, a function to eject the card to eject the card, a function to re-read the magnetic data of the card A "reload" function for instructing reading, a "retransmission request" function for requesting the retransmission of the function code sent immediately before, and a "status" requesting the transmission of a code indicating the status of the card reader held in the card reader controller Request "function In addition, eight kinds of instructions of a "return to zero" function for giving a command to punch a return-to-zero hole PH4 indicating that the value of the card has been reduced to zero at a predetermined position in the punch hole formation area are prepared. .

[0515] On the other hand, as a function code from the card reader control device 188 to the unit controller 190, a "card number transmission" function for transmitting a card number read by the card reader to the unit controller 190, and a function for notifying that a test card has been inserted. A "test card" function for notifying 190, an "initial value request" function for requesting an initial value such as a date and an identification code at the time of reset, and a unit controller 1 indicating that the requested processing has been completed normally.
A "normal end" function for notifying to 90 and an "abnormal end" function for notifying that the processing has not been completed normally, the card reader controller CPU2 determines that the inserted card is invalid and the card is determined by its own will. Self-discharge "that informs that
A "retransmission request" function for requesting the function and unit controller 190 to retransmit the function code sent immediately before, and a "status transmission" for transmitting the status of the card reader 800 in response to "reload" or "status request" There are eight types of functions. Each function is STX indicating the head
Code, function code FNC, ET indicating end
Consists of X code, function code FNC and ET
In some cases, data, status, and the like enter between X codes.

However, the communication between the card reader control device 188 and the unit controller 190 does not send the function code unilaterally, but first, the transmitting side sends an interrogation code ENQ, and the receiving side sends an authorization response ACK from the receiving side.
After receiving the function code, the function code is sent.

The "normal end" function, "abnormal end" function and "status" function include an 8-bit status 1 indicating the card reader status as shown in [Table 30] and [Table 31]. ,
A column for status 2 is provided, and the status is displayed together with the function code in the unit controller 1.
90. In the "self-discharge" function, there is provided a column for entering an 8-bit code indicating the cause of fraud as shown in [Table 32], which is sent together with the function code.

[0518]

[Table 30]

[0519]

[Table 31]

[0520]

[Table 32]

[0521] FIG. 112 shows the entire main control procedure by the card reader controller CPU2.
8, FIG. 129 shows a control procedure of an interrupt process generated by a timer interrupt separately from the main control.

When the card reader controller CPU2 is reset, that is, when the reset input terminal changes to low level, the card reader controller CPU2 first performs internal initialization (procedure R1) as shown in FIG.
An initial value request is made to 90 (routine R2). Then, the unit controller checks whether an interrogation code ENQ is entered (routine R3), and if it is, shifts to routine R11 and returns a response code ACK before receiving a function code. Then, after executing the processing (routine R12) corresponding to the received function code, it transmits a function code indicating the processing result such as normal end or abnormal end, status transmission, etc. (routine R13).

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the initial value has not been set (routine R14). If the initial value has not been set, the process returns to the routine R2 and requests the unit controller 190 for the initial value again. On the other hand, if the initial value has been set, the process returns to the routine R3 to check whether the calling code ENQ has been entered. Here, when the ENQ has not been entered, the process proceeds to the routine R4, and it is checked whether or not the card insertion is prohibited by checking a predetermined flag prepared in the built-in RAM. This "card insertion prohibition" flag is set to "1" in the initialization routine R1 and is cleared to "0" when the reception function processing routine R12 performs processing for permitting the acceptance of a card. Therefore, if "1" is set in the "card insertion prohibition" flag in the routine R4, the process returns to the routine R3, and if the flag is "0", the process proceeds to the next routine R5. Determine if it has been inserted. Here, if the card insertion sensor is off, the routine returns to the routine R3, and if the sensor is on, the routine proceeds to the routine R6 to read the card. Then, the read data is analyzed to check whether the card is a fraudulent card (routine R7). If it is determined that the card is fraudulent, the card is ejected by its own instruction, and this is notified to the unit controller 190.
Return to 3 (routine R21). On the other hand, if it is determined in the routine R7 that the card is a legitimate card, the process proceeds to the routine R8, where it is determined from the magnetic code whether or not the inserted card is a special card for a test. In this case, the "test card" function is transmitted to the unit controller, and the process returns to the routine R3 (routine R22).

[0524] On the other hand, if the inserted card is a regular card which is not a test card, the flow advances to routine R9 to execute the "send card number" function to the unit controller 19.
Send to 0.

FIG. 113 to FIG. 117 show more detailed procedures of the processing flow of FIG. 112 described above.

FIG. 113 shows details of the initialization routine R1 and the initial value request routine R2 in FIG. 112.

That is, the card reader controller CP
When reset, U2 first clears the internal memory containing various flags, counters, buffers, work areas, registers, etc. (routine R101). then,
After setting the stack pointer when an interrupt occurs, initializing the I / O port and setting the state of the input / output terminals, the setting code is read and stored from the device code setting device MCS, and then the card transport motor 807 is set. Turns on relay RLY1 that supplies power to the power supply (routines R102 to R10).
5).

Next, the monitor indicator 175 for displaying the cause of the error is set to the unlit state, the power-on lamp LED 21 indicating the power-on state is turned on, and the initial value non-setting instruction bit of the status register in the RAM is set to “ 1 "is set (routines R106 to R108).

Thereafter, the "card insertion prohibition" flag in the built-in RAM is set to "1", and then the shutter solenoid 809 is turned off to close the shutter (routine R109, R110). Then, in the routines R111 to R113, it is checked whether the position detection sensors SNS2 to SNS4 in the card reader 800 are off or on, and if any one of the sensors is on, it indicates the card insertion state. After the card-in lamp LED 12 is turned on (routine R114), and if any of the sensors are off, the process proceeds directly to routine R115. This makes it possible to notify the outside that a card is in the card reader at the time of reset at the time of restoration from power failure. Then, in the routine R115, after setting the "initial value request" function code and the termination code EXT in the transmission buffer, the processing shifts to the function transmission processing routines R401 to R423 according to the procedure shown in FIG. Then, after the execution of the transmission processing routine, the flow shifts to a routine R132 shown in FIG. 114 (see reference numeral M1).

In the routine R132, the OK lamp LED13 of the status display lamp group is turned on, and then the routine R132 is started.
The process proceeds to 133, where it is checked whether the "transmission incomplete" flag is set. This flag corresponds to the routine R in the flow (FIG. 130) indicating the function transmission procedure.
Set at 423. In other words, the unit controller 190 and the card reader controller CPU2 are provided to avoid a collision when the transmission process starts at the same time. In this embodiment, when two transmissions collide, the transmission right is passed to the unit controller 190. The card reader controller CPU2 sets the "transmission incomplete" flag, and then proceeds to reception processing.

Returning to FIG. 114, if the transmission has been completed in the routine R133, the flow shifts to the routine R121. When the "transmission incomplete" flag is "0", the process proceeds to the routine R121 to permit the reception of the reception data into the reception buffer in the RAM, and then the error information area provided in the RAM is cleared. Clear (routine R122).
Next, the state of the "transmission interruption" flag is checked. If "1" is set, that is, if the transmission is interrupted, the routine jumps to the routine R134, and the transmission data saved in the stack area in the transmission processing routine of FIG. Is transferred to the transmission buffer, the "transmission interruption" flag is cleared to "0" (routine R135), and the transmission processing routine is executed again (routines R401 to R423).

On the other hand, when the "transmission interrupt" flag is "0" in the routine R123, the process proceeds to the routine R124, where it is checked whether or not the transmission call code ENQ from the unit controller 190 has been entered. (See M5), and if ENQ is not entered, control unit 160 is executed in the next routine R125.
A check is made to see if the ejection switch provided on the control board inside is turned on. If it is on, the process jumps to the routine of FIG. 116 (described later) (see reference numeral M6). Check the status. This "card number waiting" flag indicates that the card reader is holding only the leading end of the card immediately after the motor has been rotated and ejected the card, and is waiting for the player to remove the card (at this time, the insertion detection sensor 808 and the first This flag indicates that the position detection sensor SNS1 is ON. When the flag is "0", the routine proceeds to the routine R130. When the flag is "1", the routine proceeds to the routines R127 and R128 until both sensors are turned off. The routines R124 to R128 are repeated, and when the power is turned off, the process proceeds to the routine R129 to clear the "card reception waiting" flag, and then proceeds to the routine R130.

In the routine R130, "Card insertion prohibited"
The state of the flag is checked, and if "1", the routine R124
If "0", the card insertion processing routine shown in FIG. 133 is executed, and then the "card reading end" flag is checked in a routine R131. If not completed, the process returns to the routine R124. move on. Then, after the OK lamp is turned on, when the determination in the routine R133 is YES and when the determination in the above-described routine R124 is YES, the process proceeds to the routine of FIG. 115 (see reference numeral M5).

Here, first, the reception processing R431 to R441 as shown in FIG. 131 is executed, and then, in a routine R141, the state where the reception of the reception data into the reception buffer is prohibited. Then, a monitor display unit 175 and an OK lamp LE indicating the cause of the abnormality of the card reader 800 are displayed.
After turning off D13 (routines R142 and R143),
The function code of the received data received in the receiving process and stored in the buffer is read out and decoded (routines R144 and R145). If the function code is a regular function code, the process corresponding to the code (FIGS. 118 to 12)
Execute 5). On the other hand, if it is not a legitimate function code, the routine jumps to the routine R150, writes a function code error in the error information area in the RAM, and shifts to the error processing of FIG. 117 (reference M7).
reference).

After executing the processing according to the reception function code, the "initial value not set" flag is checked in the routine R147, and if "0", the flow shifts to the routine R132 in FIG. 114 (see reference numeral M1). If the initial value is not set, the OK lamp is turned on in the routine R148, and the "transmission incomplete" flag is checked. If it is "1", the process returns to the reception processing routines R431 to R441 (see reference numeral M5).
If "0", the flow shifts to the routine R115 in FIG. 113 (see reference numeral M4).

If it is determined in the routine R125 that the discharge switch has been turned on, the process jumps to the routine R161 in FIG. 116. First, the reception of the reception data into the reception buffer is prohibited, and then the OK lamp is turned off (routine R16).
2) Execute card ejection processing and R451 to R484 according to the procedure shown in FIG. afterwards,
Set the “card waiting” flag (routine R16
3) After that, the self-discharge function code and the ETX code indicating the cause of the injustice and the end of the transmission data are sequentially set in the transmission buffer in the RAM (routines R164 to R164).
166), the transmission processing (routines R401 to R423) is executed according to the procedure shown in FIG.
Then, after turning on the OK lamp in the routine R167, the "transmission incomplete" flag is checked (the routine R16
8) If "1", the process proceeds to the routine in FIG.
5), if “0”, the monitor display 175 is turned off in the routine R169, and then the routine proceeds to the routine R121 in FIG. 114 (see the symbol M2).

Further, after writing the error information in the routine R150 shown in FIG.
When the process proceeds to the error processing routine, the monitor display data corresponding to the error information written in the RAM is first stored in the RO.
M and read out the display data from the monitor display unit 17.
5 to display the cause of the error by a number or the like (routines R171 and R172). Then, the OK lamp is turned off, the timer is locked so as not to be interrupted, the motor 807 for conveying the card is stopped, and the shutter solenoid 809 is turned off so that the card cannot be inserted (routines R173 to R176). Next, in the routine R177, it is determined whether or not the error is a parity error. If the error is a parity error, a "retransmission request" function code and an ETX code are set in the transmission buffer (routines R178, R179), and the transmission processing routine of FIG. After executing R401 to R423, the routine R18
0, the "transmission incomplete" flag is checked, and the routine R121 in FIG. 114 or the reception processing R431 to R431 in FIG.
The process moves to R441.

[0539] On the other hand, in the determination in the routine R177,
If it is determined that there is no parity error, the routine R1
The error information is checked in steps 81 and R182, and if the cause of the error is a card error, the flow proceeds to the card ejection processing routine of FIG. 116 as indicated by reference numeral M6. The processing shifts to the routine R121 in FIG. 114, and otherwise, the abnormal end processing routines R293 to R296 shown in FIG. 124.
Is executed, the "transmission incomplete" flag is checked in a routine R180, and the routine shifts to a routine indicated by reference numerals M2 and M5.

FIGS. 118 to 125 show flowcharts for executing processing according to each reception function code appearing in the routine R12 of the flow of FIG. 112 and the routine R146 of FIG. 115.

FIG. 118 shows the processing procedure when the “initial value setting” function code is received. In this flowchart, the routine R202 is a binary evolution 1
An extra bit and a parity bit added to adjust the number of bits are removed from the date code expressed in the 0-base system, converted to a binary code, and set in the initial value area in the RAM. The reason why the “transmission not completed” flag is cleared in the routine R204 is that the unit controller 190 sends an initial value when the card reader controller 188 is transmitting the “initial value request”. In this case, the card reader controller CPU2 temporarily suspends the transmission and preferentially processes the reception.

FIG. 119 shows a processing procedure when the "card accepted" function code is received.

The “card accepted” function code is transmitted from the management device 400 to the control unit 160.
"Opening code", "Unlock", "Forced termination",
When a packet such as "restart" is sent, the unit controller 190 sends the card reader controller CP
Sent to U2.

Note that the routine R2 in the flow of FIG.
13 to R215, the condition of the position detection sensors 2, 3, and 4 is checked because the card C
This is to save the trouble of reinserting the card when a power failure occurs in the state of D and the power is restored afterwards. In addition, the shutter closed in the routine R218 is opened when the ON of the insertion detection sensor 808 is detected. On the other hand, when the shutter is closed in the routine R225, since the "card insertion prohibition" flag is set before that, the shutter is not opened even if the insertion detection sensor is turned on unless this flag is cleared. This avoids double insertion of the card.

[0544] Fig. 120 shows a processing procedure when the "card cannot be accepted" function code is received.

In this flow, if at least one of all the sensors in the card reader 800 is turned on in the routine R233, it is determined that the card CD is present in the card reader 800, and the card ejection processing R451 to R484 is performed. Is to be performed.

[0546] In the routine R231, "transmission not completed"
The flag is cleared by the unit controller 1
When the transmission of the card reader controller CPU2 overlaps with the transmission of the card reader controller 90, the card reader controller CPU2 interrupts the transmission, and when the function is received, if the function is “card rejection impossible”, the status is reset until the reset is performed or the status is returned from the unit controller 190. This is because reception only needs to be performed until there is a request or the like.

[0547] The "card not accepted" function determines that a packet such as a "closure code" or "forced termination" has been sent from the management device 400 to the control unit 160, or that the stop condition has been satisfied. In this case, it is transmitted from the unit controller 190 to the card reader controller CPU2.

FIG. 121 shows a processing procedure when the "card ejection" function code is received.

In this flow, if the function interrupted and received is the “card ejection” function and the transmission interruption function is “card number transmission”, “test card” or “self ejection” The "transmission interruption" flag is cleared (routines R244 to R248). As a result, retransmission after the reception processing can be omitted. This is because there is no longer a valid card in the card reader, and there is no need to transmit again. If the transmission of the function codes other than the above three is interrupted, the transmission is performed again after the card ejection processing by referring to the “transmission interrupted” flag.

The punching process performed after routine R250 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 126 and 127 (routines R301 to R35).
2).

FIG. 122 shows a processing procedure when a “reload” function code is received.

In this flow, it is first checked whether the initial value has been set. If not, the flow shifts to the "abnormal end" function transmission processing routines R293 to R296 in FIG. 124 (routine R261).

If the initial value has been set, the routine R2
After clearing the "insertion prohibition" flag at 62 and permitting card insertion, the position detection sensors SNS2 to SNS4 are checked, and if any one is on, it is determined that a card is present.
Set the "unread security" flag. Then, the flow proceeds to the magnetic processing routines R541 to R579 in FIG. 133, where the magnetic data and security of the card, re-reading of the punched holes and inspection of the read data are performed.
The result is transmitted to the unit controller 190.

On the other hand, the position detection sensors SNS2 to SNS4
Are off, that is, when there is no card in the card reader 800, the insertion detection sensor 808 and the position detection sensor SN
Check S1 (routine R266, R267),
If any of them is off, the shutter is closed to turn off the card-in display lamp LED12 and turn on the card holding lamp LED1 (routines R269-R2).
71), the status transmission process of FIG. 124 (R29)
(R294-R296) to inform the unit controller 190 that no card has been inserted.

When the sensor is turned on in either of the routines R266 and R267, it is assumed that only the leading end of the card CD is held in the card reader 800, and the routine waits for the "waiting for card reception" in the routine R268. After setting the flag, the flow shifts to routine R269 to close the shutter.

FIG. 123 shows a processing procedure when a “return-to-zero” function code is received.

In this flow, first, the position detection sensor SN
Check S2 to SNS4 (routines R281 to R28
3) If any one of the sensors is on, it is determined that a card is present, and the routine proceeds to a routine R284, where the punch hole buffer is examined to determine whether or not a game hole has already been opened in the punch hole forming area of the card CD. . If the game hole has been opened, the routine jumps to the routine R286. If the game hole has not been opened, the position information of the game hole is set in the routine R285, and then the punching process shown in FIGS. 126 and 127 (routine R301) To R352) to open a game hole in the card, and then the routine proceeds to a routine R286 where the position information of the return-to-zero hole is set and the punching process is again performed (the routine R).
301 to R352). Thereafter, the card ejection processes R451 to R484 in FIG. 132 are executed to set the “card reception wait” flag, and then the “normal end” function transmission process (R292, R294 to R294) in FIG.
596).

FIGS. 124 and 125 show the procedure for transmitting the “status” function code and the “retransmission request” function code.

These function transmissions are performed in response to a “status request” and a “retransmission request” from the unit controller 190. First, codes to be transmitted are sequentially set in a transmission buffer, and then the transmission shown in FIG. The process proceeds to R401 to R423.

Note that FIG. 124 shows FIGS. 118 to 123.
Also, the processing executed when the processing result is transmitted after the execution of each processing of FIG.

In the punching process shown in FIG. 126, first, the punch failure bit in status 1 is cleared to “0”, and then the distance from the reference position based on the punch hole position set in the RAM by the initialization routine or the like. Is read from the ROM and stored in the buffer, and then the hole forming process (R
311 to R352).

In the punching processing, first, the card is moved to the innermost part of the card reader 800 (routine R311) to clear the “punch OK” flag (routine R312), and then the motor is rotated in reverse to start the timer (3 seconds). And launch
After setting the "movement amount detection" flag, the movement amount counter is cleared (routines R313 to R318). Then, the "timer 2 operation" flag is set, the timer interrupt is permitted, the movement amount is detected by the timer interrupt, and the rotation of the motor is stopped when the punching position is reached (routines R321 and R322). After waiting for 150 msec (routine R323) to wait for the stop, the punch device 820 is operated (routines R324 to R324).
R327). The above routines R323 to R327 are repeated twice to make sure that a hole has been formed. Then, the moving amount counter is cleared, the motor is reversed at high speed, and the card is moved in a direction in which the opened punch hole faces the punch hole detection sensor SNSp. . Then, it is determined whether or not the punched hole detection sensor is turned on. If the punched hole is opened at a regular position, the “punch OK” flag is set, and then the first position detection sensor SNSI is turned on to turn on the card. When the rear end is detected, the timer interrupt is stopped and the motor is stopped (routines R329 to R340). Then, FIG.
Returning to the processing of No. 6, it is determined whether the "punch OK" flag is "1" in the routine R303, and if it is "0", it is determined that a punch hole is defective and the processing shifts to error processing (routine R3).
04, R305).

In the above routine, if a time-out occurs while the card is moving, it is determined that a card jam (paper jam) has occurred, and error processing is started (routines R315 and R332).

Next, the processing when a timer interrupt occurs will be described with reference to FIGS.

As described above, in the card reader 800 of this embodiment, the sensor 83 for detecting the rotation speed of the motor is used.
128 is input to the card reader controller CPU2 as an interrupt signal, and this signal comes in when the "timer 2 operation" flag in the controller is set to "1", the signal shown in FIG. The timer 2 interrupt processing is executed.

[0566] The speed sensor 832 is provided so as to face the rotary encoder 817 attached to the rotating shaft of the motor.
An interrupt signal comes in every time it moves.

In the timer 2 interrupt processing, first, in the routine R7
01: "Security read" flag and "Punch hole read"
When all the flags are "0", the mode is the movement amount detection mode, the routine proceeds to routine R710, the movement amount counter is incremented, and the interrupt processing ends. The movement detection mode is set when the user wants to know the movement amount of the card from the reference position during the magnetic processing in FIG. 135 (routine R572) and during the punching processing in FIG. 124 or 125 (routine R317). By clearing the "security read" flag and the "punch hole read" flag, the movement amount detection mode is set.

If the "movement amount detection" flag is "0" after entering the timer 2 interrupt processing, the flow advances to routine R702 to increment the movement amount counter, and then the "security reading" flag is set in routine R703. Check if it is set, and if it is set, the routine R7
04, it is determined whether or not the movement amount has become 4.8 mm or more (when the “security reading” flag is “0”, FIG.
The process proceeds to a punch hole reading routine of No. 29). The "security reading" flag is set when the punch hole sensor SNSp is turned on in the routine R523 during the security reading process in FIG. 134. At this time, the security code reading sensor 810a sets the security area (TF) of the card. Located at the beginning. Thus, the first security mark is 4.8 from the beginning of the security area.
It is provided at a distance of at least mm. Therefore, the routine R7
At 04, it is determined that the movement amount has become 4.8 mm or more. If the distance is 4.8 mm or less, the interrupt processing is terminated, and the moving amount counter is incremented again by the next timer 2 interrupt. Then, when the movement amount reaches 4.8 mm, the process proceeds to the routine R711, where the movement amount and the routine R5 are first determined.
At step 19, the read range set in the RAM is compared, and if it is within the read range, it is determined whether or not the security code reading sensor is on, and if it is on, the counter for counting the width of the security code is incremented. The interrupt processing ends (routines R712 and R713). And
When the code reading sensor is turned off, the value of the counter is checked (routine R714). If the width of the security code is "0", it is determined that there is no code, and the interrupt processing ends. On the other hand, if the security width is not "0", the counter width is transferred to the buffer, the counter is cleared, and it is determined whether or not the security width is 0.5 mm or more (routines R715 and R716). If the width is 0.5 mm or less, it is regarded as abnormal. If the width is 0.5 mm or more, "1" is set to the most significant (or least significant) bit of the security buffer operated as a shift register.

Then, when the next timer interrupt is entered and the read out of the read range in the routine R711, the process proceeds to the routine R721 to terminate the reading of the first code, and the security read number (counter) is decremented. Then, the security buffer storing the read code is shifted by one bit in the routine R723, and then the read range is added by the security code pitch (3.5 mm), and the processing is terminated. By shifting the security buffer every time one bit of security is detected, the serially read security code is converted into parallel data. By repeating the above routine, when the security reading number becomes “0”, the routine R722
Then, the process proceeds to R714, where the read security width is 0.
When it is 5 mm, "1" is written to the most significant bit of the security buffer. After the security reading, the process proceeds to the magnetic data reading process, and the routine R553 in FIG. 135 is executed.
When the timer 2 interrupt shown in FIG. 128 is started after the "punch hole reading" flag is set to "1" and the "security reading" flag is cleared to "0", the routines R703 to R731 in FIG. Then, it is checked whether or not the punch hole detection sensor is ON. If the sensor is ON, the counter for counting the punch hole width is incremented in a routine R732, and the interrupt processing is terminated. And
If the punch hole detection sensor is turned off by the next interruption, the flow shifts to routine R733 to check the punch hole width. Here, when the detected width of the punched hole is 0.8 mm or more, it is regarded as a regular punched hole, and the highest level (or the highest level) of the buffer (operated as a shift register) storing the presence or absence of the punched hole is determined in the routine R734. After writing "1" to the (lower) bit, the punch hole width is 0.8mm again
In the following cases, the punch hole width counter is cleared in the routine R735, and then the routine proceeds to the routine R736.

[0570] Here, it is determined whether or not the card moving amount is within the reading range. If the card moving amount is within the reading range, the above procedure is repeated.

In the routines R741 to R745, the buffer containing the read bits is shifted by one bit by subtracting the number of punched holes read out, the punched hole width counter is cleared, the readout range is set again, and the processing ends. And
When the number of readings becomes "0", the "timer 2 operation" flag is cleared and the subsequent timer 2 interrupt operation is stopped (routine R742, R746).

FIG. 130 shows a procedure for transmitting a function code appearing in the main routine shown in FIGS. 113 to 117, and FIG. 131 shows a procedure for receiving a function code.

Further, FIG. 132 shows the procedure of card ejection processing which appears in the main routine, FIG. 133 shows the general procedure of card insertion processing, and FIG.
FIGS. 4 to 141 show specific procedures of various processes appearing in the routine of FIG. 133.

In the function transmission processing of FIG. 130, first, the number of retransmissions is set in a counter in the RAM (routine R401), and 2 seconds is set in a timer as a transmission time (routine R404). If the response code ACK is returned from the unit controller 190 within two seconds after the transmission of the interrogation code ENQ, the process proceeds to the routine R411 to prohibit the reception and then returns to the S indicating the head.
After the TX code, a code (FNC, ETX, etc.) already set in the transmission buffer is transmitted, reception is permitted to the reception buffer, the "transmission incomplete" flag is cleared, and a series of transmission processing ends. (Routines R412 to R4
16).

On the other hand, if the ENQ code is input before the response code ACK is returned from the unit controller 190, the flow shifts to the routine R421 to temporarily store the transmission data set in the transmission buffer in the work area in the RAM. "Transmission interrupted" and "Transmission not completed" after saving
By setting a flag and returning to the main routine, reception is prioritized (routines R421 to R421).
423).

If the response code ACK is not returned within 2 seconds after the transmission of the ENQ, the retransmission number counter is decremented, and the process returns to the routine R402 to return to the calling code E.
Retransmit the NQ. Then, when time-out occurs five times, a reset is performed (routine R410).

In the function receiving process shown in FIG. 131, first, the response code ACK is sent to the unit controller 1
90 and sets 2 seconds to the timer (routine R
431, R432). Then, within 2 seconds, the head code STX of the function is sent from the unit controller 190.
Is not sent, the type of error is written in the error information area of the RAM, and the process proceeds to the error processing routines R171 to R180 (FIG. 117) in the main routine (routine R433 → R441). After receiving the STX code, the timer is reset to 1 second, and if the next data (function code, ETX, etc.) is not sent within 1 second, the process also shifts to the error processing routine. Data reception is performed in units of bytes (4 bits), and when data exceeds the capacity of the reception buffer, error processing is performed (routine R439).

In the card ejection processing shown in FIG. 132, when the card ejection function comes while the card is being inserted, that is, the first position detection sensor SNS1 is on and the insertion detection sensor 808 is off, first the motor is ejected. Is rotated forward (routines R451 to R457). Then, the shutter is opened and the motor is rotated in the reverse direction. The motor is stopped 0.2 seconds after the position detection sensor SNS2 is turned off, the shutter solenoid is turned off, and the shutter is closed (routines R455 to R467). This takes into account the time required for the card to come off the transport roller 812. When the card is removed from the card transport roller 812, the card cannot be discharged any more. At this time, the first position detection sensor SNS1 and the insertion detection sensor 808 are both on.

After the shutter is closed, the jam display bit of status 1 is cleared, the security read flag is cleared, the card-in display LED 12 is turned off, and the fact that there is no card in the status area in the RAM is written ( Routines R468 to R471). In the above-described routines R451 to R471, if a time-over occurs during normal rotation or reverse rotation of the motor, the motor is stopped, and if a card is inside, the jam is processed (routines R481 to R484).

In the card insertion process shown in FIG. 133, after reading various information (security code, magnetic code, and punched holes) of the card, various kinds of information such as parity check of magnetic data, LRC check, security check and the like are performed. After the inspection, the card number transmission function code and the read card number are written into the transmission buffer (routine R493), and then the transmission processing routines R401 to R423 are executed. If the card number read from the magnetic recording unit is a test code indicating that the card is a test card, a "test card" function code is written to a transmission buffer before transmission processing is executed. Yes (routine R4
92 → R494).

Incidentally, since there are many routines common to the rereading process and the card insertion process shown in the routine at the time of receiving the “reload” function in FIG. 122, the rereading process is shown in FIG. 133 showing the card insertion process routine. The processing is also shown.

Further, FIGS. 134 to 141 show FIGS.
3, card reading processing, magnetic processing, parity and LRC inspection processing, security inspection processing, punch hole inspection processing, card data inspection processing, and date / identification code inspection processing that appear in the card insertion processing routine and the re-reading routine shown in FIG. A flowchart is shown.

In the card reader 800 of this embodiment, as described above, the security code reading sensor 810a is provided on the side closest to the card insertion / ejection port, and this sensor 810a is located in the security area (TF). ) Is still facing the end of the punch hole detection sensor SNSp
Are determined so that the sensor does not reach the first punch hole formation location PH1. Therefore, after reading the function code, the detection of the punched holes and the reading of the magnetic data are performed in parallel.

The program is configured so that the actual reading of the security code is performed by a timer interrupt triggered by the output of the encoder that detects the rotation speed of the motor. In the card reading process of FIG. 134, the routine R501 is performed. Preparation for security reading is performed in steps R523 to R523, and a flag for permitting the timer interrupt is set in the routine R524. Then, the process proceeds to magnetic code reading processing.

In the card reader 800 of this embodiment, when the card CD is inserted, the rear end of the card CD is set to the first position detection sensor SN.
The interval between the sensors is set so that the punched hole and the magnetic recording section do not reach the punched hole detection sensor SNSp and the magnetic head 821 until S1 is reached. for that reason,
In the magnetic code reading process shown in FIGS. 135 and 136, punch hole detection and magnetic code reading are performed after the position detection sensor SNS1 is turned on in the routine R545.

In reading magnetic data, a work area for storing data read bit by bit is operated as a shift register to convert the data into parallel data (routine R590). In addition, the card reader 800 of this embodiment has the first and third position detection sensors S
The distance L3 between NS2 and NS3 is longer than the regular card length L0, and the second and third position detection sensors SNS1 and SNS
The distance between the sensors is set such that the distance L4 between the three is shorter than the regular card length L0 (see FIG. 32). Therefore, during the 1-bit reading process shown in FIG.
To check the output of the third position detection sensors SNS1 to SNS3 to detect a card size defect (routines R584 to R587).

In the processing routine of FIG.
In steps 603 to R609, exclusive OR of data, ETX, and LRC data in units of bytes is taken and sequentially put into the work area, and the operation result is "0" in the routine R611.
LRC is checked by judging whether or not. Note that the STX is set in the work area in the routine R604, and the byte to be read first in the routine R605 is the STX. As a result, the STX is not included in the exclusive OR.

Since the parity bit (fifth bit of each data) is not subjected to the LRC check, masking is performed in the routine R610, and the process proceeds to the determination of R611. In FIG. 137, the routines R614 to R614 are executed.
At 620, a parity check is performed for each byte of data, and the parity check is repeated by the number of data (routines R621 and R622).

In the security inspection processing shown in FIG. 138, the 10-bit security code read by the security sensor 810a and stored in the security buffer is divided into upper 5 bits and lower 5 bits, and the upper 5 bits are first determined by the routines R632 to R638. Is read, put into a shift register, and the parity is checked by counting the number of bits with "1".
The bits are read from the buffer and parity check is performed in the same manner (routines R639 to R645).

In the processing routine of FIG. 139, it is first determined whether or not the issued code in the read magnetic data is correct (routines R651 to R653), and then it is checked whether or not the punched holes are correctly opened (routines R654 to R6).
57). The issuing code is usually 5 on the game card.
1H, 52H is given to the resurrected or reissued card, and 53H is given to the test card. If the code is any other code, the processing shifts to error processing (routines R665 and R66).
6). If the issuance code is reissued, the process goes to the routine R661 to check whether a hole is opened at the reissue hole forming position of the card. If not, the card is processed as an invalid card (routines R662 and R664). Also,
Since both the issuing hole and the re-issuing hole cannot be opened, the card is eliminated in the routine R655, and the card having the zero return or settlement hole cannot be used for the game, so that the card should be eliminated when inserted. (Routines R656 and R663).

In the card data inspection processing routine of FIG. 140, first, the company code in the magnetic data read from the card is compared with the code given as an initial value by the program (routine R671), and then the equipment in the magnetic data is compared. The code is compared with the code set by the code setting switch (routine R672) to determine a match, and then it is checked whether the security in the magnetic data matches the security code read from the authenticity discrimination area (routine R672). R674).

In the processing routine of FIG. 141, the identification code and the date code previously sent from the unit controller 190 as initial values are compared with the data read from the magnetic recording unit MG (routines R681 and R68).
2) If the values do not match, the cause of error and error information are written in the RAM, and then the process proceeds to error processing.

FIGS. 142 to 146 show a main control flow of the pachinko machine controller CPU1, and FIG. 147 shows an example of an interrupt control flow by a timer interrupt.

The pachinko machine controller CP of this embodiment
The tasks of U1 are the launch sensor SNS5, the first and second safe sensors SNS2 and SNS3, and the foul sensor SNS4.
And monitor the output signals of the five sphere detecting sensors of the out sensor SNS1 to discriminate between the launching sphere and the return sphere, and count only the signal of a fixed pulse width as a detection signal to count the number of detected balls. The main contents are to output at predetermined intervals to the unit controller 190 as detection signals (emission signal, safe 1 signal, safe 2 signal, foul signal and out signal) having a fixed pulse width whose waveform is shaped.

More specifically, the output signal of each sensor is sampled in a timer interrupt process of 200 μs to determine the presence or absence of a detection signal, and then the counter is updated. The output control of the detection signal and each detection signal are performed in the main control flow. The minimum time interval (pause) between them is guaranteed.

First, the main control flow in FIGS. 142 to 146 will be described.

When the pachinko machine controller CPU1 is reset, it first clears the internal memory and then writes the check data into the memory (routine R801, R
802). Then, after setting a stack pointer to be a save area at the time of interruption, the timer counter of 200 μs is activated to start the timer interruption shown in FIG. 147 (routines R803 and R804).

Thereafter, the flag is checked to determine whether or not the firing signal to be output to the unit controller 190 is being output (routine R805). If not, the flow advances to routine R806 to see the "pause" flag. Determine whether the output is paused. In the routine R807, by looking at the counter, it is determined whether or not there is a portion of the detected shooting spheres that has not output a firing signal. If there is any remaining firing signal output, the routine proceeds to routine R810, in which the number of remaining firing signal outputs is reduced by one, and then the firing signal output rises from a low level to a high level. Is set (routine R811). Then, after setting the firing signal output timer (5 mS), the process proceeds to the next sensor output process (FIG. 143).

[0599] Then, when the routine returns to the routine R805, it is determined that the firing signal is being output, and the routine R813 is executed.
Then, it is determined whether the output timer set in the routine R812 has timed out. Here, if the time is not over, the process directly proceeds to the next sensor output process. If the time is over, the output of the firing signal is lowered from the high level to the low level in the routine R814. As a result, a detection signal having a pulse width of 5 ms is formed. Also, the routine R81
In step 4, the flag indicating that the firing signal is being output is reset. Thereafter, the "pause flag" is set to "1", the pause timer (10 mS) is set, and the flow proceeds to the next sensor output process (routine R815). , R816).

[0600] Then, at the point of returning to the routine R805 again, the flow shifts to the routine R806, where it is determined that the pause is being made, and the flow shifts to the routine R808. Here, it is determined whether or not the time of the pause timer is over. If the time is not over, the process directly proceeds to the next sensor output process. If the time is over, “pause” is performed.
After the flag is reset, the process proceeds to the routine R807 (routine R809). Thereby, even when the output of the sensor is continuous, a pause period of 10 ms is always provided, and the detection signal is transmitted to the unit controller 190 accurately.

FIG. 143 shows the procedure of the output process of the safe 1 signal corresponding to the detection signal of the safe sensor SNS2.
This procedure is almost the same as the output processing of the firing sensor SNS5 in FIG. 142. When there is the remaining number of safe 1 signal outputs, the safe 1 signal having a pulse width of 5 ms is converted to at least 10 ms.
(Routines R817 to R82)
8).

The safe 2 signal output process (routines R829 to R830 in FIG. 144) is performed according to the same procedure.
Fail signal output processing (routine R831 of FIG. 145)
R842), and an out signal output process (routines R843 to R854 in FIG. 146) is executed.

Next, the procedure of the timer interrupt process of the pachinko machine controller CPU1 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the timer counter is started in the routine R804 in the main control flow of FIG. 142, 200 μS
A timer interrupt is started every time, and first, the routine R8
02 checks the check data written in the internal memory to check whether there is any abnormality in the memory (routine R90).
1). If there is an error in the check data, the CPU
It lowers its own power (routine R940). Then, since the watchdog pulse is not output,
Reset is performed by an external reset circuit RST1 (see FIG. 24).

On the other hand, if there is no abnormality in the check data, the routine proceeds to routine R902, where the output signals of all five types of game ball sensors in the pachinko machine are read and then converted to positive logic (routine R903). That is, there are sensors that indicate "valid" when the output signal is low and those that indicate "valid" when the output signal is high.
The detection signals of all the sensors are converted to indicate valid at a high level. Thereafter, the on-edge of the sensor, that is, the change from off to on is detected by comparing the previous read data with the present read data (routine R9).
04). And the launch sensor, the first safe sensor, the second
It is determined whether or not all sensors of the safe sensor, the foul sensor, and the out sensor have an on-edge (routines R905 to R909), and the on-timer prepared for each sensor is cleared for the sensor that has detected an on-edge (routines R910 to R914). ). Then, after the on-timer of each sensor is updated (+1) (routine R915), it is determined whether or not each sensor has an off edge, that is, whether there is a change from on to off (routine R916 to R916).
R920).

When the off-edge of the firing sensor is detected in the above-mentioned routine R916, the flow shifts to a routine R921 to judge whether or not the on-time of the sensor is 0.4 ms or more and less than 3.0 mS. The counter that counts the remaining output of the firing signal (the number of firing spheres) is updated (+1) (routine R922). On the other hand, if the on-time of the firing sensor is 3.0 ms or more, it is regarded as a foul ball detection, and the counter for counting the remaining number of foul signal outputs is updated (+1) (routine R923,
R924). This means that, due to the configuration of the pachinko machine 100, a ball hit from the firing rail toward the inside of the game board passes through the firing sensor in the opposite direction without returning to the foul ball receiving port 134 and returns to the base of the rail. Because there is. Such a difference in the direction of the sphere can be detected by arranging two or more sensors along the rail, but the present inventors focused on the difference between the speed of the returning sphere and the speed of the firing sphere, and It was found that the firing sphere and the returning sphere could be distinguished by one sensor because it was always faster. Looking at this from the output time of the sensor, it was found that the sensor ON time when detecting a shooting ball having a high ball speed is 0.8 to 2.4 mS, and the ON time when detecting a returning ball having a low ball speed is several tens mS or more. Therefore, when the on-time of the firing sensor is 3.0 mS, it is regarded as a foul ball and the number of remaining foul signal outputs is updated.

On the other hand, the ON time of the firing sensor is 0.4 ms.
If it is less than the threshold value, it is regarded as noise, and the routine R917 is executed without updating any of the counters of the firing signal and the foul signal.
The routine goes to (routine R923).

Also, the routines R917, R918, R9
When the first safe sensor, the second safe sensor, the foul sensor, and the off-sensor of the out sensor are detected at 19 and R920, respectively, the on-time of the sensor is set to 4.
It is determined whether it is 0 ms or more, and if it is 0.4 or more, the output remaining number of each detection signal is updated (+1) (routines R925 to R932).

After that, the output timer and the pause timer of each of the above sensors are updated in the routine R933, respectively.
The watchdog pulse is output, and the interrupt processing ends (Routine R934).

In the above embodiment, the first valuable data equivalent to the amount is given to the card at the time of issuance of the card, and the player voluntarily uses the pachinko machine to convert the first valuable data from the first valuable data to the number of balls equivalent to the number of balls. The game is converted to valuable data of No. 2 but the game is not limited to this. When the card is issued, valuable data of the number of balls corresponding to the purchase amount is given to the card, and the game is performed based on only the valuable data. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a system that enables

[0611] In the above embodiment, the case where the gaming machine is applied to a game machine in the case of a pachinko gaming machine of an enclosed ball circulation system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. Any configuration can be used as long as the game can be played. For example, a pachinko game machine configured to convert valuable data (amount) of a storage medium into a real ball and play a game, and further, a pachinko game It can also be applied to gaming devices other than machines.

In the above embodiment, the control unit including the card reader 800 as the storage medium reading means includes the status indicator 162 indicating the status of the pachinko gaming machine, the analog display lamp 163, the safe ball lamp 164, and the call button. Although the speaker 165 and the speaker 166 are also provided, these may be provided on the game machine main body side or on the island facilities.

[0613]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of games in which a game can be executed in connection with the insertion of a storage medium to which valuable data substantially equivalent to money is added are inserted. A gaming machine in a game facility comprising a device and a management device configured to be able to communicate with the gaming device, wherein the gaming device provides a required game using a game medium, An auxiliary unit provided with a storage medium reading means capable of reading information from an information storage section of the storage medium, wherein the main body of the gaming machine converts required valuable data from the valuable data of the storage medium into a predetermined number of gaming media. Conversion operation means for giving a command to convert to
Valuable data display means for displaying valuable data possessed by the storage medium; discharge operation means for giving a command to discharge the storage medium inserted in the storage medium reading means; and A control device for controlling the storage medium reading means for controlling the storage medium reading means, and at least the valuable data of the storage medium inserted in the storage medium reading means to the gaming machine A unit control device for transmitting to the main body is provided, and the gaming machine main body and the auxiliary unit are provided with different power supply devices, respectively, and are configured to be driven by different power supply systems. Storage unit, storage medium reading control device, etc., so that the auxiliary unit is provided separately With this configuration, even when the gaming machine body is replaced with a new gaming machine body in a game store, the storage medium reading means, the storage medium reading control device, and the like can be left as auxiliary units on the equipment side of the game store. A relatively inexpensive gaming machine main body, the cost required for replacing a new gaming machine main body can be reduced, and the burden on a game store can be reduced. Since the auxiliary unit including the reading unit and the storage medium reading control device are driven by different power supply systems, power supply noise or the like generated in the main body of the gaming machine goes around the auxiliary unit and causes the auxiliary unit itself to malfunction. It is possible to avoid unexpected damage that the possibility that the player cannot use the storage medium reading means or the like is extremely small. There is an effect that.

[0614]

[0615]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a pachinko gaming system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view and an internal configuration diagram showing an example of a card used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a configuration example of a true / false identification area in the card and a cross-sectional view showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of the card.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a magnetic recording unit in the card.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an entire pachinko machine constituting the gaming system.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view showing a configuration example of an operation panel on the front of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration inside the operation panel unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a sealed ball circulation device on the back of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the enclosed ball circulation device is attached to a pachinko machine.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing details of a base of the hit ball firing rail.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where a front panel of the pachinko machine is opened.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a frame holding a game board and a frame board provided with a firing rail coupled thereto.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a rear surface configuration of a front frame of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view showing a configuration example of a rear surface of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a pachinko machine control unit.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the control unit.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a front panel of the control unit.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a mounting positional relationship between the pachinko machine and the control unit.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a framework of an island facility in which a pachinko machine is installed.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state where a pachinko machine and a control unit are installed in the island facility.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a back surface of the island facility.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a control system of the whole pachinko machine.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a pachinko machine control device.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a pachinko machine control unit.

FIG. 26 is a memory map showing an area configuration of a unit memory.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a card reader of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the card reader.

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view showing details of a card insertion portion of the card reader.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional side view showing details of a card insertion portion of the card reader.

FIG. 31 is a sectional side view showing details of a shutter portion at the entrance of the card reader.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory plan view showing a mounting positional relationship of various sensors provided in the card reader.

FIG. 33 is a detection timing chart of a sensor when a card is inserted.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a card reader control device.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing an interface circuit of the card reader.

FIG. 36 is a timing chart showing data reading and writing timings of the card reader.

FIG. 37 is a front view showing a configuration example of a card issuing machine used in the gaming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a schematic configuration diagram of a card reader for an issuing machine.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the card issuing machine.

FIG. 40 is a front view showing a configuration example of a checkout machine.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the checkout machine.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of the entire management device.

FIG. 43 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example of a management apparatus.

FIG. 44 is a plan view and a rear view showing a configuration example of a console of the management device.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing a state transition of a card in the gaming system of the present invention.

FIG. 46 shows a transition of the operation state of the pachinko machine,
It is a state transition diagram in a normal operation mode.

FIG. 47 shows a transition of the operation state of the pachinko machine,
(B) is a state transition diagram in the online test mode, and (C) is a state transition diagram in the offline test mode.

FIG. 48 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission system in the gaming system of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a diagram showing an example of N for performing data transfer control on a network.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AU (network adapter unit).

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing a procedure of packet transmission / reception control in NAU.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing a procedure of packet transmission / reception control in the NAU.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing the procedure of packet transmission / reception control in the NAU.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing a procedure of packet transmission / reception control in the NAU.

FIG. 54 is a configuration diagram of a “line test” packet transmitted and received on a low-layer network.

FIG. 55 is a configuration diagram of an “initial value setting” packet transmitted / received on a low-layer network.

FIG. 56 is a configuration diagram of a packet for giving an instruction from a management device to a pachinko machine.

FIG. 57: “Card-in” packet and response “AC”
It is a block diagram of a K "packet.

FIG. 58 is a configuration diagram of a “periodic data” packet;

FIG. 59 is a configuration diagram of a “unit recovery data” packet and a response “ACK” packet thereof.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing transmission / reception and processing procedures between controllers in the control unit, and is a flowchart at the time of initialization and reception of a store opening packet.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart when a card is inserted into a card reader.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart when a suspend switch is turned on.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart when an end switch is turned on.

FIG. 64 is a flowchart when a zero-reset state occurs.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart when a hit state occurs.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart when a “forced end” packet is received.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart at the time of unit recovery after power failure recovery.

FIG. 68 is a flowchart showing a task processing flow of the unit controller and showing a procedure of timer interrupt processing.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a serial interrupt process.

70 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of sensor and switch detection processing in the interrupt processing flow of FIG. 68.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of switch invalidation processing in the interrupt processing flow of FIG. 68.

FIG. 72 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an initialization task which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a packet reception task.

74 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of an “initial value setting” packet receiving process in the packet receiving task of FIG. 73.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “store opening code” packet receiving process.

FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “closing code” packet receiving process.

FIG. 77 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “forced termination request” packet receiving process.

FIG. 78 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “forced termination release” packet receiving process.

FIG. 79 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “cancel release” packet receiving process.

FIG. 80 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of “interruption end” packet reception processing;

FIG. 81 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “unit recovery data” packet receiving process.

FIG. 82 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “restart” packet reception process.

FIG. 83 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “card-in ACK” and “interrupted card-in-ACK” packet receiving process.

FIG. 84 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “suspension switch ACK” packet reception process.

FIG. 85 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “end switch ACK” packet reception process.

FIG. 86 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “return-to-zero ACK” packet receiving process.

FIG. 87 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “stop ACK” packet reception process.

FIG. 88 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a reader control task which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller.

FIG. 89 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “test card” function receiving process in the reader control task of FIG. 88.

FIG. 90 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “card number” function receiving process in the reader control task of FIG. 88;

FIG. 91 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “status” function receiving process in the reader control task of FIG. 88;

92 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “retransmission request” function receiving process in the reader control task of FIG. 88.

FIG. 93 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “normal end” function receiving process in the reader control task of FIG. 88;

FIG. 94 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of an “abnormal termination” function receiving process in the reader control task of FIG. 88;

FIG. 95 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of an “initial value request” function receiving process in the reader control task of FIG. 88;

FIG. 96 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a “self-discharge” function receiving process in the reader control task of FIG. 88.

FIG. 97 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a function transmission process during the reader control task of FIG. 88;

FIG. 98 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a packet transmission task which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller.

FIG. 99 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an error control task which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller.

FIG. 100 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a ball number calculation task, which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller.

FIG. 101 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a switch detection task which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller.

102 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a hitting process during the switch detection task of FIG. 101.

FIG. 103 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of interrupted switch processing during the switch detection task of FIG. 101;

FIG. 104 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a purchase switch process in the switch detection task of FIG. 101.

105 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of an end switch process in the switch detection task of FIG. 101.

106 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a test switch process in the switch detection task of FIG. 101.

FIG. 107 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a test mode end process during the end switch process of FIG. 105;

FIG. 108 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a sound control task which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller.

FIG. 109 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a timer control task, which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller.

FIG. 110 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a lamp display control task which is one of the main tasks of the unit controller.

FIG. 111 is an input / output timing chart in the unit control device.

FIG. 112 is a flowchart showing an outline of the entire control procedure by the card reader controller.

FIG. 113 is a flowchart showing a more detailed procedure of the flow in FIG. 112;

FIG. 114 is a flowchart showing a more detailed procedure of the flow in FIG. 112;

115 is a flowchart showing a more detailed procedure of the flow in FIG. 112.

FIG. 116 is a flowchart showing a more detailed procedure of the flow in FIG. 112.

117 is a flowchart showing a more detailed procedure of the flow in FIG. 112.

FIG. 118 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when receiving an “initial value setting” function.

FIG. 119 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a “card accepted” function is received.

FIG. 120 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a “card cannot be accepted” function is received.

FIG. 121 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a “card discharge” function is received.

FIG. 122 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a “reload” function is received.

FIG. 123 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a “return to zero” function is received.

FIG. 124 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a “status request” function is received.

FIG. 125 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of receiving a “retransmission request” function.

126 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of punch processing in the flows of FIGS. 121 and 123.

127 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a punching process in the flow of FIG. 126.

FIG. 128 is a flowchart showing the procedure of timer interrupt processing in the card reader controller.

FIG. 129 is a flowchart showing the procedure of timer interrupt processing in the card reader controller.

FIG. 130 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of transmission processing during the control flows of FIGS. 113 to 117 and the like.

FIG. 131 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a reception process during the control flows of FIGS. 113 to 117 and the like.

FIG. 132 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of the control flow of FIGS. 113 to 117 and a card ejection process during each function reception process of FIGS. 120 to 123;

FIG. 133 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a card insertion process in the control flows of FIGS. 113 to 117.

FIG. 134 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a card reading process in the flow of FIG. 133.

FIG. 135 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of magnetic processing in the flows of FIGS. 133 and 134.

FIG. 136 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a 1-bit reading process during the magnetic process of FIG. 135;

FIG. 137. Parity, L in the flow of FIG. 133.
It is a flowchart which shows the specific procedure of RC inspection processing.

FIG. 138 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of a security inspection process in the flow of FIG. 133;

FIG. 139 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of punch hole inspection processing in the flow of FIG. 133.

140 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of card magnetic data inspection processing in the flow of FIG. 133.

FIG. 141 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of an identification code inspection process in the flow of FIG. 133.

FIG. 142 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the pachinko machine controller.

FIG. 143 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the pachinko machine controller.

FIG. 144 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the pachinko machine controller.

FIG. 145 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the pachinko machine controller.

FIG. 146 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the pachinko machine controller.

FIG. 147 is a flowchart showing a procedure of timer interrupt processing in the pachinko machine controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 Pachinko machine (gaming machine) 110 Operation panel 111 Amount display (valuable data display means) 113 Purchase switch (conversion operation means) 114 Interruption switch 115 End switch (discharge operation means) 130 Ball circulation device 160 Control unit (unit) 177 Power supply device 180 Unit control device 188 Card reader control device 195 Pachinko machine control device 190 Unit controller (transmission means) 200 Card issuer 300 Checkout machine 400 Management device 550 Unit memory 551 Data transmission controller 553 Network controller 800 Card reader (Read storage medium) Device) 802 Card insertion / ejection port 807 Transport motor 809 Shutter solenoid 820 Punch device 821 Magnetic head CD card (card-shaped storage medium)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of gaming devices capable of executing a game in connection with insertion of a storage medium to which valuable data substantially equivalent to money is added, and a communication device capable of communicating with the gaming devices. A game device in a game facility provided with a management device configured as described above, wherein the game device is a game machine main body that provides a required game using a game medium, and information of an information storage unit of the storage medium An auxiliary unit provided with a readable storage medium reading means, wherein the gaming machine main body is a conversion operation means for giving a command to convert required valuable data from the valuable data of the storage medium into a predetermined number of gaming media. And valuable data display means for displaying valuable data of the storage medium; discharge operation means for giving a command to discharge the storage medium inserted in the storage medium reading means; A control device that is provided at a predetermined portion and controls at least a game; the auxiliary unit includes a storage medium reading control device that controls the storage medium reading device; and at least a storage device that is inserted into the storage medium reading device. A unit control device for transmitting valuable data of a storage medium to the gaming machine main body, wherein the gaming machine main body and the auxiliary unit are provided with different power supply devices, respectively, and are driven by different power supply systems. A gaming device characterized by being constituted.