JP4526041B2 - Game information collection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information gathering device for a game arcade that can accurately collect information from an external output signal of a gaming machine even if a gaming machine having a backup function at the time of power-off is included.

  In general, most of the gaming machines include predetermined information including game information relating to the game in progress (for example, in the case of a pachinko machine, jackpot information, probability variation information, symbol confirmation information, etc. External information output means for outputting to the external device such as a management device or an information disclosure device as external output information.

An example of such a conventional gaming machine is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1.
JP 2001-046552 A

In addition, in the gaming machine having the external information output means, when the power is shut down due to a power failure or the like, the state information at that time (information such as the gaming state) is backed up (stored and retained), and the backed up information after the power is restored Based on the above, there is a game having a function (hereinafter referred to as a backup function) for restarting a game from a power-off state.
However, at present, many gaming machines installed in amusement halls do not have the above-mentioned backup function. Therefore, external devices that collect information from these gaming machines are designed to collect gaming machines having a backup function. Absent.

For this reason, conventional information collection for gaming machines having a backup function has the following problems.
In other words, if a power interruption occurs while the gaming machine is outputting the aforementioned gaming machine information signal (external output signal), the transmission of the external output signal is interrupted by this power interruption, and then backup is performed when the power is restored. The transmission of the external output signal is resumed from the middle by the function.
For this reason, in the external device on the side that receives the external output signal, a signal in a state of being divided by the power shutdown is input before and after the power shutdown, and the head part of the signal transmitted before the power shutdown, The remaining part of the signal (partition signal) transmitted after the power return is erroneously determined that a separate signal has been input, which may cause an error in information collection.
For example, when an external output signal indicating that a single jackpot has been generated is divided as described above, a problem (double counting) occurs in which the external device erroneously counts that two jackpots have occurred. There was a problem.
In the case of a gaming machine without a backup function, all the states are initialized at the time of power recovery and the operation is resumed. Therefore, the remainder of the external output signal that was not transmitted due to the power shutdown must be transmitted after the power recovery. There was no problem mentioned above.
However, as gaming machines having a backup function become widespread in the future, the above-mentioned problems will become a problem in many game arcades.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming information collection device that can accurately collect information from external output information of gaming machines even when gaming machines having a backup function are included as collection targets.

A gaming information collecting device according to the invention of claim 1 is a gaming information collecting device that collects and aggregates external output signals output from gaming machines,
A totaling means for collecting a plurality of external output signals from the gaming machines and totaling the gaming machine information based on the collected results;
The divided signal determining means for determining that the external output signal collected by the counting means is a divided signal that has been output before the gaming machine is turned off and is divided by turning off the power;
Power supply state monitoring means for monitoring the power supply state supplied to the game information collecting device;
With
The dividing signal determining means is configured to make the determination based on the power supply state monitoring means,
When the dividing signal determining unit determines that the dividing signal is a dividing signal, the counting unit does not recognize the dividing signal as a signal independent of the signal output before the power is shut off, and adds up the signals as an integrated signal. And

According to the game information collecting apparatus of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
When it is determined that the signal is a divided signal, the divided signal is not recognized as an independent signal, and is counted as an independent signal. Is done.
As a result, it is possible to accurately grasp information from the gaming machine even when the external output signal is divided due to power interruption.
In addition, when determining the disconnection signal based on the monitoring of the power supply state supplied to this device, whether the power supply including itself (game information collection device) is shut down, or only the gaming machine that is the information collection target It is possible to determine whether the power is cut off, and detect the power cut-off of only the gaming machine (power cut-off for maintenance or power cut-off due to unauthorized power operation or failure) and notify, for example, the manager of the game hall It becomes possible.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game information collecting device for a pachinko machine.
A. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an entire system including a game information collecting device and a pachinko machine.
FIG. 1A shows an example of a system configuration including a pachinko machine 1 (game machine) and a call lamp 2 serving as an information disclosure device corresponding to the pachinko machine 1. In this case, the call lamp 2 alone is a game information. Configure the collection device. That is, the calling lamp 2 in this case has, for example, the number of jackpots or the so-called special figure of the corresponding gaming machine 1 in addition to the original function of the calling lamp for notifying the staff of the game hall that a failure or the like of the gaming machine 1 has occurred. It has an information disclosure function for displaying information such as the number of fluctuations (for example, information useful when the player selects a table) on a display unit (not shown). For this purpose, the calling lamp 2 has a function of reading external output information output from the corresponding pachinko machine 1 and collecting information, and includes necessary means (such as a microcomputer) for realizing such a function. .

In the case of FIG. 1 (a), when there are a plurality of pachinko machines 1, a call lamp 2 (game information collecting device) is provided for each pachinko machine 1, and the gaming machine and the game information collecting device make a pair. ing.
The model of the pachinko machine 1 may belong to a so-called “second type” or “third type” as long as it plays a game by driving a pachinko ball into the game area. As an example, in the present embodiment, a type belonging to “first type” having a display device for a variable display game is used.
Further, in the present embodiment, a card unit 202 (shown in FIG. 3) that allows a player to lend a ball by inserting a prepaid card is a card that is integrally disposed on the side of the gaming machine body. Although the pachinko machine of the kind called a reading machine (what is called CR machine) is illustrated, it cannot be overemphasized that it is not limited to this.
However, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to detect a prize for each prize opening provided in the game area, and has a so-called backup function.

Next, FIG. 1 (b) shows a plurality of pachinko machines 1, a game hall management device 3 that is normally provided for each of the plurality of pachinko machines 1, and a space between the management device 3 and each pachinko machine 1. In this case, the management device 3 and the collection adapter 4 constitute a game information collection device. Here, the collection adapter 4 may be a simple signal repeater (for example, a network hub). However, the collection adapter 4 has a built-in microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) between the pachinko machine 1 and the management device 3. The information transmitted / received in may be temporarily stored in a built-in memory, or primary processing of the information may be performed.
In addition, the management device 3 includes a computer system including, for example, an input keyboard, an output display, a printer, and the like. The pachinko machine 1 and each pachinko machine 1 are remotely operated, and each pachinko machine 1 and each island are installed. It is a device (so-called hall computer) capable of outputting the status of equipment or analyzing information. In particular, external output information output from each pachinko machine 1 (information output from a panel external connection terminal board 138 and a frame external connection terminal board 139 in FIG. 3 described later) is sent to the management device 3 via the collection adapter 4. The management apparatus 3 can display the information on the display in various formats or output it to a printer according to the operation of the administrator. Further, the management device 3 can perform calculation processing on necessary business data based on various types of input information, and display or print the processed data on a display as necessary.

  The game information collection device of the present invention is not limited to the two configuration examples shown in FIG. For example, an information disclosure device that is separate from the calling lamp may be provided for each pachinko machine 1. Moreover, the collection adapter or the information disclosure apparatus may be provided for each island where the plurality of pachinko machines 1 are installed. In addition, a mode in which both the configurations of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are combined (information collection and information disclosure is performed for each gaming machine, and information collection and information disclosure of each gaming machine is also performed in the management device. In this case, for example, the above-described calling lamp 2 and collection adapter 4 are integrated (an information disclosure device for each gaming machine and an adapter for collecting information to the management device are integrated). Embodiment).

B. Configuration of Information Collection Device FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the game information collection device. The game information collecting apparatus 10 includes a totaling unit 12, a storage unit 13, an output unit 14, a power supply monitoring unit 15, and a division signal determination unit 16.
The counting means 12 receives external output signals (for example, jackpot signals) of gaming machines, collects external output information (for example, jackpot information) of gaming machines, tabulates them, and tabulates the results (for example, the number of jackpots). Specifically, it is constituted by a signal input circuit for performing communication with the pachinko machine 1 or a processing function of a microcomputer.
The storage means 13 is an element for storing the information received by the counting means 12 and the counting results generated by the counting means 12 for each gaming machine and for each item, for example, a memory provided inside or outside the microcomputer, This is realized by a hard disk unit or the like.
The output unit 14 is an element that outputs information stored in the storage unit 13, and is, for example, a display for display, a printer, or a signal output circuit for transmitting information to another device.

The power monitoring means 15 is an element that monitors the state of the power supplied to the game information collecting device 10 and outputs a power state signal indicating whether or not the power is being cut off to the division signal determining means 16. For example, it is constituted by a voltage detection circuit.
The division signal determination unit 16 is an element that determines whether or not the signal received by the totalization unit 12 is a division signal that is divided with respect to the head portion by power-off, and is realized by a processing function of a microcomputer, for example. . The determination result of the division signal determination means 16 is used in the counting means 12. The details of the determination processing of the division signal determination means 16 will be described later.
In the case of the system configuration example shown in FIG. 1B described above, each of the above-described means constituting the game information collection device 10 may be provided as a component of the management device 3, or the collection adapter 4 It may be provided as a component. For example, when the collection adapter 4 is merely a signal repeater, the collection adapter 4 is only an element constituting a part of the totalization means 12, and the rest are all elements in the management device 3. However, for example, elements corresponding to the totaling unit 12 and the division signal determining unit 16 may be provided in the collection adapter 4, and for example, the storage unit 13 and the output unit 14 may be provided as elements in the management device 3. For example, there may be a mode in which the storage unit 13 and the output unit 14 are provided in both the collection adapter 4 and the management device 3. For example, a display device (output unit 14) for displaying the number of jackpots is provided in the collection adapter 4, while a display (output unit 14) capable of displaying information such as the number of jackpots for each gaming machine is provided in the management device 3. It may be provided as a component.

C. Next, a power supply system of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a power supply system and a control system of the pachinko machine 1.
The pachinko machine 1 is supplied with AC24V from the outside, and the AC24V, which is an external power supply, is distributed to the power supply board 102.
The power supply board 102 is a board that constitutes a power supply unit. The power supply circuit 102a generates a variety of DC voltages by converting AC 24V into a direct current and supplies them to the respective control devices, and in this case, the main board constituting the game control device. 105 and a backup circuit 102b for supplying a backup power supply (DC5VBB) to the RAM of the payout control board 104 constituting the discharge control device, and a power failure detection circuit 102c for outputting a power failure detection signal and a reset signal when the power is cut off (including a power failure). And a fuse 102d for preventing overcurrent and a power switch 102e for power-on operation.

Here, specifically, the power supply circuit 102a generates DC32V for driving the solenoid, DC24V for the card unit, and DC12V for driving the lamps, for driving the sensor, for driving the backlight, and the like as a driving power supply. DC5V is generated as a power supply for the control device for operating each control device. Then, DC32V and DC5V are used for the launch control board 103 (launch control apparatus), DC32V, DC12V, and DC5V are used for the payout control board 104 (discharge control apparatus), and DC32V, DC12V, and DC5V are used for the main board 105 (game control apparatus). DC12V and DC5V are connected to the voice control board 106 (sound control device), DC12V and DC5V are connected to the lamp control board 107 (decoration control device), DC12V and DC5V are connected to the display control board 108 (display control device), and DC24V is connected to the card unit. This is supplied to the card unit 202 and the operation panel substrate 203 via the substrate 201. The configuration and functions of each control board and card unit 202 will be described later.
The backup circuit 102b is a backup power source connected to a power source terminal to be backed up (in this case, the RAM in the microcomputer chip 105a of the main board 105 and the power terminal of the RAM in the microcomputer chip 104a of the payout control board 104). And a diode (not shown) for irreversibly supplying DC5V generated by the power supply circuit 102a to the capacitor and supplying power equivalent to DC5V for a predetermined backup guarantee period or more when the power is cut off. In this case, the backup power supply (DC5VBB) is supplied to the RAM of the main board 105 constituting the game control apparatus and the RAM of the payout control board 104 constituting the discharge control apparatus.

  In addition, the conventional general pachinko machine has a safe unit that collects all the winning balls in one place, detects them one by one, and holds the winning balls until the winning ball payout is completed, such as a power failure Even if there was, by checking the winning balls held in this safe unit, the number of undischarged winning balls could be determined to some extent. However, in the case of the present embodiment, such a safe unit is not provided, and a winning detection is made for each winning opening, so it is necessary to hold information on undischarged prize balls in software. For this reason, such backup power is supplied. In addition, in order to continuously resume a game that has been interrupted due to a power failure, etc., as described above, it is necessary to store and retain information for reproducing the game state at the time of power-off, for example. In addition, such backup power is supplied to at least the RAM of the game control device (in this case, the RAM of the discharge control device).

Further, the power failure detection circuit 102c in the power supply substrate 102 detects in advance that the power supply to the DC5V generation circuit (not shown) in the power supply circuit 102a is cut off (that is, power interruption such as a power failure) (for example, DC32V Is detected as a power failure start when the power supply voltage drops to 22V, which is the power failure detection voltage, and outputs a power failure detection signal to each CPU of the game control device (main board 105) and the discharge control device (payout control board 104). It is.
In the power failure detection circuit 102c, a reset output unit is provided. From the reset output unit, each control device (main board 105, payout control board 104, launch control board 103, voice control board 106, lamp control board 107 is provided. , Display control board 108) and the like (logic circuit in the case of launch control board 103) should be reset (for example, after a predetermined time elapses from the time when DC32V is reduced to the power failure detection voltage). A reset signal is output to the CPU of the apparatus.
The reset signal is generally a signal for returning the CPU or the like to an initial state. However, when the reset signal is input to the CPU or the like, the operation is substantially stopped while the reset signal is input. When this reset signal is released, each CPU and the like are restarted.

Further, the CPU of the main board 105 or the payout control board 104 (game control device or discharge control device) that has received the power failure detection signal executes power failure processing by, for example, forced interrupt (NMI interrupt).
In this power failure process, all the outputs are turned off, and a process such as setting a power failure flag or prohibiting access to the RAM is executed, and finally waits for a reset.
With such a configuration, the function of each CPU is stopped at a voltage at which each CPU can normally operate in the event of a power failure (before the power is completely turned down), and each CPU becomes unstable due to a power failure or the like. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent indefinite values from being written to the RAMs of the main board 105 and the payout control board 104, and the contents stored in the RAMs (for example, undischarged prize ball data and a gaming state described later) For example, information for resuming the process can be securely held.
In this case, the CPU of the main board 105 (game control device) and the CPU of the payout control board 104 (discharge control device) are responsible for data such as all registers, stack pointers, etc. As described above, the process of saving (registering) in a predetermined area of the backed up RAM is executed before the process of prohibiting access to the RAM. Thereby, in the main board 105 and the payout control board 104, information on the gaming state or the control state at the time of power-off (more precisely, the time of power-off detection when the power-out detection signal is output) is stored even during power-off. After the power is turned on again, the control processing by the main board 105 and the payout control board 104 can be continuously resumed from the state at the time of the power failure when the power failure detection signal is output. .

D. Next, a control system of pachinko machine 1 (configuration and function of each control board and the like) will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 3, the main board 105 constitutes a game control device that performs overall control of the game (including control of game progress and direct or indirect control of each controlled device for that purpose). The game processing unit 105a (a game microcomputer: manufactured as an IC for a so-called amuse chip) is configured to include a CPU, A ROM, a RAM, and an input / output interface (not shown) for inputting and outputting various signals are provided.
In this case, the main board 105 is provided with a test firing test signal terminal 105b (in this case, precisely, a terminal group), from which various signals necessary for the test can be easily taken out. The test firing test signal terminal 105b may be an external information output unit for outputting the external output signal of the present invention.

Detection signals from the special figure start sensor 131, the normal figure start gate sensors 132a and 132b, the continuation sensor 133, the count sensor 134, and the winning sensors A1 to AN are input to the input interface of the game arithmetic processing unit 105a. The winning sensors A1 to AN are sensors that respectively detect winning balls that are won in the general winning opening in the game area. When there are n general winning openings, n winning sensors are arranged.
The special figure start sensor 131 is a sensor that detects a winning ball that has won a so-called special drawing start winning opening (not shown), and the normal start gate sensors 132a and 132b win the general start gate (not shown) ( The continuation sensor 133 is a sensor for detecting each winning ball that has passed (passed), and a continuation sensor 133 is provided in a continuous winning channel (a channel that passes through a special winning port) in a large winning port of a variable winning device (not shown) that is opened at the time of a big hit The count sensor 134 is a sensor that detects a winning ball that has flowed into a general winning channel (a channel that does not pass through a special winning port) in the large winning port of the variable winning device. .
In addition, the input / output interface of the game processing unit 105a includes a half-end ball detection switch 141 for detecting whether or not there is a game ball for discharging a winning ball and a rental ball, and a lower plate provided at the lower front of the gaming machine Detection from an overflow switch 142 for detecting a full state (excessive storage of balls) (not shown) and a glass frame opening switch 143 for detecting that a glass frame (gold frame) supporting the glass on the front of the gaming machine has been opened. A signal is also input. Further, detection signals from prize ball detection sensors 161 and 162 of the discharge unit, which will be described later, are also input.

On the other hand, from the input / output interface of the game processing unit 105a, a display control board 108 for controlling the display device 120 for executing a so-called variable display game of a special figure, lamps 32, 33 not shown on the game board, Lamp control board 107 for controlling the special chart start memory display 23 and the general chart start memory display 25, the sound control device 106 for controlling the output of the sound effect by driving the speaker 106b, and the normal symbols on the game board Direction for switching the guidance direction of the display member 24, a guidance member (a member for selectively guiding the game ball to either the continuous prize flow path or the general prize flow path; not shown) provided in the variable prize winning device The switching lever solenoid 135, the normal electric accessory solenoid (normal electric solenoid) 136 for driving the aforementioned start winning opening (ordinary variable winning device), the variable winning prize Special winning opening solenoid 137 for driving the door of the location, the board for external connection terminal board 138, the signal is outputted to the test firing test signal terminal 105b. Here, the board external connection terminal board 138 outputs an external information for outputting a board external signal (for example, jackpot signal, probability variation signal, symbol determination signal, etc. of the pachinko machine 1) which is an external output signal of the present invention. Corresponds to means.
Also, from this input / output interface, a signal such as prize ball data is output to the payout control board 104 (discharge control device) by prize ball parallel communication.
Note that the game processing unit 105a of the game control device (main board 105) performs a transmission process of a signal (including at least a signal output from the board external connection terminal board 138) interrupted when the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. It has a function (that is, a backup function) to resume from the state when the power is shut off.

  Next, the launch control board 103 constitutes a launch control device, which is composed of a logic circuit, and drives the launch motor 103a of the launch device (not shown) according to the amount of rotation of the launch operation handle (not shown). Control is performed to launch the game ball with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the launch operation handle. It should be noted that the firing control device 103 receives signals from the touch sensor 103b provided on the firing operation handle and the firing stop switch 103c, and the touch sensor 103b detects that the player's hand has left the firing operation handle. Alternatively, when the operation signal is input from the firing stop switch 103c, the firing operation of the launch unit is forcibly stopped. In addition, a launch stop signal is input from the discharge control device 104 to the launch control device 103, and this launch stop signal is detected when any abnormality is detected on the discharge control device (dispensing control board 104) side. In addition, it is a signal for forcibly stopping the launch operation of the launch unit or enabling the launch operation when the abnormality is resolved.

Next, the payout control board 104 constitutes a discharge control device. The payout ball data transmitted from the game control device (main board 105) by the prize ball parallel communication, the prize ball detection sensors 161 and 162, and the like. Based on the detection signal, prize ball discharge control is executed, and rental ball discharge control is also performed.
The payout control board 104 in this case is configured to include a payout arithmetic processing unit 104a formed of a one-chip microcomputer, and the payout arithmetic processing device 104a includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output interface.
Also, the payout processing unit 104a performs card unit communication with the card unit connection board 201 via the input / output interface, and thereby the card unit 202 and the operation panel board via the card unit connection board 201. Signals (card unit control signal and operation panel signal) are exchanged with 203, and control necessary for renting out is performed. The operation panel board 203 is a board provided with an operation member for discharging a rented ball, a connection circuit for a display member (not shown), etc. provided on a front operation panel (not shown) below the front of the gaming machine. is there.
In addition, signals from the lending detection sensors 175 and 176 and the winning ball detection sensors 161 and 162 of the discharge unit, which will be described later, are input to the input / output interface of the payout arithmetic processing unit 104a.
A control signal is output from the input / output interface of the payout arithmetic processing unit 104a to a ball discharge motor 181, a stopper solenoid 182, and a flow path switching solenoid 183 of a discharge unit, which will be described later, and an external connection terminal for a frame The frame external information is output to the panel 139. Here, the frame external connection terminal board 139 corresponds to external information output means for outputting a frame external signal (for example, a prize ball detection signal) which is an external output signal of the present invention.

Here, discharge control by a discharge unit (not shown) and a discharge control device (payout control board 104) will be described.
The discharge unit is controlled by the payout control board 104 to discharge a game ball derived from a storage tank (not shown) arranged on the upper back side of the game machine (a prize ball discharge as a prize ball or a ball rental as a ball) A ball discharge mechanism (in this case, a two-row type). A sprocket (not shown) is provided on the upper part of the discharge unit, and one game ball fits into the valley on the outer periphery of the sprocket, and the game ball always flows down and is discharged with the rotation of the sprocket. It has become so. Then, a ball discharge motor 181 (shown in FIG. 3) composed of a pulse motor that rotationally drives the sprocket and the sprocket locked to prevent inadvertent rotation of the sprocket due to gravity (ie, inadvertent discharge of the sphere). And a stopper solenoid 182 (shown in FIG. 6) for releasing the locking of the stopper.

In addition, the discharge unit has two game ball passages which are divided into two at the lower part of the unit, one of which is a prize ball passage (not shown) for allowing a prize ball to pass, and the other is a rental ball It is a ball rental flow path (not shown) that passes through. The branch portion is provided with a flow path switching valve (not shown), and the flow path switching valve is driven by a flow path switching solenoid 183 (shown in FIG. 3) to swing, thereby The game ball discharged to the downstream side is configured to pass through either one of the prize ball passage and the ball rental passage.
In this discharge unit, when the stopper solenoid 182 is operated (excited) under the control of the discharge control device, the stopper is unlocked, and in this unlocked state, the ball discharge motor is controlled by the control of the discharge control device. When the sprocket rotates by a predetermined amount in the discharge direction by operating 181, a corresponding number of game balls are sent out by gravity to the downstream side. Then, the game ball sent out in this way is discharged from one of the prize ball flow path or the ball rental flow path by the operation of the flow path switching solenoid 183 based on the control of the discharge control device, and a predetermined amount of prize balls are discharged or rented. Ball discharge is realized.
Further, the ball rental detection sensors 175 and 176 are sensors that respectively detect the game balls (that is, the ball rental) that pass through the respective ball rental flow paths, and the prize ball detection sensors 161 and 162 are the respective prizes described above. It is a sensor that detects game balls (that is, prize balls) that pass through the ball flow path.

Next, the sound control board 106 constitutes a sound control device, which is composed of a microcomputer including the CPU 106a, and based on a control signal including sound data transmitted by sound parallel communication from the game control device (main board 105). Control related to sound effects, such as generating sound effects and outputting them from the speaker 106b, is performed.
The lamp control board 107 constitutes a decoration control device, which is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 107a. Based on a control signal including decoration data transmitted from the game control device (main board 105) by lamp parallel communication, While controlling the light emission of the lighting members and display parts such as the side lamps 32 and 33 arranged on the panel 1, the special figure start memory display 23 and the general figure start memory display 25, the Power is being supplied.

The display control board 108 constitutes a display control apparatus, which is also composed of a microcomputer including the CPU 108a, and is based on a display control signal transmitted by display parallel communication from the game control apparatus (main board 105). The image display is controlled and power is supplied to the display device 120.
As shown in FIG. 3, the display control board 108 is provided with a test firing test signal terminal 108b (in this case, precisely, a terminal group), from which various signals necessary for the test can be easily taken out. It has become. The test test signal terminal 108b may be an external information output unit for outputting an external output signal of the present invention.

Next, the board external connection terminal board 138 is a board provided with an external information terminal on the game board side connected to the main board 105, from which an external device (for example, the management device 3 or the call lamp 2). In addition, an external signal for a board (for example, a big hit signal) is output.
The frame external connection terminal board 139 is a board provided with a frame-side external information terminal connected to the payout control board 104 and the tank ball break switch 139a. (For example, a detection signal for a winning ball or a rental ball, or a tank ball running out signal) is output. The tank ball out switch 139a detects that the amount of game balls in the storage tank described above is insufficient (or zero) and requests the island facility side to supply the game balls. Is a sensor that outputs.

E. Outline of Game Next, an outline of a game performed in the pachinko machine 1 and a flow of the game will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of the entire game.
First, at the beginning of the game (or before the start of the game), as shown in FIG. 4, the customer waiting state is entered, and display control information for instructing display of the customer waiting screen is transmitted from the game control device 105. On the screen of the display device 120, a customer waiting screen (moving image or still image) is displayed.
Then, when a game ball that has been thrown into the game area wins a start winning opening which is a start opening (chucker) of the special figure (that is, when there is a start winning prize), display control for instructing a variable display of the special figure Information is transmitted from the game control device 105, and a display in which a number of special figures (consisting of numbers, characters, symbols, patterns, etc.) fluctuate (eg, scroll) in a plurality of variable display areas of the display screen of the display device 120 ( A so-called variation display) is performed, and a variation display game is performed.
And if this variable display game result (the combination of the stopped special figure) is a specific display mode (for example, a doublet such as “7, 7, 7”), a privilege called a big hit is given to the player. In terms of control, for example, on the condition that there has been a start winning, the value of the big hit random number is extracted and stored, and the random number value that has been extracted and stored is compared and determined at the time of determination. Based on the determination result, it is determined in advance whether or not to make a big hit, and in response to this determination, the above-described variation display is started.
In addition, when so-called fluctuation time reduction control (time reduction control of special figure) is performed, the time from the start to the end of fluctuation of special figure is shortened than usual, and the fluctuation per unit time by that amount The frequency of the display game is substantially increased, which is advantageous. Also, if the probability of jackpot is set to a high probability by so-called probability fluctuation control, the probability of hitting the jackpot more than usual increases.

When the big hit is reached, an opening operation is performed in which the open / close door of the big prize opening of the variable prize winning device is opened for a period of up to, for example, 10 prizes within a range not exceeding a specified time (for example, 30 seconds). Then, this releasing operation is performed a plurality of times, for example, up to 16 rounds, on condition that continuous winning balls are detected (detection of winning balls by the continuous sensor 133).
Also, during the above-mentioned special figure variable display game or during a big hit, when a game ball is further won at the start winning opening, the special figure start memory display 23 is lit up, and in this case, up to four are stored. After the big hit is over, the variable display game of the above-mentioned special figure is repeated or returned to the customer waiting state based on the memory (that is, the start memory).
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, if the variable display game ends with a big hit, the game shifts to a big hit state, the variable display game ends with a loss, and if there is a start memory, the variable display game is executed again, and the variable display game is lost. If there is no start memory, it returns to the customer waiting state, and if the jackpot ends and the start memory is present, the variable display game is executed again, and if the jackpot ends and there is no start memory, the flow returns to the customer waiting state. ing.

On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the usual figure start gate during the game, a usual figure variation display game is performed by a variation display of the ordinary figure (in this case, a single digit number) on the ordinary figure display 24. And if this variable display game result (stopped usual figure) is a predetermined | prescribed aspect (for example, "7"), the game value (privilege) called per common figure will be provided.
A game that is held for about 0.5 seconds, for example, in an open state in which the pair of opening and closing members of the start winning opening is opened in a reverse C-shape is performed. This makes it easier for the game ball to win the start winning opening, and accordingly, the number of executions of the special display variable display game increases and the possibility of winning a big game increases.
Also, during the above-mentioned variable display game, when a game ball is won at the general map start gate, the general map start memory display 25 is turned on and in this case, up to four are stored, and the variable display game of the normal map is displayed. After the completion of the above, the usual variable display game is repeated based on the memory.
It should be noted that the above-described ordinary chart start memory and the above-mentioned special chart start memory data (for example, the jackpot random number acquired by winning fetch or the extracted value of the random number per ordinary figure) are at least the ordinary chart in the game control device 105. Or, it is necessary to store the game while maintaining the mutual order until the special display variable display game is executed (that is, it is necessary to store the data to be used next). As a method for storing the data (usually 1 to 2 bytes of data) in the memory for that purpose, for example, a specific memory area (for example, data in a variable display) determined for each order of digestion is used. A first area that is determined in advance, such as a first area to be stored, a second area that stores data used in the next variable display, and a third area that stores data used in the next variable display. In the fifth area, there is a method of sequentially shifting and storing. In this case, when there is a start prize (a prize at the usual start gate, etc.) and new data is generated, the data is stored in the area with the smallest number among the second to fifth areas, When the variable display is executed, if the data is shifted from the second area to the first area or from the third area to the second area, the order between the data can always be maintained and stored. However, with this method, each time a variable display is executed, it is necessary to shift a plurality of data of 1 to 2 bytes at a time, especially when the number of starting memories increases from the current four and the data increases. The load on the control system increases and cannot be ignored.
Therefore, as a configuration for solving this problem, it is desirable to employ a data storage method using a so-called ring buffer. In this method, the number of data storage areas corresponding to the number of starting memories (for example, if the number of starting memories is four, five areas including the data being displayed in a variable manner) A read pointer (RP) for deciding whether to perform reading (read address) and a write pointer (WP) for deciding which storage area to write next (write address) are provided, Each time data reading (ie, digesting start memory) or data writing (ie, registering generated start memory) is executed, the RP or WP data is rewritten by one storage area, and the read address Alternatively, the write address is sequentially and cyclically shifted (for example, sequentially shifted from the first area to the second area, from the third area to the fourth area, and finally The fifth area in which again shifts back to the first area). With such a configuration, even if the number of starting memories (the number of storage areas) increases, there are only two data that need to be shifted, RP and WP. The problem of increasing the burden on the system is easily solved.

F. Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 1 described above when the power is turned on (including when the power is restored) will be described.
When power is turned on normally (In this case, including when the power is restored after the backup guarantee period has elapsed since the power was shut down due to a power failure, etc., or when the backup power supply has failed even within the backup guarantee period) In the RAM of the game processing unit 105a of the game control device, the power outage flag is not normally stored and held (even if the power outage processing is not executed or executed) The power outage flag is not properly stored and retained because the backup guarantee period has elapsed). For this reason, the game processing unit 105a determines that the normal power is turned on after activation, performs processing such as initializing the entire area of the RAM, and then shifts to normal processing. For this reason, even if there is a signal of external output information whose transmission operation is interrupted due to power interruption, the remainder of the signal (partition signal) is not transmitted.

  Next, when the power is turned off and restored to normal within the backup guarantee period after a power interruption due to a power failure or the like (in this case, for example, a normal power interruption due to the operation of the power switch 102e) During the power failure process (hereinafter referred to as normal power supply recovery), the power failure flag described above is normally stored and held in the RAM of the game processing unit 105a of the game control device. For this reason, the gaming arithmetic processing unit 105a determines that the normal power supply has been restored after startup, and initializes only a specific area of the RAM (area excluding the stored prize ball data and gaming state information). In addition, the stack pointer and all register data are restored to the ones at the time of power-off (when a power failure occurs), the address that was interrupted at the time of power-off is restored, and the external output operation (that is, external output) All control processing including signal editing and transmission processing) is continuously resumed from the power-off state. In particular, when the transmission operation is interrupted when the power is shut down and there is an untransmitted signal as a whole, the remaining portion of the untransmitted signal (partition signal) is transmitted from the point of interruption.

G. Operation of Game Information Collection Device Next, characteristic processing contents of processing means (for example, a microcomputer) constituting the above-described game information collection device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
(A) Jackpot count permission processing The game information collection device 10 executes the processing (jackpot count permission processing) of FIG. 5A by receiving an input signal, for example. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a start signal is input from the board external connection terminal board 138 of the pachinko machine 1. If the input of the start signal is read in step S1, the jackpot count permission setting (processing for turning on the jackpot count permission flag) is executed in step S2. Otherwise, the process returns (this jackpot) End the count permission process).
Note that the start signal here is a signal of symbol variation information output from the game control device 105 of the pachinko machine 1 via the board external connection terminal board 138 (the fluctuation of the special figure is started in the management device 3 or the like). Or a signal for summing up the number of times a special figure is displayed, and becomes temporarily active when the special figure starts or ends. Signal. A so-called symbol determination signal (a signal that becomes temporarily active at the end of the variation display of the special symbol) is an aspect of the start signal here. Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the start signal (including the symbol determination signal) is a signal output in a pair with a jackpot signal that is a signal indicating a jackpot state (that is, a jackpot signal). When a jackpot signal is output, this signal is always output in the past). In addition, this signal is a signal that is output every time the special display variation display game is executed.
According to the jackpot count permission process (steps S1 and S2), as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 8A, for example, step S2 is executed at the rising edge of the start signal and the jackpot count permission flag is turned on.

(B) Jackpot counting process The game information collecting apparatus 10 executes the process (jackpot counting process) in FIG. 5B by receiving an input signal, for example. First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not a jackpot signal is input from the board external connection terminal board 138 of the pachinko machine 1. If the input of the jackpot signal is read, the process proceeds to step S12. Otherwise, the process returns (the jackpot counting process is terminated).
Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the jackpot count permission flag is turned on. If it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S13. If not, the jackpot signal read in step S11 is a divided signal. It is determined that there is, and the process proceeds to step S15.
In step S13, the jackpot count is updated (the data on the number of jackpots of the corresponding pachinko machine 1 is increased by one).
Next, in step S14, after executing the process of clearing the jackpot count permission (that is, the process of turning off the jackpot count permission flag), the process returns.
On the other hand, in step S15, the dividing signal setting (processing for turning on the dividing signal flag) is executed, and the process returns.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the jackpot signal is a jackpot information signal output from the game control device 105 of the pachinko machine 1 that has won the jackpot (total number of jackpots of the pachinko machine 1 in the management device 3 or the like) Or a signal for detecting that the pachinko machine 1 is in the jackpot state in the management device 3 or the like, and is a signal that becomes active during the jackpot state.
In steps S11 and S12, it is substantially determined whether or not the received jackpot signal is a divided signal. As a result, the process proceeds to step S15 because the received jackpot signal is This corresponds to the case where it is determined that the signal is a split signal. Therefore, the number of times that the process has proceeded to step S15 (or the number of times that the division signal flag has been turned on) may be counted as determination information of the present invention.

According to the above jackpot count process (steps S11 to S14), as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 7B, on the condition that the jackpot count permission flag is on, for example, the step is performed at the rising edge of the jackpot signal. S13 is executed, and the data for the number of jackpots is counted up by one time (in FIG. 7B, it is increased from 3 times to 4 times). When the number of jackpots is updated as described above, the jackpot count permission flag is immediately turned off by the process of step S14. If the jackpot signal rises in a state where the jackpot count permission flag is off, the division signal flag is set (step S15), and the jackpot count is not counted up.
For this reason, when the power shutdown that occurred during the jackpot ends during the jackpot and when the normal power supply is restored, the back-up function outputs the remainder of the jackpot signal (partition signal) and becomes inactive due to the power shutdown. Even if the jackpot signal that has been changed to be active, the number of jackpots is not erroneously counted up (double counting) as shown in FIG. 7B. This is the same even when the power is shut off a plurality of times during the jackpot and a plurality of disconnection signals are output. This is because the jackpot count permission flag remains off.
Note that the jackpot count permission flag turned off by counting up the number of jackpots is turned on again when a start signal is subsequently received as shown in FIG. 8A, and when a jackpot occurs thereafter. Thus, the number of jackpots is reliably counted up, for example, at the rising edge of the jackpot signal.

(C) Big hit count processing Moreover, the game information collection apparatus 10 performs the process (signal restoration process) of FIG. 6 by reception interruption of the input signal, for example. First, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the dividing signal flag set in step S15 described above is on. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S22, and if it is off, the process returns.
In step S22, necessary restoration processing is performed. In this case, the restoration process means that if the divided jackpot signal is determined to be a separate signal and there is information that is erroneously tabulated as separate data, it is actually an integrated jackpot signal. If there is, it is a process for maintaining the continuity of the aggregation of this information. For example, in a general pachinko machine management device, data on the number of winning balls paid out during a jackpot is counted, or the jackpot period is counted and stored as special time data. Counting (counting and timing) is performed from when the jackpot signal becomes active until it becomes inactive. When the jackpot signal becomes active again, the counter is reset and separate data is collected. As a general rule, counting starts from zero. For this reason, when the jackpot signal is cut off due to power shutdown, or when the split signal transmitted after power recovery is determined to be a new separate jackpot signal, the total number of winning balls during the jackpot is mistakenly counted. It starts from zero. Therefore, when it is determined that the jackpot signal has been divided due to power interruption (that is, when the split signal flag is turned on), a counter (or timer) for counting the number of winning balls during the jackpot or the like It is this restoration process that maintains continuity before the signal is divided due to power interruption without resetting the signal.
After step S22, the process returns after turning off the dividing signal flag in step S23.

According to the signal restoration processing (steps S21 to S23), as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 8B, when the power supply is temporarily interrupted during the jackpot, for example, a prize ball signal after the power supply is restored Step S22 is executed at the rising edge of (the prize ball detection signal output from the frame external connection terminal board 139), and the continuity of the prize ball signal count is maintained. This is because the above-mentioned step S15 is executed at the rising edge of the jackpot signal after the power supply is restored and the disconnection signal flag is turned on, so that the signal restoration process is started by receiving a prize ball signal, for example. This is because step S22 is always executed. For this reason, the information on the number of winning balls in the jackpot is appropriate without being divided.
Of the processes shown in FIGS. 5 to 6 described above, steps S1 to S2, S11 to S12, etc. are processes for determining whether or not the signal is a split signal, and the split signal determining means of the present invention. Is realized. Steps S13, S21 to S22, etc. are processes for totaling or restoring external output information (in this case, jackpot information, prize ball information, etc.), and implement the counting means of the present invention. .

(D) Other processing examples Next, other processing examples for determining that the signal is a split signal will be described.
In the processing examples of FIGS. 5 to 6 described above, whether or not the jackpot signal is divided based on separate information called the start signal collected in the past (which is always output in pairs with the jackpot signal). However, the state of the power supplied to the game information collection device 10 itself may be used as information for determining the split signal. In the event of a power outage at the amusement hall, not only the pachinko machine 1 (game machine) but also the power supply to the game information collecting device 10 is normally cut off, so that it is supplied to the game information collecting device 10 itself. This is because it can be determined with a certain degree of reliability that the signal is a cut-off signal due to power-off if the state of the power supply is monitored.
For example, when the power supply to the game information collection device 10 is interrupted (at least when there is a temporary power interruption within the backup guarantee period), the same signal is detected before and after the power interruption. In this case, the signal detected after power-off may be determined as a divided signal and handled as an integral part of the signal before power-off.
In this case, specifically, when the power supply to the game information collecting apparatus 10 is interrupted while the jackpot signal is being received, for example, a specific flag indicating this (hereinafter referred to as a power cutoff flag) If the jackpot signal becomes active again when the power shutoff flag is turned on, do not treat this jackpot signal as a new jackpot signal. What is necessary is just to set it as the processing content which treats as one thing and turns off the said power-off flag after that. In this way, it is possible to determine the split signal without monitoring a separate signal other than the jackpot signal (start signal in the above example). However, when only the power source on the gaming machine side is cut off, it is impossible to determine that the signal is a cut-off signal only by this method, so other configurations (for example, the processing shown in FIGS. 5 to 6). ) In combination.
Of the functions for realizing such a determination method, the function of monitoring the power supply to the game information collection device 10 corresponds to the power monitoring means 15 in FIG.

  For example, in order to determine that the jackpot signal is a divided signal, there may be a method of referring to the jackpot signal itself collected in the past. For example, when the output time of the received jackpot signal (the time that the jackpot signal is active, that is, the duration of the jackpot state) is less than the normally possible minimum time, the power shutdown flag is turned on, and then If the jackpot signal becomes active again when the power shut-off flag is on, this jackpot signal is not treated as a new jackpot signal, but is treated as one with the previous jackpot signal, and then The processing content for turning off the power shutdown flag may be used. In this way, it is possible to determine the split signal without monitoring a separate signal. However, when the power interruption occurs in a state where the big hit state continues for a long time, this method alone cannot reliably determine that the signal is a disconnection signal. It is preferable to combine with the processing shown in FIG.

(E) Information Output Example Next, an example of information output by the game information collection device 10 will be described.
The gaming information collection device 10 displays the collected external output information of each gaming machine and the data calculated from the external output information on a display or prints, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 (a) or (b). It is possible to do.
The example shown in FIG. 9 outputs, for example, various data in the 77s (start count, jackpot count, probability fluctuation count, average jackpot appearance, power outage count, power outage time, etc.), of which FIG. 9 (a) FIG. 9B shows a case where the processing for determining the division of the jackpot signal and optimizing the information (the processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 described above) is performed, and FIG. 9B does not perform such processing. Further, “*” in FIG. 9A indicates that the data has been optimized by the processing of FIGS. 5 and 6 described above.

In this case, in the 77th pachinko machines, as shown in FIG. 9A, a power failure (power interruption for 5 minutes) has occurred once, and the number of executions (start times) of the special variable display game is 1234. Of which, jackpots have actually occurred seven times. In addition, the number of occurrences of probability fluctuations (number of probability fluctuations) is 4, and the number of average jackpot balls (the average value of the number of winning balls in the jackpot) is actually 2240.
If the above-described processing for optimizing information is not performed, an output result as shown in FIG. 9B is obtained, the number of jackpots is eight (one more than the actual number), and the average jackpot ball is 1960 (less than the actual number), which is incorrect data due to power shutdown.

In the present invention, although it is possible to output appropriate information as shown in FIG. 9A, it is possible to selectively output conventional information as shown in FIG. 9B. It is desirable. This is because the state before the optimization of information can be easily and clearly confirmed.
Further, the “number of power outages” in FIG. 9 corresponds to the number of power interruptions of the present invention. Specifically, for example, it is the number of times the power to the game information collecting apparatus 10 itself is interrupted. In addition to this data, in addition to this data, the number of times determined to be a split signal (in other words, the number of times that the power of the gaming machine is estimated to have been shut off, corresponding to the above-described determination information) is output. Also good.
Further, the “power failure time” in FIG. 9 corresponds to the power-off time of the present invention, and specifically, for example, is the time (or the accumulated value) when the power to the game information collecting device 10 itself is cut off. However, instead of or in addition to this data, the time when the signal was divided (for example, the count value of the time from when the signal was divided to the rising edge of the remaining signal determined as the divided signal), Alternatively, the accumulated value may be output.

According to the game information collection device of the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the external output information of the gaming machine is not counted based only on the signal determined to be a divided signal, the signal of the external output information divided by the power cut-off is regarded as a regular signal and incorrect information Aggregation is prevented. As a result, it is possible to accurately grasp information from the gaming machine even when the signal of the external output information is cut off due to power interruption.
In this case, specifically, since the jackpot signal determined to be a split signal is invalidated in the jackpot count (see FIG. 5B), even if the jackpot signal is cut off due to power interruption, The problem of counting more is avoided (see FIG. 7B). For this reason, even if the power is shut off during the jackpot, the number of jackpots can be accurately grasped.

(2) In addition, when it is counted as judgment information that it has been judged that the signal is a split signal, re-counting when the judgment of the split signal is wrong, It is possible to estimate the number of occurrences of interruption.
In this case, specifically, if the number of times that the jackpot signal is determined to be a split signal is counted, this count value is obviously large if it is abnormally large in view of the actual number of power outages, for example. By correcting the number of jackpots in an increasing direction as much as possible, more accurate jackpot information can be obtained. In addition, since the number of power interruptions during the jackpot of the gaming machine can be estimated from the output value of the number of times that the jackpot signal is determined to be a split signal (the output value of the above-described determination information), for example, this value is the actual number of power outages, etc. Therefore, if the number is abnormally large, it is possible to estimate an unauthorized power operation of the gaming machine or the occurrence of a failure in the power circuit of the gaming machine.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, a signal determined to be a divided signal is handled as an integrated signal with a signal corresponding to the leading portion where the signal is divided, and information is aggregated based on these signals. For this reason, it is possible to accurately calculate the information related to the divided signals without being adversely affected by the division.
Specifically, even when the jackpot signal is cut off due to power interruption, the problem of accidentally resetting the counter of the number of winning balls in the jackpot during the jackpot is avoided (see FIG. 8B). ). For this reason, even if the power is cut off during the jackpot, the data of the number of winning balls during the jackpot (the jackpot ball), the base during the jackpot (the number of winning balls for 100 shots), the jackpot duration, etc. can be accurately grasped. . Note that this is the same even if the jackpot signal is divided several times during the jackpot.
(4) Further, since it is configured to determine whether or not the signal is a split signal based on a signal of external output information collected in the past (in this case, a start signal), it is not necessary to monitor the power supply state. Appropriate judgment can be made in consideration of the output history of the gaming machine.

(5) In particular, in the case of the above embodiment, the external output that is the monitoring target is based on the external output signal (start signal) that is output in pairs with the external output signal that is the monitoring target (big hit signal). It is determined whether the signal is a split signal. For this reason, it is possible to determine a more accurate dividing signal, and it is possible to aggregate more accurate information. For example, as described above, when the output time of the jackpot signal itself is monitored and it is determined that it is a divided signal, the status of the output time of the jackpot signal (normal fluctuation not due to power interruption) Depending on the situation, there is a possibility that it is erroneously determined that the signal is a divided signal (or conversely, the divided signal may be erroneously determined as a normal signal). This is because such a misjudgment does not occur if the division is determined by information.
(6) In the present embodiment, a signal (in this case, a start signal) that is output from the gaming machine every time the variable display game is executed is adopted as information for determining the split signal. For this reason, it is possible to determine the division signal every time the variable display game is executed, and to determine the division signal at a necessary and sufficient monitoring interval for a gaming machine that performs the variable display game. Become.

(7) In addition, as described above, when the determination of the division signal is performed based on the monitoring of the power supply state supplied to the apparatus, the external output information collected in the past (other output targets not monitored) There is an advantage that the division signal can be determined without monitoring external output information).
In addition, when the judgment of the division signal based on the monitoring of the power supply state and the judgment based on the information collected in the past are combined, it becomes possible to judge the division signal with particularly high reliability, and the reliability of the collected information is improved. Increase more. Also, in this case, it is possible to determine whether the power supply including itself (game information collecting device) is shut down or only the gaming machine that is the information collection target is powered off. For example, it is possible to notify an administrator of a game arcade or the like by detecting a power cut-off or a power cut-off due to an unauthorized power operation or a failure. For example, when the determination of the division signal based on the start signal is made by the process shown in FIG. 5 (the division signal flag is set), but the determination of the division signal based on the monitoring of the power state of itself is not made. It can be detected that only the gaming machine is powered off (an unauthorized power operation of the gaming machine is occurring).
(8) In addition, since the power-off time or the number of times of power-off that has been divided is counted, it is possible to provide such unconventional gaming machine information (that is, the power-off time or the number of times of power-off). This makes it possible to accurately and easily perform state analysis and abnormality detection of gaming machines.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible.
For example, in the above embodiment, the jackpot information of the first type of pachinko machine is described as an example of the external output information to be monitored for signal division due to power interruption, but the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to signals of other information (probability variation state information, short-time control information, etc.).
Further, it goes without saying that other external output signals for determining signal division are not limited to the start signals described above. For example, when a probability variation signal indicating a probability variation state is a monitoring target, the division state of the probability variation signal is determined based on a jackpot signal that is paired with the probability variation signal. Can do.
In addition, the game information collection device of the present invention may be a device other than the management device and the information disclosure device (for example, a test device for a test fire test) as long as it acquires information from the gaming machine.
The gaming machine according to the present invention may have any configuration and model of gaming board. Further, the present invention is not limited to pachinko machines and can be applied to other gaming machines (for example, pachislot machines, arrange ball machines, etc.).

In addition, the number of gaming machines that are targets of the gaming information collection device may be one or more. Further, it is not necessary that all the target gaming machines are gaming machines with a backup function, and the gaming information collection device of the present invention is effective even when some gaming machines with a backup function are included. In addition, the game information collection device of the present invention is meaningful even if it is introduced into a game hall where no gaming machine with a backup function is installed. This is because when a gaming machine with a backup function is installed in the future, it can be operated without causing the problems such as the double count described above.
In addition, it should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows a pachinko machine and a game information collection device. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a game information collection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the control system of a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the flow of the game of a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the processing content of a game information collection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the processing content of a game information collection apparatus. It is a timing chart explaining operation | movement of a game information collection apparatus. It is a timing chart explaining operation | movement of a game information collection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of an information output of a game information collection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
2 Call lamp (game information collecting device)
3 collection adapter (game information collection device)
4 management device (game information collection device)

Claims (1)

A gaming information collection device that collects and aggregates external output signals output from gaming machines,
A totaling means for collecting a plurality of external output signals from the gaming machines and totaling the gaming machine information based on the collected results;
The divided signal determining means for determining that the external output signal collected by the counting means is a divided signal that has been output before the gaming machine is turned off and is divided by turning off the power;
Power supply state monitoring means for monitoring the power supply state supplied to the game information collecting device;
With
The dividing signal determining means is configured to make the determination based on the power supply state monitoring means,
When the dividing signal determining unit determines that the dividing signal is a dividing signal, the counting unit does not recognize the dividing signal as a signal independent of the signal output before the power is shut off, and adds up the signals as an integrated signal. Game information collecting device.

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