JP5033944B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for managing information related to abnormality of a gaming machine with a management computer.

  In a hall where a large number of gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines are installed, a management computer is used to manage the operating state of these gaming machines. The management computer is connected to these gaming machines via a communication line, and collects and manages information transmitted from the gaming machines. Information transmitted from gaming machines is useful for hall operations, such as signals indicating that there was a winning at the start winning opening, signals regarding prize balls, signals regarding jackpots, signals regarding probability status, etc. for pachinko machines Information. The same applies to the slot machine.

  Various illegal acts may be performed on a gaming machine to obtain a prize ball or the like illegally by causing a foreign object to enter the gaming machine or malfunctioning a sensor in the gaming machine. In order to improve the soundness of the game by discovering and preventing such fraud, it is preferable that the hall can centrally manage such fraud. From this point of view, a technique for transmitting information related to an illegal act on a gaming machine to a management computer has also been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that in a so-called second type of pachinko machine, a vibration sensor is used to improperly shake the pachinko machine main body so as to cope with fraudulent acts that increase the winning rate. A technology is disclosed that communicates to the management computer when such vibration is detected.

  The game machine and the management computer are not connected methods that require complicated processing for transmitting and receiving signals such as a network, but are simply a method of transmitting a high / low voltage per signal line or a method of simply transmitting a contact signal. It is connected. The gaming machine is provided with an external connection terminal for connecting a communication line for transmitting such information. Normally, the external connection terminals are provided by the number of types of information to be transmitted to the management computer. In this method, as the amount of information to be transmitted to the management computer increases, it is necessary to increase the number of external connection terminals. Therefore, the amount of information that can be transmitted is limited by hardware. In order to alleviate such restrictions, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for selecting one of a plurality of information related to fraudulent acts and outputting the selected information to an output terminal, and using a plurality of communication lines like a data bus. A technique is disclosed in which a plurality of information relating to an action is expressed in binary numbers and output via these communication lines.

JP 2002-901 A JP 2004-350924 A

  However, in the prior art, there is still room for improvement in that information on fraudulent activity is transmitted to the management computer while avoiding the hardware limitations described above. When communication is performed using a simple communication line, even if the number of communication lines is increased by one for each gaming machine, it is necessary for the management computer that manages ten gaming machines to increase the number of input channels by ten. Will occur. Although it is possible to use the communication line somewhat efficiently by expressing the binary number, the number of input channels of the management computer is also limited, so this efficiency is required when managing a large number of gaming machines. It's not always enough. On the other hand, in the method of selecting and outputting any one of the information related to the fraud, there is insufficient information from the viewpoint of monitoring the fraud. The above-mentioned problem is common not only for monitoring illegal activities but also for monitoring abnormalities in gaming machines. In view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of efficiently monitoring various abnormalities including fraudulent activity using a management computer under hardware restrictions.

  The present invention can be configured as a gaming machine connected to a management computer through a communication line. The gaming machine includes, for example, a pachinko machine and a revolving gaming machine. The gaming machine is provided with a plurality of sensors for detecting abnormality of the gaming machine. These sensors may include sensors capable of detecting fraud and sensors for detecting fraud. The gaming machine inputs detection signals from these sensors, and specifies an abnormal mode according to the detection signals. In this specification, the “abnormal mode” means a group that is set in advance by classifying gaming machine abnormalities into a plurality of types. The number of abnormal modes is set in a range smaller than the number of sensors. A correspondence relationship is set in advance between the abnormality mode and the outputs from the plurality of sensors. The detection signal from one sensor may be set to be associated with one abnormality mode, or one abnormality mode may be specified by a combination of detection signals from a plurality of sensors. The gaming machine transmits information representing the abnormal mode set based on the correspondence relationship to the management computer via the communication line. For this communication line, it is not possible to communicate various types of information as in a network, but it is possible to use information that can transmit information prescribed in advance for each communication line using high / low signals or simple contact signals. it can.

  As described above, the gaming machine of the present invention once converts the detection signals of a plurality of sensors into an abnormal state and transmits the converted signals. Since the number of types of abnormal modes is smaller than the number of sensors, the amount of information can be suppressed by this conversion. Since the number of abnormal modes can be set arbitrarily, considering the number of gaming machines to be managed by the management computer, the limitation of input channels of the management computer, the limitation of output terminals on the gaming machine side, etc. What is necessary is just to set so that the information which is not insufficient can be transmitted.

  There is a special circumstance in which abnormalities in these gaming machines are monitored in a hall where a large number of gaming machines are installed as a background that can effectively utilize such conversion. As described above, the management computer is originally provided for managing information useful for sales of the hall (hereinafter referred to as “sales management information”) such as the occurrence status of jackpots. It is highly necessary to centrally manage the sales management information in order to understand the operating efficiency of the gaming machines throughout the hall and the occurrence status of jackpots and use them for sales. On the other hand, centralized management of only information is not enough for a malfunction of a gaming machine, and the hall clerk must take some measures against that gaming machine when the malfunction is detected. is required. When cheating is detected, it may be desired that the hall staff take measures such as alerting the player. The purpose of centrally managing information related to fraudulent activities with a management computer is to appropriately deal with abnormalities such as instructions to hall staff. From this point of view, it is not always necessary for the management computer to obtain detailed information detected by the sensor of the gaming machine, and it is sufficient to obtain sufficient information to appropriately deal with the abnormality. is there. In addition, it is assumed that the number of gaming machines in which an abnormality occurs is relatively limited, and it is assumed that the number of players who are actually cheating among the players playing in the hall is also limited. In other words, the frequency of abnormalities in gaming machines, including fraudulent behavior, is what kind of abnormality actually occurs, and whether or not fraudulent behavior is actually taking place. It is within a range where hall staff can visit and confirm whether it is such a fraud. From this point of view, it can be said that there is little need to transmit too detailed information to the management computer. Further, under the situation where the occurrence frequency of abnormality in the gaming machine is relatively low, the frequency that information indicating abnormality is transmitted to the management computer is usually low. Under such circumstances, providing a large number of communication lines for transmitting detailed information can be a waste of hardware resources. The present invention has been made in light of the special circumstances described above, and in managing a gaming machine in a hall, communication from the gaming machine to the management computer realizes an effective countermeasure against the abnormality. Therefore, it has been made with a focus on what is necessary to do within the necessary range.

  The abnormal mode can be set from various viewpoints. For example, when a foreign object is inserted into a gaming machine, when a door is opened, or when a means such as a magnet that causes abnormal operation of the gaming machine is used, the type of action performed by the player, etc. The abnormal state may be set according to the above. Further, the abnormality mode may be set according to the necessity of dealing with the abnormality by the staff of the hall where the gaming machine is installed or the importance of the abnormality. For example, an abnormal mode that should be immediately checked by an attendant, an abnormal mode that requires confirmation, but an acceptable level that can be viewed for a while, and an extent that it is preferable to go to check if there is room for anomalies The setting of the aspect etc. is mentioned. According to such settings, there is an advantage that an operator of the management computer (hereinafter referred to as “hall manager”) can easily and appropriately issue a countermeasure instruction based on information acquired by the management computer. is there.

  The gaming machine may be provided with a notification unit that outputs at least one of voice and light in order to notify that an abnormality has occurred. The notification unit may be dedicated to notification of fraud, and may also be used as a speaker or lamp used for effects during the game. By giving notifications by these notification units, hall personnel who have received instructions from the hole manager can easily determine the gaming machine to be confirmed. An alerting | reporting part may be operated in the state according to the abnormal aspect, and may change an alerting | reporting method with an abnormal aspect. By doing so, the hall attendant monitors the player without feeling uncomfortable according to the state of the abnormality, or conversely, by making the player recognize that the abnormality is being notified. Can be aroused. When an abnormal mode is set according to the necessity of coping, for example, an alarm sound is issued for an abnormal mode that alerts hall attendants, such as lack of prize balls or disconnection of sensor connectors. The notification is made in such a way that it is difficult for the player to notice, for example, the notification is made only by the lighting state of the lamp without emitting it, and a warning sound is issued for abnormal aspects with high importance such as cheating. Etc. can be switched.

  When a notification unit is provided, notification by the notification unit may be prohibited under a predetermined condition regardless of whether or not an abnormal mode is transmitted. For example, the notification may be uniformly prohibited by setting of a dip switch or the like or software setting, or the notification may be prohibited under the condition that the detection of the abnormal state is a predetermined number of times or less. By disabling notification, it is possible to properly use notification according to the situation and intention as described above, and it is possible to deal with various illegal actions. For example, when detecting a fraudulent act, if a notification is given to the extent that the player can recognize the detected fraudulent act, the player can be alerted and the fraudulent act can be suppressed. On the other hand, if notification of cheating is prohibited, an attendant can go to the site without being noticed by the player, and the player who is cheating can be watched directly. By disabling notification, it is possible to use different notifications depending on the situation and intention.

  A gaming machine is usually provided with a plurality of control boards including a main control board and a sub control board. The sub-control board is a board that controls an effect using at least one of sound and light during the game in response to a command from the main control board. Identification of the abnormal mode and communication to the management computer can be performed by the main control board, but may be performed by the sub-control board. In this case, the detection signal from the sensor may be temporarily input to the main control board, and the sub-control board may receive the detection signal as a command from the main control board and specify the abnormal state, etc. The detection signal from may be directly input to the sub-control board. In the latter mode, the sub control board inputs the detection signal of the sensor, and the sub control board specifies the abnormal mode and outputs it to the communication line. There is an advantage that the processing load of the main control board can be reduced by the sub control board performing these processes. Further, in the gaming machine, the main control board performs control that influences the profits of the player, such as lottery and jackpot, so it is preferable to limit external inputs to the main control board from the viewpoint of preventing fraud. . On the other hand, since the sub-control board performs control that has a small direct influence on the player's profit, such as image, sound, and electrical decoration, the adverse effects caused by increasing external inputs are relatively small. Therefore, by performing processing such as specifying the abnormal mode on the sub-control board, it becomes possible to switch the method for specifying the abnormal mode in software by, for example, an instruction from the outside, thereby realizing information collection that responds immediately to the actual situation. There is an advantage that it becomes easy.

  The gaming machine may be provided with a light emitting portion on the back surface, and the light emitting portion may be caused to emit light in accordance with information indicating an abnormal mode instead of the output to the communication line described above or together with the output to the communication line. This light emission can be utilized in various modes. For example, the hall attendant can confirm the detection state of abnormality by the gaming machine by watching the light emission of the light emitting unit.

  The light emitting unit described above may be used for communication in the following manner. In the hall, an auxiliary management device may be provided for each gaming machine so that the player can call a staff member or count the number of jackpots and probability fluctuations of the gaming machine. For example, a device commonly called “island lamp” or “data counter” corresponds to this. This auxiliary management device is also connected to the management computer via a communication line. The auxiliary management device is provided with an optical sensor that detects light emitted from the light emitting unit of the gaming machine, and a signal corresponding to the detection result can be output to the communication line. By doing so, communication from the gaming machine to the management computer becomes possible via the auxiliary management device. According to this aspect, even when output to the communication line is impossible due to hardware restrictions such as restrictions on the number of output terminals, it is possible to transmit information regarding an abnormality.

  The present invention can be configured as a gaming machine connected to a management computer through a communication line. This management computer has a plurality of input terminals for inputting signals from communication lines. Each input terminal determines whether the signal is high or low when the signal is input for a predetermined determination time, and the setting of the determination time is variable for each input terminal. The signal may be determined to be high when the signal is maintained for a predetermined time period based on the determination time, or may be determined to be high when the determination time is exceeded. However, strictly speaking, it is not necessary that all the input terminals can set the determination time independently, and it is sufficient if input terminals with different determination time settings can be mixed. Furthermore, the management computer can input signals from one communication line in parallel to n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) input terminals having different determination time settings. A circuit for branching a signal of one communication line into a plurality of signals and inputting the signals to a plurality of input terminals may be built in the management computer itself or may be externally attached to the management computer.

  The output signal output from the gaming machine of the present invention may change the time during which it becomes high (hereinafter referred to as “duration”) to n stages in accordance with the detection signal from the sensor. The management computer that receives this inputs this signal in parallel at n input terminals. The management computer determines that the input of the input terminal is ON when the signal input to each input terminal becomes high for a predetermined determination time. The determination time can be set differently for each input terminal depending on an internal circuit, an external circuit, or software setting. If n stages of determination time are set to n input terminals of the management computer and the duration of the n stages of output signals is set in a state where a slight margin is expected with respect to this determination time, Any one input terminal can be turned on in accordance with the output signal. As a result, it is possible to transmit (n + 1) -value information including the off state with a single communication line. As described above, the setting of the duration is not limited to one in which any one input terminal is turned on, and may be a setting in which a plurality of input terminals can be turned on. It is only necessary to realize n ways of turning on / off the plurality of input terminals according to the output signal.

  According to the above-described aspect, since it is possible to transmit n types of signals through one communication line, it is possible to transmit information relating to abnormality with less hardware resources. If the number of communication lines connecting the gaming machine and the management computer increases, a communication failure is likely to occur and the maintenance load increases. According to the present invention, the number of communication lines is suppressed. Therefore, these adverse effects can be alleviated. However, in this mode, it takes a little longer time for information communication. However, in game machines installed in the hall, the frequency of transmission of abnormalities is considered to be relatively low, so the impact of the time required for information communication is comparative. Small. Information relating to an abnormality can be arbitrarily assigned to n signals, but as an example, a signal having a short duration may be assigned to the information with high importance described above. By doing so, it is possible to promptly transmit highly important information.

  The gaming machine may include a plurality of communication lines for transmitting abnormality detection results. Each communication line can transmit n signals. In this case, detection signals from a plurality of sensors may be encoded in (n + 1) base numbers, and each communication line may be output in accordance with the encoding. This makes it possible to efficiently use a plurality of communication lines and transmit more diverse information with less hardware resources.

  The various features described above are not necessarily all included in the present invention, and some of them can be omitted or combined as appropriate. In addition to the configuration as a gaming machine, the present invention may be configured as a gaming machine management system including a gaming machine and a management computer. In addition, it can be configured in an aspect such as an information communication method for transmitting information related to an abnormality from a gaming machine to a management computer, a management method for managing a gaming machine by a management computer based on this information transmission, and the like. Furthermore, you may comprise as a computer program for implement | achieving these information communications.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
A. System configuration:
B. Control hardware configuration:
C. Control processing:
D. Variations:

A. System configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a gaming system as an embodiment. The gaming system has a plurality of gaming machines 30 [1] to 30 [4] and a hall computer 10 as a management computer for managing them. The number of gaming machines 30 [1] to 30 [4] is not limited to the illustrated number, and may be larger or smaller than these numbers. In this embodiment, pachinko machines are used as these gaming machines. The pachinko machine is an apparatus for playing a game in which a player operates the operation handle 32 to fire a game ball and wins the game ball in various winning holes provided on the game board surface. When winning, a prescribed number of game balls are paid out to the player as prize balls. In addition, some winning openings are called start winning openings, and when a game ball wins, a lottery is performed. As a result of the lottery, when a big hit is made, a device for promoting winning, called an accessory or a variable winning device, opens and closes continuously. The gaming machine may be provided with a variable winning device that performs a lottery using a distribution mechanism that mechanically distributes how the game balls roll, such as what is called a second type. The gaming machines 30 [1] to 30 [4] are not limited to pachinko machines, but can also be a spinning-type gaming machine.

  Data counters 40 [1] to 40 [4] are installed in the gaming machines 30 [1] to 30 [4], respectively. The data counters 40 [1] to 40 [4] are data holding for statistical processing of the occurrence status of jackpots in the gaming machine for each gaming machine in the hall where the gaming machine is installed, It is a device used for display, call of staff, etc. The data counters 40 [1] to 40 [4] are provided with a microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM as a control device for realizing the functions for realizing these displays and calls as software.

  The gaming machines 30 [1] to 30 [4] are connected to the hall computer 10 through communication lines 20 [1] to 20 [4]. The data counters 40 [1] to 40 [4] are connected to the hall computer 10 through communication lines 21 [1] to 21 [4]. These communication lines are signal lines that simply transmit a voltage signal to the hall computer 10 without using a complicated protocol such as a network. The hall computer 10 inputs voltage high / low of each communication line or signal on / off by sampling the voltage state of these communication lines at a predetermined timing. In the drawing, these communication lines are shown as a single line, but the communication line 20 [1] is a plurality of communication lines corresponding to the amount of information exchanged between the gaming machine 30 [1] and the hall computer 10. Are bundled. The same applies to other communication lines.

  Hereinafter, when referring to the individual devices provided in the gaming system, the reference numerals of [1], [2], etc. are attached as in the gaming machines 30 [1], 30 [2]. Show. When generically referring to gaming machines, reference numerals such as [1] and [2] are simply omitted as in the gaming machine 30. The same applies to the data counter 40 and the communication lines 20 and 21.

B. Control hardware configuration:
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control hardware configuration of the gaming machine 30. The gaming machine 30 is controlled by distributed processing of each control board such as the main control board 300, the payout control board 310, the sub control board 350, and the display control board 373. The main control board 300, the payout control board 310, and the sub-control board 350 are each configured as a one-chip microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and perform various control processes according to programs recorded in the ROM. Realize. However, the processing capacity of the CPU is higher for the sub control board 350 and the display control board 373 than for the main control board 300. By doing so, the processing capability of the sub control board 350 and the display control board 373 is sufficiently secured, so that the processing of the main control board 300 is limited to relatively simple judgment processing and processing with a light load such as command output. be able to. The display control board 373 includes a display control CPU, RAM, ROM, and a VDP (Video Display Processor) that generates symbols to be displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 374 and drives and controls each cell of the LCD 374. .

  In the gaming machine 30 of the embodiment, the input from the outside to the main control board 300 is restricted in order to prevent various frauds. The main control board 300 and the sub control board 350 are connected by a unidirectional parallel electric signal, and the main control board 300 and the payout control board 310 are connected by a bi-directional serial electric signal for the necessity of control processing. Yes. The payout control board 310 and the sub control board 350 operate in accordance with commands from the main control board 300, respectively. The display control board 373 operates in response to a command from the sub control board 350. The gaming machine 30 also has a mechanism that is directly controlled by the main control board 300. In the drawing, a solenoid 302 for driving the accessory or the variable winning device is illustrated as an example of a device controlled by the main control board 300.

  To the main control board 300, detection signals from various sensors are input in order to detect an action during the game and an illegal act performed during the game. Some of them are illustrated in the figure. The solenoid sensor 321 detects an abnormality related to the operation of the solenoid 302 that operates the accessory. The door opening switch 322 detects the open / closed state of the front frame of the gaming machine 30. The magnetic sensor 323 detects the presence or absence of cheating using a magnet. The vibration sensor 324 detects the presence or absence of fraudulent acts that vibrate by hitting a gaming machine or the like. The start port switch 325 detects the presence / absence of a winning at the starting winning port for performing a big win lottery. The winning detector 301 detects a winning of a ball to a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. In the gaming machine 30, the game balls won in each of the above-described winning holes are collected into one flow path on the back of the game board. The winning ball counting switch 326 wins the above-described winning opening and counts the number of game balls collected. When the gaming machine 30 includes a variable winning device, a switch for detecting an abnormality in the operation of the variable winning device may be further provided. For example, when a distribution mechanism using a rotating body is provided in the variable winning device, a switch (also referred to as an index sensor) for detecting whether or not the rotating body is normally rotated. ) May be provided. In addition, a vibration sensor for detecting improper vibration of the gaming machine may be provided. The switches and the like illustrated here are only examples, and detection signals from various sensors can be input to the main control board 300.

  In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the gaming machine 30 is connected to the hall computer 10 via the communication line 20. The payout control board 310 transmits information on the number of prize balls to the hall computer 10 through the communication line 20, and the main control board 300 sends other information, for example, information on abnormality of the gaming machine, to the hall computer 10. Send to. Of the information transmitted to the hall computer 10 as described above, information related to fraud and other abnormalities is hereinafter referred to as “abnormal information”. Information transmitted from the main control board 300 to the hall computer 10 includes business management information in addition to abnormality information. The business management information is information relating to the gaming state and operating state of the gaming machine, and is useful information for the management of the hall. For example, there are a signal indicating that the start opening has been won, a signal relating to a prize ball, a signal relating to a jackpot, information relating to a fluctuation state of the probability of winning a jackpot by lottery, and the like. The sales management information is information for the hall computer 10 to centrally manage the gaming machines 30 in the entire hall and use it for sales in the hall. Accordingly, one communication line is assigned to each piece of information described above, and communication from the gaming machine 30 to the hall computer 10 is performed for each piece of information. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the abnormality information is not as detailed and strict as the business management information, but the communication line 20 and the like are communicated within a necessary range as a countermeasure against the fraud and other abnormalities. Suppresses the use of hardware resources. A method for transmitting the abnormality information will be described later.

  Other controls during the game are performed via the payout control board 310 and the sub-control board 350. The payout control board 310 controls the launch and payout of the ball being played in the following procedure. The launch of the sphere is controlled directly by the launch control board 312. That is, when the player operates the operation handle 32, the launch control board 312 controls the launch motor 313 to launch a ball. The payout control board 310 indirectly controls the launch of the sphere by sending a launch control signal to the launch control board 312.

  When a command indicating that a prize has been won during the game is received from the main control board 300, the payout control board 310 controls the payout motor 315 to pay out a specified number of balls while counting the number of balls. The payout control board 310 detects the shortage of spheres stored for payout by the ball break switch 314, and outputs a ball shortage detection signal to the sub control board 350 via the main control board 300. In response to this signal, the sub control board 350 turns on a predetermined part of the frame decoration lamp 376.

  The sub control board 350 controls effects such as voice, display, and lamp lighting during the game. These effects vary according to the status during the game, such as a normal time, a prize, a big win, an error, an alarm when an illegal act or other abnormality occurs. When an effect command corresponding to each status is transmitted from the main control board 300, the sub-control board 350 activates a program corresponding to each command to realize the effect instructed from the main control board 300. .

  In this embodiment, the sub control board 350 directly controls the speaker 351 as shown in the figure. A plurality of speakers 351 may be connected. A liquid crystal display device (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 374 is controlled via a display control board 373. The lamps to be controlled by the sub-control board 350 include a panel decoration lamp 372 provided on the game board surface and a frame decoration lamp 376 provided on the frame. The sub-control board 350 is connected to these lamps 372 and 376 via a lamp driving board 370 and a lamp relay board 375, and each lamp can blink individually.

  When the sub-control board 350 receives a command indicating that an illegal act or other abnormality has occurred from the main control board 300, the sub-control board 350 turns on the frame decoration lamp 376 and gives an alarm sound from the speaker 351. To do. In this embodiment, the notification mode is not uniform and is divided into a plurality of notification ranks. Further, as will be described later, it is possible to make a setting that prohibits any notification operation in the gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as “notification prohibition setting”).

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the notification rank. As shown in the table on the lower side of the figure, in this embodiment, four levels of notification ranks of level 0 to level 3 are provided. The following is an example of setting the notification mode, and voice and lamp lighting / no lighting, voice output, lamp lighting time, etc. can be arbitrarily set.

  Level 0 is not an alarm but a notification of the operation result when the clerk performs various operations on the gaming machine. Examples of the target operation include cancellation of an abnormal state, resetting of the gaming machine, and clearing of RAM for initializing the RAM of the main control board 300. When these operations are performed, a level 0 notification is generated for about 10 seconds of light music that is sufficient to notify the staff working on the back of the gaming machine. Instead of music, a beep sound or the like may be used.

  Level 1 is a notification to hall attendants. In level 1, the lamp is lit or blinked until the abnormality is resolved. Audio output is not performed. In order to avoid an obstacle to the game at level 1, it is preferable to limit the notification to a level that the player does not notice. From this point of view, in this embodiment, a lamp located at a position that is out of the center of the player's field of view and at a high position where the attendant can visually recognize is turned on.

  Level 2 is an alarm intended to alert the player himself. Such an alarm has a deterrent effect that voluntarily stops such an inappropriate action by notifying the alarm when the player is performing an inappropriate action such as hitting a gaming machine. In the level 2 notification, a highly visible lamp such as red is lit at a high brightness for a predetermined time such as 30 seconds. The detection content corresponding to level 2 does not necessarily correspond to an illegal act, and since there is a possibility that the gaming machine itself is abnormal, no alarm sound is output. Level 2 is intended to call attention to the player himself, and therefore the lamp is preferably a part that is easily visible to the player and a color that makes it easy for the player to recognize that it is an alarm. In addition, for the purpose of weighting inappropriate acts, it is not necessary to continue lighting until the abnormality is resolved, so the notification is automatically canceled when a predetermined time (30 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed. It was to so.

  Level 3 is a severe alarm that is likely to be fraudulent, and is intended not only for the player who is playing the game, but also for the public. Such warnings have the effect of making the public aware that the player is cheating and making the player feel resistance to continuing cheating or staying on the spot In addition, there is a so-called showy effect on the surrounding players. In the level 3 notification, a highly visible lamp such as red lights up until the abnormality is resolved, and an unpleasant alarm sound such as a buzzer sound is output until the abnormality is resolved. By doing so, it becomes possible to notify the hall attendant of the abnormality reliably.

  In this embodiment, the correspondence between the detection signal of each sensor and the notification rank is set in advance. This correspondence can be said to be a setting for grouping detection signals into respective notification ranks. In the figure, the outline of the processing method for determining the notification rank using this correspondence table 305 is illustrated. As shown in the figure, an anomaly such as a solenoid sensor or a magnetic sensor is associated with a notification level 3. These are abnormalities that can hardly occur when playing a game, and the risk of fraud is very high. For example, the solenoid sensor detects the release of the special winning opening when the special winning opening is forcibly opened despite the fact that the command for driving the solenoid such as the special winning opening is not output. The solenoid drive status can be detected by the solenoid sensor, and it is abnormal when the prize winning opening is forcibly opened even if the solenoid is not driven and the winning sensor at the prize winning opening detects a winning game ball. May be determined. The magnetic sensor can detect fraud using a magnet by detecting magnetism.

  The notification level 2 is associated with the vibration sensor. Although there is a possibility of cheating, the possibility that the player is excited and hits the gaming machine unconsciously cannot be discarded. The notification level 1 is associated with the door opening switch, the start port switch, and the winning ball count switch. This is because there is a possibility that the game machine itself is abnormal although there is a possibility of cheating. For example, in the case of a door open switch, the door opens when a hall clerk works to remove a game ball stuck on the game board of a pachinko machine, or when a slot machine replenishes when there are not enough medals. This is unrelated to fraud. However, if the door is incompletely closed after the hall clerk finishes the above work, there is a need to notify even if it is unrelated to fraud. In this way, the notification level 1 is also associated with a notification that is preferably notified even if there is an abnormality unrelated to fraud. As described above, the notification level 0 is used for the operation of the attendant, so that no correspondence is set with the sensors shown in the figure.

  The above-described correspondence relationship is illustrated for some abnormalities for convenience of explanation. The association between the abnormality and the notification rank is not limited to this example, and can be arbitrarily set. Hereinafter, specific examples of setting the correspondence relationship between the pachinko machine and the swivel-type game machine will be shown in detail.

<< Examples of correspondences for pachinko machines >>
(1) The notification level 0 is associated with RAM clear. The RAM clear is a process of resetting the stored contents of the main control board RAM. The gaming machine is configured so that when the power is turned off, the previous stored contents are backed up, and when the power is turned on again, the stored contents can be recalled to resume the game from the state before the power was turned off. Has been. However, if the power is turned on while operating the RAM clear switch provided on the main control board, the gaming machine can be restarted without reading the backup. This operation is performed by opening the door of the gaming machine and the hall staff turning around the back of the gaming machine. Therefore, it is desirable to notify the hall attendant that the RAM clear has been completed. From this point of view, when the RAM is cleared, the notification level 0 is notified.

(2) Notification level 1 includes a) full bottom plate, shortage of winning balls, b) disconnection or disconnection of winning sensor, c) disconnection or disconnection of vibration sensor, magnetic sensor, d) door open or not Corresponds to complete close.
a) The lower tray full tank and the shortage of prize balls are abnormalities related to the payment of prize balls. Lower tray full is a state in which the lower tray from which the prize ball is paid out is full, and when the switch input of the lower tray full tank is detected, the payout control board temporarily stops payout of the prize ball. However, when the game ball in the lower plate is removed and the input of the lower plate full tank switch is not detected, the payout control board automatically resumes the payout of the prize ball. The shortage of prize balls is a state in which no prize balls for payout remain in the tank, and is detected by the ball break switch 314 when the supply of game balls from the island facility to the gaming machine is delayed. The payout control board temporarily stops paying out the winning ball when the switch of the ball break switch 314 is input. However, when the supply of game balls from the island facility is resumed and the shortage of game balls is resolved, the payout control board automatically resumes payout of prize balls. These abnormalities may be abnormalities of the gaming machine itself, but since the possibility of fraudulent acts cannot be denied, it is associated with notification level 1 in the sense of calling attention to hall personnel. .

  b) As described above, the connector disconnection or disconnection of the winning sensor cannot be detected by the sensor provided at the winning opening of the gaming machine or the winning ball counting switch for calculating the number of winning game balls. It is in the state. For these sensors, an IC capable of detecting connector disconnection or disconnection is provided as an interface. As such an IC, for example, OMRON 2STB155PP (trademark) can be used. According to this IC, leakage current, residual voltage, disconnection, short circuit, power supply abnormality and the like can be detected. When these abnormalities are detected with respect to the winning sensor, both the possibility of fraud and the abnormality of the gaming machine itself are assumed. Therefore, notification level 1 is meant to call attention to the hall attendant. Corresponding to.

  c) Connector disconnection or disconnection of the vibration sensor or magnetic sensor is an abnormality mainly with respect to the sensor for detecting fraud. The vibration sensor is provided to detect unauthorized vibrations in a gaming machine that draws lots mainly based on a mechanical operation of a gaming ball such as a second type gaming machine. The magnetic sensor is a sensor for detecting fraud using a magnet. Similar to the winning sensor, the above-described abnormality can be detected for the vibration sensor and the magnetic sensor by using an IC capable of detecting connector disconnection or disconnection as an interface. If these abnormalities are detected for the vibration sensor or magnetic sensor, both the possibility of fraud and the abnormalities of the gaming machine itself are assumed. Was associated with notification level 1.

(3) The notification level 2 is associated with the vibration to the gaming machine. In game machines that draw lots mainly based on the mechanical movement of game balls, such as type 2 game machines, the game balls in the variable winning device are intended to roll by tapping or pulling the game machines. Fraudulent acts that make it easy to generate jackpots. Such an action can be detected by a vibration sensor. However, the vibration sensor may detect a vibration when the player is excited and hits the game ball during the game, that is, a vibration that cannot be called an illegal act. Therefore, whether or not it is a fraudulent act, even if it is not a fraudulent act, the vibration for the gaming machine is set to the notification level 2 in order to cause the player to self-weight the gaming machine.

(4) Notification level 3 is associated with a) an illegal act by inserting a foreign object and b) an illegal act by a magnet.
a) As an illegal act by inserting a foreign object, an act called “Selgot”, that is, an illegal act that inserts a foreign object such as a resin plate to release a big prize opening, or a distribution that mechanically distributes how to play a game ball. In gaming machines that perform lottery using a mechanism, there is an illegal act that forcibly stops the operation of the distribution mechanism and easily generates a big hit. For the release of the grand prize opening, the main control board does not actuate the solenoid that releases the grand prize opening, but the illegal action is performed when the winning ball winning sensor detects a game ball. It can be judged that it was broken. For a forced stop of the sorting mechanism, it can be determined that an illegal act has been performed if the index sensor that detects the rotation of the sorting mechanism has not detected the rotation for a certain period of time. Since these actions are likely to be fraudulent acts, they were set to the notification level 3.

  b) For cheating by a magnet, it can be determined that cheating has been performed when the magnetic sensor detects the magnet. Since this action is likely to be a fraudulent action, it was set to notification level 3.

<< Correspondence example about a swivel type game machine >>
For the spinning-type game machine, a setting in which the notification level 0 and the notification level 2 are omitted is illustrated. Of course, the setting using all the notification levels 0 to 3 is also possible.
(1) Notification level 1 is associated with a) hopper empty, hopper jam, selector abnormality, b) door open or incomplete close.
a) “Hopper empty, hopper jam, selector error”:
“Hopper Empty” is a shortage of medals that should be paid out at the time of a swivel game machine. Even though the hopper motor for paying out medals is being rotated, it is determined that hopper empty has occurred when the payout of medals has not been detected for a certain period of time. “Hopper jam” is an abnormality in which medals are jammed by the payout mechanism and payout is not performed. Since the payout mechanism outputs the number of medals as a detection signal by a switch that is turned on / off each time the medals are paid out, a hopper jam occurs when the detection signal remains on and does not turn off for a certain period of time. It can be judged. The selector abnormality refers to a case where an abnormality is detected by a detector called a medal selector that detects medals inserted during a game. For example, an abnormality in the timing of two passage sensors provided in the medal selector is included. Although it is impossible to deny the possibility that some kind of fraud is being carried out for these abnormalities, notification level 1 is set because there is a possibility that the malfunction of the gaming machine itself is the cause.

b) “Door open or incompletely closed”:
This abnormality refers to a state in which the door of the spinning machine is open or not completely closed. A switch for detecting opening and closing is provided in the door portion of the gaming machine, and it is possible to determine whether or not door release or the like has occurred based on a detection signal of the switch. The door of the gaming machine may be opened by a hall clerk in order to resolve the abnormality, and it cannot be said that it is illegal. Moreover, it cannot be said that it is a fraudulent act simply by the door opening etc. having occurred. Therefore, this abnormality is set to the notification level 1.

(2) Notification level 3 is associated with a) setting change and b) inconsistency in medal detection results.
a) Setting change:
The spinning machine can change the setting of the probability of winning, but this setting is not normally changed while the hall is open. Therefore, when a setting change is detected, it is possible to determine that it is an illegal act, so the notification level 3 is set.

b) Inconsistency in medal detection results:
In the case of a spinning cylinder type game machine, there is a case in which an illegal act called a so-called Clemantote, that is, an illegal act of inserting a foreign object to cause the medal detection device to malfunction. When this fraud is performed, credits are added even though no medal is inserted. In order to detect this illegal act, a sensor for detecting a medal is provided on a path in which the medal falls from the medal selector to the hopper in the rotary game machine, and the detection result is input to the sub-control board. When an illegal act is performed, the medal does not fall, so the sub control board does not detect the medal. On the other hand, in the rotating type gaming machine, when the medal selector detects a medal, a command for generating a medal insertion sound effect is transmitted from the main control board to the sub control board. Therefore, if the number of medals instructed by this command and the number of medals actually detected by the sub-control board are inconsistent, it can be determined that an illegal act has been performed. The inconsistency described here is rarely caused by an abnormality of the gaming machine, and is set to the notification level 3 because the probability of fraud is very high.

  The correspondence relationship described above may be set in the table shown in FIG. 3, or may be incorporated as a conditional branch when the determination process is performed in the module that determines the notification rank from the detection signal. Further, the correspondence may be realized in hardware by a logic circuit. Further, the correspondence relationship is not limited to that illustrated in the figure, and can be arbitrarily set. In the present embodiment, the correspondence relationship table 305 shown in the figure is used in a unified manner. However, a plurality of correspondence relationship tables are prepared, and the payout state of a winning ball in a game, the occurrence state of a winning, and the occurrence of an abnormality You may make it use properly according to a state.

C. Main control processing:
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main control process for controlling the gaming machine 30. The process executed by the main control board 300 after the power is turned on is shown. When the power is turned on, the main control board 300 first executes a power-on process (step S100). This process is a process of starting up the gaming machine 30 by initializing a memory or the like used for controlling the gaming machine or reading backup data of the operating state of the gaming machine when the power is turned off.

  When the gaming machine is activated, the main control board 300 executes control for gaming. In the following, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that each process is executed sequentially, but the main control board 300 repeatedly executes each process while interrupting at a predetermined timing such as 4 msec.

  As a process during the game, the main control board 300 performs a winning determination process (step S200). This is a process for detecting a winning at the start winning opening or other winning openings with a sensor. When a winning at the start winning opening is detected, the main control board 300 outputs an effect command corresponding to the winning prize to the sub-control board 350 (step S300), and outputs a prize ball payout command to the payout control board 310 ( Step S320). When the winning at the winning opening is detected, the main control board 300 does not output the production command and outputs the payout command to the payout control board 310 (step S320). In response to these commands, the sub control board 350 executes presentation control such as display and sound output, and the payout control board 310 executes payout of prize balls. When there is a winning at the start winning opening, the main control board 300 performs a lottery to determine whether or not it is a big hit. After outputting the above-described command, the main control board 300 performs an accessory operation process (step S340), and controls a solenoid and a motor for operating the big prize opening and the variable prize winning device as necessary.

  Next, the main control board 300 performs an abnormality determination process (step S500). This process is a process for determining the notification rank based on the detection signals from the various sensors and performing the respective notification as shown in FIG. The contents of the abnormality determination process will be described later. The main control board 300 advances the game according to the player's operation by repeatedly executing the above-described processing. The main control process is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 4, and other processes may be added and executed, or some of the illustrated processes may be omitted or merged into one process. May be.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the abnormality determination process. This process corresponds to step S500 in FIG. In this process, the main control board 300 inputs detection signals from the various sensors illustrated in FIG. 1 (step S510), and sets a notification rank based on the correspondence table 305 previously shown in FIG. 3 (step S510). S520). If the notification prohibition setting is not made (step S530), a notification command corresponding to the notification rank is output to the sub-control board 350 (step S540). When the sub-control board 350 receives the notification command, the sub-control board 350 turns on the lamp and outputs a sound in a manner corresponding to each notification rank shown in FIG.

  The notification prohibition setting is a setting for prohibiting various notification operations shown in FIG. 3 regardless of whether or not an unauthorized result is detected. As described in the notification level 3, the notification is intended to draw attention to the player who is performing the wrongdoing and to make the wrongdoing self-weight. On the other hand, if the notification is given, the player who has been cheating detects that the staff has noticed it and leaves the place, so there is a disadvantage that cheating cannot be eradicated. On the other hand, if the notification operation is prohibited, the effect of causing the player to carry out the fraudulent act is not obtained, but the hall attendant who receives the instruction from the hall computer 10 can directly control the site where the fraudulent act is performed. It becomes possible. Therefore, it is preferable to switch whether or not to perform notification according to a policy of an administrator who manages a gaming machine, a situation where an illegal act is performed, and the like. The gaming machine 30 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to perform notification prohibition setting in order to meet such a demand.

  The notification prohibition setting can be performed by various methods. As an example, it is conceivable that a notification prohibition setting switch is provided and the state of this switch is input to the main control board 300 of the gaming machine, so that notification prohibition / permission switching is performed by operating the switch. As another aspect, notification prohibition setting may be performed by giving a game machine a command for setting a flag for instructing prohibition in software. In this case, it is preferable to perform notification prohibition processing on the sub-control board 350 that allows input from the outside. In this case, in the abnormality determination process (FIG. 5), step S530 is omitted and the notification command is output unconditionally to the sub-control board (step S540). After the sub-control board 350 receives the notification command, the notification is performed. Whether or not to execute the notification command may be switched according to the presence or absence of the prohibition setting. Instead of a software flag, a method of providing a dip switch for prohibiting notification on the sub-control board 350 may be employed.

  The notification prohibition setting may be a mode in which notification execution / prohibition is uniformly switched as described above, or notification may be prohibited under a predetermined condition. For example, the notification may be uniformly prohibited under the condition that the detection of an illegal act or other abnormality is a predetermined number of times or less, and the notification according to FIG. 3 may be executed when the predetermined number of times is exceeded.

  Next, the main control board 300 outputs abnormality information to the hall computer 10 (step S550). In this embodiment, the notification rank specified by the correspondence relationship in FIG. 3 is communicated as abnormality information. This output is executed regardless of whether the notification prohibition setting is performed. By receiving this abnormality information, the hall manager of the hall computer 10 can know the unauthorized notification rank detected by each gaming machine. Since only the notification rank is notified, the detailed content of the abnormality is not known, but the necessity of handling the abnormality and the urgency can be recognized by the notification rank. Based on the notification rank, the hall manager can instruct the hall staff to confirm whether there is an abnormality. Since the hall manager can grasp the notification rank for all the gaming machines in the hall, it is possible to arrange a staff member according to the urgency and to efficiently deal with the abnormality.

  According to the gaming system of the embodiment described above, the detection signal of the sensor is not communicated to the hall computer as it is, but is converted into a notification rank and notified to the hall computer. Therefore, even if the gaming machine is provided with a large number of sensors, the number of communication lines required for communication of abnormality information can be suppressed to the number of notification ranks (four in the example of FIG. 3). As a result, it is possible to efficiently notify abnormality information while suppressing the number of input / output channels required for both the gaming machine and the hall computer.

  In this embodiment, the notification rank is uniformly used for both the communication of abnormality information and the notification mode in the gaming machine. By doing so, the information grasped by the hall manager of the hall computer can be matched with the notification mode realized by the gaming machine, and the hall manager and the hall staff can communicate smoothly. It becomes possible. However, it is not always necessary to match the abnormality information and the notification mode completely, and both may be set differently. For example, among the notification ranks shown in FIG. 3, the rank of abnormal information may be set to be coarser than the setting of the notification mode so that levels 0 and 1 are set to notification level 1 and levels 2 and 3 are set to notification level 2. Good. By doing so, it is possible to further reduce the amount of information notified by the gaming machine and the hall computer 10.

D. Variations:
D1. First modification:
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication method of abnormality information in the first modification. In the modification, one communication line 20 is branched into three by the branch board 11 and is input in parallel to the three input terminals Ca, Cb, and Cc of the hall computer 10. The branch substrate 11 may be built in the hall computer 10. The three input terminals Ca, Cb, and Cc can change the determination time for recognizing that the input voltage is ON in three stages. In this embodiment, three stages of 1 second, 2.5 seconds, and 5 seconds are employed. The length of the determination time and the number of steps can be arbitrarily set according to the specifications of the input terminal of the hall computer 10. In the case of the hall computer 10 in which such setting is not possible, an external circuit that outputs high when the on state continues for a predetermined time may be prepared.

  The voltage waveform output from the gaming machine is schematically shown on the left side of the figure. In this embodiment, the high duration Ts is changed according to the determination times of the input terminals Ca, Cb, and Cc. That is, as shown in the lower part of the figure, the gaming machine can output three types of signals whose duration Ts is 1 second, 2.5 seconds, and 5 seconds. When the duration Ts is 1 second, in the hall computer 10, only the input terminal Ca is turned on, and the other input terminals Cb and Cc are turned off. When the duration Ts is set to 2.5 seconds, in the hall computer 10, only the input terminal Cb is turned on, and the other input terminals Ca and Cc are turned off. When the duration Ts is 5 seconds, in the hall computer 10, only the input terminal Cc is turned on, and the other input terminals Ca and Cb are turned off. Thus, according to the configuration of the modified example, it is possible to transmit information corresponding to the three communication lines to the hall computer 10 by outputting voltage waveforms having different durations Ts from the gaming machine. That is, quaternary information including OFF can be transmitted via the communication line 20.

  Also in the modified example, the main control process and the abnormality determination process are the same as in the embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5). However, in the abnormality determination process (FIG. 5), when communicating abnormality information to the hall computer, levels 1 to 3 are used using one communication line instead of using individual communication lines according to the notification rank. connect. For example, a duration of 1 second, 2.5 seconds, and 5 seconds may be assigned to each of levels 3, 2, and 1. The assignment can be arbitrarily set, but information having higher importance has an advantage that information can be transmitted promptly by assigning a signal having a shorter duration. Level 0 communicates using another communication line. If the hall computer 10 can set four stages for the duration Ts, it is possible to transmit all of the levels 0 to 3 through one communication line. Thus, according to the modification, the number of communication lines can be further reduced as compared with the embodiment. On the other hand, if four communication lines are used as in the embodiment, 16 types of information can be transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to transmit more detailed abnormality information than in the embodiment. For example, the detection signal may be directly transmitted to the hall computer 10 without being converted into the notification rank.

  In the modified example, the maximum duration is 5 seconds, so it takes about 5 seconds at maximum to transmit one piece of abnormality information. However, in reality, it is not so often that abnormalities occur in gaming machines or cheating is performed in halls. Further, considering that the staff is to deal with after an abnormality has occurred, even if it takes about 5 seconds to transmit the abnormality information, there is no significant effect on the overall time required to deal with the abnormality. In this way, the modified example can be applied as a sufficiently practical communication method without any major trouble when assuming a scene of handling abnormal information in a hall.

D2. Second modification:
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication method of abnormality information in the second modification. In the second modified example, as shown in FIG. 7A, two communication lines 20 [1] and 20 [2] are used in combination for transmission of abnormality information. Since each of the communication lines 20 [1] and 20 [2] is divided into three and input to the hall computer 10, four values including the off state can be transmitted as in the first modification. is there.

  When the communication lines 20 [1] and 20 [2] are used in combination, as shown in FIG. 7B, information for two digits of quaternary numbers, that is, ST [1] to ST [16]. Sixteen types of information can be transmitted. According to the second modification, more detailed abnormality information than that shown in the embodiment can be transmitted through the two communication lines. In the second modification, the detection signal of the sensor may be transmitted as it is without being converted into the notification rank. In the second modified example, the case where quaternary information can be transmitted on each communication line is illustrated, but information that can be transmitted on each communication line is not limited to four values. The amount of information that can be transmitted on each communication line (n value: n is a natural number of 2 or more) may be inconsistent.

D3. Third modification:
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a gaming machine as a third modification. A rear view of the gaming machine 30 is shown in a perspective view. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the gaming machine 30 includes a main control board 300 and a sub control board 350. There is also a control board hidden behind the main control board 300 and the sub control board 350. However, the arrangement of the main control board 300 and the sub control board 350 is not limited to the illustrated example. In order to facilitate the detection of fraud on the control boards, these control boards are sealed in a transparent case.

  In the third modification, an example in which abnormality information is communicated to the hall computer 10 via the data counter 40 is illustrated. In order to realize this communication, the sub-control board 350 is provided with an LED 351 for data communication. Three white circles in the figure represent the LED 351. However, in order to avoid complication of the figure, the reference numeral is attached only to the central one. The LED 351 is installed on the sub-control board 350. Since the sub-control board 350 is sealed with a transparent case, the lighting state of the LED 351 can be visually recognized from the outside.

  A cable 41 for inputting a signal from the sub control board 350 is provided from the data counter 40. A photo sensor 42 is provided at the tip of each cable 41. The cable 41 may be installed on the sub-control board 350 by a simple method such as adhesion or tape fastening. In general, when a gaming machine is installed on an “island” in a hall, the back portion is usually very dark. Therefore, even when the sub-control board 350 turns on the LED 351, the data counter 40 detects the lighting by the photosensor 42 and inputs data via the cable 41 even with the relatively simple configuration shown in the figure. Can do. Since the data counter 40 is connected to the hall computer 10 via the communication line 21 as shown in FIG. 1, the data counter 40 can transmit the information received via the cable 41 to the hall computer 10.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the abnormality determination process in the third modification. This is a process corresponding to the main control process (step S500 in FIG. 5 in the embodiment). The process executed by the main control board 300 is shown on the left side, the process executed by the sub control board 350 is shown in the center, and the process executed by the data counter 40 is shown on the right side. As in the embodiment, the main control board 300 inputs detection signals from the sensors of the gaming machine 30 (step S510A), sets a notification rank (step S520A), and outputs a notification command to the sub-control board 350. (Step S540A).

  The sub-control board 350 receives this notification command (step S600), and controls lighting of the communication LED 351 in accordance with the notification command (step S602). This lighting control may be performed in the same manner as the output to the communication line. That is, the LED 351 may be turned on instead of the high voltage output to the communication line. As in the embodiment, one LED 351 may transmit one piece of information, or the lighting time of the LED 351 is changed to n stages as in the first and second modified examples. Information of (n + 1) value may be transmitted by one LED 351.

  The data counter 40 inputs the lighting state of the communication LED 351 (step S700), and notifies the input abnormality information to the hall computer 10 via the communication line 21 (step S702). In this aspect, the data counter 40 functions as a signal converter that converts the information optically output from the sub-control board 350 into an electrical signal that can be sent to the communication line and transmits it.

  According to the third modification, it is possible to transmit abnormality information using the communication line 21 between the data counter 40 and the hall computer 10. Therefore, even if there is not enough hardware margin to provide an external connection terminal for connecting a communication line for transmitting abnormality information to the gaming machine, notification of abnormality information is avoided by avoiding hardware restrictions Can be realized.

  The abnormality determination process of the third modified example can take various modified examples in addition to those shown in FIG. For example, detection signals from various sensors may be directly input to the sub-control board 350. In this case, the processing of the main control board shown in FIG. 9 is not necessary. The processing of sensor detection signal input (step S510A) and notification rank setting (step S520A) may be executed by the sub-control board 350.

  As yet another aspect, the notification rank may be set by the data counter 40. In this case, the sub control board 350 transmits a detection signal from the sensor to the data counter via the communication LED 351 (step S602), and after the data counter 40 inputs this (step S700), the notification rank is set. Then, the result is notified to the hall computer 10 (step S702). According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the processing load on the control board on the gaming machine side can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although the various Example of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to these Examples, and can take a various structure in the range which does not deviate from the meaning.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the game system as an Example. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration for controlling the gaming machine 30. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an alerting | reporting rank. 4 is a flowchart of a main control process for controlling the gaming machine 30. It is a flowchart of an abnormality determination process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the communication method of the abnormality information in a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the communication method of the abnormality information in a 2nd modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the game machine as a 3rd modification. It is a flowchart of the abnormality determination process in a 3rd modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Hall computer 11 ... Branch board 20, 21 ... Communication line 30 ... Game machine 32 ... Operation handle 40 ... Data counter 41 ... Cable 42 ... Photo sensor 300 ... Main control board 305 ... Correspondence table 310 ... Delivery control board 312 ... Launch control board 313 ... Launch motor 314 ... Ball cut switch 315 ... Discharge motor 321 ... Solenoid sensor 322 ... Door open switch 323 ... Magnetic sensor 324 ... Vibration sensor 325 ... Start-up switch 326 ... Winning ball counting switch 350 ... Sub control board 351 ... Speaker 370 ... Lamp drive board 372 ... Panel decoration lamp 373 ... Display control board 374 ... LCD
375 ... Lamp relay board 376 ... Frame decoration lamp

Claims (4)

A gaming machine connected to an external device via a communication line,
A plurality of sensors provided for detecting an abnormality of the gaming machine;
A detection signal input unit for inputting detection signals from the plurality of sensors;
An abnormal mode according to the detection signal based on a preset correspondence relationship between a plurality of types of abnormal modes preset with a smaller number of types than the number of sensors and outputs from the plurality of sensors An abnormal mode identifying unit for identifying
A gaming machine comprising: an abnormal mode output unit that transmits information representing the specified abnormal mode to the external device using the number of the communication lines equal to or less than the number of the abnormal modes. A gaming machine connected to an external device by N (N is a natural number) communication lines,
A plurality of sensors provided for detecting an abnormality of the gaming machine;
A detection signal input unit for inputting detection signals from the plurality of sensors;
An abnormal mode according to the detection signal based on a preset correspondence relationship between a plurality of types of abnormal modes preset with a smaller number of types than the number of sensors and outputs from the plurality of sensors An abnormal mode identifying unit for identifying
An abnormal mode output unit that transmits information representing the specified abnormal mode to the external device using the N communication lines,

The abnormality mode output unit
Each of the N communication lines outputs any one of signals having a continuous duration of n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) different from each other,
The information indicating the abnormal state is one in which any one of n ^N states based on a combination of the n signals having the different n durations and the N communication lines is specified. And
The N is equal to or less than the number of the abnormal aspects.
A gaming machine characterized by that . A gaming machine management system in which a gaming machine and a management computer are connected by a communication line,
The gaming machine is
A plurality of sensors provided for detecting an abnormality of the gaming machine;
A detection signal input unit for inputting detection signals from the plurality of sensors;
An abnormal mode according to the detection signal based on a preset correspondence relationship between a plurality of types of abnormal modes preset with a smaller number of types than the number of sensors and outputs from the plurality of sensors An abnormal mode identifying unit for identifying
An abnormality mode output unit configured to transmit information representing the identified abnormal mode to the management computer using the number of communication lines equal to or less than the number of the abnormal modes;
A gaming machine management system characterized by that. A gaming machine management system in which a gaming machine and a management computer are connected to each other by N (N is a natural number) branching lines via n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) branching devices,

The gaming machine is
A plurality of sensors provided for detecting an abnormality,
A detection signal input unit for inputting detection signals from the plurality of sensors;
An abnormal mode according to the detection signal based on a preset correspondence relationship between a plurality of types of abnormal modes preset with a smaller number of types than the number of sensors and outputs from the plurality of sensors An abnormal mode identifying unit for identifying
An abnormality mode output unit that transmits information representing the identified abnormal mode to the management computer using the N communication lines,
From the abnormal mode output unit, signals having different durations of n consecutive times are output to the N communication lines,

The management computer has n input terminals corresponding to respective outputs after each of the N communication lines is n-branched by the n-branch,
Each of the n input terminals includes a duration determination unit that recognizes one of the different n durations.

The information indicating the abnormal state is n based on a combination of n signals having different n durations and N communication lines. ^N Sent using one of the states
The N is equal to or less than the number of the abnormal aspects.
A gaming machine management system characterized by that.