JP5393053B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine, and more particularly, to a machine equipped with a concentrated terminal board for transmitting a plurality of types of signals to a hall computer.

  In game halls such as pachinko halls, a plurality of gaming machines are arranged and efficiently accommodated by equipment for gathering gaming machines called island equipment. Pachinko machines (ball game machines) and slot machines (rotating game machines) are known as gaming machines installed in the game hall. The floor of the amusement hall is divided by a plurality of island facilities, and visitors and employees can walk, and sufficient space is secured for the player to play games. In the island facility, related equipment such as a ball lending machine or a medal lending machine is provided adjacent to the gaming machine for the convenience of the player. The gaming machines arranged in the island facility are respectively connected to hall computers that monitor game payout and specific gaming status. The hall computer counts the dividends paid out from the gaming machines and the number of times a specific gaming state is reached for each island facility. As a result, it is possible to roughly grasp the gaming state in which the gaming machine installed on the island facility is changing, and to know whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine.

  Each gaming machine or island facility is provided with a centralized terminal board for transmitting a payout from the gaming machine, the number of times a specific gaming state is reached, and an abnormal signal of the gaming machine to the hall computer. Concentrated terminal boards are known, and for example, external concentrated terminal boards sold by the Japan Electric Game Machine Industry Cooperative are well known. The centralized terminal board is a standard product and is equipped with almost the same thing in any manufacturer's game machine or island equipment.

  The concentrated terminal board includes a relay that receives a digital signal from the CPU (main board) of the gaming machine and is driven by the digital signal. The relay contact signal is sent to the hall computer. For example, since the central terminal board includes seven relays, a maximum of seven types of signals can be relayed and sent from the gaming machine to the hall computer. The relay only performs a simple operation of turning on / off according to L / H of the digital signal, and does not handle a complicated signal (that is, a large amount of information) such as a pulse signal. Since there are few types of signals sent from the gaming machine to the hall computer and the signals do not frequently repeat L / H (on / off), relays are used.

  Incidentally, in addition to the above seven types of signals, it has been proposed to transmit a signal indicating an abnormality of the gaming machine to the hall computer (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). There are two causes of abnormalities in gaming machines, one due to errors in processing of gaming machines and the other due to fraudulent acts. For fraudulent acts, the act of switching the IC or circuit board storing the game program, the act of generating radio waves that cause bugs in the game program around the game machine, the act of inserting equipment into the game machine, replacing the parts There are various things such as actions.

JP, 2003-245402, A Game machine judges the right or wrong of operation, such as a setting change, and transmits a signal to that effect to a hall computer at the time of fraud. JP, 2005-40412, A Game processing information received from a concentrated terminal board is analyzed by a central processing unit attached to a gaming machine to determine fraud, and when it is determined to be fraud, a fraud signal is transmitted to the hall computer. .

  Patent Document 1 discloses sending an alarm regarding fraud to a hall computer. As a means for this, a “unidirectional communication device” is newly provided separately from a centralized terminal board. As a specific example, it is described that a photocoupler is newly added to the concentrated terminal board. In the method of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to repair all of the gaming machine (including the concentrated terminal board), the island facility, and the hall computer. In addition, standard concentrated terminal boards cannot be used, leading to increased costs.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an unauthorized signal output means for transmitting an unauthorized signal to a hall computer, which is a central processing unit (CPU) retrofitted to a gaming machine. In the method of Patent Document 2, further significant repairs cannot be avoided.

  It would be desirable to be able to transmit error signals, fraudulent signals, etc. from a gaming machine to a hall computer using a conventional centralized terminal board without the need for refurbishing the hall island facility. A method different from Patent Documents 1 and 2 is desired.

  When a signal indicating an abnormality of a gaming machine is transmitted to a hall computer using a centralized terminal board, at present, only one terminal (signal) can be used, and serial communication is used to transmit a plurality of information through the terminal. Will do. Specifically, various information is transmitted by repeatedly turning on and off the relay. It takes a certain time to complete the transmission of information in serial communication. Generally, (amount of information to be transmitted (bits)) × (transmission time per bit) is the time required for information transmission (the transmission time per bit is the reciprocal of the transmission rate (bits / second)). Since a relay is used, the transmission speed of the centralized terminal board is very slow (several bits / second or less). Therefore, it takes a considerable time to transmit information. On the other hand, the hall computer monitors the signal of the concentrated terminal board at regular intervals, but cannot receive it even if information is sent in a period shorter than the monitoring interval (between monitoring). Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the hall computer can receive information by repeating transmission of information a plurality of times (for example, three times).

  As described above, in order for the hall computer to reliably receive information, the information needs to be transmitted over a certain period. If the number of times of information transmission is small (for example, once), the hall computer may not be able to receive the information. The same is true even if transmission is stopped before transmission is completed for the entire amount of information to be transmitted. However, in reality, it may not be possible to secure a sufficient time or number of information transmissions. For example, since serial transmission is used, it takes a considerable amount of time for transmission. Therefore, if an fraudster immediately resets an error when an error occurs, the error occurrence is being transmitted (for example, the error has occurred). Since the cancellation of the error is transmitted at the stage of transmission once), the hall computer cannot receive the occurrence of the error and cannot monitor the fraud. Since it is not preferable for the fraudster to report the occurrence of an error, it is sufficiently conceivable that the fraudster immediately resets the error.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of reliably transmitting information from a concentrated terminal board to a hall computer.

The present invention includes a processing unit that performs processing related to a game,
A concentrated terminal board including a relay driven by an output signal of the processing unit;
A first sensor for detecting opening and closing of a door provided in the gaming machine, a first switch for changing a setting relating to the processing relating to the game, and a second for referring to a current setting relating to the processing relating to the game In a gaming machine provided with at least one of a switch, a second sensor that detects the insertion of a gaming medium into the gaming machine, and a third sensor that detects the dispensing of the gaming medium from the gaming machine,
The processor is
A state signal indicating the occurrence or release of a predetermined state in the gaming machine, the door opening signal indicating the occurrence or release of the door based on the output of the first sensor, the output of the first switch A setting change signal indicating the occurrence or cancellation of the setting change based on the output, a setting reference signal indicating the occurrence or cancellation of the setting reference based on the output of the second switch, and the game medium based on the output of the second sensor A game medium input error signal indicating the occurrence of an error relating to the input of the game or the release thereof, and a game medium payout error signal indicating the occurrence of an error related to the game medium payout based on the output of the third sensor or the release thereof Monitor status signals including at least one of
When it is determined that the state signal has changed, it is determined whether the state has occurred or has been canceled,
When it is determined that the state has occurred, a signal indicating that the state has occurred is transmitted to the outside through the concentrated terminal board, and the number of transmissions of the signal indicating that the state has occurred is counted. Until the number of signal transmissions reaches a predetermined number of times, the signal transmission indicating that the state has occurred is repeated,
When it is determined that the state has been released, it is monitored whether or not a signal indicating that the state has occurred is transmitted, and when the signal indicating that the state has occurred is not transmitted, that the state has been released A signal is transmitted to the outside through the concentrated terminal plate, the number of times of transmission of the signal indicating that the state is released is counted, and the number of times of transmission of the signal indicating that the state is released is reached a predetermined number of times. , Repeatedly sending a signal that the state has been released,
When a signal indicating that the state has occurred is being transmitted, it waits for transmission of a signal indicating that the state has been canceled.

The processor is
An error signal including a game medium input error signal related to input of the game medium based on an output of the second sensor or a game medium payout error signal related to payout of the game medium based on an output of the third sensor is monitored. ,
When it is determined that an error has occurred based on the error signal, an error signal indicating that the error has occurred is output or the error is notified, and the error signal output or the error notification count is counted. The error signal output or the error notification may be repeated until the error signal output or the error notification count reaches a predetermined number.

  According to the present invention, when a signal indicating that an error state has occurred is transmitted to the outside through the concentrated terminal board, the number of times of transmission of the signal is counted and repeated until it reaches a predetermined number of times. Therefore, information can be reliably transmitted from the central terminal board to the hall computer.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided below the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  In addition, a start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop switches 140 are provided corresponding to the three reels. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door. A liquid crystal display device LCD is provided on the right side of the game display unit 131.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals at a payout port 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel unit 203 including three rotating reels is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which a player can see the symbols of each rotating reel of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided between the upper hopper unit 121 and the reel unit 203.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the invention.
In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate (processing unit) 10 and a sub substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate (processing unit) 10 as main processing devices. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

  The main board 10 is for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and processing such as reel rotation / stop and medal payout. The main board 10 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub board 20 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 10 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 20 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. Only one command flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The main board 10 counts the start switch 134, the stop button 140, the reel unit (including the reel driving device) 203, the reel position detection circuit 71, the hopper driving unit 80, the hopper 81, and the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. For this purpose, a medal detection unit 82 (which constitutes the hopper device 121 described above) is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a liquid crystal control substrate 200 for controlling the liquid crystal display device, a speaker 201 and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20.

  The main board 10 further includes medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, a door opening / closing detection sensor GS, a setting change switch SW1 for changing the setting value, and a setting reference switch SW2 for displaying the current setting value. It is connected.

  The medal selector 1 is provided with medal sensors S1 and S2 for counting medals. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are provided on the downstream side (near the exit) of a medal passage (not shown) provided in the medal selector 1 (the upstream side of the medal passage communicates with the medal slot 132). The two medal sensors S1 and S2 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval along the medal traveling direction. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are, for example, photointerrupters that have a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that face each other, are formed in a U-shaped cross section, and are positioned so that the detection optical axis faces the medal passage from above. . Each photo interrupter detects the passage of a medal sent without being blocked on the way. The reason why two photo interrupters are adjacent is not only to detect the number of medals but also to monitor whether or not the passage of medals is normal. That is, by providing two photo interrupters adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, thereby detecting not only the number of medals but also an illegal act moving in the reverse direction.

  The gaming machine of FIG. 3 includes a door opening / closing detection sensor GS. The door open / close detection sensor GS is a sensor that detects that the door 130 is closed, and is an electrical switch such as a micro switch or a contact. When the door 130 is closed, the switch is turned on (or off) when the switch action part contacts the back side of the door 130, and when the door 130 is opened, the action part is separated and turned off (or on). ). The door opening / closing detection sensor GS may be an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter.

  The gaming machine of FIG. 3 includes a setting change switch SW1 for changing the setting value and a setting reference switch SW2 for displaying the current setting value. Note that the switches SW1 and SW2 may be realized by a single switch (for example, a key switch). In this case, the difference in function between the two is achieved by the presence or absence of a combination with another switch (for example, a setting switch (not shown)).

  A brief description of the set value is added. The slot machine basically pays out medals as prizes when the patterns are complete. Whether or not the patterns are complete depends on the result of a lottery by an internal computer. Also, various prizes such as a big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), and small role follow the result of the lottery by the internal computer. The content of the lottery process (internal operation) can be changed within a predetermined range, and the setting work is performed by the store in a hall where a gaming machine is installed.

  A normal slot machine is previously provided with a plurality of lottery tables having different lottery probabilities such as BB, RB, and small roles. In the slot machine lottery, one of the plurality of lottery tables is set, and the winning / losing determination by lottery is made based on the set lottery table. Changing the setting relating to which of a plurality of lottery tables is used is referred to as setting change. A numerical value for designating the lottery table is a set value. In other words, the setting change is to change the setting value to a desired numerical value.

  In a gaming machine such as a slot machine, when changing a setting value (usually 1 to 6), the door of the gaming machine is opened and a setting key is inserted into a setting key switch (not shown) provided in the power supply unit 205. Each time the key switch is turned on, the gaming machine is turned on so that the setting can be changed, and each time a setting change button (not shown) is pressed once, it is displayed on a 7-segment display or the like. The set value is incremented to cyclically change the values from 1 to 6, and the desired set value is determined by operating the start switch 134 when the desired set value is displayed on the display.

  The setting key switch and the setting switch correspond to the setting change switch SW1. Since the setting value is displayed on the display by turning on the setting key switch, the setting key switch corresponds to the setting reference switch SW2.

  The main board 10 is connected to a concentrated terminal board 30 that relays signals from the main board 10 and sends them to a hall computer (not shown). The concentrated terminal board 30 will be further described later.

  The outputs of the medal detection unit 82, the door open / close detection sensor GS, the medal sensors S1 and S2, the setting change switch SW1, and the setting reference switch SW2 are input to the main board 10. Upon receiving these outputs, the main board 10 sends a predetermined signal (details will be described later) to the hall computer (not shown) through the concentrated terminal board 30.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal display substrate LCD shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the liquid crystal control board 200.

  As described above, the main board 10 and the sub board 20 are configured around the CPU and include a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like. The CPU receives a player's operation and reads a program stored in the ROM to perform a predetermined operation. Specifically, the rotation and stop of the three rotating reels built in the reel unit 203 are controlled based on the operation of the start switch 134 and the stop button 140, and the display of lamps, speakers, and the like are controlled. Temporary data necessary for the operation of the CPU is RAM (generally RAM is a volatile memory, and data is lost in principle when the power is turned off. There is a case where a power source is prepared. In this case, data is not lost even if the power source is cut off). The CPU performs a predetermined operation in accordance with a program recorded in the ROM, records temporary data necessary for processing in the RAM, and reads out and refers to the recorded data as necessary.

  A player who wants to enjoy a game with a slot machine can first borrow a medal as a game medium from a medal lending machine (not shown) or the like, and insert a medal directly into the medal slot 132 of the medal slot device. The start switch 134 is a lever positioned obliquely below the rotary reel, and starts driving the reel unit 203 on condition that a game medal is inserted. The drive of the reel unit 203 is stopped by a stop button 140. The reel unit 203 is composed of three rotating reels. Each rotating reel includes a rotating drum made of a synthetic resin and a tape-like reel tape attached around the rotating drum. A plurality of (for example, 21) symbols are displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape.

  FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the concentrated terminal board 30. FIG. 4 shows a standard concentrated terminal board 30. The concentrated terminal board 30 relays a medal insertion signal, a medal payout signal, a big hit signal, a small hit signal, and the like outputted from the gaming machine main body side and sends them to the hall computer. The concentrated terminal board 30 is manufactured based on a unified standard, so that it can be used without changing the electrical wiring of the island facility even when the gaming machine is replaced in the hall. The external concentrated terminal board sold by the Japan Electric Pachislot and Pachinko Cooperative Association is well known.

  31 is an input connector for receiving a signal from the main board 10, 32 is a relay coil driven by the signal from the main board 10, 33 is a contact point turned on and off by the relay coil 32, and 34 is an output for sending an on / off signal to the hall computer. It is a connector. The relay coil 32 and its contact 33 constitute a relay. 4 includes a total of seven relays. These are distinguished by attaching -1 to -7 to the reference numerals. One terminals of the contacts 33-1 to 33-7 are all connected to a common terminal (terminal 6 of the output connector 34), and the other terminals are connected to separate terminals of the output connector 34. The terminal 6 becomes a common terminal (common), and the on / off of each contact 33 means the presence or absence of conduction between any one of the terminals 1 to 5, 6 and 8 of the output connector 34 and the terminal 6 when viewed from the hall computer. The input connector includes a ground terminal, but the display thereof is omitted in FIG.

  For example, when a medal insertion signal (L level) is received from the main board 10 to the terminal 1 of the input connector 31, the relay coil 32-1 generates a magnetic force by the signal and pulls the contact 33-1 to turn on the contact. become. Therefore, the terminal 1 and the terminal 6 of the output connector 34 are conducted. By detecting this with a hall computer, it can be determined that a medal has been inserted.

  In FIG. 4, the output of the contact 33 that is turned on when the relay coil 32 is driven is sent to the hall computer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the output of the contact 33 that is turned off is sent. You may be made to do. The hall computer can receive either an ON or OFF signal of the relay contact.

  As shown in FIG. 4, since the centralized monitoring board 30 has a simple configuration using a relay, many signals cannot be relayed. In the example of FIG. 4, a maximum of 7 on / off signals can only be relayed, and the amount of information that can be transmitted is 7 bits. According to the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, more information can be transmitted by using a conventional concentrated terminal plate having relays by performing serial transmission using a pulse signal. A pulse is a signal that usually maintains a certain value but changes for a certain period of time, or a voltage value that changes in such a way. This period is shorter than the time interval considered. The pulse signal is generally a signal including one or a plurality of pulses, and can also be called a pulse train. One bit of information can be transmitted with one pulse.

  FIG. 5 shows a list of signals transmitted to the hall computer through the concentrated terminal board. FIG. 4A is a list of signals assigned to the terminals 1 to 7 of the input connector 31 shown in FIG. Since the medal insertion signal to the external signal output 4 are the same as the conventional ones, their explanation is omitted. The external signal output 5 is for sending a security signal, and its format is a serial signal. For example, if a 3-bit serial signal is transmitted, 7 types of information can be transmitted, and if a 4-bit serial signal is transmitted, 15 types of information can be transmitted. A header may be added to the head.

  FIG. 5B is a list of the external signal output 5, that is, the contents of the security signal and the transmission trigger. In this example, as a security signal, a door opening signal (the door is a door 130, “door” and “door” are used in the same meaning in the following description), setting change information, throwing error information (E-1 ) And payout error information (E-4). E-1 and E-4 are error codes. The setting change information includes setting change and setting reference. The setting change indicates that the gaming machine is in a mode for changing the setting value, and the setting reference indicates that the gaming machine is in a mode for displaying the current setting value.

  The security signal defines the generation timing and the release timing. For example, the door opening information is generated when the door opening / closing detection sensor GS detects the door opening, and is released when the door opening is detected. The generation of the security signal is notified to the hall computer by, for example, transmitting serial data indicating that the state has occurred, and the release is similarly performed by, for example, transmitting serial data indicating that the state has been resolved. Notified to hall computer. When the state changes, the occurrence / cancellation notification must be transmitted at least once. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined number of times (for example, three times) so that the hall computer can reliably receive the notification. ) Sent repeatedly.

  FIG. 6 shows a transmission timing chart of security signal generation / cancellation. It is assumed that a certain time T is required to transmit one data (for example, serial data such as 3 bits or 4 bits), and the generation / cancellation transmission is performed in units of the time T. With reference to this time T, FIG. 6 shows times t1 to t8. Note that the event (such as an error) itself indicated by the security signal is not limited by the time T. For example, the event is shorter than the time T because the door 130 opens for a moment or is reset immediately after the error occurs. May occur only during the period (FIG. 6A, etc.).

The status signal in FIG. 6 is a signal indicating the event in the gaming machine. Specifically, the security signal shown in FIG. 5B includes at least the following.
An output of the door opening / closing detection sensor GS or a door opening signal (information) indicating opening (generation) or closing (release) of the door 130 generated by the main board 10 based on the output.
An output of the setting change switch SW1 or a setting change signal generated by the main board 10 based on the output (setting change start (generation) / end (release) information)
An output of the setting change switch SW2 or a setting change signal generated by the main board 10 based on the output (setting reference start (generation) / end (release) information)
An insertion error signal (information) generated by the main board 10 based on the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2.
A payout error signal (information) generated by the main board 10 based on the output of the medal detection unit 82

  FIG. 6A shows the main board 10 when the state signal is generated for a time shorter than the time T (about 0.5 T) (when the period from the generation of the state signal to its release is shorter than the time T). Shows transmission of the signal through the external signal 5 of the concentrated terminal board 30. When the state signal is generated at time t1, a signal corresponding to the state is immediately transmitted (t1 to t2). The curved arrows in the figure indicate this (the same applies hereinafter). The transmission is repeated a predetermined number of times (three times) (t2 to t3, t3 to t4). Although the status signal is canceled during signal transmission (t1 and t2), the signal transmission for cancellation is not started immediately. That is once stored in memory. When the generation signal transmission is completed (t4), the cancellation signal transmission is started. The curved arrows in the figure indicate this (the same applies hereinafter). The cancellation signal transmission is also repeated a predetermined number of times (t4 to t7).

  FIG. 6B shows a case where the status signal is generated for a time shorter than a predetermined number of times (three times) the time T. In FIG. 6B, the state signal generation period is longer than that in FIG. 6A (about 2.5 T). Similarly in this case, when a state signal is generated at time t1, a signal corresponding to the state is repeatedly transmitted three times (t1 to t4). The status signal is released during signal transmission (t3 and t4), but the release signal transmission is not started immediately. That is once stored in memory. When the generation signal transmission is completed (t4), the cancellation signal transmission is started. The cancellation signal transmission is also repeated a predetermined number of times (t4 to t7).

  In the example of FIGS. 6A and 6B, there is no gap between the generated signal transmission and the release signal transmission.

  FIG. 6C shows a case where the status signal is generated for a time (about 4T) longer than a predetermined number of times (three times) the time T. In this case, when a state signal is generated at time t1, a signal corresponding to the state is repeatedly transmitted three times (t1 to t4). And signal transmission is completed. Thereafter, when the state signal is canceled at (t5), the signal transmission for the cancellation is started immediately (t5 to t8).

  FIG. 6 (d) shows that when the event is an error, that is, when the status signal means an error, the error is not cleared during three repetitions of signal transmission. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, even when the occurrence of an error is shorter than the three repetition periods (3T) of signal transmission, the error is maintained during the period 3T. That is, the error is not canceled during the period 3T even by the canceling operation, and is canceled after the period 3T has elapsed.

  FIG. 7 shows a process flowchart for performing the signal transmission shown in FIGS.

S1: Monitor the status signal. The status signal is based on the door opening signal based on the output of the door opening / closing detection sensor GS, the setting change signal based on the output of the setting change switch SW1, the setting reference signal based on the output of the setting reference switch SW2, and the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2. A medal backflow error signal and a payout abnormality error signal based on the output of the medal detector 82 are included. For example, a medal backflow error occurs when the detection order of the medal sensors S1 and S2 is reverse to normal, and a payout abnormality error occurs when the medal detection unit 82 detects medals continuously for a certain time or more.

S2: Determine whether the status signal has changed. There are two state changes: the occurrence of the state and its cancellation.

S3: Determine the type of change. If it occurs, the process of S4a-S7a is performed, and if it is cancellation | release, the process of S9-S10 and S4b-S7b will be performed.

S4a: The number of transmissions is set to zero.

S5a: Start transmission of a signal (generation signal) indicating that the state indicated by the changed state signal has occurred. As described above, the generated signal is serial data, and the transmission is serial transmission. When one transmission is completed, the transmission count is incremented by one. In addition, the number displayed on the signal output in FIG. 6 means the number of transmissions.

S6a: It is determined whether the number of transmissions has reached a predetermined number (for example, 3 times). If the number of times is less than 3, the process of S5a is repeated.

S7a: When the number of transmissions reaches 3, the generation signal transmission is stopped. Then, the process returns to S1.

S9: When the change is canceled in S3, the generated signal is monitored. The input or output of the external signal 5 of the concentrated terminal board 30 and the output from the main board 10 are monitored.

S10: It is determined whether a generation signal is transmitted. For example, when the signal level is changed to H when being transmitted, but remains L when not transmitted, it is determined that the generated signal is not transmitted if the signal level remains L for a certain time. When the H or L level changes during a certain time, it is determined that the generated signal is transmitted.

S11: When the generated signal is transmitted (YES in S10), the process waits for a predetermined time, and then repeats the process of S10. For example, after waiting for time T or an integral multiple (2, 3, 4,...) Of time T, the processes of S9 and S10 are executed again.

  When it is determined in S10 that the generated signal is not transmitted (NO in S10), S4b to S7b are executed. Since these processes are almost the same as S4a to S7a, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 shows a processing flowchart for performing the error generation / cancellation shown in FIG.

S20: Monitor the error signal. The error signal includes a medal backflow error and a payout abnormality error.

S21: When an error occurs (YES in S21), the processes of S22 to S25 are executed.

S22: The number of times is set to zero.

S23: Via error signal output or error notification. Outputting an error signal or notifying an error continuously for the period T in FIG. 6 is counted as one time. The number of times is set to +1.

S24: It is determined whether the number of error signal outputs or error notifications has reached a predetermined number (for example, three times). If the number of times is less than 3, the process of S23 is repeated.

S25: When the number of error signal output or error notification is three, it is stopped. Then, the process returns to S20.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, when a signal indicating that an error state has occurred is transmitted to the outside through the concentrated terminal board, the number of times of transmission of the signal is counted, and until it reaches a predetermined number of times. Since it is repeated, information can be reliably transmitted from the concentrated terminal board to the hall computer. Further, since the error signal / error notification is continued for a predetermined time, the hall clerk is less likely to miss the error.

  Therefore, since oversight of error information on the hall side can be reduced, fraudulent acts are easily detected, and the security of the hall is improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. It is a block diagram of a slot machine. It is a block diagram of a concentration terminal board. It is a list of the concentrated terminal board signal and signal transmission opportunity which concern on embodiment of invention. It is a timing chart of signal transmission processing and error processing concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart of the signal transmission process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a flowchart of the error process which concerns on embodiment of invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Main board (processing section)
30 Centralized terminal version 82 Medal detection unit (third sensor)
GS Door open / close detection sensor (first sensor)
S1, S2 Medal sensor (second sensor)
SW1 Setting change switch (first switch)
SW2 setting reference switch (second switch)

Claims (2)

A processing unit for processing related to the game;
A concentrated terminal board including a relay driven by an output signal of the processing unit;
A first sensor for detecting opening and closing of a door provided in the gaming machine, a first switch for changing a setting relating to the processing relating to the game, and a second for referring to a current setting relating to the processing relating to the game In a gaming machine provided with at least one of a switch, a second sensor that detects the insertion of a gaming medium into the gaming machine, and a third sensor that detects the dispensing of the gaming medium from the gaming machine,
The processor is
A state signal indicating the occurrence or release of a predetermined state in the gaming machine, the door opening signal indicating the occurrence or release of the door based on the output of the first sensor, the output of the first switch A setting change signal indicating the occurrence or cancellation of the setting change based on the output, a setting reference signal indicating the occurrence or cancellation of the setting reference based on the output of the second switch, and the game medium based on the output of the second sensor A game medium input error signal indicating the occurrence of an error relating to the input of the game or the release thereof, and a game medium payout error signal indicating the occurrence of an error related to the game medium payout based on the output of the third sensor or the release thereof Monitor status signals including at least one of
When it is determined that the state signal has changed, it is determined whether the state has occurred or has been canceled,
When it is determined that the state has occurred, a signal indicating that the state has occurred is transmitted to the outside through the concentrated terminal board, and the number of transmissions of the signal indicating that the state has occurred is counted. Until the number of signal transmissions reaches a predetermined number of times, the signal transmission indicating that the state has occurred is repeated,
When it is determined that the state has been released, monitoring whether the number of transmissions of the signal indicating that the state has occurred has reached the predetermined number of times ,
When the number of transmissions of the signal indicating the occurrence of the state has reached the predetermined number of times, a signal indicating that the state has been released is transmitted to the outside through the concentrated terminal board, and the state is released. Counting the number of transmissions of the signal indicating that the state has been released, and repeating the transmission of the signal indicating that the state has been released until the number of transmissions of the signal indicating that the state has been released reaches a predetermined number of times,
A gaming machine characterized by waiting for transmission of a signal indicating that the state has been released when the number of times of transmission of the signal indicating that the state has occurred has not reached the predetermined number of times . The processor is
An error signal including a game medium input error signal related to input of the game medium based on an output of the second sensor or a game medium payout error signal related to payout of the game medium based on an output of the third sensor is monitored. ,
When it is determined that an error has occurred based on the error signal, an error signal indicating that the error has occurred is output or the error is notified, and the error signal output or the error notification count is counted. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the output of the error signal or the notification of the error is repeated until the number of times of the output of the error signal or the notification of the error reaches a predetermined number of times.

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