JP5624566B2 - GAME SYSTEM AND GAME DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a game is played by a player, a gaming device that is communicably connected to the gaming machine, and that enables gaming by the gaming machine using the gaming value owned by the player, A game system including a hall management computer installed in the field, and a game machine in which a game is played by the player, which is communicably connected to the game machine using the game value owned by the player. The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus that can be used.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game arcades, a system is known in which a hall management computer receives and aggregates information relating to the profit and loss of a game arcade that is output from an operating gaming machine. For example, an external output terminal of a gaming machine is provided separately for output from the main board and for output from the payout board, and prize ball payout information is output at the output terminal from the main board and covers the terminal board There is a display so that it can be visually recognized whether the output is related to the frame or the game board (Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-197730 A

  On the other hand, the format of information that can be received and processed by the hall management computer differs depending on the manufacturer of the hall management computer, and is an input format according to the manufacturer of the hall management computer. Therefore, in order to match the input format of information that can be received on the hall management computer side, it is necessary to match the output format specification of the gaming machine with that on the hall management computer side, resulting in inconvenience that the design of the gaming machine becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to be information output from a gaming machine and input to a hall management computer while preventing the inconvenience of designing the gaming machine. It is to be able to match the format of this with the management computer for the hall.

(1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) in which a game is played by a player and a gaming value (prepaid balance, A game device (CU3) that enables a game by the game machine using the number or the number of stored balls), a hall management computer (Hallcon 900) installed in the game hall, and the validity of the game device A game system including a management device storing authentication information used for authenticating
The gaming device is:
When the information for authentication stored in the management device cannot be received, communication with the gaming machine for allowing gaming at the gaming machine using the gaming value under a predetermined restriction is possible. Restricted communication mode setting means for setting to restricted communication mode;
Normal communication mode setting means for setting a normal communication mode in which communication with the gaming machine for which the predetermined restriction is released is possible on condition that the authentication information transmitted from the management device is received;
Transmitting means (CU control unit 323) for transmitting information (game state information 1 and 2) generated by the gaming machine in operation to the hall management computer;
System setting means (S362 in FIG. 21) for setting the output method of information output by the transmission means,
The transmission means includes information conversion means (S364 in FIG. 21) for converting and transmitting information transmitted from the gaming machine according to the output method set by the method setting means.

  According to the above configuration, the information generated by the gaming machine is managed for the hall by setting the output system for the hall management computer by the system setting means of the gaming apparatus connected to the gaming machine so as to be communicable. Since it is converted and transmitted to a computer, the format of the information output from the gaming machine and input to the hall management computer is matched with the hall management computer side while preventing the inconvenience of designing the gaming machine. be able to.

(2) In another aspect of the present invention, the game value (prepaid balance, number of balls) owned by the player is connected to the gaming machines (P 2 and S 2S) in which the game is performed by the player. Or a gaming device (CU3) that enables a game by the gaming machine using the number of balls),
Authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information used for authenticating the legitimacy of the gaming device from the management device;
Restriction that is set to a restricted communication mode in which communication with the gaming machine for allowing a game on the gaming machine using the gaming value under a predetermined restriction when the authentication information cannot be received. Communication mode setting means;
Normal communication mode setting means for setting a normal communication mode in which communication with the gaming machine for which the predetermined restriction is released is possible on condition that the authentication information transmitted from the management device is received;
Transmission means for transmitting the information generated by the gaming machine in operation (the amusement machine state 2 and 3 in FIG. 5) to the halls for management computer and (CU control unit 323),
System setting means (S362 in FIG. 21) for setting the output method of information transmitted by the transmission means,
The transmission means includes information conversion means (S364 in FIG. 21) for converting and transmitting information transmitted from the gaming machine according to the output method set by the method setting means.

  According to the above configuration, the information generated by the gaming machine is managed for the hall by setting the output system for the hall management computer by the system setting means of the gaming apparatus connected to the gaming machine so as to be communicable. Since it is converted and transmitted to a computer, the format of the information output from the gaming machine and input to the hall management computer is matched with the hall management computer side while preventing the inconvenience of designing the gaming machine. be able to.

  (3) In the gaming system of (1) or the gaming device of (2), information to be displayed on the display device (displays 54 and 510) is selected from the information received from the gaming machine and the information is selected. It further includes display control means (S366, S367 in FIG. 21) for controlling the display on the display device.

  According to said structure, required information can be displayed on a display apparatus among the information received from the gaming machine.

  (4) In the gaming system according to (1) and (3) or the gaming device according to (2) and (3), the method setting means sets an output method downloaded from a server of the gaming machine manufacturer. (Output method data is downloaded from the server of the manufacturer of the P unit 2 connected to the CU 3 and stored in the CU control unit 323).

  According to the above configuration, the gaming machine maker has control of the output format specification of the gaming machine, and the output method is downloaded from the server of the gaming machine maker and set. be able to.

(5) In the gaming system of (1), (3) and (4) above,
The hall management computer includes identification information management means (a CPU and an EEPROM of the hall control 900) for managing identification information (unit number) allocated to each of the plurality of gaming machines installed in the game hall,
The gaming device is attached to an attachment frame (attachment frame (holder) for attaching and installing the CU3) installed in a game hall, and each of the plurality of attachment frames identifies each gaming device. Game device identification information (holder ID) for
The identification information management means manages the identification information for gaming and the identification information in association with each other, and when the gaming machine is exchanged, the identification information of the exchanged gaming machine and the identification information for gaming Are managed in association with each other (when the P unit 2 is replaced with a new unit number, the CU 3 reads the unit number of the P unit 2 and the holder ID of the mounting frame (holder) to read the The CPU of the hall control 900 associates the received unit number of the P unit 2 and the holder ID and stores them in the EEPROM).

  According to the above configuration, even if each gaming device is removed from the mounting frame and replaced, the previous mounting frame remains, so the gaming device identification information and the identification information allocated to the mounting frame are retained. By managing in association with each other, identification information allocated to each gaming machine can be managed regardless of replacement of each gaming device.

(6) In the gaming system of (1), (3) and (4) above,
The hall management computer includes identification information management means (a CPU and an EEPROM of the hall control 900) for managing identification information (unit number) allocated to each of the plurality of gaming machines installed in the game hall,
A plurality of the gaming machines have identification code data (main chip ID, payout control chip ID) allocated to the control device to authenticate whether or not the control device provided in the gaming machine is appropriate. Including identification code data output means (CU control unit 323) for transmitting to the hall management computer via the gaming device,
The identification information management means manages the identification code data and the identification information in association with each other, and when the received identification code data is updated to a new one, the updated identification code data and The CU 3 manages ID data such as the main chip ID after the base exchange (panel exchange) and ID data such as the main chip ID before the base exchange (panel exchange) after newly managing the identification information in association with each other. The CPU of the hall control 900 updates the ID data stored in the EEPROM in association with the gaming machine stand number to the ID data after the base exchange (board exchange).

  According to the above configuration, even when, for example, a gaming machine is replaced and the identification code data is updated to a new one, the updated identification code data and identification information are managed in association with each other, and continue. Thus, management of identification information becomes possible.

(7) In the gaming system of (1) (3) to (6) above,
The hall management computer determines the gaming device corresponding to the same type of gaming machine based on the management data managed by the identification information management means, and collects the gaming device for each of the determined gaming devices. (The hall control 900 stores management data of the gaming machine number in which the gaming machine model number is also stored in association with the gaming machine number, and based on the management data, the gaming machine of the same model is stored. The card unit corresponding to the machine is indexed, and the setting data for calculation (conversion) to a predetermined format is downloaded to the batch CU3),
The method setting means sets an output method based on the transmitted setting data (setting data for calculating (converting) into a predetermined format is set in each CU downloaded to the batch CU3).

  According to the above configuration, the output method can be set by transmitting the setting data collectively to the gaming devices corresponding to the same type of gaming machines, and the output method can be set efficiently.

It is a front view which shows a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit used for a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various data memorize | stored in the card unit side and the pachinko machine side, and its transmission / reception. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline of the command and response which are transmitted / received between a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of a status information response. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with the card unit and the pachinko machine at the time of power activation. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when a card is inserted in a card unit. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when lending a ball from the prepaid balance of the inserted card. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when paying out a lot of balls and paying out a stored ball. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when the big hit in a game generate | occur | produces. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when returning the inserted card | curd. It is the figure which showed the example of a combination of the structure of the system for games. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline of the command and response transmitted / received between CU control part 323 and security chip (SC) 325b. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline of the command and response transmitted / received between CU control part 323 and security chip (SC) 325b. It is a figure for demonstrating the starting process at the time of power activation of CU control part 323, and hall installation. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of power activation and normal start-up of the CU control part. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of a gaming machine chip information inquiry sequence. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the hall | hole server and hall control which are connected with P stand and CU. It is a block diagram for demonstrating another structure of the hall | hole server and hall control which are connected with P stand and CU. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the transmission process of the number of addition balls by a CU control part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the transmission process of the game information by a CU control part. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the front door of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various data memorize | stored in each of a card unit and a slot machine, and its transmission / reception aspect.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration of pachinko machine>
First, the configuration of the pachinko machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Each game island (not shown) arranged in the game hall (hall) has an enclosed circulation pachinko machine (hereinafter abbreviated as a game machine, pachinko machine, or P machine) 2 as an example of a game machine. Has been. Note that a card unit (hereinafter also abbreviated as CU) 3 as an example of a gaming device is installed in a one-to-one correspondence with the pachinko machine 2 at a side position on a predetermined side of the pachinko machine 2. Yes.

  The pachinko machine 2 encloses a pachinko ball as an example of a game medium inside, and when the player operates the hitting operation handle 25, the firing motor 18 (see FIG. 2) is driven to make one shot of the enclosed ball. The game board 26 is configured so that it can be played one by one in the game area 27 in front of the game board 26. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the batting operation handle 25, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player is operating the batting operation handle 25, and the player's hand. Is detected by the touch sensor, and the firing motor 18 is driven. In this state, the hitting momentum is adjusted in accordance with the amount of rotation of the hitting operation handle 25 by the player, and the ball is shot into the game area 27.

  The pachinko machine 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called first type of pachinko machine, and a variable display device (also referred to as a special symbol) 278 is provided in the center of the game area 27. In addition, the game area 27 is provided with a plurality of types of winning holes through which the inserted pachinko balls can be won. In the game area 27 shown in FIG. 1, one large winning opening (variable winning ball apparatus) 271, three normal winning holes 272, 273, 274 and three start winning holes 275, 276, 277 are shown. ing. In particular, the start winning opening 276 is configured by an electric tulip that can be changed between a first state (for example, an open state) that is advantageous to the player and a second state (for example, a closed state) that is disadvantageous to the player. .

  The variable display device 278 variably displays based on the detection signal of the start winning ball won in each start winning opening 275, 276, 277. When the display result of the variable display device is a combination of specific identification information (for example, a glance), a big hit state is established and the big prize opening 271 is opened.

  In addition, since the display result of the variable display device is a combination of predetermined special identification information (for example, a combination of probability variation symbols such as 777) out of a combination of jackpot symbols (grooves), the probability variation big hit state is A probability variation state (probability variation state) in which the occurrence probability of the jackpot is improved after the occurrence of the jackpot state is generated.

  Pachinko balls that have been driven into the game area 27 win at any of the winning openings or are collected at the out opening (not shown) without winning. The pachinko balls won at the winning opening and the pachinko balls collected at the out mouth are again returned to the hitting ball launch position through the collection path in the pachinko machine 2. Then, when the player operates the hitting operation handle 25, the pachinko ball at the hitting position is again shot into the game area 27.

  A display 54 is provided at a position below the game area 27 in the pachinko machine 2. The display 54 is composed of a liquid crystal display device.

  Further, a counting button 28 is provided at the left position of the hitting operation handle 25 in the pachinko machine 2 for counting the game balls to the holding balls. As will be described in detail later, when the count button 28 is pressed once, for example, 100 balls are counted from the game balls to the holding balls, and when pressed for a long period of time (long press), the game balls currently held are considered. Then, the number of game balls is counted from the number of balls corresponding to the number of balls pressed.

  Thus, since the counting button 28 is provided on the P table side, the operability of the player sitting facing the P table can be improved as compared with the case where the counting button 28 is provided on the CU side.

<Configuration of card unit>
Next, the configuration of the card unit according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This card unit 3 is a visitor card (also referred to as a general card) having a prepaid function, which is a game recording medium issued to a general player who has not registered as a member, or a member who has registered as a member in the game hall. Receive a membership card, which is a game recording medium issued to a player. Visitor cards and membership cards are composed of IC cards.

  The card unit 3 that has received these cards has a function of converting the game value (for example, the card balance, the number of possessed balls, or the number of stored balls) possessed by the player specified by the record information of the card into “game ball data”. Have In the pachinko machine 2, a ball game equivalent to the number of balls specified by the data of game balls is made possible. That is, “game ball data” is data indicating the number of remaining fireable shots. In the following description, “game ball data” is simply referred to as “game ball” in the same manner as a stored ball and a holding ball.

  On the front side of the card unit 3, a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting bills, a protruding portion 305 formed to project forward from the front side of the device, and a card insertion / discharge port for inserting a membership card or a visitor card 309 etc. are provided. The member card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 309 is received by a card reader / writer (not shown), and information recorded on the card is read.

  In the protrusion 305 described above, on the surface facing the player, the display 312 and the membership card ID recorded on the membership card (also simply referred to as the card ID) and the membership card when the membership card is received. An IR (Infrared) photosensitive unit 320 receives an infrared signal from a replay button 319 for executing a replay game using the number of stored balls specified by the ID and a remote control (not shown) possessed by an attendant of the game hall. An IR light receiving unit that converts the signal into an electronic signal and outputs it is provided.

  The display 312 displays the prepaid balance (also referred to as card balance or simply balance) recorded on the inserted game recording medium (card), but can display the number of game balls and other various information. In addition, the surface is configured with a transparent touch panel, and various operations can be input by touching various display items displayed on the display unit of the display 312 with a finger.

  When the replay button 319 is operated and the number of possessed balls acquired by the player is recorded on the inserted card, a part of the number of possessed balls is withdrawn and converted into a game ball, and the converted game ball Based on this, it becomes possible to play a game with the pachinko machine 2. On the other hand, if the inserted card is a membership card and the number of possessions is not recorded and the stored balls are recorded in the hall management computer, etc., a part of the stored balls is withdrawn and converted into game balls Thus, a game with the pachinko machine 2 becomes possible. That is, when both the stored ball and the holding point are stored in association with the inserted card, the holding ball is withdrawn preferentially. In addition to the replay button 319, a dedicated ball payout button for withdrawing the possession ball may be provided, and the replay button 319 may be a button dedicated to withdrawal of the stored ball.

  Here, the “storing ball” is a game medium deposited in a game hall, and is generally managed by a hall management computer or other management computer installed in the game hall.

  “Number of possessed balls” is the number of balls that the player possesses as a result of the player playing the game with the gaming machine on the card, and the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall That is. Generally, the number of balls that the player has acquired on the day of the game hall is called “mochidama”, and the number of balls that the player has acquired before the previous day and that has been deposited in the amusement hall is “save ball”. Say.

  The “game ball” is data on the number of balls that can be fired by the gaming machine. As described above, this data is generated in exchange for withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card, the holding ball, or the stored ball.

  Note that the number of possessed balls may be managed by a management device for managing the number of possessed balls set in the game hall. In short, the difference between “sold balls” and “mochidama” is the number of balls that have been deposited in the amusement hall as a result of a storage operation for depositing in the amusement hall, or is still deposited in the amusement hall. It is a point whether it is the number of balls of the stage which is not.

  In this embodiment, the stored ball data is not recorded directly on the member card, but stored in association with the member card number in the hall server 801 (see FIGS. 18 and 19) installed in the game hall such as the hall management computer. It is comprised so that the corresponding storage ball can be searched based on a card number. On the other hand, Mochitama records directly on the card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. In the case of a visitor card, Mochitama is recorded directly on the visitor card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. When storing in the hall server in association with the card number, data that can specify the time stored in the hall server may be written in the card (member card, visitor card) and discharged. Also, the prepaid balance is directly written on a card (member card, visitor card) and discharged.

  Note that the timing for storing the holding ball in a card (member card, visitor card) or hall server is stored in a fixed period, for example, in real time every time the counting button 28 is operated and the counting process is performed. Or when storing the card in a batch.

  The banknote inserted into the banknote insertion slot 302 is taken in by a currency discriminator (not shown), and its authenticity and banknote type are identified.

  A ball lending button (also referred to as a lending button) 321 and a return button 322 are further provided on the front side of the card unit 3. The ball lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to a game ball) for withdrawing the balance recorded on the inserted card and using it in a game by the pachinko machine 2. The return button 322 is operated when the player finishes the game, and the number of game balls determined at the end of the game on the inserted card (the number of balls at the time of card insertion-the number of conversions to game balls + counting operation) This is an operation button for memorizing and discharging the number of possessed balls counted by.

<Configuration of card unit and pachinko machine>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the card unit 3 and the pachinko machine 2. With reference to FIG. 2, the outline of the control circuit of the card unit 3 and the pachinko machine 2 will be described.

  The card unit 3 is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The CU control unit 323 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a work area of the CPU. Random Access Memory) and an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices.

  The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external communication unit (not shown) for communicating with a hall management computer and a hall server 801 (see FIG. 18) for security management, and the pachinko machine 2 A security board 325 for communicating with the payout control board 17 while ensuring security is provided. The card unit 3 is provided with a connection part (not shown) to the pachinko machine 2 side, and the pachinko machine 2 is provided with a connection part (not shown) to the card unit 3 side. These connection parts are constituted by connectors, for example.

  The security board 325 on the CU side and the payout control board 17 on the P platform side are communicably connected via this connector and connection wiring. The security board 325 is provided with a communication control IC 325a for controlling communication between the security board 325 and the payout control board 17, and a security chip (SC) 325b for monitoring the security of the pachinko machine 2. The SC 325b further includes a fraud detection unit 1325. The fraud detection unit 1325 performs fraud detection by monitoring the game ball addition request information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the P-unit 2, and manages the key when fraud is detected. The server 800 (see FIGS. 18 and 19) is notified. Further, the setting value (constant) for fraud detection is notified from the key management server 800 as board control information.

  The authenticity and type of the banknote are identified by the above-described money identifier, and the identification result signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives infrared rays emitted from a remote controller owned by a game attendant, the received light signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The card reader / writer reads the recorded information of the inserted card, and the read information is input to the CU control unit 323. At the same time, the data to be written to the inserted card from the CU control unit 323 to the card reader / writer. When transmitted, the card reader / writer writes the data to the inserted card.

  The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the player's possession balls when the player is playing. Data such as a balance or the number of game balls is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350 and converted into display data by the display control unit 350. The display data converted by the display control unit 350 is output to the display 312 and the display 312 displays the output display data. Further, when the player operates a touch panel provided on the surface of the display 312, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. When the player operates the ball lending button 321, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The ball lending button 321 is not limited to the configuration provided in the CU 3, and may be configured so as to be provided in the P platform 2 and input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the replay button 319, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the return button 322, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323.

  In the pachinko machine 2, the main control board 16 that controls the progress of the game of the pachinko machine 2, the payout control board 17 that manages and stores the game balls, and the drive control of the launch motor 18 based on commands from the payout control board 17 And a variable display device 278 are provided. In FIG. 2, a display control board (also referred to as an effect control board) that controls display of the variable display device based on a command from the main control board 16 is omitted.

  The main control board 16 is provided on the game board 26. The main control board 16 is equipped with a game control microcomputer as the main control unit 161. A microcomputer for gaming machine control includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, and a RAM (RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU). Random Access Memory) and an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices. The main controller 161 is connected to a winning sensor 162 and a radio wave sensor 163 provided on the game board 26. The game board 26 is further provided with a display control board (effect control board) for controlling the variable display device 278 and the like.

  The payout control board 17 is provided on the front frame 6 (game frame). The payout control board 17 is equipped with a payout control microcomputer which is a payout control unit 171. The payout control microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a work area of the CPU. Random Access Memory) and an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices.

  Further, a firing ball detection switch (not shown), an out ball detection switch 701, a foul ball detection switch 33, a counting button 28, and a radio wave sensor 173 are provided on the payout control board 17 in an electrically connected state. . The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting an illegal act of illegally transmitting radio waves and mainly turning on the ball raising switch (upper) 41a. A detection signal of the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the payout control unit 171 via an input port (not shown) of the payout control board 17. As described above, the ball raising switch (upper) 41a detects the launch of a game ball by changing from on to off, and the payout control unit 171 subtracts “1” from the number of game balls based on the detection. To do. Accordingly, when the ball raising switch (upper) 41a is always turned on by an improper radio wave, the number of game balls is not subtracted no matter how many balls are fired. Such radio fraud is detected by the radio wave sensor 173. In addition, there is a possibility that not only the ball raising switch (upper) 41a but also the fired ball detection switch may be subject to fraud by radio waves. In other words, when only the ball raising switch (upper) 41a is always turned on by the illegal radio wave, the ball is not detected to be detected, while the actually fired ball is collected and detected by the firing ball detection switch. The number of fired balls and recovered balls (out-balls) is flawed, an abnormality is detected, and the fraud detection information “number of fired / OUT mismatched balls” is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU3. Become. However, by sending unauthorized radio waves to the fired ball detection switch to make it undetectable, there is a problem that the fraud detection information of the “number of fired / OUT mismatched balls” is not transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3. . In the present embodiment, since the radio wave sensor 173 also detects unauthorized radio waves transmitted to such a shot ball detection switch, the above-described inconvenience can be prevented.

  From main control board 16 to payout control board 17, main control chip ID, winning opening information, round information, connection confirmation signal, winning detection signal, starting winning opening winning information, error information, number of symbols determined, jackpot information, manufacturer specific Jackpot information is sent.

  The main control chip ID (also referred to as main chip ID) is a chip ID recorded on the main control board 16 of the pachinko machine 2, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the pachinko machine 2 is turned on. Information. The winning opening information is information including the type of winning opening (start winning opening, normal winning opening, large winning opening) and the number of winning balls (the number of payout balls when a game ball enters the winning opening). It is transmitted to the dispensing control board 17 when the machine 2 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds when a big hit is made, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the pachinko machine 2 is powered on.

  The connection confirmation signal is a signal for confirming that the main control board 16 and the payout control board 17 are connected, and a signal of a predetermined voltage is constantly supplied from the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 is configured to control the operation on the condition that the payout control board 17 receives the predetermined voltage signal. The winning detection signal is a detection signal of a pachinko ball that has won a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. Upon receiving this detection signal, the payout control board 17 performs control to add the number of balls to be given to one winning ball to the number of game balls and the number of added balls. This will be described in detail later.

  The start winning award winning information is information indicating that a pachinko ball has won a winning winning opening 1 or a starting winning opening 2. The error information is information for notifying the payout control board 17 when an error occurs while the main control board 16 is performing game control.

  The symbol determination number of times is information on symbols determined as display results of the variable display device for winnings at each start winning opening.

  The jackpot information is information indicating that a jackpot has occurred. The breakdown includes common jackpot information indicating a jackpot common to each manufacturer and manufacturer-specific jackpot information indicating a manufacturer-specific jackpot. The common jackpot information is a jackpot commonly used by each gaming machine manufacturer, such as 15 round jackpots, and includes probability variation information when a probability change occurs with the jackpot. When the time-short state (control state for shortening the variable display time of the variable display device) occurs, the time-shortage information is included. The manufacturer-specific big hit is a big hit state that is adopted only by a certain gaming machine manufacturer, such as sudden probability change (surprise).

  A health check command and a winning ball number acceptance command are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the main control board 16. The health check command is a command for checking whether or not the main control board 16 is operating normally. The prize ball number acceptance command is a command indicating that the additional number of balls has been accepted.

  An out ball detection signal is input from the out ball detection switch 701 to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 to which the out ball detection signal is input subtracts and updates the number of in-game balls (the number of floating balls floating in the game area 27) as will be described later. In the payout control board 17 to which the foul ball detection signal is input from the foul ball detection switch 33, as described later, the addition ball number and the game ball number are added and updated, and the in-game ball number is subtracted and updated. A shot detection signal is input from the shot detection switch to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 to which the fired ball detection signal is input updates the number of in-game balls by subtraction.

  The security board 325 of the card unit 3 and the payout control board 17 of the pachinko machine 2 are electrically connected. As will be described later, a recovery request, a recovery detail request, and communication start from the security board 325 to the payout control board 17 Various commands such as a request, a communication end request, a status information request, a card insertion notification, a card return notification, and a communication test request are transmitted.

  The recovery request is a command that requests the pachinko machine 2 to notify the recovery information, as will be described later. The payout control board 17 receives the recovery request and notifies the card unit 3 of the recovery information of the pachinko machine 2. The recovery detail request is a command for requesting the pachinko machine 2 to notify the recovery detailed information. The payout control board 17 receives the recovery detail request and notifies the card unit 3 of the recovery detailed information of the pachinko machine 2. The communication start request is a command for requesting the pachinko machine 2 to start communication. The payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 3 with the communication start in response to the communication start request. The communication end request is a command for requesting the pachinko machine 2 to end communication. The payout control board 17 receives a communication end request and responds to the card unit 3 with a communication end.

  The status information request is a command that requests the pachinko machine 2 to notify the status information. The payout control board 17 receives the status information request and notifies the card unit 3 of the status information of the pachinko machine 2. The card insertion notification is a command for notifying the pachinko machine 2 that a card has been inserted. The payout control board 17 receives a card insertion notification and responds to the card unit 3 that a card has been inserted. The card return notification is a command for notifying the pachinko machine 2 that the card has been returned. The payout control board 17 receives a card return notification and responds to the card unit 3 that the card has been returned. The communication test request is a command for notifying the pachinko machine 2 of test data. The payout control board 17 responds with test data to the card unit 3 in response to the communication test request.

  Various responses such as a recovery response, a recovery detail response, a communication start response, a communication end response, a status information response, a card insertion response, a card return response, and a communication test response are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the security board 325.

  The front frame 6 (game frame) is provided with a firing control board 31 and a firing motor 18. The firing control board 31 emits the firing motor 18 and drives the firing motor 18 when a touch ring input signal for detecting that the player is touching the hitting ball operating handle 25 is input.

  A firing control signal and a firing permission signal are output from the dispensing control board 17 to the firing control board 31. Upon receiving this, the launch control board 31 outputs a signal for exciting the launch motor 18. Thereby, the pachinko ball is in a state where it is bullet-launched into the game area 27.

  A display 54 is provided in the front frame 6 (game frame). The display unit 54 receives display data from the display control unit 350 of the card unit 3 and displays a display screen. As described above, in this embodiment, the P-side display 54 is controlled on the CU side, but instead, the display 54 is controlled to be displayed on the P-side. A display control substrate may be provided. In this case, the display control board controls display of the display 54 based on a command from the payout control unit 171.

<Transmission / reception mode between card unit side and pachinko machine side>
Next, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing main data among various data stored on the card unit 3 side and the pachinko machine 2 side, and its transmission / reception mode. With reference to FIG. 3, main ones of various data stored on the card unit 3 side (CU side) and the pachinko machine 2 side (P base side) and transmission / reception modes thereof will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the fluctuation of the number of game balls is calculated on the P stand 2 side, and the current latest game ball number is stored and managed. The current number of game balls is also calculated and stored on the CU 3 side, but the number of game balls is based on information transmitted from the P stand 2 side. On the other hand, the number of possessed balls (the number of cards possessed), the number of stored balls, and the card balance (balance) are managed and stored on the CU3 side.

  FIG. 3 shows RAM storage data provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU 3 side and RAM storage data mounted on the payout control board 17 on the P stand 2 side. First, when the power supply is turned on for the first time when the P stand 2 (pachinko machine 2) and the CU 3 (card unit 3) are electrically connected for the first time after being installed in the game hall, the payout control board on the P stand 2 side. 17 has a main chip ID (main control chip ID) transmitted from the main control board 16, transmits the main chip ID to the CU3 side, and also issues a payout chip ID (payout) stored in the payout control board 17 itself. Control chip ID) is transmitted to the CU3 side.

  On the CU3 side, the transmitted main chip ID and payout chip ID are stored. Next, data of the connection time, that is, the time at which communication is started after the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side are connected is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P base 2 side, and the transmitted connection time is transmitted on the P base 2 side. Remember.

  In this state, three pieces of information of the main chip ID, the payout chip ID, and the connection time identified on the CU3 side are stored on the CU3 side and the P stand 2 side. When the power is turned on thereafter, the three pieces of information, that is, the main chip ID, the payout chip ID, and the previous connection time data are transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side.

  On the CU 3 side, the transmitted data is collated with the data already stored, and it is determined whether or not the same P base 2 is connected as in the previous time. As for the connection time data, every time the power is turned on, new connection time data in which communication between the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side is started is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P base 2 side. Time data is stored on the P table 2 side.

  Each time a command and response is transmitted between the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side, the serial number is incremented by “1”, and the serial number is stored on the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side. This serial number is a communication number for confirming whether or not communication is properly performed by updating the number every time data is transmitted / received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2. The last serial number is a number updated at the end of the updated communication number.

  A specific mode of serial number backup in the CU 3 and the P stand 2 in this embodiment will be described. The CU 3 backs up and stores the serial number transmitted to the P base 2 by a command, and when it receives the serial number from the P base 2 next, it rewrites the serial number stored in the backup and stores it. Then, when the next command is transmitted, the serial number stored in the backup is updated by 1 and transmitted to the P unit 2, and the transmitted serial number is stored in the backup. In CU3, such processing is repeated.

  Similarly, the serial number received from the CU3 by the command is backed up and stored in the P unit 2, and when the response is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU3 next time, the serial number stored in the backup is updated by 1 and transmitted. Store the sent serial number as a backup. When the next response is received, the serial number stored in the backup is rewritten and stored in the received serial number. Such processing is repeated in the P stand 2.

  For example, a command is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P base 2 side, and the serial number n at that time is transmitted, and the transmitted serial number n is stored on the P base 2 side. Then, when a response is returned from the P platform 2 side to the CU 3 side, the stored serial number n is added together (n + 1) and transmitted. On the CU3 side, since the returned serial number n + 1 is incremented by 1 from the already stored serial number n, it is determined that data communication has been performed normally. A serial number is sent to the P stand 2 side.

  The latest game machine information (game machine information being counted) is transmitted from the P machine 2 side to the CU 3 side. This latest game table information is stored in the latest game table information storage area of the RAM of the payout control unit 171 (see FIG. 2) on the P table 2 side. Specifically, information on the added ball number counter, information on the subtracted ball number counter, and information on the counted ball number counter are included. The number of game balls is not included in the latest game table information, and is transmitted from the P table 2 side to the CU 3 side as the count value of the game ball number counter as will be described later.

  Information on these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU side as a response. The added ball number counter is a counter that counts the added ball number. The added ball is the sum of “the number of winning balls × the number of winning balls” and “the number of back balls”. The back ball is a foul ball. That is, the addition ball indicates the number that the addition ball counter should add to the game ball. The subtraction ball number counter is a counter that counts the number of subtraction balls. The subtraction ball is the “number of fired balls”. That is, the number of balls detected by the output change from on to off of the ball raising switch (upper) 41a. Note that the “number of balls to be subtracted” does not include the “number of balls to be counted”. The counting ball counter is a counter that counts the counting balls. The counting ball is “the number of balls converted from game balls to holding balls by the counting operation”.

  In addition, when a back ball is generated, the back ball is returned to the hitting ball launching position, and the hitting ball launching operation is performed with the ball feeding to the hitting ball launching position being stopped so that all the back balls are fired into the game area. Even if a back ball is generated, the back ball may be controlled not to be counted as an additional ball. In this case, “addition balls = number of winning balls × number of winning balls”.

  For example, when a pachinko ball that has been placed in the game area 27 wins and the winning information is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17, an additional ball to which a gaming ball is added based on the winning information. The added ball number counter counts the number, and the value of the added ball number counter (added ball number) is transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side. Also, the subtraction ball counter counts the number of shot balls as the number of subtraction balls based on the output change from on to off of the ball raising switch (upper) 41a due to the pachinko ball being shot in the game area 27, The value of the subtraction ball number counter (subtraction ball number) is transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU3 side.

  Alternatively, the payout control unit 171 counts the number of gaming balls as the number of counting balls by pressing the counting button 28, and transmits the value of the counting ball number counter (counting number of balls) from the P stand 2 side to the CU3 side.

  On the P-unit 2 side, each time the values of the addition ball counter, the subtraction ball counter, and the counting ball counter are transmitted to the CU 3 side, the count values are stored in the previous gaming machine information storage area (the RAM of the payout control unit 171). Etc.) are stored (rewritten) as backup data, and the values of the added ball counter, subtracted ball counter, and counted ball counter as the latest game table information are cleared to 0 (excluding the game ball counter). In the present embodiment, “clear” has the same meaning as “initialization”.

  As a result, the game table information transmitted to the CU 3 side immediately before is added to the storage area of the previous game table information (game table information transmitted immediately before). Stored as data. When the latest game machine information is not transmitted from the P machine 2 side to the CU 3 side, the backup data includes not only the value of each counter at the time of the next transmission but also the value of each counter of the previous time that was not transmitted. It is intended to enable transmission.

  Further, the payout control board 17 updates the value of the game ball counter in response to the occurrence of a prize, the firing of a ball, the occurrence of a back ball, and the occurrence of a counting ball (conversion from a game ball to a holding ball), The updated value of the game ball counter is transmitted to the CU 3 side as the number of game balls.

  On the CU3 side, in the accumulated data storage area in the RAM, the number of game balls, the number of cards held (simply referred to as the number of balls), the number of stored balls, the balance, the total number of added balls (total number of added balls), total subtraction The number of balls (the total number of subtracted balls) and the number of balls at the time of card insertion are stored. The number of cards possessed is the number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of possessed balls paid out (the number of balls converted from the number of cards possessed to the number of game balls) from the number of balls possessed when the card is inserted, and adding the counted number of balls. That is, the card possession number is the number of possession possessed by the player at the present time.

  The total number of added balls is added based on the value (number of added balls) of the added ball counter transmitted from the P stand 2 side to update the number of balls. Further, the number of balls is updated by subtracting the total number of subtraction balls based on the value of the subtraction ball counter (the number of subtraction balls) transmitted from the P stand 2 side. Further, based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P stand 2, the number of card holding balls is added and updated. In this way, the CU 3 can manage the latest information by updating the total added ball number, the total subtracted ball number, and the card holding ball number with the latest game table information transmitted from the P table 2 one by one. It becomes possible.

  As shown in the figure, the CU 3 has an area for storing game balls, and also receives a count value of a game ball number counter (also referred to as game ball number or game ball total number information) from the P stand 2 side. CU3 updates the area for storing game balls in the following procedure. That is, the CU 3 stores the value based on the value of the added ball number counter (added ball number), the value of the subtracted ball number counter (subtracted ball number), and the value of the counted ball number counter transmitted from the P side. The number of game balls being updated is updated, and it is determined whether or not the count value of the game ball counter transmitted from the P platform side at the same timing matches the updated number of game balls. If they match, the game is allowed to continue, but if they do not match, control to shift to an error state is performed.

  As a result, for example, an error notification is performed by the abnormality notification lamp or the indicator 312 or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the hall management computer or hall server 801 (in this case, for halls). Error notification may be performed by the management computer or hall server 801). As a result, a predetermined notification that prompts an artificial response by a staff member is performed.

  Instead of shifting to an error state and stopping the game, the number of game balls stored on the CU 3 side is replaced with the count value of the game ball number counter transmitted from the P unit 2 side. Also good. Alternatively, it may be corrected to an average value of the number of game balls managed on the CU 3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P stand 2 side.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the number of game balls is also stored on the CU 3 side, but it is determined whether or not the number of game balls matches the number of game balls managed and stored on the P-unit 2 side. (CU3 side function). Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which the number of game balls stored on the P stand 2 side does not match the number of game balls stored on the CU 3 side due to fraud or other circumstances, it can be checked. Here, the determination function is provided on the CU3 side. For example, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the Pball 2 side are stored by the hall server 801 or the hall management computer connected to the CU3. The number of game balls being played may be received, and it may be determined whether or not the two match.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the CU 3 has a storage area for storing the number of cards held and the number of stored balls, a storage area for storing the card balance of the received (inserted) card, and the total number of added balls (the number of added balls). (Cumulative total), the total number of subtracted balls (total number of subtracted balls), and a storage area for storing balls when the card is inserted. The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) stores a stored ball in response to an input requesting the use of the stored ball (for example, a press input of the replay button 319 provided in the CU 3 (when there is no holding ball)). Subtract a certain number of balls from the area.

  The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) is an input requesting the use of the holding ball (for example, pressing input of the replay button 319 provided on the CU 3 when the holding ball is present (however, when the holding ball is present)) Accordingly, a predetermined number of balls are subtracted from the storage area for storing balls. Further, the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) subtracts a predetermined value from a storage area for storing the card balance in response to an input requesting the use of the card balance (for example, pressing input of the ball lending button 321).

  When a player performs an operation to deduct the value from the player's own gaming value (for example, prepaid balance, number of balls, or number of stored balls) and use it for the game, the number of balls for the withdrawal The number of balls to be added to the number counter is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P stand 2 side. In response to this, the P stand 2 side adds and updates the game ball counter.

  On the other hand, in the gaming system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accept a so-called wagon service order or the like in which the gaming value owned by the player is withdrawn and exchanged for a drink or the like. However, access to wagon services with game balls is restricted, and wagon services can only be received with holding balls. This is an image in which, in a conventional encapsulated pachinko machine in which each counter is provided, it is prohibited to grab a ball before counting remaining on a plate by hand and use it for a wagon service.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, when the operation for performing the wagon service is executed, if the number of balls is less than the number corresponding to the desired menu of the wagon service, the player is prompted to perform the counting operation. Has been. When the player performs a counting operation at that time, the number of counting balls based on the operation is transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side. In response to this, the CU3 side subtracts the number of game balls and adds and updates the number of card possessions.

<Commands and responses sent and received between the CU and the P platform>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the outline of the command and response transmitted / received between the card unit (CU) 3 and the pachinko machine (P unit) 2 will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows the transmission direction, whether the data to be transmitted is a command or a response, the name of transmission information, and its outline.

  First, a command named recovery request is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. This recovery request command is for requesting recovery information from the P unit 2. A response named “recovery response” is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3. This response of the recovery response notifies the CU 3 of the recovery information.

  A command named “recovery detail request” is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. This recovery detail request command is for requesting recovery detail information from the P unit 2. A response named “Recovery Detail Response” is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3. This response of the recovery detail response notifies the CU 3 of the recovery detail information. These recovery detail request and recovery detail response are transmitted / received only when the recovery process is executed. Specifically, the CU 3 transmits a recovery detail request command to the P unit 2 only when the CU 3 that has received the above-described recovery response determines that the recovery process is to be executed based on the information of the recovery response. This will be described in detail later. The recovery process needs to be executed when a power failure occurs in the CU 3 or the P stand 2 and a communication line disconnection is detected. In the present embodiment, the recovery process is also executed when the power source is turned on at the start of business in the game hall (see FIG. 10), but is not executed when the power source is turned on at the start of business. It may be controlled to execute when a power interruption occurs and a communication line disconnection is detected.

  A communication start request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. This communication start request command requests the P base 2 to start communication. A response of a communication start response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. This response to the communication start response is a response to the CU 3 for communication start.

  A communication end request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P platform 2. This communication end request command requests the P unit 2 to end communication. A response of a communication end response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. This communication end response is a response to the end of communication to the CU3.

  A status information request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P platform 2. This status information request command is for requesting the status of the CU 3 to the P unit 2. The CU 3 uses this command to periodically check the status of the P base 2. The status information request command includes the number of balls to be added from the CU side to the P platform side shown in FIG.

  A response of a status information response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. This response of the status information response is to notify the information / status of the P platform 2 to the CU 3. The response of the information response includes the latest game table information and the number of game balls shown in FIG.

  A card insertion notification command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P stand 2. This card insertion notification command notifies the P unit 2 of card insertion. A response of the card insertion response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. The response of this card insertion response is a response to the card insertion to the CU3.

  A card return notification command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P stand 2. This card return notification command notifies the P unit 2 of a card return. A response of a card return response is transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3. The response of this card return response is a response to the card return to CU3.

  A communication test request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P platform 2. This communication test request command notifies the P unit 2 of test data. A response of the communication test response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. The response of this card return response is a response of test data to CU3.

  Next, when the status information request command shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted from the CU3 to the P unit 2, a response of the status information response is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU3.

  With reference to FIG. 5, the response of the status information response transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3 will be described. This response of the status information response is to notify the information / status of the P platform 2 to the CU 3.

  The specific data of the status information request includes serial number, command, ball count information, and game table status data, as shown in the lower part of FIG. In addition, the status information request may include fraud detection information and game information. The serial number is a sequence number of the command and is a value from 1 to 255 (cyclic). The P base 2 counts up (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission and transmits it. However, the serial number is not counted up at the time of retransmission. The command is a command code for requesting status information, and is “0x16” as binary data in hexadecimal representation.

  The number of balls information is the number of balls in P table 2 (the number of game balls, the number of fired balls, the number of outro passing balls, the total number of balls at the time when the command for requesting the status information is transmitted from CU3 to P table 2 (current). The number of award balls and the number of counting balls) and firing strength are shown. The number of game balls is the current number of game balls (the number of game balls as a result of calculating addition / subtraction). The number of fired balls is the number of fired balls (summed if there are balls fired multiple times at the time of transmission). However, if there are back balls, subtract the number of back balls. The number of balls that have passed through the out mouth is the number of balls that have passed through the out mouth (summed when there are a plurality of balls that have passed during transmission). In addition, when a back ball is generated, the back ball is returned to the hitting ball launching position, and the hitting ball launching operation is performed with the ball feeding to the hitting ball launching position stopped, so that all the back balls are fired into the game area Even if back balls are generated, the number of back balls may not be subtracted from the number of shot balls. The total number of prize balls is the total number of prize balls in the prize ball information 1-n. The prize ball information 1-n is the number of prize balls for each prize opening type such as a start opening, a big winning opening, a winning opening (ordinary winning opening), and the like. The number of balls to be counted is the number of game balls counted. However, if the card unit preparation state changes from preparation OK to preparation, the number of game balls held by the gaming machine is counted and set as the number of balls to be counted. When the card unit ready state is ready, the number of game balls is counted and set as the number of counting balls by operating the counting button 28. However, if the card unit preparation state changes from preparation OK to preparation when the player is to leave the seat by remote control operation, the game ball is automatically removed without waiting for the operation of the counting button 28. Count and set as the number of balls to be counted (see FIG. 15). Cases where the card unit preparation state changes from preparation OK during preparation include when the player leaves the seat, when the game hall is closed, and when the card unit 3 is reset. The firing strength is strength for firing a game ball.

  The gaming machine state indicates the state of the P machine 2 at the time when the command for requesting the status information is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P machine 2, and the gaming machine state 1, the gaming machine state 2, the gaming machine state 3, and Contains information on the gaming table error status.

  Bit 0 in gaming machine state 1 is permitting a game when it is “0”, and is prohibited when it is “1”. Bit 1 in the gaming machine state 1 is waiting when it is “0”, and is playing when it is “1”. Bit 2 in the gaming machine state 1 is “1”, indicating that there is no gaming ball. When Bit 3 in the gaming machine state 1 is “1”, the game is completed. Bit 4 in gaming machine state 1 is counting when it is “1”. Bit 5 in the gaming machine state 1 is a game ball addition result when “1”. Bits 6 to 7 in the gaming machine state 1 are reserved.

  Bit 0 of the gaming machine state 2 is 1 (all jackpots) when it is “1”. There are various types of jackpots such as jackpots and jackpots with different numbers of balls. Bit0 is “1” during any type of jackpot. Bit 1 in the game stand state 2 is 2 for big hit (big hit + small hit) when “1”. This bit 1 becomes “1” regardless of whether all the big hits or small hits. Bit 2 in the game table state 2 is 3 for big hits (big hit for Idama Dai). For example, a big hit with a relatively large number of rounds at the time of the big hit is called a big hit of the Idama Dai. Bit 3 of the game table state 2 is a big hit 4 (a big hit of a small ball) when “1”. For example, a big hit with a relatively small number of rounds at the time of a big hit is called a big hit with an Idama small. Bit 4 of the game table state 2 is a big hit 5 (a big hit in the game) when “1”. For example, a big hit with a medium number of rounds is called a big hit. Bit 5 in the gaming machine state 2 has a big hit 6 (spare big hit) when it is “1”. Bit 6 in the gaming machine state 2 has a big hit 7 (spare big hit) when it is “1”. Bit 7 in the gaming machine state 2 has a big hit 8 (reserve big hit) when “1”. These spare jackpots are provided according to the demands of the manufacturer of P cars or the amusement hall. In other words, each of the spare jackpot bits is defined according to the characteristic specifications (number of rounds, number of short hours, etc.) such as the hit mode peculiar to the model developed by each manufacturer of P units. Is to be able to decide freely later.

  Bit 0 in the gaming machine state 3 is “big hit” and “short time” when “1”. This Bit0 becomes “1” during either big hit or short time. Bit 1 in the gaming machine state 3 is in the process of being changed when it is “1”. Bit 2 in the gaming machine state 3 is short in time when it is “1”. Bit 3 to Bit 7 in the gaming machine state 3 are reserved.

  The gaming machine error state is an error code that is occurring on the P machine 2, where there is no error when “0x00” and an error is occurring when “0x01” − “0xFF”.

<Main sequence in communication between CU and P platform>
Next, a process executed by the CPU in the CU control unit 323 and a process executed by the CPU mounted on the payout control board 17 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, with reference to FIG. 6, the processing of the connection sequence at power-on will be described. The process of the connection sequence in FIG. 6 is a process that is executed when communication is resumed after the communication between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 is normally completed. More specifically, it is executed when communication is resumed after the power of the CU 3 is turned off while the card is not inserted. A typical example is a case where the power supply is turned off after one day of business at the amusement hall is finished, and the power supply is turned on at the start of business the next day.

  First, power is turned on. When the power is turned on, communication is started after the firing motor 18 is stopped on the P stand 2 to stop the game. Thereafter, an authentication sequence is started, and information including the main chip ID and the payout chip ID is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. The CU 3 sends the received main chip ID and payout chip ID to the upper management server, asks whether the main chip ID and the payout chip ID are properly registered, and has the result returned. . If it is properly registered, an appropriate authentication result is obtained.

  After the authentication sequence, the CU 3 transmits a recovery request to the P unit 2. That is, the CU 3 requests the P unit 2 to transmit recovery information.

  In response to this, the P base 2 returns the recovery information backed up in the P base 2 (specifically, the payout control board 17) to the CU 3 as a response based on the received recovery request command (recovery response). ).

  This recovery information includes the last last transmission serial number, the last inserted card ID, and the previous card insertion time.

  Upon receiving the recovery response, the CU 3 determines whether or not the previously inserted card ID and the previous card insertion time of the recovery information match the stored card ID and the card insertion time. The CU 3 transmits a recovery detail request to the P unit 2 when the card ID and the card insertion time match. That is, the CU 3 transmits the recovery data to the P unit 2. This recovery data includes the previous last transmission serial number and the number of additional balls. At the stage where the card is not yet inserted into the CU 3 when the power is turned on, the card ID = 0 and the card insertion time = 0 on both the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side.

  In response to this, the P machine 2 executes recovery processing based on the received recovery data, and returns the recovery data backed up inside the P machine 2 (specifically, the payout control board 17) to the CU 3 as a response. (Recovery detailed response).

  This recovery data includes previous game table information, previous game information, latest game table information, and latest game information. Specifically, the previous game table information is the game table information previously notified to the CU 3 and includes information on the number of game balls, the number of fired balls, the number of balls passed through the outlet, the total number of ball balls and the number of balls counted. It is out. The “number of game balls” is the number of game balls notified to the CU 3 last time. “Number of fired balls” is the number of fired balls previously notified to CU3. The “out mouth passing ball count” is the number of out mouth passing balls notified to the CU 3 last time. The “total prize ball number” is the total prize ball number notified to the CU 3 last time. “Counting balls” is the number of counting balls notified to CU3 last time.

  The previous game information is game information notified to the CU 3 last time, and includes information on the number of game information, type information 1 to type information n, and prize ball information 1 to prize ball information n. The “number of game information” is the number (0 to n) of game information notified to the CU 3 last time. Note that n = 0 to 22 and the length is variable. “Type information 1” is the game type information 1 notified to the CU 3 last time. “Type information n” is the game type information n notified to the CU 3 last time. “Prize ball information 1” is game prize ball information 1 notified to the CU 3 last time. “Prize ball information n” is game prize ball information n notified to the CU 3 last time.

  The latest game table information is the latest game table information, and includes information on the number of game balls, the number of fired balls, the number of balls passed through the outlet, the total number of winning balls, and the number of balls counted. The latest game machine information is set to “0” when all information is not available. The “number of game balls” is the number of game balls currently held by the P stand 2. The “number of fired balls” is the number of fired balls currently held by the P stand 2. The “out mouth passing ball count” is the number of out mouth passing balls held by the current P stand 2. The “total prize ball number” is the total number of prize balls held in the current P stand 2. The “number of counting balls” is the number of counting balls currently held by the P stand 2.

  The latest game information is the game information currently held by the P platform 2 and includes information on the number of game information, type information 1 to type information n, and prize ball information 1 to prize ball information n. The “number of game information” is the number (0 to n) of game information currently held in the P table 2. Note that n = 0 to 22 and the length is variable. The “type information 1” is the game type information 1 held in the current P table 2. “Type information n” is the game type information n held by the current P unit 2. “Prize ball information 1” is game prize ball information 1 held in the current P stand 2. “Prize ball information n” is game prize ball information n held in the current P stand 2.

  The CU 3 that has received this detailed recovery response starts recovery processing from that point. This recovery process is a process for recovering the consistency of each other's data between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 and is executed not only when the power is turned on, but also when a trouble occurs and is recovered. Executed.

  The CU 3 counts up the serial number each time a command such as a recovery request is transmitted. However, it does not count up when retransmitting a command. When the P unit 2 receives a command having the same serial number as the previously received serial number, it determines that a communication failure has occurred and the CU 3 has retransmitted the command. The CU 3 backs up the serial number when the command is transmitted. Each time the P unit 2 transmits a response corresponding to the received command, it increments the serial number. However, it is not counted up when the response is retransmitted. When receiving a response with the same serial number as the previously received serial number, the CU 3 determines that a communication failure has occurred and the P base 2 has retransmitted the response. The P unit 2 backs up the serial number when the response is transmitted.

  After the authentication sequence is completed, the CU 3 transmits a recovery request command to the P unit 2 with the serial number “n”. The P base 2 counts up the serial number and returns a response of the recovery response to the CU 3 as “n + 1”. Further, the CU 3 transmits a recovery detail request command to the P unit 2 with the serial number “n + 2”. The P unit 2 counts up the serial number and returns a response of the recovery detail response to the CU 3 as “n + 3”.

  Thereafter, the CU 3 counts up the serial number to “n + 4”, and transmits a communication start request (recovery clear ON) command to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P unit 2 clears the recovery data. Then, the P platform 2 counts up the serial number to “n + 5” and returns a response to the communication start response to the CU 3. In response, CU3 clears the recovery data. Thereafter, a status information request command and a status information response response are transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P platform 2.

  The CU 3 transmits a status information request command of serial number = n + 6 to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P table 2 backs up the number of game balls, the number of added balls, the number of subtracted balls, the number of symbol stops, the number of winning prizes, and the data of the game table state. Further, the P stand 2 clears the values of the counters of the number of added balls, the number of subtracted balls, the number of symbol stops, and the number of winning prizes to zero. Then, the P platform 2 returns a response of the status information response of serial number = n + 7 to the CU3.

  The CU 3 that has received the response backs up the data on the number of game balls, the number of added balls, the number of subtracted balls, the number of symbol stops, the number of winning prizes, and the status of the game table based on the status information response. Note that the breakdown of the number of added balls is “the number of winning balls × the number of winning balls” and “the number of back balls”. The breakdown of the number of subtraction balls is “number of fired balls”.

  Thereafter, the CU3 transmits a status information request command with a serial number = n + 8 to the P unit 2, and the P unit 2 returns a response with a status information response with a serial number = n + 9 to the CU3. Each time the P unit 2 transmits a response of the status information response, it backs up the data and clears the counter. Further, the CU 3 backs up the data every time it receives a response of the status information response.

  Next, processing of the CU 3 and the P base 2 when a card is inserted will be described with reference to FIG. First, before inserting a card, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a card insertion state = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P unit 2 returns a response of the status information response including serial number = n + 1 and game prohibition to the CU3.

  Thereafter, when the card is inserted, the CU 3 outputs a command signal for taking the card to the card reader / writer, and the card reader / writer reads the information recorded on the taken card and receives the read information. For example, the card insertion process is executed.

  The CU 3 is in a card information inquiry state for a predetermined period after the card is inserted. This is because whether or not the inserted card is appropriate, whether it is a membership card registered at the game hall, or the ball server 801 is inquired for authentication such as holding ball, storage ball, card balance, etc. This means that the process of displaying the fact on the display 312 and the display on the display 54 on the P platform 2 side is being executed.

  Since the CU 3 does not authenticate the inserted card while displaying that the inserted card is being inquired on the display 312, the status information request including the serial number = n + 2 and the card insertion state = OFF is issued. A command is transmitted to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P unit 2 returns a response of the status information response including serial number = n + 3 and game prohibition to the CU3. The display 54 on the P platform 2 side is controlled by the display control unit 350 of the CU 3 to display that the card is being inquired.

  Thereafter, when the inserted card is authenticated, the CU 3 transmits a card insertion notification command including a serial number = n + 4, a card ID, and a card insertion time to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P table 2 backs up the received card ID and card insertion time data to the RAM of the payout control unit 171 and returns a response of the card insertion response including the serial number = n + 5 to the CU3. Also in CU3, the card ID of the inserted card is stored in the RAM or the like of the CU control unit 323.

  In response to this, the CU 3 sends a status information request command including a serial number = n + 6 and a card insertion state = ON to the P unit 2 to notify the P unit 2 of the card insertion status. The P table 2 receives the notification that the card is being inserted, permits the game, and returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 7 and the game permission to the CU 3.

  While the card is being inserted, CU3 sends a status information request command including serial number = n + 8 and card insertion status = ON to P-unit 2, and P-unit 2 sends a response of status information response including serial number = n + 9 and game permission. Reply to CU3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a process for lending a game ball from the prepaid balance of the inserted card will be described. That is, a process when the prepaid balance recorded on the inserted card is consumed will be described. In the process of FIG. 8, the current number of game balls is “50” balls. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a game ball addition request = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P platform 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1 and the number of game balls = 50 to the CU3.

  Thereafter, when the player performs a lending operation (ball lending operation) in which the “lending” button is pressed once, CU3 lends 500 yen, that is, 125 balls. When the ball lending button (lending button) 321 is pressed, the CU 3 confirms prepaid consumption for 500 yen, and the number of game balls = 50 (number of game balls before update) +125 (number of added balls) = 175. Back up your data. In this way, the balance consumption is determined by the CU 3 alone when the lending operation is performed. Thereafter, CU3 is in the display of addition. During this addition display, the display unit 54 is displayed that 125 balls are withdrawn from the balance and are being added to the game balls.

  Next, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including the serial number = n + 2, the game ball addition request = ON, and the number of addition balls = 125 to the P unit 2. In response, P 2 updates the number of game balls to the number of game balls = 50 (current number of game balls) +125 (number of additional balls) = 175, serial number = n + 3, number of additional balls = 175, game balls. A response of the status information response including the addition result = OK is returned to CU3.

  Thereafter, CU3 sends a status information request command including serial number = n + 4 and game ball addition request = OFF to P unit 2, and P unit 2 returns a status information response including serial number = n + 5 and the number of additional balls = 175. A response is returned to CU3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the process of replaying after paying out the balls and paying out the balls will be described. In FIG. 9, the initial number of game balls is “50” balls. The replay process in FIG. 15 is similar to the process at the time of balance consumption shown in FIG. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a game ball addition request = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P platform 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1 and the number of game balls = 50 to the CU3.

  Thereafter, when the player presses the replay button 319 in a state where there is a ball or a storage ball, the CU 3 confirms the consumption of 125 balls from the ball or the storage ball, updates the number of game balls, Data of number = 50 (number of game balls before update) +125 (number of added balls) = 175 is backed up. In this way, the consumption of the holding balls or the stored balls is determined by the CU 3 alone when the operation of pressing the replay button 319 is performed. In addition, when both the holding ball and the storage ball exist, consumption of the holding ball is given priority.

  In place of the control to prioritize the holding ball, a storage ball replay button and a holding ball replay button are provided, and the player can select and operate either the storage ball consumption or the holding ball consumption by operating the selection. You may do it. In other words, the replay button is used to obtain a game ball (game point) from a stored ball (stored medal) and a game ball (game point) from a stored ball (stored medal) replay button. You may comprise two with a holding ball (pointing) replay button. In addition, a holding ball payout button may be provided in CU3, and the holding ball payout button may be pressed to convert from a holding ball (a point) to a game ball (a game point).

  Thereafter, the CU 3 displays the addition of the game balls, and transmits a status information request command including the serial number = n + 2, the game ball addition request = ON, and the number of added balls = 125 to the P unit 2. In response, P 2 updates the number of game balls to the number of game balls = 50 (current number of game balls) +125 (number of additional balls) = 175, serial number = n + 3, number of additional balls = 175, game balls. A response of the status information response including the addition result = OK is returned to CU3.

  Note that CU3 indicates that the game ball is being added by displaying on the display 54 that 125 balls are being dropped from the holding ball or the stored ball and being added to the game ball.

  Thereafter, CU3 sends a status information request command including serial number = n + 4 and game ball addition request = OFF to P unit 2, and P unit 2 returns a status information response including serial number = n + 5 and the number of additional balls = 175. A response is returned to CU3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the jackpot process during the game will be described. In FIG. 10, the number of balls “500” specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or the like) is all converted into game balls, and the initial number of game balls is “500”. Suppose that

  First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a card insertion state = ON to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P table 2 notifies the CU 3 of the game table information, so that the serial number = n + 1, the big hit = OFF, the number of game balls = 490, the number of added balls = 3, the number of subtracted balls = 13 The response of the response is returned to CU3. In response to the notification from the P-unit 2, the CU 3 backs up the data of the number of game balls = 490, the total number of added balls = + 3, and the total number of subtracted balls = + 13.

  Thereafter, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n + 2 and a card insertion state = ON to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P stand 2 returns a response of the state information response including the serial number = n + 3, the big hit = OFF, the number of game balls = 480, the number of added balls = 0, the number of subtracted balls = 10 to the CU3. Although not shown, the CU 3 receives the notification from the P stand 2 and backs up the data of the number of game balls = 480, the total number of added balls = + 0, and the total number of subtracted balls = + 10.

  Thereafter, a big hit occurs at the P stand 2. After the big hit occurs, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n + 4 and a card insertion state = ON to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P stand 2 returns a response of the state information response including the serial number = n + 5, the big hit = ON, the number of game balls = 580, the number of added balls = 120, and the number of subtracted balls = 20 to the CU3. In response to the notification from the P stand 2, the CU 3 backs up the data of the number of game balls = 580, the total number of added balls = + 120, the total number of subtracted balls = + 20, and the number of jackpots = + 1. In addition, the current cumulative number of added balls = 123 and the current cumulative number of subtracted balls = 43.

  Thereafter, the player performs a manipulation of converting the game ball into a holding ball by pressing the count button 28 once. By pressing the count button 28 once, 100 balls out of the number of game balls are counted and counted as counting balls. If the current number of game balls is “580”, the number of game balls is “480” and the count ball is “100” by pressing the count button 28 once.

  Immediately after an operation of briefly pressing the count button 28 once, the CU 3 transmits a command for a status information request including serial number = n + 6 and count ball reception = OFF to the P base 2.

  In response to this, in order to notify the CU 3 that the number of gaming balls = 480 and the number of counting balls = 100, the P stand 2 has a serial number = n + 7, the number of gaming balls = 480, the number of counting balls = 100, and counting = A status information response including ON is returned to CU3. In response to the response of the state information response, CU3 adds the counted number of balls (100 balls) to the number of balls (0 ball) and updates the number of balls to 100, and the number of game balls = 580 (game balls before update) Number) −100 (number of balls counted) = 480.

  Furthermore, CU3 has 100 balls by counting operation, and further, the number of balls acquired in this game (= added ball total “123” balls−subtracted ball total “40” balls, or the current number of game balls) Since “580” balls + current number of held balls “0” balls—number of balls held at the start of the game “500” balls) = + 80 balls are positive, dollar box display on the display 312 is started. In the dollar box display, in order to match the conventional act of transferring the balls acquired by the player to the dollar box and stacking the dollar boxes, the counting operation is performed so that the number of holding balls is zero or more. It is executed when the number of balls acquired in the game becomes positive. Specifically, the dollar box display expresses an image in which 1000 balls are put in one dollar box, balls are filled in order from the lower dollar box, and the dollar box is stacked. In addition, when the player converts from a possession ball to a game ball, the dollar box display is displayed by reducing the number of balls from the dollar box by the number of balls converted to a game ball.

  Note that the dollar box display is not limited to the condition displayed when the number of possessed balls is 0 or more and the number of balls acquired in this game is positive, for example, acquired in this game The condition may be changed, such as displaying when the number of balls over 1000 balls. Also, the dollar box display may be displayed when the number of balls acquired in the current game is positive, regardless of the number of balls held. Furthermore, the means for displaying the number of balls and the number of balls acquired in the current game is not limited to the dollar box display, and the number of balls may be digitally displayed on the display 312. Further, instead of or in addition to the display 312, the display may be displayed on the display 54, or a dedicated display may be provided separately for display.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the return process of a membership card, a general balance card, and a general possession card will be described. In FIG. 11, the number of balls specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or the like) is “0” balls, and the initial number of game balls is “200” balls. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n and counting ball reception = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P stand 2 returns a response of the state information response including the serial number = n + 1, the number of game balls = 200, the number of counting balls = 0, and counting = OFF to the CU3.

  Thereafter, the player performs an operation of converting the game ball into a holding ball by long-pressing the count button 28 (an operation of pressing the button for 1 second or longer). By long-pressing the count button 28, 100 balls out of the number of game balls are counted and counted as counting balls in one command / response period (200 ms). When the initial number of game balls is “200”, the number of game balls is “100” and the counting ball is “100” in one command / response period.

  However, in the counting display performed on the display 54, the number of game balls and the number of counting balls are not instantaneously changed to such numbers, but the game balls are gradually counted and decreased. The effect is such that the ball is gradually increased. For this reason, until the counting display is completed, the number of game balls and the number of points on display on the display 54 do not match the number of game balls and points on the memory on the CU side and the P side.

  However, instead of such control, the counting status (conversion status) of the points on the display may be synchronized with the actual data conversion processing. In this case, since the data counting process (conversion process) can be completed immediately, the counting display (conversion display) synchronized therewith also ends immediately. In this case, it may not be possible to sufficiently notify the player that the data has been counted. Therefore, while displaying the count, the display may be switched from the middle to the display “Counting is completed”. In this case, the card return operation may be validated from the stage when the display of “counting has been completed” is started.

  Immediately after the operation of long-pressing the count button 28 is performed, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n + 2 and count ball reception = OFF to the P platform 2.

  In response to this, in order to notify the CU 3 that the number of gaming balls = 100 and the number of counting balls = 100, the P stand 2 has a serial number = n + 3, the number of gaming balls = 100, the number of counting balls = 100, and counting = A status information response including ON is returned to CU3. In response to the response of the state information response, CU3 adds the counted number of balls (100 balls) to the number of balls (0 ball) and updates it to the number of balls = 100, and the number of game balls = 200 (game balls before update) Number) −100 (the number of counting balls) = 100 data is backed up.

  In response to the response of the state information response, the CU 3 performs display for counting 100 game balls in succession to the display for counting the previous 100 game balls.

  Thereafter, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n + 4 and counting ball reception = ON to the P base 2. The reason why the counting ball reception = ON is to notify the P stand 2 of the reception of the counting ball in response to the response of the previous status information response.

  In order to notify the CU 3 that the number of game balls = 0 and the number of count balls = 100, the P table 2 that is long-pressing the count button 28 has a serial number = n + 5, the number of game balls = 0, the number of count balls = 100, A response of a status information response including ON during counting = ON is returned to CU3. Upon receiving the response to the status information response, CU3 adds the counted number of balls (100 balls) to the number of balls (100 balls) and updates the number of balls to 200, and the number of game balls = 100 (game balls before update) Number) −100 (number of balls) = 0.

  In response to the response of the state information response, the CU 3 performs display for counting 100 game balls in succession to the display for counting the previous 100 game balls.

  As the count display progresses, the number of game balls on the display on the display 54 eventually becomes zero. The player confirms that the number of game balls has become 0 and releases the counting button 28. By releasing the count button 28, the operation of converting the game ball into a holding ball is completed.

  Thereafter, the player performs an operation of pressing the return button 322. The CU 3 transmits a card return notification command including a serial number = n + 6 to the P unit 2 by performing an operation in which the player presses the return button 322. In response to this, the P platform 2 returns a response of the card return response including the serial number = n + 7, the card ID held on the payout control board 17 and the card insertion time to the CU 3.

  In response, the CU 3 compares the returned card ID and card insertion time with the card ID and card insertion time stored at the time of card insertion, and determines whether or not they match. . On the condition that they match, the card inserted in the card insertion / discharge slot 309 is returned to the player. At that time, the CU 3 transmits the card ID of the card and the data of the number of balls to the hall server 801, and the hall server 801 stores the data of the number of balls in association with the card ID of the card. If they do not match, an error is determined and error processing is executed. As the error processing, for example, control for prohibiting the return of the card in accordance with the return operation is performed to hold the card inside the CU 3, or the writing process to the holding card is prohibited. Furthermore, an error notification by an abnormality notification lamp or the like, notification of occurrence of abnormality to the hall server 801, and the like are performed. Note that when the card is returned, the hall server 801 controls the number of balls to be recorded and discharged on the card instead of storing the number of balls in association with the card ID of the card. Also good.

  Thereafter, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n + 8 and a card insertion state = OFF to the P unit 2. When receiving the state information response including the card insertion state = OFF, the P base 2 clears the card ID and the card insertion time data held in the payout control board 17. In response to this, the P stand 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 9, the number of game balls = 0, the number of balls to be counted = 0, and the counting in progress = OFF to the CU3.

<Combination of game system configurations>
As shown in FIG. 2, the game system configuration described above is provided with the counting button 28 on the P stand 2, and the holding balls are not managed by the P stand 2, but are managed by the CU 3, while the game balls are mainly managed. P display 2 is performed, displays 54 and 312 are provided on P table 2 and CU3, display control unit 350 is provided only on CU3, and display control of displays 54 and 312 is performed on the CU3 side. However, the gaming system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, as another game system configuration, the counting button 28 is provided on the P stand 2, the management of the game balls and holding balls is not performed on the P stand 2, but is performed on the CU 3, and the display is provided on the P stand 2 and the CU 3. The display control unit 350 may be provided only on the P base 2 and display control of the display may be performed on the P base 2 side. Many other combinations of gaming system configurations exist. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a combination example of the configuration of such a gaming system.

  The configuration of the gaming system shown in FIG. 8, and the structure of another game system described above is the combination No. 1 shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 12, 63 combinations of game system configurations are described. However, no. 23 to No. No. 41, no. 44 to No. Combinations up to 62 are no. 2 to No. Since the column of the counting buttons of up to 20 combinations can be replaced with CU and P units, the description is omitted.

  It should be noted that the significance of whether the ball management (management of the ball and management of the game ball) is performed by the CU or the P platform is, in part, the storage of the ball data. . For example, in the case of a gaming system in which the holding balls are stored only by the CU and the gaming balls are stored only by the P units, the management of the holding balls is the CU and the management of the gaming balls is the P unit.

  Alternatively, the significance of whether the ball management (management of the ball, management of the game ball) is performed by the CU or the P stand is that the ball data is stored in both the CU and the P stand, When there is a difference between the two data, which data is used to correct the data. For example, in the case of the gaming system shown in FIG. 3, the game balls are stored in both the CU and the P units, but when there is a difference between the data of both, the game is based on the data on the P unit side. Correct the ball. In this case, the management of game balls is P units.

  In FIG. 12, all possible combinations are listed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and unnecessary combinations may be deleted according to the technical idea disclosed in the present embodiment. For example, in the case where it is a technical idea that the CU 3 needs to display and control the game balls, the “display control” field is limited to “CU” only.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the content of the holding ball and the game ball are made different from each other, but they may be made into one common value data without being distinguished from each other. For example, common value data is specified by the card itself, the common value data is withdrawn and transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2, and the P unit 2 that receives it stores it as common value data, and the progress of the game The common value data may be updated according to the control, and the finally updated common value data may be recorded on the card and discharged at the end of the game. The “common value data”, “mochitama”, and “game ball” are collectively referred to as “score”.

<Commands and responses sent and received between the CU control unit and the SC>
Next, communication within the CU 3 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In particular, communication between the CU control unit 323 and the security chip (SC) 325b of the security board 325 will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, an outline of commands and responses transmitted and received between the CU control unit 323 and the security chip (SC) 325b will be described.

  13 and 14 show the transmission direction, whether the data to be transmitted is a command or a response, the name of transmission information, and its outline.

  First, a command named board connection request is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This board connection request command requests the SC 325b to connect to a gaming machine (P 2). A response named “substrate connection response” is transmitted from the SC 325 b to the CU control unit 323. This response to the board connection response notifies the CU control unit 323 of a response to the board connection request.

  A board shipment key request command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This board shipment key request command requests the board 325b for a board shipment key. A response of the board shipment key response is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board shipment key response is to notify the CU control unit 323 of the board shipment key.

  A board manufacturer code authentication request 1 command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. The board manufacturer code is a code that identifies the manufacturer that manufactured the security board 325, and is stored in the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b. The board manufacturer code authentication request 1 command requests the SC 325b to authenticate the board manufacturer code. A response of the board manufacturer code authentication response 1 is transmitted from the SC 325 b to the CU control unit 323. This response of the board manufacturer code authentication response 1 notifies the CU control unit 323 of the authentication information of the board serial ID.

  A board manufacturer code authentication request 2 command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This command of the board manufacturer code authentication request 2 requests the SC 325b to authenticate the board serial ID. A response of the board manufacturer code authentication response 2 is transmitted from the SC 325 b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board manufacturer code authentication response 2 is to notify the CU control unit 323 of board manufacturer code authentication information.

  A command of the board serial ID authentication request 1 is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This command of the board serial ID authentication request 1 requests the SC 325b to authenticate the board serial ID. A response of the board serial ID authentication response 1 is transmitted from the SC 325 b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board serial ID authentication response 1 notifies the CU control unit 323 of the board serial ID authentication information.

  A command of the board serial ID authentication request 2 is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. The command of the board serial ID authentication request 2 requests the SC 325b to authenticate the board serial ID. A response of the board serial ID authentication response 2 is transmitted from the SC 325 b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board serial ID authentication response 2 is to notify the CU control unit 323 of board serial ID authentication information.

  The command of the board initial key authentication request 1 is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. The command of the board initial key authentication request 1 requests the SC 325b to authenticate the board initial key. A response of the board initial key authentication response 1 is transmitted from the SC 325 b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board initial key authentication response 1 notifies the CU control unit 323 of the board initial key authentication result.

  The command of the board initial key authentication request 2 is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. The board initial key authentication request 2 command requests the SC 325b to authenticate the board initial key. A response of the board initial key authentication response 2 is transmitted from the SC 325 b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board initial key authentication response 2 notifies the CU control unit 323 of the board initial key authentication result.

  The command of the board authentication key authentication request 1 is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. The command of the board authentication key authentication request 1 requests the SC 325b to authenticate the board authentication key. The response of the board authentication key authentication response 1 is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. This response of the board authentication key authentication response 1 notifies the CU control unit 323 of the authentication result of the board authentication key.

  The command of the board authentication key authentication request 2 is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. The command of the board authentication key authentication request 2 requests the SC 325b to authenticate the board authentication key. A response of the board authentication key authentication response 2 is transmitted from the SC 325 b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board authentication key authentication response 2 notifies the CU control unit 323 of the authentication result of the board authentication key.

  A command for board shipment key authentication request 1 is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. The command of the board shipping key authentication request 1 requests the SC 325b to authenticate the board shipping key. The response of the board authentication key authentication response 1 is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board shipping key authentication response 1 is to notify the CU control unit 323 of the board shipping key authentication result.

  A command of board shipment key authentication request 2 is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. The command of the board shipping key authentication request 2 is for requesting the board 325b to authenticate the board shipping key. A response of the board shipping key authentication response 2 is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board shipping key authentication response 2 is to notify the CU control unit 323 of the board shipping key authentication result.

  A version information notification command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This version information notification command notifies the SC 325b of the version of the board authentication key. A version information response is transmitted from the SC 325 b to the CU control unit 323. The response of this version information response notifies the CU control unit 323 that the version information has been received.

  A board authentication result notification command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This board authentication result notification command notifies the SC 325b of the authentication result between the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b. A response of the board authentication result response is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the board authentication result response is to notify the CU control unit 323 of the authentication result between the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b.

  A security board inquiry instruction notification command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This security board inquiry instruction notification command requests security board inquiry information from the SC 325b. A response of the security board inquiry result is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the security board inquiry result notifies the CU control unit 323 of the security board inquiry information.

  A security board information notification command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This security board information notification command notifies the security board information to the SC 325b. A response of the security board information result is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the security board information result notifies the CU control unit 323 that the security board information has been received.

  A counter information request command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This counter information request command requests counter information from the SC 325b. A response of a counter information response is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. This response of the counter information response notifies the CU control unit 323 of the counter information.

  A communication key request command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This communication key request command requests the SC 325b for a communication key. A response of the communication key response is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. This response of the communication key response notifies the CU control unit 323 of the communication key.

  A gaming machine chip inquiry instruction notification command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This gaming machine chip inquiry instruction notification command requests inquiry information about gaming machine chips from the SC 325b. A response of the gaming machine chip inquiry result is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the gaming machine chip inquiry result notifies the CU control unit 323 of inquiry information of gaming machine chips.

  A gaming machine chip information notification command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. The gaming machine chip information notification command notifies the SC 325b of the result of checking the gaming machine chip information. A response of the gaming machine chip information result is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the gaming machine chip information result notifies the CU control unit 323 that the gaming machine chip collation result has been received.

  A substrate state request command is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC 325b. This command for requesting the substrate status is for requesting the substrate status to the SC 325b. A response of the substrate state response is transmitted from the SC 325b to the CU control unit 323. The response of the substrate state response notifies the CU control unit 323 of the substrate state.

<Main sequence in communication between CU control unit and SC>
Next, a process executed by the CPU in the CU control unit 323 and a process executed by the security chip (SC) 325b will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, with reference to FIG. 15, a description will be given of the startup process when the CU control unit 323 is turned on and the hall is installed. FIG. 15 shows a sequence when the power supply is first turned on after the CU 3 is installed in the game arcade, and in particular, a startup sequence at the time of hall installation using the board initial key will be described.

  First, when the power of the CU3 is turned on, the CU control unit 323 and the SC325b are activated. When the CU 3 is installed in the amusement hall and the power is first turned on, the CU control unit 323 receives the board initial key A, the board initial key A MAC key from the host device (specifically, from the hall server 801), Obtain an effective key (for commercial / P shipment). Here, the board initial key A is an encryption key that is downloaded from the hall server 801 and stored in the CU control unit 323 when first communicating with the host device after being delivered to the amusement hall, and is installed in the key management center. The encryption key is used for communication between the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b until the board information (board serial ID and board authentication key) stored in the key management server 800 is acquired. The board initial key A is decrypted using the board manufacturer code, while the MAC key of the board initial key A is similarly decrypted using the board manufacturer code. Such decryption is performed by a decryption method conforming to the AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption method.

  Thereafter, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b execute a board manufacturer code authentication sequence, a board initial key authentication sequence, and a security board information inquiry sequence.

  The board manufacturer code authentication sequence authenticates the board manufacturer code between the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b using a challenge / response method. After processing the board manufacturer code authentication sequence, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b perform the board initial key authentication sequence using the board initial key acquired from the hall server 801 as the encryption key, and authenticate when the board initial key authentication is completed. It becomes OK. Detailed processing of the board initial key authentication sequence will be described later.

  Thereafter, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b use the board initial key acquired from the hall server 801 as the encryption key, perform a security board information inquiry sequence, and acquire OK when the security board information can be acquired. The security board information is acquired from the key management server 800 of the key management center and includes a board serial ID, a board authentication key, and the like. Details of the security board information inquiry sequence will be described later. The board authentication key is an encryption key that is downloaded from the key management server 800 installed in the key management center and used for communication between the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b. The key management server 800 stores a board authentication key in association with a board serial number or the like.

  When the security board information can be acquired by the security board information inquiry sequence, the SC 325b performs authentication with the communication control IC 325a.

  Thereafter, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b use the board initial key acquired from the hall server 801 as an encryption key, perform a communication key exchange sequence, and exchange communication keys for business message communication.

  Thereafter, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b use the substrate initial key as the encryption key, perform a communication key exchange sequence, and generate a communication key. In the communication key exchange sequence, the substrate authentication key is used as the encryption key when the substrate information can be acquired in the substrate information acquisition sequence. However, when the substrate information cannot be acquired, the substrate initial key is used as the encryption key for a limited time. Specifically, the communication key is generated using a random number and current time data. The method for generating this communication key (session key) is not limited to random number and current time data, but any variable data other than the key used for mutual authentication between encrypted communication devices can be used. Also good. Note that the communication key exchange sequence is for exchanging a key (communication key) used for encryption communication with a gaming machine in order to enable gaming by the gaming machine, and detailed processing will be described later.

  When the communication key can be generated by the communication key exchange sequence, the SC 325b acquires the gaming machine chip information from the communication control IC 325a.

  Thereafter, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b use the communication key acquired from the communication key exchange sequence as the encryption key, perform a gaming machine chip information inquiry sequence, and inquire / notify gaming machine chip information. The gaming machine chip information includes a main control chip number and a payout control chip number. Detailed processing of the gaming machine chip information authentication sequence will be described later.

  By performing the above processing, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b can perform business message communication with the gaming machine. By performing business telegram communication with this gaming machine, gaming can be performed on the gaming machine. The business message communication with the gaming machine is operated using a communication key (session key). The communication at this time is time-limited communication as described above, and is allowed only for a certain period (for example, 2 days). The communication mode performed through the above processing is the restricted communication mode (substrate initial key mode (substrate initial key operation)). If a certain period of time (for example, 2 days) is exceeded in this timed operation, the temporary operation is stopped and the fact that the operation has been exceeded is transferred from the SC 325b to the key management server 800 via the CU control unit 323 and hall server 801. Be notified.

  Thereafter, the CU 3 makes a recovery request to the P unit 2, and the P unit 2 sends a response (recovery response) of the recovery response including the previous last transmission serial number, the previously inserted card ID, and the previous card insertion time to the CU 3. Send back.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 16, the process of turning on the power and normal startup of the CU control unit 323 will be described. FIG. 16 shows a sequence when the power is normally turned on after the CU 3 is installed in the game hall, and in particular, a startup sequence using the board authentication key will be described.

  First, when the power of the CU3 is turned on, the CU control unit 323 and the SC325b are activated. When the power supply is first turned on after the CU3 is installed in the amusement hall, the CU control unit 323 receives the board serial ID key from the host device (specifically, from the key management server 800 via the hall server 801). The board authentication key version, the board authentication key A, and the MAC key of the board authentication key A are acquired. The board serial ID key is decrypted using the board initial key, the board initial key A is decrypted using the board serial ID, and the MAC key of the board initial key A is similarly decrypted using the board serial ID. Is done. Such decryption is performed by a decryption method according to the AES encryption method.

  Thereafter, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b execute a board manufacturer code authentication sequence, a board authentication key authentication sequence, and a security board information inquiry sequence.

  The board manufacturer code authentication sequence authenticates the board manufacturer code between the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b using a challenge / response method. After processing the board manufacturer code authentication sequence, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b perform the board authentication key authentication sequence using the board authentication key acquired from the key management server 800 as the encryption key. Detailed processing of the board authentication key authentication sequence will be described later.

  Thereafter, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b perform the security board information inquiry sequence using the board authentication key acquired from the key management server 800 as the encryption key only when the key is updated.

  The SC 325b executes authentication with the communication control IC 325a when the board authentication key can be authenticated by the board authentication key authentication sequence and there is no key update, or when there is a key update and authentication can be performed by the security board information inquiry sequence. .

  Thereafter, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b use the board authentication key as the encryption key, perform a communication key exchange sequence, and generate a communication key. Specifically, the communication key is generated using a random number and current time data. The method for generating this communication key (session key) is not limited to random number and current time data, but any variable data other than the key used for mutual authentication between encrypted communication devices can be used. Also good. Note that the communication key exchange sequence is for exchanging a key (communication key) used for encryption communication with a gaming machine in order to enable gaming by the gaming machine, and detailed processing will be described later.

  When the communication key can be generated by the communication key exchange sequence, the SC 325b further acquires gaming machine chip information from the communication control IC 325a.

  Thereafter, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b use the communication key acquired from the communication key exchange sequence as the encryption key, perform a gaming machine chip information inquiry sequence, and inquire / notify gaming machine chip information. The gaming machine chip information includes a main control chip number and a payout control chip number. Detailed processing of the gaming machine chip information authentication sequence will be described later.

By performing the above processing, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b can perform business message communication with the gaming machine. By performing business telegram communication with this gaming machine, gaming can be performed on the gaming machine. A communication key (session key) is used for business message communication with this gaming machine. Communication at this time is the normal communication mode without restriction as limitations communication mode is operated through the processing of FIG. 15 (substrate authentication key mode (substrate authentication key operation)).

Next, the processing of the gaming machine chip information inquiry sequence will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the CU control unit 323 transmits a gaming machine chip inquiry instruction notification command for inquiring gaming machine chip information to the SC 325b. Note that the gaming machine chip inquiry instruction notification command to be transmitted does not have to be encrypted, but when encrypted, a communication key is used as the encryption key.

  On the other hand, the SC 325b acquires gaming machine chip information from the communication control IC. Thereafter, the SC 325b that has received the gaming machine chip inquiry instruction notification command has completed the acquisition of the gaming machine chip information, so the response of the gaming machine chip inquiry result including the information of gaming machine chip inquiry result = OK is CU controlled. Reply to part 323. Note that the response of the returned gaming machine chip inquiry result is encrypted using the communication key as the encryption key. The gaming machine chip information includes a main control chip number, a payout control chip number, and the like.

  Thereafter, when receiving the response of the returned gaming machine chip inquiry result, the CU control unit 323 sends the main control chip number and the payout to the higher-level device (see the key management server 800 or the hall server 801: FIG. 18 and FIG. 19). Queries gaming machine chip information including the control chip number and waits for a response from the host device. During the gaming machine chip information inquiry, the CU control unit 323 and the SC 325b execute the processing of the next step (business message processing with the gaming machine) without receiving a response from the host device. Since it takes time (for example, about 2 hours) to inquire about gaming machine chip information, the operation of the gaming machine cannot be stopped during that time, so the next step processing is not performed without a response from the host device. (Business message processing with game machine) is executed. During the gaming machine chip information inquiry, even if a reset operation is performed, the gaming machine chip inquiry instruction notification request is not issued again.

  After that, when receiving the matching result of the gaming machine chip information from the host device, the CU control unit 323 notifies the SC 325b of the matching result. Specifically, the CU control unit 323 transmits a gaming machine chip information notification command including a matching result to the SC 325b. Note that the gaming machine chip verification result notification command to be transmitted is encrypted using the communication key as the encryption key.

  After receiving the gaming machine chip information notification command, the SC 325b returns a response of the gaming machine chip information result to notify the CU control unit 323 of the gaming machine manufacturer code and model code when the collation result is OK. Note that the response of the gaming machine chip information result to be returned is encrypted using the communication key as the encryption key.

  At the same time, the CU control unit 323 obtains an authentication log such as a gaming machine chip information inquiry and a gaming machine chip information collation result included in the gaming machine chip information result from the SC 325b.

<System including hall management computer>
Next, in a game hall where a plurality of gaming machines are installed, a hall control 900 is provided separately from the hall server 801 in order to manage the appearance of each gaming machine. FIG. 18 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the hall server 801 and hall control 900 connected to the P platform 2 and the CU 3.

  The data output format of the P unit 2 differs depending on the gaming machine manufacturer. Therefore, the CU 3 calculates (converts) the output data of various formats into a predetermined format, and outputs it to the hall control 900 via the terminal device 901. Setting data for the calculation (conversion) is input to the CU control unit 323 and stored therein.

  Further, the data reception format of the hall control 900 differs depending on the hall control manufacturer. Accordingly, the hall control 900 shown in FIG. 18 is connected to the CU 3 via the base terminal device 901. The terminal device 901 converts the format of the output data from the CU 3 into a format that matches various Hallcons 900 and transmits the format to the Hallcons 900. It should be noted that the management of the P number 2 by the hall control 900 is set in the hall control 900 in association with the terminal device 901. Specifically, the hall control 900 has a built-in CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, and the COU responds to the operation of the capacity and the like as the unit number management data of the unit number of the P unit 2 and the unit terminal device. The number 901 is associated with and stored in the EEPROM. Serial communication is performed between the P base 2 and the CU 3, and parallel communication output from a plurality of output pins of the CU 3 is performed between the CU 3 and the base terminal apparatus 901. Serial communication is performed between the two.

  However, it is not necessary to interpose the base terminal device 901 by providing the CU 3 or the hall control 900 with a function of converting to a format that matches various hall control 900s.

  Next, a configuration in which the hall control 900 is directly connected to the hall server 801 will be described. FIG. 19 is a block diagram for explaining another configuration of the hall server 801 and hall controller 900 connected to the P platform 2 and the CU 3.

  The hall controller 900 is directly connected to the hall server 801 so that the information managed by the hall controller can be transmitted to the hall controller 900 via the hall server 801. A plurality of CUs 3 are connected to the hall server 801, and the hall server 801 collects output signals from the plurality of CUs 3 and transmits them to the hall control 900. In this case, the hall server 801 is responsible for the function of the terminal device 901 that converts to a format that matches the various hallcons 900 and transmits the format to the hallcon 900. Note that the CU 3 may be responsible for all the functions of the terminal device 901 that converts the data into a predetermined format and transmits it to the hall control 900, and performs the role sharing such as which information is to be converted between the hall server 801 and the CU 3. You may control to. Further, when the hall server 801 collects output signals from a plurality of CUs 3 and transmits them to the hall control 900, the contents of the information to be sent may be sent as gathered information. For example, when the hall server 801 periodically transmits signals received from a plurality of CUs 3 (for example, every 10 seconds) to the hall control 900, the information of all the CUs 3 received during the 10 seconds is collected into the hall. Send to Con 900.

  The hall server 801 must be connected to the CU 3 for managing the possession balls and storage balls. As shown in FIG. 19, the hall server 801 collectively transmits information from the plurality of CUs 3 to the hall control 900. In this case, the existing wiring from the plurality of CUs 3 to the hall server 801 can be used effectively, and it is sufficient to newly install only the wiring connecting the hall server 801 and the hall control 900, and the number of wirings can be reduced. . In addition, when game information from each gaming machine is collectively output to the hall control 900 by, for example, the island terminal device, it is necessary to collect the gaming information for each island where the gaming machine is installed. However, in the case of FIG. 19, it is not necessary to collect each gaming machine installation island, and there is no restriction on the installation layout of gaming machines. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the layout of the gaming machine island.

  In FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the machine number may be managed by the hall control 900 in association with the holder ID which is the ID stored in the attachment frame (holder) for attaching and installing the CU 3. Even if the CU 3 is replaced with a new one, the mounting frame (holder) itself is not replaced, and the previous one is used continuously. When managing the unit number with the hall control 900 in association with the holder ID, when the unit number is replaced with the P unit 2 having a new unit number, the CU 3 uses the unit number of the P unit 2 and the mounting frame (holder). Is transmitted to the hall control 900 (in the case of FIG. 19, it is transmitted to the hall control 900 via the hall server 801). The CPU of the hall control 900 that has received it associates the number of the P table 2 with the holder ID and stores it in the EEPROM. Note that a staff member may manually input the machine number and holder ID of the P machine 2 to the hall control 900. The hall server 801 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output interface, and receives information transmitted from the CU 3 through the input / output interface. In the case of FIG. 19, the received information is output from the input / output interface and transmitted to the hall control 900 under the control of the CPU.

  Another management method may be as follows. As described with reference to FIG. 17, ID data such as the main chip ID and payout control chip ID of the P unit 2 is transmitted to the key management server 800 via the CU 3 and the hall server 801. Also, when the board is replaced and replaced with a new main control board 16, ID data such as the main chip ID of the P unit 2 is transmitted to the key management server 800 via the CU 3 and the hall server 801. Therefore, the hall server 801 can acquire the main chip ID and transmit it to the hall controller 900 during transmission to the key management server 800.

  Therefore, in the system shown in FIG. 19, the hall server 801 transmits the transmitted main chip ID to the hall control 900, and the gaming machine table number is managed by the hall chip 900 based on the main chip ID data. When the base is replaced (board exchange), for example, the CU 3 receives the ID data such as the main chip ID after the base exchange (board exchange) and the ID data such as the main chip ID before the base exchange (board exchange). The data is transmitted to the hall control 900, and the CPU of the hall control 900 updates the ID data stored in the EEPROM in association with the gaming machine number to the ID data after the base exchange (board exchange). Similarly, in the system of FIG. 18, the CU 3 also transmits ID data such as the main chip ID of the P stand 2 to the hall control 900 so that the hall control 900 performs ID number management using the ID data. It may be. Specifically, in FIGS. 18 and 19, the CPU of the hall control 900 receives the main chip ID and the security board ID data sent from the P base 2, and associates the ID data with the P base 2. Are stored in the EEPROM of the hall control 900 to manage the number.

  Further, in the system shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the hall control 900 stores management data of the gaming machine table number that stores the model of the gaming machine in association with the gaming machine table number, and based on the management data Control may be performed so that card units corresponding to gaming machines of the same model are indexed, and setting data for calculating (converting) into a predetermined format is downloaded to the batch CU 3 and set collectively. Specific examples of the “predetermined format” include, for example, the assignment of the output pins of each bit in the gaming state 2 and the gaming state 3 shown in FIG. 5, the output length of the signal, and one bit 1 and two bits. A format in which the output pins are collectively converted as Bit1 + Bit2 → 1 pin output may be used. In addition, with respect to each of the spare jackpot bits of Bits 5 to 7 in the gaming state 2 shown in FIG. 5, characteristic specifications such as the hit mode peculiar to the model developed by each manufacturer of the P units (number of rounds and number of time reductions) Etc.), a format for setting output pin assignments, signal output lengths, and the like defined according to the above may be used. Furthermore, selection of which signal is output is also included in the “predetermined format”. For example, among Bits in the gaming state 2 and the gaming state 3 shown in FIG. 5, Bits 0 to 4 are output and Bits 5 to 7 are not output.

  In the system shown in FIG. 19, since the terminal device 901 is not interposed between the CU 3 and the hall control 900, the format of the output data from the CU 3 is converted into a format that matches the hall control 900 by the hall server 801. Send to Hallcon 900. Note that if the standards by Hallcon manufacturers are unified, format conversion in the Hall server 801 becomes unnecessary.

  The number control of the P base 2 by the hall control 900 is set in the hall control 900 in association with the holder ID stored in the holder of the CU 3, or the main chip ID sent from the P base 2 and the security board The machine number may be managed by ID or the like. Based on the unit number management data, the batch setting data may be downloaded to the CU 3 group corresponding to the P unit 2 of the same model via the hall server 801 and set collectively.

  As described above, when the game board 26 of the P table 2 is exchanged (board exchange), the main chip ID of the main control board 16 provided in the new game board 26 is assigned to the CU3, the hall server 801, and the key management server 800. Sent. Therefore, by managing the unit number of the new machine based on the main chip ID, the hall control 900 checks whether or not the setting of the machine number of the new machine has been changed based on the main chip ID, and forgetting to set it. In this case, it is possible to prevent forgetting to set by notifying.

  Next, a process for transmitting data from the CU 3 to the hall control 900 will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the transmission process of the number of added balls by the CU control unit 323. Note that the processing according to the flowchart can be applied to any of the systems shown in FIGS.

  Of the data transmitted from the CU 3 to the hall control 900, the number of balls to be added by the CU control unit 323 will be described. First, the CU control unit 323 receives information on the number of added balls from the P platform 2 as shown in FIG. 3 (step S351).

  The CU control unit 323 converts the received number of added balls into a predetermined format (for example, converts 10 added balls into a one-pulse signal), and transmits it (step S352).

  The information received in S351 may be the number of shot balls (see FIG. 5) in addition to or instead of the number of added balls. Furthermore, as another example of the information received in S351, the following may be used.

a Number of symbol determinations when the variable display device 278 is variably stopped.
b Number of winning balls in various winning gates.

c Each bit information of the game table information 2 and 3 shown in FIG.
Further, the method of converting the received number of added balls into a predetermined format and outputting the same is not limited to the conversion of the above-described ten pieces into a one-pulse signal. For example, an output method may be employed in which which type of signal is assigned to which output pin, the output length of the signal, and further, a plurality of types of signals are combined into one output pin and converted into an output. In addition, with respect to each of the reserve big hit bits of Bits 5 to 7 in the gaming state 2 shown in FIG. Etc.) may be an output method for setting output pin assignments and signal output lengths, etc. Furthermore, the “predetermined format” includes selection of which signal to output. For example, among Bits in the gaming state 2 and the gaming state 3 shown in FIG. 5, Bits 0 to 4 are output and Bits 5 to 7 are not output.

  Further, in the case of the symbol determination number of a described above, control is performed so that one pulse is output when the symbol is determined a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times). If (for example, 10 balls) wins, it may be controlled to output one pulse.

  As described above, various types of information can be considered as information to be converted into a predetermined format in S352. When the information reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10), the CU 3 cumulatively adds information periodically sent from the P unit 2 and when the added value reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10). Outputs 1 pulse and clears the cumulative addition value until then, and starts the cumulative addition of the next information. In this “clearing the cumulative addition value”, a predetermined number (for example, 10) may be subtracted from the cumulative addition value. Since this “one pulse” signal is a serial signal, it is output as data in which a specific bit indicating that the transmission information (for example, the number of added balls) is a predetermined number (for example, 10) is “1”. .

  Next, game information processing by the CU control unit 323 will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining game information processing by the CU control unit 323. Note that the processing according to the flowchart can be applied to any of the systems shown in FIGS.

  First, the CU control unit 323 determines whether or not there is an input regarding setting data for calculating (converting) the game information output from the CU 3 into a predetermined format (step S361). ). When the CU control unit 323 determines that there is an input regarding the output method from setting means such as a remote controller (step S361: YES), the bit position and the output period for the game information output from the CU 3 based on the input output method The output method such as output presence / absence and information conversion is set (step S362). On the other hand, when the CU control unit 323 determines that there is no input for the output method (step S361: NO), the process of step S362 is skipped and the previously set output method is used.

  The output method set in step S362 is for converting gaming machine information in a data output format that differs depending on the gaming machine manufacturer into a data reception format that differs depending on the hall controller manufacturer, and outputting the data to the hall controller 900. . For example, the assignment of the output pins of each bit in the gaming state 2 and the gaming state 3 shown in FIG. 5 and the output length of the signal, further, Bit1 and Bit2 are combined into one output pin and Bit1 + Bit2 → 1 pin output An output method such as conversion may be used. In addition, with respect to each of the reserve big hit bits of Bits 5 to 7 in the gaming state 2 shown in FIG. Etc.) may be an output method for setting output pin assignments and signal output lengths, etc. Further, “conversion of data reception format” includes selection of which signal to output. For example, among Bits in the gaming state 2 and the gaming state 3 shown in FIG. 5, Bits 0 to 4 are output and Bits 5 to 7 are not output. The “bit position” is an assignment of an output pin position from which output pin to output each bit of the game state 2 and the game state 3.

  It should be noted that instead of the output method input using the remote controller described above, the output method data may be downloaded from the hall control 900 and stored in the CU control unit 323. Furthermore, output method data may be downloaded from the server of the manufacturer of the P unit 2 connected to the CU 3 and stored in the CU control unit 323. As a download path in this case, it is conceivable to download output method data from the manufacturer's server to the CU control unit 323 via the key management server 800 and the hall server 801. When downloading data of the output method from the server of the manufacturer of P 2, game information that the person who designed and manufactured the P 2 is intended to output to the hall control 900 can be set in the CU 3 as intended. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to set on the game hall side.

  The CU control unit 323 determines whether or not game information (for example, game table states 2 and 3 shown in FIG. 5) has been received from the P table 2 (step S363). When the CU control unit 323 determines that no game information is received from the P-unit 2 (step S363: NO), the process ends. On the other hand, when the CU control unit 323 determines that the game information is received from the P-unit 2 (step S363: YES), the CU control unit 323 converts the received game information into the set output method (step S364). Here, since the CU control unit 323 converts the gaming information into a format that matches the hall control 900 by the set output method, the gaming machine information of the data output format that differs depending on the gaming machine manufacturer is changed to the data that differs depending on the hall control manufacturer. It can be converted into a reception format and output to the hall control 900.

  Specifically, the assignment of the output pins of each Bit in the gaming state 2 and the gaming state 3 shown in FIG. Further, the setting contents in S362 may be set so as to designate which bit data is to be displayed on the display unit 54. In this case, the bit data designated in S362 is described later in S366. Control is performed so that the data of the bit determined and specified in the above is displayed on the display unit 54. As further setting contents in S362, for example, in the gaming state 2 or the gaming state 3 shown in FIG. .

  After converting the game information, the CU control unit 323 outputs the converted game information for transmission to the hall control 900 (step S365). The CU control unit 323 determines whether or not information to be displayed on the display 312 is included in the game information received from the P table 2 (step S366). Specifically, in this determination, separately from the setting in S362, which bit information of each of the gaming state 2 and gaming state 3 shown in FIG. The input is set to the CU3 by means of, for example, and determination is made based on whether or not the bit information is set. As another method, as described above, when the setting of which bit information is to be displayed simultaneously with the setting in S362 is made, the information to be displayed is determined according to the setting.

  When it is determined that the information to be displayed on the display 312 shown in FIG. 1 is included (step S366: YES), the CU control unit 323 performs control to display game information on the display 312 (step S367). On the other hand, when the CU control unit 323 determines that the information to be displayed on the display 312 is not included (step S366: NO), the process ends. The information displayed on the display 312 may be, for example, jackpot 3 or jackpot 5 in the game table information 2, probability change or time reduction in the game table information 3.

<Slot machine>
Next, a slot machine will be described as another example of the gaming machine. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front door of the slot machine is opened. In the description so far, the slot machine is also abbreviated as “S” in the following, because the pachinko machine is abbreviated as “P”.

  The above gaming system using game balls and holding balls is also applied to the S units. However, in the S platform, the game is played without using balls, and hence the game balls will be referred to as game points and the holding balls as points.

  Referring to FIG. 22, the slot machine 2S is provided with a front door 2bS that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2aS with the left edge thereof as the center of swing. Although not shown in FIG. 22, a CU is connected to the left side of the slot machine 2S in the same manner as the P units.

  In the slot machine 2S, the number of bets is set by using game points, and the game points are added and updated in accordance with winning. For this reason, when playing a game in the slot machine 2S, a medal insertion operation is not necessary. Therefore, the slot machine 2S is not provided with a medal slot and a medal payout slot.

  Inside the casing of the slot machine 2S, reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (hereinafter also referred to as a left reel, a middle reel, and a right reel) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery are juxtaposed in a horizontal direction. Of the symbols arranged on the reels 2L, 2C and 2R, three consecutive symbols are arranged so as to be seen from the see-through window 10 provided on the front door 2bS. A plurality of types of symbols are drawn in a predetermined order on the outer peripheral portions of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R.

  A touch panel display 510 is provided in a portion surrounding each reel 2L, 2C, 2R of the front door 2bS. The display 510 is a display corresponding to the P displays 54, and displays various types of information (game points, points, etc.) of the same type as the display 54, as well as the number of bets set in the game. Is displayed. The display unit 510 is connected to the display control unit 350 of the CU in the same manner as the display unit 54 in FIG. 2 and is controlled on the CU side. The indicator 510 is not provided in a portion surrounding each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, but is provided at a lower panel portion (at a position below the start switch 7S shown in FIG. You may provide in the panel part provided with the conventional S medal payout opening.

  Further, the front door 2bS has a single BET switch 5S that is operated when setting the number of bets using “game points = 1” corresponding to one medal, and the maximum determined according to the game state. When setting the number of bets (for example, “game point = 3” in the normal game state before BB occurrence and RT (Replay Time) where the winning probability of replay is high, “game point = 2” in the bonus) The MAXBET switch 6S is operated, the start switch 7S is operated when the game is started, and the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R are respectively operated when the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped. Yes.

  When playing a game in the slot machine 2S, first, as with the P machines, after securing a game point using the adjacent CU, the number of bets is set using the game point. The game points can be obtained by withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card inserted into the CU, points, or a stored medal (corresponding to P stored balls) deposited in the game hall. In order to use the game points, the single BET switch 5S or the MAXBET switch 6S may be operated. In the present embodiment, for example, by setting the number of bets to 1, the game points are deducted by 1, and the display of the game points on the display 510 is also subtracted and updated. When the bet number is set, the pay line determined according to the bet number and the gaming state is valid, and the operation of the start switch 7S is valid, that is, the game can be started.

  When the start switch 7S is operated while the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate, and the symbols of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R continuously change. When any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed on the fluoroscopic window 10.

  Then, when all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, one game is completed, and a predetermined symbol combination (hereinafter also referred to as a role) on the activated pay line is displayed on each reel 2L, 2C, When the 2R display result is stopped, a prize is generated, a game point determined according to the prize is given to the player, and the display of the game point on the display 510 is also added and updated.

  In the case of S units, it is possible to count game points as in the case of P units. As shown in FIG. 22, the slot machine 2S is provided with a counting button 28S for counting game points and converting them into points. The ball lending button, the return button, and the replay button are provided on the CU side (see FIG. 2). The player executes the counting operation based on an arbitrary timing or a display for prompting the counting operation on the display unit 510 in the same manner as the P units. Then, the game points are counted and the display 510 displays a state in which the points are increased while the game points are decreased. The ball lending button may be provided not on the CU side but on the P platform side and the S platform side. In this case, the operation signal of the ball lending button may be directly input to the CU 2 or may be transmitted to the CU 3 as a status information response via the P unit 2 or the S unit (slot machine) 2S. It may be.

  The types of winning combinations are determined according to the state of the game, but can be broadly divided into special roles with a shift to the big bonus (BB) and regular bonus (RB), and small roles with payout of medals. And a re-gamer (replay) that allows the next game to be started without the need to set the bet amount.

  Which of a plurality of types of winning combinations is to be won or whether any winning combination is to be excluded is determined by, for example, the main control unit (S) controlling the slot machine 2S when a start operation is detected. It corresponds to the main control unit 161 of the stand). This determination is made, for example, by drawing a random number generated from a predetermined random number generator or generated on software.

  After that, the main control unit waits for the reel stop operation by the player, draws in the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the predetermined frame number range based on the stop operation time, otherwise draws another symbol Is controlled to stop the three symbols and determine whether or not there is a prize. If the main control base determines that a winning is made, the main control base gives the player game points according to the type of winning (adds game points).

  In other words, the game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using the gaming value by using the S units, and a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified can be displayed in a variable manner. A slot machine in which one game is completed when a display result is derived to the variable display device, and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device, which is displayed on the variable display device Before the result is derived, a predetermining unit that determines whether or not to allow a plurality of types of winnings to be generated, and causing the variable display device to derive a display result according to the determination result of the predetermining unit A slot machine including derivation control means for performing control and giving means for giving a game value when the winning occurs is configured.

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various data stored in each of the card unit and the slot machine and their transmission / reception modes. FIG. 23 is obtained by replacing the terminology of FIG. 3 described for the configuration of P units with that for S units, and the mode is the same as that described with reference to FIG. The description of is omitted.

<Modifications and feature points>
Next, modifications and feature points of the present embodiment described above are listed.

  (1) When a slot machine (S units), which is an example of a gaming machine, is applied to the above gaming system, for example, there are P units of reels and various sensor parts attached to the reels and a main control board for controlling the reels. Corresponding to the board, other configurations correspond to P game frames. However, the S units do not require the various detection switches 41a, 701, 33, the launch control board 31, and the launch motor 18 of the game frame shown in FIG.

  A conventional S unit is provided with a credit function. When this function is enabled, the credit is subtracted when the number of bets is set, and the credit is added when a winning occurs. However, there is an upper limit for credits, and when a winning occurs when the number of credits reaches the upper limit value, medals are paid out from the hopper.

  On the other hand, in the S units according to the present embodiment, game points are subtracted when the bet number is set, and game points are added when a winning occurs. Further, when the game points reach a predetermined number, a display for prompting a counting operation is made, and the gaming points are converted into points by performing the counting operation. For this reason, it is not necessary to pay out medals when the credit reaches the upper limit unlike the conventional S units. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a hopper on the S platform according to the present embodiment.

  As a result, the amusement hall does not need to secure a large number of medals, reducing the economic burden. The game arcade is also freed from operations such as replenishment / collection of medals and maintenance operations to deal with clogged medals. The player is relieved from the hassle of inserting medals for each betting operation after the credit is full, and can easily concentrate on the game.

  On the other hand, if S units become medalless, a player who has won a large number of medals will not be able to act to show off his arms by stacking boxes with medals beside the seat. Inconvenience arises. However, in this embodiment, since the function of displaying the dollar box is provided as described above, it is possible to prevent such inconvenience. In addition, it is desirable for the dollar box display in the case of S units to have a large number of medals loaded instead of a large number of balls.

  When S machines are applied as a gaming machine, each type of data is expressed as follows using two types of data, “Points” and “Game Points”, and “Credit” and “Credit Excess Points”. It is also possible to configure a gaming system that is converted. Note that these four types of data are displayed on the S displays 510.

  First, when a conversion operation (lending operation, saving medal payout operation, or point payout operation) from a prepaid card balance, a saving medal, or a point is detected, each is withdrawn and converted into a game point. The

  A game point is data corresponding to a medal in a conventional slot machine. For this reason, for example, it is desirable to display the number of game points on the display 510 and to display the number of medal images corresponding to the game points. For example, when a pseudo-insertion medal operation (for example, an operation of pushing a medal) such that a player touches the medal image and inserts it into the slot machine is detected, the medal image disappears and the game points are subtracted. Instead, one bet is set. By performing such a pseudo medal insertion operation three times, the bet number is set to the maximum value of three.

  Thereafter, when a pseudo medal insertion operation is further detected, a credit is added in accordance with the detection. An upper limit value (for example, 50) is set for the credit, and when the credit exceeds the upper limit value, a credit excess point is added.

  The betting amount setting can be performed using the game points as described above, and can also be performed using credits. That is, if the one-sheet BET switch 5S is operated, 1 is added to the betting number setting value and 1 is subtracted from the credit. If the MAXBET switch 6S is operated, the bet number is set to 3, and the credit is subtracted according to the bet number setting.

  As a result of the game, when a winning occurs, a number of points corresponding to the winning is added to the credit. When a winning that exceeds the upper limit of credit occurs, the score for the excess is stored as a credit excess point. This credit excess point corresponds to a medal to be paid out when a winning occurs exceeding the upper limit of credit in the conventional slot machine. For this reason, for example, it is desirable to display the credit excess points on the display 510 and to display the number of medal images corresponding to the credit excess points. Further, it is desirable to change the color of this medal image so that it can be distinguished from the medal image corresponding to the game point.

  Further, it is desirable that the credit excess points are converted into game points by the player's operation. For example, when a pseudo medal conversion operation (for example, an operation of pushing a medal) is performed such that the player touches the medal image corresponding to the credit excess point and converts it to a game point, the medal image disappears and the credit excess Points are subtracted and game points are added.

  Alternatively, if the credit becomes less than the upper limit value, the credit excess point may be automatically converted into credit.

  When the player performs a counting operation, each of the game points, credits, and credit excess points is counted and converted into points. As a result, the player's points are posted as “card possession number + game points + credits + credit excess points”. The “card possession number” is the number of points before conversion (the number of possessions currently owned by the player) that has not been converted into game points.

  In the above description, the four types of data of points, game points, credits, and credit excess points may be stored on both sides by exchanging data between the CU and S units. You may memorize | store only in the S stand side only by CU side. Further, the credit excess point may be a target for dollar box display.

  Moreover, although the example using a credit excess point was demonstrated in the above description, it is not necessary to use a credit excess point. In this case, when the credit limit is exceeded, it may be added to the game points.

  (2) In the present embodiment, game points are added by consuming the card count. Alternatively, game points are added by consuming stored balls (stored medals). That is, the card frequency or the stored ball is converted into game points. On the other hand, the card power and the stored balls are not converted into points (count balls, count medals). However, the card power and the stored ball may be once converted into points.

  (3) In the present embodiment, game points are converted into points by counting operation. The conversion rate in this case is 1: 1. However, the conversion rate in the case of conversion may be other than 1: 1. For example, when 100 game points are converted, 97 points obtained by subtracting three of them may be converted into points. Or you may make it convert into the number of game balls obtained by multiplying a predetermined ratio of less than 100% with respect to a point.

  (4) The recording medium for recording the holding point in an identifiable manner may use a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. In this case, the communication unit for communicating with the mobile terminal is provided in the CU, and the CU recognizes the ID stored in the mobile terminal by holding the mobile terminal over the communication unit. The game is made possible by the procedure as described. On the other hand, at the end of the game, the portable terminal is again held over the communication unit, so that the score at the end of the game is added to the player's score through the ID.

  (5) The operation means for counting game points may be provided on the CU side. In this case, the operation means may be displayed on a touch panel, or may be constituted by a physical switch.

  (6) The counting time from the start of the counting operation to the completion of the counting display is based on the game points when the game points are less than the first reference value and when the game points exceed the first reference value. The increasing rate of the counting time may be reduced. As a result, while it is possible to produce an effect of counting display as if counting a real ball, it can be prevented that it takes too much time to complete counting due to an increase in game points. Further, when the game points exceed a certain reference value, all the counting times may be the same. Alternatively, the same counting time may be adopted regardless of the number of game points without providing a reference value.

  (7) During the big hit, the judgment reference value for judging that the number of game balls is full may be increased. In other words, the determination reference value for the full tank determination may be different depending on whether or not the big hit. As a result, it is possible to prevent the number of game balls from rapidly increasing during the big hit, and making a full tank determination immediately to stop firing.

  (8) The number of game balls when a big hit occurs is stored, and during the big hit, the increased number of game balls allowed after the big hit has occurred even if the criterion value for full tank is exceeded If it is within a value (for example, 1000 balls), it is good also as what does not determine a full tank.

  (9) As the counting operation means for counting the game balls, one that exhibits a counting function when operated a predetermined number of times twice or more may be employed. As a result, erroneous operation can be prevented. Further, in this case, one function may be used to exhibit another function different from the counting function. For example, when there is no operation for a predetermined time (for example, within 1 second) after the operation is performed once, a function to turn on a lamp for calling a store clerk is exhibited, and within 1 second from 1 operation. When the second operation is detected, it is conceivable to perform the counting function.

  (10) In the present embodiment, if the counting operation button is operated for less than a predetermined time (short-time operation), for example, the first ball count is counted, while if operated for a predetermined time or longer (long-time operation), the operation A number of balls that is larger than the first number of balls is counted according to time. For example, it is conceivable that 100 balls are counted in the short-time operation, while a predetermined number exceeding 100 balls, for example, 200 balls or 400 balls, is counted in the long-time operation. Also, the number of game points to be counted may be controlled to be different depending on the long press time of the counting operation button. For example, it is conceivable that 100 balls start to be counted by long-pressing for 1 second, and if the long-pressing continues for 5 seconds as it is, all the remaining balls are counted. Alternatively, it may be controlled such that a predetermined number is counted by one operation and all remaining balls are counted by the fifth operation.

  (11) “Predetermined processing” of “recording medium processing means for processing so that predetermined processing can be performed using the game point as the holding point when a predetermined recording medium processing operation is detected” , CU processing when a card ejected from the CU is inserted into another CU connected to another gaming machine and used (withdrawing the ball that can be specified by the card is converted into a gaming ball Processing, coin sharing processing, or wagon service processing). Alternatively, the “predetermined process” may be a process in which a prize is exchanged by receiving a card with a prize exchange machine for exchanging prizes and consuming the points specified by the card.

  Further, the above-mentioned “processing so that predetermined processing can be performed with the game point as the holding point when a predetermined recording medium processing operation is detected” means, for example, when a card return operation is detected In this process, the score is recorded on the card inserted in the CU so as to be specified, and the card is returned. Here, “recordably specified” means that the score is directly recorded on the card, and the card ID and score are recorded on the server connected to the CU without recording the score on the card. And a method of storing IDs and points in association with each other in the server.

  (12) In the present embodiment, (A) the fact that game points of “predetermined points” or more are not stored, game points are not counted even if a counting operation is performed, and a notification to that effect is made. Is done. In the embodiment, when (B) the game points are counted until the stored game points reach the “predetermined number of points”, no more points can be counted, and a notification to that effect is given. Is done. The same number may be adopted as the predetermined number of points in these two cases (A) and (B), that is, the reference value may be different.

  (13) In the present embodiment, if a counting operation is performed while the ball is being fired, the counting operation is invalidated if the number of game balls at that time is equal to or less than a reference value. However, even if the number of game balls when the counting operation is detected during the ball firing exceeds the reference value, the number of balls counted in one counting operation is set to a predetermined number. In some cases, the counting operation may be invalidated when the value obtained by subtracting the predetermined number from the number of game balls when the counting operation is detected does not satisfy the reference value.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in order to invalidate the counting operation during the game, it is determined whether or not the game is in progress based on whether or not the ball firing operation has been detected. In addition to this, whether the number of in-game balls (floating balls floating in the game area 27) is 0 (not playing) or not (playing), whether or not a game is being played May be determined. In addition, it is also possible to determine whether or not the game is in progress based on whether or not the variable display device is changing, whether or not it is a big hit, whether or not the attacker is open.

  Further, “in game” when S units are applied as a gaming machine and the counting operation during the game is invalidated is, for example, a period from the start of rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to the stop. . Alternatively, it is a period from when the start operation is detected until the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped.

  (14) Regardless of whether or not the game is a big hit, when the number of game balls is greater than a predetermined number, a display prompting a counting operation may be performed.

  In addition, if the counting operation is not detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the display for prompting the counting operation, the game ball may be forcibly stopped, and the firing is not forcibly stopped. It may be.

  (15) Referring to FIG. 3, the P platform is provided with a counting ball counter that temporarily stores counted counting balls (held balls), but does not include a counter that stores a cumulative value of counting balls. . However, a counting ball cumulative storage counter that stores the cumulative value of counting balls may be provided on the P platform side. In addition, the CU side is provided with an area for storing card holding balls (counting balls). If a holding ball is recorded on the inserted card itself, this area holds the card holding ball. The current number of players' balls, including balls, is stored. For this reason, only in this area, the number of counting balls counted by the player in the current game cannot be specified. Therefore, an area for storing the number of counting balls counted by the player in this game may be further provided on the CU side. In this case, the CU adds balls to the area based on the information on the number of balls that are sent from the P cars after the game starts, and when the balls are converted into game balls, Subtract the holding ball.

  (16) The display for prompting the counting operation in FIG. 18 may be a display of “Please play the game after the game balls remain, so please return it” or a count button on the screen. The display may be such that 28 is displayed and blinks.

  (17) In the present embodiment, when the number of game balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (3,000 balls or more), “control for performing display for prompting counting operation on display” is executed as “predetermined notification control”. Is done. Here, “prompt for counting operation” is, for example, a message indicating “Please count, because the number of game balls has reached the upper limit”, or simply “Counting operation is required”. There may be. Further, the “predetermined notification control” may be a control for outputting a notification sound for prompting a counting operation from a speaker. Further, the “notification” may not be “notification for prompting the counting operation” but simply notify that “the number of game balls has reached the upper limit” (not to prompt for the counting operation). .

  Further, when the game point is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value (3000 balls or more), “predetermined notification control” is performed, and thereafter, the game point is set to a second reference value greater than the first reference value. It may be controlled so that the game is disabled when the game point is reached, and the game is permitted (no firing prohibited) until the game point reaches the second reference value from the first reference value. In the case where the gaming machine is a slot machine, the inoperable state can be realized by controlling the start lever to operate so that the reel does not start rotating or the betting number setting is invalidated.

  (18) In the present embodiment, when a game using game points is being performed (while the ball is being fired), if there are no more game points remaining (for example, 250 points), the counting operation is performed. Not activated. Here, the predetermined number of points is not limited to 250 points, and may be any number as long as it is 1 point or more. However, for example, when an excessively small number of points such as one point is set, a malfunction occurs when the timing of firing and the timing of counting occur almost simultaneously. Alternatively, when the counting operation is detected when the number of points is equal to or less than a predetermined number (for example, 10 points or less) and the counting operation is detected, 5 points are left for launching and the remaining points are counted. You may control to.

  In addition, when it is detected that a player who notices that the counting operation has been invalidated because there are no more points left than the predetermined number of points has been stopped, it is invalidated first. The counting operation may be activated to automatically start the counting operation. That is, in this case, the player who notices that the counting operation has been invalidated only needs to stop the firing operation, and does not need to perform the counting operation again.

  (19) In order to change the number of game points to be converted by one operation according to the time for which the count button is kept pressed, for example, when a long press (for example, continuous operation for 1 second or more), While all are counted, only 200 balls may be counted in a short press (for example, continuous operation for less than 1 second). However, in this case, when the remaining number of game balls is small, for example, when it is less than 200 balls, it is desirable that all game balls are counted by operating the counting button.

  (20) Depending on the remaining number of game points, when the number of points counted by one short press operation of the counting button is made different, for example, the following may be considered. For example, when the number of game points is less than 200, all the game points are counted by one short press operation of the counting button. When the game points are 200 or more and less than 1000, 200 points are counted by one short press operation. When the game points are 1000 or more and less than 5000, 1000 points are counted by one short press operation. When the game points are 5000 or more and less than 10,000, 2000 points are counted by one short press operation. When the number of game points is 10,000 or more, 2500 points are counted by one short press operation. The above numerical values are specific examples and can be set as appropriate.

  (21) When counting game balls (game points) and converting points, not only counting display but also counting sound may be output from a speaker. In addition, when counting the game points, it is conceivable to display an image in which balls are dropped one by one from the ball storage tray to the counter.

  (22) Timing of conversion display (display indicating that game balls are counted and the number of balls is increased) based on the counting operation, and subtracting game points on the data The timing for adding the points can be varied. The calculation may be executed after the conversion display is completed. For this purpose, count data may be transmitted from the gaming machine to the CU after the conversion display is completed. It should be noted that such a modification can be similarly applied to the case where the points are converted into game points.

  (23) In the present embodiment, in the communication between the CU and the gaming machine, a command-response method is adopted in which the CU is a primary station and the gaming machine is a secondary station. The relationship between and may be reversed. Alternatively, instead of adopting such a communication system having a master-slave relationship, a system may be employed in which both send data to the other party when a request to communicate occurs.

  (24) In FIG. 3 or FIG. 23, the game balls (game points) are stored on both the gaming machine side and the CU side, but the game balls (game points) are stored only on the game machine side, and the CU It may not be stored on the side. On the other hand, the card holding balls (scoring points) are stored only on the CU side, but may also be stored on the gaming machine side. In particular, game balls (game points) are stored only on the gaming machine side, while card holding balls (points) are stored only on the CU side to clarify the division of data storage management. Good.

  (25) The counting display and various notifications performed on the display 54 may be performed on the display 312 in the same manner.

  (26) In CU3, based on the value of the added ball number counter (added ball number) and the value of the subtracted ball number counter (subtracted ball number) transmitted from the P platform side, the stored game ball number is updated. When the number of game balls stored is subtracted based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P platform side, if the value of the number of game balls becomes negative, an error (abnormal) determination is made. Then, error processing may be performed. As a specific example of error processing, error notification is performed by an abnormality notification lamp or the like, or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the hall management computer or hall server 801 (in this case, hall management). An error notification may be made by a computer or hall server 801).

  (27) When a lending operation or a conversion operation (lending operation) from a holding point (held ball) to a gaming point (game ball) is detected, the gaming points may be counted up one by one. In order to shorten the waiting time of the player, a display may be made so that a plurality of points (for example, 25 points equivalent to 100 yen) are counted up. Conversely, when a game point counting operation is executed, a display may be made so that the points are counted up by a plurality of points. Furthermore, the number of units for counting up and displaying game points or points may be set from a plurality of types. In the setting, it is conceivable to use a touch panel of P or S display devices.

  (28) When the counting operation is executed, the holding points may be counted up at an accelerated rate when a predetermined time has elapsed since the starting of counting up the holding points. Alternatively, a speed-up button for accelerating the count display may be displayed on the touch panel display on the CU side or the gaming machine side, and the operation may be detected to display the acceleration count display. By performing the acceleration counting display of the points in this way, the waiting time of the player when counting a large number of gaming points can be shortened.

  (29) A touch sensor may be provided on the hitting operation handle, and the counting operation may be invalidated while the touch sensor detects that the player is holding the hitting operation handle. Invalidating the coefficient operation means both detecting the counting operation but not executing the counting operation based on the detection output, or not detecting the counting operation itself. Or, if the player does not invalidate the counting operation only by touching the hitting operation handle, and if the counting operation is disabled if the hitting operation handle is turned to such an extent that the ball firing drive pulse is output. Good.

  In these cases, when a counting operation is detected, a message “Please release handle” may be displayed on the display of the gaming machine or CU. Alternatively, when the counting operation button is displayed as an icon on the touch panel screen, the counting operation button may be grayed out to notify the player that the operation is impossible.

  (30) At least one or all of the ball lending button, the return button, the replay button, and the counting button may be provided on the gaming machine side, or may be provided on the CU side. Further, it is conceivable that the button is displayed on the display device on the gaming machine side or the CU side described as the touch panel type display device.

  (31) The sequence control shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 30 is not limited to the transmission / reception sequence between control devices in a single gaming machine such as CU3, P stand 2, S stand 2S, etc., particularly for processing related to security. Instead, for example, the present invention may be applied to a transmission / reception sequence between a plurality of gaming machines such as CU3, P unit 2, jet counter, and POS terminal.

  (32) In the above-described embodiment, the identity of the player is determined based on the card ID, but instead of or in addition to that, the identity of the player is determined based on the player's fingerprint, retina and other biomass. A determination may be made.

  (33) In the above-described embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 25, 27, 29, etc., the CU presents the score transmitted from the gaming machine on the condition that the card ID matches the insertion time. Is sent from the gaming machine as a further condition that the communication has started before a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) has passed since the communication between the gaming machine and the CU3 was interrupted. The score may be controlled so that the CU stores it as the current score. Specifically, a timer for measuring a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) after communication between the gaming machine and CU3 is interrupted is provided in the CU control unit 323 at the start of communication between the gaming machine and CU3 (at the time of recovery). It is determined whether or not the timer is still timed (in a state where time is not up), and on the further condition that it is a result of determination that the timer is timed, the score sent from the gaming machine is the current value of the CU. It controls to memorize as a score.

  Further, instead of the insertion time, the CU may store the score transmitted from the gaming machine on condition that the last serial number used between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 matches, as the current score. .

  (34) In the above-described embodiment, the game ball number and the game points are directly added by the occurrence of a win. Instead, the score is added by the occurrence of a win, and the added score is obtained. It may be controlled to withdraw and add the number of game balls or game points.

  (35) In the above-described embodiment, when the value is deducted within the range of the valuable value owned by the player (the prepaid balance, the possession ball, the accumulated ball), and the corresponding game points are deducted, the value deducted However, instead, for example, it may be controlled to add game points that are smaller by the amount equivalent to the consumption tax with respect to the value actually withdrawn.

  (36) You may comprise the above-mentioned indicator 54,510 with a display with a touch panel. Further, the information received in the above-described S351 and S362 is not limited to the information described in the above embodiment, and what information is output from the gaming machine to the CU3 is displayed on the gaming machine. The input settings may be made by touching the touch panels of the devices 54 and 510.

  Also, in the S stand 2S, the information output from the S stand 2S is converted and transmitted to the hall control 900 in the same manner as the P stand 2 described above. As information to be converted, for example, a big bonus winning or a regular bonus The information includes winning information such as winning and various small role winnings, information indicating the replay time, the number of additions and subtractions in FIG. 23, the number of game starts, and the like. Further, in the case of the above-mentioned game start times, control is performed so that one pulse is output when the game is started a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times). If it reaches (for example, 10 addition number), it may be controlled to output one pulse. Further, the information to be converted may be the number of coins to be paid out when coins are paid out with winning.

  (37) The “conversion” in S352 and S354 described above is not limited to that described in the above-described embodiment. For example, serial data is converted into parallel data or parallel data is converted into serial data. For example, conversion of a signal transmission method is also included. That is, the “conversion” is a concept including changing an element other than the content to another without changing the content of the information to be transmitted, or thinning and outputting a plurality of received information.

<Various configurations included in the embodiment>
(1-1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) in which a game is played by a player and a gaming value (prepaid balance, A gaming system that includes a gaming device (CU3) that enables a game by the gaming machine using the number of possessed balls or the number of accumulated balls) and a hall management computer (Hallcon 900) installed in the game hall. There,
The gaming device includes transmission means (CU control unit 323) for transmitting information (the number of added balls or the number of shot balls) generated by the gaming machine in operation to the hall management computer,
The transmission means includes information conversion means (S352 in FIG. 20) for converting the information generated by the gaming machine to be transmitted to the hall management computer.

  According to the above configuration, the gaming machine connected communicably with the gaming machine converts the information generated by the gaming machine and transmits it to the hall management computer, so the gaming machine design becomes complicated. While preventing inconvenience, the format of information output from the gaming machine and input to the hall management computer can be matched to the hall management computer side.

(1-2) Another aspect of the present invention is a communicably connected game machine (P 2 and S 2S) in which a game is played by a player, and the player's own game value (prepaid balance, possession) A gaming device (CU3) that enables a game by the gaming machine using the number of balls or the number of stored balls),
Comprising transmission means (the number of additional balls or the number of fired balls) for transmitting information (the number of additional balls or the number of fired balls) generated by the game machine in operation to the hall management computer;
The transmission means includes information conversion means (S352 in FIG. 20) for converting and transmitting the information transmitted from the gaming machine to the hall management computer.

  According to the above configuration, the gaming machine connected communicably with the gaming machine converts the information generated by the gaming machine and transmits it to the hall management computer, so the gaming machine design becomes complicated. While preventing inconvenience, the format of information output from the gaming machine and input to the hall management computer can be matched to the hall management computer side.

(1-3) In the gaming system (1-1) or the gaming device (1-2),
The information conversion means counts the information (the number of balls to be added or the number of balls to be fired) related to the profit and loss of the game hall that has been output from the gaming machine, and each time it reaches a predetermined size (10), a single signal It is converted into (one pulse) and transmitted (S352 in FIG. 20).

  According to the above configuration, the hall management computer does not need to receive information until the information related to the profit / loss from the gaming machine reaches a predetermined size, and as a single signal every time it reaches the predetermined size. Since it is sufficient to receive the information, the burden of information reception in the hall management computer can be reduced.

(2-1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) in which a game is played by a player, and a gaming value (prepaid balance, A gaming system that includes a gaming device (CU3) that enables a game by the gaming machine using the number of possessed balls or the number of accumulated balls) and a hall management computer (Hallcon 900) installed in the game hall. There,
The gaming device is:
Transmitting means (CU control unit 323) for transmitting information (game state information 1 and 2) generated by the gaming machine in operation to the hall management computer;
System setting means (S362 in FIG. 21) for setting the output method of information output by the transmission means,
The transmission means includes information conversion means (S364 in FIG. 21) for converting and transmitting information transmitted from the gaming machine according to the output method set by the method setting means.

  According to the above configuration, the information generated by the gaming machine is managed for the hall by setting the output system for the hall management computer by the system setting means of the gaming apparatus connected to the gaming machine so as to be communicable. Since it is converted and transmitted to a computer, the format of the information output from the gaming machine and input to the hall management computer is matched with the hall management computer side while preventing the inconvenience of designing the gaming machine. be able to.

(2-2) Another aspect of the present invention is connected to a gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) in which a game is performed by a player so as to be communicable. A gaming device (CU3) that enables a game by the gaming machine using the number of balls or the number of stored balls),
Transmission means (CU control unit 323) for transmitting information generated by the game machine in operation (game table states 2 and 3 in FIG. 5) to the hall management computer;
System setting means (S362 in FIG. 21) for setting the output method of information transmitted by the transmission means,
The transmission means includes information conversion means (S364 in FIG. 21) for converting and transmitting information transmitted from the gaming machine according to the output method set by the method setting means.

  According to the above configuration, the information generated by the gaming machine is managed for the hall by setting the output system for the hall management computer by the system setting means of the gaming apparatus connected to the gaming machine so as to be communicable. Since it is converted and transmitted to a computer, the format of the information output from the gaming machine and input to the hall management computer is matched with the hall management computer side while preventing the inconvenience of designing the gaming machine. be able to.

  (2-3) In the gaming system (2-1) or the gaming device (2-2), information to be displayed on the display device (displays 54 and 510) among the information received from the gaming machine. Display control means (S366, S367 in FIG. 21) for performing control for selecting and displaying the information on the display device.

  According to said structure, required information can be displayed on a display apparatus among the information received from the gaming machine.

  (2-4) In the gaming system according to (2-1) and (2-3) above or the gaming device according to (2-2) and (2-3) above, the method setting means is provided by the manufacturer of the gaming machine. The output method downloaded from the server is set (output method data is downloaded from the server of the manufacturer of P 2 connected to the CU 3 and stored in the CU control unit 323).

  According to the above configuration, the gaming machine maker has control of the output format specification of the gaming machine, and the output method is downloaded from the server of the gaming machine maker and set. be able to.

(2-5) In the gaming system of (2-1), (2-3) and (2-4) above,
The hall management computer includes identification information management means (a CPU and an EEPROM of the hall control 900) for managing identification information (unit number) allocated to each of the plurality of gaming machines installed in the game hall,
The gaming device is attached to an attachment frame (attachment frame (holder) for attaching and installing the CU3) installed in a game hall, and each of the plurality of attachment frames identifies each gaming device. Game device identification information (holder ID) for
The identification information management means manages the identification information for gaming and the identification information in association with each other, and when the gaming machine is exchanged, the identification information of the exchanged gaming machine and the identification information for gaming Are managed in association with each other (when the P unit 2 is replaced with a new unit number, the CU 3 reads the unit number of the P unit 2 and the holder ID of the mounting frame (holder) to read the The CPU of the hall control 900 associates the received unit number of the P unit 2 and the holder ID and stores them in the EEPROM).

  According to the above configuration, even if each gaming device is removed from the mounting frame and replaced, the previous mounting frame remains, so the gaming device identification information and the identification information allocated to the mounting frame are retained. By managing in association with each other, identification information allocated to each gaming machine can be managed regardless of replacement of each gaming device.

(2-6) In the gaming system of (2-1), (2-3) and (2-4) above,
The hall management computer includes identification information management means (a CPU and an EEPROM of the hall control 900) for managing identification information (unit number) allocated to each of the plurality of gaming machines installed in the game hall,
A plurality of the gaming machines have identification code data (main chip ID, payout control chip ID) allocated to the control device to authenticate whether or not the control device provided in the gaming machine is appropriate. Including identification code data output means (CU control unit 323) for transmitting to the hall management computer via the gaming device,
The identification information management means manages the identification code data and the identification information in association with each other, and when the received identification code data is updated to a new one, the updated identification code data and The CU 3 manages ID data such as the main chip ID after the base exchange (panel exchange) and ID data such as the main chip ID before the base exchange (panel exchange) after newly managing the identification information in association with each other. The CPU of the hall control 900 updates the ID data stored in the EEPROM in association with the gaming machine stand number to the ID data after the base exchange (board exchange).

  According to the above configuration, even when, for example, a gaming machine is replaced and the identification code data is updated to a new one, the updated identification code data and identification information are managed in association with each other, and continue. Thus, management of identification information becomes possible.

(2-7) In the gaming system of (2-1) (2-3) to (2-6) above,
The hall management computer determines the gaming device corresponding to the same type of gaming machine based on the management data managed by the identification information management means, and collects the gaming device for each of the determined gaming devices. (The hall control 900 stores management data of the gaming machine number in which the gaming machine model number is also stored in association with the gaming machine number, and based on the management data, the gaming machine of the same model is stored. The card unit corresponding to the machine is indexed, and the setting data for calculation (conversion) to a predetermined format is downloaded to the batch CU3),
The method setting means sets an output method based on the transmitted setting data (setting data for calculating (converting) into a predetermined format is set in each CU downloaded to the batch CU3).

  According to the above configuration, the output method can be set by transmitting the setting data collectively to the gaming devices corresponding to the same type of gaming machines, and the output method can be set efficiently.

(3-1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) in which a game is played by a player and a gaming value (prepaid balance, A gaming system that includes a gaming device (CU3) that enables a game by the gaming machine using the number of possessed balls or the number of accumulated balls) and a hall management computer (Hallcon 900) installed in the game hall. There,
It further comprises a server (hall server 801 in FIG. 64) installed in the game hall,
The gaming apparatus includes first transmission means (CU control unit 323) for transmitting information (game state information 1 and 2) generated by the gaming machine in operation to the hall management computer,
The server includes second transmission means (a CPU of the hall server 801, an input / output interface) that transmits information transmitted by the first transmission means of a plurality of the gaming devices to the hall management computer.

  According to the above configuration, since information from each gaming machine is collectively output to the hall computer, it is not necessary to collect the information for each gaming machine installation island, so that the restrictions on the installation layout of gaming machines can be reduced.

(3-2) Another aspect of the present invention is that a gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) in which a game is played by a player and a gaming value owned by the player that is communicably connected to the gaming machine. A server (a hall server 801 in FIG. 64) installed in a game room provided with a gaming device (CU3) that enables a game by the gaming machine using (the prepaid balance, the number of balls, or the number of balls). Because
Receiving means (CPU of the hall server 801, input / output interface) for receiving information generated by the plurality of gaming machines in operation from the plurality of gaming devices;
A server including transmission means (a CPU of the hall server 801, an input / output interface) for transmitting the information received by the reception means to a hall management computer installed in the game arcade.

  According to the above configuration, since information from each gaming machine is collectively output to the hall computer, it is not necessary to collect the information for each gaming machine installation island, so that the restrictions on the installation layout of gaming machines can be reduced.

(3-3) In the gaming system according to (3-1), the hall management computer manages identification information (unit number) allocated to each of the plurality of gaming machines installed in the game hall. Including information management means (CPU and EEPROM of Hallcon 900),
A plurality of the gaming machines have identification code data (main chip ID, payout control chip ID) allocated to the control device to authenticate whether or not the control device provided in the gaming machine is appropriate. Including identification code data output means (CU control unit 323) for transmitting to the server via the gaming device,
The server outputs the received identification code data to the hall management computer,
The identification information management means manages the identification code data and the identification information in association with each other, and when the received identification code data is updated to a new one, the updated identification code data and The CU 3 manages ID data such as the main chip ID after the base exchange (panel exchange) and ID data such as the main chip ID before the base exchange (panel exchange) after newly managing the identification information in association with each other. The CPU of the hall control 900 updates the ID data stored in the EEPROM in association with the gaming machine stand number to the ID data after the base exchange (board exchange).

  According to the above configuration, even when, for example, a gaming machine is replaced and the identification code data is updated to a new one, the updated identification code data and identification information are managed in association with each other, and continue. Thus, management of identification information becomes possible.

(3-4) In the gaming system according to (3-1), the hall management computer manages identification information (unit number) allocated to each of the plurality of gaming machines installed in the game hall. Including information management means (CPU and EEPROM of Hallcon 900),
The gaming device is attached to an attachment frame (attachment frame (holder) for attaching and installing the CU3) installed in a game hall, and each of the plurality of attachment frames identifies each gaming device. Game identification information (holder ID) for
The identification information management means manages the identification information for gaming and the identification information in association with each other, and when the gaming machine is exchanged, the identification information of the exchanged gaming machine and the identification information for gaming Are managed in association with each other (when the CU 3 is replaced with the new P number 2 CU 3, the CU 3 reads the P number 2 and the holder ID of the mounting frame (holder) to read the hall server 801. And the CPU of the hall control 900 sets and stores the received base number of the P base 2 and the holder ID in the EEPROM).

  According to the above configuration, even if each gaming device is removed from the mounting frame and replaced, the previous mounting frame remains, so the gaming device identification information and the identification information allocated to the mounting frame are retained. By managing in association with each other, identification information allocated to each gaming machine can be managed regardless of replacement of each gaming device.

(3-5) In the gaming system according to (3-3) or (3-4) above,
The hall management computer determines the gaming device corresponding to the same type of gaming machine based on the management data managed by the identification information management means, and collects the gaming device for each of the determined gaming devices. (The hall control 900 stores management data of the gaming machine number in which the gaming machine model number is also stored in association with the gaming machine number, and based on the management data, the gaming machine of the same model is stored. The card unit corresponding to the machine is indexed, and the setting data for calculation (conversion) to a predetermined format is downloaded to the batch CU3),
Each of the gaming devices
66. Method setting means (S362 in FIG. 66) for setting an output method of information transmitted by the first transmission means based on the transmitted setting data;
66. Information conversion means (S364, S365 in FIG. 66) for converting and transmitting the information transmitted by the first transmission means according to the output method input by the method setting means.

  According to the above configuration, the output method can be set by transmitting the setting data collectively to the gaming devices corresponding to the same type of gaming machines, and the output method can be set efficiently.

(3-6) In the gaming system of (3-1) (3-3) to (3-5) above,
A display device (displays 54 and 510) controlled by the gaming device;
The gaming device includes display control means (S366, S367 in FIG. 66) for performing control for selecting information to be displayed on the display device from information received from the gaming machine and displaying the information on the display device. .

  According to said structure, required information can be displayed on a display apparatus among the information received from the gaming machine.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  2 Pachinko machine, 2S slot machine, 3 card unit, 16 main control board, 17 payout control board, 26 game board, 54, 312 display, 309 card insertion / discharge port, 319 replay button, 320 IR light receiving unit, 321 Lending button, 322 return button, 161 main control unit, 325 display control unit, 171 payout control unit, 323 CU control unit.

Claims (2)

A gaming machine in which a game is played by a player, a gaming device that is communicably connected to the gaming machine, and that enables gaming by the gaming machine using the gaming value owned by the player; A gaming system including a hall management computer and a management device storing authentication information used for authenticating the validity of the gaming device ,
The gaming device is:
When the information for authentication stored in the management device cannot be received, communication with the gaming machine for allowing gaming at the gaming machine using the gaming value under a predetermined restriction is possible. Restricted communication mode setting means for setting to restricted communication mode;
Normal communication mode setting means for setting a normal communication mode in which communication with the gaming machine for which the predetermined restriction is released is possible on condition that the authentication information transmitted from the management device is received;
Transmitting means for transmitting information generated by the gaming machine in operation to the hall management computer;
System setting means for setting an output method of game information output by the transmission means,
The gaming system includes information conversion means for converting and transmitting information transmitted from the gaming machine according to an output method set by the method setting means. A gaming device that is communicably connected to a gaming machine in which a game is played by a player, and that enables gaming by the gaming machine using the gaming value owned by the player,
Authentication information receiving means for receiving authentication information used for authenticating the legitimacy of the gaming device from the management device;
Restriction that is set to a restricted communication mode in which communication with the gaming machine for allowing a game on the gaming machine using the gaming value under a predetermined restriction when the authentication information cannot be received. Communication mode setting means;
Normal communication mode setting means for setting a normal communication mode in which communication with the gaming machine for which the predetermined restriction is released is possible on condition that the authentication information transmitted from the management device is received;
Transmission means for transmitting the information generated by the gaming machine in operation to halls for management computer,
System setting means for setting the output method of game information transmitted by the transmission means,
The gaming device includes an information conversion unit for converting and transmitting information transmitted from the gaming machine according to an output method set by the method setting unit.

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