JP6004979B2 - GAME SYSTEM AND GAME CONTROL DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming system including a gaming machine and a gaming device that enables gaming on the gaming machine, and a gaming control device.

  As this type of gaming system, a gaming system is known that includes an encapsulated ball pachinko machine and a card unit that is communicably connected to the encapsulated ball pachinko machine.

  Patent Document 1 describes an enclosed ball type gaming machine 1 and a terminal device 3 provided adjacent to the left side of such a conventional gaming machine and gaming device (refer to Patent Document 1). Paragraphs [0019] [0022]).

  Similarly, Patent Document 2 describes an enclosed ball game machine 100 and a ball lending machine 901 (see paragraph [0086] of Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-337371 JP 2006-254955 A

  When a predetermined operation related to the game is requested from one to the other between the gaming device and the gaming machine and the result for the request is obtained, in order to be able to confirm the arrival of the operation request message transmitted to the opponent, It is possible to include a serial number in the messages sent by both parties. In this way, by comparing the serial number included in the message received from the partner and the serial number included in the operation request message sent to the partner, the operation request message sent to the partner has definitely reached the partner. It becomes possible to determine whether or not.

  However, with such a serial number, even if it is possible to confirm the arrival of the operation request message transmitted to the other party by confirming the message received from the other party, it is not possible to specify whether or not the request for the other party has been accepted. For this reason, in order to be able to specify whether or not the request to the other party has been accepted, be sure to include information indicating acceptance / rejection of the request separately from the serial number so that the request is accepted by the other party. It is necessary to determine based on the information.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to collectively confirm a response result to an operation request message of arrival of a message to an opponent and an operation.

(1) The present invention is a gaming system comprising a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) and a gaming device (CU3) that enables gaming on the gaming machine,
The gaming device is:
Update information that differs depending on whether an operation request message (a game ball addition request ON state information request) requesting a predetermined operation (game ball addition operation) by the gaming machine is transmitted or a message other than the operation request message is transmitted A message transmission means for transmitting a message including (addition serial number: original addition sequence number when game ball addition request is ON, original addition sequence number when game ball addition request is OFF) (FIGS. 10, 11, 26) , See FIG. 27),
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, a request is made if the update information included in the received message matches the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information. A message determination unit that determines that the request is accepted, and determines that the request is not accepted if it does not match (FIG. 26; if the request serial number is m + 2, the request is accepted; if m + 1, the request is rejected),
The gaming machine is
When the operation request message is received, a response message transmitting means for transmitting an acceptance message if the request is accepted and transmitting a rejection message if the request is rejected (FIGS. 10, 11, 26, and FIG. 27)
The response message transmission means includes:
Information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information is transmitted as update information of the consent message (FIG. 26; if the request is accepted, m + 2 is transmitted, M + 1 is sent if the request is rejected)
Transmitted as update information of the rejected message the update information sent is included in the operation request message without updating at predetermined information (10, 11, 26, see FIG. 27),
The operation request message is an addition request message for requesting to add a specific value to the game value stored in the gaming machine .

  According to such a configuration, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the operation request message has arrived by referring to the update information of the message received after the operation request message has been transmitted, but the returned message is operated. It is possible to determine whether the request message is an acceptance message or a rejection message.

(2) The present invention is a game control device (CU3 (or CU control unit in CU3)) for enabling a game on a gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S),
Update information that differs depending on whether an operation request message (a game ball addition request ON state information request) requesting a predetermined operation (game ball addition operation) by the gaming machine is transmitted or a message other than the operation request message is transmitted A message transmission means for transmitting a message including (addition serial number: original addition sequence number when game ball addition request is ON, original addition sequence number when game ball addition request is OFF) (FIGS. 10, 11, 26) , See FIG. 27),
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, a request is made if the update information included in the received message matches the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information. It determines that acceptance determines message determining means and the other request acceptance in the case of a mismatch; see contains a (FIG. 26 requests granted if the request sequence number is a m + 2, determines that request rejection if m + 1),
The operation request message is an addition request message for requesting to add a specific value to the game value stored in the gaming machine .

  According to such a configuration, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the operation request message has arrived by referring to the update information of the message received after the operation request message has been transmitted, but the returned message is operated. It is possible to determine whether the request message is an acceptance message or a rejection message.

(3) The present invention is a game control device (P 2 , S 2 S (or security chip in CU 3)) for enabling a game on a gaming machine,
When an operation request message requesting a predetermined operation (game ball addition operation) by the gaming machine is received (a game ball addition request ON state information request), an approval message is transmitted if the request is accepted, In the case of refusing a request, it includes response message transmission means (refer to FIGS. 10, 11, 26, and 27) for transmitting a rejection message.
The response message transmission means includes:
Information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information (+1) is transmitted as update information of the consent message (for example, in FIG. Reply m + 2 to the additional serial number)
Transmitted as update information of the rejected message the update information sent is included in the operation request message without updating at predetermined information (see FIG. 26),
The operation request message is an addition request message for requesting to add a specific value to the game value stored in the gaming machine .

  According to such a configuration, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the operation request message has arrived by referring to the update information to be included in the response message to the operation request message, but also to return the message that has been returned. It is possible to determine whether the message is an acceptance message or a rejection message for the operation request message.

(4) In the gaming system of (1) or the gaming control device of (2),
When transmitting the operation request message, the message transmission means transmits information obtained by updating the update information included in the message received immediately before with the predetermined information as update information of the transmission message, and other than the operation request message Is transmitted as update information of the transmitted message (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

  According to such a configuration, the communication partner determines that it is an operation request message if the received update information is obtained by updating the update information included in the message transmitted immediately before with the predetermined information. it can.

  (5) In the gaming system according to (1) or (4) above, the message transmission unit and the response message transmission unit provide transmission order information (normal serial number) that can specify a transmission order of messages. It is included in each message separately from the update information and transmitted (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to confirm the arrival of a message other than the communication related to the operation request message.

  (6) In the gaming system according to (5), the message transmission unit and the response message transmission unit do not update the transmission order information when updating the update information and transmitting a message (FIG. 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the control burden related to the update of the transmission order information as compared with the case where the transmission order information is updated even when the update information is updated and a message is transmitted.

(7) The gaming system according to any one of (1) (4) to (6), wherein the message determination unit includes:
When a message is received after the operation request message is transmitted, if the update information included in the received message matches the update information included in the operation request message and transmitted, it is determined that the request is rejected (FIGS. 26 and 27). reference),
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, the update information included in the received message does not match the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with the predetermined information, When the update information included in the operation request message does not match the transmitted update information, it is determined that the operation request message has not been reached (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to determine not only whether the request is accepted based on the update information, but also whether the request is rejected or whether the operation request message has not arrived in the first place.

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 a block diagram for demonstrating display control of a game ball number display and a display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the notification process when abnormality is detected as a result of mutual authentication. 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 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 the card unit and the pachinko machine at the time of money_receiving | payment to the inserted card | curd. 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 and carrying out the coins. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when counting game balls. It is a figure which shows the modification of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when counting game balls. It is a figure which shows an example of the count process when a player presses down a count button during order service. It is a figure which shows another example of the count process when a player presses down a count button during order service. It is a figure which shows another example of the count process when a player presses down a count button during order service. It is a figure which shows an example of the count process when a player performs card return operation. It is a figure which shows an example of the count process when a player leaves a simple seat and a meal break. It is a figure which shows another example of the counting process when a player leaves a simple seat and a meal break. It is a figure which shows an example of the count process performed automatically when a game hall closes. It is a figure which shows an example of a process when there exists a power supply disconnection and a communication circuit disconnection, and the response from a pachinko machine to a card unit has not yet reached. It is a figure which shows an example of a process when there exists a power supply disconnection and a communication circuit disconnection, and the command of the addition request | requirement from a card unit to a pachinko machine has not reached | attained. It is a figure which shows an example of a process when there exists a power supply disconnection and a communication circuit disconnection, and the response of the addition response from a pachinko machine to a card unit has not reached | attained. It is a figure which shows an example of a process at the time of the game ball addition result abnormality at the time of ball lending, holding ball payout, and saving ball payout. It is a figure which shows an example of the process at the time of resending the game ball | bowl addition result at the time of ball lending, possession ball payout, and storage ball payout. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement regarding a request serial number. It is a figure for demonstrating another example of the operation | movement regarding a request serial number. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the counting process of the game ball after a player performs card return operation. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the interruption control process of a simple leaving or a meal break. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the interruption control process of a simple leaving or a meal break. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the interruption control process of a simple leaving or a meal break. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the prize exchange process by POS. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the prize exchange process by POS. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the interruption control process of a simple leaving or a meal break. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a card information reading process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process at the time of a gaming machine error. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the alerting | reporting process of game abandonment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the alerting | reporting process of the game ball (remaining game ball) which remained after the game completion. 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.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below 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. In addition, at a side position on a predetermined side of the pachinko machine 2, a card unit (which may be abbreviated as CU hereinafter) 3 as an example of a gaming device is installed in a one-to-one correspondence with 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 includes a variable display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (symbols), and based on the detection signals of the start winning balls won in each start winning opening 275, 276, 277. Start variable display of multiple types of identification information. 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.

  Further, the display result of the variable display device 278 becomes 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 (a slotted pattern), so that the probability variation big hit state And a probability variation state (probability variation state) in which the probability of occurrence of the jackpot is improved after the end of the jackpot state.

  Pachinko balls that have been driven into the game area 27 are won in any of the winning openings or are collected in the out opening 154 without winning. The pachinko balls that have won any of the winning holes and the pachinko balls collected at the out-port 154 are returned again 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, and displays various effect images linked to the display of the points, the remaining card amount, or the variable display device 278 to the player.

  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. In the present embodiment, the counting operation is repeatedly executed according to the time for which the counting button 28 is kept pressed. It should be noted that, regardless of the pressing duration time, if the button is pressed once, a predetermined number (for example, 100 balls) may be counted from the gaming ball to the holding ball, or the counting button 28 is pressed once. All of the game balls currently owned by the player may be counted regardless of the pressing time (regardless of whether the button is pressed for a long time).

  As described above, since the counting button 28 is provided on the pachinko machine (P) 2 side, the person is sitting facing the pachinko machine 2 as compared with the case where the counting button 28 is provided on the card unit (CU) 3 side. Can improve the operability of the player.

  A game ball number display 29 for displaying the number of game balls is provided at the upper right of the counting button 28. The game ball number display 29 is a 7-segment display. The game ball number display 29 may be configured by a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or other display.

  The pachinko machine 2 according to the present embodiment can be divided into a game board 26 and other game frames (front frames) 6. In particular, the gaming board 26 is different for each model of pachinko machine developed by each company, while the gaming machine frame 6 is a common common frame regardless of the model. For this reason, it is sufficient for the game store to replace only the game board 26 when replacing a new stand.

<Configuration of card unit>
Next, the configuration of the card unit 3 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 remaining card amount, the number of balls, or the number of stored balls) owned 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 balls that can be fired. 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. A membership card or a 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. A replay button 319 for executing a replay game using the number of stored balls specified by the ID is provided.

  The display 312 displays the prepaid balance recorded on the inserted game recording medium (card) (also referred to as the card balance or simply the balance), but can display the number of game balls and various other 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, if 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 is converted into a converted game ball. Based on this, it is 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 possession balls is not recorded and the storage ball is recorded in the hall management computer, etc., a part of the storage ball is withdrawn and becomes a game ball. It is converted and the game by the pachinko machine 2 becomes possible. That is, when both the stored ball and the holding ball are stored in association with the inserted card, the holding ball is withdrawn preferentially. Separately from the replay button 319, a dedicated ball payout button for withdrawing the holding ball may be provided, and the replay button 319 may be a button dedicated to the withdrawal of the stored ball.

  Here, the “storing ball” is a ball deposited in the hall with a ball acquired before the previous day, and becomes a game ball by paying out the saving ball. The storage 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.

  The “number of balls” is a ball acquired on that day, and becomes a game ball by paying out the ball. The 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 the withdrawal of the remaining amount of the prepaid card, the holding ball, or the storage 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 membership card, but stored in association with the membership card number on a server installed in a game hall such as a hall management computer, and the corresponding storage ball is searched based on the membership card number. It is configured to be able to. 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 801 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 801 in association with the card number. When the hall server 801 stores the card number in association with the card number, data that can specify the time stored in the hall server 801 may be written on the card (member card, visitor card) and discharged. Also, the prepaid balance is written directly on a card (member card, visitor card) and discharged.

  Note that the timing for storing the holding balls in a card (member card, visitor card) or hall server is stored at regular intervals every time the counting button 28 is operated and counting processing is performed, for example. It is conceivable that the timing is such that it is stored in a lump or when the card is returned.

  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.

  On the front side of the card unit 3, an IR (Infrared) photosensitive unit (also referred to as an IR light receiving unit) 320, a ball lending button (also referred to as a lending button) 321 and a card return button 322 are further provided. The IR photosensitive unit 320 is an IR photosensitive unit 320 that receives an infrared signal from a remote controller (not shown) possessed by an attendant at a game arcade, converts it into an electronic signal, and outputs the electronic signal. The ball lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to a game ball) for withdrawing the remaining amount recorded on the inserted card and using it in a game by the pachinko machine 2. The card return button 322 is operated when the player ends 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 + count) This is an operation button for memorizing and discharging the number of possessed balls counted by the operation.

<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 Member) storing a program for operating the CPU, control data, and the like, and a RAM ( 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. 4) for security management. Connected to the CU control unit 323 is a security board 325 for communicating with the payout control board 17 of the pachinko machine 2 while ensuring security. Note that the CU control unit 323 may be provided on the security board 325, or the CU control unit 323 may be provided on a board different from the security board 325. 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 card unit 3 side and the payout control board 17 on the pachinko machine 2 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 pachinko machine 2, and performs key management when fraud is detected. The server 800 (see FIG. 4) is notified. Further, the setting value (constant) for fraud detection is notified from the key management server 800 as board control information.

  To the CU control unit 323, the authenticity and type of the banknote are identified by the above-described money identifier, and the identification result signal is input. In addition, when the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives infrared rays emitted from a remote controller owned by an attendant at the game hall, a light reception signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The card reader / writer reads the information recorded in the inserted card into the CU control unit 323, and the read information is input to the CU control unit 323. The CU control unit 323 writes the information to the card reader / writer. When data is 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 the remaining amount or the number of game balls is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350, and is converted into display data by the display control unit 350. The display data converted by the display control unit 350 is transmitted to the pachinko machine 2. The display data transmitted to the pachinko machine 2 is input to the display 312 via the relay board 14. The display 312 displays an image corresponding to the 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 provided in the pachinko machine 2 to 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 card return button 322, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323.

  The ball lending button 321 and the card return button 322 may be provided on the P stand 2. In this case, the ball lending button 321 and the card return button 322 may be configured with buttons that can be operated on the screen of the touch panel. Even when these buttons are provided on the P base 2, it is desirable that the operation signal is input to the CU 3 side so that the control according to the operation of the button is executed by the CU 3.

  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 A launch control board 31, a variable display device 278, and an effect control board 15 that controls the display of the variable display device 278 based on a command transmitted from the main control board 16.

  The main control board 16 and the effect control board 15 are 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 Member) storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a CPU work area. 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.

  When a ball wins each start winning opening 275, 276, 277, the main control unit 161 draws a random number for determining a big hit (or further including a small hit) / off and stores the random number. This is called reserved storage. The maximum value of the number of reserved memories is, for example, 4. When the variable display device 278 is ready to start a new variable display, the main control unit 161 digests one reserved memory, makes a jackpot determination based on the reserved memory, and derives the display result from the variable start. The variable display time to reach is determined from multiple types. Further, when the big hit is determined, it is also determined whether or not the probability fluctuation is caused. The main control unit 161 transmits the result of the jackpot determination (including whether or not to change the probability) and information regarding the variable display time to the effect control unit 151 mounted on the effect control board 15 as commands.

  The variable display command transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151 specifies a variable start command indicating the start of variable display, a display result command indicating the result of variable display (big hit / out), and a variable display pattern. A variable display time command that is possible, a variable stop command that indicates the timing for deriving and displaying a variable display result, and the like are included. Furthermore, the commands transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the production control unit 151 include a command that can identify the progress status of the big hit during the big hit, a command that indicates the occurrence of a new reserved memory, and the occurrence of an error in the gaming state. There are commands to show.

  The effect control unit 151 determines the variable display content of the variable display device 278 based on these commands transmitted from the main control unit 161. For example, the effect control unit 151 specifies a variable display result and a variable display time based on a command transmitted from the main control unit 161, determines a stop symbol, and a variable display pattern (reach presence / absence, reach type). In addition, the effect pattern of the notice effect related to the big hit or reach is determined. The effect control unit 151 controls display of the variable display device 278 according to the determined variable display content.

  The effect control board 15 is also connected to the display 54 via the relay board 14 on the gaming machine frame 6 side. The effect control unit 151 transmits a display control signal for variable display or the like to the variable display device 278 and transmits a display control signal for performing display in conjunction with the display of the variable display device 278 to the display unit 54. Is possible.

  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 Member) 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 903, 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. The ball raising switch (upper) 41a detects the launch of a game ball by changing from on to off, and based on the detection, the payout control unit 171 subtracts “1” from the number of game balls.

  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.

  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, ordinary winning opening, large winning opening) and the number of winning balls (the number of balls to be paid out 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.

  The start winning award winning information is information indicating that a pachinko ball has won a prize in any of the starting winning awards. 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 903 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, and various commands are transmitted from the security board 325 to the payout control board 17 as described later. On the contrary, various responses are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the security board 325 as described later.

  In addition to the payout control board 17, the front frame 6 (game frame) is provided with a relay board 14, a launch control board 31, a launch motor 18, and a game ball number display 29. The game ball number indicator 29 may be directly attached to the front frame 6, but it may be attached to the front frame 6 like an upper plate or a lower plate provided on the front side of a normal pachinko machine where balls are paid out. You may make it provide in the aspect which can be rotated. The same applies to the display 54. The payout control unit 171 of the payout control board 17 displays the number of game balls currently owned by the player on the game ball number display 29.

  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. The firing control board 31 emits a firing motor excitation output to drive 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 display 54 is provided in the front frame 6 (game frame). The display 54 receives display data (display control signal) from the display control unit 350 of the card unit 3 via the relay board 14. Further, the display unit 54 receives display data (display control signal) from the effect control board 15 via the relay board 14.

  The relay board 14 outputs a display control signal from one of the effect control board 15 and the display control unit 350 to the display 54 and outputs the display control signal to the display 54 based on the display control signal from the effect control board 15 or the display control unit 350. A switching circuit 141 for displaying an image is mounted.

  In this embodiment, the display 54 on the pachinko machine 2 side is configured to be controlled on the CU side. Instead, the display 54 is controlled to be displayed on the pachinko machine 2 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.

  The RAM clear switch 293 is a switch for erasing game table information and game information stored in the RAM of the P table 2, and after the P table enters an error state, the store clerk operates the switch to initialize It becomes possible to return to the state. This RAM clear switch 293 is operated by a store clerk after the card is ejected in S605 of FIG.

<Pachinko ball circulation route>
Here, the circulation path of the pachinko balls in the pachinko machine 2 will be outlined with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

  When the player operates the hitting operation handle 25, the firing motor 18 is driven. As a result, one pachinko ball that has been supplied to the launch position is shot by the hitting hammer and the pachinko ball is driven into the game area 27.

  The detection of the play of the game ball is detected when the ball raising switch (upper) 41a is changed from on to off. This detection is detected by a port input on the payout control board 17 (see FIG. 2) on which the payout control unit 171 is provided. Based on the detection, the payout control unit 171 subtracts “1” from the number of game balls. To do.

  Out of balls that have been driven into the game area 27, the out balls that have entered the out port 154 (see FIG. 1) flow down the out ball flow path and are detected by an out ball detection switch 701 provided in the middle. . The foul balls flow down through the foul ball return path and are detected by a foul ball detection switch 33 provided in the middle of the foul ball.

  All winning balls that have won the winning opening and the variable winning ball device are collected on the back of the gaming machine and guided to the collection ball passing path. Similarly, out balls and foul balls are also guided to the collection ball passing path. A firing ball detection switch 903 is provided in the collection ball passage route. For this reason, the winning ball, the out ball, and the foul ball are all detected by the firing ball detection switch 903. That is, the fired ball detection switch 903 is a switch that detects all of the bullets that have been bulleted. When the number detected by the switch and the number of shots of the pachinko balls shot by the firing motor 18 become equal, it can be determined that all the pachinko balls that have been driven are collected.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the difference between the number of shots detected by the shot ball detection switch 903 and the number of bullets is calculated. When this difference is not zero, the balls that have been driven into the game area 27 have not been collected. It is determined that it is not. By making this determination, it can be determined whether the game area 27 is rolling, or whether there is a floating ball that does not fall due to being caught between nails or the like in the game area.

<Display control of touch panel>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining display control of the game ball number display 29 and the display 54. FIG. 3 shows only the main components related to the display control of the game ball number display 29 and the display 54 among the various configurations of the CU 3 and the P stand 2 shown in FIG.

  The main control unit 161 mounted on the main control board 16 transmits various types of game information that change with game control to the payout control part 171 of the payout control board 17. The payout control unit 171 transmits ball number information and the like to the CU control unit 323 based on the game information transmitted from the main control unit 161, and controls display of the game ball number display 29. As a result, the number of game balls currently owned by the player is displayed on the game ball number display 29, and the display of the number of game balls is subtracted and updated based on the ball launch or counting operation, The display of the number of game balls is added and updated on the basis of a ball lending operation or the like.

  The CU control unit 323 updates the game information such as the number of game balls stored by itself based on the number of balls information transmitted from the payout control unit 171. Further, the CU control unit 323 stores the remaining amount of the card and the player's possession ball, and the display control unit displays information for display based on the stored game information on the display 54 on the P table 2 side. To 350. The display control unit 350 transmits a display control signal based on the information to the relay board 14 on the P table 2 side.

  On the other hand, a display control signal from the effect control unit 151 of the effect control board 15 is also input to the relay board 14. The effect control unit 151 transmits a display control signal for display control of the variable display device 278 based on various variable display commands received from the main control unit 161 to the variable display device 278 and controls the display 54. A display control signal for transmission is also transmitted to the relay board 14.

  Usually, the display control signal is transmitted to the relay board 14 only from the display control unit 350 side of the CU 3, and the display control signal is not transmitted from the effect control unit 151. As a result, normally, the display unit 54 displays information such as points and card balance based on the display control signal from the display control unit 350 of the CU 3. However, when the effect control unit 151 detects a change in the gaming state of the gaming machine based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 161, it transmits a display control signal corresponding to the change in the gaming state to the relay board 14. .

  When the display control signal is input from the effect control unit 151, the switching circuit 141 receives the display control signal input from the effect control unit 151 instead of the display control signal input from the display control unit 350 to the display unit 54. Switch the circuit to transmit. As a result, the display 54 normally displays a score based on the display control on the CU 3 side. For example, when the game state changes due to a big hit display on the variable display device 278, the display The display of 54 is switched to one that interlocks with the display of the variable display device 278 such as a jackpot display. After that, when transmission of the display control signal from the effect control unit 151 to the relay board 14 is stopped, the switching circuit 141 returns the signal input source to the switching source. As a result, information based on the display control on the CU 3 side is displayed again on the display unit 54.

  That is, in the above example, the switching circuit 141 has a configuration in which, among the effect control unit 151 and the display control unit 350, the display control signal input from the effect control unit 151 is preferentially transmitted to the display unit 54. Since the display control signal is input to the switching circuit 141 only from the display control unit 350 in normal times, information based on the display control on the CU3 side is displayed on the display unit 54, and a switching condition such as occurrence of a big hit is established. When the display control signal is input from the effect control unit 151, the display control signal is prioritized and transmitted to the display 54, and the display on the display 54 is switched.

  However, instead of this, the switching circuit 141 adopts a configuration in which the display control signal input from the display control unit 350 is preferentially transmitted to the display unit 54 among the effect control unit 151 and the display control unit 350. Also good.

  That is, the switching circuit 141 performs an effect display that is linked to the display of the variable display device 278 on the display 54 based on a display control signal that is always received from the effect control unit 151 at a normal time, and there are few remaining game points and points. When a display control signal for displaying that fact is input from the CU 3 side when the predetermined switching condition is established, the signal input source is switched from the effect control unit 151 to the display control unit 359, whereby the display 54 However, the game effect screen may change to a screen for notifying that there are few game points or points remaining.

  In the present embodiment, the display control of the game ball number display 29 for displaying the number of game balls is not performed by the CU 3 but by the P stand 2 directly related to the fluctuation of the game ball number. When used and subtracted or added by game, the updated number of game balls can be immediately reflected on the game ball number display 29.

  If the display control of the game ball number display 29 is performed by the CU 3, from the CU 3 to the game ball number display 29 based on the information on the number of game balls transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3. A display control signal is sent. However, in this case, the number of game balls actually changes depending on the communication status between the CU 3 and the P stand 2, but the change is displayed on the game ball number display 29. There is a risk of inconvenience that it will not be reflected immediately. According to the present embodiment, such inconvenience can be prevented.

  On the other hand, since the display 54 controls the display on the CU3 side, the display control of the P stand 2 is compared with the case where the P stand 2 that controls the display of the game ball number display 29 further controls the display 54. The burden can be reduced.

  Here, a specific example of switching the display of the display unit 54 will be given. For example, during normal times, the remaining amount of the card is displayed on the display (touch panel) 54 based on the display control of the display control unit 350 of the CU 3, and the display on the display 54 can be changed according to the change in the gaming state such as a big hit. An example can be given in which the display is switched to one linked to the display of the display device 278.

  Alternatively, the display (touch panel) 54 normally displays in conjunction with the display of the variable display device 278 (based on the display control of the effect control unit 151), and game points are displayed on the display 54 according to the decrease in game points. The example which displays the image which alert | reports that there are few remaining can be given.

  In addition, when the display device 54 performs a display operation with a display control signal transmitted from the effect control unit 151 to the relay board 14, the relay board 14 simply relays the signal transmitted from the effect control unit 151 and displays it as it is. It suffices to have a function of transmitting to the device 54. On the other hand, there may be a case where the signal form of the display control signal for causing the display device 54 to perform display operation and the signal form of the display control signal transmitted from the effect control unit 151 are different. In addition to the switching circuit 141, the relay substrate 14 may be provided with a conversion circuit that converts the signal form.

  Further, when the switching condition is established, the display image displayed on the display unit 54 by the display control signal transmitted from the effect control unit 151 and the display control signal transmitted from the effect control unit 151 are displayed on the variable display device 278. The images may be the same or different. If they are different, it is necessary to store two types of image data, that is, image data for the variable display device 278 and image data for the display 54 in the effect control unit 151.

  The game ball number display 29 may be configured to be controlled by the main control unit 161, or the effect control unit 151 transmits a command related to the number of game balls from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151. It is good also as a structure which controls display.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment described above, since the display information of the P table 2 can display the effect information related to the variable display, it is possible to provide a game with a high effect in effect together with the variable display device 278. In addition, when a condition for displaying game information sent from the CU 3 side is established on the display unit 54, display control for displaying the game information on the display unit 54 is executed by the CU 3, so the condition is established. In this case, the display 54 can be used not only for game effects but also for display of game information by the CU 3, and the display control burden of the P table 2 accompanying display of game information can be reduced.

<Notification process for abnormalities in card units and pachinko machines>
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining notification processing when an abnormality is detected as a result of mutual authentication.

  Referring to FIG. 4, when an abnormality occurs in CU control unit 323, security board 325, payout control unit 171, or main control board 16, notification is given in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4. For the abnormality mentioned here, the CU control unit 323, the security board 325, the payout control unit 171, or the main control board 16 is replaced with another illegally manufactured one, or malfunction or failure occurs due to noise or the like. Or offline status due to disconnection or the like. The key management server 800 shown in FIG. 4 manages keys that store the SID and authentication key of the CU communication control unit in association with each serial ID (also referred to as SID) of the electronic component inside the card unit 3. It is a server. The key management server 800 is a server that can communicate with the main control board 16.

  First, when an abnormality occurs in the security substrate 325 of the card unit 3, the CU control unit 323 detects an abnormality as a result of the mutual authentication performed between the CU control unit 323 and the security substrate 325 described above. This mutual authentication includes device authentication using a session key in addition to serial ID authentication and device authentication described later.

  The serial ID is a serial ID (substrate serial ID) of the security board 325, and is stored in the ROM of the security chip 325b when the security chip 325b of the security board 325 is manufactured. Further, when the CU 3 is brought into the amusement hall and connected to the hall server 801, the board serial ID is downloaded from the key management server 800 of the key management center via the hall server 801 and stored in the CU control unit 323. The

  When the CU control unit 323 detects an abnormality in the security board 325, the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 to that effect and transmits an abnormality notification command to the display control unit 350 of the card unit 3. The CU control unit 323 controls the display 312 to display that an abnormality has occurred and causes the display control unit 350 to perform an abnormality notification by lighting or blinking an abnormality notification lamp (not shown). Further, the CU control unit 323 transmits a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred from the external communication unit to the hall management computer.

  When an abnormality occurs in the CU control unit 323 of the card unit 3, the security board 325 detects the occurrence of the abnormality by the above-described mutual authentication, and notifies the payout control unit 171 of a signal (abnormality notification signal) indicating that fact. . In response, the payout control unit 171 notifies the main control board 16 that an abnormality has occurred. As described above, the main control board 16 performs control to operate the abnormality notification lamp and transmits a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred to the hall management computer.

  When the security board 325 detects an abnormality of the payout control unit 171, the CU control unit 323 is notified of this, and the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 accordingly.

  As described above, when the security board 325 detects an abnormality of the CU control unit 323, the security board 325 notifies the payout control unit 171 of the fact. When detecting an abnormality of the payout control unit 171, the security board 325 notifies the CU control unit 323 of the fact. The notification destination of abnormality occurrence by the security board 325 is different. The reason for this is that even if the control unit in which an abnormality has occurred is notified that an abnormality has occurred, no abnormality notification control is performed and no abnormality prevention measure is provided. In addition, the security board 325 has a communication control function but does not have an abnormality notification control function. Therefore, the abnormality notification cannot be controlled by itself, and for this reason, notification is made that an abnormality has occurred in the direction of the control unit opposite to the control unit where the abnormality has occurred. The payout control unit 171 that has received the notification of the occurrence of the abnormality from the security board 325 notifies the main control board 16 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the main control board 16 performs the same control for abnormality notification as described above.

  When an abnormality occurs in the payout control unit 171, the security board 325 detects that fact and notifies the CU control unit 323 that the abnormality has occurred. The CU control unit 323 performs the above-described abnormality notification control. The hall server 801 is notified that an abnormality has occurred. When an abnormality occurs in the payout control unit 171, it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the main control board 16, and upon receiving the notification, the above-described abnormality notification control is performed.

  As described above, the payout control board 17 detects and notifies the abnormality to the main control board 16 when an abnormality occurs in the security board 325, while notifies the abnormality to the main control board 16. It detects and notifies the security board 325 that an abnormality has occurred. As with the security board 325 described above, the payout control board 17 is also controlled for anomaly notification even when a notice is given to the control unit in which an abnormality has occurred when it is detected that an abnormality has occurred. Therefore, a notification is sent to the control unit or control board on the opposite side of the control unit where the abnormality has occurred. The security board 325 and the payout control board 17 are not connected to an abnormality notification means such as an abnormality notification lamp or an abnormality notification display, and have a function of performing abnormality notification control themselves even when an abnormality is detected. Absent. In the above description, the security board 325 and the payout control board 17 are not connected to an abnormality notification means such as an abnormality notification lamp or an abnormality notification display, and perform abnormality notification control themselves even when an abnormality is detected. Although described as having no function, the security board 325 and the payout control board 17 may be provided with an abnormality notification function to directly notify that an abnormality has occurred.

<Transmission / reception mode between card unit side and pachinko machine side>
Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing main data among various data stored on the card unit 3 side and the pachinko machine 2 side, and the transmission / reception mode thereof. With reference to FIG. 5, 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 CU3 side manages and stores the number of possessed balls (the number of cards possessed), the number of stored balls, and the remaining card amount (remaining amount).

  FIG. 5 shows RAM storage data provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU3 side and RAM storage data mounted on the payout control board 17 on the P table 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.

  Both the CU and the P platform transmit the “sequential number” added to the message. Further, both the CU and the P platform store the “serial number” received from the other party. There are three types of “serial number”: “normal serial number”, “additional serial number”, and “counting serial number”. “Normal sequence number” indicates the sequence number of the message. The “normal serial number” is transmitted by counting up (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission with an initial value “1”. However, the “normal serial number” is not counted up at the time of retransmission. The “additional serial number” is a serial number used when the CU 3 requests the P unit 2 to add game balls. The “counting serial number” is a serial number used when the P stand 2 requests the CU 3 to count game balls.

  In the following, a description will be given of a configuration in which the serial numbers received at the time of transmission by the P unit 2 and the CU 3 are incremented (+1) for “normal serial number”, “additional serial number”, and “counting serial number”, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and either the P base 2 or the CU 3 counts up (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission, and the other transmits the received serial number as it is. It may be a configuration. Note that there is no response if the serial number continuity is not established.

  The “addition serial number” and “counting serial number” are special serial numbers that are counted up in the addition request processing and the count request processing, respectively. Hereinafter, a description will be given of a configuration in which “normal serial number” is also counted up when the “additional serial number” and “counting serial number” are counted up. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured to stop the “normal sequence number” from being counted up when the “additional sequence number” and the “counting sequence number” are counted up. In the following, “normal serial number” is simply referred to as “serial number”. The “additional sequence number” and “counting sequence number” are also collectively referred to as “request sequence number”.

  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”.

  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, the number of game balls, the number of cards held (simply referred to as the number of balls), the number of balls stored, the remaining amount, the total number of added balls (total number of added balls), total subtraction are stored in the cumulative data storage area in the RAM. 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 lamp or indicator 312 is used to notify an error, 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 performed by a 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 may be replaced with the count value of the game ball counter transmitted from the P unit 2 side. 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. 5, the CU 3 stores a storage area for storing the number of cards held and the number of stored balls, a storage area for storing the remaining card amount 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 the storage area for storing the card remaining amount in response to an input requesting use of the card remaining amount (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, the prepaid balance, the number of balls, or the number of balls) and use it for the game, the number of balls that are deducted The number of balls to be added to the 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.

  In the gaming system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accept a so-called wagon service order in which a gaming value owned by a 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.

<Frame configuration used in communication>
Next, communication between the CU 3 and the P base 2 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. A message used in the communication is composed of a frame having a predetermined format. Transmission data (message) is always transmitted in units of one frame. That is, the divided transmission of the message is not performed. Moreover, when transmitting a message | telegram continuously, the space | interval of 1 millisecond or more is opened.

  One frame of transmission data includes a data length, a normal sequence number, an addition sequence number, a counting sequence number, a command, and a data portion. “Data length” indicates the data length of the transmission data (serial number to data portion (business message range)). “Command” is a command code of the message. The “data part” is data of a message.

<Commands and responses sent and received between the CU and the P platform>
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, 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. 6 shows the transmission direction, whether the data to be transmitted is a command or a response, the name of transmission information, and its outline.

<< 1. Recovery request, 2. Recovery response >>
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. In response to this recovery request, 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.

  The recovery request command requests recovery information from the CU 3 to the P unit 2, and the CU 3 transmits the command first after the authentication is completed. The recovery request includes “serial number”, “command”, “previous last transmission serial number”, and “previous final transmission count serial number”. “Serial number” is a sequence number (1 to 255). “Command” is a command code for requesting status information, and is represented by binary data in hexadecimal representation.

  The “last last transmission sequence number” is the sequence number of the command for requesting the state information last transmitted to the P unit 2 at the time of the previous connection. When “Previous Last Transmission Sequence Number” is “0”, this indicates a state where there is no stored sequence number. The “previous last transmission serial number” is a serial number that stores the “sequential number” as the last final transmission serial number (serial number) when the status information response is received at the CU3 and when the status information response is received at the CU3. It is.

  “Previous last transmission count sequence number” is a count sequence number of a response to the status information request last transmitted to the P unit 2 at the previous connection. “Last transmission count sequence number” indicates that there is no stored sequence number when “0”. The “previous last transmission count sequence number” is a sequence number that stores the count sequence number as the previous last transmission count sequence number on the P unit 2 and the CU 3 side when receiving the status information response to the CU 3 when the P unit 2 transmits the status information response. .

  In the recovery process (count ball count) of the P unit 2, the P unit 2 refers to the “previous last transmission count sequence number” notified from the CU 3, and if the CU 3 has not performed the count process, the game before counting Return to the number of balls. When CU3 has already performed the counting process, the number of game balls is subtracted from the number of game balls before counting to determine the game ball.

  The response of the recovery response is a response to the recovery information held by the P unit 2 with respect to the CU3. When the CU3 receives the command, it determines whether or not the recovery process is necessary. A recovery detail request command is transmitted to only P units. Recovery information includes “sequential number”, “command”, “previous last transmission serial number”, “last inserted card ID”, “previous card insertion time”, “previous last transmission addition serial number”, “game information storage presence / absence”, “ “Previous Game Table Information” and “Previous Game Information” are included. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  “Previous last transmission serial number” is data of a serial number included in the response of the status information response last transmitted to the CU 3 at the previous connection, and when “0”, there is no stored serial number. “Previously inserted card ID” is data of the card ID of the card that was being inserted at the previous connection, and “0” indicates that there is no inserted card.

  “Previous card insertion time” is data on the insertion time of a card that was being inserted at the time of the previous connection, and when it is “0”, there is no inserted card. This data is also represented by year information as 2 digits YY, month information as 2 digits MM, day information as 2 digits DD, time information as 2 digits hh, minute information as 2 digits mm, and second information as 2 digits ss. It is. The “previous last transmission addition serial number” is an addition serial number included in the response of the status information response last transmitted to the CU 3 at the previous connection, and when “0”, there is no additional serial number. “Game information storage presence / absence” is “0x00” when game information is not stored, and “0x01” when game information is stored.

  The “previous gaming machine information” is the gaming machine information previously notified to the CU 3, and includes “the number of gaming balls”, “the number of fired balls”, “the number of balls passing through the outlet”, “the total number of winning ball balls”, “the counting ball” It includes information on “number” and “counting serial number”. 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. “Counting sequence number” is the counting sequence number notified to the CU 3 last time.

  The “previous game information” is game information previously notified to the CU 3, and includes information on “number of game information”, “type information 1” to “type information n”, “prize ball information 1” to “prize ball information n”. Is included. 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 “previous last transmission addition serial number” is a serial number that is stored as the last final transmission addition serial number on the CU 3 side and the P base 2 when the state information request is received at the CU 3 and when the status information request is received at the P base 2.

  When there is no recovery information for game information or when the last transmission sequence number is 0, “game information storage presence / absence” is not stored “0x00”, and “previous game machine information” and “previous game information” are set to ALL “0”. ”Is set. In addition, when the “last previous transmission serial number” process notified from the P table 2 is not performed, the CU 3 performs the recovery process using the previous game machine information. If the “last previous transmission serial number” process is being performed, the CU 3 performs the recovery process using only the previous game machine information. However, the number of balls is not recovered.

  In addition, when recovery processing cannot be performed due to a mismatch of communication partners (for example, replacement of the CU 3 or the P unit 2), it may be possible to manually correct by POS based on the display information of the P unit 2. For example, it is conceivable that the display information of the P base 2 is displayed using the liquid crystal display screen of the variable display device 278. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that a display device controlled by the payout control unit 171 is further provided on the P table 2 and information for manual correction is displayed on the display device. Note that POS refers to a free gift management system for exchanging free gifts and managing free gifts. In addition, POS is not limited to those for exchanging prizes or managing prizes, but records general sales information for each sale of merchandise at a store and uses the aggregated results as inventory management or marketing materials. It may be management (Point Of Sales system).

<< 3. 3. Detailed recovery request Detailed recovery response >>
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. In response to this recovery detail request, a response named recovery detail response is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU3. This response of the recovery detail response notifies the CU 3 of the recovery detail information.

  The recovery request command notifies the detailed recovery information to the P unit 2 and includes data of “serial number”, “command”, “previous last transmission addition serial number”, and “additional number of balls”. . “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. However, it is not transmitted when the additional ball separation recovery process is not performed.

  “Previous last transmission addition serial number” is data of the addition serial number of the command of the status information request last transmitted to the P unit 2 at the previous connection, and when “0”, there is no data. “Additional ball number” is data of the additional ball number of game balls, and when “0”, there is no data of additional ball number.

  Next, the recovery process of the P base 2 will be described in detail. In the recovery process of the P unit 2, when the P unit 2 has not performed the process of the “previous last transmission serial number” notified from the CU 3, the addition is performed on the game balls with reference to the number of added balls.

  The response of the recovery detailed response notifies the CU 3 that the recovery detailed information has been processed by the P unit 2 and includes “serial number” and “command”.

<< 5. 5. Communication start request, Communication start response >>
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. In response to this communication start request, a response to the communication start response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3. This response to the communication start response is a response to the CU 3 for communication start.

  The communication start request command notifies the P base 2 of the start of communication, and the P base 2 clears the recovery information. The communication start request command includes “serial number” and “command” data. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  The response to the communication start response is to notify the CU 3 that the communication has started normally, and the CU 3 clears the recovery information. The response of the communication start response includes “serial number” and “command” data. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

<< 7. 7. Communication end request, Communication end response >>
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. In response to this communication end request, a response of a communication end response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3. This communication end response is a response to the end of communication to the CU3.

  The communication end request command notifies the P unit 2 of the end of communication, and includes “serial number” and “command” data. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  The response of the communication end response is to notify the CU 3 that the communication has ended normally, and the CU 3 and the P stand 2 stop the communication and wait for the restart after the notification. The response of the communication end response includes “serial number” and “command” data. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

<< 9. Status information request >>
A status information request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P platform 2. This status information request command notifies the P unit 2 of the status of the CU 3. The CU 3 periodically notifies the state of the CU 3 using this command, and periodically confirms the state of the P unit 2 by receiving a response to this command. The status information request command includes the number of balls to be added from the CU 3 side to the P stand 2 side shown in FIG.

  Specific data of this status information request includes data of “sequential number”, “command”, “CU state”, “addition ball number”, “additional serial number”, and “counting serial number”. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  The “CU state” represents the state of CU3 notified to the P stand 2, and indicates that a card insertion process is in progress when Bit0 is “1”, and a card is not inserted when “0”. That is, Bit0 represents a state where a card (general card / member card) is inserted in CU3. In addition, a general card is being inserted by depositing into a stock card (general 0 yen 0 card) stocked in advance in the card stock section of CU3.

  When Bit 1 is “1”, the card unit is being opened, and when it is “0”, the card unit is being closed. That is, Bit1 notifies the P stand 2 of the card unit opening or closing state depending on the state of CU3. The timing for notifying the opening of the card unit is, for example, when the opening of the card unit is completed. The timing for notifying that the card unit is closed is, for example, when the store is closed. Note that when the same state changes from opening to closing, the P stand 2 notifies the CU 3 with a status information response as the number of all playing game balls being held.

  When Bit 2 is “1”, the card return preparation is in progress, and when “0”, the card return preparation is not in progress. The CU 3 notifies the P stand 2 of “preparing for card return” for a certain time (10 seconds) by setting this bit during each operation of card return, simple leaving, and meal break. When the operation of the counting button 28 is detected, the P table 2 has operated the counting button once or a plurality of times if it has received a status information request with the bit being prepared for card return turned on. Regardless of the operation duration, regardless of the operation duration time, all the stored game balls are notified to the CU 3 by counting the number of balls.

  When Bit 3 is “1”, a game ball addition request is shown, and when Bit 3 is “0”, no game ball addition request is shown. That is, Bit3 requests addition of game balls (the number of added balls) at the time of ball lending, holding ball payout, and stored ball payout operations.

  When Bit 4 is “1”, completion of counting ball reception is indicated, and “0” indicates that counting ball is not received. Bit4 notifies P stand 2 that the receipt has been completed when the counting ball is received. That is, it is used to confirm delivery of the response “count ball” of the state information response. Bit 5 to Bit 7 are not used.

  The “added ball number” is the added ball number of game balls, and the data of the added ball number is valid only when Bit 3 in the CU state is “1”. The “addition serial number” is an addition sequence number (0 to 255), and is notified by updating (+1) the sequence number when a game ball addition request is made. “Counting sequence number” is a counting sequence number (0 to 255), and updates (+1) and notifies the counting sequence number received at the time of a count request. However, if the continuity of the counting sequence number is not established as in the case where the received counting sequence number is not one obtained by adding 1 to the previous counting sequence number, the count is not received. Alternatively, in order to notify that the continuity of the counting sequence number is not established, the transmitted counting sequence number may be updated with a predetermined value exceeding 1, and the updated counting sequence number may be returned.

<< 10. Status information response >>
In response to the status information request, a response of the status information response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3. 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 status information response includes the latest game table information and the number of game balls shown in FIG.

  Specific data of this status information request includes data of “sequential number”, “command”, “ball number information”, “game table status”, “injustice detection information”, and “game information”. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  “Number of balls information” includes “CU control unit request information” and the number of balls of P table 2 (“the number of game balls”) at the time (current) when a command for requesting status information is transmitted from CU 3 to P table 2. , “Number of balls to be fired”, “number of balls having passed through the outro”, “number of balls to be awarded”, “number of balls to be counted” and “counting serial number”), and “launch strength”.

  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 game balls” calculates the number of game balls held by the CU 3 by using “number of prize balls” and “number of fired balls” described later by the CU 3. Thereafter, the CU 3 checks whether the calculated number of game balls of the CU 3 matches the number of game balls of the P unit 2.

  “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. That is, the “number of fired balls” (subtraction) is data to be subtracted from the number of game balls held by the CU 3. If the data is received without holding the card, CU3 does not subtract the number of game balls. CU3 does not perform subtraction when the number of game balls held by CU3 itself is 0.

  “The number of balls that have passed through the outlet” is the number of balls that have passed through the outlet 154 (when there are a plurality of balls that have passed during transmission, they are added together).

  “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. Note that the “total prize ball number” (addition) does not include the “addition request ball number” transmitted from the CU 3. In addition, the CU 3 adds the data of the total number of prize balls to the number of game balls held. When the data for the total number of winning balls is received without holding the card, CU3 does not add the number of gaming balls.

  The “count request ball number” is the number of game balls requested to be counted. That is, the “count ball” (subtraction) is data that is subtracted from the number of game balls held by the CU 3 and added to the number of cards held. Note that the number of counting balls is not used for the data of the number of subtraction balls transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3. Further, when the data is received without holding the card, the CU 3 does not subtract the number of game balls. CU3 does not perform subtraction when the number of game balls held by CU3 itself is 0.

  However, when the card unit opening state changes from opening to closing, the game balls held by the gaming machine are counted and set as the number of counting balls. When the card unit opening state is open, the operation of the counting button 28 is performed, so that the number of game balls is counted and set as the number of counting balls. However, when the card unit opening state changes from opening to closing, the game balls are automatically counted and set as the number of counting balls without waiting for the operation of the counting button 28.

  The “counting serial number” is a counting sequence number (0 to 255), and is updated (+1) and notified when a counting is requested.

“Launch strength” is the strength for launching a game ball.
The “gaming table state” indicates the state of the P table 2 when the command for requesting the status information is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P table 2, and the “gaming table state 1”, “gaming table state 2”, “ It includes information on “game table state 3” and “game table error state”.

  Bit 0 of “gaming table state 1” indicates whether the game is permitted or prohibited. When “0”, the game is permitted, and when “1”, the game is prohibited. Bit1 indicates whether or not the fan (player) is playing (balls are being fired), and is “0” when waiting (the fan is not firing a ball), and “1”. The game is in progress (a state in which the fan is firing a ball), but there is a game ball and the game is in the state in which the launch handle (hitting ball operating handle 25) is touched (touch sensor touched).

  Bit 2 indicates the presence / absence of a game ball (detection of no game ball). When “0”, there are a number of game balls, and when “1”, there is no game balls. Bit 3 indicates whether or not the whereabouts of all the fired balls are confirmed in a state where the fire of the balls is stopped. That is, it shows whether all the floating balls in the game area 27 have been collected. However, it does not include ball stoppages due to a fire stop switch (also called a single shot switch). When it is “0”, the game is not completed (the state of all balls is indeterminate), and when it is “1”, the game is complete (a state where all balls have been confirmed). Note that if the completion of the game is not confirmed for 15 seconds or more after the ball launch is stopped, the P platform 2 times out and the game is completed.

Bit 4 indicates whether or not a game ball is counted (whether or not a count button is pressed). When “0”, there is no request, when “1”, there is a count acceptance request at the start of counting or a counting ball payout request. It is. When the counting operation is detected, the P platform transmits a count information ON status information response to the CU and confirms whether or not the counting request has been received.
When “1”, it is a count request. Bit 5 indicates the processing result of the game ball addition, which is addition OK when “0” and addition NG when “1”. Bit 6 to Bit 7 are reserved.

  Bit 0 of “gaming table state 2” represents jackpot information jackpot 1 (all jackpots), and “1” is set during all jackpots. Bit 1 represents big hit 2 of big hit information (big hit + small hit), and sets “1” during all big hits and small hits. Bit 2 represents the big hit 3 of the big hit information (big hit of the big ball), and “1” is set during the big hit where the big ball is big. Bit 3 represents big hit 4 of big hit information (big hit of small ball), and “1” is set during big hit with small ball. Bit 4 represents a big hit 5 of the big hit information (a big hit in the outgoing ball), and “1” is set during the big hit in the middle of the outgoing ball. Bit5 to Bit7 are reserved.

  Bit 0 of “gaming table state 3” represents a big hit in the gaming state information + short time, and “1” is set in the big hit and short time. Bit1 represents the probability change of the game state information, and “1” is set during the probability change. Bit 2 represents the time of the game state information, and “1” is set during the time reduction. Bit3 to Bit7 are reserved.

  The “gaming table error state” indicates an error code that is occurring in the P table 2, and each error code is expressed using Bit0 to Bit5. There is no error when Bit 0 to Bit 5 are all “0”. Bit 6 is information for specifying a place where an error has occurred, and represents payout control when “0” and main control when “1”. Bit 7 indicates an error output method. When “0”, only an alert is issued, and when “1”, an alert + output to the hall server 801 is indicated.

  The “fraud detection information” is information detected by 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 includes “fraud detection state 1” and “fraud detection state 2”. The information of “fraud detection information 1” to “fraud detection information 4” is included.

  The “fraud detection state 1” is fraud detection information of the main control board 16. Bit 0 of “fraud detection state 1” indicates fraud detection information of radio wave sensor detection when “1”. Bit1 indicates that it is the positive detection information that the magnetic sensor is not detected when “1”. Bit2 represents fraud detection information for fraud detection when “1”. Bit3 to Bit7 are reserved.

  The “fraud detection state 2” is fraud detection information of the payout control board 17. Bit 0 of “fraud detection state 2” indicates fraud detection information for opening the glass plate when “1”. Bit 1 represents fraud detection information for opening the frame body when “1”. Bit 2 represents fraud detection information of radio wave sensor detection when “1”. Bit 3 represents fraud detection information of the proximity sensor abnormality when “1”. Bit 4 represents fraud detection information for detecting a prize ball goto when “1”. Here, the “goto” is an illegal act of acquiring a ball in an illegal manner in a pachinko or slot machine. Bit 5 represents fraud detection information for complex goth detection when “1”. Bit 6 represents fraud detection information for fraud addition detection when “1”. Bit 7 represents fraud detection information for door / frame opening detection (nighttime) when “1”.

  “Injustice detection information 1” is data indicating information on the detection of the winning ball sensor got (number of winning inconsistent balls). The “fraud detection information 1” is valid when Bit 4 of the “fraud detection state 2” is “1”. The “injustice detection information 2” is data indicating information of composite sensor goto detection (launch / OUT inconsistent ball number). That is, it is data indicating information when an inconsistency between the number of shot balls and the number of out balls (the number of balls passing through the outlet) is detected. The “fraud detection information 2” is valid when Bit 5 of the “fraud detection state 2” is “1”. “Falsification detection information 3” is data indicating information of fraud addition detection (number of fraud addition balls). The “fraud detection information 3” is valid when Bit 6 of the “fraud detection state 2” is “1”. The “fraud detection information 4” is data indicating information on the number of times the frame body is opened at night. The “fraud detection information 4” is valid when the Bit 7 of the “fraud detection state 2” is “1”.

  The “additional serial number” is a serial number that is updated when an addition request is generated from the CU3 side. When the P unit 2 receives the addition request from the CU 3, when it accepts the addition request, it adds 1 to the addition sequence number included in the command of the addition request and returns it, and when it rejects, it returns the same addition sequence number as it is. To do. While the addition request is not generated, the same serial number is repeatedly transmitted without being updated. If the continuity of the addition sequence number is not established, as in the case where the addition sequence number included in the addition request is not one added to the addition sequence number received so far, the addition request is regarded as not normal and the same addition is made. The serial number may be returned as it is and the request may be rejected. Alternatively, in order to notify that the continuity of the addition sequence number is not established, the transmitted addition sequence number may be updated with a predetermined value exceeding 1, and the updated addition sequence number may be returned.

  The “game information” is information on the P device 2 at the time when the command for requesting the status information is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P device 2, and “number of game information”, “type information 1” to “type information n”. ”,“ Prize ball information 1 ”to“ Prize ball information n ”.

  The “number of game information” is the number (n) of type information / prize ball information, and n = 0 to 22 (variable length). The type information includes data types from Bit 4 to Bit 7 and indicates the data type of the game information. When “0”, there is no information, when “1”, the start entry, when “2”, the big prize opening , “3” is the winning opening, and “4” is the number of symbol stops. Bit 0 to Bit 3 are data number information, which indicates the data number for each data type of game information. When “0”, there is no information, and when “1” to “15”, each data number is indicated. .

  “Type information 1” to “Type information n” indicate game type information 1 to game type information n, respectively. “Prize ball information 1” to “Prize ball information n” are game prize ball information 1 to game prize ball. Information n is shown.

  Here, the prize ball information is information on the number of prize balls from Bit0 to Bit3, and indicates the number of prize balls at the time of winning for each data type of game information. When "" to "15", the data of the number of award balls are respectively represented. Bits 4 to 7 are information on the number of winnings, and indicate the number of winnings (cumulative) for each data type of game information. When “0”, there is no information, and when “1” to “15”, the winning number data is displayed. Each represents.

<< 11. Card insertion notification, 12. Card insertion response >>
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. In response to this card insertion notification, a response of the card insertion response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3. The response of this card insertion response is a response to the card insertion to the CU3.

  The card insertion notification command notifies the card ID and insertion time of the inserted card to the P base 2 when the card is inserted, and “sequential number”, “command”, “card ID”, and “card insertion time”. Is included. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  “Card ID” is ID information of the inserted card. “Card insertion time” is the time when a card is inserted into the card insertion / eject port 309 (see FIG. 1). The year information is two digits YY, the month information is two digits MM, the day information is two digits DD, and the time information. Is 2 digits hh, minute information is 2 digits mm, and second information is 2 digits ss.

  The response of the card insertion response notifies the CU 3 that the card insertion notification has been normally received, and includes “serial number” and “command” data. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

<< 13. Card return notice, 14. Card return response >>
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. In response to this card return notification, 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.

  The card return notification command is for notifying the P unit 2 of the card return, and the CU 3 transmits the notification when the “card return” button is pressed. The card return notification includes data of “serial number” and “command”. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  The response to the card return response is to send a response to the card return notification to the CU 3 and includes data of “serial number”, “command”, “card ID”, and “card insertion time”. “Serial number”, “command”, “card ID”, and “card insertion time” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. Note that CU3 does not return the card if the card ID included in the command does not match the ID of the card currently being inserted or if there is a problem with the card insertion time included in the command. , And processing such as prohibiting the writing of the holding ball to the card.

  Here, the operation of the P stand 2 at the time of card insertion notification or card return notification will be described. At the time of card insertion notification, if the CU 3 performs a membership card insertion, a general card insertion, or a deposit to a general 0 yen 0 coin card, the P stand 2 backs up the card ID and the card insertion time. When an operation of pressing the “card return” button is performed on the CU 3 at the time of the card return notification, the P stand 2 clears the card ID and the card insertion time.

<< 15. Communication test request, 16. Communication test response >>
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. In response to this communication test request, a response of the communication test response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3. The response of this card return response is a response of test data to CU3.

  The communication test request command notifies the P unit 2 of test data. Note that the test data notified to the P platform 2 is not encrypted. The communication test request command includes data of “serial number”, “command”, and “test data”. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. “Test data” is test data notified to the P base 2 and is arbitrary data.

  The response of the communication test response notifies the CU 3 of test data. Note that the test data notified to the CU 3 is not encrypted. The response of the communication test response includes data of “serial number”, “command”, and “test data”. “Serial number” and “command” are the same as described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. “Test data” is test data notified to the CU 3 and is arbitrary data.

<Main sequence in communication between CU and P platform>
<< Send command and response >>
First, transmission of commands and responses between the CU 3 and the P base 2 will be described. A command is transmitted from CU3 (primary station) to P station 2 (secondary station), and P station 2 returns a response to CU3 in response to the command. In other words, the business message transmission is a command / response system in which the CU 3 is the primary station and the P stand 2 is the secondary station.

  The period from the transmission of the first command to the P unit 2 from the CU 3 to the transmission of the next command is controlled to 200 ms, that is, 0.2 seconds. Further, the period from the transmission of the response from the P base 2 to the CU 3 until the transmission of the next response is controlled to 200 ms, that is, 0.2 seconds.

  Thus, both a command and a response are transmitted between the CU 3 and the P base 2 at an interval of 200 ms. On the other hand, by operating the hitting operation handle 25, the P platform 2 hits 100 pachinko balls into the game area 27 per minute, so the hitting time interval is 0.6 seconds. As a result, a plurality of commands and responses are transmitted and received while firing one ball.

  Therefore, responses for notifying the amount of change in the number of game balls are sequentially transmitted from the P platform 2 to the CU 3 at intervals shorter than the ball firing time interval. As a result, the P stand 2 can finely notify the CU 3 of the amount of change in the number of game balls.

  Here, the transmission interval of the command and the response is set to 200 ms, but the transmission interval may be longer or shorter than this. For example, the transmission interval may be a firing time interval of the P platform 2. It is also possible to match with

<< Communication line disconnection detection on CU side >>
Next, processing when communication disconnection is detected on the CU3 side will be described. When the response is not received within 200 ms after the CU 3 transmits a command to the P unit 2, the same command is transmitted to the P unit 2 again. Further, if a response cannot be received within 200 ms, a second retransmission is performed in which the same command is transmitted to the P unit 2. Resend the same command to P-unit 2 up to 14 times. If the response is not received from the P-unit 2 even after the 14th retransmission, the CU 3 determines that the communication is abnormal after 3 seconds and sets “communication interruption”. This communication abnormality may be caused when the connector of the CU 3 and the connector of the P base 2 are disconnected, or the connection wiring is disconnected or the power supply of the P base 2 is disconnected. CU3 does not increment the serial number when retransmitting the command.

<< Communication line disconnection detection on P side >>
Processing when communication disconnection is detected on the P platform 2 side will be described. A command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2, and the P unit 2 returns a response to the CU 3 in response to the command. Thereafter, when the state in which the command from the CU 3 is not transmitted to the P stand 2 continues for 3 seconds, the P stand 2 determines that the communication is cut off, stops the driving of the firing motor 18 and stops the game. The cause of this communication disconnection may be the disconnection of the connector of CU3 and the connector of P base 2, disconnection of connection wiring, or power supply disconnection of CU3.

  It should be noted that the command and response for detecting communication disconnection on the P platform 2 side include recovery request / recovery response, recovery detail request / recovery detail response, communication start request / communication start response, notification end request / communication end response, and communication Does not include test request / communication test response command and response.

<< Power-on >>
Next, connection sequence processing at power-on will be described. The sequence process shown in FIG. 7 is a process executed when communication is resumed after the communication between the CU 3 and the P platform 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 at the amusement hall after one day of business 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). ). The recovery information includes a previous last transmission sequence number, a previously inserted card ID, a previous card insertion time, and a previous last transmission addition sequence number.

  Upon receiving the recovery response, the CU 3 determines whether or not the previously inserted card ID and the previous card insertion time included in the recovery information match the stored card ID and card insertion time. When the card ID and the card insertion time match, the CU 3 transmits a recovery detail request to the P unit 2 and transmits 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.

  The CU 3 that has received the detailed recovery response executes recovery processing from that point and clears the recovery data. 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 not only executed at power-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 ends, 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 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. 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 counts up the serial number to “n + 6”, and transmits a status information request command to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P stand 2 backs up the data of 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 state of the game table. 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 counts up the serial number to “n + 7” and returns a response of the status information response to the CU 3.

  In response to this, the CU 3 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 each winning prize, and the status of the game table. The breakdown of the number of added balls is the number of award balls and the number of back balls. The breakdown of the number of subtraction balls is the number of shot balls and the number of balls counted.

  Thereafter, the CU 3 counts up the serial number to “n + 8” and transmits a status information request command to the P unit 2, and the P unit 2 counts up the serial number to “n + 9” and responds to the status information response. Is returned to CU3.

<< Card insertion >>
Processing of the CU 3 and the P stand 2 when a card is inserted will be described. The CU 3 shown in FIG. 8 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a card insertion state = OFF to the P unit 2 before card insertion. 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, in CU3, when the card is inserted, the card reader / writer outputs a command signal for taking the card into the card reader / writer, and the card reader / writer reads information (card ID, etc.) recorded in the taken-in card. A process at the time of card insertion, such as receiving the read information, is executed.

  The CU 3 is in a card information inquiry state for a predetermined period after the card is inserted. This is in the middle of verifying whether the inserted card is appropriate, whether it is a membership card registered at the amusement hall, or inquiring the hall server 801 about the holding ball, storage ball, remaining card amount, 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.

  After that, when the inserted card is authenticated, the CU 3 stores the card ID of the card and the card insertion time in the RAM of the CU control unit 323, and also includes a serial number = n + 4, a card ID, and a card insertion time. An insertion notification command is transmitted 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.

<< Payment (general 0 yen 0 card) >>
Next, processing when depositing into an inserted card or depositing into a stock card (general 0 yen 0 coin card) pre-stocked in CU3 will be described. The sequence processing shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of depositing into a general 0 yen 0 coin card (a general card with a balance of 0 yen and 0 coins) stocked in advance in CU3. In the present embodiment, a card is shown as an example of a recording medium stocked in advance in the CU, but IC coins may be used instead of the card.

  First, before the deposit operation, 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 machine 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1 and the game prohibition to the CU3.

  The player inserts a bill into the bill insertion slot 302 and performs a deposit operation. When a deposit operation is performed, the CU 3 writes the amount of money deposited by the card reader / writer on a card stocked in advance and the card reader / writer reads information recorded on the card on which the amount is written. Processing is executed.

  When the deposit operation is performed, the CU 3 transmits a card insertion notification command including the serial number = n + 2, the card ID of the card read by the card reader / writer, and the card insertion time to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P unit 2 backs up the received card ID and card insertion time data, and returns a response of the card insertion response including the serial number = n + 3 to the CU 3.

  In response to this, the CU 3 sends a status information request command including a serial number = n + 4 and a card insertion state = ON to the P base 2 to notify the P base 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 + 5 and the game permission to the CU 3. As a result, the game is permitted. After that, by using the remaining amount of the card to secure a game ball, it is possible to play a bullet game.

  While the card is being inserted, CU3 sends a status information request command including serial number = n + 6 and card insertion state = ON to P-unit 2, and P-unit 2 returns a response of status information response including serial number = n + 7 and game permission. Reply to CU3.

<< Prepaid loan >>
Next, a process for lending a game ball from the prepaid balance of the inserted card will be described. In the sequence process shown in FIG. 10, the prepaid balance recorded on the inserted card is 500 yen, and the number of game balls is 50 balls. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n, a game ball addition request = OFF, and an addition serial number = m 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, the number of game balls = 50, and the additional serial number = m to the CU3. In this way, the addition sequence number is not updated while the addition request is not generated.

  Thereafter, when the player performs a lending operation (ball lending operation) in which the “lending” button is pressed once, the CU 3 lends the remaining amount of 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 remaining amount consumption is determined by the CU 3 alone at the stage where the lending operation is performed. Thereafter, CU3 is in the display of addition. During the addition display, the display unit 54 displays that 125 balls are withdrawn from the remaining amount and added to the game balls.

  Next, the CU 3 makes a game ball addition request to the P stand 2. Therefore, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including the serial number = n + 2, the game ball addition request = ON, the number of additional balls = 125, and the addition serial number = m + 1 to the P unit 2. In order to make a game ball addition request, the serial number is counted up to “n + 2”, and the added serial number is also counted up to “m + 1”. 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 and the addition serial number = m + 2 is returned to the CU3. Since this is a response to the game ball addition request, the serial number is incremented to “n + 3”, and the addition serial number is also incremented to “m + 2”.

  Thereafter, CU3 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n + 4, game ball addition request = OFF and addition serial number = m + 2 to P unit 2, P unit 2 has serial number = n + 5, number of additional balls = 175 and A response of the status information response including the added serial number = m + 2 is returned to the CU3. When the game ball addition request is OFF, the status information request and the status information response count up the serial number, but do not count up the additional serial number.

≪Mochitama payout and savings ball payout (replay) ≫
Next, the process of paying out and holding out the stored balls will be described. In FIG. 11, the initial number of game balls is “50” balls. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n, a game ball addition request = OFF, and an addition serial number = m 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, the number of game balls = 50, and the additional serial number = m to the CU3. In this way, the addition sequence number is not updated while the addition request is not generated.

  After that, when the player presses the holding ball payout button or the replay button 319 in a state where there is a holding ball or a storage ball, the CU 3 confirms the consumption of 125 balls from the holding ball or the storage ball, and determines the number of gaming balls. The number of game balls = 50 (number of game balls before update) +125 (number of added balls) = 175 is backed up. As described above, the consumption of the possession balls or the storage balls is determined by the CU 3 alone when the operation of depressing the possession ball payout button or 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.

  CU3 notifies the addition request | requirement of the number of addition balls = 125 to the P stand 2 after confirming the consumption from a holding ball or a storage ball. Specifically, the CU 3 displays that a game ball addition process is in progress, and issues a status information request command including serial number = n + 2, game ball addition request = ON, number of additional balls = 125, and addition serial number = m + 1. Transmit to P-station 2. In order to make a game ball addition request, the serial number is counted up to “n + 2”, and the added serial number is also counted up to “m + 1”. 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 and the addition serial number = m + 2 is returned to the CU3. Since this is a response to the game ball addition request, the serial number is incremented to “n + 3”, and the addition serial number is also incremented to “m + 2”.

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

<< Game Ball Count (Normal) >>
Next, a normal counting process for counting and subtracting a part of the game balls, No. 1, will be described. FIG. 12 shows a case where the counting button is pressed without detecting a card return operation. Therefore, the card return ready state bits transmitted from the CU 3 to the P stand 2 are all OFF (= 0). For this reason, description of the bits in the card return preparation state is omitted below.

  Further, in FIG. 12, the number of balls specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is “0” balls, and the initial number of game balls is “800” balls. Yes.

  Here, an example will be described in which counting in units of 100 points continues while the operation of the counting button is detected, and the counting operation ends when the operation of the counting button is no longer detected.

  First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n, a card return ready state = OFF, a counting serial number = m, and a counting response = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P stand 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1, the number of game balls = 800, the counting serial number = m, the counting ball number = 0, and the counting request = OFF to the CU3.

  In response to the serial number n transmitted from the CU 3, the serial number n + 1 is returned from the P unit 2. The CU 3 determines that the status information request has arrived at the P platform 2 based on the return of the sequence number added by 1 to the transmitted sequence number. On the other hand, the same counting sequence number m is returned from the P base 2 to the counting sequence number m transmitted from the CU 3. This is because the counting sequence number is different from the normal sequence number and is updated when the counting request is generated, and the updating is terminated when the counting is completed.

  Thereafter, the player presses the counting button 28. In FIG. 12, immediately after an operation of pressing the count button 28 once, a command for status information request including a serial number = n + 2, a card return ready state = OFF, a count serial number = m, and a count response = OFF is sent from the CU3. It has been transmitted to the P stand 2.

  When the P table 2 detects the operation of the counting button 28, it issues a counting request (counting acceptance request) accompanying the operation of the counting button 28 to the CU before starting the subtraction processing of the gaming balls for the counting based on the detection. Notice. That is, a status information response of serial number = n + 3 with the counting request turned ON is transmitted to the CU. As shown in the figure, at this stage, the number of game balls remains 800, and the number of game balls included in the state information response of serial number = n + 3 does not change. However, the counting sequence number has been updated from m so far to m + 1. Thereby, CU3 which received this status information response can recognize generation | occurrence | production of a count request | requirement only from this change of a count serial number.

  Upon receiving the status information response with counting request = ON, the CU determines whether counting is possible, and if it can count, transmits a status information request with the counting response turned ON (here, serial number = n + 4) to the P units. To do. At this time, as shown in the figure, the counting sequence number is also updated to m + 2. However, at this stage, the display of the number of possessed balls remains 0, and the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side remains 800.

  The P platform 2 that has received the count information ON status information request determines that the count request has been accepted. Then, the P platform 2 finally transmits a status information response of the serial number n + 5 in which the count request value is specifically set to 100 to the CU 3. However, even at this stage, the P base 2 does not perform counting for the counting request. For this reason, in the status information response of the serial number n + 5, the number of game balls is still 800. In addition, since the status information response is a message transmitted in the middle of the processing triggered by the counting request, the counting sequence number is also updated to m + 2.

  CU3 which received the status information response of serial number n + 5 adds the number of balls equivalent to the number of counting balls requested, and updates the display of balls to 100. That is, the CU control unit 323 transmits a count display command to the display control unit 350. The display controller 350 receives the command and controls the display 54 on the P platform 2 side. As a result, the display 54 displays an image in which the number of game balls is counted and the number of balls is decreased, while the number of balls is increased.

  In this case, it is conceivable to perform an effect display such that game balls are guided and counted by each counter one by one. Another example of the effect display may be a display in which the number of game balls is converted to the number of balls in time. For example, the data for the number of balls and the data for the number of balls are shown in a bar graph, and the number of balls in the game ball number is increased while the number of balls in the game ball is increased while the number of balls in the game ball is decreased. The display to move to the bar graph may be repeated. In addition, as another example of the effect display, the current game ball number data and the number of possession balls data are digitally displayed as they are, and the number of possession balls is increased while decreasing the number of game balls, or a part of the number of game balls It is possible to repeat the display for moving the number of balls to the number of balls, and various display effects.

  Furthermore, CU3 backs up the data of the number of game balls = 700. Subsequently, the CU 3 transmits a status information request of sequence number n + 6, count sequence number m + 4, and count response = ON to the P platform 2 to notify that the requested count has been completed.

  The P table 2 that has received this status information request finally subtracts the number of game balls by the number corresponding to the number of balls counted = 100, and updates the display on the game ball number display 29 from 800 to 700. At this stage, since the count button continues to be pressed, the P platform 2 transmits a second count request to the CU 3. However, since consent to the count acceptance request (status information response of serial number = n + 3) has already been obtained, the P stand 2 transmits a status information response designating a specific count request value. That is, a status information response of serial number n + 7 with the count request value specifically set to 100 is transmitted to CU3. However, even at this stage, the P base 2 does not perform counting for the counting request. For this reason, in the status information response of the serial number n + 7, the number of game balls = 700. Further, since this status information response is a message transmitted in the middle of processing triggered by the counting request, the counting sequence number is also updated to m + 5.

  CU3 which received the status information response of serial number n + 7 adds the number of balls equivalent to the requested number of balls and updates the display of balls to 200. Further, the data of the number of game balls = 600 is backed up. Subsequently, the CU 3 transmits a status information request of sequence number n + 8, count sequence number m + 6, and count response = ON to the P base 2 to notify that the requested count has been completed.

  The P table 2 that has received this status information request subtracts the number of game balls by the number corresponding to the number of balls counted = 100, and updates the display of the game ball number display 29 from 700 to 600. However, at this stage, the player's hand is separated from the counting button, and the counting operation is completed. For this reason, the P platform 2 notifies the CU 3 of the completion of counting with a status information response of serial number n + 9. That is, with the current number of game balls = 600, a status information response of count request = OFF and count ball count = 0 is transmitted to CU3. In addition, since all the counting operations corresponding to the counting request have been completed, the counting sequence number included in this status information response remains m + 6 and is not updated.

  The CU 3 that has received this status information response determines that the counting is complete. Although not shown, the CU 3 transmits a status information response of serial number n + 10, counting serial number m + 6, card return preparation state = OFF, and counting response = OFF to the P base 2.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a counting operation is detected, the counting process is not performed immediately, but a counting request (counting acceptance request) is transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU3, and the CU3 receives the P After the acceptance response is returned to the table 2, the counting process specifying the count request value is executed. For this reason, it is possible to perform counting processing after confirming whether processing on the CU side is possible or not, compared with control that immediately executes counting processing when a counting operation is detected. While the counting process is completed on the side, the counting process cannot be executed on the CU side, and it is possible to prevent the two from becoming inconsistent.

  In the present embodiment, when the information status response notifying the number of counting balls is transmitted from the P unit to the CU, the P unit side does not immediately subtract the gaming balls for the counting ball, At the stage of receiving an information status response for notifying the number of balls to be received from the CU, the P cars are subtracting game balls.

  Thus, if the counting operation is detected and the timing at which the game ball subtraction is actually determined is shifted backward, the subtraction confirmation waiting period from when the counting operation is detected until the game ball subtraction is determined Becomes longer. For this reason, even when the communication interruption occurs between the CU and the P-base between the time when the counting operation is detected and the time when the counting process sequence ends normally, even when the recovery process is started, the communication interruption occurrence timing Can be recovered without taking into account the counting operation. As a result, by making the subtraction confirmation waiting period longer, recovery can be performed when communication interruption occurs between the CU and the P unit between the time when the counting operation is detected and the time when the counting process sequence ends normally. It is possible to prevent the processing from becoming complicated as much as possible.

<< Game Ball Count (Modification) >>
Next, a description will be given of a normal counting process that counts and subtracts a part of the game balls. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining a modification example of the counting process when the counting button is operated. Here, with reference to FIG. 13, a modified example related to the counting process when the counting button is operated will be described. In the description using FIG. 12, the example in which counting in units of 100 balls is repeatedly performed as long as there is a game ball while the operation of the counting button is detected has been described. In such an example, the count amount of game balls is proportional to the duration of operation of the count button.

  On the other hand, this modification shows an example in which the counting unit amount of game balls increases as the duration of the operation of the counting button becomes longer. In FIG. 13, the description of the normal serial number n and the card return ready state is omitted. However, as in FIG. 12, the serial number n is updated in both CU and P messages, and the card return ready state. Is OFF.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the number of balls specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is “0” balls, and the initial number of game balls is “1000” balls. ing.

  When the operation of the count button is detected, the status information response (count serial number = m + 1) of the count acceptance request is transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3 and in response to this, the count acceptance is received from the CU 3 to the P stand 2 The point that the status information request for acceptance (counting serial number = m + 2) is returned is the same as in the case of FIG.

  However, when entering a sequence in which a subsequent count value is designated and a request for counting to CU3 is repeated, the requested count value is 50, as shown in (1), (2), and (3) of FIG. It gradually increases to 100 and 200. As a result, the display of the number of balls is updated to 0, 1, 2, 50, 51, 52 ... 150 ... 350 in a relatively short time from the initial 0, and the display update speed increases as the numerical value increases. Goes up. The display of the number of game balls is the same, and is updated to 1000, 999,..., 950, 850, 650 in a relatively short time from the initial 1000, and the display update speed increases as the numerical value decreases.

  In the example of FIG. 13, since the operation of the counting button is finished when the counting request of the counting value = 200 is generated, the number of gaming balls is finally 650 and the number of holding balls is 350. However, if the operation is continued as it is, the next counting unit is 400, the remaining 250 game balls are designated as the last counting unit, and the counting of all game balls is completed.

  In this way, in the case of the modification shown in FIG. 13, since the number of game balls is counted as the duration of the counting operation becomes longer, counting is possible even when a large number of game balls are present. Can be performed promptly. On the other hand, at the initial stage where the counting operation is detected, since the number of game balls to be counted is small, the player can perform a short counting operation or a combination of a plurality of short counting operations. There is an effect that it is easy to adjust the counting amount. Such an operation of adjusting the count amount is effective, for example, when receiving a wagon service using a holding ball or sharing a holding ball division. That is, when the number of holding balls used for the wagon service or the sharing of the holding balls is insufficient, it is easy to make fine adjustments to compensate for the shortage.

<< game ball count (count NG) >>
Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a description will be given of the game ball count at the time of counting NG, in particular, the counting during the order service. The order service is a service that allows a player to order a wagon service such as a drink by consuming his own possession. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 and the subsequent FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the sequence when the counting operation is performed during the order service will be described. However, the sequence is not limited to the order service. Even when the operation is performed, the same sequence control is executed. In addition, the possession ball sharing means that the player divides and transfers the possession ball to another person. In this embodiment, the counting operation during order service will be described as a representative example, and the description of the counting operation during the coin sharing process that is the same sequence control will be omitted.

  The sequence of count 1 in the order service shown in FIG. 14 performs sequence control similar to the count 1 of normal time shown in FIG. 12, and here, differences from FIG. 12 will be mainly described. If a store clerk performs an order service operation with the remote controller and the order service operation signal (infrared signal) is received by the IR photosensitive unit 320 of the CU 3, the CU 3 is in the order service. During the order service, you can place an order for a drink or the like that matches your current points. Then, the CU control unit 323 subtracts the score corresponding to the consideration of the ordered product. Note that the order service operation is not limited to the remote controller, and for example, a touch operation on the touch panel of the display unit 54 or an order service button provided on the CU 3 may be pressed.

  When the count button 28 is pressed during this order service, the sequence number = n + 3, the number of game balls = 800, the count number = m + 1, the count ball number = 0 and the count from the P platform 2 to the CU 3 as in FIG. A status information response including request = ON is transmitted. However, since the CU 3 receiving the order is in the order service and the ball is changing, for example, a message “Counting operation cannot be performed” is displayed on at least one of the display 312 and the display 54. Control is performed, and the count acceptance NG is returned to the P base 2. Specifically, a status information request including a serial number = n + 4, a card return ready state = OFF, a counting sequence number = m + 1, a counting response = OFF, and the like is returned to the P unit 2. In the case of FIG. 12, in order for the CU 3 to accept the count, the count sequence number of m + 2 updated by adding “1” to the received count sequence number m + 1 is returned to the P base 2 and the count response = ON is returned to the P base 2. In the case of FIG. 14, in order to return the count acceptance NG in the case of FIG. 14, the count sequence number returns the received count sequence number m + 1 as it is to the P base 2, and the count response = OFF to the P base 3 Send back.

  The P platform 3 that has received the status information request again transmits a status information response including the count request = ON to the CU 3 because the count button 28 is still being pressed. The CU 3 receiving it returns the status information request including the counting sequence number = m + 1, the counting response = OFF, etc. to the P stand 2 again because the order service is still in progress. In response to this, since the counting button 28 is still being pressed, the P table 2 transmits a status information response including counting request = ON to the CU 3 again. At that stage, the counting button 28 is released and the counting operation ends. Thereafter, the order service ends in CU3. At the stage when this order service is finished, for example, a message such as “Please re-operate because the counting operation is now possible” may be controlled to be displayed on at least one of the display 312 and the display 54. Good.

  In this way, counting is not allowed while the ball is changing, such as during order service or holding ball sharing processing, so complex control of adding the count value of game balls to the changing ball There is an advantage that can be avoided.

<< Game Ball Count (Counting NG / Modification) >>
Next, with reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, a description will be given of the game ball count at the time of counting NG, in particular, the count 2 during order service. The count in order service No. 2 is a modification of the count in order service described above. In the count 2 during the order service, when the count button 28 is pressed during the order service, the CU 3 accepts and stores the count operation as a reservation, and stores the count operation stored after the order service ends. The counting process based on the above is executed. In the following, the difference from the counting process 1 in the order service shown in FIG. 14 will be mainly described.

  Referring to FIG. 15, the sequence between CU 3 and P stand 2 when count button 28 is pressed during order service is the same as count 1 in order service shown in FIG. Speaking of differences, at least one of the display 312 and the display 54 displays a message such as “The count operation reservation is received because the CU 3 receives the status information response including the count request = ON from the P-unit 2. This is the point of controlling the display. The player who sees the display of this message recognizes that the current counting operation is reserved and is executed after the order service ends, and releases the counting button 28 from the time of the counting operation, that is, the pressing of the counting button 28. Adjust the number of game balls you want to count by adjusting the period until. The counting operation time is stored in the RAM of the payout control unit 171 and reserved.

  FIG. 16 shows a sequence after the order service ends after the counting button 28 is released. The payout control unit 171 of the P stand 2 stores the counting operation period from when the counting button 28 is pressed until the counting button 28 is released to the RAM. Even after the count button 28 is released, a status information response including count request = ON is transmitted to the CU 3. The CU 3 that has received it receives the status information response including the count sequence number m + 3 updated by adding “1” to the received count sequence number m + 2, the count response = ON, the sequence number = n + 10, and the card return ready state = OFF. Send to. Thereafter, a sequence for transmitting / receiving an information state request and an information state response similar to the normal count 1 shown in FIG. 12 is executed between the P base 2 and the CU 3. Then, at the stage when the counting process corresponding to the counting operation time stored in the RAM of the payout control unit 171 of the P table 2 is executed, a status information response including count request = OFF is transmitted from the P table 2 to the CU3. The Thereby, the counting process is completed.

  In the modification of FIG. 16, even after the pressing operation of the counting button 28 is released, the status information response including the counting request ON is continuously transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3, and the counting is performed from the CU 3 when the order service is completed. A status information request including response = ON is returned. Upon receiving the status information request, the counting operation period stored in the RAM of the payout control unit 171 is read out and the counting request ON and counting are performed only during that period. A state information response including the number of balls is transmitted to the CU 3 to perform the counting process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even after the pressing operation of the counting button 28 is released, the order from the CU 3 is not used instead of transmitting the status information response including the counting request ON from the P stand 2 to the CU 3. Control may be performed so that the P base 2 transmits a status information response including a count request ON to the CU 3 after waiting for the service end notification. As this “order service end notification”, for example, a status information request including a count response = ON is transmitted to the P unit 2, and the P unit 2 receiving the request determines that the order service has ended, During the counting operation period stored in the RAM of the payout controller 171, a status information response including the counting request ON and the number of counting balls is transmitted to the CU 3 to perform counting processing.

  In the modification of FIG. 16, when a counting operation is performed during the order service, the counting operation period is stored on the P platform 2 side, and at the stage of the counting process executed after the order service is completed. A description has been given of executing a counting process corresponding to the counting operation time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The CU control unit 323 of the CU 3 stores the count operation time in the RAM, and after the order service is completed, a status information request including a count response = ON is sent from the CU 3 to the P stand 2. Sends a notification that the counting process can be started, and accepts a status information request including counting request = ON from the P unit 2 for the counting operation period stored in the CU 3 and executes the counting process. May be. Specifically, the P platform 2 that has received the status information request including the count response = ON transmits a status information response including the count request ON and the number of counting balls to the CU 3. In CU3, a status information request including repeated count response = ON is repeatedly transmitted for the count operation time stored in the RAM of the CU control unit 323, and the count request ON and count are counted every time P count 2 is received when the count response = ON. Counting processing is performed by transmitting a state information response including the number of balls to the CU3.

  In this way, when a counting operation is performed during the order service, when the counting operation is accepted as a reservation, from the viewpoint of the player, how many game balls are counted and how many game balls are counted Inconvenience is difficult to determine. Therefore, when the counting operation is performed even during the order service, the state of change in the number of balls and the number of game balls similar to the number 1 of the normal processing shown in FIG. 12 during the counting operation period is simulated. Display control may be performed automatically. In other words, not the actual number of balls and the number of game balls actually changed, but the state of change between the number of balls and the number of game balls that change according to the elapsed time of the counting operation is controlled in a pseudo manner.

<< Game Ball Count (Card Return) >>
Next, the game ball counting process when returning the card will be described. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram for explaining the counting process when the player performs a card return operation. In FIG. 17, the number of card possessions specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or the like) is 0, and the initial number of game balls is 800. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n, a CU opening state = ON, a card return preparation state = OFF, a counting sequence number = m, and a counting response = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P stand 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1, the number of game balls = 800, the count serial number = m, the count ball number = 0, and the count request = OFF to the CU3.

  Thereafter, when the player stops the game or moves to another game table, the player presses the “card return” button. However, at the time when the player presses the “card return” button, the number of game balls in the P unit 2 is 800 balls, and the CU 3 determines that the number of game balls in the P unit 2 is not 0. In addition, since the player presses the “card return” button, the CU 3 sets the card return ready state = ON, the state information request including the serial number = n + 2, the CU opening state = ON, the counting sequence number = m, and the counting response = OFF. A command is transmitted to the P unit 2. Note that the CU 3 notifies the P stand 2 of the card return preparation state = ON notification for 10 seconds. Furthermore, since the number of game balls in the P stand 2 is 800 balls and not 0 balls, the CU 3 displays a display for prompting a counting operation on the display 54 or the like as a card return standby.

  In response to the display prompting the counting operation, the player presses the counting button 28 to perform an operation of converting the game ball into a holding ball. The P stand 2 determines that the counting operation for depressing the counting button 28 is a counting operation with the card return preparation state = ON, and processes the counting in a lump instead of counting in units of 100 balls, for example. This collective counting process is a process in which a larger number of game balls are counted than a normal count (for example, 100 balls).

  In order to notify the CU 3 of a count acceptance request for 800 balls, the P stand 2 includes a serial number = n + 3, a game ball number = 800, a count serial number = m + 1, a count ball number = 0, and a count request = ON. The response of the information response is returned to CU3. Since the P table 2 makes a count acceptance request to the CU 3, the count request is turned on, so that the count sequence number is counted up to m + 1 and transmitted to the CU 3.

  In order to return an OK response to the count acceptance notification from the P-unit 2, the CU 3 receives status information including a serial number = n + 4, a CU opening status = ON, a card return ready status = ON, a count serial number = m + 2 and a count response = ON. A request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. At this time, CU3 has 0 balls and 800 balls. Since the CU 3 returns a count acceptance OK to the P base 2, the count response is OK, and the count serial number is counted up to m + 2 and transmitted to the P base 2.

  In response to the response of the counting acceptance OK, the P stand 2 notifies the CU 3 of the 800 counting balls that are collectively counted 800 balls, so that the serial number = n + 5, the number of gaming balls = 800, the counting serial number = m + 3, A response of the status information response including the number of counting balls = 800 and the counting request = ON is returned to the CU3.

  In response to this, the CU 3 adds 800 counting balls to the number of holding balls, and backs up data of 0 balls obtained by subtracting 800 counting balls from 800 gaming balls. Specifically, the CU 3 transmits a command of a status information request including the serial number = n + 6, the CU opening state = ON, the card return preparation state = ON, the counting serial number = m + 4, and the counting response = ON from the CU 3 to the P unit 2.

  In response to the response from the CU 3, the P stand 2 subtracts 800 counting balls from the 800 gaming balls and displays 0 gaming balls on the display 54 or the like. Further, the P stand 2 notifies the CU 3 that the number of game balls is 0 and the counting is completed, so that the serial number = n + 7, the number of game balls = 0, the count serial number = m + 4, the count ball number = 0, and the count request = OFF. A response of the status information response including is returned to CU3. Since the counting request is turned OFF, the counting sequence number remains m + 4 and is transmitted to the CU 3 without counting up.

  Since CU3 depresses the count button 28 and counts the number of game balls in a lump by 10 seconds after the player presses the card return button 322, the number of game balls is set to 0. Execute the return process. That is, the CU 3 transmits a card return notification command including the serial number = n + 8 to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P platform 2 returns a response of the card return response including the serial number = n + 9, the card ID held on the payout control board 17 and the card insertion time to the CU 3. After returning the card ID and the card insertion time to the CU 3, the card ID and the card insertion time data held on the payout control board 17 are cleared.

  In response, the CU 3 stores the number of balls 800 in the card (inserted card) that has been inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 309 and returns the card to the player. Further, when the player has started the game by the deposit operation (see FIG. 9) without inserting the card into the card insertion / discharge slot 309, the game is stocked in the card stock section provided in the CU3. The card (stock card) stores the number of balls 800 and returns the card to the player. When the inserted card or stock card is returned, 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 associates the card ID of the card with the data of the number of balls. May be stored.

  Thereafter, in order to notify the P stand 2 of the card insertion state OFF, the CU 3 sends a status information request including serial number = n + 10, CU opening state = ON, card insertion state = OFF, counting serial number = m + 4, and counting response = OFF. A command is transmitted to the P unit 2.

  In the game ball counting process at the time of the card return shown in FIG. 17, the card is automatically returned by the counting process by the operation of the counting button 28 after the pressing operation of the card return button 322. Control may be made to return the card on condition that the player presses the card return button 322 again after the processing. Further, in the process of FIG. 17, all the game balls are counted at once, but it is confirmed that the player has operated the counting button 28 until the sequence of actually transmitting the counting balls of the serial number n + 5 to the CU3. Batch counting may be performed as a condition. Further, the batch counting may be performed on condition that the operation of the counting button 28 is performed until a status information request of counting reception (counting response = ON) is received from the CU 3 of the serial number n + 6.

<<< Counting game balls (at the time of simple leave / meal break) >>
Next, with reference to FIG. 18, a description will be given of the game ball counting process at the time of simple leaving and meal break. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining the counting process when the player leaves the table and takes a meal break, part 1. Simple leaving means that a game is interrupted for a short period of time of about 5 to 10 minutes in order to complete a small use. A meal break is a meal or break that is interrupted by a game such as 30 minutes longer than a simple leave.

  The number 1 of this simple leaving / meal break is subjected to sequence control similar to the card return counting process described with reference to FIG. 17, and the difference will be mainly described here. When the player leaves the table, the user performs a leaving operation by touching the touch panel display 54 or the touch panel display 312. On the other hand, when the player takes a meal break, a player in charge of the game hall is called and a signal to the effect that the meal break is taken is input to the CU 3 by remote control operation. In the CU control unit 323 of the CU3, when the operation signal for the simple leave or meal break is input, the simple leave or break state is set, the card return ready state = ON, the serial number = n + 2, the CU opening A status information request including status = NO, counting sequence number = m, and counting response = OFF is transmitted to the P unit 2. In response to this, in the P-unit 2, the serial number = n + 3, the number of game balls at the current time = 800, the number of counting balls = 0, the count request = ON, and the count of m + 1 updated by adding “1” to the received count sequence number m. A status information response including a serial number is transmitted to CU3.

  The CU 3 that has received it returns a count acceptance OK. Specifically, a count information number of m + 2 updated by adding “1” to the received count sequence number m + 1, serial number = n + 4, CU opening status = ON, card return preparation status = ON and count response = ON Is transmitted to the P stand 2. The P platform 2 that has received it transmits a status information response including the serial number = n + 5, the number of gaming balls = 800, the counting serial number = m + 3, the counting ball number = 800, and the counting request = ON to the CU3. CU3 which received it adds the received counting ball number 800 to the number of balls and updates it to the number of balls = 800 balls, and backup-stores the data of game balls = 0. Then, the CU 3 transmits a status information request including the serial number = n + 6, the CU opening state = ON, the card return preparation state = ON, the counting serial number = m + 4, and the counting response = ON to the P unit 2. Receiving this, the P stand 2 subtracts the number of balls from the number of game balls to make the number of game balls = 0, and performs control to display the 0 balls on the game ball number display 29.

  Next, the P stand 2 transmits a status information response including the serial number = n + 7, the number of game balls = 0, the counting serial number = m + 4, the counting ball number = 0, and the counting request = OFF to the CU3. CU3 which received it transmits a card return notice (serial number = n + 8) to P stand 2, and P stand 2 responds to the card return notice and stores the card ID and the card insertion time of the card. A card return response including is sent to CU3.

  In CU3, the received card ID and the card ID storing the insertion time are compared with the insertion time, and if they match, control is performed to return the inserted card. If the player starts the game by performing the deposit operation shown in FIG. 9 without inserting a card at the start of the game, the data of the number of balls = 800 balls is stored in the stock card stocked in CU3. Record and return the stock card. Then, the CU 3 transmits a status information request including the serial number = n + 10, the CU opening state = ON, the card return ready state = OFF, the counting serial number = m + 4, and the counting response = OFF to the P units.

  The returned card may be controlled so that it cannot be used for gift exchange, and the CU 3 after ejecting the card by the interrupt setting does not accept a card other than the card ejected by the interrupt setting for a predetermined period. You may control to. These are shown in detail in FIGS. 29 to 31 described later.

<< Game Counting (Simple Leaving / Meal Break (Modification)) >>
Next, with reference to FIG. 19, another counting process of game balls at the time of simple leaving and meal break will be described. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram for explaining the counting process 2 when the player leaves the table and takes a meal break. This simple counting away / meal break number 2 is a variation of the simple leaving / meal break counting number 1 described with reference to FIG. In the case of simple leaving / meal break count No. 1, the number of game balls that the player has acquired is counted, added to the number of balls, the number of balls is written on the card, and the card is given to the player. The number of game balls that the player has acquired is stored in the P stand 2 side and left in the suspended state in the number 2 at this simple leave / meal break. It becomes.

  Specifically, after interruption (simple leave / meal break) is set, a status information request including a return preparation state = ON and a count response = OFF is transmitted to the P-unit 2 to determine the number of balls in play. The card return notification (serial number = n + 4) is transmitted to the P base 2 without adding to the card, and the card return response including the serial number = n + 5, the card ID and the insertion time is received from the P base 2 and the card ID and the card ID are inserted. Control is performed to return the inserted card or stock card to the player on condition that the time is consistent. The returned card does not store the number of game balls that the player has acquired through the game, and the number of game balls = 800 is stored and left on the P stand 2 side. Yes.

  And CU3 notifies P stand 2 of card return preparation state OFF. Specifically, a status information request including a serial number = n + 6, a CU opening state = ON, a card return preparation state = OFF, a card insertion state = OFF, a counting sequence number = m, and a counting response = OFF is transmitted to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P stand 2 performs control to prohibit the game. Specifically, the payout control unit 171 transmits a firing stop command on the firing control board 31, and the firing control board 31 that receives the command does not drive the firing motor 18 even if the hitting operation handle 25 is operated. To control.

  The returned card may be controlled so that it cannot be used for gift exchange, and the CU 3 after ejecting the card by the interrupt setting does not accept a card other than the card ejected by the interrupt setting for a predetermined period. You may control to. These are shown in detail in FIGS. 29 to 31 described later.

  Further, although the game balls are automatically counted at the time of interruption, the control may be performed so that the game balls are counted on condition that the player operates the counting button 28 even at the time of interruption. That is, it may have the following configuration.

Interruption operation determining means (S301) for determining that the interruption operation when the player interrupts the game has been performed;
Conversion operation means (counting buttons 28, 28S) for converting game points into predetermined points (holding balls, points);
When an interruption operation is determined by the interruption operation determination means, a conversion process for converting the game points into the holding points is executed on condition that an operation of the conversion operation means is detected, and all games On the condition that the conversion process of points to a predetermined score has been completed, the recording medium (card) is returned and controlled to be suspended. S305 to S308) that return the card after the number of balls = 0 and turn on the CU interruption flag.

<< game ball counting (automatic counting) >>
Next, with reference to FIG. 20, another counting process of game balls at the time of closing will be described. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram for explaining the counting process that is automatically performed when the game hall is closed. When the store is set to close in the game hall where the CU 3 and the P stand 2 are installed, the CU 3 notifies the P stand 2 of the CU opening state OFF. Specifically, a status information request including serial number = n + 2, CU opening status = OFF, card return preparation status = OFF, counting sequence number = m, and counting response = OFF is transmitted to P unit 2.

  Note that the closing setting in the game hall is, for example, that the CU control unit 323 distributes a closing command to the CU 3 from the hall management computer or the hall server 801 installed in the game hall, so that the CU control unit 323 has the game hall. It is done by judging the end of business in Japan. Specifically, when a staff member closes the hall management computer or hall server 801, a closing command for closing the store is distributed to each CU3. Alternatively, the closing time may be set and stored in the hall management computer or hall server 801, and the closing command may be automatically distributed to each CU 3 at the closing time. As another method, a sales end signal may be transmitted to the IR photosensitive unit 320 by a remote control operation of a business end by a store clerk, and the CU control unit 323 may determine the end of business at the game hall. As yet another method, each CU 3 is provided with a clock function, and when it is a closing time (for example, 10 o'clock), the time after the predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) of the closing time has elapsed (for example, 10:20) When timed by the function, control may be performed so that each CU 3 transmits a status information request including the CU opening status = OFF to the P stand 2.

  In response to this, in the P-unit 2, the serial number = n + 3, the number of game balls at the current time = 800, the count serial number of m + 1 updated by adding “1” to the received count serial number m, the count ball number = 0 and the count request = ON A state information response including “” is transmitted to CU3. Upon receiving this, the CU 3 performs control to display the current number of held balls = 0 on at least one of the display 312 and the display 54 and returns a count acceptance OK to the P stand 2. Specifically, a serial number = n + 4, a CU opening status = OFF, a card return preparation status = OFF, a status information request including a count sequence number of m + 2 updated by adding “1” to the received count sequence number m + 1 and a count response = ON. Is transmitted to the P stand 2.

  In the P-unit 2 that has received it, the serial number = n + 5, the number of game balls = 800, the count sequence number of m + 3 updated by adding “1” to the received count sequence number m + 2, the count ball number = 800 and the count request = ON are included. A status information response is transmitted to CU3. The CU 3 that has received it counts the number of game balls and adds it to the number of balls to make it 800 balls, and controls to display it on at least one of the display 312 and the display 54 and The data of the number of balls = 0 is stored as a backup.

  Next, the CU3 has a serial number = n + 6, a CU opening state = OFF, a card return ready state = ON, a count serial number of m + 4 updated by adding “1” to the received count serial number m + 3, and status information including a count response = ON. The request is transmitted to the P table 2. Thereafter, the same sequence control as the card return count shown in FIG. 17 is executed.

  Thus, in the case of the counting process at the time of closing in the game hall, the counting process is automatically executed without pressing the counting button 28, and all the number of game balls at the present time is the number of balls in the lump. Is recorded on the card and discharged.

  Instead of counting the number of game balls at the time of closing and adding to the number of balls, and recording the number of balls on the card and discharging it, the CU control unit 323 sends the card ID and the number of balls to the hall server 801. The hall server 801 may store the number of possessed balls in association with the card ID. Furthermore, when the card used is a membership card, the number of possessed balls may be accumulated and the membership card may be discharged. On the other hand, if a visitor card has been used, the visitor card is collected on condition that no prepaid balance is recorded on the visitor card. Further, in the case of a visitor card on which a prepaid balance is recorded, the visitor card is discharged and stored at a game counter.

<< Abnormal Sequence 1 >>
Next, with reference to FIG. 21, a description will be given of the recovery processing of the number of game balls when the status information response has not yet reached due to power interruption / communication line interruption. In particular, FIG. 21 shows that there is a power interruption / communication circuit disconnection (for example, when the operation of turning CU3 power off and then on again is performed), and the status information response has not yet reached (from CU3 to P units). 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining the counting process in the case where the communication partner after the recovery coincides with the command having not reached 2). The power supply can be turned off and on by manually turning off and on the power supply of the CU3 or by inserting and removing the CU3 from the card unit holder.

  Referring to FIG. 21, after a power failure occurs during the game, a status information response including serial number = n + 1, number of game balls = 480, number of additional balls = 3 and number of subtracted balls = 23 is sent from P stand 2 to the CU. When transmitted, the CU cannot receive the status information response because the CU is in a power-off state. After that, since the status information request from the CU 3 is not transmitted, the P stand 2 performs control to detect the communication line disconnection and stop the game after 3 seconds. Specifically, the payout control unit 171 transmits a stop command to the firing control board 31, and the firing control board 31 stops the rotational drive of the firing motor 18. During this 3 seconds, the game is continued in the P table 2 and the game table information is changed, and the number of game balls = 450, the number of additional balls = 6, and the number of subtraction balls = 36, which becomes the latest game table information. On the other hand, the game table information of the number of game balls already transmitted = 480, the number of additional balls = 3, and the number of subtraction balls = 23 is the previous game table information.

  On the other hand, CU3 performs control to forcibly eject the inserted card and return it to the player because the power is cut off. At that time, the number of balls currently held is stored in the card and discharged. If the number of possessed balls cannot be stored in the card due to a failure of the CU or the like, the hall server 801 periodically receives the number of retained balls from the CU 3 (for example, every 5 seconds) and stores it in a backup manner. The loss may be compensated for by the player based on the stored data (the number of balls). Thereafter, the power-off of the CU 3 is restored, and the CU 3 starts operating. When the CU 3 starts operating, first, an authentication sequence is started between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, and information including the main chip ID and the payout chip ID is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3. The CU 3 transmits the received main chip ID and payout chip ID to the upper management server (the key management server 800 via the hall server 801), and whether the main chip ID and the payout chip ID are properly registered. Ask them to check whether they have returned the results. If it is properly registered, an appropriate authentication result is obtained.

  After the authentication sequence, the CU 3 accepts re-insertion of the ejected card. Further, the CU 3 transmits a recovery request including the last last transmission sequence number = n to the P unit 2. That is, the CU 3 requests the P unit 2 to notify the recovery information. In response to this, the last final transmission sequence number = n of the received recovery request does not match the last final transmission sequence number = n + 1 backed up in the P unit 2 (specifically, the payout control board 17). A recovery response including the previous game table information and the previous game information is returned to the CU 3 with the game information stored.

  The CU 3 receives the recovery response, processes the previous gaming machine information, updates the previous last transmission serial number, and backs up the data. Thereafter, the CU 3 executes card information reading processing. Details of the card information reading process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the card ID of the reinserted card is properly read by the card information reading process, the CU3 determines whether the read card ID matches the card ID included in the recovery response. The CU control unit 323 determines, and the insertion time of the card inserted at the start of the game before the occurrence of power interruption is stored in the RAM of the CU control unit 323, and the stored card insertion time and the recovery response are stored. The CU control unit 323 of the CU 3 determines whether or not they match by comparing with the included card insertion time. If it is determined that the two match, and there is no additional recovery, the CU 3 transmits a communication start request to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P table 2 clears the recovery data (game information) and returns a communication start response to the CU 3.

  Further, the CU 3 transmits a status information request including the transmission sequence number = 1 to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P table 2 notifies the CU 3 of unreported game table information (the number of game balls = 450, the number of added balls = 6, the number of subtracted balls = 36) to the CU 3 by a status information response, and the previous last transmission serial number. Update and back up the data. Specifically, the status information response includes transmission sequence number = 2, number of game balls = 450, number of added balls = 6, and number of subtracted balls = 36.

  As described above, the card ID of the reinserted card matches the card ID included in the recovery response and matches, and the insertion time of the card inserted at the start of the game before the occurrence of power interruption When the card insertion time included in the recovery response matches, the CU control unit 323 will play a game after the power-off recovery with the player who played the game before the occurrence of the power-off / communication line-off. It is determined that the player who is playing is the same, and control is performed so that the game can be continued by taking over the number of game balls before the occurrence of power interruption / communication line interruption. In this embodiment, a card ID and a card insertion time are used as player specifying information that can specify a player when determining the identity of the player. This card ID includes not only the card ID of the member card that identifies the individual player of the member but also the card ID of the visitor card used by the player who visited the store as a visitor. In the case of this visitor card, it is used for an unspecified player and does not specify a specific player individual. That is, in the case of this card ID, whether the player who played the game before the occurrence of the power interruption / communication line disconnection and the player who intends to play the game after the power interruption is restored are the same player. It can be specified whether or not, but it cannot be specified to which specific individual the player is. Therefore, the above “player identification information” is not limited to identifying a specific individual player, and the player who played the game before the occurrence of the power interruption / communication line interruption and the game after the power interruption recovery is performed. It is a broad concept that includes information that can be used to determine the identity of the player who is trying to correct.

<< Abnormal sequence 2 >>
Next, the recovery process of the number of balls to be added when the addition request is not reached due to power-off / communication line disconnection will be described. FIG. 22 illustrates the counting process when the addition request has not yet reached (the command for the addition request from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 has not yet reached) due to power interruption or communication circuit disconnection, and the communication counterparts after recovery match. FIG.

  In FIG. 22, the initial number of game balls is 50 balls. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and an addition serial number = m 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, the number of game balls = 50, and the additional serial number = m to the CU3. Since the count request included in the response of the status information response is OFF (not shown), the count serial number remains m and is transmitted to the CU 3 without counting up.

  Thereafter, the player presses the replay button. Therefore, CU3 confirms the consumption of the stored balls, and sends a status information request command including serial number = n + 2, game ball addition request = ON, number of additional balls = 125 balls, and addition serial number = m + 1 to P unit 2, Notify the information that converted the stored ball into a game ball. At that time, the CU 3 backs up the data of serial number = n + 2, additional serial number = m + 1, and the number of game balls = 50 (number of game balls before update) +125 (number of additional balls) = 175.

  However, after the player presses the replay button and before receiving the command for requesting the state information, the P stand 2 is turned off and stops operating. Therefore, the P base 2 cannot receive the status information request command from the CU 3.

  CU3 cannot retransmit the response for 200 milliseconds after the command transmission because P-station 2 is stopped, and therefore retransmits the command up to 14 times. The CU 3 detects a communication line disconnection by not receiving a response even if the command is retransmitted.

  Thereafter, the power failure is restored at the P base 2, and the P base 2 starts operating. When the P table 2 starts operation, first, an authentication sequence is started between the CU 3 and the P table 2, and information including the main chip ID and the payout chip ID is transmitted from the P table 2 to the CU 3. The 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 notify the 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). (Previous last transmission addition serial number = m)).

  Upon receiving the recovery response, the CU 3 determines whether or not the previous last transmission addition sequence number of the recovery information matches the stored previous last transmission addition sequence number. When CU3 has a larger value (newer) than the last transmission addition sequence number = m + 1 stored in CU3 being backed up compared to the final transmission addition sequence number = m of the recovery data of P unit 2 (mismatch) Then, it is determined that the previous status information request command has not been reached, and the addition recovery process is performed. However, if the difference between the addition sequence numbers of CU3 and P stand 2 is 2 or more (except when the addition sequence number of CU3 or P stand 2 is “0”), it is assumed that CU3 and P stand 2 are fraudulent. An error is assumed without performing the recovery process.

  As a specific addition recovery process, recovery of the number of added balls = 125 balls is requested to the P unit 2. For this reason, the CU 3 transmits a recovery detail request (number of balls to be added = 125, previous last transmission addition serial number = m + 1) to the P unit 2.

  The P table 2 performs an addition process to the number of balls to be added included in the recovery detail request, updates the previous last transmission addition serial number, and backs up the data. Further, the P unit 2 returns a response indicating that the addition process is OK to the CU 3 as a recovery detail response (recovery detail response (processing result = processing OK)).

  Further, the CU 3 transmits a communication start request to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P table 2 clears the recovery data (game information) and returns a communication start response to the CU 3. Further, the CU 3 transmits a status information request to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P table 2 notifies the CU 3 of unreported game table information (number of game balls = 175) as a status information response.

  Here, a case where a replay button for starting a game by paying out a stored ball has been described has been described, but the same operation is performed when a ball paying button for starting a game by paying out a ball is pressed.

<< Abnormal sequence 3 >>
Next, the recovery process of the number of balls to be added when the addition response is not reached due to power interruption / communication line interruption will be described. FIG. 23 particularly illustrates the counting process when the addition response has not reached (the response to the addition response from the P base 2 to the CU 3 has not reached) due to a power failure or a communication circuit disconnection, and the communication counterparts after recovery match. FIG.

  In FIG. 23, the initial number of game balls is 50 balls. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and an addition serial number = m 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, the number of game balls = 50, and the additional serial number = m to the CU3. Since the count request included in the response of the status information response is OFF (not shown), the count serial number remains m and is transmitted to the CU 3 without counting up.

  Thereafter, the player presses the replay button. Therefore, CU3 confirms the consumption of the stored balls, and sends a status information request command including serial number = n + 2, game ball addition request = ON, number of additional balls = 125 balls, and addition serial number = m + 1 to P unit 2, Notify the information that converted the stored ball into a game ball. At that time, the CU 3 backs up data of serial number = n + 2, additional serial number = m + 1, number of game balls = 50 (number of game balls before update) +125 (number of additional balls) = 175.

  Thereafter, a power failure occurs at CU3, and the operation of CU3 stops. However, the P stand 2 cannot detect that the operation of the CU 3 is stopped immediately after the power failure occurs in the CU 3. In order for the P unit 2 to detect a communication line disconnection, a period in which the next command cannot be received from the CU 3 for one second or longer is required.

  For this reason, the P unit 2 does not know that the operation of the CU3 is stopped, receives the command for requesting the status information of the CU3, the serial number = n + 3, the number of game balls = 175, the game ball addition result = OK and the addition serial number. = Response of status information response including m + 2 is returned to CU3. However, the response of the status information response sent back to CU3 does not reach CU3 because the operation of CU3 is stopped. The P machine 2 returns a response of the status information response to the CU 3 and backs up data of serial number = n + 3, additional serial number = m + 2, and number of game balls = 175.

  Thereafter, the power failure is restored at CU3, and CU3 starts operating. When the CU 3 starts operating, first, an authentication sequence is started between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, and information including the main chip ID and the payout chip ID is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3. 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 including the last final transmission sequence number = n + 2 to the P unit 2. That is, the CU 3 requests the P unit 2 to notify the 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). (Previous last transmission sequence number = n + 3, Last last addition sequence number = m + 2)). This recovery information includes the last last transmission sequence number = n + 3, the card ID, the card insertion time, and the last last transmission addition sequence number = m + 2.

  Upon receiving the recovery response, the CU 3 determines whether or not the card ID and card insertion time of the recovery information match the stored card ID and card insertion time. In CU3, when the card ID and the card insertion time match, the addition sequence number stored in CU3 = m + 1 is smaller (older) than the last transmission addition sequence number = m + 2 of the recovery data of P unit 2. The previous status information request command has arrived, but it is determined that the response of the corresponding status information response has not been reached, and no recovery of the number of added balls is requested (addition request request status clear). However, if the difference between the addition sequence numbers of CU3 and P stand 2 is 2 or more (except when the addition sequence number of CU3 or P stand 2 is “0”), it is assumed that CU3 and P stand 2 are fraudulent. An error is assumed without performing the recovery process.

  Further, the CU 3 transmits a communication start request to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P base 2 returns a communication start response to the CU 3.

  Here, a case where a replay button for starting a game by paying out a stored ball has been described has been described, but the same operation is performed when a ball paying button for starting a game by paying out a ball is pressed.

<< Addition request error >>
Next, processing for abnormal addition request will be described. FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in particular when the result of adding game balls at the time of ball lending, holding ball payout, and saving ball payout is abnormal.

  In FIG. 24, the initial number of game balls is 50. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n, a game ball addition request = OFF, and an addition serial number = m 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, the number of game balls = 50, and the additional serial number = m to the CU3. Since the count request included in the response of the status information response is OFF (not shown), the count serial number remains m and is transmitted to the CU 3 without counting up.

  Thereafter, the player presses the possession payout button. Therefore, CU3 confirms the consumption of holding balls and storage balls, and sends a command for status information request including serial number = n + 2, game ball addition request = ON, number of additional balls = 125 balls and addition serial number = m + 1 to P unit 2. Then, the information (addition number of balls = 125 balls) of converting the possession balls / storage balls into game balls is notified. At that time, the CU 3 backs up the data of the number of game balls = 50 (the number of game balls before update) +125 (the number of additional balls) = 175.

  Thereafter, an abnormality occurs in the process of adding game balls on the P platform 2. Therefore, upon receiving the command for requesting the status information of CU3, the P stand 2 sets the serial number = n + 3, the number of game balls = 50 (the number of game balls before game ball addition), the game ball addition result = NG and the addition serial number = m + 1. The response of the status information response including it is returned to CU3. This “abnormality of processing for adding game balls” means, for example, the case where the storage area for the number of game balls in the payout control unit 171 of the P unit 2 stores the number of game balls up to the upper limit of storage and cannot store any more. Occurs.

  The CU3 that has received the response of the status information response including the game ball addition result = NG receives the command of the status information request including the serial number = n + 2, the game ball addition request = ON, the number of additional balls = 125 balls, and the addition serial number = m + 1. Resend to table 2. The CU 3 retransmits the status information request command, but updates the serial number, counts up the serial number from n + 3 to n + 4, and retransmits the status information request command. However, the addition serial number is not updated.

  However, the P stand 2 remains in a state where an abnormality has occurred in the process of adding game balls. Therefore, upon receiving the retransmitted status information request command from CU3, the P platform 2 receives a serial number = n + 5, the number of game balls = 50 (the number of game balls before game ball addition), a game ball addition result = NG, and an addition sequence number = A response of the status information response including m + 1 is returned to CU3.

  Further, the CU3 that has received the response of the state information response including the game ball addition result = NG again receives the command of the state information request including the serial number = n + 6, the game ball addition request = ON, and the number of additional balls = 125 balls. To the second retransmission. The CU 3 retransmits the status information request command, but updates the serial number, counts up the serial number from n + 5 to n + 6, and retransmits the status information request command. However, the addition serial number is not updated.

  P stand 2 is still in a state where an abnormality has occurred in the process of adding game balls. Therefore, upon receiving the retransmitted status information request command of CU3, the P platform 2 receives a serial number = n + 7, the number of game balls = 50 (the number of game balls before game ball addition), a game ball addition result = NG and an addition sequence number = A response of the status information response including m + 1 is returned to CU3.

  Processing for adding a game ball in the P table 2 when the CU 3 receives a response of a response of a status information response including the game ball addition result = NG from the P table 2 even if the command for requesting the state information is retransmitted twice As a result, the communication with the P platform 2 is stopped. Specifically, the CU 3 transmits a communication end request command to the P platform 2. The P platform 2 that has received the communication end request command returns a response to the communication end response to the CU 3.

  In FIG. 24, the addition sequence number is not updated when the addition request is retransmitted after the addition abnormality occurs. However, at such retransmission, CU3 may update the addition sequence number (m + 2) and send it. Good.

<< Retransmission of addition request >>
Next, the addition request retransmission process will be described. FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram for explaining processing in particular when resending a game ball addition request at the time of ball lending, holding ball payout, and saving ball payout.

  In FIG. 25, the initial number of game balls is 50. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n, a game ball addition request = OFF, and an addition serial number = m 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, the number of game balls = 50, and the additional serial number = m to the CU3. When the game ball addition request is OFF, the status information request and the status information response count up the serial number, but do not count up the additional serial number.

  Thereafter, the player presses the possession payout button. Therefore, CU3 confirms the consumption of holding balls and storage balls, and sends a command for status information request including serial number = n + 2, game ball addition request = ON, number of additional balls = 125 balls and addition serial number = m + 1 to P unit 2. Then, the information obtained by converting the possession balls / storage balls into game balls is notified. At that time, the CU 3 backs up the data of the number of game balls = 50 (the number of game balls before update) +125 (the number of additional balls) = 175. The P table 2 receives the command and updates the data so that the number of game balls = 50 (the number of game balls before update) +125 (the number of additional balls) = 175.

  After that, P table 2 receives the command for requesting the status information of CU3, and sets serial number = n + 3, number of game balls = 175 (number of game balls after addition of game balls), game ball addition result = OK and addition serial number = m + 2. The response of the status information response including it is returned to CU3. However, the response does not reach CU3 due to a communication failure from P platform 2 to CU3.

  Since the CU 3 has not received a response for 200 ms after transmitting the status information request command of serial number = n + 2, it transmits the same command to the P unit 2 again. Since CU3 is a retransmission of the status information request command, it does not update the serial number and retransmits the status information request command with the serial number = n + 2. The P unit 2 determines that the command transmitted from the CU 3 is the same command number = n + 2 and thus is a retransmitted command, and does not update the game ball number data.

  In response to the status information request command retransmitted by CU3, P-unit 2 receives serial number = n + 3, number of game balls = 175 (number of game balls after game ball addition), game ball addition result = OK and addition serial number = m + 2. The response of the status information response including the response is returned to the CU 3 again. When the response is retransmitted to CU3, the communication failure from P platform 2 to CU3 is resolved, and the retransmitted response reaches CU3.

  Upon receiving the response of the state information response including the game ball addition result = OK, the CU 3 transmits a command of the state information request including the serial number = n + 4, the game ball addition request = OFF and the addition serial number = m + 2 to the P unit 2. In response to the status information request command transmitted by CU3, the P platform 2 returns a response to the status information response including the serial number = n + 5, the number of game balls = 175, and the additional serial number = m + 2 to the CU3.

  In the sequence of FIG. 25, the case where the ball payout button is pressed is described as an example, but the same control is performed when the ball lending button 321 is pressed.

<Operation related to request serial number>
<< Update both serial number and requested serial number >>
FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operations of the P platform 2 and the CU 3 regarding the request sequence number. One of the A apparatus and the B apparatus shown in FIG. 26 is the P stand 2, and the other is the CU3. A device that generates a request to the other party is an A device, and a device that receives a request from the A device is a B device.

  When the A device is CU3 and the B device is the P unit 2, the request sequence number is an addition sequence number, and the request is a game ball addition request. A specific communication sequence in this case is as shown in FIG.

  When the A device is the P platform 2 and the B device is the CU3, the request sequence number is a count sequence number, and the request is a game ball count request. A specific communication sequence in this case is as shown in FIG.

  Here, both cases will be conceptualized and described. While there is no request for the B device, the A device transmits a message in which the request serial number m is not updated as shown in (1). However, the normal serial number n is updated every time a message is transmitted. The device B receives this and returns a message as shown in (2). In this message, the normal serial number is updated to n + 1. However, the request sequence number is not updated as m.

  While the request is not generated in the device A, as shown in (1) and (2), both of them transmit a message while updating the normal serial number. During this time, it is determined whether or not the message transmitted immediately before has reached the partner by looking at the normal serial number included in the message received from the partner.

  When a request is generated in the A device, the A device updates the request sequence number to m + 1, and transmits a request message including the updated request sequence number m + 1 to the B device as shown in (3). At this time, the normal serial number is also updated to n + 2. The request message includes data in which the request bit (addition request bit or count request bit) is turned ON.

  The B device that has received the request message including the request sequence number m + 1 determines whether or not to accept the request. For example, if it is a counting request, it is determined whether or not the process of adding balls is possible on the CU3 side. Or if it is an addition request | requirement, it will be determined whether the process which adds a game ball in the P stand 2 side is possible. The case where the addition processing of the holding balls is not possible is, for example, the case where the processing using the holding balls (such as a wagon service) is in progress. The case where the game ball addition process is not possible is, for example, a case where the game ball has already reached the predetermined upper limit value.

  When accepting the request, as described above in (4), an acknowledgment message with the request serial number updated to m + 2 is transmitted to the A device. On the other hand, when rejecting the request, as described below in (4), a rejection message (also referred to as a rejection message; the same applies hereinafter) that has not been updated with the request sequence number being m + 1 is sent to the A device. Send. The normal serial number is updated to n + 3 in any case.

  The A device includes storage means for storing the request sequence number included in the immediately preceding transmission message. The device A that has received the message (4) compares and determines the request sequence number stored in the storage means and the request sequence number included in the message (4). As a result, if the stored request sequence number is the same as the request sequence number included in the transmitted message (m + 1 in this example), it is determined that the request has been rejected. On the other hand, if the value obtained by adding a predetermined number (1 in this example) to the stored request sequence number and the request sequence number included in the transmitted message are the same (m + 2 in this example) (in other words, If the request sequence number that has been transmitted is advanced by one), it is determined that the request has been accepted. If it is determined that the request has been accepted, the request sequence number is further updated by one, and a message including a specific request value (the number of counting balls or the number of additional balls) is transmitted to the B device. On the other hand, when it is determined that the request has been rejected, a message including the received request sequence number is transmitted to the B device.

  A case where the request message of (3) does not reach the device B due to noise or other factors is shown in (3) 'of FIG. In this case, the device B determines that there is no response when a predetermined waiting time (for example, 200 ms) has elapsed since the transmission of the message (2), and retransmits the message (2). As a result, the message (2) arrives at the A device that transmitted (3) '. Then, although the device A has transmitted the request message of the request sequence number m + 1, the request sequence number of the reply message to this does not correspond to either request acceptance or request rejection (from the request sequence number included in the request message). Since the request serial number is delayed), it is determined that the request message has not arrived. Such a determination can also be made using a normal serial number. That is, the normal sequence number included in the request sequence number is n + 3, whereas the normal sequence number included in the reply message is n + 2, and it can be determined that the request message has not been reached based on such a situation.

  When it is determined that the request message has not arrived, the device A retransmits the request message (3).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a request serial number is included in a message and transmitted separately from a normal serial number. The request sequence number is updated when an operation such as an addition request or a count request is requested to the communication partner, and the update is stopped when the request operation ends or when the request is rejected. In other periods, the message is not updated even if a message is transmitted / received.

  On the other hand, the normal serial number is updated every time a message is exchanged regardless of whether there is a request to the communication partner (note that the normal serial number is updated only on one of the A device and the B device, The other may perform the operation of returning the serial number received from the other party as it is.)

  For this reason, in the case of a normal serial number, it is possible to determine whether or not the transmitted request message has arrived at the other party using the serial number included in the received message from the other party, but the received message is an acceptance message indicating the request acceptance. Or a rejection message indicating a request rejection.

  However, as described above, when the request sequence number is used as in this embodiment, not only whether the requested request message has arrived at the other party, but also the message returned from the other party is accepted by the request sequence number. It is possible to specify whether it is a message or a rejection message. Of course, as in the present embodiment, since the request message includes data with the request bit (addition request bit or count request bit) turned ON, the received message is an acceptance message even by determining this data. Or a rejection message. However, if the request sequence number is used, such request bits can be deleted from the message. As a result, the amount of message data can be reduced, and the processing for determining the request bit of the message data can be made unnecessary.

<< Update only one of serial number and requested serial number >>
FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the operations of the P base 2 and the CU 3 regarding the normal serial number and the requested serial number. This modification is different from the example shown in FIG. 26 in that the normal sequence number is not updated when the requested sequence number is updated.

  That is, in this modified example, when a request is not generated between the normal serial number and the request serial number, only the normal serial number is updated and the message is exchanged. However, when a request occurs, the normal sequence number update is stopped and only the requested sequence number is updated. Thereafter, when a series of processing for the request ends or when a rejection message for the request is transmitted, the update of the request sequence number is stopped, and the update of the normal sequence number is started instead.

  For this reason, in the exchange of messages before the occurrence of the request shown in (1) and (2) of FIG. 27, the normal sequence number is updated to n and n + 1, while the request sequence number m is not updated. However, in the request message (3) transmitted when a request is generated, the normal sequence number remains n + 1 and is not updated, while the request sequence number is updated to m + 1. Similarly, neither the acceptance message nor the rejection message (4) for the request message is updated with the normal serial number kept at n + 1.

  Even in this case, the device A that has received the message (4) can determine whether the message is an acceptance message or a rejection message by determining the request sequence number included in the message.

  In addition, as shown in (3) ′, even when the request message does not reach the B device and the message (2) is retransmitted from the B device, the A device receives the request message based on the request sequence number. You can determine that you did not.

  As in this modification, even if the update of the normal sequence number is stopped from when the request occurs until the processing for the request is completed, there is no problem because the request sequence number takes over the function of the normal sequence number during that time. Does not occur. In addition, there is also an effect that processing for updating the normal serial number or collating the normal serial number is unnecessary during that time.

<Counting process during card return operation>
FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the game ball counting process after the player performs the card return operation. The game after the “card return” button is pressed in the card return counting sequence of FIG. Specific control of the ball counting process is shown. Note that the counting process other than the card return operation counts game balls based on the normal counting process shown in FIGS.

  In the counting process during the card return operation, first, the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) detects whether or not the player has performed the card return operation by pressing the card return button 322 to end the game. (S201). When the player performs a card return operation, the number of game balls determined at the end of the game is stored in the inserted card and discharged.

  When the card return button 322 is pressed and a card return operation is detected, the CU control unit 323 determines YES in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 201 and the number of game balls is not “0” (number of game balls) It is detected whether or not (≠ 0) (S202). When the number of game balls is not “0” (S202: YES), the CU control unit 323 determines that it is possible to count the game balls remaining on the P stand 2 as a possession ball at a time. In order to notify, a command including a card return ready state ON is notified (S203). If a card return operation is detected once, control is performed so that the determination of YES continues in S201 thereafter. Specifically, for example, when a card return operation is detected, the card return flag is turned ON, and the determination is YES in S201 continuously while the card return flag is ON. This card return flag is turned off when YES is determined at SS209, when YES is determined at 206, and when YES is determined at S212.

  Receiving the notification of the card return preparation state ON, the P table 2 switches the process so that the process of counting the game balls in a lump can be performed by operating the counting button 28 of the player. Normally, the P stand 2 is repeatedly counted, for example, in units of 100 balls as long as there are game balls while the player's operation of the counting button 28 is detected. However, if the game balls are counted by the same operation when returning the card, the player's operation is complicated. Therefore, when the card is returned, the process is switched so that the process of counting the game balls in a lump can be performed collectively by operating the counting button 28 of the player. Specifically, the P stand 2 responds to the status information response by counting all stored game balls as a count ball regardless of whether the count button is operated once or a plurality of times or regardless of the operation duration time. To CU3.

  Further, the CU control unit 323 displays a display for prompting the player to perform the counting process on the display unit 54 or the display unit 312 via the display control unit 350 (see FIG. 2) (S204). The CU control unit 323 detects whether or not the player has performed a counting operation based on the display prompting the counting process (S205). When the counting operation performed by the player is detected (S205: YES), the CU control unit 323 determines whether or not the game has ended (S206). Whether or not the game has ended can be determined, for example, by the presence or absence of floating balls. Specifically, if all the floating balls in the game area 27 are collected and the floating ball = 0, it can be determined that the game has ended. The detection of the floating ball itself can be detected by calculating the difference between the number of detections of the shot ball detection switch 903 and the number of bullets. In addition, when a counting operation is detected once, it is controlled so that YES is continuously determined in S205 thereafter. Specifically, for example, when a counting operation is detected, the counting flag is turned ON, and while the counting flag is ON, the determination of YES is made in S205. This counting flag is turned OFF when YES is determined in S206, and when YES is determined in S212.

  When it is determined that the game has ended (S206: YES), the CU control unit 323 automatically starts counting processing (S207). The counting process is a process of counting game balls in a lump in a lump. If the CU control unit 323 determines that the game has not ended (S206: NO), that is, if the floating ball ≠ 0, the ball that has been fired in the game area 27 has not yet been collected and the game result has been determined. Therefore, it is detected whether or not a certain time (15 seconds) or more has elapsed since the P platform stopped firing the ball because it is in a game confirmation waiting state (S212). When it is detected that 15 seconds or more have elapsed since the P platform stopped firing the ball (S212: YES), the CU control unit 323 determines that the game has ended because the game result has been timed out.

  Instead of monitoring the completion of the game on the CU3 side, the P stand 2 monitors the state of the floating ball 0 and the elapse of a fixed time (15 seconds), and the P stand 2 sends a game completion notice to the CU3. Based on the notification, the CU 3 may determine completion of the game.

  The CU control unit 323 performs a card return process (S208) and returns the card to the player after counting the number of game balls in a collective ball in S207. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the collective counting process of the game balls is performed between the P units and the CU3, the status information response including the count request = ON and the count ball count = 800, the count response = It is executed by transmitting and receiving a status information request including ON. When the number of game balls is “0” (S202: NO), the CU control unit 323 executes the card return process (S208) without executing the processes of S203 to S207, and notifies the player. Return the card.

  If the player does not perform the counting operation based on the display prompting the counting process after performing the card returning operation, the CU control unit 323 may have performed the card returning operation by mistake. Perform a return process. Specifically, when the counting operation performed by the player cannot be detected (S205: NO), the CU control unit 323 determines whether the counting operation waiting time has elapsed for a certain time (10 seconds) or more.

  When the CU control unit 323 determines that the counting operation waiting time has elapsed for a predetermined time (10 seconds) or longer (S209: YES), the CU control unit 323 notifies the P unit 2 of a command including the card return preparation state OFF (S210). The P table 2 receives the command including the card return preparation state OFF, and switches the process so that the normal counting process can be performed by operating the counting button 28 of the player.

  Further, the CU control unit 323 erases the display for prompting the player to perform the counting process displayed on the display unit 54 or the display unit 312 via the display control unit 350 (S211). When the card return button 322 is pressed and the card return operation is not detected (S201: NO), or the CU control unit 323 determines that the counting operation waiting time has not exceeded a predetermined time (10 seconds) (S209: NO), return processing (return).

  In the above example, the game completion confirmation is shown on the CU3 side, but the game is completed by monitoring the floating ball = 0 state and the game decision waiting time (15 seconds) on the P table 2 side. A notification may be transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3 so that the CU 3 recognizes the completion of the game based on the notification.

<Interrupt (simple leave or meal break) control process>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 29 to 31, the interruption (simple leaving or meal break) control process executed by the CPU of the CU control unit 323 will be described. This interruption (simple leave or meal break) control processing shows the detailed control contents on the CU3 side in the above-mentioned counting 1 of simple leave / meal break in FIG.

  First, in S301, it is determined whether or not a meal break operation signal from the remote controller or a simple leaving operation signal from the touch panel of the display 312 or 54 has been input by a game attendant. If not, control proceeds to S314. To do. On the other hand, if there is an input, the control proceeds to S302 and a game ball count request (card return preparation state = ON) is transmitted to the P unit 2, and in S303, the number of balls counted from the P unit, the card ID, Control for receiving the insertion time of the card is performed.

  Next, in S304, it is determined whether or not the received card ID and card insertion time match the card ID and card insertion time stored in the CU3. Specifically, the card ID and the card insertion time stored in the RAM of the CU control unit 323 are read out and compared with the received card ID and the card insertion time. If they do not match, the control advances to S309, the addition of the counted number of balls to the holding ball is suspended, and the error processing in S310 is executed. For example, the error processing may be performed by notifying the hall server 801 that a card ID and card insertion time mismatch abnormality has occurred by using an abnormality notification lamp provided in the CU or notifying the hall server 801 of the abnormality. It is the control which notifies.

  On the other hand, if YES is determined in S304, processing for adding the counted number of balls received from the P units to the possessed ball and writing it to the card is performed in S305, and a card suspension flag is set in S306. A command to turn on is output to the card. As a result, the interrupting flag of the card is turned ON. It should be noted that control may be performed so that the processing after S305 is executed without performing the coincidence determination at S304.

  Next, in S307, the card is discharged and returned to the player. In S308, the CU3 interrupt flag in the CU control unit 323 is turned ON, and the card ID of the discharged card is stored. . Next, in S311, it is determined whether or not it is a meal break. If a meal break operation signal is input from the remote control by the game attendant, a YES determination is made in S301, a YES determination is made in S311 and the meal break timer is turned on in S312. Processing is done. This meal break timer is a timer that measures a time of about 30 minutes, for example. On the other hand, if the determination of YES is made in S301 by the input of the simple leaving operation signal from the touch panel, the determination of NO is made in S311 and the process of turning on the simple leaving timer is performed in S313. This simple absence timer is a timer that measures a short time of about 10 minutes, for example.

  Next, control proceeds to S314, where it is determined whether or not any timer has timed out. If time-out has not yet occurred, control proceeds to S331. If time-out has occurred, control proceeds to S321 in FIG. Control proceeds to.

  Instead of the processing of S305, as shown in S305a, control may be performed so that the RAM of the CU control unit 323 stores the received number of counting balls as the custody balls of P units 2. In the modified example of FIG. 19 described above, the number of game balls at the time of interruption is stored on the P table 2 side, but in this S305a, the counted number of balls counted on the P table 2 side is stored on the CU3 side. It is memorized as a custody ball, and is a content showing a further modification. A modified example of storing the number of game balls at the time of interruption on the P stand 2 side in FIG. 19 will be described in detail based on FIG. 34 described later.

  Further, instead of the process of S306, as shown in S306a, it may be controlled to transmit to the hall server 801 the card ID and the suspended card.

  In S321, it is determined whether the timed-out timer is a meal break timer or not. If the timer is a meal break timer, a process for outputting a meal break time-out signal is performed in S322. This output is output to, for example, an abnormality notification lamp or hall server 801 or hall management computer, and the abnormality notification lamp is turned on or blinked, or a meal break has expired in the hall server 801 or hall management computer. Inform the effect. On the other hand, if the timed-out timer is the simple leaving timer, the control advances to S325, and a simple leaving time-out signal is output. In addition, you may control to perform the time-out display of S337 mentioned later with the process of S322 and S325.

  The game hall attendant who saw these notifications goes to the CU3 where the time has expired, performs a remote control operation, and inputs a suspension operation signal to the CU3. Then, YES is determined in S323, and control for turning off the CU3 interrupt flag is performed in S324, and then the control shifts to S331 in FIG. Note that, instead of canceling the interruption by the microcomputer operation in S323, it may be controlled to automatically cancel the interruption when the timer time-out is determined in S314.

  In S331, it is determined whether or not a card has been inserted. If not, the interruption (simple leave or meal break) control process ends. On the other hand, if a card is inserted, the control advances to S332, and it is determined whether or not the CU3 interrupting flag stored in the CU control unit 323 is ON. If it is ON, control is performed to read the card ID of the inserted card (S333). Next, in S334, it is determined whether or not the read card ID matches the stored card ID. If they do not match, the control proceeds to S338, but if they match, the insertion is performed by S335. A command to turn off the suspended flag of the card that has been issued is output to the card, the suspended flag stored in the IC (Integrated Circuit) built in the card is turned off, and the suspended flag of CU3 is turned off. To. Next, in S336, the process shifts to a process of paying out balls and paying out accumulated balls (replay) (see FIG. 11). In the case of the modified example in which the process of S305a is performed instead of S305 described above, as shown in S336a instead of S336, P stored balls are transmitted to P table 2 as the number of balls to be added to the number of game balls. Then, the process shifts to a state where the game can be started using the processing during the game, that is, the number of game balls.

  On the other hand, if the interrupting flag of CU3 is switched to OFF in S324 described above, NO is determined in S332 and the control advances to S337 to indicate that the time-out has occurred in the display 312 and the display 54. At least one of the displays is controlled, and the control proceeds to S338. In S338, control for ejecting the card is performed.

  In addition, when it determines with YES by S314, you may control so that the interruption flag of CU3 may be turned off automatically and another player's card | curd can be received. Thereafter, when a player who has interrupted the game inserts a card that is interrupted, the player may use the points stored in the card to control the game.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the prize exchange process (1) by POS (Point Of Sales system). POS is a system that records sales information of products every time a product is sold at a store, and uses the aggregated results as inventory management or marketing material, and is called point-of-sale management. In the case of a POS installed at a game hall, prizes are exchanged using the points specified by the player's card, prize exchange information is recorded, and the results of the inventory management and marketing of prizes are recorded. It is a system used as a material.

  Referring to FIG. 32, this process is performed when a prize is exchanged using a card owned by a player. In S401, it is determined whether or not a card is inserted. If it is determined that a card is inserted, the process proceeds to the next S402. If it is determined that no card is inserted, the process ends.

  In S402, it is determined whether or not the interruption flag stored in the card is ON. Specifically, if it is determined that the card suspension flag is ON, the process proceeds to S403. In S403, the fact that the suspending flag is ON means that the player is only temporarily suspending the game, and the game has not ended. In order to prohibit the POS from allowing the prize exchange, the inserted card is ejected, an error is displayed, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, returning to S402, if the card suspension flag is not ON, the process proceeds to S404. In S404, the fact that the interrupting flag is not ON means that the game has finally ended. In such a case, the POS exchanges prizes and the processing ends.

  Next, FIG. 33 is a view showing a flowchart of the gift exchange process (2) by POS. This gift exchange process (2) is a process performed when step S306a in FIG. 29 is executed. Referring to FIG. 33, in S401, it is determined whether or not a card is inserted. If it is determined that a card is inserted, the process proceeds to the next S401a. If it is determined that no card is inserted, the process is naturally terminated.

  In S401a, the hall server 801 is inquired as to whether or not the card ID of the inserted card is interrupted, and the process proceeds to the next S402. The following processing is the same as the prize exchange processing (1) by POS shown in FIG. 32, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  As described above, in the process of FIG. 32, as a prize exchange process by POS, a card that is ejected based on an interruption operation is ejected with a suspended flag, and the POS is awarded a prize based on the suspended flag. Prohibit replacement. On the other hand, in the process of FIG. 33, the hall server 801 manages the cards ejected due to the game interruption based on the card ID and prohibits the prize exchange. In addition, in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, in addition to prohibition of prize exchange, the settlement of the prepaid balance may be prohibited by the same method. Further, even when a suspended card is inserted into the CU 3 corresponding to the P base 2 other than the suspended P base 2, the CU 3 recognizes the card because the suspended flag of the card is ON. Discharge and ban games.

  Next, a modification of FIG. 31 will be described with reference to FIG. The modification of FIG. 34 is a control process corresponding to FIG. 19 described above.

  The only difference from FIG. 31 is that, in S336b, (card insertion state = ON) is transmitted to the P base 2 to perform control to shift to in-game processing. In the modification shown in FIG. 19, since the data of the number of game balls is stored and stored on the P stand 2 side even during the suspension, the suspended player returns and accompanies the suspension. By re-inserting the ejected card, the number of game balls remaining on the P stand 2 side is used to control so that a game can be continued.

  In the case of the modified example of FIG. 34, the number of game balls is stored on the P-unit 2 side and remains even during the interruption, so that the counting process in S303 to S305 in FIG. 29 is unnecessary. It is. In the case of the further modification described in the above-described S305a, that is, in the modification in which the CU 3 stores the counted number of balls sent from the P platform 2 as a deposit ball, immediately after S324 in FIG. , It is necessary to execute the step of “counting the number of game balls, adding it to the number of balls and transmitting the number of balls and the card ID to the hall server 801 and storing them”. In other words, the number of game balls of a player who has not returned within the suspension period is transferred to the hall server 801 in the form of points, and the player subsequently comes to the store and plays with the points corresponding to his / her card ID. When the user wishes to play the game, control is performed so that the player can download the points stored in the hall server 801 corresponding to the card ID to the CU 3 and play a game.

  In addition, when it determines with YES by S314, you may control so that the interruption flag of CU3 may be turned off automatically and another player's card | curd can be received. After that, when a player who has interrupted the game inserts a card that is interrupted, control is performed so that the points stored in the hall server 801 in association with the card ID of the card can be downloaded to the CU3 and played. Also good.

<Card information reading process>
Next, the card information reading process will be described with reference to FIG. This card information reading process shows specific control contents of the card information reading process shown in FIG. The processing in FIG. 35 is executed, for example, when the card is forcibly ejected due to the occurrence of power interruption (power OFF) as described above with reference to FIG. 21 or when the power is turned on again for error cancellation. Further, it may be executed when the user is temporarily away from the seat or at a meal break.

  First, in S501, a process of reading the card ID stored in the inserted card is performed. In S502, it is determined whether or not reading is impossible due to a card failure. Is read, the card information reading process ends.

  On the other hand, if reading is impossible due to a card failure, the control advances to S503, where the inserted card is ejected and returned to the player. Next, in S504, a remote control operation by a game shop clerk is accepted. This remote control operation is an operation for storing the number of game balls in a stock card as a substitute for the failed card and discharging it to the player. In step S505, control for accepting an input of a clerk password is performed. This is a process in which a message such as “Please enter your password” is displayed on at least one of the display 312 and the display 54, and the store clerk at the game hall accepts the input of the password by remote control.

  Next, in S506, it is determined whether or not the input personal identification number is appropriate. If it is inappropriate, in S511, the hall server 801 or the like is notified of the inappropriateness, and a notification that the clerk password is inappropriate is performed, and the control of the CU3 is stopped.

  On the other hand, if the personal identification number is appropriate, the operation of the counting button 28 is accepted by S507, the number of counting balls is added to the number of holding balls by S508, and the stock card storage provided in the CU is received by S509. Control is performed to take out the stock card from the department, write the number of balls in the stock card, discharge the stock card, and return it to the player. Next, in S510, the process proceeds to a sequence in which a card is not inserted.

  Note that the counting button operation of S507 is not necessarily required, and the processing after S508 may be executed without accepting the counting button operation of S507.

<Processing at game machine error>
A process when an error occurs in the P stand 2 and it does not function even if the counting button 28 is operated will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of a gaming machine error by the CU control unit 323.

  First, the CU 3 detects whether or not there is a communication line disconnection in communication with the P base 2 in order to detect that an error occurs in the P base 2 so that it cannot be recovered and does not function even if the counting operation is performed. (S601). In addition, as a method for detecting that the CU 3 does not function even if the counting operation is performed, there is a method for detecting by a remote control operation by a store clerk in addition to a method for detecting a communication disconnection between the CU 3 and the P stand 2.

  When the CU 3 detects a communication line disconnection in communication with the P stand 2 (S601: YES), in order to notify the player and the store clerk that an error has occurred in the P stand 2, Error display control is performed on the display 54 and the like (S602).

  The store clerk confirming the error display displayed on the display 54 etc. performs the emergency card ejection operation. However, when the card return button is pressed as an emergency card ejection operation, if counting is not possible even if the counting operation is performed with game balls remaining, the CU3 will indicate "count first" "Is just displayed. For this reason, it is necessary for the store clerk to make a setting by using a remote controller or the like and shift to the card ejection step in the return operation.

  Also, as an emergency card ejection operation, there are a case where the power supply of the CU 3 is turned off and reset, and a case where the CU 3 is once removed from the unit provided with the P stand 2 and reinserted. FIG. 36 illustrates a case where the power of the CU 3 is turned OFF / ON and reset as an emergency card ejection operation. The power supply of CU3 is turned OFF / ON and reset (S603). If the power of CU3 can be reset by turning it off / on (S603: YES), CU3 uses the number of balls stored in CU3 as a card without converting the number of balls in the game. Write (S604). CU3 discharges a card | curd, after writing the number of balls in a card | curd by S604 (S605). Note that the prepaid balance can be specified for the discharged card.

  The CU 3 performs control to display the number of game balls not converted to the number of possessed balls on the display 54 or the like (S606). In addition, the display of the number of game balls on the display 54 or the like may be continuously displayed before the reset of the CU3. The number of game balls that were not converted to the number of possessions (the number of game balls when an error occurred) is written on the card returned by the store clerk after confirming the display on the display 54, etc., and the loss of the player is compensated (Compensation) is performed. Thereafter, the store clerk operates the RAM clear switch 293 (see FIG. 2) to clear the RAM of the payout control unit 171. The display of the number of game balls that has not been converted into the number of possessed balls may be controlled to be displayed on the game ball number display 29 of the P unit 2. Also, instead of writing the number of balls on the card in step S604, the store clerk confirms the display on the display 54 and writes the number of balls on the card returned using POS. You may make it write. In that case, it is necessary to display the number of points on the display 54 or the like.

  In addition, the player's loss compensation (compensation) method is not limited to writing to a card using POS, and adjustment may be made by the hall server 801. Specifically, the card ID of the card, the number of balls and the number of balls are transmitted from the CU 3 to the hall server 801, and the hall server 801 stores the number of balls and balls in association with the card ID. Alternatively, the player may use the card ID of the card owned by the player as a clue so that the player can use the number of balls and the number of balls to be used for prize exchange and games.

  When the communication line disconnection cannot be detected by the CU 3 in communication with the P base 2 (S601: NO), or when the CU 3 cannot be reset by turning off / on the power of the CU 3 (S603: NO), the P base 2 The number of game balls that have not been converted to the number of possessed balls is displayed on the game ball number display 29 or the like (S606). The CU 3 may perform control to display the number of game balls on the display unit 54.

<Abandonment processing for game abandonment>
There may be a case where the player abandons the game while having a score such as the number of balls and the number of game balls. For example, in FIG. 17, the number of game balls = 800 is all counted and added to the number of balls, and the number of balls is stored in the card and returned to the player, so the number of game balls becomes zero. However, as shown in FIG. 9, when a player starts a game after depositing money or using a visitor card, it is not always necessary to have the card returned, unlike a membership card. It is assumed that the game is abandoned and the player leaves as it is without performing a card return operation or a counting operation. Such a situation is particularly likely to occur in a gaming machine capable of playing a game on condition that there is a fixed number (a plurality) of balls, such as a slot machine (parrot) that plays with pachinko balls.

  If the game is abandoned, there is a disadvantage that other players who want to play a game on the P stand 2 cannot play, and the operating rate in the game hall is lowered. However, it cannot be easily determined whether the game has been abandoned or just left. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a process for informing so that the store clerk can easily determine whether or not the P-unit 2 has abandoned the game will be described.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a game abandonment notification process performed by the CU control unit 323. In FIG. 37, first, the CU 3 determines whether or not the first notification flag is ON (S701). The first notification flag is a flag for determining whether or not the CU 3 outputs the first notification signal. The first notification flag is turned on by S703 described later and turned off by S710 and S712. When ON, the first notification signal is output, and when OFF, the first notification signal is not output. Specifically, the CU 3 outputs the first notification signal to, for example, an abnormality notification lamp to notify the abnormality, or outputs it to the hall management computer or the hall server 801 to notify the abnormality, thereby abandoning the game. Notify the store clerk about the possibility.

  When the first notification flag is OFF (S701: NO), the CU 3 determines whether or not the player's score (money balls, game balls) has fluctuated more than a first period (for example, 5 minutes) (S702). ). Note that the number of game balls must be at least one, and if the number of game balls is 0, the CU 3 can be processed as a game end.

  If the player's score (money balls, game balls) does not change for the first period or longer (S702: YES), CU3 turns on the first notification flag (S703). The CU 3 outputs a first notification signal when the first notification flag is turned on (S704). Specifically, the first notification signal output by the CU3 displays a warning indicating the possibility that the game has been abandoned on the abnormality notification lamp of the CU3 or turns on the warning light of the CU3. Moreover, you may alert | report the warning which shows the possibility that the game was abandoned by P stand 2. Note that CU3 also outputs the first notification signal even when the first notification flag is ON (S701: YES) (S704).

  Next, after outputting the first notification signal, the CU 3 determines whether or not there is any change in the player's score (money balls, game balls) (S705). After the first notification signal is output, the CU 3 determines that the player's score (mochitama, game ball) does not change (S705: YES), and the player's score (mochitama, game ball) is the first. It is determined whether or not there is a fluctuation for two periods (for example, 10 minutes) (S706).

  CU3 outputs a 2nd alerting | reporting signal, when a player's score (money ball, game ball) does not change for 2nd period (S706: YES) (S707). Specifically, the second notification signal output by the CU 3 notifies the hall server 801 or the like of a warning indicating that the possibility that the game has been abandoned continues. The destination for notifying the second notification signal is not limited to the hall server 801, but may be an external device such as a hall management computer or an abnormality notification lamp of the CU3.

  CU3 which output the 2nd alerting | reporting signal controls to a game prohibition state (S708). Further, the CU 3 counts game balls for converting the number of game balls into the number of balls in possession (S709). Specifically, when the store clerk presses the counting button 28 of the P table 2, the sequence shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 is controlled to perform counting processing. Thereafter, the CU 3 turns off the first notification flag (S710).

  After the first notification signal is output, the CU 3 stops the first notification signal when there is a change in the player's score (money balls, game balls) (S705: NO) (S711). Further, the CU 3 turns off the first notification flag (S712). At this time, the CU 3 performs control to release the game stop state of the P stand 2 and return it to a game ready state. Specifically, a state information request (see FIGS. 8 and 9) including a card insertion state = ON (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is transmitted to the P base 2 to return to a game-enabled state.

  Note that when the player's score (mochidama, gameball) fluctuates within the first period (S702: NO), CU3 has the player's score (mochidama, gameball) for the second period. If there is a change in the value (S706: NO), the process is returned (return).

  Further, after the second notification signal is output (S707) and the game prohibition state (S708) is entered, to return the P stand 2 to the game ready state, for example, the store clerk re-turns on the power of the CU3. For example, a return command (status information request) is transmitted to the P stand 2 by a remote control operation by a store clerk to return to a game-ready state.

  The CU 3 has described the configuration that outputs the first notification signal when the first period elapses and outputs the second notification signal when the second period elapses. However, the CU 3 outputs the first notification signal after the first period elapses, or the second Any configuration that outputs the second notification signal after the elapse of the period may be used. Further, the CU 3 outputs the first notification signal when the first period elapses and outputs the first notification signal when the second period elapses, and outputs the second notification signal when the first period elapses. The second notification signal may be output.

  The CU 3 according to the present embodiment outputs a notification signal to an abnormality notification lamp, a hall management computer, or the like when the player's holding ball does not fluctuate for a predetermined period, so that the player can play the game while leaving the end ball. The store clerk is informed that there is a possibility that the P is abandoned. Therefore, the store clerk who has received the notification signal can perform appropriate processing on the P cars that have output the notification signal, and can return to the state in which the next player can play the game. Can be improved.

  When a card return operation is performed, the output of the notification signal may be stopped and the game prohibited state may be canceled.

<Informing process of game balls (remaining game balls) remaining after the game ends>
When the game is ended by pressing the card return button 322, the game balls are usually counted after the floating balls are determined and the cards are discharged. Even if the floating ball is not fixed, if a predetermined time elapses, it may be determined that the game of the P stand 2 has ended, and the CU 3 may eject the card. However, if the floating ball wins after the card is discharged, the number of game balls will fluctuate. However, if the player leaves the P table 2 without knowing the change in the number of game balls, the P table 2 It becomes a state where no player can play a game. Therefore, a description will be given of a notification process for outputting a notification signal to an abnormality notification lamp, a hall management computer, or the like when the number of game balls of a player fluctuates in a game stop state (no card inserted).

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of notification processing of game balls (remaining game balls) remaining after the game ends. This process is executed by the CU control unit 323. First, it is determined whether or not CU3 is in a game end state (S801). Specifically, if YES is determined in S212 in FIG. 28 and the card is returned, YES is determined in S801.

  When it is determined that CU3 is in a game end state (S801: YES), CU3 determines whether or not the player's score (motivated ball, game ball) has changed (S802). When CU3 determines that the player's score (money balls, game balls) has changed (S802: YES), it outputs a notification signal (S803). Note that the destination of outputting the notification signal may be either the abnormality notification lamp of the CU 3 or an external device (a hall management computer, a call lamp, etc.).

  Next, the CU 3 detects whether or not a card is inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 309 (S804). When CU3 detects that a card has been inserted into the card insertion / discharge slot 309 (S804: YES), CU3 matches the card ID of the card inserted immediately before with the card ID of the card inserted this time It is determined whether or not to perform (S805).

  When CU3 determines that the card ID of the card inserted immediately before matches the card ID of the card inserted this time (S805: YES), CU3 determines the score of the player who has changed (mochitama, gameball) ) Is counted and written as a ball on the inserted card (S806). Specifically, when the store clerk presses the counting button 28 of the P table 2, the sequence shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 is controlled to perform counting processing.

  When it is determined that CU3 is not in the game end state (S801: NO), when CU3 determines that the player's score (motivated ball, game ball) has not changed (S802: NO), CU3 If it is not detected that a card has been inserted into the card insertion / discharge slot 309 (S804: NO), the card ID of the card inserted immediately before by the CU3 matches the card ID of the card inserted this time. If it is determined not to do so (S805: NO), the process is returned (return). When CU3 determines that the card ID of the card inserted immediately before does not match the card ID of the card inserted this time, the following control is performed. The inserted card is discharged and a message indicating that the card is different is displayed on the display 54. When the store clerk operates the counting button 28 and the card return button 322, the number of game balls is counted, added to the number of balls, and the stock card on which the number of balls is recorded is discharged. As a result, the number of game balls and the number of possessed balls become 0, and a game by the next player is possible. In place of the operation of the counting button 28 and the card return button 322, the store clerk performs the counting operation of the number of game balls by remote control operation and transmits it to the hall server 801 together with the card ID storing the added points. Then, the hall server 801 may store the score and the card ID in association with each other. At the time of transmission of the points and card ID to the hall server 801, the number of game balls and the number of ball possessions become 0, and the game by the next player is made possible. In this way, the player who has been playing with the card of the card ID revisits the store and presents the card, so that the possession stored in the hall server 801 is provided on condition that the card ID matches. Points can be stored in the card to compensate for the player's loss.

  With the configuration as described above, it is easy to identify a stand on which an unprocessed game ball remains by winning a floating ball after the card is discharged.

  The counting process may be controlled on condition that there is a certain number or more of game balls when the counting operation is performed. In that case, the game in the above-described game abandonment notification process (FIG. 37). The game ball counting process in the ball counting process and the remaining game ball informing process (FIG. 38) may be performed using the collective counting control (see FIG. 28) by the counting operation after the card returning operation. Further, it may be controlled so that the holding ball to which the counted counting balls are added is recorded on the card and discharged.

<Slot machine>
Next, a slot machine will be described as another example of the gaming machine. FIG. 39 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. 39, in the slot machine 2S, a front door 2bS is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body frame 2aS with the left side edge as a swing center. Although not shown in FIG. 39, 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 that they can be seen from the see-through window 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 remaining amount 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.

  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. 1, 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 card 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 that case, the operation signal of the ball lending button may be directly input to the CU 3 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. 40 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various data stored in each of the card unit and the slot machine and its transmission / reception mode. FIG. 40 is obtained by replacing the term of FIG. 5 described as the configuration of the P units with that for the 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) In this embodiment, the addition sequence number and the counting sequence number are defined in the message format as different data, but these may be shared as a request sequence number. In particular, the addition of game balls and the counting of game balls are the opposite processes, so it is unlikely that both processes will occur at the same time. From this point of view, it is possible to reduce the amount of message data by sharing both serial numbers. It is.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a new request is generated until the request sequence number reaches a predetermined upper limit value, the sequence number is updated based on the previously updated value. However, instead of such control, when all the processes corresponding to one request are completed, the request sequence number may be initialized to a predetermined initial value. For example, in the example of FIG. 12, it is conceivable that the counting sequence number included in the last status information response indicating completion of counting is set to a predetermined initial value instead of m + 6.

  Request sequence numbers such as addition sequence numbers and count sequence numbers, and normal sequence numbers are not counted up one by one, but are updated (additional update, subtraction) according to a predetermined rule stored in both P unit 2 and CU3. Update, update by other arithmetic expressions). In this case, the serial number is not “sequential numbers” such as 1, 2, and 3, but data that is updated based on concepts such as A, B, and C.

  In addition, the request sequence number is added and updated (for example, +1) on the requesting side, and if the device accepting the request accepts the request, it returns the received request sequence number without updating it and rejects the request. When doing so, the received request sequence number may be subtracted and updated (for example, -1) and returned. Alternatively, the relationship between addition update and subtraction update in this case may be reversed.

  Alternatively, if the request is accepted, the request sequence number may be added and updated (eg, +1), while if the request is rejected, the request sequence number may be subtracted and updated (eg, −1), or The relationship between addition update and subtraction update may be reversed between acceptance and rejection.

  (2) When a slot machine (S units), which is an example of a gaming machine, is applied to the gaming system, for example, a game in which there are P reels and various sensor parts attached to the reels and a main control board that controls 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 or 29S.

  First, when a conversion operation (lending operation, saving medal payout operation, point payout operation) from the remaining amount of a prepaid card, 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 or the display 29S, 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 or the display 29S 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.

  (3) In the present embodiment, game points are added by consuming card power. 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.

  (4) 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.

  (5) The recording medium for recording the holding point in an identifiable manner may be one using 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.

  (6) 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.

  (7) In the present embodiment, when an uncounted game point remains when a card return operation is performed, a message prompting for counting is displayed on the display of P units or the CU side. However, instead of such a configuration, when an uncounted game point remains when the card return operation is performed, the counting display is automatically started and the display on the P table or the CU side is used. It may be notified that automatic counting has started because there are still uncounted game points, or that, in addition, the card will be returned after completion of automatic counting.

  In addition, when performing an automatic counting process associated with such a card returning operation, if the card returning operation is performed during the order service (see FIGS. 15 and 16), the automatic counting process during the order service is prohibited. . Even in that case, after the order service is finished, a message prompting the user to return the card again is displayed (see FIG. 14), or the card return operation is accepted as a reservation (see FIGS. 15 and 16), and the order service is finished. Later, an automatic counting process is performed to perform a card return process.

  Alternatively, when an uncounted game point remains when the card return operation is performed, it is determined that there is a possibility that the player may leave the table temporarily, and the display (CU side or P stand side) You may display the message which confirms whether it is temporary leaving. Further, the display device may be constituted by a touch panel so that the player can input a response to the message. Furthermore, if the response input is the end of the game, a message prompting the counting operation is displayed. On the other hand, if the response input is temporarily away from the desk, the card may be temporarily ejected while the ID of the card is stored on the CU side, the P platform side, or both. Thereafter, when a card with the same ID is inserted, the game is resumed from the original state.

  (8) 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.

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

  (10) 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.

  (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 using a card ejected from the CU inserted into another CU connected to another gaming machine (processing to withdraw the possessed ball that can be specified by the card and convert it into a gaming ball , Or shared ball 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-described “recording medium processing operation for processing so that a predetermined process can be performed as a holding point” is, for example, a card return operation. In addition, the “predetermined process” is a process of recording a score so as to be specified on a card inserted in the CU when a card return operation is detected, and returning the card. 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) If a counting operation is performed while the ball is being fired, the counting operation may be invalidated if the number of game balls at that time is equal to or less than a reference value. In addition, even when 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 If the value obtained by subtracting the predetermined number from the number of game balls when the counting operation is detected is less than the reference value, the counting operation may be invalidated.

  Further, whether or not a game is in progress may be determined based on whether or not a ball launching operation has been detected, and the number of in-game balls (floating balls floating in the game area 27) becomes zero. Whether or not (not in game) or not (in game) may be determined. Further, it is conceivable 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.

  (13) Referring to FIG. 12, the P platform is provided with a counting ball counter that temporarily stores the counted counting balls (held balls), but does not include a counter that stores the cumulative value of the 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.

  (14) The display for prompting the counting operation in FIG. 17 may be a text “Please count because there are game balls left”, or blinking with the count button 28 displayed on the screen. Such a display may be used. In addition, the P stand 2 that has received the card return preparation state ON may display the game balls on the game ball number display 29 in a blinking manner, or when the game ball number display 29 is configured by an image display device. Alternatively, the message described as the above embodiment may be displayed on the game ball number display 29 to prompt the counting operation.

  (15) In order to change the number of game points to be converted in 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.

  (16) Depending on the remaining number of game points, when the number of points counted by one short press operation of the counting button is 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.

  (17) 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.

  (18) Timing for performing 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.

  (19) 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 the primary station and the gaming machine is the 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.

  (20) In this embodiment, game balls (game points) are stored on both the gaming machine side and the CU side. However, game balls (game points) are stored only on the game machine side, and the CU side. Then, it may not be stored. 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.

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

  (22) In CU3, the number of game balls stored is updated based on the value of the addition ball counter (addition ball count) and the value of the subtraction ball counter (subtraction ball count) transmitted from the P platform side. 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 performed by a computer or hall server 801).

  (23) When a lending operation or a conversion operation (lending operation) from a holding point (holding 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.

  (24) A touch sensor may be provided on the hitting operation handle, and the counting operation may be invalidated while the player is grasping the hitting operation handle. Invalidating the counting operation means 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.

  (25) At least one or all of the ball lending button, the card 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.

  (26) The gaming system according to the present embodiment includes a point use operation means for executing a predetermined point use process using points. Here, the predetermined score use processing includes processing for executing the wagon service, or processing for dividing and sharing the score (held ball) (processing for dividing and transferring the score to another person). It is a concept. The holding point use operation means is, for example, a touch panel. Alternatively, the point use operation means may be a remote controller that is given to a clerk of the game store to instruct the CU or the gaming machine to execute the point use processing.

  (27) The sequence control shown in FIGS. 7 to 25 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. For example, CU3, P You may apply to the transmission / reception sequence between several game machines, such as the stand 2, a jet counter, and a POS terminal. 26 and 27 may be applied between the CU control unit 323 inside the CU 3 and the security board 325, or between the security board 325 and the communication control IC 325a.

  In addition, communication using the request sequence numbers shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 may be applied between the CU control unit 323 in the CU 3 and the security chip 325b. For example, it is conceivable to apply the request serial number in the scene of mutual authentication performed between the CU control unit 323 and the security board 325 described above with reference to FIG. In this case, the CU control unit 323 and the security board 325 can update the request sequence number only when transmitting a message related to mutual authentication, and do not update the request sequence number in other communications.

  It is also conceivable to adopt a requested serial number between the main control unit 161 and the payout control unit 171 in the P stand 2. For example, in the scene where the payout control unit 171 requests a main chip ID (main control chip ID) from the main control unit 161 and the main control unit 161 returns a response to the main chip ID, a request sequence number may be applied. It is done.

  (28) 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.

  (29) In the above-described embodiment, the score transmitted from the gaming machine on condition that the card ID matches the insertion time is stored as the current score by the CU. Control is made so that the score transmitted from the gaming machine is stored as the current score as a further condition that the communication has been started until a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) has passed since the communication was interrupted. May be. 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. .

  (30) In the above-described embodiment, the number of game balls and game points are directly added by the occurrence of a win, but instead, the points are added by the occurrence of a win, and the added points are added. It may be controlled to withdraw and add the number of game balls or game points.

  (31) In the above-described embodiment, when the value is withdrawn within the range of the valuable value owned by the player (prepaid balance, holding balls, savings) and the corresponding game points are added, the value withdrawn. 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.

  (32) In this embodiment, the key management server is installed in the key management center that is remote from the game arcade. However, the key management server may be installed in the game hall. Thereby, compared with the case where a key management server is installed outside the game hall, it is easier to speed up communication between the CU and the key management server, and the occurrence rate of communication failures can be reduced.

  (33) The CU control unit 323 receives board security information (including board authentication key and update information) from the key management server 800 via the hall server 801. However, instead of this, the board security information is transmitted from the key management server 800 to the CU control unit 323 without using the hall server 801 between the key management server 800 and the CU control unit 323. For example, it is conceivable that the key management server 800 and the CU are directly connected to each other, or a relay communication device different from the hall server 801 is provided between the key management server 800 and each CU.

  (34) In the above embodiment, the number of balls automatically counted based on the game interruption operation (simple leaving operation or meal break operation) is temporarily added to the holding ball and written to the card. By doing so, the player who interrupted the game returns, and then inserts the card into the original card unit 3 again, and converts the holding ball into a game ball by 125 balls. It shows what can be played by being converted into a ball. However, instead, the counting ball automatically counted at the time of the interruption operation is stored by the CU 3 as a custody ball different from the gaming ball and the holding ball (also storing the C-ID and the insertion time), and the holding ball is not added. Discontinue processing by ejecting the card without recording the ball. When the discharge card is reinserted, all the custody balls may be automatically converted into P game balls at once and control may be performed. Alternatively, the custody balls in this case are transmitted from the P platform to the CU based on the interruption operation, stored on the CU side or the hall server side, and automatically from the CU or the hall server when the card is inserted again. It is also possible that information on the custody ball is transmitted to the P platform side and stored as a game ball on the P platform side. Further, in this case, when the information on the custody balls is transmitted, it may be transmitted from the CU to the P units as a game ball addition command.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the number of counting balls automatically counted based on the interruption operation is added to the holding ball and written to the card and then discharged, the interruption flag is recorded on the card. So that you can't exchange prizes with that card. As a method for prohibiting the exchange of prizes as described above, the following method other than using the suspended flag of the card may be adopted.

  First, when an interruption operation is performed, the information (including the card ID) is transmitted from the CU to the hall server, and the card of the player suspended on the hall server side is stored as an interruption card. At the time of prize exchange, an inquiry is made to the hall server from POS or the like, and the hall server determines whether or not the card used for prize exchange is an interruption card. Alternatively, all interruption card information may be transmitted from the hall server to the POS side in advance. In addition, if the card used for the exchange of the prize is an interrupted card, the exchange of the prize using the card is prohibited.

  Also, in the above-described embodiment, prize exchange using a card returned based on a game interruption operation (simple leaving operation or meal break operation) is prohibited, but when the game hall is closed, It may be controlled so that prizes can be exchanged so that counting and the like are convenient. In that case, the suspension flag of CU3 is controlled to be OFF as the game hall is closed.

  (35) In the above-described embodiment, the gaming machine determines that the gaming device (CU) is given the game points as the holding points on the condition that the conversion process for all game points is completed (game points = 0). (Processing that accepts a card with a prize exchange machine and consumes the points specified by the card and enables prize exchange, and inserts a card discharged from the CU into another CU connected to another gaming machine. A validating means for validating the recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the card return button 322)) for performing the processing of the CU when used in the same manner.

  (36) In the present embodiment, as an example of the game information, the description has been given by taking the ball number, the game ball, the remaining amount of the card, the storage ball, the number of balls information and the game table information. However, the game information includes other information related to the game on the gaming machine. For example, when a player's favorite character selected or customized by the player can be displayed on variable display means (variable display device) such as the variable display device 278 or the display device 54, information that can specify the character Is also included in the game information. Information on the screen design including the character that matches the player's preference is transmitted to the server at the end of the game in association with the player's card ID and stored, for example, when starting a new game. You may make it download from a server to CU or P stand.

  (37) In the game ball number display 29, a display is made in which the number of balls is decreased one by one in conjunction with the ball firing or counting operation. In addition, the game ball number display 29 displays such that the number of balls increases by one or a predetermined number of units according to a ball lending operation or the like. When the game ball number display 29 is constituted by an image display such as a liquid crystal display device, the number of game balls is not simply displayed digitally, but whether the change in the number of game balls is due to a ball or not is counted. Whether it is due to winning, winning a prize, due to savings, or due to a lending operation, an image according to the type is displayed along with the display update of the number of game balls You may make it do.

  In addition, when the counting operation is performed, the game ball number display 29 performs counting display in conjunction with the counting operation, but when the game ball number display 29 is configured by an image display such as a liquid crystal display device. In the same manner as the display 54, the number of game balls may be counted and the number thereof may be decreased, while an image display in which the number of holding balls is increased may be performed. In this case, as described above as a modification of the display of the display unit 54, the display of the number of game balls converted to the number of balls data over time (for example, a bar graph display), the current The number of game balls and the number of balls are digitally displayed as they are, and the number of balls is increased while decreasing the number of balls, or the display of moving a part of the number of balls to the number of balls is repeated. It is possible.

  In addition, in the case of the P stand 2 shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the game ball number display 29 for displaying the number of game balls, a touch panel display 54 is provided, which is operated by the player. It was possible to switch display contents and receive wagon service. The display 54 is controlled by the CU3. However, such a display 54 may not be provided on the P base 2.

  In addition, the present embodiment includes display means (display 312 (or display 54, 510 or display 29, 29S)) that displays the game points, and the display means includes the conversion unit. The deduction of the game points corresponding to the required amount is displayed (FIG. 12; “Subtract the number of balls from the number of game balls”, indicators 29 and 29S (or indicators 54 and 510 may be used)). Further, in the present embodiment, the game point display control means (CU control unit 323, display control unit 350) which controls the display means for displaying the game points and displays the deduction of the game points corresponding to the conversion request amount. including. Here, the deduction display is a display for switching the display of the number of game balls from 1000 to 900, for example, when 100 points are deducted from the game balls 1000. Alternatively, the deduction display may be to display 100 points for deduction in such a case.

  (38) As shown in FIG. 17, in the above embodiment, the card return operation detected in the state where the game balls are left is counted by detecting the counting operation in a predetermined waiting period. It is activated after completion and shifts to card return processing.

  On the other hand, as a process in the case where the counting operation is not detected even after the standby period elapses, for example, the previous card return operation may be invalidated. In this case, since the counting operation is not detected even when the standby period elapses, the display on the CU3 or P table 2 side may display that the card return operation has been invalidated.

  Alternatively, the card return operation detected with the game balls remaining may be invalidated regardless of whether the counting operation is detected in a predetermined waiting period. In this case, the card return process may be executed again by executing the card return operation after counting all the game balls in accordance with the counting operation after the card return operation is detected. Alternatively, when the counting of all game balls is completed, or before and after that, a display for prompting a card return operation may be performed on the display on the CU 3 or P stand 2 side.

  In the present embodiment, if even one game ball remains when a card return operation is detected, the processing shown in FIG. 17 is executed. However, the processing shown in FIG. 17 may be executed when the number of game balls remaining when the card return operation is detected is a predetermined number of two or more.

  Further, in the counting operation after the card return operation is detected, the counting display speed of the game balls may be made faster than usual. For example, in a normal counting operation, a display in which game balls are counted one by one is displayed, while in a counting operation after a card return operation is detected, a display in which a plurality of game balls are counted together, or for all games It is conceivable to display such that balls are counted together.

  Further, in the counting operation after the card return operation is detected, not all game balls are counted, but a larger number of game balls than the normal counting operation are counted. It is good. For example, normally, a maximum of 100 game balls are counted as one counting operation, but in a counting operation after a card return operation is detected, a larger number of 200 gaming balls are counted. You may be made to do. Even in this case, when there is a card return operation in advance, the number of counting operations for counting all game balls is reduced compared to when there is no card return operation, and counting of all game balls is completed early. Can do.

  Also, if a card return operation is detected with game balls remaining, even if no counting operation is detected, start counting all game balls, and then proceed to card return processing. Also good. In this case, when counting of all game balls is started, the fact that counting of all game balls is started may be displayed on the P stand 2 or CU3. Alternatively, a message for confirming whether or not the counting of all game balls may be started is displayed, and a predetermined operation (for example, an operation on the touch panel of P stand 2 or CU 3 or a card return operation again) is detected. It is also possible to start counting all game balls on the condition.

  In addition, the card return operation detected during the game (during ball launching) may be invalidated, but the card return operation is not invalidated, and the counting operation during the game is performed on the P platform side. The counting process based on the above may be invalidated.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, CU3 determines whether the number of game balls is 0, when card return operation is detected. However, such a determination may be made by the P base 2. In this case, for example, when a card return operation is detected, data indicating the presence of the card return operation is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P stand 2, and the number of game balls stored by the P stand 2 itself is 0. It is determined whether or not. If it is 0, the number of game balls is 0 or data allowing card return is transmitted to CU3, while if it is not 0, the number of game balls is not 0, card return standby or card return prohibition is prohibited. The indicated data is transmitted to CU3.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when operation of a count button is detected, the P stand 2 determines whether card return operation is detected before the detection of the operation. However, such determination means may be provided in the CU3. In this case, for example, when the operation of the counting button is detected, the P base 2 transmits data indicating that to the CU 3. Upon receiving this, the CU 3 may determine whether or not there has been a card return operation within a predetermined period before receiving the data.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the P table 2 detects the counting operation, while the CU 3 detects the card return operation, but the CU 3 detects the counting operation, while the P table 2 detects the card returning operation. Alternatively, both the operations may be detected by the P stand 2 or the CU 3. In addition, both the counting button and the card card return button may be attached to the CU 3 or the P stand 2, and one may be the CU 3 or the P stand 2.

  (39) The presence or absence of a change in the number of holding balls or game balls is checked on the CU or P stand. If the number of holding balls or game balls does not change for a predetermined period, the fact is notified on the CU or P stand. You may do it. Alternatively, a notification signal may be output to an external device (a hall computer, a calling lamp on the P platform). This makes it easier for the store clerk to grasp, for example, a table that has been abandoned while the remaining few balls are left unattended.

(40) Alternatively, when a player's game ball changes even though the card is not inserted into the CU, the fact may be notified by the CU or P platform. Alternatively, a notification signal may be output to an external device (a hall computer, a calling lamp on the P platform). As a result, for example, after you eject the card and finished the game, clerk of the abandoned Tei so that die remains a game ball has been paid out to winning ball that was caught on the game board is easier to grasp.

  (41) In the above-described embodiment, the determination subject in S702 (hereinafter referred to as S702 determination subject), the determination subject in S705 (hereinafter referred to as S705 determination subject), and the determination subject in S706 (hereinafter referred to as S706 determination subject) in FIG. The determination subject in S704 (hereinafter referred to as “S704 output subject”) and the output subject in S707 (hereinafter referred to as “S707 determination subject”) are all CU3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following combinations may be used.

a One or more of S702 determination entity, S705 determination entity, S706 determination entity, S704 output entity, and S707 determination entity are P units 2 and the rest is CU3
b S702 determination entity, S705 determination entity, S706 determination entity, S704 output entity, S707 determination entity are all P units 2
c S702 determination entity, S705 determination entity, S706 determination entity, S704 output entity, S707 determination entity, one or two or more of both P unit 2 and CU3 and the remaining one of CU3 or P unit 2 d S702 determination entity , S705 determination entity, S706 determination entity, S704 output entity, and S707 determination entity are both P stand 2 and CU3. In the above-described embodiment, the determination entity of S802 in FIG. And the output main body of S803 (hereinafter referred to as the S803 output main body) are all CU3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following combinations may be used.

e One of the S802 determination main body and the S803 output main body is P stand 2, and the other is CU3.
f Both the S802 determination subject and the S803 output subject are P units 2
g One of the S802 determination main body and S803 output main body is both P base 2 and CU3 and the other is either CU3 or P base 2 h Both S802 determination main body and S803 output main body are both P base 2 and CU3 (42) This embodiment includes the following inventions.

(1-1) The present invention is a gaming system including a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) and a gaming device (CU3) that enables gaming on the gaming machine,
The gaming device is:
Update information that differs depending on whether an operation request message (a game ball addition request ON state information request) requesting a predetermined operation (game ball addition operation) by the gaming machine is transmitted or a message other than the operation request message is transmitted A message transmission means for transmitting a message including (addition serial number: original addition sequence number when game ball addition request is ON, original addition sequence number when game ball addition request is OFF) (FIGS. 10, 11, 26) , See FIG. 27),
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, a request is made if the update information included in the received message matches the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information. A message determination unit that determines that the request is accepted, and determines that the request is not accepted if it does not match (FIG. 26; if the request serial number is m + 2, the request is accepted; if m + 1, the request is rejected),
The gaming machine is
When the operation request message is received, a response message transmitting means for transmitting an acceptance message if the request is accepted and transmitting a rejection message if the request is rejected (FIGS. 10, 11, 26, and FIG. 27)
The response message transmission means includes:
Information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information is transmitted as update information of the consent message (FIG. 26; if the request is accepted, m + 2 is transmitted, M + 1 is sent if the request is rejected)
The update information included and transmitted in the operation request message is transmitted as update information of the reject message without updating with predetermined information (see FIGS. 10, 11, 26, and 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the operation request message has arrived by referring to the update information of the message received after the operation request message has been transmitted, but the returned message is operated. It is possible to determine whether the request message is an acceptance message or a rejection message.

(1-2) The present invention is a game control device (CU3 (or CU control unit in CU3)) for enabling a game on a gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S),
Update information that differs depending on whether an operation request message (a game ball addition request ON state information request) requesting a predetermined operation (game ball addition operation) by the gaming machine is transmitted or a message other than the operation request message is transmitted A message transmission means for transmitting a message including (addition serial number: original addition sequence number when game ball addition request is ON, original addition sequence number when game ball addition request is OFF) (FIGS. 10, 11, 26) , See FIG. 27),
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, a request is made if the update information included in the received message matches the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information. A message determination means for determining that the request is accepted and determining that the request is not accepted in the case of a mismatch (FIG. 26; request acceptance if the request serial number is m + 2 and request rejection if m + 1 is included).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the operation request message has arrived by referring to the update information of the message received after the operation request message has been transmitted, but the returned message is operated. It is possible to determine whether the request message is an acceptance message or a rejection message.

(1-3) The present invention is a game control device (P stand 2 , S stand 2S (or security chip in CU 3)) for enabling a game,
When an operation request message requesting a predetermined operation (game ball addition operation) by the gaming machine is received (a game ball addition request ON state information request), an approval message is transmitted if the request is accepted, In the case of refusing a request, it includes response message transmission means (refer to FIGS. 10, 11, 26, and 27) for transmitting a rejection message.
The response message transmission means includes:
Information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information (+1) is transmitted as update information of the consent message (for example, in FIG. Reply m + 2 to the additional serial number)
The update information included and transmitted in the operation request message is transmitted as update information of the reject message without updating with predetermined information (see FIG. 26).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the operation request message has arrived by referring to the update information to be included in the response message to the operation request message, but also to return the message that has been returned. It is possible to determine whether the message is an acceptance message or a rejection message for the operation request message.

(1-4) In the gaming system (1-1) or the gaming control device (2),
When transmitting the operation request message, the message transmission means transmits information obtained by updating the update information included in the message received immediately before with the predetermined information as update information of the transmission message, and other than the operation request message Is transmitted as update information of the transmitted message (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

  According to such a configuration, the communication partner determines that it is an operation request message if the received update information is obtained by updating the update information included in the message transmitted immediately before with the predetermined information. it can.

  (1-5) The gaming system according to (1-1) or (1-4) above, wherein the message transmission unit and the response message transmission unit are capable of specifying a transmission order of messages. (Normal serial number) is included in each message separately from the update information and transmitted (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to confirm the arrival of a message other than the communication related to the operation request message.

  (1-6) In the gaming system according to (1-5), when the message transmission unit and the response message transmission unit update the update information and transmit a message, the transmission order information It is not updated (see FIG. 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the control burden related to the update of the transmission order information as compared with the case where the transmission order information is updated even when the update information is updated and a message is transmitted.

(1-7) The gaming system according to any one of (1-1) (1-4) to (1-6), wherein the message determination unit includes:
When a message is received after the operation request message is transmitted, if the update information included in the received message matches the update information included in the operation request message and transmitted, it is determined that the request is rejected (FIGS. 26 and 27). reference),
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, the update information included in the received message does not match the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with the predetermined information, When the update information included in the operation request message does not match the transmitted update information, it is determined that the operation request message has not been reached (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to determine not only whether the request is accepted based on the update information, but also whether the request is rejected or whether the operation request message has not arrived in the first place.

(2-1) The present invention is a gaming system including a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) and a gaming device (CU3) that enables gaming on the gaming machine,
The gaming machine is
Update information that differs depending on whether an operation request message (a count request ON state information response) for requesting a predetermined operation (addition operation of holding balls) by the game device or a message other than the operation request message is transmitted. A message transmission means for transmitting a message including a counting sequence number; the counting sequence number is ON when the counting request is ON, and an original counting sequence number when the counting request is OFF (see FIGS. 12, 13, 26, and 27) When,
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, a request is made if the update information included in the received message matches the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information. A message determination unit that determines that the request is accepted, and determines that the request is not accepted if it does not match (FIG. 26; if the request serial number is m + 2, the request is accepted; if m + 1, the request is rejected),
The gaming device is:
When the operation request message is received, a response message transmission means for transmitting an acceptance message if the request is accepted, and transmitting a rejection message if the request is rejected (see FIGS. 12 to 15 and FIG. 27). Including
The response message transmission means includes:
Information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information is transmitted as update information of the consent message (FIG. 26; if the request is accepted, m + 2 is transmitted, M + 1 is sent if the request is rejected)
The update information transmitted in the operation request message is transmitted as update information of the reject message without updating with the predetermined information (see FIGS. 14, 15, 26, and 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the operation request message has arrived by referring to the update information of the message received after the operation request message has been transmitted, but the returned message is operated. It is possible to determine whether the request message is an acceptance message or a rejection message.

(2-2) The present invention is a game control device (P stand 2, S stand 2S (or security chip in CU 3)) for enabling a game,
An operation request message (a count information ON state information response) requesting a predetermined operation by a gaming device (CU3 (or a CU control unit in CU3)) communicably connected to the gaming machine is transmitted or the operation request A message transmission means for transmitting a message including different update information (counting serial number: one that is added to the original counting sequence number when the counting request is ON, or the original counting sequence number when the counting request is OFF) depending on whether a message other than the message is transmitted 14, 15, 26, and 27), and
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, a request is made if the update information included in the received message matches the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information. A message determination means for determining that the request is accepted and determining that the request is not accepted in the case of a mismatch (FIG. 26; request acceptance if the request serial number is m + 2 and request rejection if m + 1 is included).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the operation request message has arrived by referring to the update information of the message received after the operation request message has been transmitted, but the returned message is operated. It is possible to determine whether the request message is an acceptance message or a rejection message.

(2-3) The present invention is a game control device (CU3 (or security chip in CU3)) for enabling a game,
When an operation request message requesting a predetermined operation by a gaming device (CU3 (or CU control unit in CU3)) communicably connected to the gaming machine is received (counting request ON state information response) A response message transmitting means (refer to FIGS. 12, 13, 26, and 27) for transmitting an acceptance message when accepting the request and transmitting a rejection message when rejecting the request;
The response message transmission means includes:
Information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information (+1) is transmitted as update information of the consent message (for example, in FIG. 12, the received m + 1 Reply m + 2 to the counting serial number)
The update information transmitted in the operation request message is transmitted as update information of the reject message without updating with predetermined information (for example, in FIG. 14, m + 1 is returned to the received m + 1 count sequence number). ).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the operation request message has arrived by referring to the update information to be included in the response message to the operation request message, but also to return the message that has been returned. It is possible to determine whether the message is an acceptance message or a rejection message for the operation request message.

(2-4) In the game system of (2-1) or the game control device of (2-2),
When transmitting the operation request message, the message transmission means transmits information obtained by updating the update information included in the message received immediately before with the predetermined information as update information of the transmission message, and other than the operation request message Is transmitted as update information of the transmitted message (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

  According to such a configuration, the communication partner determines that it is an operation request message if the received update information is obtained by updating the update information included in the message transmitted immediately before with the predetermined information. it can.

  (2-5) The gaming system according to (2-1) or (2-4), wherein the message transmission unit and the response message transmission unit are capable of specifying a transmission order of messages. (Normal serial number) is included in each message separately from the update information and transmitted (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to confirm the arrival of a message other than the communication related to the operation request message.

  (2-6) In the gaming system according to (2-5), when the message transmission unit and the response message transmission unit update the update information and transmit the message, the transmission order information It is not updated (see FIG. 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the control burden related to the update of the transmission order information as compared with the case where the transmission order information is updated even when the update information is updated and a message is transmitted.

(2-7) The gaming system according to any one of (2-1) (2-4) to (2-6), wherein the message determination unit includes:
When a message is received after the operation request message is transmitted, if the update information included in the received message matches the update information included in the operation request message and transmitted, it is determined that the request is rejected (FIGS. 26 and 27). reference),
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, the update information included in the received message does not match the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with the predetermined information, When the update information included in the operation request message does not match the transmitted update information, it is determined that the operation request message has not been reached (see FIGS. 26 and 27).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to determine not only whether the request is accepted based on the update information, but also whether the request is rejected or whether the operation request message has not arrived in the first place.

(3-1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) that grants predetermined game points (game balls) upon occurrence of a prize, and is communicably connected to the gaming machine. A gaming system comprising a gaming device (CU3) that enables gaming on the gaming machine using the gaming value (card balance, savings) of
The gaming machine is
Game point storage means (game ball counter) for storing the game points;
Conversion request transmission means for transmitting a conversion request when a conversion operation (counting operation) for converting the game points into a predetermined holding point is detected (FIG. 12; counting serial number m + 1, counting ball number = 0, counting Request = send status information response of ON),
Conversion request amount transmitting means (FIG. 12; counting sequence number m + 3, number of counting balls) that transmits the conversion request amount when receiving a conversion consent for the conversion request (FIG. 12: counting sequence number m + 2, counting response ON status information request) = 100, count request = ON state information response is transmitted),
A game corresponding to the conversion request amount from the game points stored in the game point storage means when receiving a conversion consent for the conversion request amount (FIG. 12; counting serial number m + 2, counting response = ON state information request) A game point deducting means for deducting points (FIG. 12; “subtract the number of balls from the number of game balls”);
The gaming device is:
A score storage means for storing the score (refer to “the number of card possession balls (count balls)” in FIG. 5);
An approval determination means (CU control unit 323) for determining an approval for the conversion request and the conversion request amount;
When the approval determination means determines approval for the conversion request, the conversion approval for the conversion request is transmitted (FIG. 12: a count serial number m + 2, a count response = ON state information request), and the approval determination means transmits the conversion request. Conversion approval transmitting means for transmitting a conversion approval for the conversion request amount (FIG. 12; counting serial number m + 4, count response = ON state information request) when an approval determination is made for the request amount;
Game points for controlling the display means (display 312 (or display 54, 510, or display 29, 29S)) for displaying the game points to display a deduction of game points corresponding to the required conversion amount It further includes display control means (CU control unit 323, display control unit 350).

  According to such a configuration, since the conversion operation for converting the game points obtained by the game into points can be performed, the conventional system that requires the count operation for counting the game media obtained by the game A new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are used to.

  In addition, when the conversion operation is detected, the game machine does not immediately start the process of converting the game points into points, but the gaming machine side obtains the conversion approval for the conversion request, and further the subsequent conversion request amount. The game points corresponding to the conversion request amount are deducted after obtaining the conversion consent for the notification, and the game device displays a deduction of the game points corresponding to the conversion request amount on the display means for displaying the game points. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconvenience that the processing for the conversion operation is not consistent between the gaming machine and the gaming device.

(3-2) The present invention is communicatively connected to a gaming device (CU3) for giving a predetermined game point upon occurrence of a prize and enabling a game using a player-owned gaming value. Game machines (P 2 and S 2S),
Game point storage means (game ball counter) for storing the game points;
Conversion request transmission means for transmitting a conversion request when a conversion operation (counting operation) for converting the game points into a predetermined holding point is detected (FIG. 12; counting serial number m + 1, counting ball number = 0, counting Request = send status information response of ON),
Conversion request amount transmitting means (FIG. 12; counting sequence number m + 3, number of counting balls) that transmits the conversion request amount when receiving a conversion consent for the conversion request (FIG. 12: counting sequence number m + 2, counting response ON status information request) = 100, count request = ON state information response is transmitted),
A game corresponding to the conversion request amount from the game points stored in the game point storage means when receiving a conversion consent for the conversion request amount (FIG. 12; count information number m + 2, count response = ON state information request) Game point deduction means for deducting points (FIG. 12; “subtract the number of balls from the number of game balls”);
Display means for displaying the game points (display 312 (or display 54, 510, or display 29, 29S)),
The display means displays a deduction of the game points corresponding to the conversion request amount (FIG. 12; “subtract the number of counting balls from the number of gaming balls”, indicators 29 and 29S (or indicators 54 and 510 may be used). ).

  According to such a configuration, a conversion operation for converting the game points obtained by the game into points can be performed. Therefore, a conventional game that requires a counting operation for counting the game media obtained by the game. A new gaming machine using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are used to the machine.

  In addition, when the conversion operation is detected, the process of converting the game points into points is not started immediately, but the conversion approval for the conversion request is obtained, and further, the conversion approval for the subsequent notification of the conversion request amount is obtained. Since the game points corresponding to the conversion request amount are deducted and the game points corresponding to the conversion request amount are displayed, the processing for the conversion operation becomes inconsistent between the gaming machine and the gaming device. Can be prevented.

(3-3) In the gaming system of (3-1) above,
A conversion request amount setting means (see (1) to (3) in FIG. 13) for setting the conversion request amount;
The conversion request amount setting means responds to the conversion operation even if the game points corresponding to the conversion request amount transmitted by the conversion request amount transmission means are deducted again when the game points corresponding to the conversion request amount are deducted. When the conversion amount to be reached is not reached, a larger amount than the previous conversion request amount is set as a new conversion request amount (in FIG. 13, 50 for (1), 100 for (2), 200 for (3). Configuration),
The conversion request amount transmission means transmits again the conversion request amount set by the conversion request amount setting means when a game point corresponding to the conversion request amount is deducted (corresponding to the setting of (1) in FIG. 13). After counting the number of game points to be played, a status information response with the number of counting balls = 100 corresponding to the setting in (2) is transmitted).

  According to such a configuration, even if a game point corresponding to the conversion request amount transmitted last time is deducted again, if the conversion amount corresponding to the conversion operation does not reach, a conversion request amount larger than the previous conversion request amount is transmitted. Therefore, while it is possible to perform a reliable conversion operation in units of conversion request amount, it is possible to reduce the number of transmissions of the conversion request amount as much as possible, and to realize a quick conversion operation.

(3-4) In the gaming system according to (3-1) or (3-3) above,
The gaming apparatus further includes a point display means (display 312) for displaying the points.
The score display means displays a score addition corresponding to the conversion request amount when the approval determination means makes an approval determination for the conversion request amount (see FIG. (Refer to "Add to balls").

  According to such a configuration, since the point addition display on the gaming device side is performed when the acceptance determination is made, the point display start timing and the point processing start timing can be matched.

(4-1) The present invention is a gaming system for enabling a game by a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) which gives predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize. There,
Game point storage means for storing the game points (game ball counter, game score counter);
Conversion operation means (counting buttons 28, 28S) for performing a conversion operation for converting the game points into predetermined points (holding balls, points);
Conversion processing means (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, payout control unit 171 and CU control unit) for executing conversion processing for converting the game points into the holding points based on the detection of the operation of the conversion operation means. 323) and
A score storage means for storing the score ("card card count (count ball)" on the CU side in FIG. 5, "card score (count game score)" in FIG. 40);
The holding point stored in the holding point storage means based on detection of a holding point use operation for executing a predetermined holding point use process (order service, holding point sharing) using the holding point. Point deduction means for deducting the points necessary for the point use processing from points (FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, the CU control unit 323 subtracts points corresponding to the price of the ordered product);
When the conversion operation means is operated during execution of the holding point use process, prohibition means for prohibiting execution of the conversion process during execution of the holding point use process (FIGS. 14 to 16, counting in order service) CU control unit 323) that prohibits processing.

  According to said structure, the step which converts the game point obtained by the game into a point once by operation of a player arises. Therefore, a new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are accustomed to the conventional game system for counting game media obtained by games. In addition, it is possible to execute the point use process in exchange for the point after conversion, and since the execution of the conversion process is prohibited during the execution of the point use process, the point is reduced along with the point use process. It is possible to avoid the complicated control that the conversion process of the game points to the points is performed.

(4-2) Another aspect of the present invention is to enable a game by a gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) that grants predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize. A gaming point processing unit (CU3),
Based on the fact that a conversion operation (operation by counting buttons 28, 28S) for converting the game points stored in the gaming machine into predetermined points (holding balls, points) is performed. Conversion processing means (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, CU control unit 323) for executing conversion processing for converting the data into the above-mentioned points;
A score storage means for storing the score ("card card count (count ball)" on the CU side in FIG. 5, "card score (count game score)" in FIG. 40);
The holding point stored in the holding point storage means based on detection of a holding point use operation for executing a predetermined holding point use process (order service, holding point sharing) using the holding point. Point deduction means for deducting the points necessary for the point use processing from points (FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, the CU control unit 323 subtracts points corresponding to the price of the ordered product);
When the conversion operation is performed during the execution of the holding point use process, prohibition means for prohibiting the execution of the conversion process during the execution of the holding point use process (FIGS. 14 to 16, counting process in order service) CU control unit 323) that prohibits.

  According to said structure, the step which converts the game point obtained by the game into a point once by operation of a player arises. Therefore, a new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are accustomed to the conventional game system for counting game media obtained by games. In addition, it is possible to execute the point use process in exchange for the point after conversion, and since the execution of the conversion process is prohibited during the execution of the point use process, the point is reduced along with the point use process. It is possible to avoid the complicated control that the conversion process of the game points to the points is performed.

(4-3) The gaming system according to (4-1) or the gaming point processing device according to (4-2),
When the prohibiting means prohibits the execution of the conversion process while the holding point use process is being executed, the notifying means for informing the user to perform the conversion operation again after the holding point use process is completed (FIG. 14). (Indicators 312, 54, 510, etc.) for displaying a message such as “Please re-operate because the counting operation is now possible”.

  According to the above configuration, the player who sees the notification prompting the user to perform the conversion operation again after the point use processing is completed can perform the conversion operation again, and the convenience of the player is improved.

(4-4) The game system according to (4-1) or the game point processing device according to (4-2),
When the prohibition means prohibits execution of the conversion process during execution of the score use process, the conversion process means executes the conversion process after the score use process ends (the order of FIG. 16). A CU control unit 323) that executes a counting process after the service ends.

  According to the above configuration, since the conversion process is executed after the point use process is completed, it is not necessary for the player to wait for the point use process and perform the conversion operation again, improving the player's convenience. To do.

(4-5) The gaming system according to (4-1), (4-3) and (4-4) above, or the gaming point processing device according to (4-2) to (4-4) above,
When a predetermined recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the return button 322)) is detected, the game point is used as the holding point, and a predetermined process (a card is received by a gift exchange machine) is specified by the card. Processing that allows exchanging prizes by consuming points, and processing of CUs when a card ejected from a CU is inserted into another CU connected to another gaming machine and used) It includes a recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323) that performs processing (processing that makes it possible to identify the ball with the ID of the card, for example, recording the ball on the card, or ID management of the ball using a computer).

  According to the above configuration, the player can perform a predetermined process with the game point obtained by the game as a point by performing the recording medium processing operation.

(4-6) The gaming system or gaming point processing device according to (4-5) above,
The recording medium processing means includes
A score processing means for performing a score process for making it possible to specify the game score as the score based on the recording information of the recording medium (the CU control unit 323 records the score on the card, or the card ID and the score To the server for storage)
Return processing means (the CU control unit 323 ejects the card) for returning the recording medium after the holding point processing is performed.

  According to the above configuration, since the score process and the return process of the recording medium are performed together by the recording medium processing operation, the player's operation when ending the game becomes easy.

(5-1) A gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) that grants predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize, and is communicably connected to the game machine and is owned by the player A gaming system comprising a gaming device (CU3) that enables gaming on the gaming machine using gaming value (card balance, savings, medal, etc.),
Game point storage means for storing the game points (the game ball counter on the P side in FIG. 5, the area for storing the number of game balls on the CU side, the game point counter on the S side in FIG. 40, the number of game points on the CU side Storage area), and
Conversion operation means (counting button 28) for converting the gaming points into predetermined points;
A recording medium processing operation means (card return button 322) for processing so that predetermined processing can be performed as the points;
Conversion processing means (CU control unit 323, payout control unit 171) for executing conversion processing for converting the gaming points into the holding points based on the operation of the conversion operation means;
Recording medium processing to be processed so that the predetermined processing is possible based on the operation of the recording medium processing operation means (the ball and points are associated with the card ID and stored in the server (in this case, the card is returned) Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323) for executing the following:
Game prohibition means (CU control unit 323, payout control unit 171) for setting a game prohibition state in which a game is not performed on a gaming machine based on an operation of the recording medium processing operation means,
The recording medium processing means executes the recording medium processing on condition that the conversion processing by the operation of the conversion operation means is performed when the game points are stored in the game point storage means (FIG. 17: Card If there is a game ball (game points) when the operation of the return button 322 is detected (the number of game balls (game points) ≠ 0), Processing points),
When the operation of the recording medium processing operation means is detected before the operation of the conversion operation means (FIG. 17: the card return ready state = ON when the counting button 28 is ON). More of the game points stored in the game point storage means than when the operation of the recording medium processing operation means is not detected before the operation of the conversion operation means. Points (all game balls and game points owned by the player) are subject to the conversion process,
After the gaming machine is placed in the gaming prohibited state by the gaming prohibiting means, the execution of the conversion process is delayed until a predetermined condition for finalizing the gaming result is satisfied (FIG. 28: Step S212, 15 seconds of game confirmation waiting time) The counting process after elapse.

  According to such a configuration, since the conversion operation for converting the game points obtained by the game into points can be performed, the conventional system that requires the count operation for counting the game media obtained by the game A new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are used to.

  In addition, since the execution of the conversion process, which is a counting operation, is delayed until a predetermined condition for finalizing the game result is satisfied, even if the number of game balls fluctuates after the card return operation, the number of game balls is left in the gaming machine There is no.

(5-2) To give a predetermined game point (game ball, game point) by the occurrence of a winning and to enable a game using a player's own game value (card balance, saving ball, saving medal, etc.) A gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) that is communicably connected to the gaming device (CU3) of
Game point storage means for storing the game points (game ball counter on the P platform side in FIG. 5, game score counter on the S platform side in FIG. 40);
Conversion operation means (counting button 28) for converting the gaming points into predetermined points;
Conversion processing means (payout control unit 171) for executing conversion processing for converting the gaming points into the holding points based on the operation of the conversion operating means;
A game prohibiting means (payout control unit 171) for setting a game prohibition state in which a game is not performed on a gaming machine based on a recording medium processing operation for processing so that a predetermined process can be performed as the point; Including
When the recording medium processing operation is detected before the conversion operation means is operated (FIG. 17: the card return ready state = ON when the counting button 28 is ON), Compared to the case where the recording medium processing operation is not detected before the operation of the conversion operation means, more game points (owned by the player) among the game points stored in the game point storage means. All the game balls and game points) that are subject to the conversion process,
After the gaming machine is placed in the gaming prohibited state by the gaming prohibiting means, the execution of the conversion process is delayed until a predetermined condition for finalizing the gaming result is satisfied (FIG. 28: Step S212, 15 seconds of game confirmation waiting time) The counting process after elapse.

  According to such a configuration, since the conversion operation for converting the game points obtained by the game into points can be performed, the conventional system that requires the count operation for counting the game media obtained by the game A new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are used to.

  In addition, since the execution of the conversion process, which is a counting operation, is delayed until a predetermined condition for finalizing the game result is satisfied, even if the number of game balls fluctuates after the card return operation, the number of game balls is left in the gaming machine There is no.

(5-3) A game value (card) owned by a player, which is communicably connected to a gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) that gives predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize. A gaming device (CU3) that enables a game on the gaming machine using a balance, a stored ball, a stored medal, etc.,
Conversion processing means (CU control unit) for executing a conversion process for converting the gaming points into the holding points based on a conversion operation for converting the gaming points stored in the gaming machine into predetermined holding points 323) and
Recording medium processing for processing the predetermined processing based on a recording medium processing operation for processing so that the predetermined processing can be performed as the holding point (a server that associates the holding ball with a card ID) Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323) for storing (in this case, the card is only returned), or holding the ball and the points directly recorded on the card),
The recording medium processing means includes game point storage means (P-game side ball counter in FIG. 5, area for storing CU-side game balls, S-game number counter in FIG. 40, CU-side game. When the game points are stored in the area for storing points, the recording medium process is executed on condition that the conversion process is executed by the conversion operation (FIG. 17: the operation of the card return button 322 is detected). Sometimes when a game ball (game points) exists (the number of game balls (game points) ≠ 0), the ball is processed on the condition that the count button 28 is operated).
When the recording medium processing operation is detected before the conversion operation (FIG. 17: the card return ready state = ON when the counting button 28 is ON), the conversion processing means performs the conversion operation. Compared to the case where the recording medium processing operation has not been detected before the game point, more of the game points stored in the game point storage means (all games owned by the player) Balls, game points) for the conversion process,
Based on the recording medium processing operation, the game prohibiting means delays the execution of the conversion process until a predetermined condition for determining the game result is satisfied after a game prohibition state in which a game is not performed on a gaming machine is established (FIG. 28: Step S212, counting process after 15 seconds of game determination waiting time has elapsed).

  According to such a configuration, since the conversion operation for converting the game points obtained by the game into points can be performed, the conventional system that requires the count operation for counting the game media obtained by the game A new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are used to.

  In addition, since the execution of the conversion process, which is a counting operation, is delayed until a predetermined condition for finalizing the game result is satisfied, even if the number of game balls fluctuates after the card return operation, the number of game balls is left in the gaming machine There is no.

  (5-4) In the gaming system according to (5-1), the conversion processing means detects the operation of the recording medium processing operation means within a predetermined time (FIG. 28: Step 209, 10 seconds). When the operation of the conversion operation means is detected during the operation waiting time), all the game points stored in the game point storage means are converted into the points.

  According to such a configuration, since the conversion operation for converting the game points obtained by the game into points can be performed, the conventional system that requires the count operation for counting the game media obtained by the game A new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are used to.

  Moreover, since all the game points are converted into points in a lump only when the player operates the conversion operation means within a predetermined time after detecting the operation of the recording medium processing operation means, the player However, it is possible to erroneously operate the recording medium processing operation means to prevent unintended conversion.

  (5-5) In the gaming system according to (5-1), the conversion processing means sets the predetermined condition for determining the gaming result, and the gaming prohibiting means causes the gaming machine to be in the gaming prohibited state. From this, it is assumed that a predetermined time elapses until the change amount of the game point cannot be specified (FIG. 28: Step S212, after the game determination waiting time of 15 seconds elapses).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to determine the game result under simple conditions without separately providing a sensor or a complicated control unit, and delay the execution of the conversion process.

(6-1) The present invention is for enabling a game by a gaming machine (P, S) that is installed in a game hall and gives predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize. A gaming system,
Game point storage means for storing the game points (game ball counter, game score counter);
Conversion operation means (counting buttons 28, 28S) for converting the game points into predetermined points (balls, points);
Conversion processing means (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, payout control unit 171 and CU control unit) for executing conversion processing for converting the game points into the holding points based on the detection of the operation of the conversion operation means. 323) and
End determination means for determining the end of business at the amusement hall (the CU control unit 323 that has received the closing command by the store closing setting in FIG. 20 determines the end of business at the amusement hall),
An end-time conversion processing means (for automatic counting at the closing time of FIG. 20) that executes an end-time conversion process for converting the gaming points into the possession points even when the end determination means determines the end of business. CU control unit 323) for performing the above process.

  According to said structure, the step which converts the game point obtained by the game into a point once by operation of a player arises. Therefore, a new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are accustomed to the conventional game system for counting game media obtained by games. Moreover, since conversion processing at the end for converting game points into points is executed even when it is determined that the business at the game hall has ended, conversion by means of conversion operation means is performed at the end of the game hall at the end of the operation. The trouble of performing the operation can be saved.

(6-2) Another aspect of the present invention is a game machine (P, S) that is installed in a game arcade and gives predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of winnings. A game point processing device (CU3) for
Conversion for converting the gaming points into the holding points based on the operation for converting the gaming points stored in the gaming machine into predetermined holding points (holding balls, holding points). Conversion processing means (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, CU control unit 323) for executing processing;
End determination means for determining the end of business at the amusement hall (the CU control unit 323 that has received the closing command by the store closing setting in FIG. 20 determines the end of business at the amusement hall),
End-time conversion processing means (automatic counting at the time of closing in FIG. 20) for executing an end-time conversion process for converting the gaming points into the holding points even when the end determination means determines the end of business. including.

  According to said structure, the step which converts the game point obtained by the game into a point once by operation of a player arises. Therefore, a new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are accustomed to the conventional game system for counting game media obtained by games. Moreover, since conversion processing at the end for converting game points into points is executed even when it is determined that the business at the game hall has ended, conversion by means of conversion operation means is performed at the end of the game hall at the end of the operation. The trouble of performing the operation can be saved.

(6-3) Still another aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine (P, S) that is installed in a game arcade and gives predetermined game points (game balls, game points) by generating a prize. ,
Game point storage means for storing the game points (game ball counter, game score counter);
Conversion operation means (counting buttons 28 and 28S) for converting the gaming points into predetermined points;
Conversion processing means (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, payout control unit 171) for executing conversion processing for converting the gaming points into the holding points based on the detection of the operation of the conversion operation means;
An end-time conversion processing means for executing an end-time conversion process for converting the gaming points into the points even when the game hall is closed (the processing for automatic counting at the time of closing in FIG. 20). Payout control unit 171) to be performed.

  According to said structure, the step which converts the game point obtained by the game into a point once by operation of a player arises. Therefore, a new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are accustomed to the conventional game system for counting game media obtained by games. Moreover, since conversion processing at the end for converting game points into points is executed even when it is determined that the business at the game hall has ended, conversion by means of conversion operation means is performed at the end of the game hall at the end of the operation. The trouble of performing the operation can be saved.

(6-4) In the gaming system (6-1) or the gaming point processing device (6-2),
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium capable of specifying a gaming value owned by the player;
When a predetermined recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the return button 322)) is detected, on the condition that the conversion processing has been completed, the game points are used as the holding points for the predetermined processing (in the gift exchange) A process for accepting a card and consuming the points specified by the card and enabling the exchange of prizes, and a case where the card discharged from the CU is inserted into another CU connected to another gaming machine and used. CU processing) is performed (processing for making it possible to specify a ball with a card ID, for example, recording medium processing for recording a ball on a card or managing a ball with a computer ID) Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323);
When the end of the business is determined by the end determination unit, the point transmission unit transmits the points converted by the conversion process to the management server installed in the game hall without performing the recording medium process. (The CU control unit 323 transmits the card ID and the number of possessions to the hall server 801).

  According to the above configuration, even if a game point remains when it is determined that the game hall is closed, the management is performed by converting the game point into a point and setting the point in the game hall. Since it is transmitted to the server, it is possible to save the trouble of collecting the discharged recording medium one by one, compared to the case of discharging the recording medium that can identify the points corresponding to the remaining game points at the end of business. it can.

(6-5) In the gaming system (6-1) (6-4) or the gaming point processing device (6-2) (6-4),
When a predetermined recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the return button 322)) is detected, the game point is used as the holding point, and a predetermined process (a card is received by a gift exchange machine) is specified by the card. Processing that allows exchanging prizes by consuming points, and processing of CUs when a card ejected from a CU is inserted into another CU connected to another gaming machine and used) It includes a recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323) that performs processing (processing that makes it possible to identify the ball with the ID of the card, for example, recording the ball on the card, or ID management of the ball using a computer).

  According to the above configuration, the player can perform a predetermined process with the game point obtained by the game as a point by performing the recording medium processing operation.

(6-6) The gaming system or gaming point processing device according to (6-5) above,
The recording medium processing means includes
A score processing means for performing a score process for making it possible to specify the game score as the score based on the recording information of the recording medium (the CU control unit 323 records the score on the card, or the card ID and the score To the server for storage)
Return processing means (the CU control unit 323 ejects the card) for returning the recording medium after the holding point processing is performed.

  According to the above configuration, since the score process and the return process of the recording medium are performed together by the recording medium processing operation, the player's operation when ending the game becomes easy.

(7-1) The present invention is a gaming system for enabling a game by a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) that gives predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize. There,
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium (card) capable of specifying a gaming value owned by the player;
Interruption operation determining means (S301) for determining that the interruption operation when the player interrupts the game has been performed;
Game point storage means for storing the game points (game ball counter, game score counter);
Conversion operation means (counting buttons 28, 28S) for converting the game points into predetermined points (balls, points);
Conversion processing means (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, payout control unit 171 and CU control unit) that executes conversion processing for converting the game points into the holding points based on the detection of the operation of the conversion operation means. 323) and
When a predetermined recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the return button 322)) is detected, on the condition that the conversion processing has been completed, the game points are used as the holding points for the predetermined processing (in the gift exchange) A process for accepting a card and consuming the points specified by the card and enabling the exchange of prizes, and a case where the card discharged from the CU is inserted into another CU connected to another gaming machine and used. CU processing) is performed (processing for making it possible to specify a ball with a card ID, for example, recording medium processing for recording a ball on a card or managing a ball with a computer ID) Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323);
When the interruption operation is determined by the interruption operation determining means, the recording medium is returned and controlled to be in an interruption state on condition that the conversion processing of all the game points to the predetermined holding points is completed Time control means (S305 to S308 for counting all the game balls = 800 in FIG. 18 and returning the card after the number of game balls = 0 becomes zero and turning on the CU interrupting flag).

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to perform the recording medium processing operation through the process of converting the game points obtained by the game into points once by the player's operation. Therefore, a new system using game points without causing confusion to a player who is accustomed to the conventional game system that counts game media obtained by gaming and makes it possible to specify the counting result by a recording medium Can provide. In addition, when the interruption operation is determined, the recording medium is returned and controlled to be in an interrupted state on condition that the conversion process of all game points to a predetermined holding point is completed, so that the player You can carry the media and leave the gaming machine.

(7-2) Another aspect of the present invention is to enable a game by a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) that gives predetermined game points (game balls, game points) by the occurrence of a prize. A gaming device (CU3),
A recording medium receiving means card insertion / discharge port 309) for receiving a recording medium capable of specifying a player's gaming value;
Interruption operation determining means (S301) for determining that the interruption operation when the player interrupts the game has been performed;
Conversion processing means (FIG. 12) for executing conversion processing for converting the gaming points to the holding points based on a conversion operation for converting the gaming points stored in the gaming machine into predetermined holding points. FIG. 13, CU control unit 323),
When a predetermined recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the return button 322)) is detected, on the condition that the conversion processing has been completed, the game points are used as the holding points for the predetermined processing (in the gift exchange) A process for accepting a card and consuming the points specified by the card and enabling the exchange of prizes, and a case where the card discharged from the CU is inserted into another CU connected to another gaming machine and used. CU processing) is performed (processing for making it possible to specify a ball with a card ID, for example, recording medium processing for recording a ball on a card or managing a ball with a computer ID) Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323);
When the interruption operation is determined by the interruption operation determining means, the recording medium is returned and controlled to be in an interruption state on condition that the conversion processing of all the game points to the predetermined holding points is completed Time control means (S305 to S308 for counting all the game balls = 800 in FIG. 18 and returning the card after the number of game balls = 0 becomes zero and turning on the CU interrupting flag).

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to perform the recording medium processing operation through the process of converting the game points obtained by the game into points once by the player's operation. Therefore, a new system using game points without causing confusion to a player who is accustomed to the conventional game system that counts game media obtained by gaming and makes it possible to specify the counting result by a recording medium Can provide. In addition, when the interruption operation is determined, the recording medium is returned and controlled to be in an interrupted state on condition that the conversion process of all game points to a predetermined holding point is completed, so that the player You can carry the media and leave the gaming machine.

(7-3) Still another aspect of the present invention is to enable a game by a gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) that grants predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize. Game system,
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium (card) capable of specifying a gaming value owned by the player;
Interruption operation determining means (S301) for determining that the interruption operation when the player interrupts the game has been performed;
Game point storage means for storing the game points (game ball counter, game score counter);
Conversion operation means (counting buttons 28, 28S) for converting the game points into predetermined points (balls, points);
Conversion processing means (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, payout control unit 171 and CU control unit) that executes conversion processing for converting the game points into the holding points based on the detection of the operation of the conversion operation means. 323) and
When a predetermined recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the return button 322)) is detected, on the condition that the conversion processing has been completed, the game points are used as the holding points for the predetermined processing (in the gift exchange) A process for accepting a card and consuming the points specified by the card and enabling the exchange of prizes, and a case where the card discharged from the CU is inserted into another CU connected to another gaming machine and used. CU processing) is performed (processing for making it possible to specify a ball with a card ID, for example, recording medium processing for recording a ball on a card or managing a ball with a computer ID) Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323);
When the interruption operation is determined by the interruption operation determination means, the interruption control means for returning the recording medium and controlling it in the interruption state without performing the conversion process (the number of game balls = 800 in FIG. 2) and return the card.
In the suspended state, it includes a suspended use restriction means (game prohibition in FIG. 19) for restricting the use of game points stored in the game point storage means.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to perform the recording medium processing operation through the process of converting the game points obtained by the game into points once by the player's operation. Therefore, a new system using game points without causing confusion to a player who is accustomed to the conventional game system that counts game media obtained by gaming and makes it possible to specify the counting result by a recording medium Can provide. In addition, when the interruption operation is determined, the recording medium is returned without being subjected to the conversion process and is controlled to be in the interruption state. During the interruption state, the game points stored in the game point storage means are used. Therefore, the player can leave the gaming machine with the returned recording medium.

(7-4) Still another aspect of the present invention is to enable a game by a gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) that grants predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize. Gaming device (CU3)
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium capable of specifying a gaming value owned by the player;
Interruption operation determining means (S301) for determining that the interruption operation when the player interrupts the game has been performed;
Conversion processing means (FIG. 12) for executing conversion processing for converting the gaming points to the holding points based on a conversion operation for converting the gaming points stored in the gaming machine into predetermined holding points. FIG. 13, CU control unit 323),
When a predetermined recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the return button 322)) is detected, on the condition that the conversion processing has been completed, the game points are used as the holding points for the predetermined processing (in the gift exchange) A process for accepting a card and consuming the points specified by the card and enabling the exchange of prizes, and a case where the card discharged from the CU is inserted into another CU connected to another gaming machine and used. CU processing) is performed (processing for making it possible to specify a ball with a card ID, for example, recording medium processing for recording a ball on a card or managing a ball with a computer ID) Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323);
When the interruption operation is determined by the interruption operation determination means, the interruption control means for returning the recording medium and controlling it in the interruption state without performing the conversion process (the number of game balls = 800 in FIG. 2) and return the card.
During the suspended state, the use restriction means during suspension for restricting the use of the game points stored in the gaming machine (CU control for notifying the P-unit 2 of the card return preparation state OFF in FIG. Part 323).

  According to the above-described configuration, the recording medium processing operation can be performed through the process of converting the game points obtained by the game into points once by the player's operation. Therefore, a new system using game points without causing confusion to a player who is accustomed to the conventional game system that counts game media obtained by gaming and makes it possible to specify the counting result by a recording medium Can provide. In addition, when the interruption operation is determined, the recording medium is returned without being subjected to the conversion process and is controlled to be in the interruption state. During the interruption state, the game points stored in the game point storage means are used. Therefore, the player can leave the gaming machine with the returned recording medium.

(7-5) Still another aspect of the present invention is that a player-owned game value (prepaid balance, specified by a recording medium (card) received by a recording medium receiving means (card insertion / discharge port 309) is provided. A game machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) that is capable of playing a game using a stored ball and points) and granting a predetermined game point (game ball, game point) by the occurrence of a prize,
Game point storage means for storing the game points (game ball counter, game score counter);
Conversion operation means (counting buttons 28 and 28S) for converting the gaming points into predetermined points;
Conversion processing means (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, payout control unit 171) for executing conversion processing for converting the gaming points into the holding points based on the detection of the operation of the conversion operation means;
When a predetermined recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the return button 322)) is performed, on the condition that the conversion processing is completed, the predetermined process (premium exchange) When accepting a card and consuming the points specified by the card and exchanging prizes, and using the card discharged from the CU inserted in another CU connected to another gaming machine CU processing) (e.g., counting processing for enabling the identification of a ball with a card ID, for example, recording a ball on a card, or managing a ball with a computer ID) Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323) for performing recording medium processing (counting processing);
When an interruption operation is performed when the player interrupts the game, the recording medium is returned without performing the conversion process and the interruption state (the number of game balls = 800 in FIG. In the interrupted state controlled to return the card as it is, the interrupt use restriction means (game prohibition in FIG. 19) for restricting the use of the game points stored in the game point storage means is included.

  According to the above-described configuration, the recording medium processing operation can be performed through the process of converting the game points obtained by the game into points once by the player's operation. Therefore, a new system using game points without causing confusion to a player who is accustomed to the conventional game system that counts game media obtained by gaming and makes it possible to specify the counting result by a recording medium Can provide. In addition, when the interruption operation is determined, the recording medium is returned without being subjected to the conversion process and is controlled to be in the interruption state. During the interruption state, the game points stored in the game point storage means are used. Therefore, the player can leave the gaming machine with the returned recording medium.

(7-6) In the gaming system of (7-1) and (7-3) or the gaming device of (7-2) and (7-4),
The interruption operation determining means includes a leaving operation determining means (S301, S311) for determining that the leaving operation for interrupting the game is performed for the first period (10 minutes).

  According to the above configuration, the player can leave the gaming machine for the first period by performing the leaving operation for interrupting the game for the first period.

(7-7) In the gaming system of (7-1), (7-3) and (7-6) or the gaming device of (7-2), (7-4) and (7-6),
The interruption operation determination means includes break operation determination means (S301, S311) for determining that a break operation for interrupting the game has been performed for the second period (30 minutes).

  According to the above configuration, the player can take a break away from the gaming machine in the second period by performing a break operation for interrupting the game in the second period.

(7-8) In the gaming system or gaming device according to (7-6) or (7-7) above,
An operation for canceling the suspended state has been performed after a predetermined suspension allowable period (10 minutes or 30 minutes) has elapsed since the interruption operation was determined by the interruption operation determination means (YES in S323). Further includes an interruption release means (S324) for releasing the interruption state based on

  According to the above configuration, a game other than the player who interrupted the game is canceled because the interrupted state is released based on an operation for releasing the interrupted state after a predetermined interrupt allowable period has elapsed. It becomes possible for a player to play a game with the released gaming machine, and to prevent a decrease in the operating rate at the game hall as a result of the suspension being not released forever.

(7-9) The gaming system of the above (7-1) (7-3) (7-6) to (7-8) or the above (7-2) (7-4) (7-6) ( 7-8) In the gaming device,
The recording medium receiving means prohibits the reception of recording media other than the recording medium returned by the control of the interruption time control means during the interruption state (S334, S338).

  According to the above configuration, even if a player other than the suspended player tries to play a game with the suspended gaming machine, the recording medium possessed by the player is received by the recording medium receiving means. Therefore, games by other players can be prevented.

(7-10) The gaming system of the above (7-1) (7-3) (7-6) to (7-9) or the above (7-2) (7-4) (7-6) to (7-6) In the gaming device 7-9)
A prohibition unit (S306) for prohibiting the exchange of the prize using the recording medium returned by the control of the interruption time control unit;

  According to the above configuration, the suspended player can be prohibited from exchanging prizes without returning to the suspended gaming machine, and can be prompted to return to the suspended gaming machine.

(7-11) (7-1) (7-3) (7-6) to (7-10) gaming system or (7-2) (7-4) (7-6) to (7) In the gaming device 7-10) or the gaming machine 5),
It is possible to play a game on the condition that the recording medium receiving means has received the recording medium returned in response to the interruption operation (the process of S336 or S336b is executed on the condition that YES is determined in S334). .

  According to the above configuration, the suspended player can return to the suspended gaming machine and resume the game using the recording medium returned at the time of suspension.

(7-12) (7-1) (7-3) (7-6) to (7-11) gaming system or (7-2) (7-4) (7-6) to (7-1) 7-11) In the gaming device,
Player identification information storage for storing player identification information (card ID and card insertion time) that can identify a player who plays a game on the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means (card insertion / discharge port 309). Means (RAM of the CU control unit 323);
A player identification information transmitting means for transmitting the player identification information to the gaming machine (a CU control unit 323 for transmitting a card insertion notification including a card ID, an insertion time, etc. in FIG. 8) to the P unit 2;
When the interruption operation is determined, the player specifying information stored in the gaming machine is received, and the player specifying information and the player specifying information stored in the player specifying information storage means are received. A match determination means (S304) for determining whether the same player is identified based on
The interruption time control means returns the recording medium to control the interruption state on condition that the determination result that the same player is specified is obtained by the coincidence determination means (YES determination in S304) The card discharge process of S307 is performed on the condition that the process is performed).

  According to the above configuration, an abnormal situation has occurred in which the same player is not specified based on the player specifying information stored in the gaming machine and the player specifying information stored in the player specifying information storage means. Sometimes, even if an interruption operation is accepted, control for returning the recording medium is not performed, and an abnormal situation can be dealt with.

(8-1) A gaming system for enabling a game with a gaming machine (P 2 and S 2S) that gives predetermined game points (game balls, game points) by the occurrence of a prize,
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium (card) capable of specifying a gaming value owned by the player;
A player specifying information transmitting means for transmitting to the gaming machine player specifying information capable of specifying a player who plays a game on the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means (card ID, insertion time, etc. of FIG. 8). A CU control unit 323) that transmits a card insertion notification to the P table 2;
A recording medium forcible return means (forced card ejection in FIG. 21) for forcibly returning the recording medium when an abnormality occurs;
After the recording medium is returned by the recording medium forcible return means, player specifying information capable of specifying a player who plays a game on the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means is stored in the gaming machine. Same determination means (FIG. 21: CU control unit 323) for determining whether the same player is specified based on the player specifying information being
When it is determined by the same determining means to be the same, the game permitting means for performing control to allow the game machine to continue the game (the number of game balls before the occurrence of the power interruption / communication line disconnection is taken over) A CU control unit 323) that controls so as to continue,
Recording medium stock section (card stock section) for storing recording media;
On condition that a predetermined operation is performed when the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means fails after the recording medium is returned by the recording medium forced return means (S504), Stock recording medium return means (S509) for performing stock recording medium return processing for recording and returning information that can identify game points stored in the gaming machine to the recording medium stocked in the recording medium stock section Including.

  According to the above configuration, after the recording medium is forcibly returned in the event of an abnormality, the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means stores player specifying information that can specify a player who plays a game, and the gaming machine stores When it is determined that the same player has been identified based on the player identification information being played, the continuation of the game by the gaming machine is permitted. It is possible to prevent the player's disadvantage that the game cannot be continued as much as possible. Further, when the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means is out of order, information that can specify the game point stored in the gaming machine is stored in the recording medium stock section on condition that a predetermined operation is performed. Game points of the player who played the game up to the point of occurrence of the abnormality even when the re-inserted recording medium breaks down because the process of recording and returning it to the stock recording medium is performed Can be avoided as much as possible.

(8-2) Another aspect of the present invention is to enable a game by a gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) that grants predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize. A gaming device (CU3),
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium (card) capable of specifying a gaming value owned by the player;
A player specifying information transmitting means for transmitting to the gaming machine player specifying information capable of specifying a player who plays a game on the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means (card ID, insertion time, etc. of FIG. 8). A CU control unit 323) that transmits a card insertion notification to the P table 2;
A recording medium forcible return means (forced card ejection in FIG. 21) for forcibly returning the recording medium when an abnormality occurs;
After the recording medium is returned by the recording medium forcible return means, player specifying information capable of specifying a player who plays a game on the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means is stored in the gaming machine. Same determination means (FIG. 21: CU control unit 323) for determining whether the same player is specified based on the player specifying information being
When it is determined by the same determining means to be the same, the game permitting means for performing control to allow the game machine to continue the game (the number of game balls before the occurrence of the power interruption / communication line disconnection is taken over) A CU control unit 323) that controls so as to continue,
Recording medium stock section (card stock section) for storing recording media;
On condition that a predetermined operation is performed when the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means fails after the recording medium is returned by the recording medium forced return means (S504), Stock recording medium return means (S509) for performing stock recording medium return processing for recording and returning information that can identify game points stored in the gaming machine to the recording medium stocked in the recording medium stock section Including.

  According to the above configuration, after the recording medium is forcibly returned in the event of an abnormality, the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means stores player specifying information that can specify a player who plays a game, and the gaming machine stores When it is determined that the same player has been identified based on the player identification information being played, the continuation of the game by the gaming machine is permitted. It is possible to prevent the player's disadvantage that the game cannot be continued as much as possible. Further, when the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means is out of order, information that can specify the game point stored in the gaming machine is stored in the recording medium stock section on condition that a predetermined operation is performed. Game points of the player who played the game up to the point of occurrence of the abnormality even when the re-inserted recording medium breaks down because the process of recording and returning it to the stock recording medium is performed Can be avoided as much as possible.

(8-3) In the gaming system of (8-1) or the gaming device of (8-2),
Conversion processing means (FIG. 12) for executing conversion processing for converting the gaming points to the holding points based on a conversion operation for converting the gaming points stored in the gaming machine into predetermined holding points. 13 further includes a CU control unit 323),
The stock recording medium return means stores information that can specify the converted score when the conversion operation is performed in a state where no recording medium is received by the recording medium reception means. Recorded on the recording medium stocked in the stock section and returned (FIG. 17: If the game is started by a deposit operation (see FIG. 9) without inserting a card, the number of balls held in the stock card is 800. And return the card to the player).

  According to the above configuration, even when the player plays a game without inserting the recording medium, the recording medium on which information capable of specifying the resulting score is discharged.

(9-1) A gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) that grants predetermined game points (game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize, and is communicably connected to the game machine and is owned by the player A gaming system comprising a gaming device (CU3) that enables gaming on the gaming machine using gaming value (card balance, savings, medal, etc.),
Game point storage means for storing the game points (the game ball counter on the P side in FIG. 5, the area for storing the number of game balls on the CU side, the game point counter on the S side in FIG. 40, the number of game points on the CU side Storage area), and
The holding point storage means for storing the holding points (the holding balls, the holding points), (the number of card holding balls on the CU side in FIG. 5 (counting ball), the area for storing the number of holding balls at the time of card insertion, the CU side in FIG. 40 Card points (counting game points), memory area for card points)
Conversion operation means (counting button 28) for converting the gaming points into predetermined points;
Conversion processing means (CU control unit 323, payout control unit 171) for executing conversion processing for converting the gaming points into the holding points based on the detection of the operation of the conversion operation means;
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium capable of specifying the gaming value owned by the player;
Recording medium processing for enabling the predetermined processing based on the recording medium processing operation for processing so that the predetermined processing can be performed as the holding point (corresponding to the card ID for the holding ball and the holding point) And recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323) for executing storage (in this case, the card is only returned), or holding and holding points directly on the card),
When an abnormality occurs when the conversion processing means does not execute the conversion processing even if the conversion operation means is operated (for example, FIG. 36: Detecting a communication disconnection between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 (S stand 2S) in step S601) A game point display for returning the recording medium that has not been processed by the recording medium processing means and displaying the game points stored in the game point storage means at the time of occurrence of the abnormality Means (game ball number display 29, 29S).

  According to such a configuration, since the conversion operation for converting the game points obtained by the game into points can be performed, the conventional system that requires the count operation for counting the game media obtained by the game A new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are used to.

In addition, when an error occurs in the gaming machine, the game points stored in the game point storage means are displayed at the time of occurrence of the abnormality, so that the game points to be displayed can be written on the recording medium, which is disadvantageous to the player (9-2) A player who is communicably connected to a gaming machine (P unit 2, S unit 2S) that grants predetermined game points (game balls, game points) by the occurrence of a prize. A gaming device (CU3) that enables a game on the gaming machine using the value for gaming (card balance, savings, medal, etc.) possessed,
Holding point storage means for storing points (held balls, holding points) (the number of cards held on the CU side in FIG. 5 (counting balls), the area for storing the number of balls held when inserting a card, the card on the CU side in FIG. 40 Number of points (counting game points), area for storing points when inserting cards),
A conversion for executing a conversion process for converting the gaming points into the holding points based on detection of a conversion operation for converting the gaming points stored in the gaming machine into predetermined holding points. Processing means (CU control unit 323);
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium capable of specifying the gaming value owned by the player;
Recording medium processing for enabling the predetermined processing based on the recording medium processing operation for processing so that the predetermined processing can be performed as the holding point (corresponding to the card ID for the holding ball and the holding point) And recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323) for executing storage (in this case, the card is only returned), or holding and holding points directly on the card),
Even when the conversion operation is detected, the conversion processing means detects that a communication disconnection between the CU 3 and the P base 2 (S base 2S) is detected in step S601 in FIG. Game point display means for returning the recording medium not subjected to the recording medium processing by the recording medium processing means and displaying the gaming points stored in the gaming machine at the time of occurrence of the abnormality (Display 312, game ball number display 29, 29S, etc.).

  According to such a configuration, since the conversion operation for converting the game points obtained by the game into points can be performed, the conventional system that requires the count operation for counting the game media obtained by the game A new system using game points can be provided without causing confusion to players who are used to.

  In addition, when an error occurs in the gaming machine, the game points stored in the game point storage means are displayed at the time of occurrence of the abnormality, so that the game points to be displayed can be written on the recording medium, which is disadvantageous to the player Can be recovered without any problems.

(9-3) In the gaming system according to (9-1), when the recording medium not subjected to the recording medium processing by the recording medium processing unit cannot be returned, the operation of the gaming apparatus is initialized. Further includes a recording medium forcible return means (for example, FIG. 36: resetting the power by turning the power OFF / ON in step S603) to perform control for forcibly returning the recording medium.
The game point display means stores the game points stored in the game point storage means at the time of occurrence of the abnormality even after forcibly returning the recording medium that has not been subjected to the conversion process by the recording medium forced return means. Is displayed (FIG. 36: step S606).

  According to such a configuration, even after the recording medium is forcibly returned, the game points stored in the game point storage means are continuously displayed at the time of occurrence of the abnormality, so that the game points to be displayed are reliably displayed on the recording medium. Can be written on.

  (9-4) In the gaming system according to (9-1), the recording medium processing means can specify the score stored in the score storage means when returning the recording medium ( FIG. 36: The recording medium is returned to step S604) (FIG. 36: step S605).

  According to such a configuration, the returned recording medium can specify the score stored in the score storage means, so that the player can simply write the game point to be displayed on the recording medium. It is possible to recover without any disadvantage. Here, “recording in an identifiable manner” means not only recording the score directly on the recording medium, but also the identification information (ID) and score of the recording medium without recording the score on the recording medium. It includes a method of transmitting to a storage device (server) connected to the gaming device and storing the identification information and the score in association with each other in the storage device.

(10-1) A gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) that gives a predetermined score (money, holding points, game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize, and is communicably connected to the gaming machine A gaming system comprising a gaming device (CU3) that enables gaming on the gaming machine using gaming value (card balance, savings, medal, etc.) owned by the player,
Score storage means for storing the score (the number of game balls counter on the P side in FIG. 5, the area for storing the number of game balls on the CU side, the number of card balls on the CU side (count balls), the number of balls held at the time of card insertion 40, the S game side counter in FIG. 40, the CU side game score area, the CU side card score (count game score), and the card insertion score area) ,
Score detection means (CU control unit 323, payout control unit 171) for detecting changes in the score stored in the score storage means;
When the game by the gaming machine has not ended, when the score detection means does not detect a change in the score for a predetermined period (FIG. 37: steps S702 and S706), a notification signal output means (display device) that outputs a notification signal 54, notification to the hall server 801, etc.).

  According to such a configuration, even when a winning occurs, the game result of the player can be specified by calculating the data without directly paying out the game medium, but the change in the score is not detected for a predetermined period of time. Since a signal is output, the player can easily grasp the game machine that abandoned the game while leaving the number of points left, and there is a decrease in the operating rate due to the game machine left with a score remaining Inconveniences can be eliminated as much as possible.

(10-2) It is connected to a gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) that gives a predetermined score (money ball, holding point, game ball, game point) by occurrence of winning, and is owned by the player. A gaming device (CU3) that enables games using gaming value (card balance, savings, medal, etc.)
Score detection means (CU control unit 323) for detecting fluctuations in the score stored in the gaming machine;
When the game by the gaming machine has not ended, when the score detection means does not detect a change in the score for a predetermined period (FIG. 37: steps S702 and S706), a notification signal output means (display device) that outputs a notification signal 54, notification to the hall server 801, etc.).

  According to such a configuration, even when a winning occurs, the game result of the player can be specified by calculating the data without directly paying out the game medium, but the change in the score is not detected for a predetermined period of time. Since a signal is output, the player can easily grasp the game machine that abandoned the game while leaving the number of points left, and there is a decrease in the operating rate due to the game machine left with a score remaining Inconveniences can be eliminated as much as possible.

(10-3) A game using a player's own game value (card balance, saving ball, saving medal, etc.) by giving a predetermined score (money ball, holding point, game ball, game point) upon occurrence of winning A gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) that is communicably connected to a gaming device (CU3) for enabling
Score storage means for storing the score (P game side game counter in FIG. 5, S game side counter in FIG. 40);
Score detection means (payout control unit 171) for detecting fluctuations in the score stored in the score storage means;
When the game by the gaming machine has not ended, when the score detection means does not detect a change in the score for a predetermined period (FIG. 37: steps S702 and S706), a notification signal output means (display device) that outputs a notification signal 54, notification to the hall server 801, etc.).

  According to such a configuration, even when a winning occurs, the game result of the player can be specified by calculating the data without directly paying out the game medium, but the change in the score is not detected for a predetermined period of time. Since a signal is output, the player can easily grasp the game machine that abandoned the game while leaving the number of points left, and there is a decrease in the operating rate due to the game machine left with a score remaining Inconveniences can be eliminated as much as possible.

(10-4) In the gaming system according to (10-1), the predetermined period includes a first period and a second period longer than the first period,
The notification signal output means outputs a first notification signal (FIG. 37: step S704) when the score detection means does not detect a change in the score during the first period (FIG. 37: step S702). When the score detection means does not detect the fluctuation of the score during the second period (FIG. 37: Step S706), the first notification signal or a second notification signal different from the first notification signal is output (FIG. 37: Step S707).

  According to such a configuration, it is a gaming machine in which a game is left unattended while leaving the number of points (money balls, holding points, game balls, game points) alone, or simply left away by notifying in stages. It becomes possible to judge whether or not.

  (10-5) In the gaming system according to (10-1), after the notification signal output means outputs the notification signal, the score detection means detects a change in the score (FIG. 37: FIG. 37). Step S705), the output of the notification signal is stopped (FIG. 37: Step S711).

  According to such a configuration, the game is continued when the player simply leaves his / her seat, not the game machine in which the game is left unattended while leaving the number of points (holding balls, holding points, game balls, game points). It becomes possible.

  (10-6) In the gaming system according to (10-1), a game prohibiting unit that controls the gaming machine to a game prohibited state when the score detecting unit does not detect a change in the score during the predetermined period. (CU control unit 323, payout control unit 171, FIG. 37: step S708) is further included.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to control a gaming machine in which a game is left while leaving the number of points (held balls, holding points, game balls, game points) left unattended to be operated by another player. it can.

(10-7) In the gaming system according to (10-1), a conversion process for converting a game point for playing with the gaming machine out of the score into a score of the score is executed. Conversion processing means (CU control unit 323, payout control unit 171, FIG. 37: step S709)
The conversion processing means executes the conversion process when the score detecting means does not detect the change in the score for the predetermined period.

  According to such a configuration, control is performed so that another player does not operate the game of the gaming machine in which the game is left while the number of points (money ball, holding point, game ball, game point) is left unattended. At the same time, by performing the counting operation in advance, it is possible to reduce processing when the store clerk ends the game.

(11-1) A gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) that gives a predetermined score (money, holding points, game balls, game points) upon occurrence of a prize, and is communicably connected to the gaming machine. A gaming system comprising a gaming device (CU3) that enables gaming on the gaming machine using gaming value (card balance, savings, medal, etc.) owned by the player,
Score storage means for storing the score (the number of game balls counter on the P side in FIG. 5, the area for storing the number of game balls on the CU side, the number of card balls on the CU side (count balls), the number of balls held at the time of card insertion 40, the S game side counter in FIG. 40, the CU side game score area, the CU side card score (count game score), and the card insertion score area) ,
Score detection means (CU control unit 323, payout control unit 171) for detecting changes in the score stored in the score storage means;
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium capable of specifying the gaming value owned by the player;
Recording medium processing for processing the predetermined processing based on a recording medium processing operation for processing so that the predetermined processing is possible as the score Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323) for storing the information in the server (in this case, only returning the card) or directly recording the possession ball and the score on the card);
When the recording medium processing by the recording medium processing means is completed, when the score detection means detects a change in the score (FIG. 38: step S802), a notification signal output means (display) that outputs a notification signal Display on the device 54, notification to the hall server 801, etc.).

  According to such a configuration, even when a winning occurs, the game result of the player can be specified by calculating the data without directly paying out the game medium, but a notification signal is output when a change in the score is detected. Therefore, after the game is finished, it is possible to easily grasp the gaming machine whose score has fluctuated, and eliminate the inconvenience of the lowering of the operating rate due to the gaming machine left with the score remaining. it can.

(11-2) It is communicably connected to a gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) that gives a predetermined score (money ball, holding point, game ball, game point) by the occurrence of winning, and is owned by the player A gaming device (CU3) that enables games using gaming value (card balance, savings, medal, etc.)
Score detection means (CU control unit 323) for detecting fluctuations in the score stored in the gaming machine;
A recording medium receiving means (card insertion / ejecting port 309) for receiving a recording medium capable of specifying the gaming value owned by the player;
Recording medium processing for processing the predetermined processing based on a recording medium processing operation for processing so that the predetermined processing is possible as the score Recording medium processing means (CU control unit 323) for storing the information in the server (in this case, only returning the card) or directly recording the possession ball and the score on the card);
When the recording medium processing by the recording medium processing means is completed, when the score detection means detects a change in the score (FIG. 38: step S802), a notification signal output means (display) that outputs a notification signal Display on the device 54, notification to the hall server 801, etc.).

  According to such a configuration, even when a winning occurs, the game result of the player can be specified by calculating the data without directly paying out the game medium, but a notification signal is output when a change in the score is detected. Therefore, after the game is finished, it is possible to easily grasp the gaming machine whose score has fluctuated, and eliminate the inconvenience of the lowering of the operating rate due to the gaming machine left with the score remaining. it can.

(11-3) A game using a player's own game value (card balance, savings, stored medals, etc.) by giving a predetermined score (money, holding points, game balls, game points) upon occurrence of winning A gaming machine (P stand 2, S stand 2S) that is communicably connected to a gaming device (CU3) for enabling
Score storage means for storing the score (P game side counter on FIG. 5 side, S side game point counter on FIG. 40);
Score detection means (payout control unit 171) for detecting fluctuations in the score stored in the score storage means;
The score detection means in a state in which the recording medium processing for enabling the predetermined processing based on the recording medium processing operation for processing so as to enable the predetermined processing as the score has been completed. Includes a notification signal output means for outputting a notification signal (display on the display unit 54, notification to the hall server 801, etc.) when a change in the score is detected (FIG. 38: step S802).

  According to such a configuration, even when a winning occurs, the game result of the player can be specified by calculating the data without directly paying out the game medium, but a notification signal is output when a change in the score is detected. Therefore, after the game is finished, it is possible to easily grasp the gaming machine whose score has fluctuated, and eliminate the inconvenience of the lowering of the operating rate due to the gaming machine left with the score remaining. it can.

(11-4) In the gaming system according to (11-1), a player that stores player specifying information capable of specifying a player who plays a game on the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving unit immediately before Specific information storage means (CU control unit 323);
The player specifying information that can be specified by the recording medium received by the recording medium receiving means after the notification signal output means outputs the notification signal, and the player stored in the player specifying information storage means A coincidence determination means (CU control unit 323, FIG. 38: step S805) for determining whether or not the specific information matches;
Conversion processing means (CU control unit 323, payout control unit 171) for executing conversion processing for converting game points for playing with the gaming machine out of the scores into points of the score; Including
When the conversion processing unit determines that the match determination unit matches, the conversion processing unit converts the game ball that has not been processed by the conversion processing into the score (FIG. 38: Step S806).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately process the number of changed scores (holding balls, holding points, game balls, game points) by reinserting the recording medium having the same player identification information.

  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, 350 display control unit, 171 payout control unit, 323 CU control unit.

Claims (3)

A gaming system comprising a gaming machine and a gaming device that enables gaming on the gaming machine,
The gaming device is:
A message transmission means for transmitting a message including update information depending on whether an operation request message for requesting a predetermined operation by the gaming machine is transmitted or a message other than the operation request message is transmitted;
When a message is received after transmission of the operation request message, a request is made if the update information included in the received message matches the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information. A message determination means that determines that the request is accepted and, in the case of disagreement, determines that the request is not approved,
The gaming machine is
When the operation request message is received, it includes a response message transmission means for transmitting an acceptance message when accepting the request, and transmitting a rejection message when rejecting the request,
The response message transmission means includes:
Transmitting the update information that is included in the operation request message and transmitted by updating the update information with predetermined information, as update information of the consent message,
The update information transmitted in the operation request message is transmitted as update information of the reject message without updating with predetermined information ,
The game system, wherein the operation request message is an addition request message for requesting to add a specific value to the game value stored in the gaming machine . A game control device for enabling a game on a gaming machine,
A message transmission means for transmitting a message including update information depending on whether an operation request message for requesting a predetermined operation by the gaming machine is transmitted or a message other than the operation request message is transmitted;
When a message is received after the operation request message is transmitted, a request is made if the update information included in the received message matches the information obtained by updating the update information transmitted in the operation request message with predetermined information. it is determined that consent, only it contains and determining message determination means other than request consent in the case of disagreement,
The game control device, wherein the operation request message is an addition request message for requesting to add a specific value to the game value stored in the gaming machine . A game control device for enabling a game on a gaming machine,
When an operation request message requesting a predetermined operation by the gaming machine is received, a response message transmission unit is included that transmits an acceptance message when accepting the request and transmits a rejection message when rejecting the request. ,
The response message transmission means includes:
Transmitting the update information that is included in the operation request message and transmitted by updating the update information with predetermined information, as update information of the consent message,
The update information transmitted in the operation request message is transmitted as update information of the reject message without updating with predetermined information ,
The game control device, wherein the operation request message is an addition request message for requesting to add a specific value to the game value stored in the gaming machine .

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