JP6674975B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  In an enclosed gaming machine in which a game ball is enclosed, a game value is given to a player in accordance with entry into a winning area as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Further, in the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, predetermined information relating to the appropriateness of the ratio of the number of gaming balls corresponding to the game value given in accordance with the entry into the prize area with respect to the number of gaming balls hit is transmitted to the outside. Is done.

JP 2017-225743 A

  The gaming machine disclosed in Patent Literature 1 was capable of transmitting predetermined information including performance information such as base information to the outside. However, the gaming machine of Patent Literature 1 is communicably connected to the gaming device and transmits predetermined information to the outside via the gaming device, so that the performance information and the gaming information are not exchanged with the gaming device. Are sent together. Therefore, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in information transmission with the gaming machine.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the transmission of information to and from a gaming device.

(1) A gaming machine (for example, P units 2) capable of communicating with a corresponding gaming device (for example, CU3),
A transmitting unit (for example, a frame control board 17 or the like) for transmitting predetermined information to the gaming device at predetermined intervals;
As the predetermined information,
A game state that changes according to the progress of the game of the gaming machine, a gaming value managed by the gaming machine, and game information capable of specifying a gaming value given by the gaming machine ;
There is performance information that can specify parameters for game performance related to a change in game value with the progress of the game,
The game information and the performance information are both transmitted from the transmission unit to the gaming device by a common terminal,
The transmitting means varies transmission timings of the game information and the performance information when transmitting the predetermined information for each of the predetermined periods.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to optimize transmission of information transmitted from the gaming machine to the outside. In particular, since the timing for transmitting game information and the timing for transmitting performance information are separated, the processing load can be reduced.

(2) In the gaming machine of the above (1),
The transmitting unit transmits the predetermined information to the outside at every predetermined period (for example, a prescribed period A = 300 ms cycle shown in FIG. 12),
The predetermined information includes the gaming information, the performance information, and installation information regarding the installation of the gaming machine (for example, gaming machine installation information and the like),
When transmitting the predetermined information, the transmitting unit transmits any one of the game information, the performance information, and the installation information (for example, any one of the Information and send it).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to optimize transmission of information transmitted from the gaming machine to the outside.

(3) In the gaming machine of (2) above,
The transmission means transmits a game related to a game value managed by the gaming machine at a timing corresponding to a specific period shorter than the predetermined period after transmitting the predetermined information (for example, a specified period B shown in FIG. 12). Transmits value information (for example, counting information) to the outside.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid congestion of the information to be transmitted by separating the transmission timings of the predetermined information and the game value information.

(4) In the gaming machine of (2) or (3) above,
When the timing of transmitting the performance information and the timing of transmitting the installation information overlap, the transmission unit gives priority to the transmission of the performance information and transmits the installation information at the next timing (for example, a game When the timing of transmitting the machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the gaming machine installation information overlap, the transmission of the gaming machine performance information is prioritized, and the gaming machine installation information is transmitted at the next timing (FIG. 20).

  According to such a configuration, the transmission timing of the gaming machine performance information and the gaming machine installation information can be separated to optimize information transmission.

(5) In the gaming machine of (2) to (4),
When the timing for transmitting the performance information and the timing for transmitting the game information overlap, the transmission unit prioritizes the transmission of the game information and transmits the performance information at the next timing (for example, If the timing of transmitting the machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the hall control / fraud monitoring information overlap, the transmission of the hall con / fraud monitoring information is prioritized, and the gaming machine installation information is transmitted at the next timing. 20).

  According to such a configuration, the transmission timing of the gaming machine performance information and the gaming information is divided so that information transmission can be optimized.

(6) In the gaming machine of (1) to (5),
The transmitting means transmits the performance information to the outside at every special period (for example, 3 minutes (180 s) from the completion of the start of the P-table 2, and launches the game balls for a prescribed number of launch balls (for example, 60000 balls). Alternatively, it is transmitted at a specified time (for example, 10 hours).

  According to such a configuration, performance information can be externally collected for each special period.

It is a front view showing a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram showing a control circuit used for a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the PIF wiring connecting the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is an explanatory view for explaining the outline of the information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure for explaining an outline of a game machine information notice transmitted from a pachinko game machine to a card unit. It is a figure for explaining information on a game machine type. It is a figure for explaining gaming machine performance information. It is a figure for explaining gaming machine installation information. It is a figure for explaining hall control and fraud monitoring information. It is a figure for explaining hall control and fraud monitoring information. It is a figure showing a communication sequence between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing the timing of the information transmitted and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a timing chart of information transmitted and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing a modification of timing of lending information and lending response information transmitted and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing the timing of the information when unconnection occurs between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram showing a main one of various data stored in each of the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine and a transmission / reception mode thereof. It is a figure showing the sequence for explaining the timing which transmits gaming machine installation information from a pachinko gaming machine to a card unit. It is a figure showing the sequence for explaining the timing which transmits gaming machine performance information from a pachinko gaming machine to a card unit. It is a figure showing the sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting hall control and fraud monitoring information from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. It is a flowchart for explaining the process of determining the type of gaming machine information transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. It is a figure showing a count notification sequence between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing a count notification sequence between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing a restoration sequence at the time of PIF disconnection between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing a restoration sequence at the time of PIF disconnection between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram for explaining the connection configuration of the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing a communication abnormal sequence during counting between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing a communication abnormal sequence during counting between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing a communication abnormal sequence at the time of lending between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing the communication sequence between the main control board and the frame control board. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a communication sequence for explaining communication timing. It is a figure showing a list of commands transmitted and received between a main control board and a frame control board. It is a figure for explaining a command of a game machine installation information notice, and a response of a game machine installation information response. It is a figure for explaining a command of a game machine information notice. It is a figure for explaining type information included in game information. It is a figure for explaining a command of a game machine information response. It is a figure for explaining the totaling result of the winning number before and after a game state changes. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a performance display calculation process executed in the frame control board. It is a flow chart for explaining passage number addition processing in a frame control board. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the game board surface determination related process. It is a figure for explaining a situation of calculation and display of a base value. It is a block diagram for explaining the structure of the game system including the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure showing the connection sequence between a card unit and a hall control output BOX. It is a figure showing the connection sequence between a card unit and a hall control output BOX. It is a figure for explaining communication between a card unit and a hall control output BOX. It is a figure for explaining the contents notified to the inside of the card unit and to the hall control output box. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a list of commands transmitted and received between the SC and the CU control unit. It is a figure for explaining a command of a game machine information notice. It is a figure for explaining a command of a game machine information notice. It is a figure for explaining a command of a count notice. It is a figure for explaining a command of a message reception response. It is a figure for explaining a command of a lending notice. It is a figure for explaining a command of a loan receipt result response. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a sequence for explaining timing of information transmitted and received between the SC board and the CU control unit. It is a block diagram for explaining the information outputted from a hall control output box to a hall control. It is a block diagram for explaining a standard port hall control output signal. It is a block diagram for explaining the hall control output signal of an expansion port.

  An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Structure of pachinko machine>
First, a configuration of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A plurality of gaming islands (not shown) arranged in a plurality of amusement arcades (halls) include an enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as a gaming machine, a pachinko machine, or P units) as an example of a gaming machine. ) 2 is also provided. In addition, a card unit (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as CU) 3 as an example of a gaming device is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the P base 2 at a predetermined lateral position on the P base 2. I have. In addition, a card unit will be described below as an example of a gaming device according to the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. It may be a calling lamp device or the like that performs the call.

  The P stand 2 has a game ball (pachinko ball) as an example of a game medium enclosed therein (hereinafter also referred to as an enclosed ball), and is provided on the upper left side by a player operating the hit ball operation handle 25. The shooting solenoid of the firing mechanism 30, which is a firing device, is driven so that the ball can be shot one at a time into the game area 27 on the front of the game board 26 to play the game. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the hit ball operation handle 25, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player operates the hit ball operation handle 25, and the player's hand Is detected by the touch sensor, and the firing solenoid is driven. In this state, the hitting ball firing force is adjusted according to the amount of rotation of the hitting operation handle 25 by the player, and the enclosing ball is fired in the game area 27.

  When the firing solenoid is driven and the enclosing ball is driven into the game area 27 one by one, the subtraction mechanism 32 subtracts one ball from the number of game balls that can be played on the P base 2 accordingly. The firing intensity of the game ball (hereinafter, also simply referred to as firing intensity T) can be adjusted according to the amount of turning operation of the hit ball operation handle 25 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as handle operation amount), and the amount of handle operation is increased. Accordingly, the firing intensity T increases. Therefore, the player can adjust the firing intensity T by adjusting the steering wheel operation amount so that the game ball passes through the area targeted by the player.

  The P platform 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called first-type pachinko gaming machine, in which a variable display device (also referred to as a special symbol) 278 is provided in the center of the gaming area 27. Further, in the game area 27, a plurality of types of winning holes are provided in which the inserted sealed ball can win. In the gaming area 27 shown in FIG. 1, one large winning opening (variable winning ball device) 271, three ordinary winning openings 272, 273, 274, and three starting winning openings 275, 276, 277 are shown. ing. In particular, the starting winning opening 276 is constituted by an electric tulip that can be changed between a first state (for example, an open state) advantageous to the player and a second state (for example, the closed state) 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). The variable display of a plurality of types of identification information is started. When the display result of the variable display device becomes a specific combination of identification information (for example, a combination), a big hit state (also called a big hit game state) is established, and the big winning 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 positively changing symbols such as 777) among the combinations of large hits (combinations), and thus the state of the large variable hitting state. Is generated, and a probability variation state (probable variation state) in which the probability of occurrence of the jackpot is improved after the end of the jackpot state.

  The enclosed ball driven into the game area 27 wins one of the winning openings or is collected in the out opening 154 without winning. The enclosed ball that has won one of the winning ports and the enclosed ball that has been collected in the out port 154 are returned to the hit ball firing position again through the collection path in the P table 2. Then, when the player operates the hit ball operation handle 25, the enclosed ball at the hit ball firing position is again hit into the game area 27.

  Further, a game ball number display for displaying the number of game balls is provided at a position above the hit ball operation handle 25 of the P base 2. The game ball number display 29 is composed of a 7-segment type LED display, and is controlled by the frame control unit 171 (see FIG. 2). The game ball number display 29 displays the number of game balls, an error number of an error that has occurred, and the like. In addition, the game ball number display 29 is not limited to a 7-segment type LED display, and may be configured by a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or another display.

  Further, at the left side of the game ball number display 29 on the P-table 2, a counting button 28 for performing a counting process from the game balls to the possessed balls is provided. In the present embodiment, the counting operation is repeatedly performed in accordance with the time during which the count button 28 is continuously pressed (for example, every time the pressed state is continued for 0.3 seconds, the counting process of 250 balls is performed). Regardless of the duration of the press, if the player presses the button once, a predetermined number (for example, 250 balls) may be counted from the game balls to the possessed balls, or when the count button 28 is pressed once. Alternatively, all of the game balls currently owned by the player may be counted regardless of the pressing time (regardless of whether or not the pressing is long). Further, the counting speed is further improved when performing a card return operation, and a smooth card return process is realized.

  As described above, since the counting button 28 is provided on the P base 2 side, the operability of the player sitting directly on the P base 2 can be improved as compared with the case where the counting button 28 is provided on the CU 3 side. . The P stand 2 is provided with speakers 270 at the upper right and upper left positions of the game area 27 for outputting music data to be reproduced in accordance with the effect displayed on the variable display device 278. The position and the number of the speakers are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the positions and the number may be changed as necessary.

  The P platform 2 according to the present embodiment can be divided into a game board 26 and other game machine frames (front frames) 5. In particular, the gaming board 26 is different for each model of the pachinko gaming machine developed by each company, while the gaming machine frame 5 is a common common frame regardless of the model. For this reason, in the case of replacing a new stand, it is sufficient for the game store to replace only the game board 26.

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

  The CU 3 that has received the cards has a function of converting the game value (for example, the remaining balance of the prepaid game, the number of balls held, or the number of balls to be stored) specified by the stored information of the cards into “game ball data”. . At the P-table 2, a ball game corresponding to the number of balls specified by the game ball data is enabled. That is, the "game ball data" is data indicating the remaining number of balls that can be fired. In the following description, "gaming ball data" will be simply referred to as "gaming balls" in the same manner as ball storage and ball holding.

  On the front side of the CU 3, there are provided a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting bills, a card insertion / ejection slot 309 for inserting a membership card or a visitor card, and the like. The membership card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 309 is received by a card reader / writer (not shown), and the information stored in the card is read.

  A display 54 is provided at a portion extending from the CU 3 to the front side of the P base 2. The display 54 displays the prepaid balance and the like stored in the inserted game storage medium (card). The display 54 can display the number of game balls and other various information, and has a transparent touch panel. , And various operations can be input by touching various display items displayed on the display unit of the display unit 54 with a finger. For example, the display 54 shown in FIG. 1 displays a ball lending button 321, a return button 319, and a replay button, and an operation can be input by touching these display items with a finger. The display 54 may display a replay button.

  The ball lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation (a conversion operation to a game ball) for withdrawing the remaining amount stored in the inserted card and using the same for a game with the P-table 2. The return button 319 is operated when the player ends the game, and the number of balls held at the end of the game (the number of balls held at the time of card insertion−the number of balls converted to game balls + counting operation) Button for storing and discharging the number of possessed balls counted by the player).

  When the replay button (not shown) is operated and the number of possessed balls acquired by the player is stored in the inserted card, a part of the possessed ball number is withdrawn and converted into a game ball, and converted. It becomes possible to play a game with the P-table 2 based on the played game balls. On the other hand, if the inserted card is a membership card, the number of balls held is not stored, and the ball is stored in a hall management computer or the like, a part of the ball is withdrawn and the ball is transferred to the game ball. The game is converted, and the game can be played on the P units 2. In other words, when both the accumulated ball and the possessed ball are stored in association with the inserted card, the possessed ball is preferentially withdrawn. In addition, separately from the replay button, a dedicated ball payout button for withdrawing the possessed ball may be provided, and the replay button may be a dedicated button for withdrawal of the accumulated ball.

  Here, the “ball storage” is a ball obtained before the day before and deposited in the hall, and becomes a game ball by paying the ball. In addition, the ball is a game medium deposited in a game hall, and is generally managed by a hall management computer or another management computer installed in the game hall.

  The “holding ball” is a ball obtained on the day, and becomes a game ball by paying out the holding ball. The number of balls held is the number of balls that are owned by the player as a result of the player playing the game on the P-table 2 and stored in the card, and the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall. That is. Generally, the number of balls obtained by a player on the day at a playground is called a "holding ball", and the number of balls obtained by the player before the previous day and deposited at the playground is called "ball savings". Say

  The “game ball” is a ball that can be fired by the P-table 2. As described above, the data of the number of game balls is generated in exchange for the deduction of the balance of the prepaid card, the possessed ball, or the coins.

  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 `` ball storage '' and `` holding ball '' is the number of balls deposited in the game hall by performing a ball storage operation to deposit it in the game hall, or It is a point that the ball number is not in the stage.

  In the present embodiment, the ball storage data is not directly stored in the member card, but is stored in a server installed in a game arcade such as a hall management computer in association with the member card number, and the corresponding ball storage is searched based on the member card number. It is configured to be able to. On the other hand, the possessed ball is directly stored in the card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. In the case of a visitor card, the possessed ball is stored directly in the visitor card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the possessed ball may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. When storing the data in the hall server in association with the card number, data which can specify the time stored in the hall server may be written to a card (member card, visitor card) and discharged. In addition, the prepaid balance is directly written into a card (member card, visitor card) and discharged.

  The timing of storing the possessed ball in a card (member card, visitor card) or a hall server is, for example, stored in real time every time the counting button 28 is operated and the counting process is performed. It is conceivable to set the timing so that the card is returned or the card is stored all together when the card is returned.

  When the player returns the card from the CU 3 after finishing the game, the ball stored in the CU 3 is temporarily stored as a ball in the hall server, and the date when the player receives the card is returned. When a card is again inserted into the same or another CU 3 on the same day, only the ball held for the day once stored as a ball is stored again in the CU 3 and a game ball can be added and played within the range of the ball held. You may do so.

  The bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 302 is taken in by a bill validator (not shown) and its authenticity and bill type are identified.

  On the front side of the CU 3, an IR (Infrared) photosensitive unit (also referred to as an IR light receiving unit) 320 is 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 a staff at a game arcade, converts the infrared signal into an electronic signal, and outputs the electronic signal.

  Although not shown, the P base 2 is provided with a game machine frame (hereinafter also referred to as a cell) 5 and a glass door 6 so as to be openable and closable with the left edge thereof as a swing center with respect to the frame-shaped outer frame 4. Have been.

  A back mechanism opening switch 13 shown in FIG. 2 is provided at a position below the gaming machine frame 5 in contact with the outer frame 4 to detect that the gaming machine frame 5 has been opened. Further, a front decoration opening switch 12 shown in FIG. 2 is provided at a contact portion of the upper part of the gaming machine frame 5 with the glass door 6, and the opening of the glass door 6 is detected by the front decoration opening switch 12. Is done.

  The number of times the front decoration opening switch 12 and the back mechanism opening switch 13 are opened is counted by a counter (not shown). The counter is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and can be operated by a backup power supply even when the power supply to the P unit 2 is interrupted. Even when the power is off, the number of times of detection of opening of the glass door 6 and the gaming machine frame 5 is counted, and the counted value can be transmitted to the frame control unit 171 (see FIG. 2). Here, the backup power supply is, for example, a capacitor or a storage battery provided in the P stage 2.

  The main control board 16 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the back surface of the game board 26 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the glass door 6). Since the back surface of the outer frame 4 is closed, the game machine frame 5 is first opened, and the game board 26 is removed from the game machine frame 5, so that the main control board 16 can be detached from the game board 26. That is, in order to remove the main control board 16 from the game board 26 or to replace the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16, it is necessary to open the gaming machine frame 5. Can always detect the operation. Therefore, if the main control board 16 is improperly removed from the game board 26 or the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16 is improperly exchanged, the back mechanism opening switch 13 can be surely detected.

  Further, a frame control board 17 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the back surface of the gaming machine frame 5. The frame control board 17 also needs to be released from the back of the gaming machine frame 5 after the gaming machine frame 5 is first opened. Therefore, if the frame control board 17 is improperly removed from the back surface of the gaming machine frame 5 or if the semiconductor chip provided on the frame control board 17 is improperly replaced, the back mechanism opening switch 13 can always detect it.

<Structure of card unit and pachinko machine>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used for the CU 3 and the P stage 2. With reference to FIG. 2, an outline of a control circuit for the CU 3 and the P stage 2 will be described.

  The CU 3 is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The CU control unit 323 is a main control function unit of the CU 3, and includes a CPU serving as a control center, a ROM storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, a RAM serving as a work area of the CPU, and a peripheral unit. An input / output interface and the like for maintaining signal consistency with the device are provided.

  The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external output terminal 340 for communicating with a management computer, a hall controller, and the like. The CU 3 transmits, via the external output terminal 340, the state of the CU 3 and the gaming machine status information (including information displayed on the performance display monitor 40) received from the P unit 2 to the outside such as a management computer or a hall controller. . The CU control unit 323 communicates with the frame control board 17 of the P stage 2 via the SC board 325. The SC board 325 and the frame control board 17 are connected by, for example, a dedicated PIF wiring 322 (see FIG. 1). Communication between the CU control unit 323 and the frame control board 17 includes lending information (information relating to an operation for withdrawing the remaining amount stored in the inserted card and using it for a game by the P-unit 2) and lending response information (lending information And the other counting information (information relating to the counting process from the gaming ball to the possessed ball) and the gaming machine information in one direction from the frame control board 17 to the CU control unit 323. Going by communication. Therefore, the P-unit 2 does not recognize whether the CU 3 has received the counting information and the gaming machine information. The CU 3 is provided with a connection (not shown) to the P-table 2 side, and the P-table 2 is provided with a connection (not shown) to the CU 3 side. These connecting parts are constituted by, for example, connectors. The SC board 325 is equipped with an SC microcomputer (SC) that executes various processes for ensuring security in communication between the P unit 2 and the CU 3.

  The authenticity and type of the banknote are identified by the above-described currency identifier, and an identification result signal is input to the CU controller 323. In addition, when the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives infrared rays emitted from a remote controller possessed by a staff member of the game arcade, the CU control unit 323 receives the received light signal. The card reader / writer reads the stored information of the inserted card into the CU control unit 323, and the read information is input, and the CU control unit 323 writes the information into the inserted card to the card reader / writer. When data is transmitted, the card reader / writer writes the data on the inserted card. The card storage information includes the card ID. The CU control unit 323 stores the card ID read by the card reader / writer until the game ends.

  The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the ball held by the player when the player is playing the game. Data such as the balance or the number of balls held 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 display 54 extending from the CU 3 to the front side of the P base 2. The display 54 displays an image corresponding to the display data. When the player operates the touch panel provided on the surface of the display 54, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. For example, when the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the return button 319 displayed on the display device 54, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. Note that the ball lending button 321 and the return button 319 are not limited to the configuration provided on the CU 3, and may be provided on the front of the CU 3 or provided on the P base 2 to input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. There may be. When the player operates a replay button (not shown) displayed on the display 54, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. The replay button is not limited to the configuration provided on the CU 3, but may be a configuration provided on the front of the CU 3 or a configuration provided on the P base 2 to input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323.

  The P base 2 has a main control board 16 for controlling the progress of the game of the P base 2, a frame control board 17 for managing and storing game balls, and a drive control of the firing solenoid 31a based on a command from the frame control board 17. And a variable display device 278, and an effect control substrate 15 for controlling the display of the variable display device 278 based on a command transmitted from the main control substrate 16.

  The main control board 16 and the effect control board 15 are provided on the game board 26. On the main control board 16, a game control microcomputer as a main control unit 161 is mounted. The main control unit 161 is a main control function unit of the gaming machine. The gaming machine control microcomputer has a CPU as a control center, a ROM storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, a RAM functioning as a work area of the CPU, and maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices. Input / output interface and the like are provided. The main controller 161 is connected to a winning sensor 162 provided on the game board 26 and a radio wave sensor 163.

  When a ball wins in each of the starting winning openings 275, 276, and 277, the main control unit 161 draws a random number for determining a big hit (or further includes a small hit) / miss, and stores the random number. This is called hold storage. The maximum value of the number of pending storages 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 hold storage, performs a jackpot determination based on the hold storage, and derives a display result from the variable start. The variable display time up to is determined from a plurality of types. In addition, when the big hit is determined, it is also determined whether or not the probability variation is caused. The main control unit 161 transmits the result of the big hit determination (including whether or not to change the probability) and information on the variable display time as a command to the effect control unit 151 mounted on the effect control board 15.

  The commands related to the variable display transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151 include a variable start command indicating the start of the variable display, a display result command indicating the result of the variable display (big hit / out), and a variable display pattern. A possible variable display time command, a variable stop command indicating a timing at which a variable display result is derived and displayed, and the like are included. Further, the commands transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151 include a command capable of specifying the progress status of the jackpot during the jackpot, a command indicating the occurrence of a new hold storage, and the occurrence of a game state error. Command.

  The effect control unit 151 determines the variable display contents 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 sets a variable display pattern (presence or absence of reach, type of reach). Is determined, and a production pattern of a notice production relating to a jackpot and a reach is further determined. The effect control unit 151 controls the display of the variable display device 278 according to the determined variable display content.

  The frame control board 17 is provided on the gaming machine frame 5. A payout control microcomputer, which is a frame control unit 171, is mounted on the frame control board 17. The frame control unit 171 is a payout control function unit of the gaming machine. The payout control microcomputer includes a CPU as a control center, a ROM storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, a RAM functioning as a work area of the CPU, and maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices. Input / output interface and the like are provided.

  In addition, the frame control board 17, the counting button 28, the performance display monitor 40, the radio wave sensor 173, the subtraction solenoid 32a, the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b, the subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c, the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33, the out ball detection switch 701 , A front decoration opening switch 12 and a back mechanism opening switch 13 are provided in an electrically connected state. An out ball detection signal is input from the out ball detection switch 701 to the frame control board 17. The main control board 16 calculates a base value (also simply referred to as a base) and the like based on the out sphere detection signal as described later. The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting a fraudulent act of transmitting a radio wave improperly and mainly turning on the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b. The detection signal of the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the frame control unit 171 via an input port (not shown) of the frame control board 17. The subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b detects the firing of the game ball due to the change from OFF to ON, and the frame control unit 171 subtracts “1” from the number of the game balls based on the detection.

  Therefore, if the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b is always turned off due to an illegal radio wave, the number of game balls is not reduced no matter how many balls are fired. Such radio fraud is detected by the radio wave sensor 173.

  A performance display monitor 40 is provided on the frame control board 17. The performance display monitor 40 is a 7-segment LED display. The performance display monitor 40 displays predetermined information, such as performance information, a base, an accessory ratio, and a continuous accessory ratio, on the provided game value (for example, a prize ball or the like) calculated by the frame control unit 171. Note that the information displayed on the performance display monitor 40 can be output to a hall server or the like via the CU 3, but an external output terminal may be provided on the P base 2 and output directly to the hall server or the like.

  Here, the base is a large winning opening 271, a normal winning opening 272-274, and a starting winning opening 275-277 provided in the game area 27 with respect to the number of game balls hit into the game area 27 of the P-table 2. It is a ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given in accordance with the winning of the game ball to the winning opening. The role ratio (also called role ratio) refers to a ratio of game balls obtained by activating the role among game balls obtained by game balls fired for 10 hours. In the present embodiment, the accessory ratio corresponds to a game value given by winning all the prize openings of game balls fired in 10 hours (100 balls can be fired in 1 minute, 60,000 balls can be fired in 1 minute). Out of the number of game balls to be played, a game to the starting winning opening 276 constituted by an electric tulip which is one of the accessories and a big winning opening 271 constituted by a variable winning ball device which is one of the accessories It means the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning the ball. Further, the continuous accessory ratio (also referred to as a continuous ratio) is a ratio of the number of game balls obtained by the game balls fired in 10 hours, when the accessory is operated continuously when the accessory is operated continuously. Say. In the present embodiment, the ratio of consecutive bonuses is determined by the game value provided by winning all the winning holes of game balls fired in 10 hours (since 100 balls can be fired in 1 minute, 60,000 balls). Among the number of corresponding game balls, the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning the game balls to the special winning opening 271 provided with the variable winning ball device, which is one of the accessories, is provided. Say.

  The main control board 16 transmits the main control chip ID, winning opening information, round information, winning detection signal, starting winning opening winning information, error information, number of symbols determined, and big hit information to the frame control board 17.

  The main control chip ID (also referred to as a main chip ID) is a chip ID stored in the main control board 16 of the P base 2 and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P base 2 is turned on. Information. The winning opening information is information including the type of winning opening (starting winning opening, normal winning opening, large winning opening) and the number of winning balls (the number of payout balls when game balls enter the winning opening). This is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the table 2 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds at the time of a big hit, and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P unit 2 is turned on.

  The winning detection signal is a detection signal of a game ball that has won a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. Upon receiving this detection signal, the frame 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 port winning information is information indicating that a game ball has won one of the starting winning ports. The error information is information for notifying the frame control board 17 that an error has occurred while the main control board 16 is performing game control.

  The symbol determination frequency is information of a symbol determined as a display result of the variable display device for winning in each starting winning opening.

  The jackpot information is information indicating that a jackpot has occurred, and the details include common jackpot information indicating a jackpot common to each maker and maker-specific jackpot information indicating a jackpot unique to a maker. The common jackpot information is a jackpot commonly used by each gaming machine maker, such as a 15-round jackpot, and includes probability change information when a probability change occurs with the jackpot, and includes the probability change information. When a time saving state (a control state for reducing the variable display time of the variable display device) occurs, the time saving information is included. The maker-specific jackpot is a jackpot state that only a certain gaming machine maker employs, such as a sudden change (abrupt change).

  As will be described later, a game machine installation information notification and a game machine information notification are transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17 (see FIG. 33). Conversely, a game machine installation information response and a game machine information response are transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the main control board 16 as described later (see FIG. 33). The game machine installation information response and the game machine information response are commands for indicating that the game machine installation information notification and the game machine information notification have been received from the main control board 16.

  The SC board 325 of the CU 3 and the frame control board 17 of the P base 2 are electrically connected via the PIF wiring 22, and various commands are transmitted from the SC board 325 to the frame control board 17 as described later. (See FIG. 4). Conversely, various responses are transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the SC board 325 as described later (see FIG. 4).

  In addition to the frame control board 17, the game machine frame 5 is provided with a launch control board 31, a launch solenoid 31a, and a game ball number display 29. The game ball number display 29 may be directly attached to the gaming machine frame 5, but as in the case of an upper plate and a lower plate provided on the front side of a normal pachinko gaming machine from which balls are paid out, the gaming machine frame 5 is displayed. May be provided so as to be rotatable with respect to. This is the same for the display 54. The frame control unit 171 of the frame control board 17 displays the number of game balls currently owned by the player on the game ball number display 29.

  A firing permission signal is output from the frame control board 17 to the firing control board 31. Upon receiving the signal, the firing control board 31 outputs a signal for exciting the firing solenoid 31a of the firing mechanism 30. As a result, a state is achieved in which the game ball is shot and fired into the game area 27. The launch control board 31 emits a launch solenoid excitation output when an input signal of a touch ring that detects that the player is touching the hit ball operating handle 25 is input, and drives the launch solenoid 31a.

  The RAM clear switch 293 is a switch for erasing the game machine information and the game information stored in the RAM of the P-unit 2. After the P-unit enters an error state, the clerk operates the switch to initialize the RAM. It is possible to return to the state. The RAM clear switch 293 is operated by a clerk after the card is ejected, for example.

<Circulation path of game balls>
Here, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 25, the firing solenoid 31a is driven. Thereby, one game ball supplied to the firing position is hit by the hit ball hammer, and the game ball is hit into the game area 27.

  A subtraction reference signal is output to the subtraction mechanism 32 in conjunction with the firing of the game ball by the activation of the firing solenoid 31a. In the subtraction mechanism 32, based on the output subtraction reference signal, the subtraction solenoid 32a sends a game ball to the firing mechanism 30 by energizing and moving the movable piece, and the game ball passes through the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b. Subtract the number of game balls.

  Out of the balls hit into the game area 27, the out ball that has entered the out port 154 (see FIG. 1) flows down the out ball down flow path and is detected by the out ball detection switch 701 provided in the middle thereof. .

  All winning balls that have won the winning opening or the variable winning ball device are collected on the back of the gaming machine and guided to a collection ball passage path. Similarly, the out ball and the foul ball are also guided to the collection ball passage path. A lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 is provided in the collection ball passage path. Therefore, the winning prize ball, the out sphere, and the foul sphere are all detected by the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33. That is, the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 is a switch that detects all of the bouncing game balls. When the number of detected switches is equal to the number of game balls hit by the firing solenoid 31a, it can be determined that all hit game balls have been collected.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the difference between the number detected by the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 and the number of shots is calculated, and when the difference is not zero, the ball hit into the game area 27 is collected. It is determined that it has not been completed. By making this determination, it is possible to determine whether the game area 27 is rolling or there is no floating ball that is caught between nails or the like in the game area and does not fall.

<Connection between CU and P units>
The CU 3 and the P base 2 connect the SC board 325 and the frame control board 17 shown in FIG. 2 with PIF wiring. The configuration of the PIF wiring will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of PIF wiring connecting the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 3A shows the wiring numbers and information names of the PIF wiring connecting the CU 3 and the P base 2, and FIG. 3B shows the direction of information and the description of the information for each information name. Is shown.

  Specifically, the wiring number 1 has an information name of “insulating GND” and is assigned an isolation GND. The wiring number 2 has the information name “insulated GND” and is used for the signal GND of the wiring number 6. The wiring number 3 has an information name of “insulated GND” and is used for the signal GND of the wiring number 7. The wiring number 4 has the information name “PSI” and is used for transmitting the connection confirmation information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3. Note that the PSI wiring and the VL wiring are looped in the CU3. When the VL wiring is connected, 5 V of the VL wiring is supplied as the voltage of the PSI wiring, and when the VL wiring is cut, the VL wiring is cut off. Changes from 5 V to 0 (zero) V, the voltage of the PSI wiring also changes from 5 V to 0 (zero) V. Therefore, the P unit 2 outputs a PSI signal (5V ON signal) as a special signal for connection confirmation to the CU 3 while detecting the connection with the CU 3 (VL = ON), and is not detecting the connection with the CU 3 ( (VL = OFF), the PSI signal is not output to the CU3.

  The wiring number 5 has an information name of “insulated GND” and is assigned an isolation GND. The wiring number 6 has an information name of “rental response information, counting information, gaming machine information”, and is used to transmit each piece of information from the P units 2 to the CU 3. The wiring number 7 has the information name “rental information” and is used for transmitting the rental information from the CU 3 to the P-unit 2. The wiring numbers 8 and 9 have an information name of “insulation 5 V (VL)” and are assigned as signal lines of 5 V for isolation (power supply VL for connection confirmation).

<Communication between CU3 and P-unit 2>
Next, communication between the CU 3 and the P units 2 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. The telegram used in the communication is composed of a frame having a predetermined format. Transmission data (telegram) is always transmitted in units of one frame. That is, the message is not divided and transmitted. Further, when transmitting a message continuously, an interval of 1 millisecond or more is provided.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of information transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P units 2. Hereinafter, an outline of information (telegram) transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P units 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Between the frame control board 17 of the P stand 2 and the SC board 325 of the CU 3, the information is divided into the types of (a) lending information, (b) lending response information, (c) counting information, and (d) gaming machine information. The messages are communicated via a common asynchronous serial communication port. The four types of information (messages) transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P-unit 2 (a) to (d) have different message headers, and the message types can be distinguished by the headers. It has become.

  Even if (a) the lending information and (b) the lending response information are communicated through the common asynchronous serial communication port, (a) the lending information and (c) the counting information are transmitted to the common asynchronous serial communication port. Or (a) lending information and (d) gaming machine information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port. Further, even if (b) the lending response information and (c) the counting information are communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port, (b) the lending response information and (d) the gaming machine information can be communicated by a common asynchronous serial communication. The communication may be performed by a port, or the (c) counting information and the (d) gaming machine information may be communicated by a common asynchronous serial communication port.

  FIG. 4A shows lending information. The lending information includes information on the number of lending balls and information on a lending sequence number for managing communication as information included in the lending notification message transmitted by the CU 3 to the P units 2. The information on the number of borrowed balls is information on the number of game balls pertaining to lending, and includes information on, for example, 125 balls as information on the number of game balls transmitted in one information. When the number of lent balls is 0 (zero), the lent information may be transmitted with the information of the number of lent balls including information of 0 (zero).

  FIG. 4B shows the lending response information. The lending response information includes information on the number of borrowed balls received as information included in the message of the lending reception result response transmitted by the P units 2 to the CU 3, and information on a lending sequence number for managing communication. The information on the number of lent balls received is information that notifies the CU 3 of the result of receiving the information on the number of lent balls transmitted from the CU 3.

  FIG. 4C shows the count information. In the count information, the P-unit 2 transmits to the CU 3 as a count notification message including the number of counted balls, the accumulated number of balls, and a serial number for communication management. Note that the P units 2 do not receive information for confirming the transmission result from the CU 3. The number of counted balls, the counted number of accumulated balls, and the serial number are all information for counting game balls. The number of counting balls transmitted by one information is, for example, 250 balls. In addition, when the number of counted balls is 0 (zero) spheres, the counting information may be transmitted by adding information of 0 (zero) to the information of the number of counted balls.

  FIG. 4D shows gaming machine information. In the game machine information, the P-unit 2 sends the game machine installation information, the game machine performance information, and the hall control / illegal monitoring information to the CU 3. Note that the P units 2 do not receive information for confirming the transmission result from the CU 3. The game machine installation information is information for the purpose of managing the history of the game, and is transmitted to the CU 3 as a message of the game machine installation information notification after the power is turned on. The game machine installation information includes information such as a maker code, a model code, and a chip ID number of the main / frame control CPU.

  The gaming machine performance information is information for the purpose of totaling the performance information, and is transmitted to the CU 3 as a message of the gaming machine performance information notification. The gaming machine performance information outputs a result calculated based on the game, and includes the total number of launched game balls, the total number of acquired game balls, the launch rate, the number of game balls acquired per minute (low base), and the game balls acquired per minute. Number (high base), total number of game balls acquired by special electric accessory, total number of game balls acquired by ordinary electric accessory, total game ball acquired by continuous differential device, total number of game balls acquired by starting port, ordinary The total number of winning balls in the winning opening, the total number of actuations of the special electric accessory, the total number of actuations of the ordinary electric accessory, the total number of actuations of the special symbol display device, the total number of actuations of the ordinary symbol display device, the ratio of the bonus, continuous Includes information such as the ratio of characters. The conditions for the frame control board 17 to notify the gaming machine performance information to the CU 3 include, for example, (1) notification after three minutes have passed since the power-on of the P unit 2; Minutes (for example, 60,000 balls) are fired or notified every period of a specified time (for example, 10 hours), (3) Notification prior to gaming machine installation information notification, (4) Hallcon / illegal monitoring information is notified There is a condition such as notification in the next cycle (after 300 ms). Note that these conditions are merely examples, and other conditions may be employed. Alternatively, only one of the above conditions may be employed, or a plurality of conditions may be employed in combination. Good.

  Hallcon / fraud monitoring information is information for the purpose of totaling information on hallcons and monitoring fraud by the CU3. Hallcon / fraud monitoring information includes jackpot, probability fluctuation, time reduction, hallcon information such as the number of winning balls in each winning opening, number of gaming balls (current number of balls held), number of gaming balls, serial number of gaming machine, Includes fraud monitoring information such as fraud detection status.

<Game machine information notification>
Next, the gaming machine information notification command will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a gaming machine information notification transmitted from a pachinko gaming machine to a card unit. The game machine information notification command shown in FIG. 5 is a command for the P unit 2 to notify the CU 3 of the game machine information, and the game machine information includes the game machine installation information, the game machine performance information, and the hall control.・ Three pieces of fraud monitoring information are included. The type of gaming machine information included in the gaming machine information notification command is determined to any one according to the notification condition of each information, and is notified to the CU 3.

  The game machine information notification command includes message length information, command information, serial number information, game machine type information, game machine information type information, and game machine information. The information on the message length indicates the length of the message to be transmitted (message length to error detection code (CRC) of the communication frame). The command information indicates the command code of the message. The serial number information indicates a sequence number. The serial number is a sequence number that the primary station (for example, P units) counts up (+1) and transmits at the time of transmission with the initial value set to “0”. However, it is assumed that the primary station does not increment the serial number at the time of retransmission, and the secondary station (for example, the CU side) transmits the received serial number as it is. Since commands and responses used for communication commonly include information on message length, information on commands, and information on serial numbers, descriptions of the following commands and responses will be omitted.

  The information on the type of gaming machine is information for indicating the type of gaming machine of the P units 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining information on the gaming machine type. In FIG. 6, if the information of the gaming machine type is "10", it indicates that the P stand 2 connected to the CU 3 is "Pachinko" of "Pachinko gaming machine", and if it is "11", it is "Pachinko gaming". "Parrot" of "machine". Further, if the information of the gaming machine type is “20”, it indicates that the P-table 2 connected to the CU 3 is the “turning cylinder” of the “turning-type gaming machine”, and if “30”, the “arrangement” The ball indicates that it is an "arranged ball", and "40" indicates that it is a "rock ball game machine" of the "rock ball game machine". In the CU3, if the transmitted information of the type of gaming machine is "10" or "11", for example, the unit used for the game is displayed as "ball" as the number of gaming balls, and the information of the type of gaming machine is displayed. Is "20", the number of game medals is displayed, for example, the unit used for the game is displayed as "sheets".

  Returning to FIG. 5, the information of the gaming machine information type is a type code indicating the type of information included in the gaming machine information. If the information of the gaming machine information type is "0x00", it indicates that the information included in the gaming machine information is the gaming machine performance information, and if the information is "0x01", the information included in the gaming machine information indicates that the gaming machine is installed. If the information is "0x02", it indicates that the information included in the gaming machine information is hall control / illegal monitoring information. If the information of the gaming machine information type is a value other than the above, the notified CU 3 is determined to be abnormal.

  The gaming machine information includes any one of gaming machine installation information, gaming machine performance information, hall control / unauthorized monitoring information based on the type code set in the information of the gaming machine information type, and is notified to the CU 3. The gaming machine performance information is information such as the number of gaming balls acquired per minute (base), the ratio of the role of the game, the ratio of the continuous game and the like, and the game machine installation information is the manufacturer code, model code, chip ID of the main control CPU and the frame control CPU. In the information such as the number, the hall control / unauthorized surveillance information is information such as a big hit, probability fluctuation, time reduction, the number of winning balls in each winning opening, the number of game balls, and the like.

  Further, the gaming machine information will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining gaming machine performance information. FIG. 7 shows the gaming machine performance information included in the gaming machine information when the information of the gaming machine information type is “0x00”. For example, the gaming machine information includes the total number of launched game balls, the total number of acquired game balls, the payout rate,..., The number of times the ordinary symbol display device is operated, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio. The total number of launched game balls is information obtained by accumulating the number of fired balls, the total number of acquired game balls is information obtained by accumulating the number of awarded balls, and the payout ratio is obtained by dividing the total number of game balls acquired by the total number of launched game balls. Information. The number of times of operation of the normal symbol display device is information obtained by accumulating the number of times of normal symbol stoppage. The accessory ratio is the information of the cumulative value of the number of operation of award balls / the total value of the number of award balls × 100. The object ratio is information of (cumulative value of the number of continuous action prize balls) / (cumulative value of the number of prize balls) × 100.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining gaming machine installation information. FIG. 8 shows the gaming machine installation information included in the gaming machine information when the information of the gaming machine information type is “0x01”. For example, the gaming machine information includes a main control chip ID number, a main control CPU maker code, a main control CPU model code, a frame control chip ID number, a frame control CPU maker code, and a frame control CPU model code.

  FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are diagrams for explaining hall control / illegal monitoring information. 9 and 10 show hall control / illegal monitoring information included in the gaming machine information when the information of the gaming machine information type is “0x02”. For example, the gaming machine information includes “the number of gaming balls”, “the number of shooting balls”, “the total number of prize balls”, “main control state”, “gaming machine error state”, “injustice detection state”, “gaming information”. "Is included.

  The “number of game balls” indicates the current number of game balls, and for example, indicates “0x102700” when the number of game balls is 10,000. The “number of fired balls” indicates the number of fired balls (−128 to 127). If there are backed balls, subtract the number of backed balls. Indicates the number. The “total prize ball count” indicates the total of the prize ball count × the winning number.

  The “main control state” is information on the gaming state of the P units 2 and includes “main control state 1” and “main control state 2”. The "main control state 1" includes information on the jackpot 1 (all jackpots), the jackpot 2 (specific jackpot), and the jackpot 3 (jacket with reduced fluctuation time), and information on the gaming machine state signals 1 to 4. . The gaming machine status signals 1 to 4 are used to output a status from the external output terminal 340 of the CU 3 to the outside of a hall controller or the like, and are output from the external output terminal of the CU 3 to “external terminal board status output signal terminals 1 to 4”. 4 "(see FIG. 56). The “main control state 1” includes information during a big hit and a time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time), during a high probability, and during a time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time).

  The “gaming machine error state” includes information on an error code occurring in the gaming machine. Specifically, in the “gaming machine error state”, Bits 0 to 5 represent error codes. If Bit 6 is “0”, it is an error on the frame control side. If “1”, an error is on the main control side. Is "0", only the alarm is issued, and if "1", the alarm is the alarm + hall control output.

  The “fraud detection state” includes “fraud detection state 1” to “fraud detection state 3”. The “fraud detection state 1” indicates a fraud detection state on the main control board 16 and includes information indicating that board surface frauds 1 to 6 have been detected. "Fraud detection state 2" indicates a fraud detection state on the frame control board 17, in which the front decoration is opened in Bit0, the back mechanism is opened in Bit1, the illegal radio wave is detected in Bit2, the number of game balls is cleared in Bit3, and the prize is in Bit4. It includes information indicating that ball number abnormality 1 detection and Bit 5 winning ball number abnormality 2 detection have been detected. Here, the winning ball number abnormality 1 detection detects that the difference between the winning number detected by the main control board 16 and the winning number detected by the frame control board 17 becomes 100 balls or more, and detects the winning ball number abnormality 2 Detects that the difference between the number of shot balls and the total number of returned balls (number of winning pieces + number of non-winning pieces) is 100 or more. The “fraud detection state 3” indicates a fraud detection state on the frame control board 17, and includes information indicating that Bit0 has detected a small ball and Bit1 has detected an iron ball.

  The “game information” includes information for notifying the frame control board 17 of the starting mouth winning, the big winning mouth winning, the number of symbols determined, and the like generated on the main control board 16. The "game information" is composed of a total of 2 bytes of type information (upper 1 byte) and count information (lower 1 byte). The type information includes a data type and a data number, and a data number is set for each data type.

  The type information is set for each value of the data type (Bits 4 to 7). For example, when the value of the data type is 1, it is information on the start opening winning. In addition, data numbers (Bit 0 to Bit 3) are set for each data type. If the data number is 1, the starting port 1 and the like and the starting port number are indicated.

  In the count information, different number information is set for each data type. The data type is 1 = Starter opening prize, 2 = Grand prize opening prize, 3 = Winner prize opening prize, 9 = Starter prize prize by the operation of the official object, 10 = Big prize opening prize by the continuous operation of the official, 11 = Operation by the official In the case of a winning opening, the count information includes the number of winning balls (upper 4 bits) and the winning number (lower 4 bits). For example, if two prize balls are won in the starting port 1 of three prize balls, the data type (Bits 4 to 7) is “1 = Starting port 1”, the data number (Bits 0 to 3) is “1 = Starting port 1”, and the prize The game information (0x1131) in which the number of balls (Bits 4 to 7) is "3 = 3 winning balls" and the winning number (Bits 0 to 3) is "1 = 1 winning" is two data.

  Next, communication between the CU 3 and the P units 2 using the telegram described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the timing of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. In the sequence shown in FIG. 11, the No. of the lending response information (b) shown in FIG. 3-No. 4, (c) counting information, and (d) gaming machine information are transmitted from the P units 2 to the CU 3 through a common asynchronous serial communication port. Conversely, (a) the lending information No. shown in FIG. 1 to No. 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P units 2 through the common asynchronous serial communication port.

  The sequence shown in FIG. 11 is an example, and the sequence shown in FIG. 4 in which (c) counting information and (d) gaming machine information are transmitted from the P units 2 to the CU 3 through a common asynchronous serial communication port may be used. . In the case of this sequence, the (a) lending information No. shown in FIG. 1 to No. 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P units 2 through another asynchronous serial communication port, and (b) the lending information No. 3-No. 4 is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 through another asynchronous serial communication port. Further, the (a) lending information No. shown in FIG. 1 to No. 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P units 2 via the common asynchronous serial communication port, and the (b) lending information No. 2 shown in FIG. 3-No. A sequence may be used in which the information No. 4 and (c) the count information are transmitted from the P units 2 to the CU 3 through a common asynchronous serial communication port. In the case of this sequence, a sequence in which the gaming machine information (d) shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted from the P units 2 to the CU 3 through another asynchronous serial communication port may be used.

  Among the information transmitted from the P units 2 to the CU 3, (d) gaming machine information is transmitted every prescribed period A as shown in FIG. That is, the period from the transmission of information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 until the transmission of the next information is controlled to the specified period A (for example, 300 ms = 0.3 seconds). The P-unit 2 can transmit the gaming machine information to the CU 3 every specified period A regardless of the receiving state of the gaming machine information in the CU 3. For this reason, the P machine 2 does not need to retransmit the game machine information, and does not need to store the past game machine information, thereby reducing the processing load.

  As described above, information is transmitted from the P units 2 to the CU 3 at intervals of 300 ms. On the other hand, since the P base 2 operates the hit ball operation handle 25, 100 game balls are hit into the game area 27 per minute, so that the hit ball firing time interval is 0.6 second. As a result, a plurality of pieces of information are transmitted and received during one shot of the ball.

  The gaming machine information is communicated through the same asynchronous serial communication port as the counting information. Therefore, when trying to transmit the counting information at the timing of transmitting the gaming machine information, the information may be congested in the common asynchronous serial communication port, and a data collision may occur and communication may not be performed correctly. is there. Therefore, when the gaming machine information is transmitted to the CU 3 for each prescribed period A, the P unit 2 transmits the gaming machine information and then transmits the prescribed period shorter than the prescribed period A in order to optimize information transmission. At a timing corresponding to B (for example, 100 ms), (c) the count information is transmitted to the CU 3. The counting information is transmitted to the CU 3 every specified period B regardless of the reception status at the CU 3. If the operation of the counting button 28 by the player is performed before the transmission of the gaming machine information, the counting ball count includes, for example, information of 250 balls, and the operation of the counting button 28 by the player is If this is not performed before the transmission of the sphere, information on the 0 (zero) sphere is included in the counted sphere number.

  The transmission of the counting information is not limited to the case where the transmission is performed within the specified period B from the timing of transmitting the gaming machine information, and may be any timing at which congestion with the gaming machine information does not occur. It may be until the timing when the device information is transmitted.

  In FIG. 12, after transmitting the count information to the CU 3, the rental information is received from the CU 3 during the reception valid time (for example, 170 ms). The lending information transmitted from the CU 3 to the P units 2 includes information on the number of lending balls and the lending sequence number. If the operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button by the player is performed before transmitting the gaming machine information, the number of balls to be lent includes, for example, information of 125 balls, and the ball lending button 321 by the player is included. Alternatively, when the operation of the replay button has not been performed before the transmission of the gaming machine information, the number of lent balls includes information of 0 (zero) balls.

  The rental response information is communicated through the same asynchronous serial communication port as the gaming machine information. Therefore, if lending response information is transmitted from the CU 3 at the timing of transmitting the gaming machine information, the information is congested in the common asynchronous serial communication port, data collision occurs, and communication is not performed correctly. there is a possibility.

  Therefore, the CU 3 transmits the lending information to the P units 2 during the reception valid time after receiving the counting information. That is, the P-unit 2 receives the information on the number of borrowed balls and the lending serial number from the CU 3 at the timing within the valid reception time after transmitting the counting information, and within the response time, the result of receiving the number of lending balls and the lending serial number. The rental response information is transmitted to CU3.

  In FIG. 12, the communication between the CU 3 and the P-unit 2 determines the timing of transmitting the count information based on the timing of transmitting the technical information, and determines the timing of receiving the lending information based on the timing of transmitting the count information. Has been described, but the communication between the CU 3 and the P units 2 may be another timing such as determining the timing of transmitting and receiving the count information and the rental information based on the timing of transmitting the gaming machine information.

  The timing at which the CU 3 transmits the lending information within the valid reception time after receiving the count information will be described in further detail. FIG. 13 is a timing chart of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine.

  First, in (i) shown in FIG. 13, when a game becomes available, the frame control board 17 transmits gaming machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 300 ms. In (ii), the frame control board 17 transmits the counting information 100 ms after the transmission of the gaming machine information regardless of whether or not the player operates the counting button 28. If the counting button 28 is pressed within a 300 ms period, the counting information is transmitted with the number of counting balls set to 250. When the counting button 28 is not operated, the counting information is transmitted with information of 0 (zero) added to the number of counting balls.

  In (iii), the CU 3 transmits the lending information within 170 ms (reception effective time) from the completion of the reception of the count information. If the ball lending button 321 or the replay button is pressed within a 300 ms cycle, the lending information is transmitted with the lending ball number being 125. If there is no operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button, the lending information is transmitted with information of 0 (zero) added to the number of lending balls. Note that the lending information is transmitted from the CU 3 within 170 ms after the completion of the reception of the counting information, but the CU 3 does not transmit response information corresponding to the counting information. Therefore, the P unit 2 does not recognize whether the CU 3 has received the count information.

  In (iv), when the frame control board 17 receives the information on the number of borrowed balls and the lending serial number from the CU 3, the frame control board 17 transmits the result of receiving the number of borrowed balls and the lending response information of the lending serial number within 10 ms (response time) after receiving the information. Send to CU3. (V) Thereafter, the same operation is repeated at a cycle of 300 ms.

  At the timing shown in FIG. 13, the lending information and the lending response information are transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P units 2 even if the player does not operate the ball lending button 321 or the replay button. However, if there is no operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button by the player, the lending information and the lending response information may not be transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P-unit 2. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the timing of the lending information and the lending response information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine.

  First, in (i) shown in FIG. 14, when a game becomes available, the frame control board 17 transmits gaming machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 300 ms. In (ii), the frame control board 17 transmits the counting information 100 ms after the transmission of the gaming machine information regardless of whether or not the player operates the counting button 28. If the counting button 28 is pressed within a 300 ms period, the counting information is transmitted with the number of counting balls set to 250. When the counting button 28 is not operated, the counting information is transmitted with information of 0 (zero) added to the number of counting balls. (Iii) Thereafter, the same operation is repeated at a cycle of 300 ms.

  In (iv), when the ball lending button 321 or the replay button is pressed, the CU 3 transmits the lending information with the number of lending balls being 125 within 170 ms (reception effective time) from the completion of the reception of the count information. That is, the operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button by the player is performed before transmitting the counting information, and after the operation, waits for the timing of receiving the counting information from the P-unit 2 and within 170 ms. The rental information is transmitted at (reception effective time). On the other hand, when the ball lending button 321 or the replay button is not pressed, the CU 3 does not transmit the lending information even if the reception of the counting information is completed. In (v), when the frame control board 17 receives the information on the number of borrowed balls and the lending sequence number from the CU 3, the reception control result and the lending response information on the lending sequence number are received within 10 ms (response time) from the reception of the information. Send to CU3.

  Next, a description will be given of a process when disconnection occurs between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when information is transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine at the timing shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the timing of information in a case where a disconnection has occurred between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. Since the processing at the timings (i) to (v) shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the processing at the timing shown in FIG. 13, the processing at the timings after (vi) will be described.

  In (vi), when unconnection occurs due to disconnection of the PIF wiring between the CU 3 and the P base 2 or the like, the voltage of the connection confirmation power supply VL supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 is changed from 5 V to 0 ( Zero) V (VL = ON to OFF). Based on the fact that the voltage of the connection confirmation power supply VL supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 has changed from 5 V to 0 V, the frame control board 17 sends a signal to the launch control board 31 to stop launching the game ball. Is output. In this way, by performing the processing shown in FIG. 15, the P base 2 can stop the launch of the game ball with a simple configuration and processing without performing authentication with the CU 3. Further, the operation of the count button 28 on the count switch board 37 shown in FIG. 25 becomes invalid based on the change of the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation from 5 V to 0 V. When the P unit 2 is the primary station, when the player operates the count button 28 and outputs the count information to the CU 3 when the PIF wiring is disconnected and the unconnected state occurs, the CU 3 switches to the P unit. Since the reception of the count information has not been confirmed for No. 2, it may be difficult for the CU 3 to perform the recovery process using the gaming machine information. In order not to cause a disadvantage to the player due to such an event, when disconnection occurs between the CU 3 and the P base 2, the operation of the counting button 28 itself is invalidated, or the output of the counting information is invalidated. I have.

  Even after the disconnection between the CU 3 and the P base 2 has occurred, in (vii), when the game becomes possible, the frame control board 17 transmits the gaming machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 300 ms. In (viii), the frame control board 17 transmits the counting information 100 ms after the transmission of the gaming machine information, regardless of whether or not the player operates the counting button 28.

<Transmission / reception mode between card unit and pachinko machine>
Next, FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing main data among various data stored on the CU 3 side and the P-unit 2 side, and a transmission / reception mode thereof. With reference to FIG. 16, a description will be given of main data among various data stored on the CU 3 side and the P-unit 2 side, and a transmission / reception mode thereof.

  In the present embodiment, the variation in the number of game balls is calculated on the P-side 2 side, and the current latest number of game balls is stored and managed. The CU 3 also calculates and stores the current number of game balls, but the number of game balls is based on information transmitted from the P-unit 2 side. On the other hand, the number of possessed balls (the number of possessed balls), the number of stored balls, and the remaining amount of prepaid (remaining amount) are managed and stored on the CU 3 side.

  FIG. 16 shows the data stored in the RAM provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU3 side and the data stored in the RAM mounted on the frame control board 17 on the P stand 2 side. First, when the power is turned on in a state where the P base 2 and the CU 3 are electrically connected for the first time after being installed in the game arcade, the frame control board 17 on the P base 2 side moves from the main control board 16 to the main chip. An ID (main control chip ID) is transmitted, the main chip ID is transmitted to the CU 3 side, and a frame chip ID (frame control chip ID) stored in the frame control board 17 itself is transmitted to the CU 3 side. .

  The CU 3 stores the transmitted main chip ID and frame chip ID. In this state, information of the main chip ID and the frame chip ID is stored in the CU 3 and the P base 2. When the power is turned on thereafter, those two pieces of information, that is, the main chip ID and the frame chip ID, are transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU 3 side.

  The CU 3 collates the transmitted data with the data already stored, and determines whether or not the same P unit 2 is connected as before. On the other hand, the P unit 2 transmits the information such as the main chip ID and the frame chip ID as the installation information to the CU 3 after the power is turned on, and thereafter transmits the gaming machine information to the outside including the CU 3 at predetermined intervals. Becomes possible. In the P-table 2, the gaming machine information can be output without going through the authentication process, so that the processing load can be reduced.

  Both the CU 3 and the P units 2 transmit the message with the “serial number” added. Further, both the CU 3 and the P units 2 store the “serial number” received from the other party. There are three types of "serial numbers": "number of game balls", "counting serial number", and "lending serial number". “Serial number” indicates the sequence number of the message. The “serial number” is such that the transmitting side (primary station side) sets the initial value to “1”, counts up (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission, and transmits it. However, at the time of retransmission, the “serial number” is not counted up. The receiving side (secondary station side) transmits the received serial number as it is. If the continuity of serial numbers is not established, there is no response. The “game ball number serial number” is a serial number used when the P units 2 notify the CU 3 of the game ball number. The “counting serial number” is a serial number used when the P unit 2 requests the CU 3 to count game balls. The “lending serial number” is a serial number used when the CU 3 requests the P-unit 2 to rent a game ball.

  The latest gaming machine performance information, hall control information, and fraud monitoring information are transmitted from the P platform 2 side to the CU 3 side. The latest gaming machine performance information, hall control information, and fraud monitoring information are stored in the RAM of the frame control unit 171 (see FIG. 2) on the P-unit 2. Specifically, information on the counting ball number counter is included. As for the number of game balls, the count value of the game ball number counter is transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU 3 side as fraud monitoring information. However, instead of this, or in addition to the game ball number counter, the number of game balls may be included in the latest gaming machine performance information.

  The information of these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU 3 as gaming machine information. The CU 3 grasps a change in the number of gaming balls from the latest gaming machine performance information and hall control information transmitted from the P-unit 2. In CU3, for example, the number of game balls is added based on “the number of winning balls × the number of winnings” included in the hall control information, and the number of game balls is subtracted based on the “number of shooting balls”. Further, the counting ball number counter is a counter that counts the number of counting balls. The number of counting balls is “the number of balls converted from playing balls to holding balls by a counting operation”. The counting cumulative sphere number counter is a counter that counts the counting cumulative sphere number. The counted number of accumulated balls is the “accumulated number of balls converted from game balls to possessed balls by the counting operation”, and is the accumulated number of balls counted from RAM clear (initialization operation) or the accumulated number of balls counted on that day. The number of balls. It should be noted that the accumulated number of balls does not change even if the player changes. Further, a 2-byte data area is allocated to the counted cumulative ball count counter, and information of 0 to 65,535 balls can be stored. Therefore, when the counted number of accumulated balls counts to "0xFFFF (65,535 balls)", the counted cumulative ball number counter updates the next value to "0x0000 (0 balls)". When a counting operation is received during the launch of a game ball, the updating process of the game point to be counted is preferentially performed, the launch of the game ball is stopped, and the process of updating the game point corresponding to the launch is performed. Stops execution. As a result, it is possible to prevent the timing of the subtraction of the game point to be counted and the timing of the subtraction of the game point corresponding to the firing from being overlapped, and the update process of the game point can be realized more accurately. Update processing can be prevented from occurring. Further, the subtraction of the game points to be counted and the game points corresponding to the firing may be simultaneously performed. Thus, since the firing of the game ball is not stopped, a smooth game can be realized. Here, the “prize ball” is a ball that is paid out when a ball wins a winning opening, and is a safe ball. The “shooting sphere” is a sphere fired by the gaming machine. If there is a back sphere, the number of shot spheres is obtained by subtracting the back sphere.

  When the counting button 28 is pressed, the frame control unit 171 counts the number of game balls as the number of counting balls, and transmits the value of the counting ball number counter (the number of counting balls) from the P unit 2 side to the CU 3 side. Further, the frame control unit 171 updates the value of the counted cumulative sphere counter every time the value of the counted sphere counter (number of counted spheres) is counted, and updates the value of the counted cumulative sphere counter (counted cumulative sphere). Is transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU 3 side.

  Each time the value of the counting ball counter is transmitted to the CU 3 side, the count value is stored (rewritten) as backup data in the gaming machine information storage area (such as the RAM of the frame control unit 171) on the P stand 2 side. Thereafter, the value of the counting ball number counter is cleared to 0 (excluding the game ball number counter). In the present embodiment, “clear” has the same meaning as “initialization”.

  As a result, in the storage area of the previous gaming machine information (the gaming machine information transmitted immediately before), the data of the counting ball number transmitted immediately before to the CU 3 is stored as backup data. When the data of the number of counting balls is not transmitted from the P unit 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 at the time of the previous transmission that was not transmitted. Is also transmitted. The number of gaming balls transmitted immediately before may be added to the last game machine information and stored.

  Further, the frame control board 17 updates the value of the game ball number counter in accordance with the occurrence of a winning, the firing of a ball, and the generation of a counting ball (converting a game ball into a possessed ball), and the game after the update. The value of the ball counter is transmitted to the CU 3 as the number of game balls.

  On the CU 3 side, the total number of game balls, the number of balls held by a card (also referred to simply as the number of held balls), the number of stored balls, the balance, and the number of balls held when a card is inserted are stored in the total data storage area in the RAM. Note that the number of balls held by the card is the number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of lent balls (the number of balls converted from the number of cards held into the number of game balls) from the number of balls held when the card is inserted, and adding the number of counted balls. That is, the number of possessed balls is the number of possessed balls owned by the player at the present time.

  The number of balls held by the card is added based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P base 2, and the number is updated by subtracting from the number of playing balls. In this manner, the CU 3 can manage the latest information by updating the number of gaming balls and the number of cards held by the latest gaming machine information transmitted from the P units 2 one by one.

  As shown in the figure, the CU 3 has an area for storing the number of game balls, and also receives the count value of the game ball number counter (also referred to as information on the number of game balls or the total number of game balls) from the P platform 2. . The CU 3 updates the area for storing the number of game balls in the following procedure. That is, the CU 3 grasps a change in the number of gaming balls from the latest gaming machine performance information and hall control information transmitted from the P-unit 2 side, and based on the value of the counting ball number counter and the value of the number of lent balls. The stored game ball number is updated, and it is determined whether or not the count value of the game ball number counter transmitted from the P-unit 2 matches the updated game ball number. If they match, the continuation of the game is allowed, but if they do not match, control to shift to an error state is performed.

  As a result, for example, an error notification is performed by the abnormality notification lamp or the display 54, or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred in the hall management computer or the hall server is transmitted (in this case, the hall management computer). Or an error notification by the hall server may be performed). As a result, a predetermined notification that prompts the attendant to perform an artificial response is performed.

  Note that, instead of shifting to the 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 number counter transmitted from the P unit 2 side. Good. Alternatively, the average value of the number of game balls managed by the CU 3 and the number of game balls stored by the P unit 2 may be corrected.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of game balls is also stored on the CU3 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-side 2 side does not match the number of game balls stored on the CU 3 side due to misconduct or other circumstances, the fact can be checked. Here, the determination function is provided on the CU3 side. However, for example, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P unit 2 side are stored by a hall server or a hall management computer connected to the CU3. It may be configured to receive the number of game balls and determine whether or not both match.

  When the CU 3 cannot receive the count information, the number of game balls stored on the CU 3 side does not match the number of game balls managed and stored on the P-unit 2 side, and thus the CU 3 executes a special process. . As the special processing, processing for displaying the history information of the gaming machine information to compensate for the number of gaming balls based on the gaming machine information, compensation for the number of gaming balls based on the history information, and error notification are performed. Or

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the CU 3 has a storage area for storing the number of cards held and the number of balls to be stored, a storage area for storing the prepaid balance of the accepted (inserted) card, and a holding ball when the card is inserted. And a storage area for storing The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) stores the accumulated coins in response to an input requesting the use of accumulated coins (for example, a press input of a replay button provided in the CU 3 (when there is no ball held)). A predetermined number of coins is subtracted from the area.

  The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) stores the ball in response to an input requesting the use of the ball (for example, pressing a replay button provided on the CU 3 when the player has a ball). Is subtracted from the ball by a predetermined number. Further, CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) subtracts a predetermined value from the storage area for storing the remaining prepaid balance in response to an input requesting use of the remaining prepaid balance (for example, pressing input of ball lending button 321).

  If the player performs an operation of lending a value of a predetermined size from the possession value of the player (for example, the number of balls held, the number of balls stored, or the remaining amount of prepaid) and using the value for the game, the number of balls withdrawn from the player Is added to the game ball number counter, and the number of borrowed balls is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P units 2. In response to this, the P base 2 adds and updates the game ball number counter.

<Communication sequence between CU and P units>
Next, a communication sequence between the CU 3 and the P units 2 will be described. In the communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, a command-response method in which the P unit 2 is a primary station and the CU 3 is a secondary station is adopted. First, the timing of transmitting the gaming machine installation information from the P-stand 2 to the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting the gaming machine installation information from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. After the start of the P-unit 2, the P-unit 2 transmits a serial number = 0 and a gaming machine information notification command to the CU 3. After 300 ms elapses, the P-unit 2 transmits a command of the game machine information notification to the CU 3 with the serial number = 1. The P-unit 2 transmits a counting notification command to the CU 3 during the serial number = 0 to the serial number = 1, further receives a lending notification command from the CU 3, and sends a lending reception result response command to the CU 3 as a response thereto. Replies.

  In the communication sequence between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, after the start of the P unit 2, telegram communication performed between the serial number = 0 and the serial number = 1 is repeated. After the elapse of 60 s), the P units 2 transmit the serial number = 200 and the gaming machine information notification command to the CU 3 including the gaming machine installation information. Thereafter, the P-unit 2 notifies the CU 3 of the gaming machine installation information in a one-minute cycle.

  Next, the timing of transmitting the gaming machine performance information from the P units 2 to the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a sequence for explaining a timing of transmitting gaming machine performance information from a pachinko gaming machine to a card unit. After the start of the P-unit 2, the P-unit 2 transmits a serial number = 0 and a gaming machine information notification command to the CU 3. After 300 ms elapses, the P-unit 2 transmits a command of the game machine information notification to the CU 3 with the serial number = 1. The P-unit 2 transmits a counting notification command to the CU 3 during the serial number = 0 to the serial number = 1, further receives a lending notification command from the CU 3, and sends a lending reception result response command to the CU 3 as a response thereto. Replies.

  In the communication sequence between the CU 3 and the P unit 2, after the start of the P unit 2, telegram communication performed between the serial number = 0 and the serial number = 1 is repeated. After the elapse of 180 s), the P units 2 transmit the serial number = 88 and the gaming machine information notification command to the CU 3 together with the gaming machine performance information. After that, the P platform 2 notifies the game balls for the specified number of fired balls (for example, 60000 balls) or every specified period (for example, 10 hours).

  Next, a description will be given of the timing of transmitting the hall control / illegal monitoring information from the P units 2 to the CU 3. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting hall control / illegal monitoring information from a pachinko gaming machine to a card unit. After the start-up of the P-unit 2, the P-unit 2 transmits the serial number = 0 and the gaming machine information notification command to the CU 3 including the hall control / illegal monitoring information. After 300 ms has elapsed, the P-unit 2 transmits the serial number = 1 and the gaming machine information notification command to the CU 3 including the hall control / illegal monitoring information. The P-unit 2 transmits a counting notification command to the CU 3 during the serial number = 0 to the serial number = 1, further receives a lending notification command from the CU 3, and sends a lending reception result response command to the CU 3 as a response thereto. Replies.

  In the communication sequence between the CU 3 and the P-unit 2, after the start-up of the P-unit 2, message communication that is performed between the serial number = 0 and the serial number = 1 is repeated. That is, after the start of the P-unit 2, the P-unit 2 transmits to the CU 3 at a cycle (predetermined period) of 300 ms (including a hall control / illegal monitoring information) in the command of the gaming machine information notification.

  The gaming machine information that can be included in the gaming machine information notification command is any one of gaming machine installation information, gaming machine performance information, and hall con / illegal monitoring information. Each piece of information is transmitted in the cycle described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19. Specifically, the type of the gaming machine information included in the gaming machine information notification command is determined by any one of the notification conditions. The following is a description of the decision.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining the type of gaming machine information transmitted from a pachinko gaming machine to a card unit. Note that the process illustrated in FIG. 20 is a process executed before the P units 2 (in particular, the CPU of the frame control unit 171) issue a command for notifying the CU 3 of the gaming machine information. It should be noted that the transmission cycle of the game machine information notification command is 300 ms, whereas the processing cycle of the CPU of the frame control unit 171 due to the timer interrupt is 4 ms, so that the processing shown in FIG. 20 can be sufficiently executed. is there. First, the P platform 2 determines whether or not there is a launch, a prize ball, or a state change (step S101). That is, when the information shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (for example, the number of game balls, the main control state 1, the gaming machine error state, the fraud detection state 1, etc.) changes, the P-table 2 fires and awards. It is determined that there is a change in the state of the ball.

  If it is determined that there is a launch, a prize ball, or a state change (YES in step S101), the P-unit 2 selects “0x02” of the hall control / illegal monitoring information as the type of gaming machine information (step S102). When "0x02" of the hall control / fraud monitoring information is selected as the type of the gaming machine information, the processing shown in FIG. 20 is terminated, and the P-unit 2 transmits the hall control / fraud monitoring information to the command of the gaming machine information notification. The information including the information is transmitted to the CU 3.

  If it is determined that there is no firing, prize ball, or state change (NO in step S101), the P platform 2 determines whether a special period has elapsed (step S103). Here, the special period is, for example, three minutes (180 s) from the completion of the activation of the P-table 2, the launch of the game balls for the prescribed number of launch balls (for example, 60000 balls) or the prescribed time (for example, 10 hours). When determining that the special period has elapsed (YES in step S103), the P-unit 2 selects “0x01” of the gaming machine performance information as the type of the gaming machine information (step S104). When "0x01" of the gaming machine performance information is selected as the type of the gaming machine information, the processing shown in FIG. 20 is terminated, and the P-unit 2 includes the information of the gaming machine performance information in the command of the gaming machine information notification. Send to CU3.

  If it is determined that the special period has not elapsed (NO in step S103), the P stage 2 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed (step S105). Here, the predetermined period is, for example, one minute (60 s) from the completion of the activation of the P units 2, and is a period shorter than the special period. When it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in step S105), the P-unit 2 selects “0x00” of the gaming machine installation information as the type of gaming machine information (step S106). When “0x00” of the gaming machine installation information is selected as the type of the gaming machine information, the processing shown in FIG. 20 ends, and the P-unit 2 includes the information of the gaming machine installation information in the command of the gaming machine information notification. Send to CU3.

  When it is determined that the predetermined period has not elapsed (NO in step S105), the P-unit 2 selects “0x02” of the hall control / illegal monitoring information as the type of the gaming machine information (step S107). When "0x02" of the hall control / fraud monitoring information is selected as the type of the gaming machine information, the processing shown in FIG. 20 is terminated, and the P-unit 2 transmits the hall control / fraud monitoring information to the command of the gaming machine information notification. The information including the information is transmitted to the CU 3. Since the hall control / illegal monitoring information transmitted to the CU 3 in step S107 is information transmitted when there is no firing, prize ball, or state change, empty information is transmitted.

  As can be seen from the processing shown in FIG. 20, the gaming machine information included in the gaming machine information notification command transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 includes gaming machine installation information, gaming machine performance information, and hall con / illegal monitoring information. Either one of them has a different transmission priority. Specifically, the priority is highest in hall control / unauthorized surveillance information, and sequentially lower in gaming machine performance information and gaming machine installation information. However, the priority of the hall control / illegal monitoring information is lower than the gaming machine performance information and the gaming machine installation information when there is no firing, prize ball, or state change. In other words, when the timing of transmitting the gaming machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the gaming machine installation information overlap, the P unit 2 gives priority to the transmission of the gaming machine performance information, and transmits the gaming machine installation information at the next timing. If the timing of transmitting and transmitting the gaming machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the hall control / fraud monitoring information overlap, the transmission of the hall con / fraud monitoring information is given priority, and the gaming machine performance information is transmitted at the next timing. Send.

<Count notification sequence>
Next, a count notification sequence for counting and subtracting a part of game balls will be described. FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are diagrams showing a count notification sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIGS. 21 and 22 show a case where the counting button 28 is pressed without detecting a card return operation.

  Further, in FIG. 21, the number of possessed balls specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is “100” balls, and the initial number of game balls is “1000” balls. .

  Here, an example will be described in which the counting in units of 250 balls continues while the operation of the counting button 28 is detected, and the counting operation ends when the operation of the counting button 28 is no longer detected. However, even if the number of game balls to be counted is increased according to the time when the count button 28 is pressed and held, or if the count button 28 is pressed and held for a certain period, the number of held game balls is all It may be counted.

  First, the P units transmit to the CU 3 a gaming machine information notification (hereinafter, simply referred to as a gaming machine information notification) including any one of hall control / illegal monitoring information, gaming machine installation information, and gaming machine performance information. . Since the included information is hall control / illegal monitoring information, it includes information of serial number = n and number of game balls = 1000. The P units transmit the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms (within the prescribed period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3.

  If the player presses the counting button 28 before the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P-unit sets the counting notification message to the counting serial number = m, the counting ball count = 250, and the counting cumulative ball count = 250. The counting information is notified to the CU 3 including the information. When the P unit transmits a message of the count notification including the information of the number of counting balls = 250 to the CU 3, the 250 balls counted are subtracted from the information of the number of the holding balls = 1000, and the number of the gaming balls = 750 Update with information. On the other hand, if the player has not pressed the counting button 28 before the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P-number will indicate the counting serial number = m, the counting ball count = 0, and the counting cumulative ball count = The CU 3 is notified that there is no counting, including the information of 0.

  For example, when the player does not operate the count button 28, the number of counting balls included in the message of the count notification transmitted to the CU 3 is the count data of 0 (zero) balls. In addition, when a continuous operation of, for example, less than 0.5 seconds is detected in response to the operation of the count button 28 by the player, the number of counting balls included in the message of the count notification transmitted to the CU 3 is one ball count data. . This is an operation used for adjusting the fraction of the ball. When a continuous operation of 0.5 seconds or more and less than 0.8 seconds is detected, the number of counting balls included in the message of the count notification transmitted to the CU 3 is 250 counting data. When a continuous operation for 0.8 seconds or more is detected, the number of counting balls included in the message of the count notification transmitted first to the CU 3 becomes the count data of 250 balls, and thereafter, the count notification transmitted to the CU 3 every 0.3 seconds. The number of counting spheres included in the telegram is 250 count data. That is, when the player continuously operates the counting button 28, the counting data of 250 balls is transmitted to the CU 3 every 0.3 seconds.

  The CU 3 receives the counting information from the P units 2, adds the counted ball number to the held ball number, and updates the held ball number = 100 + 250 = 350. The CU 3 transmits the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification to the P unit 2 regardless of whether the ball lending button 321 is pressed within the reception valid period (see FIG. 12) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. Send. The message of the loan notification includes information of the rental serial number = k and the number of borrowed balls = 0.

  The P-unit 2 receives the lending information from the CU 3 and transmits the lending response information including the message of the lending reception result response to the CU 3 within the response time (see FIG. 12). The message of the response to the loan reception result includes information that the lending serial number = k and the number of borrowed balls received result = normal.

  The P-unit 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after the lapse of the specified period A (see FIG. 12) since the previous transmission of the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. The new gaming machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes the information of the serial number = n + 1 updated to the hall control / illegal monitoring information and the subtracted number of gaming balls = 750.

  When transmitting the new gaming machine information notification to the CU 3, if the player continues to press the counting button 28, the P-platform 2 updates the counting notification message to the counting serial number = m + 1, the counting ball number = 250, and notifies the CU 3 of the counting information including the information of the counted number of balls = 500. When the P unit transmits to the CU 3 a count notification message including the information of the number of counting balls = 250 to the CU 3, the 250 balls counted are subtracted from the information of the number of playing balls = 750, and the number of gaming balls = 500 Update with information. In addition, the P-unit 2 updates the information of the cumulative number of balls = 500 by adding the information of the current number of balls = 250 to the information of the previous cumulative number of balls = 250.

  The CU 3 receives the counting information from the P units 2, adds the counted ball count to the held ball count, and updates the held ball count = 350 + 250 = 600. The CU 3 transmits the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification to the P unit 2 within the valid reception period after receiving the counting information from the P units 2 regardless of whether the ball lending button 321 is pressed. The message of the loan notification includes information of the updated loan serial number = k + 1 and the number of borrowed balls = 0.

  The P-unit 2 receives the lending information from the CU 3, and transmits the lending response information including the message of the lending reception result response to the CU 3 within the response time. The message of the loan reception result response includes updated lending sequence number = k + 1 and information on the result of receiving the number of borrowed balls = normal.

  In the sequence shown in FIG. 22, if the player stops pressing the count button 28 before transmitting a new gaming machine information notification to the CU 3, the timing after the next gaming machine information notification is transmitted to the CU 3 , Do not count. Specifically, when transmitting a new gaming machine information notification to the CU 3, the player P has stopped pressing the counting button 28, so the counting serial number updated to the message of the counting notification = m + 2, The counting information is notified to the CU 3 including the information of the number of balls = 0 and the counted number of balls = 500.

  In other words, the P units transmit the counting notification message including the information of the number of counted balls = 0 to the CU 3 without performing the counting, and leave the information of the number of the game balls = 500 while retaining the information of the retained number of the game balls = 500. Do not update. In addition, the P stage 2 does not update the information of the counted number of accumulated spheres while keeping the information of the previously counted number of accumulated spheres = 500.

  The CU 3 does not update the possessed ball count = 600 because the CU 3 receives the counted information from the P units 2 because the counted ball count = 0. The CU 3 transmits the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification to the P unit 2 within the valid reception period after receiving the counting information from the P units 2 regardless of whether the ball lending button 321 is pressed. The message of the loan notice includes information of the updated loan serial number = k + 2 and the number of borrowed balls = 0.

  The P-unit 2 receives the lending information from the CU 3, and transmits the lending response information including the message of the lending reception result response to the CU 3 within the response time. The message of the response to the loan reception result includes updated lending sequence number = k + 2 and information on the result of receiving the number of borrowed balls = normal. The P-unit 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after a lapse of the specified period A since the previous transmission of the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3.

<Recovery sequence at PIF disconnection>
Next, a recovery sequence when the PIF is disconnected will be described. FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are diagrams showing a recovery sequence at the time of PIF disconnection between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. 23 and 24, the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation described in FIG. 15 is changed from 5 V to 0 V (off state: VL = OFF), or the output of the connection confirmation signal PSI is turned off (PSI = OFF). An example will be described in which PIF disconnection is detected by the change. Note that the PIF disconnection may be detected by another method as shown in FIGS.

  First, the P units transmit to the CU 3 a gaming machine information notification including hall control / illegal monitoring information. In addition, the hall control / illegal monitoring information includes information of serial number = n and number of game balls = 1000. The P units transmit the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms (within the prescribed period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3.

  Since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 before the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P-unit has the counting serial number = m, the counting ball count = 0, and the counting cumulative ball count = 0 in the counting notification message. The counting information is notified to the CU 3 including the information.

  The CU 3 transmits the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification to the P unit 2 regardless of whether the ball lending button 321 is pressed within the reception valid period (see FIG. 12) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. Send. The message of the loan notification includes information of the rental serial number = k and the number of borrowed balls = 0.

  The P-unit 2 receives the lending information from the CU 3 and transmits the lending response information including the message of the lending reception result response to the CU 3 within the response time (see FIG. 12). The message of the response to the loan reception result includes information that the lending serial number = k and the number of borrowed balls received result = normal.

  The P-unit 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after the lapse of the specified period A (see FIG. 12) since the previous transmission of the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. The hall control / illegal monitoring information included in the new gaming machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes information of the updated serial number = n + 1 and the number of gaming balls = 1000.

  Thereafter, when the PIF disconnection occurs, the P unit 2 sets the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation from 5 V to 0 V (off state: VL = OFF), or the output of the connection confirmation signal PSI is off state (PSI = OFF). ), The disconnection of the PIF is detected, and the firing of the game ball is stopped. When the CU 3 detects the disconnection of the PIF, after displaying an error, the CU 3 turns off the power supply VL for connection confirmation supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 shown in FIG. 3 (VL = OFF). In the P-table 2, the operation of the game button is stopped and the operation of the counting button 28 is invalidated.

  Here, a connection configuration between the CU 3 and the P units 2 will be described. FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a connection configuration between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. The connection between the CU 3 and the P base 2 is connected by PIF wiring as shown in FIG. Among them, in FIG. 25, the wiring for connecting the power supply VL (wiring numbers 8 and 9 shown in FIG. 3) and the wiring for the insulating GND (wiring number 1 shown in FIG. ), Wiring of the lending information (wiring number 7 shown in FIG. 3), and wiring of the lending reception result, the count information, and the gaming machine information (wiring number 6 shown in FIG. 3) are illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the CU 3 and the P base 2 are connected by the wiring of the power supply VL for connection confirmation, and a voltage of 5 V is supplied from the on-board power supply 3a of the CU 3. In the P base 2, the wiring of the power supply VL for connection confirmation is connected to photocouplers 36a and 36b provided on the connection terminal board 36 for renting a game ball or the like. In the game ball rental device connection terminal board 36, in addition to the wiring of the power supply VL for connection confirmation, wiring for communicating rental information is connected to the photocoupler 36c, and wiring for communicating rental response information, counting information, and gaming machine information is connected to the photocoupler 36c. Each is connected to a coupler 36d. Since the CU 3 and the P base 2 are connected by PIF wiring using a photocoupler, information can be communicated, but they are electrically insulated. In the CU 3, wiring for communicating rental information is connected to the photocoupler 3c, and wiring for communicating rental response information, counting information, and gaming machine information is connected to the photocoupler 3d.

  The photocoupler 36b is connected to a NOR circuit 17a provided on the frame control board 17. When a voltage of 5V is supplied to the wiring of the power supply VL for connection confirmation and the photocoupler 36b is in an ON state, the 5V voltage of the game machine flows to the GND of the game machine via the photocoupler 36b on the frame control board 17. Therefore, the input of the NOR circuit 17a (the signal from the connection terminal board 36 for renting a game ball or the like) becomes Low level. On the other hand, the firing stop signal is supplied from the main control board to the NOR circuit 17a. However, since the firing stop signal is at the Low level when the firing is permitted, the firing permission signal output from the NOR circuit 17a to the firing control board 31 is at the High level. The launch of a game ball becomes possible.

  When the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation is cut and the supplied voltage becomes 0 V, the photocoupler 36 b is turned off, and the 5 V voltage of the gaming machine does not flow to the photocoupler 36 b side in the frame control board 17, and the NOR circuit The input of 17a (the signal from the connection terminal board 36 for the rental device such as a game ball) becomes High level. Therefore, the firing permission signal output from the NOR circuit 17a to the firing control board 31 becomes Low level, and the firing of the game ball is stopped. Even if the firing stop signal supplied from the main control board to the NOR circuit 17a becomes High level, the firing permission signal output from the NOR circuit 17a to the firing control board 31 becomes Low level, and the launch of the game ball is performed. Is stopped.

  When a voltage of 5 V is supplied to the wiring of the power supply VL for connection confirmation and the photocoupler 36a is in an ON state, the voltage of 5V of the gaming machine is converted to the voltage of 5V of the counting switch via the photocoupler 36a. It is supplied to the photocoupler 37a of the substrate 37. Therefore, while the voltage of 5 V is supplied to the wiring of the power supply VL for connection confirmation, it is possible to supply the count switch signal from the photocoupler 37 a to the frame control board 17. When the player operates the counting button 28, the counting switch signal supplied to the frame control board 17 is supplied with the information of the number of counting balls included.

  On the other hand, when the wiring of the power supply VL for connection confirmation is cut and the supplied voltage becomes 0 V, the photocoupler 36a is turned off, and the 5V voltage of the gaming machine is changed to the 5V voltage of the counting switch via the photocoupler 36a. Is not supplied to the photocoupler 37a of the counting switch board 37. Therefore, when the wiring of the power supply VL for connection confirmation is cut and communication becomes abnormal, the count switch signal is not supplied from the photocoupler 37a to the frame control board 17. In other words, when the CU 3 and the P base 2 are not connected and a communication error occurs, the player's operation on the count button 28 is invalidated.

  Returning to the recovery sequence at the time of PIF disconnection shown in FIG. 23, even if a PIF disconnection occurs, the P units transmit the count information including the message of the count notification within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU3. Send to CU3. However, when the PIF disconnection has occurred, as described with reference to FIG. 25, since the operation of the counting button 28 is invalid even if the player presses the counting button 28, the information of the counting ball number 0 is not displayed on the CU3. Notify. In other words, the P units notify the CU 3 of the count information including the information of the updated count serial number = m + 1, the number of counted balls = 0, and the counted number of accumulated balls = 0 in the message of the count notification. However, the count information transmitted from the P units does not reach the CU 3 because the PIF disconnection has occurred. Therefore, since the CU 3 has not received the count information from the P units 2, it does not transmit the lending information to the P units 2.

  Even if the lending information is not transmitted from the CU 3, the P unit 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after a lapse of the specified period A since the previous transmission of the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. The hall control / illegal monitoring information included in the new gaming machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes information of the updated serial number = n + 2 and the number of gaming balls = 1000. However, the gaming machine information notification transmitted from the P units does not reach the CU 3 because the PIF disconnection has occurred.

  Further, the P units transmit the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. The P units notify the CU 3 of the counting information including the updated information of the counting serial number = m + 2, the number of counted balls = 0, and the accumulated number of balls = 0 in the message of the count notification. However, the count information transmitted from the P units does not reach the CU 3 because the PIF disconnection has occurred.

  Thereafter, the connection of the PIF wiring is restored as shown in FIG. When the connection of the PIF wiring is restored, the operation of the counting button 28 is enabled. Regarding the counting information that could not be normally received by the CU 3 during the disconnection of the PIF, the information of the accumulated number of balls after the restoration or subsequent and the game ball. The recovery processing can be performed on the CU 3 side using the number information. Further, when the CU 3 and the P base 2 are normally connected, the CU 3 notifies the management device that the connection of the PIF wiring has been restored, and the salesclerk of the game store confirms the number of game balls, and the CU 3 checks the number of game balls. The error is recovered by compensating the number of game balls based on the count information that could not be received. The CU 3 can output information that can identify a communication error to the management device. Further, the CU 3 checks the connection status of the PIF wiring 322 after VL = ON.

  In the CU 3, after the error is recovered, the power supply VL for connection confirmation is turned on (VL = ON), and the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation becomes 5V. . When the connection of the PIF wiring is restored, the output of the connection confirmation signal PSI to the CU 3 also changes to the ON state (PSI = ON).

  After the connection of the PIF wiring is restored, the P units transmit a gaming machine information notification including hall control / unauthorized monitoring information to the CU 3. In addition, the hall control / illegal monitoring information included in the gaming machine information notification includes information of the updated serial number = n + 3 and the number of gaming balls = 1000. The P units transmit the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3.

  Since the player did not press the counting button 28 before the counting information was transmitted to the CU 3, the counting serial number = m + 3, the counting ball count = 0, the counting cumulative ball count = The count information is notified to the CU 3 including the information of 0.

  Since the connection of the PIF wiring has been restored, the CU 3 borrows the lending including the lending notification message within the valid reception period after receiving the count information from the P units 2 regardless of whether the ball lending button 321 is pressed. The information is transmitted to the P units 2. The message of the loan notification includes information of the updated loan serial number = k + 1 and the number of borrowed balls = 0.

  The P-unit 2 receives the lending information from the CU 3, and transmits the lending response information including the message of the lending reception result response to the CU 3 within the response time. The message of the loan reception result response includes updated lending sequence number = k + 1 and information on the result of receiving the number of borrowed balls = normal.

<Communication error sequence during counting>
Next, a communication error sequence during counting will be described. FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 are diagrams showing a communication abnormality sequence during counting between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. The communication abnormality is not limited to the PIF disconnection, but includes a case where communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 cannot be performed normally for some reason. FIGS. 26 and 27 show a case where the counting button 28 is pressed without detecting a card return operation.

  Further, in FIG. 26, the number of possessed balls specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is “100” balls, and the initial number of game balls is “1000” balls. .

  Here, an example will be described in which the counting in units of 250 balls continues while the operation of the counting button 28 is detected, and the counting operation ends when the operation of the counting button 28 is no longer detected. However, even if the number of game balls to be counted is increased according to the time when the count button 28 is pressed and held, or if the count button 28 is pressed and held for a certain period, the number of held game balls is all It may be counted.

  First, the P units transmit a gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after the count button 28 is pressed. In addition, the hall control / illegal monitoring information included in the gaming machine information notification includes information of serial number = n and number of gaming balls = 1000. The P units transmit the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms (within the prescribed period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3.

  Since the player has pressed the counting button 28 before the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P-table 2 has the counting serial number = m, the counting ball count = 250, and the counting cumulative ball count = 250 in the message of the count notification. The CU 3 is notified of the count information including the information of (1). When transmitting the message of the count notification including the information of the number of counted balls = 250 to the CU 3, the P stand 2 subtracts the counted 250 balls from the information of the number of held game balls = 1000 to obtain the number of game balls = 750. Update to information.

  The CU 3 receives the counting information from the P units 2, adds the counted ball number to the held ball number, and updates the held ball number = 100 + 250 = 350. The CU 3 transmits the lending information including the telegram of the lending notification to the P unit 2 within the valid reception period after receiving the counting information from the P units 2 regardless of whether the ball lending button 321 is pressed. The message of the loan notification includes information of the rental serial number = k and the number of borrowed balls = 0.

  The P-unit 2 receives the lending information from the CU 3, and transmits the lending response information including the message of the lending reception result response to the CU 3 within the response time. The message of the response to the loan reception result includes information that the lending serial number = k and the number of borrowed balls received result = normal.

  The P-unit 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after a lapse of the specified period A since the previous transmission of the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. The new gaming machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes hall control / illegal monitoring information. In addition, the hall control / illegal monitoring information includes information of the updated serial number = n + 1 and the number of game balls subtracted = 750.

  When transmitting a new gaming machine information notification to the CU 3, the P-table 2 keeps pressing down the counting button 28 by the player, so the counting serial number updated to the counting notification message = m + 1, the number of counting balls = 250, and notifies the CU 3 of the counting information including the information of the counted number of balls = 500. When the P unit transmits to the CU 3 a count notification message including the information of the number of counting balls = 250 to the CU 3, the 250 balls counted are subtracted from the information of the number of playing balls = 750, and the number of gaming balls = 500 Update with information. In addition, the P-unit 2 updates the information of the cumulative number of balls = 500 by adding the information of the current number of balls = 250 to the information of the previous cumulative number of balls = 250.

  However, the counting information transmitted from the P-table 2 has not reached the CU 3 due to a communication error. Since the counting information from the P-table 2 has not been received, the CU 3 adds the number of counting balls to the number of possessed balls. Without adding, the number of possessed balls = 350 is kept. The CU 3 transmits the lending information including the message of the lending notification to the P units 2 regardless of whether the ball lending button 321 is pressed. The message of the loan notification includes information of the updated loan serial number = k + 1 and the number of borrowed balls = 0. Since the CU 3 has not received the count information from the P units 2, the CU 3 may not transmit the lending information including the loan notification message to the P units 2.

  The P-unit 2 receives the lending information from the CU 3, and transmits the lending response information including the message of the lending reception result response to the CU 3 within the response time. The message of the loan reception result response includes updated lending sequence number = k + 1 and information on the result of receiving the number of borrowed balls = normal. However, the lending information transmitted from the P units 2 has not reached the CU 3 due to a communication error.

  Further, the P-unit 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after the specified period A has elapsed since the previous transmission of the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. The new gaming machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes hall control / illegal monitoring information. It should be noted that the hall control / illegal monitoring information includes information of the updated serial number = n + 2 and the number of game balls subtracted = 500. However, the gaming machine information notification transmitted from the P unit 2 has not reached the CU 3 due to a communication error.

  When transmitting a new gaming machine information notification to the CU 3, the P unit 2 keeps pressing down the counting button 28 by the player, so the counting serial number updated to the counting notification message = m + 2, the number of counting balls = 250, and notifies the CU 3 of the count information including the information of the counted number of balls = 250. When the P unit transmits to the CU 3 a message of a count notification including information of the number of game balls = 250, the 250 balls counted are subtracted from the information of the number of game balls = 500 held, and the number of game balls = 250 Update with information. In addition, the P-unit 2 updates the information of the cumulative number of balls = 750 by adding the information of the current number of balls = 250 to the information of the previous cumulative number of balls = 500.

  However, the counting information transmitted from the P-table 2 has not reached the CU 3 due to a communication error. Since the counting information from the P-table 2 has not been received, the CU 3 adds the number of counting balls to the number of possessed balls. Without adding, the number of possessed balls = 350 is kept. Since 700 ms has elapsed since the previous gaming machine information notification was received, the CU 3 determines that there is a communication error and displays an error, and then changes the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation from 5 V to 0 V (off state: VL = OFF). The output of the connection confirmation signal PSI also changes to the off state (PSI = OFF). The P base 2 detects a communication abnormality (for example, PIF disconnection) based on a change in the voltage of the connection confirmation power supply VL from 5 V to 0 V, or a change in the output of the connection confirmation signal PSI to an off state, and plays the game. The shooting of the ball is stopped, and the operation of the counting button 28 is invalidated.

  Further, the P-unit 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after the specified period A has elapsed since the previous transmission of the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. The new gaming machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes hall control / illegal monitoring information. It should be noted that the hall control / fraud monitoring information includes information of the updated serial number = n + 3 and the number of game balls subtracted = 250, and if the message is a gaming machine installation information notification, the updated information of the serial number = n + 3 If the message is a gaming machine performance information notification, the information includes the updated serial number = n + 2. However, the gaming machine information notification transmitted from the P unit 2 has not reached the CU 3 due to a communication error.

  The P-unit 2 transmits the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. However, if a communication error has occurred, the operation of the counting button 28 is invalidated even if the player presses the counting button 28, as described with reference to FIG. Notify. That is, the P units notify the CU 3 of the counting information including the information of the updated counting serial number = m + 3, the number of counted balls = 0, and the counted number of accumulated balls = 750 in the message of the count notification. However, the count information transmitted from the P units does not reach the CU 3 because a communication error has occurred.

  Thereafter, the CU 3 enters an error recovery waiting state. When the communication error is recovered, the CU 3 performs the recovery processing on the count information that could not be normally received by the CU 3 during the error, using the information on the cumulative number of balls counted and the information on the number of game balls after recovery. It is possible to do. When a message of one count information is missed as a recovery process on the CU 3 side, the recovery process can be automatically performed based on the serial number of the count information after recovery and the value of the cumulative count. In this case, a notification to the effect that the recovery processing has been performed may be sent to the hall controller or the possessed ball management server. In addition, when a message of two or more times of the counting information is missed due to the serial number of the counting information after the recovery, an error is notified to the hall control or the ball management server, and the CU 3 automatically performs the recovery processing. Instead, the clerk is informed that recovery is required. Further, in the CU 3, the reception history of the count information (individual count value and the accumulated count value) and the history of the recovery process may be held on the CU 3 side so that the clerk can confirm the recovery process later. Good. Of course, the reception history of the count information and the history of the recovery process may be held and managed by the hall control or the ball management server. Further, when the error is recovered, the CU 3 notifies the management device that the error has been recovered, checks the number of game balls and the number of balls possessed by a game store clerk, and uses the game information ball based on the count information that could not be received normally. The error is recovered by compensating the number and the number of balls. The CU 3 can output information that can identify a communication error to the management device.

  In the CU 3, after the error is recovered, the power supply VL for connection confirmation is turned on (VL = ON), and the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation becomes 5V. . When the connection of the PIF wiring is restored, the output of the connection confirmation signal PSI to the CU 3 also changes to the ON state (PSI = ON).

<Communication error sequence during lending>
Next, a communication abnormality sequence during lending will be described. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence at the time of lending between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. The communication abnormality is not limited to the PIF disconnection, but includes a case where communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 cannot be performed normally for some reason. The initial number of game balls is “50”.

  First, after the ball lending button 321 is pressed, the P units transmit a gaming machine information notification including hall control / illegal monitoring information to the CU 3. In addition, the hall control / illegal monitoring information includes information of serial number = n and number of game balls = 50. The P units transmit the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3.

  Since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 before the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P-unit has the counting serial number = m, the counting ball count = 0, and the counting cumulative ball count = 0 in the counting notification message. The counting information is notified to the CU 3 including the information. The CU 3 transmits the lending information including the message of the lending notification to the P units 2 within the reception valid period (for example, 170 ms) after receiving the count information from the P units 2. Since the player has pressed the ball lending button 321, the CU 3 notifies the P unit 2 of the lending including the information of the lending serial number = k and the number of lending balls = 125 in the message of the lending notification. The CU 3 transmits information on the number of borrowed balls to the P units 2 in the range of 1 ball to 255 balls depending on the lending unit price and the lending amount.

  The P-unit 2 that has received the lending information transmitted from the CU 3 updates the number of game balls to 175 balls and transmits lending response information including a telegram of the lending reception result response to the CU 3 within a response time (for example, 10 ms). I do. The message of the response to the loan reception result includes information that the lending serial number = k and the number of borrowed balls received result = normal. However, an error has occurred in the communication between the P-unit 2 and the CU 3, and the telegram of the lending reception result response transmitted from the P-unit 2 has not reached the CU 3, and the CU 3 has not received the lending reception result response from the P-unit 2. For the reception, the lending response information including the message of the lending reception result response is not transmitted to the CU 3 within the response time (for example, 10 ms). Therefore, the CU 3 determines that the lending process is not completed because the message of the lending reception result response has not been received within the response time.

  The P-unit 2 transmits a gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after a specified period A (for example, 300 ms) has elapsed since the previous transmission of the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. The new gaming machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes hall control / illegal monitoring information. It should be noted that the hall control / unauthorized surveillance information includes information of the updated serial number = n + 1 and the number of game balls = 175. Further, the P units transmit the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU 3 within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3.

  Since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 before the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P-table 2 has updated the counting serial number = m + 1, the counting ball count = 0, and the counting cumulative ball count in the message of the count notification. The CU 3 is notified of the count information including the information of “= 0”. Since the CU 3 does not know whether or not the previously notified lending information has reached the P-unit 2 frame within the reception valid period (for example, 170 ms) after receiving the counting information from the P-unit 2, the CU 3 The message is resent to the P-unit 2. Whether or not to resend the loan notification message depends on the specifications of CU3, and may not be resent. The CU 3 notifies the P unit 2 of the lending including the information of the lending serial number = k and the number of lending balls = 125 without updating the message of the lending notification. In the case where the CU 3 is used to resend the loan notification message, the P-unit 2 checks the continuity of the loan serial numbers included in the loan notification message. A message is sent to CU3. Specifically, the P unit 2 is abnormal because the lending sequence number included in the previously received lending notification message is “k” and the lending sequence number included in the previously received lending notification message is also “k”. And transmits to the CU 3 the information of the lending reception result response including the information of the lending serial number = k and the lending ball number reception result = abnormal.

  If the loan serial number included in the message of the previous loan notification matches the loan serial number in the received message of the loan reception result response and the loan ball number reception result is abnormal, the CU 3 sets the previous loan notification message to P. It is determined that it has reached the stand 2 and the lending process is completed.

  Assuming that the lending process has been completed, the P-unit 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3 after a specified period A (for example, 300 ms) has elapsed since the previous transmission of the gaming machine information notification to the CU 3. The new gaming machine information notification transmitted to the CU 3 includes hall control / illegal monitoring information. It should be noted that the hall control / unauthorized monitoring information includes information of the updated serial number = n + 2 and the number of game balls = 175. When the player presses the ball lending button 321, the initial number of game balls is updated from “50” balls to “175” balls.

<Communication between main control board and frame control board>
Next, communication between the main control board 16 (main control section 161) provided in the P table 2 and the frame control board 17 (frame control section 171) (see FIG. 2) will be described. First, a sequence performed between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 when the power is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17.

  The communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed by a polling method using the main control board 16 as a primary station, and the polling interval is, for example, 108 ms. Note that communication of power-on notification and power-on reception is excluded. When the main control board 16 has not received a response for 108 ms after transmitting the notification message, it retransmits the notification message. When a response from the frame control board 17 has not been received ten times in a cumulative manner, the main control board 16 determines that the communication line has been disconnected.

  Further, the frame control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 only when normal data is received. The serial numbers used for transmission / reception are stored in the storage unit for both the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17, and are used for confirming the normality of the command, for restoring the power supply, and for restoring the communication line.

  More specifically, the communication sequence will be described. First, when the power is turned on, communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is started after the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 are activated. The activation of the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 takes, for example, a maximum of three minutes. If the frame control board 17 does not receive the gaming machine installation information notification within three minutes from the activation, the frame control board 17 notifies the communication line is disconnected and notifies an error. If the game machine installation information notification is normally received after the communication line is disconnected, the error notification is released. Although the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed in plain text, encrypted communication may be performed.

  First, the main control board 16 notifies the gaming machine installation information to the frame control board 17 after startup. Specifically, the main control board 16 sets the communication serial number to “0” and transmits a command for notifying the gaming machine installation information to the frame control board 17. The frame control board 17 which has received the command of the game machine installation information notification transmits the response of the game machine installation information response to the main control board 16 without setting up the communication serial number to “1”.

  After notifying the game machine installation information to the frame control board 17, the main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the game machine information at a constant period (108 ms). Specifically, the main control board 16 transmits a command of the game machine information notification to the frame control board 17 with the communication serial number set to “1”. The frame control board 17 that has received the gaming machine information notification command transmits the gaming machine information response response to the main control board 16 with the communication serial number set to “1” without counting up. Thereafter, when the main control board 16 transmits a command to the frame control board 17, the game machine information is notified to the frame control board 17 while counting up the communication serial number.

  Here, the relationship between the communication timing between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 and the communication timing between the frame control board 17 (P table 2) and the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a communication sequence for explaining communication timing. As shown in FIG. 30, the main control board 16 notifies the gaming machine information to the frame control board 17 at a constant cycle (108 ms). On the other hand, the frame control board 17 transmits gaming machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle (300 ms) longer than a fixed cycle (108 ms) of communication with the main control board 16. Note that the frame control board 17 may transmit the gaming machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 200 ms instead of 300 ms.

  That is, the communication timing is such that the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed three times while the communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU 3 is performed once. When the communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU 3 has a period of 200 ms, the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed for two times while the communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU 3 is performed once. It is the communication timing to be performed twice. Therefore, the frame control board 17 can acquire the information of the gaming machine from the main control board 16 more frequently, so that the change of the gaming machine can be grasped more accurately, and the information of the gaming machine can be obtained at appropriate intervals. Can be sent to Note that the communication timing between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 and the communication timing between the frame control board 17 (P table 2) and the CU 3 are deliberately shifted by 108 ms. The cycle of communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is not limited to 108 ms, and may be any cycle that exceeds 100 ms and is not an integral multiple of 100 ms.

<Command between main control board and frame control board>
Next, commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 will be described. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a list of commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17.

  As shown in FIG. 31, commands transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17 include a gaming machine installation information notification and a gaming machine information notification. The game machine installation information notification command is a command for notifying the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information. The game machine information notification command is a command for notifying the frame control board 17 of the game machine information.

  On the other hand, the responses transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the main control board 16 include a gaming machine installation information response and a gaming machine information response. The response to the gaming machine installation information response is a response for responding the gaming machine installation information reception result to the main control board 16. The response of the gaming machine information response is a response for responding the gaming machine information reception result to the main control board 16.

<Game machine installation information notification / Game machine installation information response>
Next, the game machine installation information notification command and the game machine installation information response will be described in detail. FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining a game machine installation information notification command and a game machine installation information response response. The command of the game machine installation information notification shown in FIG. 32A is a command for the main control board 16 to notify the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information. , "Main control chip ID number", "main control CPU maker code", and "main control CPU model code". "Gaming machine type" includes the information shown in FIG. The communication sequence number when the main control board 16 transmits the command of the gaming machine installation information notification to the frame control board 17 notifies a fixed value “0”. Further, the message of the gaming machine installation information notification is always completed in one frame, and is not divided and transmitted. Furthermore, after receiving the message length of the game machine installation information notification, the frame control board 17 cancels the received data up to that time and receives the message length again within 20 ms, if not received within 20 ms. The same applies to the following commands and responses.

  The response of the gaming machine installation information response shown in FIG. 32 (b) is a response for the frame control board 17 to respond to the main control board 16 with the reception result of the gaming machine installation information notification. Receipt result ". The frame control board 17 responds by setting the communication serial number to a fixed value “0” as in the case of the gaming machine installation information notification.

<Game machine information notification>
Next, the gaming machine information notification command will be described in detail. FIG. 33 is a view for explaining a game machine information notification command. The game machine information notification command is a command for the main control board 16 to notify the frame control board 17 of game machine information (such as hall control information and fraud monitoring information). , "Gaming machine error state", "fraud detection state", and "game information". The main control board 16 adds 1 to the communication serial number when notifying the gaming machine information. The communication serial number is set to 255 at the maximum, and the count is returned to 1 after 255. When retransmitting a message, the communication serial number is not incremented (updated) by one.

  The “main control state” is information on the gaming state of the P units 2 and includes “main control state 1” and “main control state 2”. The "main control state 1" includes information of the jackpot 1 (all jackpots), the jackpot 2 (specific jackpot), and the jackpot 3 (hour-saving jackpot), and information of the gaming machine state signals 1 to 5. The gaming machine state signals 1 to 5 are used to output a state from the external output terminal 340 of the CU 3 to the hall control 810 via the hall control output box 811, and the “external terminal board state output” output from the hall control output box 811. Signal terminals 1 to 4 "(see FIG. 56). The “main control state 1” includes information during a big hit and a time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time), during a high probability, and during a time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time). Regarding the state output signal output from the hall control output box 811, the state output from “L” to “H” in response to the change of the bit corresponding to the gaming machine state signals 1 to 5 from “0” to “1” The state change signal changes from "H" to "L" in response to the change of the bit corresponding to the gaming machine state signals 1 to 5 from "1" to "0".

  The “gaming machine error state” includes information on an error code occurring in the gaming machine. The “fraud detection state” includes information indicating that board surface frauds 1 to 6 have been detected.

  The “game information” includes information for notifying the frame control board 17 of the starting mouth winning, the big winning mouth winning, the number of symbols determined, and the like generated on the main control board 16. The "game information" is composed of a total of 2 bytes of type information (upper 1 byte) and count information (lower 1 byte). The type information includes a data type and a data number, and a data number is set for each data type.

  The type information will be described in more detail. FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining type information included in the game information. The type information is set for each value of the data type (Bits 4 to 7). For example, when the value of the data type is 1, it is information of a winning start winning. In addition, data numbers (Bit 0 to Bit 3) are set for each data type. For example, if the data number is 1, it indicates the starting port 1 and the starting port number.

  When the value of the data type is 2, it is notified that a special winning opening due to the operation of the special electric auditors product has been won, and if the data number is 1, it indicates the large winning opening 1 and the like. If the value of the data type is 9, the number of times of symbol determination is notified, and if the data number is 1, the special figure 1 and the like are indicated. When the value of the data type is 12, the number of occasions, that is, the number of times of opening the special winning opening, is notified, and if the data number is 1, it indicates the occasion 1 and the like. When the value of the data type is 14, it instructs to output a pulse from CU3, and the data number indicates the terminal of the external output terminal 340 of CU3. When the value of the data type is 15, a state necessary for calculating the performance information is notified, and the data number is fixed to 1.

  In the count information, different number information is set for each data type. The data type is 1 = Start-up prize 1, 2 = Start-up prize 2, 3 = Start-up prize 3, 4 = Start-up prize by other actor activation 1, 5 = Start-up prize by other actor activation 2, 6 = In addition, in the case of the starting opening winning 3 by the operation of the accessory, the count information includes the number of winning balls (upper 4 bits) and the winning number (lower 4 bits). For example, when two prize balls are won in the starting port 1 of three prize balls, the data type (Bits 4 to 7) is “1 = starting port prize”, the data number (Bits 0 to 3) is “1 = starting port 1”, and the prize. The game information (0x1131) in which the number of balls (Bits 4 to 7) is "3 = 3 winning balls" and the winning number (Bits 0 to 3) is "1 = 1 winning" is two data.

  When the data type is 9 = the number of symbol determinations, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of symbol determinations (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 10 = per special symbol, 11 = per normal symbol, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and number of hits (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 12 = number of occasions (opening of a special winning opening), the count information includes unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of occasions (lower 4 bits). If the data type is 13 = specific area passing, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the specific area passing number (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 14 = pulse output from the external terminal plate, the count information includes unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of pulse outputs (lower 4 bits).

  When the data type is 15 = performance information status notification, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and status flag (lower 4 bits). In the status flags (Bit0 to Bit3), Bit0 indicates the base state, Bit0 indicates "0", indicates that the base is low, "1" indicates that the base is high, Bit1 indicates the state where the jackpot is being hit, and Bit1 indicates the state where the hit is large. "0" indicates normal time, "1" indicates a big hit, Bit2 indicates a state with high probability, Bit1 indicates "0" with low probability, and "1" indicates high probability. I have.

<Game machine information response>
FIG. 35 is a view for explaining a game machine information response command. The response to the gaming machine information response shown in FIG. 35 is a response for the frame control board 17 to respond to the main control board 16 with the reception result of the gaming machine information notification, and includes the “gaming machine information reception result”. I have. The frame control board 17 responds with the communication serial number received in the gaming machine information notification as it is. However, when the frame control board 17 receives a communication sequence number for which continuity is not established, it does not respond.

<Total Winners>
Next, the result of counting the number of winnings will be described. When the data type included in the game information is 15 = performance information status notification, Bit0 of the status flags (Bit0-3) indicates the base status, Bit1 indicates the status of the big hit, and Bit2 indicates the status of the high probability. ing. That is, based on the information of the data type 14 = performance information state notification included in the game information, it is possible to indicate the gaming state that has changed from the previous gaming machine information notification to the current gaming machine information notification.

  By being able to represent information on the gaming state that has changed between the previous gaming machine information notification and the current gaming machine information notification, a prize until the gaming state changes from the previous gaming machine information notification It is possible to notify the frame control board 17 of the total number of pieces and the total number of winning pieces from the change of the gaming state to the current notification of the gaming machine information. In addition, 14 = performance information state notification is provided for the data type in the command of the gaming machine information notification, and changes from the previous gaming machine information notification to the current gaming machine information notification from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17. Although the information on the gaming state can be notified, the information on the gaming state may be notified to the CU3 which is a gaming device, a hall server which is an upper server, a hall computer, and the like.

  Specifically, a configuration will be described in which the total winning number can be distinguished before and after the game state changes. First, before that, a description will be given of a problem in the case where it is not possible to distinguish the total winning number before and after the game state changes. FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining the result of counting the winning numbers before and after the game state changes. FIG. 36 (a) is a diagram for explaining the result of counting the number of winnings before and after the conventional gaming state changes, and FIG. 36 (b) in the present embodiment, before and after the gaming state changes. It is a figure for explaining the totaling result of the number of winning. In the example shown in FIG. 36A, the gaming state changes from the normal state to the big hit state in the middle, and the main control board 16 sends the prize ball commands a to か ら from the winning sensor 162 (see FIG. 2) before and after the state change. f has been received. More specifically, the main control board 16 receives the prize ball commands a to c during the period of the normal state, and receives the prize ball commands df during the period of the big hit.

  However, the main control board 16 does not notify the frame control board 17 of the number of winnings for each received prize ball command, but transmits the total number of gaming machine information notification commands transmitted every 108 ms. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 36A, the winning numbers of the prize ball commands a and b are totaled and transmitted to the frame control board 17 by the communication command A, and the winning numbers of the prize ball commands c and d are totaled. The communication command B is transmitted to the frame control board 17, the winning numbers of the award ball commands e and f are accumulated, and the communication command C is transmitted to the frame control board 17.

  On the other hand, the fact that the gaming state has changed means that information on the gaming state such as the type of big hit in the “main control state 1” included in the gaming machine information notification command shown in FIG. 33 is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17. Has been sent. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 36A, the change to the big hit gaming state in the “main control state 1” of the communication command B immediately after the change from the normal state to the big hit state is transmitted to the frame control board 17. Therefore, the change in the game state that can be known on the frame control board 17 side is when the communication command B is received as indicated by the big hit state of the communication message.

  Therefore, when the prize ball commands are distinguished on the basis of the jackpot state of the communication message, the prize ball commands a and b are accumulated as the winning number in the normal state (prize ball counting result), and the prize ball commands c to f are in the jackpot state. The total is calculated as the number (the result of counting the prize balls). However, when the winning numbers are accumulated based on the actual gaming state, the winning ball command c needs to be accumulated not as the jackpot period but as the winning number in the normal state period. For this reason, there is an error in the prize ball counting result by the winning number of the prize ball command c, and there has been a problem that it is not possible to accurately calculate a base, an accessory ratio, and a continuous accessory ratio described later.

  Therefore, in the main control board 16 according to the present embodiment, a game machine information notification command is provided with a data type of 14 = performance information status notification in the data type, so that a notification from the previous game machine information notification to the current game machine information notification is provided. A configuration is employed in which the number of winning prize ball commands can be distinguished based on a change in the gaming state. Specifically, also in the example shown in FIG. 36B, the game state changes from the normal state to the big hit state on the way, and the main control board 16 receives the prize from the prize sensor 162 (see FIG. 2) before and after the state change. Ball commands a to f have been received. More specifically, the main control board 16 receives the prize ball commands a to c during the period of the normal state, and receives the prize ball commands df during the period of the big hit.

  In the example shown in FIG. 36B as well, the winning numbers of the prize ball commands a and b are accumulated and transmitted to the frame control board 17 by the communication command A, and the winning numbers of the prize ball commands c and d are accumulated and the communication command is accumulated. B is transmitted to the frame control board 17, the winning numbers of the award ball commands e and f are accumulated, and transmitted to the frame control board 17 by the communication command C.

  However, in the gaming machine information notification command according to the present embodiment, 14 = performance information status notification is provided for the data type of the game information, and the winning number of the prize ball command c and the winning number of the prize ball command d are distinguished. I have. Specifically, the communication command B includes information on the prize ball command c and the prize ball command d, and also indicates that the gaming state has changed to a big hit between the prize ball command c and the prize ball command d. (14 = performance information status notification) indicating the status change. Therefore, the main control board 16 sets the winning number of the winning ball command c received in the normal state to the type information 1 and the count number information 1 (see FIG. 33) and the state change information to the type information 2 and the count number information 2. Then, the winning number of the prize ball command d is stored in the type information 3 and the count number information 3, respectively, to generate a gaming machine information notification command. Then, the main control board 16 transmits the gaming machine information notification command to the frame control board 17 so that the game information of the type information 1 and the count information 1 to the type information 3 and the count information 3 is sequentially transmitted to the frame control board 17. 17 will be sent. That is, when the game state is changed, the main control board 16 transmits the winning number (type information 1 and count number information 1) of the prize ball command c before the change, and then transmits information F (type) for notifying the change. After transmitting the information 2 and the count number information 2), the winning number (type information 3 and count number information 3) of the winning ball command d after the change is transmitted.

  Therefore, the frame control board 17 distinguishes the winning ball command c received before the state change information as the winning number in the normal state and the winning ball command d received after the state change information as the winning number in the big hit state. Then, the prize ball commands a to c are totaled (prize ball count result) as the winning number in the normal state, and the prize ball commands d to f are totalized (prize ball count result) as the winning number in the big hit state. Therefore, there is no error in the prize ball totaling result, and it is possible to accurately calculate a base, an accessory ratio, and a continuous accessory ratio described later.

<Performance display calculation processing>
Next, the performance display calculation processing executed in the frame control board 17 will be further described. FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining the performance display calculation processing executed in the frame control board 17. Referring to FIG. 37, first, frame control board 17 executes a pass number addition process (step S300). FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining the passage number addition processing in the frame control board 17. Here, for example, the n-th prize port with no role (a prize port other than the grand prize port 271 is numbered n. For example, the normal prize ports 272 to 274 are respectively numbered 1 to 3, ie, the first prize port to The starting winning openings 275 to 277 are numbered 4 to 6, that is, the fourth winning opening to the sixth winning opening, and the winning opening without any special feature is the first winning opening to the fourth winning opening. The number of prize balls An for one winning of the winning opening and the sixth winning opening (for example, the first winning opening to the third winning opening are three, the fourth winning opening and the sixth winning opening are 5). ), The number of prize balls As (for example, five) for one winning in the starting winning opening 276 (in this case, the fifth winning opening) having an accessory, and the prize for one winning in the large winning opening 271. It is assumed that the number of balls is Ab (for example, three). These settings can be changed according to the model of the game board 26.

  Referring to FIG. 38, frame control board 17 determines whether or not a jackpot game state is established (step S351). When it is determined that the game is not in the big hit game state (NO in step S351), the frame control board 17 determines whether or not the game is in the high base state (step S352). Here, the following description will be made assuming that the gaming states on the P-table 2 are of two types: a high-accuracy high-base state (hereinafter, simply referred to as a high-base state) and a low-accuracy low-base state (hereinafter, simply, a low-base state). I do. If it is determined that it is not the high base state (NO in step S352), that is, if it is not the big hit game state and it is the low base state, it is determined whether or not a detection signal is received from the out ball detection switch 701 ( Step S353). If it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S353), the number of passages pl of the out mouth at the low base is incremented by 1 (step S354).

  Further, the n-th winning opening (in the present embodiment, the first winning opening to the sixth winning opening) is provided with a detection switch for detecting a winning game ball. When it is determined that the detection signal has not been received from the out ball detection switch 701 (NO in step S353), and after step S354, the frame control board 17 has received the detection signal of the nth winning opening. Is determined (step S355).

  If it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S355), the count number (winning number) is added to the passing number qln of the nth winning opening at the time of the low base (step S356). However, when the gaming state changes to the high base, the frame control board 17 adds the subsequent count number (winning number) of the n-th winning opening to the passing number phn of the out opening at the high base.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the game is in the high base state (YES in step S352), that is, if the game is not in the big hit game state and is in the high base state, it is determined whether a detection signal has been received from the out ball detection switch 701. A determination is made (step S357). If it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S357), the number of passages ph of the out mouth at the time of high base is incremented by 1 (step S358).

  When it is determined that the detection signal has not been received from the out ball detection switch 701 (NO in step S357), and after step S358, the frame control board 17 has received the detection signal of the nth winning opening. Is determined (step S359). If it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S359), the count number (winning number) is added to the number qhn of passing through the nth winning opening at the time of the high base (step S360). However, when the gaming state changes to a low base, the frame control board 17 adds the subsequent count number (winning number) of the n-th winning opening to the passing number pln of the out opening at the low base.

  If it is determined that the game is in the jackpot gaming state (YES in step S361), it is determined that the command including the detection information of the n-th winning opening has not been received (NO in step S355 and step S359), and after step S356, After step S360, the frame control board 17 receives the detection signal of the n-th winning opening (in the present embodiment, the first winning opening to the fourth winning opening, the sixth winning opening) having no accessory. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S361). If it is determined that the information has been received (YES in step S361), the frame control board 17 adds the count number (winning number) to the passing number qn of the n-th winning opening (step S362).

  When it is determined that the detection signal of the n-th winning port has not been received (NO in step S361), and after step S362, the frame control board 17 has received the detection signal of the starting winning port 276 having the accessory. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S363). If it is determined that the information has been received (YES in step S363), the frame control board 17 adds the count number (winning number) to the passing number qs of the starting winning opening 276 having an accessory (step S364).

  When it is determined that the detection signal of the starting winning opening 276 having the accessory is not received (NO in step S363), and after step S364, the frame control board 17 receives the detection signal of the special winning opening 271. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S365). If it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S365), the frame control board 17 adds the count number (winning number) to the passing number qb of the special winning opening 271 (step S366).

  When it is determined that the detection signal of the special winning opening 271 has not been received (NO in step S365), and after step S366, the frame control board 17 determines whether the detection signal has been received from the out ball detection switch 701. Is determined (step S367). If it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S367), the frame control board 17 adds 1 to the number r of shooting balls (step S368).

  Furthermore, when it is determined that the detection signal has not been received from the out ball detection switch 701 (NO in step S367), and after step S368, the frame control board 17 receives the command including the detection signal of all winning openings. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S369). If it is determined that the information has been received (YES in step S369), the frame control board 17 adds the count number (winning number) to the number r of fired balls (step S370).

  When the frame control board 17 determines that the detection signals of all winning openings have not been received (NO in step S369), the frame control board 17 ends the passing number adding process.

  Returning to FIG. 37, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not it is in the high base state (step S301). When it is determined that the baseball is not in the high base state (NO in step S301), the frame control board 17 calculates the number of out-balls rl = pl + ｌqln in the low base state (step S302). Further, the frame control board 17 calculates the number of safe balls at low base sl = ｓ (An × pln) (step S303).

  The frame control board 17 determines whether or not the calculated number of out-balls at low base rl = 100 (step S304). When it is determined that the number of out-balls at low base rl = 100 (YES in step S304), the frame control board 17 calculates a low base-time base value bl = 100 × sl / rl and stores it in the RAM. (Step S305).

  When it is determined that the high base state (YES in step S301), the number of out-balls at the low base rl is not 100 (NO in step S304), and after step S305, the frame control board 17 The number of out-balls at the time of base rh = ph + Σqhn is calculated (step S306). Further, the frame control board 17 calculates the number of safe balls at high base sh = Σ (An × phn) (step S307).

  Then, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not the calculated number of out-balls at high base rh = 100 (step S308). When it is determined that the number of out-balls at high base rh = 100 (YES in step S308), the frame control board 17 calculates a high base base value bh = 100 × sh / rh and stores it in the RAM. (Step S309).

  When it is determined that the number of out-balls at the time of the high base is not rh = 100 (NO in step S308), and after step S309, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not the number of fired balls r = 100 ( Step S310). When it is determined that the number of shooting spheres r = 100 (YES in step S310), the frame control board 17 calculates a base value b = 100 × (sl + sh) / r and stores it in the RAM (step S311).

  After calculating the base value b and the like, the frame control board 17 further executes a game board surface determination related process (step S312). Note that the frame control board 17 may simply display the calculated base value b or the like on the performance display monitor 40 without performing the game board surface determination related processing.

  Next, a design value corresponding to the model of the game board 26 is obtained from the main control board 16, or a design value corresponding to the model of the game board 26 is selected from the set values stored in the frame control board 17. The frame control board 17 performs a game board surface determination-related process. Here, the set values include values such as a low base time base lower limit value Bll, a low base time base upper limit value Blu, a high base time base lower limit value Bhl, and a high base time base upper limit value Bhu.

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart for explaining the game board surface determination-related processing. With reference to FIG. 39, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not the period is a non-determination value calculation target period (step S381). The judgment value calculation non-target period is a period during which the judgment values such as the base, the role ratio, and the continuous role ratio are excluded from the calculation of the determination values. For example, the glass door 6 and the gaming machine frame 5 are open. A period during which fraud by a clerk or the like is possible, such as a period during which a game ball is not fired (for example, a period after 15 seconds have elapsed since the last time a game ball was fired), and a period when a game hall is closed. is there. If it is determined that the period is a period not to be subjected to the determination value calculation (YES in step S381), the frame control board 17 ends the game board surface determination related processing, and returns the processing to be executed to the calling source.

  If it is determined that the period is not the period for which the determination value is not to be calculated (NO in step S381), the frame control board 17 determines the winning opening (here, the first winning opening to the fourth winning opening, the sixth winning opening) having no accessory. The number of prize balls sn = Σ (An × qn) is calculated (step S388), and the number of prize balls ss = As × qs of the winning port with a special feature (here, the fifth winning port) is calculated (step S389). The number of prize balls sb = Ab × qb of the special winning opening 271 is calculated (step S390).

  Next, the frame control board 17 calculates the accessory ratio u = 100 × (ss + sb) / (sn + ss + sb) and stores it in the RAM (step S391), and the continuous accessory ratio v = 100 × sb / (sn + ss + sb). Is calculated and stored in the RAM (step S392).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of shooting spheres r = 60000 (step S393). The P platform 2 of the present embodiment can fire 100 game balls to the game area 27 in one minute. Therefore, 60,000 balls are the number of balls that can be fired in 10 hours. If it is determined that the number of fired balls r is 60000 (YES in step S393), the frame control board 17 displays the large winning port 271 calculated in step S164 on the 7-segment LED display of the game ball number display 29. Information such as the number of winning balls is lit and displayed (step S394).

  If it is determined that the number of fired balls r is not 60000 (NO in step S167), the frame control board 17 displays the prize of the special winning opening 271 calculated in step S390 on the 7-segment LED display of the game ball number display 29. Information such as the number of balls is blinked and displayed (step S395).

  After step S394 and after step S395, the frame control board 17 ends the game board surface determination-related processing, and returns the processing to be executed to the calling source.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram for explaining the state of calculation and display of the base value. Referring to FIG. 40, when game information capable of specifying the winning opening type, winning opening number, winning ball number, and winning number is received from main control board 16, in steps S302 to S311 in FIG. The calculation is performed as shown, and the number is added to the number of safe balls at low base sl, the number of safe balls at high base sh, and the number of fired balls r = (rl + rh) stored in the addition area.

  Every time the number of fired balls r reaches 6000, the number of safe balls at low base sl, the number of safe balls at high base sh, and the number of fired balls r = (rl + rh) stored in the addition area are moved to the holding area. . Before this movement, the number of safe balls at the low base time sl10, the number of safe balls at the high base sh10, and the number of fired balls r10 = (rl10 + rh10) of the oldest holding area 10 are erased, and the low base times of the holding areas 1 to 9 are deleted. The number of safe balls sl1, the number of safe balls at high base sh1, and the number of fired balls r1 = (rl1 + rh1) are respectively shifted from the holding area 2 to the holding area 10.

  Then, when the display processing is performed, the base value is calculated and displayed on the 7-segment performance display monitor 40.

  When the base value is not displayed, nothing may be particularly displayed on the performance display monitor 40, or the accessory ratio, the continuous accessory ratio, and the number of shot balls r may be displayed. .

<Configuration of gaming system including card unit and pachinko machine>
The P stage 2 is connected to the CU 3 on a one-to-one basis. In the game hall (hall), there are a plurality of sets of the P units 2 and the CUs 3, and each set is connected to a management computer or a hall controller to constitute a game system. Hereinafter, a gaming system including the CU 3 and the P units 2 will be described. FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a gaming system including a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. In the gaming system shown in FIG. 41, an example is shown in which one set of the P platform 2 and the CU 3 are connected to the management computer 802 and the hall controller 810 for simplicity of explanation.

  The P table 2 and the CU 3 are connected via a PIF wiring 322. This PIF wiring 322 connects the PIF-E circuit 171a connected to the frame control unit 171 of the P units 2 and the PIF-E circuit 325a connected to the SC board 325 of the CU3. In the CU 3, the information transmitted from the P unit 2 is concealed by the SC board 325 as necessary, and output to the outside (the management computer 802 or the hall controller 810) via the CU control unit 323. The SC board 325 is a security monitoring board of the gaming system. Note that the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323 may be combined into one.

  The management computer 802 is a computer connected to the external output terminal 340 of the CU 3. The card company data center 801 is a card company center connected to the management computer 802, and the gaming machine information center 800 is output from the P units 2. It is a center that collects various information.

  The hall control 810 is a computer that collects game information output from the P units 2, and the hall control output box 811 can receive information output from the external output terminal 340 of the CU 3 by the hall control 810 or a data lamp. It is a device that converts it into a signal and outputs it. Although FIG. 41 shows a configuration in which the hall control output box 811 is provided outside the CU 3, the hall control output box 811 may be provided inside the CU 3.

<Communication between Hall control output box and card unit>
The hall control output box 811 is a device that outputs game information to the outside (for example, the hall control 810) as a signal converter for game information. Further, a plurality of hall control output boxes 811 may be connected to the hall control 810 via a repeater (not shown). The hall control output box 811 and the CU 3 are connected by serial communication, and it is necessary to ensure some security when connecting to the CU 3. Specifically, when the hall control output box 811 is illegally remodeled and incorrect information is output to the hall control 810, incorrect information is provided to the player, resulting in an inappropriate state. If the output of the game machine information is different depending on the specifications of the card unit, the output of the game machine information itself may be useless. Therefore, while unifying the output from the hall control output box 811 to the outside, the hall control output box 811 performs an authentication process when connecting to the CU 3. Note that the CU 3 may have a built-in circuit unit corresponding to the hall control output box 811. The CU 3 having a built-in circuit unit corresponding to the hall control output box 811 is connected to the hall control 810 by serial communication, performs an authentication process in the circuit unit corresponding to the hall control output box 811, and outputs the game machine information according to the result. Output is disabled. Hereinafter, communication between the hall control output box 811 and the CU 3 will be described in detail.

  FIGS. 42 and 43 are diagrams showing a connection sequence between the card unit and the hall control output box. FIG. 42 shows a connection sequence when the hall control output box 811 is turned on before the CU3. FIG. 43 shows a connection sequence when the hall control output box 811 is turned on after the CU3. 4 shows a connection sequence. First, in the connection sequence of FIG. 42, the hall control output box 811 is in a state of waiting for connection with the CU control unit 323 until the power of the CU 3 is turned on and communication with the CU control unit 323 becomes possible.

  When the power of the CU 3 is turned on and communication with the CU control unit 323 becomes possible, the CU control unit 323 checks the connection destination with respect to the hall control output box 811 and issues an authentication data issuance request. The hall control output box 811 sends a connection destination confirmation response to the connection destination confirmation from the CU control unit 323, and issues authentication data to the CU control unit 323. The issued authentication data is stored in the CU control unit 323.

  On the other hand, the SC board 325 transmits a hall control output BOX authentication notification command to the CU control unit 323. The CU control unit 323 transmits the stored authentication data to the SC board 325 by including the stored authentication data in the command of the hall control output BOX authentication response in response to the hall control output BOX authentication notification. The SC board 325 authenticates the hall control output box 811 based on the hall control output box authentication response. After authentication of the hall control output box 811, communication between the hall control output box 811 and the CU 3 is started. When communication is started, the CU control unit 323 transmits a gaming machine information notification including the gaming machine information transmitted from the P base 2 to the SC board 325, and the CU control unit 323 transmits the notification from the SC board 325. The game machine information is included in the hall control information notification command and transmitted to the hall control output box 811. When the authentication of the hall control output box 811 cannot be performed (NG), the CU 3 does not communicate with the hall control output box 811 and does not output information.

  In the connection sequence of FIG. 43, when the power of the CU 3 is turned on, the CU control unit 323 makes a request for issuing authentication data to the hall control output box 811. However, since the power of the hall control output box 811 is still off, the authentication data is output. No issue is made. The CU control unit 323 makes an authentication data issuance request until the power of the hall control output box 811 is turned on, and waits for connection with the hall control output box 811. The processing after the power supply of the hall control output box 811 is turned on is the same as the processing in the connection sequence in FIG. 42, and thus description thereof will not be repeated.

  Next, the authentication processing between the hall control output box 811 and the CU control unit 323 will be described in detail. FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining communication between the card unit and the hall control output BOX. First, the CU control unit 323 requests the hall control output box 811 to issue authentication data. When requesting the issuance of authentication data, the CU control unit 323 transmits information on the current date ({month} date) and information on the SC management number to the hall control output box 811 as encryption source data.

  In the hall control output box 811, information obtained by adding a fixed key embedded in advance, data of the received encryption source and an expiration date (期限 day), and an encryption key A embedded in advance are encrypted by block encryption. Is carried out. The hall control output box 811 issues the encrypted information to the CU control unit 323 as authentication data. The issued authentication data is stored in the CU control unit 323 as authentication data of the hall control output box 811.

  Authentication is performed between the CU control unit 323 and the SC board 325, and communication can be performed between the CU control unit 323 and the SC board 325. After that, the SC board 325 transmits a command of a hall control output box authentication notification to the CU control unit 323 in order to perform authentication with the hall control output box 811. In response to the hall control output BOX authentication notification, the CU control unit 323 stores the stored authentication data, the information indicating whether the hall control output box 811 is connected or not, and the current date information among the encryption source data in the hole. The command is transmitted to the SC board 325 while being included in the command of the control output box authentication response. The SC board 325 decrypts the authentication data transmitted in the hall control output BOX authentication response with the encryption key A embedded in advance, and adds the fixed key, the data of the encryption source, and the expiration date (△ days). Get tailored information.

  The SC board 325 confirms the expiration date of the authentication data from the obtained information. Specifically, the SC board 325 determines that the current date is {month / day} + “expiration date / day” = {month / day + day}. Therefore, even if the hall control output box 811 is not connected, the SC board 325 notifies the hall control output box 811 of the game information if the expiration date has passed. Thereafter, the SC board 325 checks the authentication data of the hall control output box 811 from the obtained information. Further, after confirming the state between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323, the CU 3 starts communication with the P units 2. The information notified from the SC board 325 to the hall control output box 811 via the CU control unit 323 is encrypted by, for example, a fixed key. When the SC board 325 determines that the authentication of the hall control output box 811 is NG from the obtained information, the SC board 325 notifies the display 54 of the abnormality. Of course, if the authentication of the hall control output box 811 is NG, the CU 3 may output an error signal to the management computer 802 or the like.

  Here, the contents notified to the inside of the CU 3 and to the hall control output box 811 will be described. FIG. 45 is a diagram for explaining the contents notified to the inside of the card unit and to the hall control output box. FIG. 45 (a) illustrates information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323, among information output to the hall control output box 811. As shown in FIG. 45 (a), when the expiration date of the authentication data has expired, the SC board 325 does not notify the CU control unit 323 about the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information. However, even if the connection of the hall control output box 811 changes without any change, the information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 does not change. In addition to the case where the validity period of the authentication data has expired, the number of launched balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information are not notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 even in the case of authentication failure. In FIG. 45 (a), since the SC board 325 does not notify the CU control unit 323 of various information such as the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information, these information are displayed on the CU 3 side. No (same as the display restriction on the data lamp side below).

  FIG. 45B illustrates information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the hall control output box 811. As shown in FIG. 45B, when the expiration date of the authentication data expires, the CU control is performed for the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information, as in FIG. 45A. No notification is sent from the unit 323 to the hall control output box 811. Therefore, in the hall control 810 connected to the hall control output box 811, display on the display unit of information on the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information is limited. Further, when the connection of the hall control output box 811 changes to "no connection", the information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 does not change, but the notification from the CU control unit 323 to the hall control output box 811 is stopped. Note that the CU 3 can play a game on the P-unit 2 as long as communication with the P-unit 2 is possible even when the hall control output BOX 811 cannot be authenticated (NG). Further, the CU 3 can play a game on the P-unit 2 as long as the CU 3 can communicate with the P-unit 2 even when the authentication of the hall control output box 811 expires. Further, the hall control output box 811 can be connected to a data lamp (calling lamp), and when notification is restricted due to authentication failure, updating of the data lamp display is restricted. For example, on the data lamp side, updating of the display such as the number of starts, the number of big hits, and the big hit status display is limited.

<Communication between SC board and CU control unit>
Next, communication between the SC board 325 provided in the CU 3 and the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 41) will be described. First, commands transmitted and received between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323 will be described. FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating a list of commands transmitted and received between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323.

  As shown in FIG. 46, the commands transmitted from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 include a gaming machine information notification, a count notification, and a loan reception result response. The gaming machine information notification command is a command for the SC board 325 to notify the CU control unit 323 of gaming machine information and information for the gaming machine information center 800. The count notification command is a command for the SC board 325 to notify the CU control unit 323 of the count information. The lending reception result response command is a command for the SC board 325 to respond the lending information reception result to the CU control unit 323.

  On the other hand, commands transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the SC board 325 include a message reception response and a lending notification. The command of the telegram reception response is a command for the CU control unit 323 to respond to the SC board 325 of the reception of the gaming machine information or the count information. The lending notification command is a command for the CU control unit 323 to notify the SC board 325 of lending information and gaming machine information center 800 reception information.

<Game machine information notification>
Next, the gaming machine information notification command will be described in detail. FIG. 47 and FIG. 48 are diagrams for explaining the gaming machine information notification command. The game machine information notification command is a command for the SC board 325 to notify the CU control unit 323 of game machine information (game machine installation information, hall control information, fraud monitoring information, and the like). The gaming machine information notification includes “SC detection error 1”, “SC detection error 2”, “SC timed state”, “gaming machine timed state”, “installation combination change”, “additional information type”, “gaming machine information”. "Type", "gaming machine information", and "information for gaming machine information center".

  The information of “gaming machine information type” is a type code indicating the type of information included in the gaming machine information. If the information of the gaming machine information type is “0x00”, it indicates that there is no data. If the information is “0x01”, it indicates that the information included in the gaming machine information is the gaming machine installation information, and “0x02”. If it is, it indicates that the information included in the gaming machine information is hall control / illegal monitoring information. If the information of the gaming machine information type is a value other than the above, the notified CU 3 is determined to be abnormal.

  When the information of the gaming machine information type is “0x01”, the SC board 325 includes the gaming machine installation information described in FIG. 8 in the “gaming machine information” and notifies the CU control unit 323. When the information of the gaming machine information type is “0x02”, the SC board 325 includes the hall control / illegal monitoring information described in FIGS. 9 and 10 in the “gaming machine information” and notifies the CU control unit 323. I do.

  The information of the “additional information type” is a type code of inquiry information and security information to be notified to the gaming machine information center 800, and is a type code indicating the type of information included in the information for the gaming machine information center. If the information of the additional information type is "0x00", it indicates that there is no data; if it is "0x01", it indicates that it is inquiry information 1; if it is "0x02", it is inquiry information 2 Is shown. If the information of the additional information type is “0x03”, it indicates the result of security information 1; if “0x04”, it indicates the result of security information 2; if “0x05”, the result is security. Indicates that it is Information 3 result. Further, if the information of the additional information type is “0x06”, it indicates the security information 4A, if “0x07”, it indicates the security information 6, and if “0x08”, the security information 7 It is shown that.

  The “information for gaming machine information center” is information to be notified to the gaming machine information center 800, including information to be kept secret from the CU control unit 323. For example, “inquiry information 1” includes the SC board serial number and confidential information. The “inquiry information 2” includes the gaming machine main control board number, the gaming machine frame control board number, and the confidential information. The “security information 1 result” includes the reception result including the presence or absence of the key update and the confidential information. The “security information 2 result” includes the reception result including the game machine collation result and the confidential information. The “security information 3 result” includes a reception block number including the block number of the security information 3 received from the CU 3 and information on normality / abnormality.

  The “security information 4A” includes the SC board serial number and the confidential information. "Security information 6" includes confidential information. "Security information 7" includes confidential information. The information concealed by the “security information 7” is, for example, gaming machine performance information as described with reference to FIG. That is, the gaming machine performance information is reported from the SC board 325 to the gaming machine information center 800 in a confidential state, and is not reported to the CU control unit 323. Therefore, the gaming machine performance information is not notified to the hall controller 810 via the hall controller output box 811. On the other hand, the gaming machine installation information and the hall con / illegal monitoring information are notified to the CU control unit 323 without concealment, and the CU control unit 323 notifies the gaming machine information center 800. The gaming machine performance information, the gaming machine installation information, and the hall control / illegal monitoring information are notified to the gaming machine information center 800 via the external output terminal 340 regardless of the authentication result between the CU 3 and the hall control output box 811. .

<Count notification>
Next, the count notification command will be described in detail. FIG. 49 is a diagram for explaining the count notification command. The count notification command is a command by which the SC board 325 notifies the CU control unit 323 of the count information. The count notification includes "SC detection error 1", "SC detection error 2", "SC timed state", "gaming machine timed state" in addition to "counting serial number", "counting ball number", "counting cumulative ball number". , "Installation combination change".

<Received message>
Next, the telegram reception response command will be described in detail. FIG. 50 is a diagram for explaining a command of a message reception response. The telegram reception response command is a command by which the CU control unit 323 responds to the SC board 325 to receive the game machine information or the count information. The message reception response includes a “reception serial number” fixed at 0x00.

<Lending notice>
Next, the lending notification command will be described in detail. FIG. 51 is a diagram for explaining a lending notification command. The lending notification command is a command that the CU control unit 323 notifies the SC board 325 of lending information. The lending notification includes “additional information type” and “information for gaming machine information center” in addition to “lending sequence number” and “lending ball number”. By including the “information for gaming machine information center” in the lending notification command, security information can be notified from the gaming machine information center 800 to the SC board 325. The rental notification is notified only when the counting notification is received and when the gaming machine information type of the gaming machine information notification is “0x002” and the hall control / illegal monitoring information is set. When the counting ball number is notified that it is "1" or more, the priority is given to the counting reception processing, so that only the borrowing ball number "0" is notified. When the power of the CU 3 is turned on, the lending serial number is not cleared to “0”.

<Lending receipt result response>
Next, the command of the loan receipt result response will be described in detail. FIG. 52 is a diagram for explaining a command of a lending reception result response. The command of the lending reception result response is a command by which the SC board 325 responds to the CU control unit 323 with a lending reception result response. In addition to the “lending sequence number” and the “lending ball number reception result”, the lending reception result response includes “SC detection error 1”, “SC detection error 2”, “SC timed state”, “gaming machine timed state”, “ Installation combination change "is included. When the loan serial numbers notified from the CU control unit 323 are not continuous, the SC board 325 notifies the result of the received number of borrowed balls as “0x01” = abnormal.

<Timing of communication between SC board and CU control unit>
Next, the timing of communication between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323 will be described. FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of information transmitted and received between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323. Of the information transmitted from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323, the gaming machine information notification is transmitted every 300 ms as shown in FIG. When receiving the gaming machine information notification, the CU control unit 323 notifies a message reception response within 40 ms.

  The gaming machine information notification communicates on the same communication port as the counting notification. Therefore, if the count notification is transmitted at the timing of transmitting the gaming machine information notification, the information may be congested in the communication port, and a data collision may occur and communication may not be performed correctly. Therefore, in the SC board 325, when the gaming machine information notification is transmitted to the CU control unit 323 every 300 ms, in order to optimize information transmission, 100 ms shorter than 300 ms after the transmission of the gaming machine information notification is performed. Is transmitted to the CU control unit 323 at a timing corresponding to

  The transmission of the counting information is not limited to the case where the timing is transmitted within 100 ms from the timing of transmitting the gaming machine information notification, and may be any timing at which congestion with the gaming machine information notification does not occur. It may be until the timing when the notification is transmitted.

  In FIG. 53, after receiving the count notification, the CU control unit 323 notifies a message reception response within 40 ms, and after notifying the message reception response, transmits a lending notification to the SC board 325 within 70 ms. That is, after receiving the count notification, the CU control unit 323 transmits the lending notification to the SC board 325 within 110 ms. When the SC board 325 receives the lending notification, it notifies the lending reception result response within 30 ms.

  In FIG. 53, the SC board 325 and the CU control determine the timing of transmitting the count notification based on the timing of transmitting the technical machine information notification, and determine the timing of receiving the lending notification based on the timing of transmitting the count notification. Although the example of communication with the unit 323 has been described, the communication between the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323 determines the timing of transmitting and receiving the count notification and the lending notification based on the timing of transmitting the gaming machine information notification. Another timing may be used.

<Information output from hall control output box to hall control>
Next, information output from the hall control output box 811 to the hall control 810 will be described in detail. FIG. 54 is a block diagram for explaining information output from hall control output box 811 to hall control 810. In FIG. 54, game machine information (Hall control / illegal monitoring information) is output from the game board 26 (main control board 16) to the game machine frame 5 (frame control board 17) by serial communication.

  The gaming machine information includes a pulse output for outputting information as a pulse signal and a state output for outputting information as a state signal. The pulse output includes the number of symbols determined, the starting port, and the external terminal board pulse output signals 1 to 4. For example, in the case of "symbol number of times of design", a signal of one pulse is output for each time the design is stopped. The state signals include jackpot 1, jackpot 2, and external terminal board state output signals 1 to 4. For example, in the case of "big hit 1", a state signal (ON signal) is output at all big hits.

  The pulse output and the state output are output from the gaming machine frame 5 (frame control board 17) to the hall control output box 811 via the CU 5. The hall control output box 811 has 15 ports (terminals) for performing pulse output and 13 ports (terminals) for performing state output. By outputting information of pulse output and status output from these ports (terminals), game machine information is output from the hall control output box 811 to the hall control 810.

  First, a signal output from the standard port (terminal) will be described. FIG. 55 is a block diagram for explaining a hall control output signal of a standard port. The standard port is provided with first to twentieth terminals. The first terminal relates to information relating to "number of shots", the second terminal relates to information relating to "prize balls", the third terminal relates to information relating to "number of symbol fluctuations 1", and the fourth terminal relates to "number of symbol fluctuations 2". The information is output as a pulse signal. Further, the fifth terminal is information on “starting port 1”, the sixth terminal is information on “starting port 2”, the seventh terminal is information on “passing gate 1”, and the eighth terminal is “passing gate 2”. Are output as pulse signals. For example, in the case of “number of shots”, a signal of one pulse is output from the first terminal for a predetermined number of shot ball data (eg, 10 balls). The ninth terminal outputs information relating to the “number of bonuses”, the tenth terminal outputs information relating to the “winning number of bonuses”, and the eleventh terminal outputs information relating to “passing through the specific area” as pulse signals. For example, in the case of the "number of bonuses", a one-pulse signal is output from the ninth terminal for each opening of the special winning opening when the bonus continuation device is not operated.

  Next, the twelfth terminal is related to "big hit 1", the thirteenth terminal is related to "big hit 2", the fourteenth terminal is related to "big hit 3", and the fifteenth terminal is related to "big hit + working hours". Information is output as status signals. The 16th terminal has information on "high probability medium", the 17th terminal has information on "time reduction", the 18th terminal has information on "door open", the 19th terminal has information on "illegal", and the 17th terminal. The terminal 20 outputs information relating to “gaming machine error” as a status signal. For example, in “high probability”, a state signal (ON signal) is output from the 16th terminal during the high probability.

  Next, a signal output from the extension port (terminal) will be described. FIG. 56 is a block diagram for explaining a hall control output signal of the extension port. The expansion port is an external output terminal prepared in advance for expansion, and is provided with terminals 21 to 28. When the expansion port is added according to the specifications of a new gaming machine, the terminal can use the terminal to output necessary gaming machine information to the outside.

  The twenty-first terminal outputs information relating to "external terminal plate pulse output signal terminal 1" to the twenty-fourth terminal outputs information relating to "external terminal plate pulse output signal terminal 4" as pulse signals. For example, in the “external terminal board pulse output signal terminal 1”, a signal of one pulse is output from the terminal 21 for one pulse output based on information newly set according to the specification of the gaming machine.

  The twenty-fifth terminal outputs information on “external terminal board state output signal terminal 1” to the twenty-eighth terminal as information on “external terminal board state output signal terminal 4” as state signals. For example, in the “external terminal board state output signal terminal 1”, a state signal (ON signal) is output from the 25th terminal when the external terminal state signal 1 based on the information newly set according to the specification of the gaming machine is in the ON state. You.

  In the hall control output box 811, the output to the outside is unified as shown in FIGS. 55 and 56, so that the output of the gaming machine information is different depending on the specifications of the card unit, and the output of the gaming machine information itself is useless. Is preventing that.

<Configuration of the embodiment>
(1) In an enclosed game machine in which a game ball is enclosed, a game value is given to a player in accordance with entry into a winning area as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Further, in the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-225743), the ratio of the number of gaming balls corresponding to the gaming value given according to the entry into the prize area with respect to the number of gaming balls driven in Is transmitted to the outside. The gaming machine disclosed in Patent Literature 1 was capable of transmitting predetermined information including performance information such as base information to the outside. However, the gaming machine of Patent Literature 1 is communicably connected to the gaming device and transmits predetermined information to the outside via the gaming device, so that the performance information and the gaming information are not exchanged with the gaming device. Are sent together. Therefore, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in information transmission with the gaming machine. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the transmission of information to and from a gaming device.

(1-1) A gaming machine (for example, P units 2) capable of communicating with a corresponding gaming device (for example, CU3),
A transmitting unit (for example, the frame control board 17 or the like) for transmitting information to the outside (for example, the management computer 802 or the like) via the gaming device;
The transmitting means,
It is possible to transmit game information relating to the game (for example, hall control / illegal monitoring information, etc.) and performance information (for example, gaming machine performance information, etc.) capable of specifying the game performance relating to the addition of a game value,
The game information and the performance information are transmitted at different timings (for example, hall control / illegal monitoring information is transmitted in a 300 ms cycle as shown in FIG. 19, and gaming machine performance information is transmitted as shown in FIG. 18). (Sends 180 seconds after the start is completed.)

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to optimize transmission of information transmitted from the gaming machine to the outside. In particular, since the timing for transmitting game information and the timing for transmitting performance information are separated, the processing load can be reduced.

(1-2) In the gaming machine of the above (1-1),
The transmitting unit transmits the predetermined information to the outside at every predetermined period (for example, a prescribed period A = 300 ms cycle shown in FIG. 12),
The predetermined information includes the gaming information, the performance information, and installation information regarding the installation of the gaming machine (for example, gaming machine installation information and the like),
When transmitting the predetermined information, the transmitting means transmits any one of the game information, the performance information, and the installation information (for example, based on the processing shown in FIG. Information and send it).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to optimize transmission of information transmitted from the gaming machine to the outside.

(1-3) In the gaming machine of the above (1-2),
The transmission means transmits a game related to a game value managed by the gaming machine at a timing corresponding to a specific period shorter than the predetermined period after transmitting the predetermined information (for example, a specified period B shown in FIG. 12). Transmits value information (for example, counting information) to the outside.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid congestion of the information to be transmitted by separating the transmission timings of the predetermined information and the game value information.

(1-4) In the gaming machine of (1-2) or (1-3),
When the timing of transmitting the performance information and the timing of transmitting the installation information overlap, the transmission unit gives priority to the transmission of the performance information and transmits the installation information at the next timing (for example, a game When the timing of transmitting the machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the gaming machine installation information overlap, the transmission of the gaming machine performance information is prioritized, and the gaming machine installation information is transmitted at the next timing (FIG. 20).

  According to such a configuration, the transmission timing of the gaming machine performance information and the gaming machine installation information can be separated to optimize information transmission.

(1-5) In the gaming machine of (1-2) to (1-4),
When the timing for transmitting the performance information and the timing for transmitting the game information overlap, the transmission unit prioritizes the transmission of the game information and transmits the performance information at the next timing (for example, If the timing of transmitting the machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the hall control / fraud monitoring information overlap, the transmission of the hall con / fraud monitoring information is prioritized, and the gaming machine installation information is transmitted at the next timing. 20).

  According to such a configuration, the transmission timing of the gaming machine performance information and the gaming information is divided so that information transmission can be optimized.

(1-6) In the gaming machine of (1-1) to (1-5),
The transmitting means transmits the performance information to the outside at every special period (for example, 3 minutes (180 s) from the completion of the start of the P-table 2, and launches the game balls for a prescribed number of launch balls (for example, 60000 balls). Alternatively, it is transmitted at a specified time (for example, 10 hours).

  According to such a configuration, performance information can be externally collected for each special period.

  (2) In an enclosed game machine in which a game ball is enclosed, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-6256), it is communicably connected to a game device, and the game device is managed. Connected to the device. The management device includes information receiving means for receiving the changing information from the gaming device, and stores the changing information received by the information receiving means in the information storage means. In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, it is described that the CU control unit has an external communication unit for communicating with the hall management computer, and the information output to the hall management computer is incorrect. No consideration is given to preventing this from happening. Therefore, in the gaming machine of Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to prevent information output to the outside from being incorrect. The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming device capable of preventing information output from a gaming device to the outside from being inaccurate. .

(2-1) A gaming machine (e.g., CU3) capable of receiving predetermined information (e.g., hall control / unfair monitoring information, etc.) from a gaming machine (e.g., P units 2),
A reception control unit (for example, an SC board 325) that performs a reception process of the predetermined information received from the gaming machine;
The reception control unit determines whether or not a specific information output unit (for example, a hall control output box 811) that outputs specific information corresponding to the predetermined information (for example, information to be notified to the hall control output box 811 shown in FIG. 45) to the outside is appropriate. (For example, authentication processing of the hall control output box 811), and based on the result of the propriety determination, restricts the output of the specific information from the specific information output unit (for example, when the authentication of the hall control output box 811 cannot be performed ( NG), the CU 3 does not communicate with the hall control output box 811 and does not output information).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent inaccurate information output from the gaming device to the outside.

(2-2) In the gaming machine of (2-1),
Regardless of the result of the determination on the suitability of the specific information output unit in the reception control unit, it is possible to play a game with the gaming machine (for example, even if authentication of the hall control output box 811 cannot be performed (NG), The game on the platform 2 is possible).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to continue business without the result of the suitability determination of the specific information output unit affecting the game in the gaming machine.

(2-3) In the gaming machine of (2-1) or (2-2),
A specific control unit that controls communication between the reception control unit and the specific information output unit (for example, a CU control unit 323);
The specific control unit restricts the display of the specific information on a display unit (for example, a display unit connected to the hall control 810) based on the result of the determination on the suitability of the specific information output unit (for example, the authentication data When the expiration date has expired, the CU control unit 323 does not notify the hall control output box 811 of the number of launch balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information.)

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent inaccurate information output from the gaming device to the outside.

(2-4) In the gaming machine of (2-1) to (2-3),
The predetermined information includes game information relating to a game (for example, hall control / unauthorized surveillance information, etc.), performance information (for example, gaming machine performance information, etc.) capable of specifying a game performance relating to the addition of a game value, Installation information (for example, gaming machine installation information, etc.) related to the installation of
Regardless of the result of the propriety determination of the specific information output unit in the reception control unit, a special information output unit that outputs the performance information and the installation information to the outside (for example, output to the management computer 802 via the external output terminal 340) Is further provided.

  According to such a configuration, the performance information and the installation information can be output to the outside even if the appropriateness determination of the specific information output unit is NG.

(2-5) In the gaming machine of the above (2-4),
The performance information is not output from the specific information output unit (for example, it is not notified to the hall control 810 via the hall control output box 811).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent inaccurate information output from the gaming device to the outside.

(2-6) In the gaming machine of (2-1) to (2-5),
If the result of the determination of the suitability of the specific information output unit by the reception control unit is abnormal, the information control unit further includes a notification unit that notifies the abnormality (for example, notifies the display unit 54 of the abnormality).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily recognize that the result of the determination as to whether the specific information output unit is appropriate is abnormal.

<Modification>
(1) By operating an operation switch provided on the frame control board 17 to display the ratio of the bonus / continuous bonus, the ratio of the bonus / continuous bonus is displayed on the performance display monitor 40. You may do so. Further, when an operation switch (for example, an error release switch, a RAM clear switch) for displaying the accessory ratio provided on the frame control board 17 is operated, the accessory ratio is displayed. By operating an operation switch (for example, a ball removal switch, a game ball clear switch) for displaying the provided continuous bonus ratio, the continuous bonus ratio may be displayed. At this time, the fact that the gaming machine frame 5 is open may be added as a display condition.

  (2) The accessory ratio u and the continuous accessory ratio v may be displayed on the performance display monitor 40. Further, the information may be displayed on a portion other than the performance display monitor 40 of the gaming machine. For example, the information may be displayed on the display 54, or may be displayed on the game ball number display 29. You may. Even when the information is displayed on a portion other than the performance display monitor 40, it may be displayed according to a predetermined operation. Further, it may be displayed on a dedicated display different from the performance display monitor 40. For example, a dedicated display may be provided on the main control board 16.

  (3) The accessory ratio u and the continuous accessory ratio v are calculated and displayed by the frame control unit 171. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit other than the frame control unit 171 of the gaming machine, for example, the main control unit 161 of the main control board 16 calculates or displays the accessory ratio u and the continuous accessory ratio v. Or you may make it.

  (4) The above-mentioned starting winning opening 276 may be such that a game ball cannot be won when the accessory is closed. The game ball can be won even when the accessory in the starting winning opening 276 is closed (in the state where the accessory is not in operation) or open (in the state where the accessory is in operation), and is in the open state. May be easier to win than in the closed state.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment and the modified example, the performance information, the base, the accessory ratio, the continuous accessory ratio, and the like regarding the provided game value (for example, prize ball or the like) calculated by the frame control unit 171 are provided. The predetermined information is specified and transmitted by the gaming machine or the gaming device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-described predetermined information may be specified by a management device such as a server inside the game arcade (e.g., hall control 810) or an external server (e.g., gaming machine information center 800). Good.

  (6) In the management device or the game device that has received the predetermined information, the base, the accessory ratio, or the continuous role is determined based on the predetermined information itself (for example, the determination result of the suitability of the base, the accessory ratio, or the continuous accessory ratio). The abnormality of the physical ratio may be monitored, and the abnormality may be notified when it is determined that the physical ratio is abnormal. Alternatively, predetermined information (for example, a low base time base, a high base time base, a continuous character ratio, a character ratio, an out Calculate the base, the ratio of bonuses or the ratio of continuous bonuses from the number of balls + the number of safe balls, the number of out balls + the number of safe balls per winning opening), monitor the abnormalities, and report anomaly if it is judged to be abnormal You may make it.

  (7) In the above-described embodiment, the above-described predetermined information is specified by the frame control unit 171 of the frame control board 17. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be specified by another control unit of the gaming machine, such as the main control unit 161 of the main control board 16.

  (8) In the embodiment or the modification described above, when the predetermined information is specified in the gaming machine or the gaming device, the abnormality may be reported in the gaming machine or the gaming device based on the predetermined information.

  (9) In the above-described embodiment, if the communication is disabled (off-line state) when the above-described predetermined information is transmitted to the outside of the game hall, the game machine, the game device, The predetermined information may be temporarily stored in the management device, and the predetermined information may be transmitted to an external management device when communication is restored.

  (10) In the above-described embodiment, the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio are calculated, and the above-described predetermined information is transmitted every predetermined trigger. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-described predetermined information may be transmitted periodically (for example, every hour).

  (11) In the above-described embodiment, the fact that the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio are abnormal indicates that the performance display monitor 40 (FIG. 2, FIG. 32) is displayed on the display unit. This notification may be performed according to a specific operation. In addition, the value of the base, the accessory ratio, or the continuous accessory ratio may be displayed on the display unit of the frame control board 17. Also, the display may be displayed on a display unit such as the display unit of the frame control board 17 that can be seen by a player different from a display unit that cannot be normally seen by the player, for example, the display unit 54. In this case, the information may be displayed according to a specific operation on the touch panel of the display device 54. Further, the display may be always performed even if there is no specific operation. In addition, the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio are abnormal, and at least one or more of the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio may be displayed. Good. In addition, information indicating one or more of these pieces of information (for example, displaying a red icon or turning the background red) or related information (for example, the base, the ratio of the character or the ratio of the continuous character). A graph display such as a bar graph or a line graph) may be displayed.

  (12) In the above-described embodiment, when the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio are continuously determined to be abnormal, and when it is determined that the abnormality has been resolved, You may make it transmit to the management apparatus outside or inside a game hall.

  (13) In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the authentication data is a variable value including information of the current date ({month} date) and information of the SC management number as encryption source data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication data is a variable value including information of the current date ({month} date), information of the current time, and information of the SC management number as the encryption source data. May be a fixed value. The security is improved by making the authentication data a variable value including the information of the current date ({month} date), the information of the current time, and the information of the SC management number as the encryption source data. Also, by including information on the current time in the authentication data, it is possible to perform regular authentication at certain time intervals.

  (14) In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the authentication of the hall control output box 811 based on the authentication data is performed when the power is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication of the hall control output box 811 based on the authentication data may be periodically performed other than when the power is turned on. By performing authentication every time, spoofing, copying, and the like become impossible, thereby improving security.

  (15) In the above-described embodiment, the connection state of the hall control output box 811 is monitored by the CU 3, but when the unconnection or the non-authentication is detected, the CU 3 notifies the card company data center 801 of an alarm, You may contact the hall clerk. Further, the connection state of the hall control output box 811 may be monitored by the CU3, and if unconnection or non-authentication is detected, an error may be displayed on the CU3 to notify the hall clerk.

  (16) In the above-described embodiment, when the expiration date of the authentication data expires, the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information must be notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323. explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the validity period of the authentication data has expired, other information such as the number of game balls and the number of counted balls may not be notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323.

  (17) The P stand 2 may have a configuration in which the winning probability of the jackpot according to the set value is changed by a setting change operation using a predetermined switch or the like operation means by a person on the game arcade side (a clerk of the game arcade, etc.). Good. For example, the main control unit 161 executes a setting change process that enables changing the jackpot winning probability set on the P-unit 2 according to the setting change operation. Thus, in the special symbol normal process of the special symbol process process, the setting change process of changing the jackpot winning probability is executed by using the display result determination table according to the set value. The set value is composed of, for example, six stages (a plurality of stages) of 1 to 6, and the winning probability of the jackpot is set in the order of set value 1 <set value 2 <set value 3 <set value 4 <set value 5 <set value 6 Get higher. That is, when the set value 1 is set as the set value, the advantage is lowest for the player, and the advantage gradually increases in the order of the set value 2 to the set value 6. The set value may be provided in a plurality of levels, and is not limited to six levels. Since the pitching rate (number of pitches per unit time (number of prize balls)) changes according to the possibility of changing the winning probability of the big hit as described above, changing the set value changes the rate of pitching. It can be said that.

  The hall control output box 811 outputs a signal indicating whether the P unit 2 is in the set value display mode in which the set value is displayed or the set value can be changed in the set value change mode in the setting change operation described above. May be possible. In addition, the hall control output box 811 may be configured to be able to output a signal indicating the set value of the P stage 2. Of course, the CU 3 may output a signal indicating the set value display mode or the set value change mode, or a signal indicating the set value of the P unit 2 to the management computer 802.

  (18) In the above-described embodiment, when the CU 3 and the P base 2 are not connected and a communication error occurs as shown in FIG. 25, the 5 V voltage is not supplied to the photocoupler 37a of the counting switch board 37. Thus, the operation of the counting button 28 is invalidated by hardware. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the CU 3 and the P base 2 are not connected and a communication error occurs, the operation of the counting button 28 may be invalidated by software. For example, when the CU 3 and the P unit 2 are not connected to each other and a communication error occurs, the operation of the counting button 28 is invalidated by software because the frame control unit 171 does not process the counting switch signal. Also, if the CU 3 and the P base 2 are not connected to each other and a communication error occurs, even if the player operates the counting button 28, the counting ball number included in the message of the counting notification is set to 0 (zero) to count. The operation of the button 28 is invalidated. Further, when the CU 3 and the P base 2 are not connected and a communication error occurs, the operation of the count button 28 is invalidated by software so that the frame control unit 171 itself does not accept the operation of the count button 28 by the player. Alternatively, when the frame control unit 171 detects a communication abnormality, the operation of the count button 28 may be invalidated by software by controlling the power supply to the count switch board 37 to be stopped.

  (19) In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the condition for stopping the emission is that the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation has changed from 5V to 0V. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The specific information (for example, lending information) includes serial number information, and the status of the serial number information included in the specific information received by the receiving unit (for example, the same serial number after a predetermined period has elapsed) is transmitted. May be set as a condition for stopping.

  The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative 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, 3 card unit, 16 main control board, 17 frame control board, 26 game board, 29 game ball number display, 171 frame control section, 309 card insertion / ejection port, 319 return button, 320 IR light receiving unit , 321 Ball lending button, 323 CU control unit.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine capable of communicating with a corresponding gaming device,
A transmitting unit that transmits predetermined information to the gaming device every predetermined period,
As the predetermined information,
A game state that changes according to the progress of the game of the gaming machine, a gaming value managed by the gaming machine, and game information capable of specifying a gaming value given by the gaming machine ;
There is performance information that can specify parameters for game performance related to a change in game value with the progress of the game,
The game information and the performance information are both transmitted from the transmission unit to the gaming device by a common terminal,
A gaming machine, wherein the transmitting means makes transmission timings of the game information and the performance information different when transmitting the predetermined information every predetermined period.

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