JP6723091B2 - Gaming machine, gaming system and gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine, a gaming system, and a gaming device, and in particular, a gaming machine in which a gaming medium is enclosed and a gaming value is given to a player when the gaming medium enters a winning area, the gaming machine, and The present invention relates to a gaming system including a gaming device provided corresponding to the gaming machine and capable of communicating with the gaming machine, and the gaming device.

Conventionally, it includes a base that is the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to passage to the winning area provided in the game area, to the number of game media driven into the game area of the gaming machine. There has been a gaming system that outputs gaming history information from a gaming machine to a gaming device such as a card unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP2012-161485A

However, according to the game system of Patent Document 1, the game history information including the base is only transmitted to the card unit. For this reason, the suitability of the base cannot be known externally, and it has not been possible to externally judge whether or not the game value is given according to the design value.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the actual situation, and an object thereof is a game given in accordance with the number of game media loaded in the game area, and the entry into the winning area provided in the game area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine, a gaming system, and a gaming machine capable of determining the suitability of the ratio of the number of gaming media corresponding to the value outside the gaming machine.

(1) A gaming machine (for example, P stand 2) in which a game medium (for example, a game ball) is enclosed,
First variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
Second variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
First control means capable of controlling the first variable means into an advantageous state in which the game medium is changed into a state in which the game medium can easily enter a plurality of times, and a specific state in which the second variable means can be controlled into a state in which the game medium can easily enter. When,
A specific area where game media can enter,
And a second control means capable of imparting a game value based on the entry into any one of the specific area, the first variable means, and the second variable means,
The second control means
The number of game media launched,
A first specification relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value in a non-specific state in which it is difficult for the game medium to enter the second variable means as compared with the specific state. Value and
A second specific value relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched in the specific state and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value;
Of the provided game value, the role ratio relating to the ratio of the game value provided based on the entry of the game medium into either the first variable means or the second variable means,
Out of the provided game value, the continuous winning role ratio related to the ratio of the game value given based on the game medium having entered the first variable means in the advantageous state, is transmitted to the outside .

According to such a configuration, the adequacy of the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the winning area provided in the game area to the number of game media driven into the game area is appropriate. It is possible to provide a game machine capable of externally determining.

(2) A game machine (for example, P stand 2) in which a game medium (for example, a game ball) is enclosed, and a game device (for example, CU3) provided corresponding to the game machine and capable of communicating with the game machine. A gaming system including and (eg, a gaming system),
The gaming machine is
First variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
Second variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
First control means capable of controlling the first variable means into an advantageous state in which the game medium is changed into a state in which the game medium can easily enter a plurality of times, and a specific state in which the second variable means can be controlled into a state in which the game medium can easily enter. When,
A specific area where game media can enter,
And a second control means capable of imparting a game value based on the entry into any one of the specific area, the first variable means, and the second variable means,
The gaming system,
The number of game media launched,
A first specification relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value in a non-specific state in which it is difficult for the game medium to enter the second variable means as compared with the specific state. Value and
A second specific value relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched in the specific state and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value;
Of the provided game value, the role ratio relating to the ratio of the game value provided based on the entry of the game medium into either the first variable means or the second variable means,
Out of the provided game value, the continuous winning role ratio related to the ratio of the game value given based on the game medium having entered the first variable means in the advantageous state, is transmitted to the outside .

According to such a configuration, the adequacy of the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the winning area provided in the game area to the number of game media driven into the game area is appropriate. It is possible to provide a game system capable of externally determining.

(3) A game medium (for example, a game ball) is enclosed ,
First variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
Second variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
First control means capable of controlling the first variable means into an advantageous state in which the game medium is changed into a state in which the game medium can easily enter a plurality of times, and a specific state in which the second variable means can be controlled into a state in which the game medium can easily enter. When,
A specific area where game media can enter,
A gaming machine (for example, P , which is provided with a second control means capable of imparting a game value based on the entry into any one of the specific area, the first varying means, and the second varying means. A gaming device (for example, CU3) provided corresponding to the table 2) and capable of communicating with the gaming machine,
The gaming device,
The number of game media launched,
A first specification relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value in a non-specific state in which it is difficult for the game medium to enter the second variable means as compared with the specific state. Value and
A second specific value relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched in the specific state and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value;
Of the provided game value, the role ratio relating to the ratio of the game value provided based on the entry of the game medium into either the first variable means or the second variable means,
Out of the provided game value, the continuous winning role ratio related to the ratio of the game value given based on the game medium having entered the first variable means in the advantageous state, is transmitted to the outside .

According to such a configuration, the adequacy of the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the winning area provided in the game area to the number of game media driven into the game area is appropriate. It is possible to provide a game device capable of externally determining.

(4) In the gaming machine of (1), the gaming system of (2), or the gaming machine of (3),
Acquiring means for acquiring a design value related to the ratio of the gaming machine from an external server (for example, payout control unit 171, step S103 in FIG. 18, P server 2, CU3, gaming machine management server 802, or any other server. May be prepared for).
Judgment means for comparing the design value with the ratio to judge whether or not the ratio is appropriate (for example, payout control unit 171, step S145 in FIG. 19, step S155, step S185 in FIG. 21. P stand 2, CU3, It may be provided in any of the respective servers such as the gaming machine management server 802.).

With such a configuration, it is possible to accurately determine the adequacy of the ratio based on the design value managed by the server. Further, the processing load of the device that determines whether or not the ratio is appropriate can be reduced.

(5) In the gaming machine, gaming system, or gaming device of (4) above,
Judgment result transmission means (for example, payout control unit 171, step S146 in FIG. 19, step S156, and step S156 in FIG. 21) for transmitting the judgment result by the above-mentioned judgment means to the outside (for example, each server such as CU3 and gaming machine management server 802). Step S186, which may be provided in either the P stand 2 or the CU 3.).

With such a configuration, it is possible to externally determine the suitability of the ratio.
(6) In the gaming machine, gaming system, or gaming device of (1) to (5) above,
The transmitting unit transmits the predetermined information regarding the adequacy of the ratio in a preset calculation target period capable of appropriately determining the adequacy of the ratio (for example, the payout control unit 171, a determination value in step S111 of FIG. 19). If it is determined that the period is not the calculation target period, the low base time abnormality information and the high base time abnormality information are not transmitted in steps S146 and S156.).

With such a configuration, it is possible to properly determine the ratio.
(7) In the gaming machine, gaming system, or gaming device of (1) to (6) above,
The transmitting means transmits the predetermined information regarding the suitability of the ratio for each of the winning regions (for example, payout control unit 171, step S186 of FIG. 21).

With such a configuration, it is possible to determine the ratio for each winning area. For this reason, it is possible to confirm a ratio of illegal operations such as illegally winning a game medium only in a certain winning area.

It is a front view showing a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a perspective view showing a state in which a glass door and a front frame of the pachinko gaming machine are opened. It is a figure showing a situation before and after a game board is attached to a front frame. It is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a notification process when an abnormality is detected as a result of mutual authentication. It is an explanatory view for explaining various data stored in the card unit side and the pachinko gaming machine side and transmission/reception thereof. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline of the command and response transmitted/received between a card unit and a pachinko game machine. It is an explanatory view for explaining the contents of a state information request. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the status information response. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the status information response. It is a figure showing an example of processing of a card unit and a pachinko game machine when a card is inserted in a card unit. It is a figure showing an example of processing of a card unit and a pachinko game machine when a card is returned. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the relationship of the command of a card insertion notification, the CU state contained in the command of a state information request, and the insertion state of a card. It is a figure which shows an example of a process of a card unit and a pachinko game machine at the time of lending a ball from the prepaid balance of the inserted card. It is a figure which shows an example of a process of a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine at the time of paying out a dime ball and paying out a ball. It is a flow chart for explaining status information request reception processing. It is a figure for explaining the kind of error which can be notified in a game system. It is a flow chart for explaining design value acquisition processing. It is a flow chart for explaining the game board surface determination related processing. It is a flow chart for explaining the passage number addition processing. It is a flowchart for explaining a modified example of the game board surface determination related processing.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Structure of pachinko machine>
First, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In each of the gaming islands (not shown) arranged in the game hall (hole), an enclosed circulating pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as gaming machine, pachinko machine, or P machine) as an example of gaming machine. ) 2 are installed side by side. In addition, at a predetermined lateral position of the P base 2, a card unit (hereinafter also referred to as CU) 3 as an example of a gaming device is installed corresponding to the P base 2 in a one-to-one correspondence. There is. A card unit will be described below as an example of a game device according to the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a P unit 2 can be connected to notify a big hit or an abnormality, collect game information such as the number of winnings, etc. It may be a calling lamp device or the like.

The P stand 2 encloses a pachinko ball, which is an example of a game medium, inside, and the player operates the hitting ball operation handle 25 to drive the firing motor 18 (see FIG. 4) to make one enclosed ball. The game area 26 on the front of the game board 26 is designed so that the user can play the game. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the hit ball operating handle 25, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player is operating the hit ball operating handle 25, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor. The contact of the touch sensor is detected by the touch sensor, and the firing motor 18 is driven. In this state, the hitting ball firing momentum is adjusted according to the amount of turning operation of the hitting ball operating handle 25 by the player, and the ball is shot into the game area 27.

The firing intensity of the pachinko ball (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the firing intensity T) can be adjusted according to the amount of rotation operation of the hitting ball operation handle 25 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the handle operation amount), and the handle operation amount is increased. The firing intensity T increases accordingly. Therefore, the player can adjust the firing strength T so that the pachinko ball passes through the area targeted by the player, by adjusting the handle operation amount.

The P stand 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called first-class pachinko game machine, and a variable display device (also called a special symbol) 278 is provided at the center of the game area 27. In addition, the game area 27 is provided with a plurality of types of winning openings that allow the driven pachinko balls to win. In the game area 27 shown in FIG. 1, one big winning opening (variable winning ball device) 271, three normal winning openings 272, 273, 274, and three starting winning openings 275, 276, 277 are shown. ing. In particular, the starting winning opening 276 is composed of an electric tulip that can be changed to a first state that is advantageous for the player (for example, an open state) and a second state that is disadvantageous for the player (for example, a closed state). ..

The variable display device 278 is provided with a variable display section capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (designs), and based on the detection signals of the starting winning balls that have won in the respective starting winning openings 275, 276, 277, these. The variable display of plural kinds of identification information is started. When the display result of the variable display device becomes a combination of specific identification information (for example, a grid pattern), it becomes a big hit state (also called a big hit game state) and the big winning opening 271 is opened.

In addition, the display result of the variable display device 278 is a combination of predetermined special identification information (combination of probability variation symbols such as 777) among combinations of big hit symbols (grooves). Occurs, and a probability fluctuation state (probability variation state) in which the probability of occurrence of a big hit is improved after the big hit state ends.

The pachinko balls that are hit in the game area 27 are collected in any of the winning ports or are collected in the out port 154 without winning. The pachinko balls that have won any of the winning openings and the pachinko balls that have been collected at the out openings 154 are returned again to the hitting ball firing position through the recovery path inside the P base 2. Then, when the player operates the hit ball operating handle 25, the pachinko ball at the hit ball firing position is again hit into the game area 27.

By installing the CU 3 at the lateral position, the P base 2 fits the indicator 54 extending from the CU 3 to the connection surface 54 a provided on the front surface of the P base 2. Therefore, a display 54 is provided below the game area 27 on the P base 2. The display unit 54 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, and displays to the player various effect images linked with the points, the prepaid balance (also referred to as the card balance or simply the balance), or the display of the variable display device 278. In addition, the display 54 is fitted to the P base 2 by connecting a connection terminal (not shown) provided on the back surface to a connection terminal 54b provided on the connection surface 54a of the P base 2. As described above, with the configuration in which the display 54 of the CU 3 is fitted to the connection surface 54a of the P base 2, the CU 3 and the P base 2 can be more strongly connected and fraud can be prevented. Further, since the connection and locking with the indicator 54 can be released only by opening the glass door 6 or the lower door provided with the ball hitting operation handle 25, fraud can be further prevented. Note that the display 54 is not limited to the configuration in which it is integrally formed with the CU 3 and fitted to the connection surface 54a of the P base 2 as shown in FIG. It may be attached.

A game ball number indicator for displaying the number of game balls is provided above the connection surface 54a of the P table 2. The game ball number indicator 29 is composed of a 7-segment LED display, and is controlled by a payout controller 171 described later. The game ball number display 29 displays the number of game balls and an error number of an error that will be described later. Further, as will be described later, when a game ball addition request is made even though no card is inserted in the CU 3, information for identifying the number of illegal ball rentals is displayed as a game ball number display 29. Displayed in. The game ball number display 29 is not limited to a 7-segment LED display, but may be a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or another display.

Furthermore, a counting button 28 for counting the number of game balls from the number of game balls is provided on the left side of the game ball number display 29 on the P base 2. In the present embodiment, the counting operation is repeatedly executed according to the time when the counting button 28 is continuously pressed. It should be noted that regardless of the pressing duration time, when the button is pressed once, a predetermined number (for example, 100 balls) may be counted from the gaming balls to the possessed balls, or when the counting button 28 is pressed once. In addition, all of the game balls currently owned by the player may be counted regardless of the pressing time (whether or not the key is pressed for a long time). In addition, the counting speed is further improved when a card return operation is performed, and a smooth card return process is realized.

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

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

<Structure of card unit>
Next, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the CU 3 according to the present embodiment will be described. This CU3 is a visitor card (also called a general card) having a prepaid function, which is a storage medium for games 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 storage medium for games issued to, is accepted. Visitor cards and membership cards consist of IC cards.

The CU 3 accepting those cards has a function of converting the game value (for example, the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, or the number of balls accumulated) owned by the player specified by the stored information of the cards into “game ball data”. .. On the P base 2, a ball game equivalent to the number of balls specified by the data of the game balls is possible. In other words, "gaming ball data" is data indicating the number of remaining balls that can be fired. In the following description, the "gaming ball data" is simply called "gaming ball", as is the case with the stored or held balls.

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

On the front side of the CU 3, when the member 312 receives a membership card, it is specified by the membership card ID (simply referred to as a card ID or C-ID) and the membership card ID stored in the membership card. A replay button 319 for carrying out a replay game using the number of balls is provided.

The display unit 312 displays the prepaid balance stored in the inserted game storage medium (card), and can display the number of game balls and various other information, and the surface is a transparent touch panel. It is configured such that various operations can be input by touching various display items displayed on the display unit of the display unit 312 with a finger.

When the replay button 319 is operated, if the number of balls held by the player is stored in the inserted card, a part of the number of balls held is withdrawn and converted into a game ball, which is converted into a game ball. Based on this, it becomes possible to play a game with the P base 2. On the other hand, if the inserted card is a membership card and the number of balls held is not stored and the stored balls are stored in the hall management computer, etc., a part of the stored balls will be withdrawn and become a game ball. It is converted and the game by P stand 2 becomes possible. In other words, when both the stored and held balls are stored in association with the inserted card, the held balls are withdrawn preferentially. In addition to the replay button 319, a dedicated ball payout button for withdrawing balls may be provided, and the replay button 319 may be a button dedicated to withdrawing coins.

Here, the "payment ball" is a ball that has been acquired before the day before and is deposited in the hole, and becomes a game ball by paying out the stored balls. The coins are game media deposited in the game hall, and are generally managed by a hall management computer or another management computer installed in the game hall.

The "balls" are balls that have been acquired on the day of the game, and become ball games by paying out balls. In addition, the number of balls held is the number of balls held by the player as a result of the player playing the game on the P table 2, and the number of balls not yet deposited in the game hall. It is. In general, the number of balls that a player has acquired on the day of play at a game hall is called “Jiden”, and the number of balls that the player has acquired before the previous day and that has been deposited at the game hall is called “savings”. Say

The “gaming ball” is a ball that can be fired on the P stand 2. As described above, the data on the number of game balls is generated in exchange for withdrawing the remaining amount of the prepaid card, the owned balls, or the accumulated balls.

The number of balls held may be managed by a management device for managing the number of balls set in the game hall. In short, the difference between "balls" and "balls" is the number of balls deposited in the amusement hall after the operation for depositing a deposit to the amusement hall is performed, or it is still deposited in the amusement hall. The point is whether or not the number of balls is not yet reached.

In the present embodiment, the accumulated ball data is not directly stored in the membership card but is stored in a server such as a hall management computer installed in a game hall in association with the membership card number, and the corresponding savings ball is searched based on the membership card number. It is configured to be able to. On the other hand, the balls are directly stored in the card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both may be stored in the hall server 801 in association with the card number. In the case of the visitor card, the dice are also stored directly in the visitor card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the balls may be stored in the hall server 801 in association with the card number. When the hole server 801 stores the data in association with the card number, data that can specify the time stored in the hole server 801 may be written on a card (membership card, visitor card) and discharged. The prepaid balance will be directly written on the card (membership card, visitor card) and discharged.

The timing of storing the dice in the card (membership card, visitor card) or the hall server 801 is, for example, stored in real time every time the counting button 28 is operated to perform the counting process. It is conceivable that the timing is such that the cards are stored, or when the cards are returned, they are collectively stored.

Further, when the player finishes the game and returns the card from CU3, the balls held in CU3 are once stored in the hall server 801 as accumulated balls, and the day when the player receives the card returned. When the card is inserted into the same or another CU3 again on the same day as the above, only the balls for the current day that have been temporarily stored as coins are stored again in that CU3, and the game balls are added within the range of the balls and the game is played. You may be able to.

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

An IR (Infrared) photosensitive unit (also referred to as an IR light receiving unit) 320, a ball lending button (also referred to as a lending button) 321, and a card return button 322 are further provided on the front surface side of the CU 3. The IR photosensitive unit 320 is an IR photosensitive unit 320 that receives an infrared signal from a remote controller (not shown) carried by an attendant at a game hall, converts the infrared signal into an electronic signal, and outputs the electronic signal. The ball lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to a game ball) for withdrawing the remaining amount stored in the inserted card and using it for a game by the P base 2. The card return button 322 is operated when the player finishes the game, and the number of fixed game balls at the end of the game in the inserted card (the number of held balls when the card is inserted-the number converted into game balls + counting) This is an operation button for storing and ejecting the number of balls possessed by the operation.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, with respect to the P frame 2, the front frame (hereinafter also referred to as a cell) 5 and the glass door 6 are opened and closed with respect to the frame-shaped outer frame 4 with the left side edge thereof as a swing center. It is possible.

A pair of upper and lower engaging projections 6a and 6b are provided near the edge of the front frame 5 opposite to the swing center (on the free end side). The engagement protrusions 6a and 6b are pressed downward by a spring (not shown). On the other hand, engagement receiving pieces 7a and 7b are provided at positions facing the engagement protrusions 6a and 6b of the outer frame 4. By pressing the open front frame 5 against the outer frame 4, the engagement protrusions 6a, 6b move over the engagement receiving pieces 7a, 7b, and in the state of overcoming, the engagement protrusions 6a, 6b move downward by the biasing force of the spring. It moves and becomes locked.

Then, an attendant of the game arcade inserts the key into the keyhole 10 shown in FIG. 1 and unlocks it (for example, rotates it clockwise), thereby resisting the biasing force of the spring, and a pair of upper and lower engaging projections 6a. 6b is pushed upward, and as a result, the engagement protrusions 6a, 6b are disengaged from the engagement receiving pieces 7a, 7b to be in the unlocked state, and the front frame 5 is opened.

Further, the front frame 5 is also provided with an engagement protrusion 8 for the glass door 6, and an engagement hole 9 is provided in a portion of the glass door 6 facing the engagement protrusion 8. The engagement protrusion 8 is pressed downward by a spring (not shown), and by pressing the open glass door 6 against the front frame 5, the engagement protrusion 8 is pushed up by the lower edge portion of the engagement hole 9. By overcoming, the engaging projection 8 is pushed down by the urging force of the spring, and the engaging projection 8 and the engaging hole 9 are engaged with each other to be locked. In this state, an attendant of the game arcade inserts a key into the keyhole 10 shown in FIG. 1 and unlocks (for example, rotates counterclockwise) the pull-out engagement protrusion 8 against the biasing force of the spring. As a result, the engagement between the engagement protrusion 8 and the engagement hole 9 is released, the lock is released, and the glass door 6 is opened.

A front frame opening detection switch 13 is provided at a portion of the lower portion of the front frame 5 that contacts the outer frame 4, and it is detected that the front frame 5 has been opened. Further, a glass door opening detection switch 12 is provided at a contact portion of the upper portion of the front frame 5 with the glass door 6, and the glass door opening detection switch 12 detects that the glass door 6 is opened.

The number of times the glass door opening detection switch 12 and the front frame opening detection switch 13 are opened is counted by a counter (not shown). The counting 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 stand 2 is interrupted. Even when the power is off, it is possible to count the number of times the glass door 6 or the front frame 5 has been opened and transmit the count value to the payout control unit 171. Here, the backup power source is, for example, a capacitor or a storage battery provided in the P stand 2.

The main control board 16 is provided on the back surface (the surface opposite to the surface facing the glass door 6) of the game board 26. Since the back surface of the outer frame 4 is closed, first opening the front frame 5 and removing the game board 26 from the front frame 5, the main control board 16 becomes detachable from the game board 26. That is, in order to remove the main control board 16 from the game board 26 or replace the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16, it is necessary to open the front frame 5, so the front frame open detection switch 13 is used. The work can be detected without fail. Therefore, if the main control board 16 is illegally removed from the game board 26, or if the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16 is illegally replaced, the front frame open detection switch 13 can always detect.

Further, a payout control board 17 is provided on the back surface of the front frame 5. The payout control board 17 also needs to be opened from the front frame 5 and then removed from the back surface of the front frame 5. Therefore, if the payout control board 17 is illegally removed from the rear surface of the front frame 5 or if the semiconductor chip provided on the payout control board 17 is illegally replaced, the front frame open detection switch 13 can always detect.

Next, a configuration for installing the game board 26 on the front frame 5 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state before and after the game board 26 is attached to the front frame 5. As shown in FIG. 3, attachment mechanisms 34a and 34b are provided on the back surface of the front frame 5 so as to be openable and closable around hinges 35a and 35b, respectively. The attachment mechanisms 34a and 34b are U-shaped and have a bottom having a width corresponding to the game board 26. By pushing the game board 26 into the front frame 5 in the arrow direction of FIG. 3B, the game board 26 is fixed by the attachment mechanisms 34a and 34b as shown in FIG. 3A. When the game board 26 is fixed by the mounting mechanisms 34a and 34b, the convex drawer connector 32 provided on the game board 26 side is coupled with the concave drawer connector 33 provided on the front frame 5 side. Here, the convex drawer connector 32 and the concave drawer connector 33 are floating connectors having flexibility with respect to displacement.

Further, when the game board 26 is installed in the front frame 5, the convex drawer connector 32 is combined with the concave drawer connector 33, so that the main control board 16 on the game board 26 side and the payout control board on the front frame 5 side. 17 will be connected. Further, the game board 26 is fixed at a fixed position, and the convex drawer connector 32 and the concave drawer connector 33 have flexibility with respect to positional displacement to some extent. Therefore, the convex drawer connector 32 and the concave drawer connector 32 are provided. These can be coupled without being aware of the positional relationship with the connector 33. Even if the game board 26 is installed in the front frame 5 only by the convex drawer connector 32 and the concave drawer connector 33 without providing the mounting mechanisms 34a and 34b, the convex drawer connector 32 and the concave drawer connector 33 are provided. Since the floating connector itself has flexibility, these can be connected without being aware of the positional relationship between the game board 26 and the front frame 5. Here, the convex drawer connector 32 is connected to the main control board 16 via the internal wiring (not shown) of the game board 26, and the concave drawer connector 33 is delivered via the signal cable 36 as shown in FIG. It is connected to the control board 17.

<Structure of card unit and pachinko machine>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used for the CU 3 and the P stand 2. An outline of a control circuit for the CU 3 and the P stand 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The CU 3 is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer and the like. The CU control unit 323 is a main control function unit of the CU 3, and has a CPU as a control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, a RAM that functions as a work area of the CPU, and peripherals. An input/output interface and the like are provided to maintain the signal integrity with the device.

The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external communication unit (not shown) for communicating with the hall management computer and the hall server 801 (see FIG. 5) that performs security management. A security board (SC board) 325 for communicating with the payout control board 17 of the P stand 2 while ensuring security is connected to the CU control unit 323. The security board 325 is a security monitoring function unit of the CU 3. The CU controller 323 may be provided on the security board 325, or the CU controller 323 may be provided on a board different from the security board 325. The CU 3 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the P base 2 side, and the P base 2 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the CU 3 side. These connecting portions are composed of, for example, connectors.

The security board 325 on the CU 3 side and the payout control board 17 on the P stand 2 side are communicatively connected via this connector and connection wiring. The security board 325 is provided with a communication control IC 325a for controlling communication between the security board 325 and the payout control board 17, and a security chip (SC) 325b for monitoring the security of the P stand 2. Further, the SC 325b includes a fraud detection unit 1325, and the fraud detection unit 1325 monitors fraudulent game ball addition request information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the P console 2, thereby performing fraud detection and performing key management at the time of fraud detection Notify the server 800 (see FIG. 5). Further, the setting value (constant) for fraud detection is notified from the key management server 800 as board control information.

To the CU control unit 323, the authenticity and type of the bill are discriminated by the currency discriminator described above, and the discrimination result signal is input. Further, if the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives infrared rays emitted from a remote controller held by a staff member of the game arcade, the light reception signal is input to the CU control section 323. In the CU control unit 323, the card reader/writer reads the stored information of the inserted card, the read information is input, and the CU control unit 323 writes the information in the inserted card to the card reader/writer. When data is transmitted, the card reader/writer writes the data in 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 balls of the player when the player is playing the game. Data such as the remaining amount or the number of game balls is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350, and converted into display data by the display control unit 350. The display data converted by the display controller 350 is transmitted to the display 312 provided on the front surface of the CU 3 and the display 54 arranged on the front surface of the P stand 2 as shown in FIG. 1. The display data transmitted to the display 54 is first input to the relay board 14. Images corresponding to the display data are displayed on the display 312 and the display 54. When the player operates the touch panel provided on the surface of the display 312, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. When the player operates the ball lending button 321, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The ball lending button 321 is not limited to the configuration provided in the CU 3, and may be provided in the P stand 2 to input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the replay button 319, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the card return button 322, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323.

The P stand 2 has a main control board 16 that controls the progress of the game on the P stand 2, a payout control board 17 that manages and stores game balls, and a firing motor 18 that is driven and controlled based on a command from the payout control board 17. The firing control board 31, the variable display device 278, and the effect control board 15 which controls the display of the variable display device 278 based on the command transmitted from the main control board 16 are provided.

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, which is the 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 programs and control data for operating the CPU, a RAM functioning as a work area of the CPU, and signal consistency with peripheral devices. An input/output interface and the like are provided. The main controller 161 is connected to a winning sensor 162 and a radio wave sensor 163 provided on the game board 26.

When a ball is won in each of the starting winning openings 275, 276, 277, the main control unit 161 randomly selects a random number for determining a big hit (or a small hit is included)/miss, and stores the random number. This is called a reserved memory. The maximum value of the number of reserved storages is “4”, for example. When the variable display device 278 is ready to start a new variable display, the main control unit 161 consumes one pending storage, makes a big hit determination based on the pending storage, and derives the display result from the variable start. The variable display time up to this point is determined from multiple types. Further, when the big hit is decided, it is also decided whether or not the probability variation is caused. The main control unit 161 transmits the result of the jackpot determination (including whether or not to make a probable change) and information regarding the variable display time to the effect control unit 151 mounted on the effect control board 15 as a command.

The command regarding the variable display transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151 specifies 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 the timing of deriving and displaying the variable display result, and the like are included. Furthermore, in the command transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151, a command that can specify the progress status of the big hit during the big hit, a command that indicates the occurrence of new pending storage, and an occurrence of a game state error. There is a command to show.

The effect control unit 151 determines the variable display content of the variable display device 278 based on these commands transmitted from the main control unit 161. For example, the production control unit 151 identifies the variable display result and the variable display time based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 161, determines the stop symbol, and at the same time, the variable display pattern (presence or absence of reach, type of reach). And further decide the effect pattern of the notice effect regarding the big hit and reach. The effect control unit 151 controls the display of the variable display device 278 according to the determined variable display content.

The effect control board 15 is also connected to the display 54 via the relay board 14 of the CU 3. The production control unit 151 transmits a display control signal for variable display and the like to the variable display device 278, and also transmits a display control signal for performing display interlocking with the display of the variable display device 278 to the display device 54. It is possible. The relay board 14 and the display 54 may be provided on the P stand 2 side. In this case, the effect control board 15 on the P stand 2 side is directly connected to the relay board 14 on the P stand 2 side without the CU 3.

The payout control board 17 is provided on the front frame 5. The payout control board 17 is equipped with a payout control microcomputer 171 for payout control. The payout control unit 171 is a payout control function unit of the gaming machine. The payout control microcomputer maintains a signal consistency with a CPU as a control center, a ROM storing programs and control data for operating the CPU, a RAM functioning as a work area of the CPU, and peripheral devices. An input/output interface and the like are provided.

Further, a launch ball detection switch 903, an out ball detection switch 701, a foul ball detection switch 33A, a counting button 28, and a radio wave sensor 173 are provided in a state of being electrically connected to the payout control board 17. The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting an illegal act that illegally emits a radio wave and mainly turns on the raised switch 41a. The detection signal of the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the payout control unit 171 via an input port (not shown) of the payout control board 17. The ball raising switch (upper) 41a detects the firing of the gaming balls due to the change from ON to OFF, and the payout control unit 171 subtracts "1" from the number of gaming balls based on the detection.

Therefore, when the ball raising switch (upper) 41a is constantly turned on by an illegal radio wave, the number of game balls is not subtracted no matter how many balls are shot. The radio wave sensor 173 detects such illegality caused by radio waves.

From the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17, main control chip ID, winning prize information, round information, connection confirmation signal, winning prize detection signal, starting winning prize winning information, error information, number of symbols fixed, big hit information, manufacturer specific The jackpot information is sent.

The main control chip ID (also referred to as main chip ID) is a chip ID stored in the main control board 16 of the P stand 2, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the P stand 2 is turned on. Information. The winning hole information is information including the type of winning hole (starting winning hole, normal winning hole, large winning hole) and the number of prize balls (the number of payout balls when a game ball enters the winning hole), P It is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the table 2 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds when a big hit occurs, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the P stand 2 is turned on.

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

The starting winning opening winning information is information indicating that a pachinko ball has won in one of the starting winning openings. The error information is information for notifying the payout control board 17 of an error when an error occurs while the main control board 16 is performing the game control.

The number of times of symbol determination is the information of the symbol determined as the display result of the variable display device for the winning of each starting winning opening.

The big hit information is information indicating that a big hit has occurred, and its details include common big hit information indicating a big hit common to each maker and maker-specific big hit information indicating a big hit unique to a maker. The common jackpot information is a jackpot commonly adopted by each gaming machine maker, such as a 15-round jackpot, and when the jackpot causes a jackpot change, the jackpot information is included. If a time saving state (a control state that shortens the variable display time of the variable display device) occurs, the time saving information is included. The maker-specific jackpot is a jackpot state adopted only by a certain game machine maker, such as a sudden change (a sudden change).

A health check command and a prize ball number acceptance command are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the main control board 16. The health check command is a command for checking whether the main control board 16 is operating normally. The prize ball number acceptance command is a command indicating that the number of added balls has been accepted.

An out-ball detection signal is input from the out-ball detection switch 701 to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 to which this out-ball detection signal is input subtracts and updates the number of playing balls (the number of floating balls floating in the game area 27) as described later. In the payout control board 17 to which the foul ball detection signal is input from the foul ball detection switch 33A, as will be described later, the addition ball number and the game ball number are added and updated, and the in-game ball number is subtracted and updated. A shooting ball detection signal is input from the shooting ball detection switch 903 to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 to which this shot ball detection signal is input subtracts and updates the number of balls in the game.

The security board 325 of the CU 3 and the payout control board 17 of the P stand 2 are electrically connected, and various commands are transmitted from the security board 325 to the payout control board 17 as described later. On the contrary, various responses are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the security board 325 as described later.

In addition to the payout control board 17, the front frame 5 is provided with a launch control board 31, a launch motor 18, and a game ball number display 29. The game ball number indicator 29 may be directly attached to the front frame 5, but like the upper plate and the lower plate provided on the front side of a normal pachinko gaming machine in which balls are paid out, the game frame number indicator 29 is attached to the front frame 5. It may be provided in a rotatable manner. This also applies to the display 54. The payout controller 171 of the payout control board 17 displays the number of game balls currently owned by the player on the game ball number display 29.

A discharge control signal and a discharge permission signal are output from the payout control board 17 to the discharge control board 31. The firing control board 31 that has received it outputs a signal for exciting the firing motor 18 of the firing device. As a result, the pachinko balls are in a state of being shot and ejected to the game area 27. The launch control board 31 emits a launch motor excitation output to drive the launch motor 18 when an input signal of a touch ring that detects that the player is touching the hit ball operation handle 25 is input.

The firing intensity sensor 19 detects the firing intensity T of the pachinko ball by the firing motor 18. For example, the firing intensity sensor 19 detects, as the firing intensity T, a value obtained by converting an analog value output from a variable resistor configured to change an electric resistance value according to a steering wheel operation amount into a digital value. In the following description, it is assumed that the firing intensity T changes from 0 (minimum value) to 99 (maximum value) according to the steering wheel operation amount. The detection result of the firing intensity sensor 19 is output to the payout control board 17 and the CU 3 via the firing control board 31.

A display 54 and a relay board 14 extending from the CU 3 are provided on the front surface of the P base 2. The display 54 receives the display data (display control signal) from the display controller 350 of the CU 3 via the relay board 14. Further, the display 54 receives display data (display control signal) from the effect control board 15 via the relay board 14.

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

In the present embodiment, the indicator 54 extending from the CU3 provided on the front surface of the P stand 2 is configured to be controlled on the CU3 side, but instead of this, the indicator 54 on the P stand 2 side is controlled. May be provided so that the display control can be performed from the CU 3 side, or the display 54 can be provided on the P stand 2 side and the display control substrate can be provided on the P stand 2 side so that the display control can be performed on the P stand 2 side. In this case, the display control board controls the display of the display 54 based on the command from the payout control unit 171.

The RAM clear switch 293 is a switch for erasing the gaming machine information and the game information stored in the RAM of the P machine 2, and is initially operated by a clerk operating the switch after the P machine is in an error state. It is possible to return to the state. The RAM clear switch 293 is operated by a store clerk, for example, after the card is ejected.

<Pachinko ball circulation route>
Here, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, an outline of a pachinko ball circulation path in the P stand 2 will be described. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 25, the firing motor 18 is driven. As a result, one pachinko ball that has been supplied to the firing position is repelled by the hitting hammer and the pachinko ball is driven into the game area 27.

The detection of launching a game ball is detected when the ball raising switch (upper) 41a changes from on to off. This detection is detected by a port input on the payout control board 17 (see FIG. 4) provided with the payout control unit 171, and based on the detection, the payout control unit 171 subtracts "1" from the number of game balls. To do.

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

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 the collecting ball passage path. Similarly, the out balls and the foul balls are also guided to the collected ball passing path. A fired ball detection switch 903 is provided on the collected ball passage path. Therefore, the winning ball, the out ball, and the foul ball are all detected by the fired ball detection switch 903. That is, the shot ball detection switch 903 is a switch that detects all of the pachinko balls that have been shot. When the number of detections of this switch and the number of pachinko balls ejected by the firing motor 18 become equal, it can be determined that all the driven pachinko balls have been recovered.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the difference between the number detected by the firing ball detection switch 903 and the number of shots is calculated, and when this difference is not 0, the balls hit in the game area 27 have not been collected. It is determined that it is not. By making this determination, it can be determined whether or not the game area 27 is rolling or there is a floating ball that is caught between nails or the like in the game area and is not dropped.

<Notification processing of abnormalities that occurred in the card unit and pachinko gaming machine>
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a notification process when an abnormality is detected as a result of mutual authentication. Referring to FIG. 5, when an abnormality occurs in CU control unit 323, security board 325, payout control unit 171, or main control board 16, notification is made in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. The abnormality referred to here is that the CU control unit 323, the security board 325, the payout control unit 171, or the main control board 16 is replaced with another improperly manufactured one, or malfunction or failure due to noise or the like occurs. This includes cases such as the case of an accident or an offline state due to a disconnection. The key management server 800 shown in FIG. 5 is a key management server which stores the SID of the CU communication control unit and the authentication key in association with each serial ID (also referred to as SID) of the electronic component inside the CU 3. is there. The key management server 800 is a server that can communicate with the main control board 16 with each other.

First, when the security board 325 of the CU 3 causes an abnormality, the CU control section 323 detects the abnormality as a result of the mutual authentication performed between the CU control section 323 and the security board 325 described above. In this mutual authentication, in addition to serial ID authentication and device authentication which will be described later, device authentication using a session key is also included.

The serial ID is the serial ID of the security board 325 (board serial ID), and is stored in the ROM of the security chip 325b at the stage of manufacturing the security chip 325b of the security board 325. When the CU 3 is brought into the game hall and connected to the hall server 801, the board serial ID is downloaded from the key management server 800 of the key management center via the hall server 801 and stored in the CU control unit 323. It

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

When an abnormality occurs by the CU control unit 323 of the CU 3, the security board 325 detects the abnormality occurrence by the above-described mutual authentication, and notifies the payout control unit 171 of a signal (abnormality notification signal) to that effect. The security board 325 notifies the payout controller 171 by a parallel signal via the PIF circuit 326 which is a parallel interface circuit. Upon receipt of this, the payout control unit 171 notifies the main control board 16 that an abnormality has occurred. Similarly to the above, the main control board 16 controls the operation of the abnormality notification lamp and transmits a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred to the hall management computer.

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

As described above, when the security board 325 detects an abnormality in the CU control unit 323, it notifies the payout control unit 171 through the PIF circuit 326 of the abnormality, and when an abnormality in the payout control unit 171 is detected, the fact is notified. Is notified to the CU control unit 323, and the notification destination of the abnormality occurrence by the security board 325 is different. The reason is that even if the control unit in which the abnormality has occurred is notified that the abnormality has occurred, the control for notifying the abnormality is not performed at all, and it is not a measure for preventing the abnormality. Moreover, the security board 325 has a communication control function but does not have an abnormality notification control function. Therefore, the control of the abnormality notification cannot be performed by itself, and accordingly, the notification that the abnormality has occurred is always made in the direction of the control unit on the side opposite to the control unit in which the abnormality has occurred. The payout control unit 171 that has received the notification of the occurrence of an abnormality from the security board 325 via the PIF circuit 326 notifies the main control board 16 of that fact. Upon receiving the notification, the main control board 16 performs the same abnormality notification control as described above.

When an abnormality occurs in the payout control unit 171, the fact is detected by the security board 325, the occurrence of the abnormality is notified to the CU control unit 323, and the CU control unit 323 performs the above-described abnormality notification control. The hall server 801 is notified that an abnormality has occurred. Further, when an abnormality occurs in the payout control unit 171, it is detected that the main control board 16 has an abnormality, and upon receipt of the notification, the above-described abnormality notification control is performed.

As described above, the payout control board 17 detects the abnormality when the security board 325 occurs and notifies the main control board 16 of the abnormality, while it notifies the main control board 16 when the abnormality occurs. It detects and notifies the security board 325 that an abnormality has occurred. Similar to the security board 325 described above, when the payout control board 17 detects that an abnormality has occurred, the notification control is performed even if the control section in which the abnormality has occurred is notified. Since it does not exist, the control unit or the control board on the side opposite to the control unit in which the abnormality has occurred is notified. It should be noted that the security board 325 and the payout control board 17 are not connected to an abnormality notification means such as an abnormality notification lamp or an abnormality notification display, and have a function of controlling the abnormality notification by itself even if an abnormality is detected. Absent. In the above description, the security board 325 and the payout control board 17 are not connected to an abnormality notification unit such as an abnormality notification lamp or an abnormality notification display, and the abnormality notification is controlled by itself even if an abnormality is detected. Although it has been described as having no function, the security board 325 and the payout control board 17 may be provided with an anomaly notification function to directly notify that an anomaly has occurred.

The gaming machine management server 802 shown in FIG. 5 is provided, for example, in an organization that manages gaming machines operated by an organization to which a plurality of gaming machine manufacturers belong, and the gaming machines installed in the gaming hall are different from the designed values. It is a server that manages a gaming machine by checking whether it is in an abnormal state. The gaming machine management server 802 may be provided in another organization. The gaming machine management server 802 can communicate with the hall server 801, the card unit 3, and the P unit 2.

In the present embodiment, the gaming machine management server 802 associates each gaming machine such as a main chip ID with information for identifying the gaming machine, and designs the gaming machine for determining a model name of the gaming machine and an abnormality of the gaming machine. Remember the value. Details will be described later.

<Transmission/reception mode between card unit side and pachinko game machine side>
Next, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing main data among various data stored on the CU 3 side and the P stand 2 side and a transmission/reception mode thereof. With reference to FIG. 6, main data among various data stored on the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side and a transmission/reception mode thereof will be described.

In the present embodiment, the variation of the number of game balls is calculated on the P machine 2 side to store and manage the current latest number of game balls. The CU3 side also calculates and stores the current number of game balls, but the number of game balls is based on the information transmitted from the P unit 2 side. On the other hand, the number of balls held (the number of cards held), the number of stored balls, and the prepaid balance (remaining amount) are managed and stored on the CU 3 side.

FIG. 6 shows the storage data of the RAM provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU 3 side and the storage data of the RAM mounted on the payout control board 17 on the P stand 2 side. First, when the power supply is started in the state where the P stand 2 and the CU 3 are installed in the game hall and electrically connected to each other for the first time, the payout control board 17 on the P stand 2 side is moved from the main control board 16 to the main chip. An ID (main control chip ID) is sent, the main chip ID is sent to the CU3 side, and the payout chip ID (payout control chip ID) stored in the payout control board 17 itself is sent to the CU3 side. ..

The CU3 side stores the transmitted main chip ID and payout chip ID. Next, the connection time, that is, the data of the time when the CU3 side and the P unit 2 side are connected and the communication is started is transmitted from the CU3 side to the P unit 2 side, and the P unit 2 side transmits the transmitted connection time. Memorize

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

On the CU3 side, the transmitted data is collated with the already stored data to determine whether or not the same P unit 2 as the previous one is connected. As for the connection time data, new connection time data at which the communication between the CU3 side and the P unit 2 side is started each time the power is turned on is transmitted from the CU3 side to the P unit 2 side and the new connection is made. The time data will be stored on the P stand 2 side.

Both the CU 3 and the P unit 2 add a "serial number" to the message and transmit it. Further, both the CU 3 and the P unit 2 store the “serial number” received from the other party. There are three types of "serial number": "normal serial number", "additional serial number" and "counting serial number". The "normal serial number" indicates the sequence number of the electronic message. As for the "normal serial number", the CU3 side (primary station side) sets the initial value to "1" and counts up (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission and transmits. However, the "normal serial number" is not incremented when retransmitting. The P station 2 side (secondary station side) transmits the received serial number as it is. In addition, if the continuity of serial numbers is not established, there is no response. The “additional serial number” is a serial number used when the CU 3 requests the P base 2 to add game balls. The "counting serial number" is a serial number used when the P unit 2 requests the CU 3 to count the gaming balls.

Only the CU3 has the right to update the normal serial number. When the same normal serial number as the transmitted normal serial number is returned, the CU 3 backs up and stores the normal serial number, and then transmits the updated normal serial number. Only CU3 has the right to add and update the addition serial number. When making an addition request, the CU 3 transmits the addition sequence number, which is the addition sequence number used for communication up to that, to the P station 2 by +1. When the P machine 2 accepts the request, it returns the same addition serial number. When rejecting the request, the addition serial number received last time (addition serial number-1 received this time) is returned. Only the P stand 2 has the right to add and update the counting sequence number. When the P unit 2 makes a count request, it transmits to the CU 3 a count sequence number that is +1 from the count sequence number used for communication until then. When accepting the request, the CU 3 returns the same counting sequence number. When rejecting the request, the received counting serial number (currently received counting serial number-1) is returned.

In the following, for the “normal serial number”, a configuration will be described in which the CU 3 counts up (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission and transmits. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration, and the P-unit 2 and the CU 3 each count up (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission by the P-unit 2 and transmit, and the other transmits the received serial number. May be transmitted as it is.

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

The latest game machine information (game machine information being counted) is transmitted from the P machine 2 side to the CU 3 side. This latest gaming machine information is stored in the latest gaming machine information storage area of the RAM of the payout controller 171 (see FIG. 4) on the P machine 2 side. Specifically, it includes information on the added ball number counter, information on the subtracted ball number counter, and information on the counted ball number counter. The number of game balls is not included in the latest game machine information, and is transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU 3 side as a count value of the game ball number counter as described later. 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 information.

Information of these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU3 side as a response. The added ball number counter is a counter that counts the added ball number. The addition balls are the sum of “the number of prize balls×the number of winning balls” and “the number of back balls”. The back balls are foul balls. That is, the additional balls indicate the number that the additional ball counter should add to the game balls. The subtraction ball number counter is a counter that counts the subtraction ball number. The subtracted ball is the “number of fired balls”. That is, it is the number of balls detected by the output change of the ball raising switch (upper) 41a from on to off. The "number of subtracted balls" does not include the "number of counted balls". The counting ball number counter is a counter that counts the counting ball number. The counting balls are "the number of balls converted from game balls to holding balls by counting operation". Here, the "prize ball ball" is a safe ball, which is a ball paid out when a ball wins the winning opening. The “launch ball” is a ball that has been shot by the gaming machine, and if there is a back ball, the number of balls from which the back ball is subtracted becomes the number of balls to be shot. A "back ball" is a ball that has returned without launching a shot ball onto the board. “Out-out passage ball” is a ball that has passed through the out-out port 154, and the total number of out-balls and safe balls means the number of out-out passage balls.

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

Alternatively, the payout control unit 171 counts the number of gaming balls as the number of counting balls by pressing the counting button 28, and transmits the value of the counting ball number counter (the number of counting balls) from the P unit 2 side to the CU 3 side.

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

As a result, in the storage area of the previous game machine information (game machine information transmitted immediately before), the data of the number of added balls, the number of subtracted balls, and the number of counted balls, which is the game machine information transmitted to the CU3 side immediately before, is backed up. It is stored as data. When the latest gaming machine information is not transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU 3 side, this backup data shows not only the value of each counter this time at the time of the next transmission but also the value of each previous counter that was not transmitted. Is also to be able to send. The number of gaming balls transmitted immediately before may be added to the previous gaming machine information and stored.

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

On the CU3 side, in the cumulative data storage area in the RAM, the number of game balls, the number of cards possessed (also simply referred to as the number of possessed balls), the number of stored balls, the remaining amount, the total number of added balls (total number of added balls), and the total subtraction The number of balls (cumulative number of subtracted balls) and the number of balls held when the card is inserted are stored. The number of balls held is the number of balls added when the number of balls paid out (the number of balls converted from the number of cards held to the number of gaming balls) is subtracted from the number of balls held when the card is inserted. That is, the number of balls held by the card is the number of balls held by the player at the present time.

The total number of added balls is added based on the value (number of added balls) of the number-of-added-balls counter transmitted from the P machine 2 side to update the number of balls. Further, the total number of subtracted balls is subtracted based on the value of the number-of-reduced-balls counter (the number of subtracted balls) transmitted from the P unit 2 side to update the number of balls. Furthermore, the number of card balls is added and updated based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P machine 2. In this way, the CU 3 can manage the latest information by updating the total number of added balls, the total number of subtracted balls, and the number of cards held by the latest gaming machine information transmitted from the P unit 2 one by one. It will be possible.

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

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

Instead of shifting to the error state and stopping the game, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side may be replaced with the count value of the game ball number counter transmitted from the P unit 2 side. Good. Alternatively, it may be corrected to an average value of the number of game balls managed on the CU 3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P stand 2 side.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of game balls is also stored in the CU 3 side, but it is determined whether or not the number of game balls matches the number of game balls managed and stored on the P unit 2 side. Is enabled (CU3 side function). Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which the number of game balls stored on the P unit 2 side does not match the number of game balls stored on the CU 3 side due to misconduct or other circumstances, it is possible to check that fact. Although the determination function is provided on the CU3 side here, for example, by the hall server 801 connected to the CU3 or the hall management computer, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the P machine 2 side are stored. It is also possible to receive the number of playing game balls and determine whether the two match.

As shown in FIG. 6, the CU 3 stores a storage area for storing the number of balls held and the number of stored balls, a storage area for storing the prepaid balance of the received (inserted) card, and the total number of added balls (the number of added balls). It further has a storage area for storing the total number of balls), the total number of subtracted balls (total number of subtracted balls), and the number of balls held when the card is inserted. The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 4) stores the stored coins in response to an input requesting the use of the accumulated coins (for example, a pressing input of the replay button 319 provided in the CU3 (however, when there are no balls)). A predetermined number of coins is subtracted from the area.

The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 4) is a memory that stores balls in response to an input requesting the use of balls (for example, pressing input of the replay button 319 provided in the CU 3 when balls are present). A predetermined number of balls are subtracted from the area. Further, the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 4) subtracts a predetermined value from the storage area that stores the prepaid balance in accordance with an input requesting the use of the prepaid balance (for example, pressing the ball lending button 321).

When the player performs an operation to deduct a certain amount of value from the possession value of the player's possession (for example, the number of balls held, the number of balls accumulated, or the prepaid balance), the number of balls deducted The number of added balls for adding to the game ball number counter is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P unit 2 side. In response to this, on the P machine 2 side, the game ball number counter is added and updated.

In the game system according to the present embodiment, on the other hand, it is possible to accept a so-called wagon service order in which the player's ownership value is withdrawn and exchanged for a drink or the like. However, the wagon service is restricted for playing balls, and you can only receive the wagon service for holding balls. This is an image that in a conventional enclosed circulating pachinko gaming machine in which each counter is provided, it is prohibited to grab the uncounted balls remaining on the plate by hand and use them for wagon service.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the number of balls held is less than the number of balls corresponding to the desired menu of the wagon service when the operation to perform the wagon service is executed, the player is prompted to perform the counting operation. Has been done. At that time, when the player executes the counting operation, the number of counting balls based on the operation is transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU 3 side. In response to this, the CU3 side subtracts the number of game balls and adds the number of card possessions to update.

<Frame structure used in communication>
Next, the communication between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. The electronic message used in the communication is composed of a frame having a predetermined format. The transmission data (telegram) is always transmitted in 1-frame units. That is, the divided transmission of the message is not performed. In addition, when transmitting electronic messages continuously, an interval of 1 millisecond or more is provided.

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

<Commands and responses sent and received between CU and P unit>
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an outline of commands and responses transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 will be described.

<<Sending commands and responses>>
FIG. 7 shows the transmission direction, whether the data to be transmitted is a command or a response, the name of the transmission information and its outline. First, the transmission of commands and responses between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 will be described. A command is transmitted from the CU3 (primary station) to the P unit 2 (secondary station), and the P unit 2 returns a response to the CU3 in response to the command. That is, the business message is transmitted by the command/response method in which the CU 3 is the primary station and the P unit 2 is the secondary station.

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

Thus, both the command and the response are transmitted between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 at intervals of 200 ms. On the other hand, since the P table 2 operates 100 hitting pachinko balls into the game area 27 per minute by operating the hitting ball operation handle 25, the hitting ball firing time interval is 0.6 seconds. As a result, a plurality of commands and responses are transmitted/received during one shot of the ball.

Therefore, a response for notifying the amount of change in the number of game balls is transmitted from the P console 2 to the CU 3 one after another at intervals shorter than the ball firing time interval. As a result, the P unit 2 can minutely notify the CU 3 of the amount of change in the number of game balls.

Although the command and response transmission interval is set to 200 ms here, the transmission interval may be set to a longer interval or a shorter interval. For example, the transmission interval may be set to the firing time interval of the P unit 2. It is also possible to match with.

<<Recovery request, Recovery response>>
First, the command named recovery request is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. This recovery request command requests the P units 2 for recovery information. In response to this recovery request, a response called a recovery response is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3. The response of this recovery response notifies the CU 3 of the recovery information.

The recovery request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 after the CU 3 completes the authentication. The recovery request command requests recovery information from the P unit 2 from the CU 3, and the CU 3 first sends the command after the authentication is completed. The recovery request includes "serial number", "command", "previous last transmission serial number" and "previous last transmission count serial number". The “serial number” is a sequence number (1 to 255). The "command" is a command code of the recovery request, and is represented by hexadecimal binary data.

The “last last transmission serial number” is the serial number of the last status information request command transmitted to the P-unit 2 at the previous connection. When the "last last transmission sequence number" is "0", it means that there is no stored sequence number. The "previous last transmission serial number" is a serial number that is stored as the last last transmission serial number (serial number) on both the P unit 2 and the CU3 side when the P unit 2 transmits the status information response and when the CU 3 receives the status information response. Is.

The “last last transmission count serial number” is the count serial number of the response of the last status information request transmitted to the P unit 2 at the previous connection. When "0" is shown in the "previous last transmission count serial number", there is no stored serial number. The "previous last transmission count sequence number" is a sequence number that is stored as a last last transmission count sequence number on both the P station 2 and the CU3 side when the P station 2 transmits a status information response and when the CU 3 receives the status information response. ..

In the recovery process (the number of counting balls) of the P unit 2, the “store code” and the “SC substrate ID” notified from the security substrate 325 in the counting history sequence described later, and the “store code” held by the P unit 2 And the “SC board ID” are matched, and if they match, the following processing is performed. If they do not match, the count request ball count=0 is set in the subtraction register and notified to the user program.

The P unit 2 refers to the "last transmission count serial number of the last transmission" notified by the CU3, and when the CU3 has not executed the counting process for the counting request, sets the counting request ball number = 0 in the subtraction register. Notify the user program executed on the P unit 2. When the CU3 has completed the counting process, the number of counting-requested balls notified to the CU3 is set in the subtraction register and notified to the user program. If all of the store codes held by the P stand 2 are “F” (hexadecimal number), it is determined that the store codes match. Further, when the “store code” notified from the security board 325 and the “store code” held in the P stand 2 do not match, the user code side is notified of the store code mismatch via the register. When receiving a recovery request command from the CU 3, the P console 2 notifies the user program side via the register.

The response of the recovery response is a response of the recovery information held by the P unit 2 to the CU 3. Recovery information is "serial number", "command", "last last transmission serial number", "previous insertion card ID", "last card insertion time", "last last transmission addition serial number", "ball unit price", "game information" "Presence or absence of storage", "previous game machine information" and "previous game information" are included. The "serial number" and the "command" are the same as those described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

The "last last transmission sequence number" is the sequence number data included in the response of the status information response transmitted last to the CU 3 at the time of the previous connection, and when it is "0", there is no retained sequence number. “Previously inserted card ID” is data of the card ID of the card which was being inserted at the time of the previous connection, and when it is “0”, there is no card being inserted. The payout control unit 171 of the P machine 2 stores and holds the card ID which is being inserted based on the information transmitted from the CU 3.

The "previous card insertion time" is data of the insertion time of the card which was being inserted at the time of the previous connection, and when it is "0", there is no card being inserted. This data is also represented by 2-digit YY for year information, 2-digit MM for month information, 2-digit DD for day information, 2-digit hh for time information, 2-digit mm for minute information, and 2-digit ss for second information. Is. The “last last transmission addition serial number” is the addition serial number included in the response of the status information response transmitted last to the CU 3 at the time of the previous connection, and when it is “0”, there is no such addition serial number. The "ball unit price" is a ball unit price (0.01 yen to 99.99 yen) per ball playing on the P unit 2. The “presence/absence of game information storage” is “0x00” when the game information is not stored and “0x01” when the game information is stored.

The “previous game machine information” is the game machine information notified to the CU 3 last time, and includes the information of “number of game balls”, “game ball information”, “number of requested balls for counting”, and “counting serial number”. The “number of game balls” is the number of game balls previously notified to CU3. The "gaming ball information" is the gaming ball information notified last time. The game ball information is, for example, information such as the number of shot balls previously notified to the CU 3, the number of out-passing balls, and the total number of prize balls. The "number of balls required for counting" is the number of game balls for which counting is requested. The “counting serial number” is the counting serial number notified to the CU 3 last time.

The “previous game information” is the game information notified to the CU 3 last time, and includes the “game information number” and the information of “game information 1” to “game information n”. The “number of game information” is the number (0 to n) of game information notified to the CU 3 last time. The variable length is n=0 to 22. "Game information 1" is the game information 1 notified to the CU 3 last time. "Game information n" is the game information n notified to the CU 3 last time. The game information n includes, for example, type information and game prize ball information that the CU 3 was previously notified of.

The "last last transmission addition serial number" is a serial number that is stored as the last last transmission addition serial number on both the CU3 side and the P machine 2 when the CU3 transmits a status information request and when the P machine 2 receives the status information request.

In the recovery process (game information) of the P unit 2, the “store code” and the “SC substrate ID” notified from the security substrate 325 in the counting history sequence described later, and the “store code” held by the P unit 2 and It is determined whether the “SC board ID” matches, and if the “store code” does not match, the recovery data is treated as no. If they match, the following processing is performed.

When there is recovery data of game information, "Presence or absence of game information storage" is stored: 0x01 is set, the previous "gaming ball number", the last "gaming ball information", the last "count requesting ball number", the last " The recovery data held by the P unit 2 is set in the “counting serial number”, the previous “game information number”, and the previous “game information 1 to n”. When there is no recovery data of game information or when the last transmission serial number is 0, the "game information storage status" is set to "0x00" without storing, the last "gaming ball information", the last "count request ball number", the last time The "counting serial number" and the previous "number of game information" are set to ALL "0". However, the number of game balls set last time is set as the number of game balls. If all of the store codes held by the P stand 2 are “F” (hexadecimal number), it is determined that the store codes match.

When it is determined that the “store code” notified from the security board 325 does not match the store code held by the P stand 2, the card is processed without a card. That is, ALL “0” is set for “previously inserted card ID” and “previous card insertion time”.

The P console 2 stores the serial number at the time of response to the status information request as the last last transmitted serial number. If the “store code” and “SC board ID” notified from the security board 325 do not match with the information held in the P units, the last transmission serial number=0 is notified. The “store code” and “SC board ID” notified from the security board 325 are compared with the information held in the P units, and if they match, the stored last transmission serial number is notified.

The P stand 2 stores the counting serial number as the last final transmission counting serial number when transmitting the status information response. If the “store code” and the “SC board ID” notified from the SC 325b are compared with the information held in the P units and they do not match, the last transmission count serial number=0 is notified. The “store code” and “SC board ID” notified from the security board 325 are compared with the information held in the P units, and if they match, the stored last final transmission count serial number is notified.

In addition, when the process of the “last transmission sequence number of the last time” notified from the P unit 2 has not been performed, the CU 3 performs the recovery process using the previous gaming machine information. In addition, when the process of the "last last transmission serial number" is performed, the CU 3 performs the recovery process by using only the previous gaming machine information. However, recovery of the number of counting balls is not performed.

<<Recovery request 2, recovery response 2>>
A command named recovery request 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. The command of this recovery request 2 notifies the P units 2 of the additional recovery information. In response to this recovery request 2, a response named recovery response 2 is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3. The response of this recovery response 2 notifies the CU 3 of the processing result of the additional recovery information.

The command of the recovery request 2 notifies the P unit 2 of the additional recovery information, and includes the data of “serial number”, “command”, “last transmission last serial number to be added” and “additional ball number”. There is. The "serial number" and the "command" are the same as those described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. The recovery request 2 is transmitted when the CU 3 determines that it is necessary to perform the additional ball recovery process on the P units 2. The CU 3 compares the “previous last transmission addition serial number” included in the recovery response received from the P unit 2 with the “previous last transmission addition serial number” stored by itself, and if they match, the addition ball recovery It is determined that the processing is not necessary, and if they do not match, it is determined that the addition ball recovery processing is necessary. When it is determined that the additional ball recovery processing is necessary, the recovery request 2 is transmitted.

The "previous last transmission addition serial number" included in the recovery request 2 is data of the addition serial number of the last status information request command transmitted to the P unit 2 at the time of the previous connection, and the "additional ball number" is the game ball. Is the data of the number of balls added.

Next, the recovery process of the P unit 2 will be described in detail. In the recovery process of the P unit 2, if the P unit 2 has not executed the process of the “last final transmission serial number” notified from the CU 3 based on the recovery request 2, the number of added balls is referred to the game ball. This is a process of performing addition to each other.

The response of the recovery response 2 notifies the CU 3 of the processing result of the additional recovery information on the P unit 2, and includes a “serial number”, a “command”, and a “recovery result”. The “recovery result” is the recovery result process OK in the case of “0x00” and the recovery result process NG in the case of “0x01”. If the P machine 2 cannot receive the added number of balls, the process NG is returned as a recovery result.

When performing the recovery process (the number of added balls) for the P units 2, if the P units 2 have not executed the process of the “last final transmission addition serial number” notified from the CU 3, the CU 3 processes as the “recovery result”. In response, the number of added balls notified from the CU 3 is set in the addition register, and the user program is notified. When the number of added balls=0 from the CU3, the number of added balls=0 is set in the addition register, the user program is notified, and the process OK is returned to the CU3. However, when the CU status of the status information request described later is during the game ball addition request (Bit=1), when the gaming machine status 1 responds with the game ball addition result (Bit5=1) in the status information response, the CU 3 indicates “recovery”. As a result, processing NG is returned, the number of added balls=0 is set in the addition register, and the user program is notified.

When the "last last transmission addition serial number" notified from CU3 is the same as the "last last transmission addition serial number" held by the chips of the P unit 2, the number of added balls=0 is set in the addition register, The user program is notified, and the process NG is returned to the CU 3 as a “recovery result”. If "last transmission addition serial number of last time" notified from CU3=0, regardless of the number of added balls notified from CU3, the number of added balls=0 is set in the addition register, and the user program is notified to CU3. Process OK is responded.

Further, at the timing of completion of the recovery processing (for example, timing of setting the recovery completion flag), the "previous last transmission addition serial number" notified from the CU3 is notified to the user program via the register, regardless of the recovery result. .. When the recovery request 2 is not received, the "previous last transmission addition serial number" held by the chips of the P units 2 is notified to the user program at the timing when the recovery process is completed.

<<Request for status information>>
A command for requesting a state information is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 at predetermined intervals (for example, 200 ms). This status information request command requests the status of the CU 3 to the P unit 2. The CU 3 uses this command to periodically check the status of the P stand 2. The command for requesting the state information includes the number of balls to be added from the CU 3 side to the P unit 2 side shown in FIG.

The status information request will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the content of the status information request. Specific data of the status information request includes data of "serial number", "command", "CU status", "additional ball number", "additional serial number", "counting serial number", and "ball unit price". There is. The "serial number" and the "command" are the same as those described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

The “CU state” indicates the state of the CU 3 which notifies the P unit 2, and the card insertion state is ON when Bit0 is “1”, that is, the card insertion state is ON, and the card insertion state is “0”. It indicates OFF, that is, no card is inserted. That is, Bit0 represents a state (card insertion state) in which a card (general card/membership card) is inserted in CU3. Also, a general card is being inserted by depositing a stock card (general 0 yen 0 coin card) pre-stocked in the card stock section of CU3.

When Bit1 is "1", the card unit is open, and when it is "0", the card unit is closed. That is, Bit1 notifies the P stand 2 of the card unit opening state according to the state of the CU3. The timing of notifying that the card unit is open is, for example, when the opening of the store is completed. The timing of notifying that the card unit is closed is, for example, when the card is closed. When the same state changes from the opening state to the closing state, the P stand 2 notifies the CU 3 by a state information response as the number of all the held gaming balls.

When Bit2 is "1", the card is being prepared for return, and when it is "0", the card is not being prepared for return. The CU 3 notifies the P unit 2 of "preparing for card return" for a certain period of time (10 seconds) by setting this bit at the time of each operation of card return, simple leaving, and meal break. When the operation of the counting button 28 is detected, the P-table 2 receives the status information request in which the bit for preparing to return the card is ON, whether the counting button has been operated once or a plurality of times. Regardless of the operation duration, regardless of the operation duration, the CU 3 is notified by the status information response as the number of all stored game balls.

When Bit3 is "1", the game ball addition request is ON, that is, there is a game ball addition request, and when it is "0", the game ball addition request is OFF, that is, there is no game ball addition request. That is, Bit3 requests addition of game balls (number of added balls) at the time of operations of ball lending, holding ball payout, and accumulated ball payout.

When Bit4 is "1", it indicates that the counting balls have been received, and "0" indicates that the counting balls have not been received. Bit4 notifies the P unit 2 that the receipt is completed when the counting balls are received. That is, it is used to confirm the delivery of the response “counting ball number” of the status information response. Upon receiving the counting ball reception completion, the P machine 2 checks whether the counting sequence number is the same as the P machine 2 and, if the sequence numbers do not match, notifies the CU 3 without subtracting the number of game balls.

When Bit5 is "1", the card is waiting for card removal, and "0" indicates the completion of card removal. Bit 5 notifies the P stand 2 of the state of waiting for card removal from the CU 3. Note that Bit6 and Bit7 are unused.

The “added ball number” is the added ball number of the game balls, and the data of the added ball number is valid only when Bit3 in the CU state is “1”. The "additional serial number" is a sequence number for addition (0 to 255), and the sequence number is updated (+1) and notified when a game ball addition request is made. The "counting sequence number" is a counting sequence number (0 to 255), and directly reports the counting sequence number received at the time of the counting request. However, if the continuity of the counting sequence number is not established, the counting receipt will not be issued.

The “ball unit price” is a ball unit price (0.01 yen to 99.99 yen) per game ball played on the P unit 2. The ball unit price notified from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 is stored in the RAM of the payout control board 17 of the P unit 2, for example. Then, the P stand 2 notifies the CU 3 of the ball unit price stored in the RAM by a status information response when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Specifically, when the recovery information for recovering from the incommunicable state is requested from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 (the recovery request command is transmitted from the CU 3), the P unit 2 responds with a recovery response. Set the ball unit price and send to CU3. That is, the ball unit price is not output to the outside except for notifying the CU 3 at the time of recovery response. The ball unit price stored in the P unit 2 is set in the response of the recovery response when the recovery request command is transmitted from the CU 3, and is transmitted to the CU 3. As a result, it is possible to accurately grasp the ball unit price of the game ball that was playing on the P unit 2 before the recovery, and to have the player restart the game with an appropriate game value after the recovery. In addition, security is ensured so that the ball unit price is not illegally changed by not outputting the ball unit price stored in the P unit 2 to the outside except for notifying the CU 3 at the time of recovery response. Further, the ball unit price stored in the P unit 2 is prohibited from being overwritten with a new ball unit price when the P unit 2 holds the number of game balls. Even if the P table 2 holds the number of game balls, the overwriting of the ball unit price stored in the P table 2 is permitted, and the number of game balls held is converted into the overwritten ball unit price and displayed. May be updated.

<<Status Information Response>>
In response to the status information request, a response of status information response is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3. The response of this status information response notifies the CU 3 of the information and status of the P unit 2. The response of the status information response includes the latest gaming machine information and the number of game balls shown in FIG.

The status information response will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the content of the status information response. Specific data of the status information response includes "serial number", "command", "CU control unit request information", "number of game balls", "number of shot balls", "number of outro passing balls", and "total prize ball ball". "Number", "Number of requested balls", "Counting serial number", "Firing intensity", "Game machine status", "Game machine error status", "Fraud detection information", "Fraud detection status", "Additional serial number", And "game information" data are included. The "serial number" and the "command" are the same as those described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

The “number of game balls” is the current number of game balls (the number of game balls resulting from the calculation of addition/subtraction). The “number of shots” is the number of shots (if there are multiple shots at the time of transmission, they are added together). The “number of out-passing balls” is the number of balls that have passed through the out-out port 154 (if there are a plurality of passing balls at the time of transmission, they are added together). The “total number of prize balls” is the total number of prize balls in the prize ball information 1-n. The "number of requested balls" is the number of gaming balls requested to be counted. The “counting serial number” is a counting sequence number (0 to 255), and is updated (+1) and notified when counting is requested.

The "firing strength" is information on the firing strength of the game ball. The “game machine state” indicates the state of the P machine 2 at the time when the command for requesting the state information is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P machine 2, and is “game machine state 1 ”, “game machine state 2 ”, “ It includes information on "gaming machine status 3" and "gaming machine error status".

For example, Bit5 of "gaming machine state 1" indicates the result of whether or not the P base 2 has added the game balls in accordance with the addition request received from the CU3. Bit5 is set to "0" when the game balls are normally added, and Bit5 is set to "1" when the game balls are not normally added.

The "fraud detection information" is information detected by the P unit 2 at the time when the command for requesting the state information is sent from the CU 3 to the P unit 2, and is "fraud detection state 1" and "fraud detection state 2". , And “fraud detection information 1” to “fraud detection information 4”.

For example, Bit6 of the “fraud detection state 2” is a fraudulent ball lending detection flag and indicates whether or not the addition request is received in a state where no card is inserted in the CU3. Bit6 is set to "0" when an addition request is accepted with a card inserted in CU3, and Bit6 is set to "1" when an addition request is accepted with no card inserted in CU3. Specifically, the payout control unit 171 sets Bit6 to “1” when it is determined in the state information request reception process (see FIG. 16) described later that the card is not inserted in the CU3 although the addition request is accepted. Set to. Once the Bit 6 in the “fraud detection state 2” is set to “1”, the Bit 6 is maintained in the state set to “1” until the power of the P stand 2 is turned off.

Further, the “fraud detection information 3” is valid when the Bit 6 of the “fraud detection state 2” is “1”, and the number of balls (also referred to as the number of fraudulent ball lending) attempted to lend in the state where no card is inserted. It represents the accumulated results.

The "additional serial number" is an addition sequence number, and the addition serial number received at the time of the addition request is notified as it is. However, if the continuity of the addition serial number is not established, the addition NG is notified.

The “fraud detection state 3” is the fraud detection information of the payout control board 17. For example, when Bit 1 of “Fraud detection state 3” is “1”, it indicates that it is the fraud detection information of the iron ball detection.

The “game information” is the information of the P machine 2 at the time when the command of the status information request is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P machine 2, and is the “game information number”, “classification information 1” to “classification information n”. , "Count information 1" to "count information n".

<<Card insertion notification, card insertion response>>
A card insertion notification command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. This card insertion notification command notifies the P stand 2 of card insertion. In response to this card insertion notification, a response of a card insertion response is transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3. The response of this card insertion response is a response indicating that the card insertion notification has been received to the CU 3.

The card insertion notification command notifies the P base 2 of the card ID and insertion time of the inserted card when the card is inserted, and the "serial number", "command", "card ID", "card insertion time", The data of "store code" and "SC board ID" is included. The "serial number" and the "command" are the same as those described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

The “card ID” is identification ID information of the IC card inserted in the CU 3, and is used for linking with the game ball held by the P table 2. The "card insertion time" is the time when the IC card is inserted into the card insertion/ejection slot 309 (see FIG. 1) of the CU3. The year information is 2 digits YY, the month information is 2 digits MM, and the day information is 2 digits. The data is represented by DD, time information is 2 digits hh, minute information is 2 digits mm, and second information is 2 digits ss. The card insertion time is used to determine whether the game ball held on the P stand 2 is a current day ball or a past ball.

The “store code” is a store identification code in which the CU 3 is installed, and is used for associating with the game ball held by the P table 2. It is also used to determine whether the CU3 has been moved to a store. The CU 3 stores the store code in which it is installed. The store code is added to the information from the security board 325 and notified to the P units. The "SC board ID" is an SC board ID for identifying the CU3 and is used to determine whether or not the CU3 has been replaced. The SC board ID is added to the information from the security board 325 and notified to the P stand 2. The payout control unit 171 of the P machine 2 stores the information notified by the card insertion notification command such as the card ID (C-ID) and the card insertion time. The "store code" and the "SC board ID" are deleted in the payout control circuit without notifying the user program side.

The response of the card insertion response notifies the CU 3 that the card insertion notification has been normally received, and includes data of "serial number", "command", and "result". The "serial number" and the "command" are the same as those described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. The “result” indicates whether or not the card ID and the card insertion time are normally overwritten when the payout control unit 171 receives the card insertion notification, that is, whether or not the card insertion notification is normally accepted. ing. When the card insertion notification is normally accepted, OK is shown as the “result”, and when the card insertion notification is not normally received, NG is shown as the “result”. If the "card insertion time" specified by the card insertion notification is a value other than a value having a predetermined format (for example, a BCD value (binary coded decimal)), the result is NG. Is shown.

Here, the operation of the P stand 2 upon notification of card insertion/return will be described. First, a card or general card is inserted into the card insertion/ejection slot 309 of the CU3 or a general 0 yen 0 coin card is deposited, and the card is notified to the P stand 2 as a card insertion notification. Information such as ID and card insertion time is notified. Upon receiving the card insertion notification, the P stand 2 backs up information such as the card ID and the card insertion time. However, when the card insertion notification command is received and the status information request including the information that the status of the CU3 is the card insertion status (Bit 0=1 in the CU status) is received (when it is determined that the P unit 2 is in the card insertion status). ), the P stand 2 does not back up the information such as the card ID and the card insertion time and sends only the response. Further, when the card return button 322 of the CU 3 is pressed, a card return notification is given to the P machine 2, and the P machine 2 clears the backed up information such as the card ID and the card insertion time. The condition for releasing the card insertion state is when the P stand 2 receives the card return notification command.

When the P table 2 normally overwrites the card ID and the card insertion time, that is, when the card insertion notification is normally received, the P card 2 stores a card insertion flag indicating that the card is in the insertion state in the RAM of the payout control unit 171. Set.

<<Card return notification, card return response>>
The CU 3 sends a card return notification command to the P unit 2. This card return notification command notifies the P unit 2 of the card return. In response to this card return notification, the response of the card return response is transmitted from the P console 2 to the CU 3. The response of the card return response is a response of the card return to the CU 3.

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

The response of the card return response sends a response of the card return notification to the CU 3, and includes data of “serial number”, “command”, “card ID”, and “card insertion time”. The "serial number", "command", "card ID", and "card insertion time" are the same as those described above, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated. CU3 does not return the card when the card return response does not match the card ID included in the command with the ID of the currently inserted card, or when there is a problem with the card insertion time included in the command. , Such as prohibiting writing of balls in the card.

Here, the operation of the P stand 2 at the time of the card insertion notification or the card return notification will be described. When a card insertion notification is made by the CU 3, a member card is inserted, a general card is inserted, or a general 0 yen 0 coin card is inserted, the P stand 2 backs up the card ID and the card insertion time. When the "return card" button is pressed on the CU 3 at the time of the card return notification, the P stand 2 clears the card ID and the card insertion time. Further, the P-table 2 clears the card insertion flag set in the RAM of the payout control unit 171.

<<Design value acquisition request, design value acquisition response>>
A command named design value acquisition request is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3. The command for requesting the acquisition of the design value requests the game machine management server 802 outside the game arcade to acquire the design value such as the base through the CU 3, and is transmitted when the game machine is activated.

The base is the number of pachinko balls that are driven into the game area 27 of the P base 2, and a prize such as a large winning opening 271, a normal winning opening 272 to 274, and a starting winning opening 275 to 277 provided in the playing area 27. It is the ratio of the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the game value given according to the winning of pachinko balls to the mouth.

In the game area 27, obstacles such as nails and windmills are provided. The pachinko balls that are hit in the game area 27 hit each of the winning holes while hitting these obstacles, or reach the out port 154 without winning any of the winning holes. Depending on the installation state such as the position where the obstacle is provided, the average value of the number of winning prizes for each winning opening with respect to the number of pachinko balls hit in the game area 27 is determined. In addition, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the game value given to each prize hole is predetermined for each prize hole. Thus, the design value of the base can be determined by designing the installation state of these obstacles. These obstacles are manufactured in an installed state designed for each model of pachinko game machine. Therefore, the base design value is within a certain range for each model.

The design value acquisition request command includes data of “serial number”, “command”, “model name”, and “main chip ID”. The "serial number" and the "command" are the same as those described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. The “model name” is the model name of the model acquired from the main control board 16. The “main chip ID” is identification information of the main control board 16 acquired from the main control board 16.

In response to this design value acquisition request, the CU 3 transmits a response called a design value acquisition response to the P unit 2. The response of the design value acquisition response is a response of the design value such as the base to the P unit 2, and is transmitted in response to the acquisition of the design value of the gaming machine from the gaming machine management server 802.

The response of the design value acquisition response includes “serial number”, “command”, “low base base lower limit value Bll”, “low base base upper limit value Blu”, “high base base lower limit value Bhl”, “high base value”. The data of the hour base upper limit value Bhu” is included. The "serial number" and the "command" are the same as those described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated. “Low base time base lower limit value Bll” and “low base time base upper limit value Blu” are design values of the base lower limit value and upper limit value at the time of low base, respectively. "High base time base lower limit value Bhl" and "high base time base upper limit value Bhu" are design values of the base lower limit value and upper limit value at the time of high base, respectively.

As the design value of the base, the winning state which can be changed to the first state which is advantageous for the player and the second state which is disadvantageous to the player, such as the starting winning port 276 provided with the electric tulip, is set to the first state. There are a design value in a high base state in which a winning frequency at a winning opening is increased due to an increased frequency, and a design value in a low base state in which such a winning frequency is not increased. The base value is statistically included in a predetermined range at a predetermined ratio. The lower limit value and the upper limit value of this predetermined range are set as the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the base design value. As a result, if the base value frequently falls below the lower limit value or above the upper limit value, it can be determined that the state of an obstacle such as a nail of a pachinko gaming machine is abnormal.

Bit 4 and Bit 5 in the “fraud detection state 3” of FIG. 10 described above, when the value is “1”, respectively indicate that the base abnormality is low base abnormality and the high base abnormality is abnormality information.

In addition, in the present embodiment, in addition to the base, abnormalities in the character ratio and the continuous character ratio are also determined. The definitions of the character ratio and the continuous character ratio are stipulated in the rules concerning the approval of the gaming machine and the approval of the model.

The character ratio (also referred to as a character ratio) means a ratio of the game balls obtained by the game balls that have been fired for 10 hours, which are caused by the operation of the character. The above rules stipulate that the duty ratio must be 70% or less. In the present embodiment, the character ratio corresponds to the gaming value given by winning all the winning holes of the pachinko balls that have been fired for 10 hours (100 balls can be fired per minute, so 60000 balls). Among the number of pachinko balls to be played, a starting prize hole 276 composed of an electric tulip, which is one of the prizes, and a pachinko to a special prize hole 271 composed of a variable prize ball device, which is one of the prizes. It is the ratio of the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the game value given by the ball winning.

The continuous character ratio (also referred to as character string) is the ratio of the number of game balls obtained by the game balls fired in 10 hours, which is due to the operation of the character when the character operates continuously. .. The above rule stipulates that the ratio of continuous role must be 60% or less. In the present embodiment, the continuous character ratio is the gaming value given by winning all the winning holes of the pachinko balls that have been fired for 10 hours (100 balls can be fired in 1 minute). Of the corresponding number of pachinko balls, the ratio of the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the gaming value given by the winning of the pachinko ball to the special winning opening 271 provided with the variable winning ball device, which is one of the winning characters, is calculated. Say.

Bit 4 and Bit 5 in the “fraud detection state 3” of FIG. 10 described above, when the value is “1”, respectively indicate that the base abnormality is low base abnormality and the high base abnormality is abnormality information.

<Main sequence in communication between CU and P unit>
<< card insertion >>
The processing of the CU 3 and the P base 2 when the card is inserted is as shown in FIG.

<<Return card>>
The processing of the CU 3 and the P unit 2 when the card is returned is as shown in FIG.

It is prohibited to update the card ID and the insertion time while the card is being inserted. As a condition for prohibiting this, the relationship between the card insertion notification command and the CU state included in the status information request command is as shown in FIG.

<< Prepaid lending >>
The process of lending a game ball from the prepaid balance of the inserted card is as shown in FIG.

<< Jidge ball payout/payment ball payout (replay) >>
The process of paying out the dime balls and paying out the accumulated balls and re-playing them is as shown in FIG.

<Status information request reception process>
The state information request reception process is as shown in FIG.

<Type of error reported in the gaming system>
Next, the errors reported in the game system according to the present embodiment will be collectively described. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the types of errors that can be reported in the game system. In FIG. 17, 36 types of errors are described, and each error has “priority”, “error code”, “error name”, “error detection content”, “informing means”, and “error canceling method”. Is described.

For example, as for the error of number 28, "Priority" is "7", "Error code" is "F60", "Error name" is "Illegal ball lending detection", and "Error detection content" is other than "card is being inserted". "A request to add the number of rental balls has been received", "notification means" is "game machine frame, unit", and "error cancellation method" is "automatic recovery". Here, when notifying by a gaming machine frame, in addition to displaying an “error code” on a display device (such as a variable display device 278) such as the game ball number display 29, the payout control board 17 is provided. Alternatively, the 7-segment LED display may display an "error code" for notification. Further, instead of displaying the "error code", the game may be stopped to notify the error, or the error information may be output to the outside.

The notifying means may notify the error by outputting a voice or lighting an electric decoration on the game board depending on the type of the error. Further, the notification means may notify the error by outputting the information output 1 and the information output 2 to the hall controller depending on the type of the error. In addition to the "automatic recovery", the "error clearing method" includes a "power off/on" method that temporarily turns off the power and turns it on, and a "release switch" that presses the release switch.

The "automatic recovery" is an error canceling method in which the processing automatically recovers from the error state after a certain period of time elapses after the notification means notifies the error. The “power OFF/ON” is an error canceling method for recovering from an error state by literally turning off the power of the P stand 2 once and turning it on. The “release switch” is an error release method for returning from an error state by pressing an error release switch (not shown) provided on the payout control board 17, for example. By pressing the error release switch, the abnormality flag of the subtraction sensor or the like stored in the payout control board 17 is reset, and the error state can be recovered. That is, as for the error requiring the error canceling method by the “cancellation switch”, some data is stored in the payout control board 17, and the error requiring the resetting of the data is mainly targeted. Errors requiring a method of releasing the error due to “power OFF/ON” include not only data stored in the payout control board 17 but also data stored in the main control board 16 or the like that needs to be reset. Mainly targeted. "Automatic recovery" mainly targets errors that do not require data reset.

Further, the error that occurs before the execution of the predetermined processing such as the user program is the error in the in-game machine authentication error with the error code "F91" and the error in the in-game machine communication error code with the error code "F96". However, if they occur at the same time, the error with the higher priority is notified. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the priority of the error code “F91” is “16” and the priority of the error code “F96” is “21”, so that the error code “F91” having a high priority is It is displayed on the game ball number display 29. If the display device can display a plurality of errors, the plurality of errors may be displayed in order of priority.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the design value acquisition process. Referring to FIG. 18, first, the payout control unit 171 of the payout control board 17 determines whether or not the P stand 2 is activated (step S101). Whether or not it is the start-up time can be determined by whether or not the payout control unit 171 is executing the start-up process. When it is determined that it is not at startup (NO in step S101), the payout control unit 171 ends the design value acquisition process and returns the process to be executed to the calling source.

When it is determined that the P machine 2 is being activated (YES in step S101), the payout control unit 171 determines the model name, the main chip ID, and the n-th prize-winning mouth without a prize (in this case, other than the special winning mouth 271). The winning holes are numbered n. For example, the normal winning holes 272 to 274 are numbered 1 to 3, that is, the first winning hole to the third winning hole, and the starting winning holes 275 to 277 are numbered 4 to 6, respectively. Therefore, the number of prize balls for one prize is from the first prize hole to the fourth prize hole and the sixth prize hole. An (for example, the first to third prize holes are three, the fourth prize hole and the sixth prize hole are five), and the start prize hole 276 (here, the fifth prize hole) with the accessory. ), the number of prize balls As for one prize (for example, 5) and the number of prize balls Ab for one prize of the special winning opening 271 (for example, 3) are acquired from the main control board 16. It is stored in the RAM of the payout controller 171 (step S102).

Next, the payout control unit 171 corresponds to the model name and the main chip ID acquired from the main control board 16, the low base time base lower limit value Bll, the low base time base upper limit value Blu, and the high base time base lower limit value. Bhl and the high base time base upper limit value Bhu are acquired from the gaming machine management server 802 and stored in the RAM of the payout control unit 171 (step S103). For example, Bll=30, Blu=39, Bhl=80, Bhu=95. After that, the payout control unit 171 ends the design value acquisition process and returns the process to be executed to the calling source.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the game board surface determination related processing. With reference to FIG. 19, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not the period is outside the determination value calculation target (step S111). The non-judgment value calculation target period is a period excluded from the calculation of judgment values such as the base, the character ratio, and the continuous character ratio. For example, the glass door 6 and the front frame 5 are open. A period during which a pachinko ball is not fired (for example, a period 15 seconds after the last pachinko ball is fired), and a period during which the game hall is closed, such as a period during which a store clerk can cheat. .. When it is determined that the period is outside the determination value calculation target (YES in step S111), the payout control unit 171 ends the game board surface determination related process, and returns the process to be executed to the calling source.

When it is determined that the period is not the determination value calculation non-interest period (NO in step S111), the payout control unit 171 executes the passing number addition process shown in FIG. 20 described later (step S120).

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the passage number addition processing. Referring to FIG. 20, payout control unit 171 determines whether or not it is in the jackpot gaming state (step S121). When it is determined that it is not the jackpot gaming state (NO in step S121), the payout control unit 171 determines whether it is in the high base state (step S122).

When it is determined that it is not in the high base state (NO in step S122), that is, when it is not in the big hit game state and in the low base state, it is determined whether or not a detection signal is received from the out-ball detection switch 701 ( Step S123). When it is determined that the signal has been received (YES in step S123), 1 is added to the out-passage number pl at low base (step S124).

Further, each of the nth winning openings (the first to sixth winning openings in the present embodiment) is provided with a detection switch for detecting a winning ball. When it is determined that the detection signal has not been received from the out-ball detection switch 701 (NO in step S123), and after step S124, the payout control unit 171 has received the detection signal from the detection switch of the n-th winning opening. It is determined whether or not (step S125). When it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S125), 1 is added to the passing number qln of the n-th winning opening at the time of low base (step S126).

On the other hand, if it is determined that it is in the high base state (YES in step S122), that is, if it is not in the big hit game state and in the high base state, whether or not a detection signal is received from the out ball detection switch 701 is determined. It is determined (step S127). When it is determined that the signal has been received (YES in step S127), 1 is added to the number of passages ph through the outlet at the time of high base (step S128).

When it is determined that the detection signal has not been received from the out-ball detection switch 701 (NO in step S127), and after step S128, the payout control unit 171 has received the detection signal from the detection switch of the n-th winning opening. It is determined whether or not (step S129). When it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S129), 1 is added to the passing number qhn of the n-th winning port at the time of high base (step S130).

When it is determined that it is a big hit game state (YES in step S121), when it is determined that no detection signal is received from the detection switch of the nth winning opening (NO in steps S125 and S129), after step S126, Then, after step S130, the payout control unit 171 detects from the detection switch 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 a signal has been received (step S131). When it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S131), the payout control unit 171 adds 1 to the number qn of passing through the n-th winning opening (step S132).

When it is determined that the detection signal is not received from the detection switch of the n-th winning opening (NO in step S131) and after step S132, the payout control unit 171 detects the starting winning opening 276 having the accessory. It is determined whether or not the detection signal is received from (step S133). When it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S133), the payout control unit 171 adds 1 to the number of passages qs of the starting winning opening 276 having an accessory (step S134).

When it is determined that the detection signal is not received from the detection switch of the starting winning opening 276 having the accessory (NO in step S133), and after step S134, the payout control unit 171 detects the detection switch of the large winning opening 271. It is determined whether or not the detection signal from is received (step S135). When it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S135), the payout control unit 171 adds 1 to the number of passages qb of the special winning opening 271 (step S136).

When it is determined that the detection signal is not received from the detection switch of the special winning opening 271 (NO in step S135), and after step S136, the payout control unit 171 determines the detection switch of all the winning openings and the out-ball detecting switch. It is determined whether the detection signal is received from 701 (step S137). When it is determined that it has been received (YES in step S137), the payout control unit 171 adds 1 to the number of out balls r (step S138).

When the payout control unit 171 determines that the detection signals have not been received from the all winning opening detection switches and the out-ball detection switch 701 (NO in step S137), the payout control unit 171 ends the passing number addition process. Then, the processing to be executed is returned to the calling source.

Returning to FIG. 19, after step S120, the payout control unit 171 calculates the number of out balls at low base rl=pl+Σqln (step S141). Then, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not the calculated number of out balls at the time of low base rl=100 (step S142).

When it is determined that the number of out balls at low base is rl=100 (YES in step S142), the number of safe balls at low base sl=Σ(An×pln) is calculated (step S143). Further, the low base base bl=100×sl/rl is calculated and stored in the RAM (step S144).

Next, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not low base time base lower limit value Bll<low base time base bl<low base time base upper limit value Blu (step S145). When it is determined that Bll<Bl<Blu (YES in step S145), the payout control unit 171 outputs the low base time base abnormality information to the gaming machine management server 802 via the CU3 (step S146).

When it is determined that Bll<Bl<Blu is not satisfied (NO in step S145) and after step S146, the payout control unit 171 resets pl and qln to 0 (step S147).

When it is determined that the number of out balls at the time of low base is not rl=100 (NO in step S142) and after step S147, the payout control unit 171 calculates the number of out balls at the time of high base rh=ph+Σqhn (step). S151). Then, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not the calculated number of out balls at the time of high base rh=100 (step S152).

When it is determined that the number of out balls at high base is rh=100 (YES in step S152), the number of safe balls at high base sh=Σ(An×phn) is calculated (step S153). Further, the high base time base bh=100×sh/rh is calculated and stored in the RAM (step S154).

Next, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not high base time base lower limit value Bhl<high base time base bh<high base time base upper limit value Bhu (step S155). When it is determined that Bhl<Bh<Bhu (YES in step S155), the payout control unit 171 outputs the high base time base abnormality information to the gaming machine management server 802 via the CU3 (step S156).

When it is determined that Bhl<Bh<Bhu is not satisfied (NO in step S155), and after step S156, the payout controller 171 resets ph and qhn to 0 (step S157).

Next, it is determined whether or not the number of out balls r=60,000 (step S161). The P platform 2 of the present embodiment can shoot 100 pachinko balls to the game area 26 in 1 minute. Therefore, 60,000 balls is the number of balls that can be fired in 10 hours. When it is determined that r is not 60000 (NO in step S161), the payout control unit 171 returns the process to be executed to the calling source of this process.

When it is determined that the number of out balls is r=60,000 (YES in step S161), the payout control unit 171 has a winning opening without a winning accessory (here, the first winning opening to the fourth winning opening, the sixth winning opening). Number of winning balls sn=Σ(An×qn) is calculated (step S162), and the number of winning balls ss=As×qs of the winning opening with a winning character (here, the fifth winning opening) is calculated (step S163). ), and the number of prize balls sb=Ab×qb of the special winning opening 271 is calculated (step S164).

Next, the payout controller 171 calculates the role ratio u=100×(ss+sb)/(sn+ss+sb) and stores it in the RAM (step S165), and the continuous role ratio v=100×sb/(sn+ss+sb). Is calculated and stored in the RAM (step S166).

Then, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not the accessory ratio u>70% (step S171). When it is determined that u>70% (YES in step S171), the payout control unit 171 outputs the accessory ratio abnormality information to the gaming machine management server 802 via the CU3 (step S172).

When it is determined that the character ratio u is not 70% (NO in step S171), and after step S172, the payout control unit 171 determines whether the continuous character ratio v is 60% (step). S173). When it is determined that v>60% (YES in step S173), the payout controller 171 outputs the continuous accessory ratio abnormality information to the gaming machine management server 802 via the CU3 (step S174).

When it is determined that the continuous accessory ratio v>60% is not satisfied (NO in step S173), and after step S174, the payout control unit 171 ends the game board surface determination related processing, and returns the processing to be executed to the calling source. return.

<Modification of game board surface determination related processing>
FIG. 21 is a flow chart for explaining a modified example of the game board surface determination related processing. With reference to FIG. 21, in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 21, between step S146 and step S147 of the step S141 to step S147 of the game board surface determination related processing described in FIG. 19, as shown in FIG. 21, step S183. ~ Step S186 is added.

When it is determined that Bll<Bl<Blu is not satisfied (NO in step S145) and after step S146, the payout control unit 171 calculates the number of safe balls sln=An×qln for each winning opening at the time of low base ( Step S183). Also, the base bln=100×sln/rl for each winning opening at the time of low base is calculated and stored in the RAM (step S184).

Next, the payout control unit 171 determines whether or not the base lower limit value Blln for each winning opening at low base<base bln for each base at low base<base upper limit value Blun for each winning opening at low base. It is determined (step S185). Blln and Blun are acquired in advance from the gaming machine management server 802 and stored, as in step S103 of FIG. If it is determined that Blln<Bln<Brun (YES in step S185), the payout control unit 171 outputs the winning hole base abnormality information to the gaming machine management server 802 via the CU3 (step S186).

When it is determined that Blln<Bln<Blun is not satisfied (NO in step S185), and after step S186, the payout control unit 171 resets pl and qln to 0 (step S147).

<Modifications and characteristic points>
Next, the modified examples and characteristic points of the present embodiment described above will be listed.

(1) In the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, a game medium (for example, a game ball) is enclosed and enters a winning area (for example, a special winning opening 271, a normal winning opening 272 to 274, a starting winning opening 275 to 277). A gaming machine (for example, P unit 2) that gives a player a gaming value in accordance with
The predetermined information (for example, the determination result of the suitability of the base) regarding the suitability of the ratio of the number of the game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the winning area with respect to the number of the entered game media is output to the outside ( For example, a transmission unit (for example, payout control unit 171, step S146 in FIG. 19, step S156, step S186 in FIG. 21) for transmitting to each server such as CU3 and gaming machine management server 802) is provided.

According to such a configuration, the adequacy of the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the winning area provided in the game area to the number of game media driven into the game area is appropriate. It is possible to provide a game machine capable of externally determining. Specifically, when an obstacle such as a nail or a windmill in the game area 27 is set to a state different from that at the time of design, the above-mentioned ratio changes, but the obstacle is determined by externally judging the adequacy of the ratio. It is possible to determine whether or not the state is different from that at the time of design.

It should be noted that the predetermined information regarding the adequacy of the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the winning area with respect to the number of the entered game media is, for example, Specifically, it is the low base base abnormality information of step S146 of FIG. 19, the high base base abnormality information of step S156, and the winning opening base abnormality information of step S186 of FIG.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the predetermined information indirectly indicates whether the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the prize area is appropriate with respect to the number of driven game media. Information, for example, the determination result of suitability of the continuous character ratio/character ratio, specifically, the character ratio abnormal information of step S172 and the continuous character ratio abnormal information of step S174 of FIG. 19 may be used.

The predetermined information may be the low base time base bl calculated in step S144 of FIG. 19, the high base time base bh calculated in step S154, or the accessory calculated in step S165. It may be a ratio, or may be the continuous accessory ratio calculated in step S166.

The predetermined information may be information including the number of out balls and the number of safe balls, or may be information including the number of out balls and the number of safe balls for each winning hole.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the payout controller 171 of the P stand 2 outputs the above-mentioned predetermined information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming device such as the CU 3 may output the above-mentioned predetermined information. Specifically, it may be configured as follows.

In the gaming system, a game medium (for example, a game ball) is enclosed, and the game medium enters a winning area (for example, a special winning opening 271, a normal winning opening 272-274, a starting winning opening 275-277). A gaming system (including a gaming machine (for example, P stand 2) for giving a gaming value to a player and a gaming device (for example, CU3) provided corresponding to the gaming machine and capable of communicating with the gaming machine ( For example, a gaming system)
The gaming device,
Predetermined information relating to the adequacy of the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the prize area with respect to the number of game media that have been driven (for example, low base time base, high base time base, Continuous character ratio, character ratio, number of out balls + number of safe balls, number of out balls + number of safe balls for each winning hole, judgment result of base suitability, judgment result of suitability of continuous character ratio / character ratio) And a transmission means (for example, the CU control unit 323) for transmitting to the outside.

According to such a configuration, the adequacy of the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the winning area provided in the game area to the number of game media driven into the game area is appropriate. It is possible to provide a game system capable of externally determining.

(3) If only the gaming device included in the gaming system of (2) above is specified, it will be as follows.

In the gaming device, a game medium (for example, a game ball) is enclosed, and the game medium enters a winning area (for example, a special winning opening 271, a normal winning opening 272 to 274, a starting winning opening 275 to 277). A gaming device (for example, CU3) provided corresponding to a gaming machine (for example, P stand 2) for giving a gaming value to a player and capable of communicating with the gaming machine,
Predetermined information relating to the adequacy of the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the prize area with respect to the number of game media that have been driven (for example, low base time base, high base time base, Continuous character ratio, character ratio, number of out balls + number of safe balls, number of out balls + number of safe balls for each winning hole, judgment result of base suitability, judgment result of suitability of continuous character ratio / character ratio) Is provided to the outside (for example, the CU control unit 323).

According to such a configuration, the adequacy of the ratio of the number of game media corresponding to the game value given according to the entry into the winning area provided in the game area to the number of game media driven into the game area is appropriate. It is possible to provide a game device capable of externally determining.

(4) In the gaming machine of (1) above,
An acquisition unit (for example, payout control unit 171, step S103 of FIG. 18) that acquires a design value related to the ratio of the gaming machine from an external server,
The system further includes a determination unit that compares the design value with the ratio to determine whether the ratio is appropriate (for example, payout control unit 171, step S145 in FIG. 19, step S155, step S185 in FIG. 21).

With such a configuration, it is possible to accurately determine the adequacy of the ratio based on the design value managed by the server. Further, the processing load of the device that determines whether or not the ratio is appropriate can be reduced.

The same may be applied to the gaming system of (2) or the gaming device of (3). In this case, the acquisition means and the determination means are provided in the gaming device such as CU3. Further, the acquisition means and the determination means may be provided in each server such as the gaming machine management server 802.

(5) In the gaming machine of (4) above,
Judgment result transmission means (for example, payout control unit 171, step S146 in FIG. 19, step S156, and step S156 in FIG. 21) for transmitting the judgment result by the above-mentioned judgment means to the outside (for example, each server such as CU3 and gaming machine management server 802). The method further includes step S186).

With such a configuration, it is possible to externally determine the suitability of the ratio. The same may be applied to the gaming system or gaming device of (4) above. In this case, the determination result transmitting means is provided in the gaming device such as CU3.

(6) In the gaming machine of (1) to (5) above,
The transmitting unit transmits the predetermined information regarding the adequacy of the ratio in a preset calculation target period capable of appropriately determining the adequacy of the ratio (for example, the payout control unit 171, a determination value in step S111 of FIG. 19). If it is determined that the period is not the calculation target period, the low base time abnormality information and the high base time abnormality information are not transmitted in steps S146 and S156.).

With such a configuration, it is possible to properly determine the ratio. The same may be applied to the gaming system or gaming device described in (2) to (5) above.

(7) In the gaming machine of (1) to (6) above,
The transmitting means transmits the predetermined information regarding the suitability of the ratio for each of the winning regions (for example, payout control unit 171, step S186 of FIG. 21).

With such a configuration, it is possible to determine the ratio for each winning area. For this reason, it is possible to confirm a ratio of illegal operations such as illegally winning a game medium only in a certain winning area. The same may be applied to the gaming system or gaming device described in (2) to (5) above.

(8) In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the above-mentioned predetermined information is specified by the gaming machine or the gaming machine and transmitted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-mentioned predetermined information is handled by a server (hall server 801, hall computer, etc.) inside the game arcade or an external server (gaming machine management server 802, key management server 800, CU3). May be specified by a management device such as a card management server of a card management company that manages the.

When the predetermined information specified by the management device or the gaming device is the determination result of the suitability of the base, the external output information from the gaming device to the gaming device or the management device is step S144, step S154 of FIG. The low base base bl, the high base base bh, and the base bln for each winning opening shown in step S184 of FIG. 21 may be used. The predetermined information can be specified by the management device or the game device based on the external output information as in the method shown in FIGS. 19 and 21.

When the predetermined information specified by the management device or the game device is a low base time base bl, a high base time base bh, a base bln for each winning hole, or a determination result of the suitability of the base, the game machine causes a game to be played. The external output information to the management device or the management device includes step S141 in FIG. 19, step S143, step S151, step S153, and the number of safe balls at low base sl shown in step S183 in FIG. 21 and out balls at low base. The number rl, the number of safe balls at the time of high base sh, the number of out balls at the time of high base rh, and the number of safe balls at each winning opening sln may be used. The predetermined information can be specified by the management device or the game device based on the external output information as in the method shown in FIGS. 19 and 21.

The predetermined information specified by the management device or the game device is the number of safe balls at low base sl, the number of out balls at low base r, the number of safe balls at high base sh, the number of out balls at high base rh, In the case of the number of safe balls per winning opening sln, the base at low base bl, the base at high base bh, the base at each winning opening bln, or the determination result of suitability of the base, from the gaming machine to the gaming device or the management device. The external output information to the step S124, step S126, step S128 and step S130 of FIG. 20 are the nth winning opening passage number qln at the time of low base, the out mouth passage number pl at the time of low base, and the high base time. It may be the number qhn of passing through the n-th winning port and the number ph of passing out the outlet at high base. The predetermined information can be specified by the management device or the game device based on the external output information as in the method shown in FIG.

When the predetermined information specified by the management device or the game device is the determination result of the suitability of the continuous character ratio/the character ratio, the external output information from the game device to the game device or the management device is as shown in FIG. The continuous role ratio v and the role ratio u shown in steps S165 and S166 may be used. The predetermined information can be specified by the management device or the game device based on the external output information in the same manner as the method shown in FIG.

When the predetermined information specified by the management device or the game device is the determination result of the suitability of the continuous character ratio v, the character ratio u, or the continuous character ratio/character ratio, the game machine determines the game The external output information to the device or the management device is the number of prize hole award balls without a character sn, the number of prize hole prize balls with a character ss, and the number of large prize hole prize balls sb shown in steps S162 to S164 of FIG. It may be. The predetermined information can be specified by the management device or the game device based on the external output information in the same manner as the method shown in FIG.

The predetermined information specified by the management device or the game device is the number of winning prize award balls without a character sn, the number of winning prize award balls with a character ss, the number of award winning prize balls sb, the ratio of consecutive winning characters v, and a winning character If the determination result is the suitability of the ratio u or the continuous accessory ratio/the accessory ratio, the external output information from the gaming machine to the gaming device or the management device is step S132, step S134, step S136 in FIG. The nth winning opening passing number qn, the starting winning opening passing number qs having an accessory, and the large winning opening passing number qb may be used. The predetermined information can be specified by the management device or the game device based on the external output information in the same manner as the method shown in FIG.

Furthermore, the specified information that has been specified may be transmitted to another management device. Thereby, especially when the predetermined information is transmitted to the external management device, in the external management device, the base, the role ratio, and the continuous role ratio, which are indicated by the predetermined information, for the gaming machines of the plurality of amusement centers such as the entire market. Can be grasped and managed.

(9) In the management device or the game device that has received the predetermined information, the base, the character ratio, or the continuous character is determined based on the predetermined information itself (for example, the determination result of the suitability of the base, the character ratio, or the continuous character ratio). It is also possible to monitor the abnormality of the object ratio and notify the abnormality when it is judged to be abnormal, or to provide predetermined information (for example, low base time base, high base time base, continuous character ratio, character ratio, out From the number of balls + the number of safe balls, the number of out balls + the number of safe balls for each winning hole), calculate the base, character ratio or continuous character ratio, monitor the anomaly, and notify the anomaly when it is judged to be anomaly You may do so.

(10) In the above-described embodiment, the predetermined information described above is specified by the payout control unit 171 of the payout 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.

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

(12) In the above-described embodiment, when communication is disabled (offline state) when transmitting the above-described predetermined information to the outside of the game arcade, the game machine on the game arcade side, the gaming machine, 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.

(13) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in steps S142, S152, and S161 of FIG. 19, the payout control unit 171 of the P unit 2 causes abnormalities in the base, the character ratio, and the continuous character ratio. Whether or not is calculated and determined periodically for each predetermined out-ball number. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be calculated and determined periodically at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1 hour), or as the number of out balls increases by 1 in real time, the base and character The ratio and the continuous accessory ratio may be calculated to determine whether or not there is an abnormality.

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

(15) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the fact that the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio are abnormal means that the 7-segment LED display of the payout control board 17 is displayed. It was made to be notified by displaying on. This notification may be performed according to a specific operation. Further, the values of the base, the accessory ratio, or the continuous accessory ratio may be displayed on the display unit of the payout control board 17. Further, it may be displayed on a display unit, such as the display unit 54, which can be seen by a player different from the display unit which the player normally cannot see, such as the display unit of the payout control board 17. In this case, the display may be displayed according to a specific operation on the touch panel of the display 54. Further, it may be always displayed even if there is no specific operation. Further, even if the base, character ratio, and continuous character ratio are abnormal, and at least one or more information of the base, character ratio, and continuous character ratio is displayed. Good. In addition, information indicating any one or more of these pieces of information (for example, displaying a red icon, making a background red) or related information (for example, base, character ratio or continuous character ratio) A graph display such as a bar graph or a line graph) may be displayed.

(16) In the above-described embodiment, the upper limit value Blun and the lower limit value Blln of the base bln for each winning port are given in advance in the abnormality determination of the bias of the base for each winning port, and based on these values. Then, the abnormality determination is performed as shown in step S185 of FIG.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the winning prizes calculated from the total number of out balls and the number of safe prizes for each winning prize are given in advance so that the design value of the ratio between the winning prizes on the basis of each winning prize is given. The abnormality determination may be performed depending on how much the ratio between the prize winning openings of each base deviates from the design value.

In addition, the ratio between the base winning holes for each winning hole, which is calculated from the total number of out balls and the number of safe balls for each winning hole, is calculated based on the number of winning balls for each winning hole. The abnormality determination may be performed when there is a value relatively larger than the ratio.

(17) In the above-described embodiment, the base calculation result calculated in steps S144 and S154 of FIG. 19 and step S184 of FIG. 21 is retained for a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours), The oldest one may be deleted every hour. Further, the calculation result may be retained for a predetermined time, and the oldest one may be deleted each time the calculation result is calculated.

(18) In the above-described embodiment, the number of out-balls is calculated by the method shown in steps S141 and S154 of FIG. 19 and steps S137 and S138 of FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of out balls may be calculated by subtracting the number of balls detected by the foul ball detection switch 33A from the number of balls detected by the shot ball detection switch 903.

(19) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in step S142, step S145, step S152, and step S155 in FIG. 19, the base determines an abnormality every time the number of out balls reaches 100. did. Further, as shown in steps S161, S171, and S173 of FIG. 19, the accessory ratio and the continuous accessory ratio are determined to be abnormal each time the number of out balls reaches 60,000. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the base makes an abnormality determination each time the number of out balls reaches a number different from 100 (for example, 60,000 balls), and the character ratio and the continuous character ratio indicate that the number of out balls is The abnormality determination may be performed every time the number of balls different from 60,000 (for example, 600,000) is reached. Further, at the same timing, the base, the character ratio, and the continuous character ratio may be determined to be abnormal.

(20) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in steps S161, S171, and S173 of FIG. 19, the accessory ratio and the continuous accessory ratio are determined to be abnormal each time the number of out balls reaches 60,000. I tried to do it. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and every time the number of out balls reaches a predetermined number (for example, 60,000 balls), the character ratio and the continuous character ratio are calculated, and each time a plurality of times (for example, 10 times) is calculated. The abnormality determination may be performed.

(21) In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that the abnormality has disappeared when the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio are continuously determined to be abnormal, information indicating that fact is displayed. It may be transmitted to a management device outside or inside the game arcade.

(22) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in step S103 of FIG. 18, the reference value for determining the abnormality such as the base is acquired from the management device such as the gaming machine management server 802. did. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and such a reference value may be stored in advance in a device (for example, a gaming machine, a gaming device, a management device different from the gaming machine management server 802, etc.) in which the reference value is determined. You may In addition, such a reference value may be configured to be input and set and stored by a game clerk or the like in an apparatus for determining the reference value.

<Other modifications>
(1) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, when the addition of game balls is requested by the status information request, the P console 2 normally receives the card insertion notification in the process of S12. When it is determined that the card insertion flag shown in the table is set in the RAM and the card insertion state is ON for the CU state specified by the state information request in the process of S13, the game is executed in S14. Add balls. On the other hand, when the addition request of the game ball is requested by the status information request, the P unit 2 does not set the card insertion flag in the RAM of the payout controller 171 in the process of S12, or the status in the process of S13. When it is determined that the card insertion state is OFF for the CU state specified by the information request, the process does not move to S14 and the game ball is not added.

Thus, even if the P machine 2 receives the addition request, the game balls stored in the P machine 2 are not added when the card is not accepted by the CU 3, so that the security at the time of adding the game balls can be improved. it can.

(2) As shown in FIG. 16, in the process of S12, the P stand 2 sets in the RAM whether or not the card insertion flag indicating that the card is normally accepted based on the reception of the card insertion notification is set in the RAM. By determining whether or not, it is determined whether or not the game balls are added.

In this way, the P base 2 determines whether or not to add game balls by determining whether or not the card insertion notification transmitted from the CU3 when the card is accepted by the CU3 has been received. can do.

(3) As shown in FIG. 16, in the process of S13, the P machine 2 adds a game ball by determining whether the card insertion state is ON for the CU state specified by the state information request. It is determined whether to do.

In this way, the P unit 2 receives the status information request including the CU status (card insertion status) that is information transmitted from the CU 3 every 200 ms and that can identify that the card is accepted by the CU 3. By determining whether or not the game balls have been added, it is possible to determine whether or not to add game balls.

(4) As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the P unit 2 determines that the card is not inserted in the CU 3 in spite of accepting the addition request and does not add and update the game ball, The result of accumulation of the number of balls that have been attempted to be illegally lended (the number of illegal ball lending) is displayed on the game ball number display 29. Further, in the CU 3, when it is determined that the game ball addition result is NG from the status information response received from the P unit 2, the hall server 801 is notified of the accumulation result of the illegal ball rental number.

In this way, the number of balls not added when the card is not accepted by the CU 3 (the number of fraudulent ball rental balls) is output as identifiable information, so that the security at the time of adding a game ball is improved. You can

(5) When the P stand 2 receives the card insertion notification by any of (1), (2), (5), (1)', (2)', and (5)' shown in FIG. Then, a card insertion response including information indicating that the result of card insertion is OK (card is normally accepted) is transmitted to CU3.

As described above, when the predetermined transmission condition is satisfied, the card insertion response including the information that the result of the card insertion is OK (the card is normally accepted) is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3, It is possible to further improve security when adding game balls.

(6) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, if the addition of game balls is requested by the status information request, the P console 2 normally receives the card insertion notification in the process of S12. And in the process of S13, it is determined whether or not the game ball is additionally updated by determining whether or not the card insertion state is ON for the CU state specified by the state information request. .. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined whether or not to additionally update the game ball by only determining whether or not the card insertion notification is normally received, or the CU state specified by the state information request. For, it may be determined whether or not the game ball is additionally updated by only determining whether or not the card insertion state is ON.

(7) In the present embodiment, when it is determined whether the card insertion notification is normally received in the process of S12 of FIG. 16, it is determined whether the card insertion flag is set in the RAM. However, not limited to this, it is determined whether or not the card ID and the card insertion time are stored, and if the card ID and the card insertion time are stored, it is determined that the card insertion notification has been normally accepted, while the card ID If the card insertion time is not stored, it may be determined that the card insertion notification is not normally received.

(8) In the present embodiment, when the card is inserted into the CU 3, the card insertion notification is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P stand 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a money such as a bill is inserted into the CU 3, the CU 3 may send a card insertion notification to the P platform 2. In this case, the CU 3 creates a new card ID based on the insertion of the banknote, sets the banknote insertion time as the card insertion time, and includes the card ID and the card insertion time information in the card insertion notification. Good.

(9) In the present embodiment, when the P unit 2 does not normally overwrite the card ID and the card insertion time when receiving the card insertion notification from the CU 3, the result of the card insertion is NG. The card insertion response including the information of the above was transmitted to CU3. In addition to this, when the P unit 2 does not normally overwrite the card ID and the card insertion time when receiving the card insertion notification from the CU 3, the P unit 2 uses an indicator such as the game ball number indicator 29. An error display may be displayed.

(10) In the present embodiment, the P base 2 has already stored the number of illegal ball lending that is attempted to be illegally lended this time when the game balls have not been added and updated. In addition to accumulating and storing the number of balls, the game ball number display 29 displays information that can specify the accumulated number of illegal ball rentals. However, it is not limited to this.

For example, the P unit 2 stores only the number of fraudulent ball lending that is about to be fraudulently lended this time when the game balls have not been added and updated, and is capable of specifying only the number of fraudulent ball lending. May be displayed on the game ball number display 29.

For example, the P unit 2 accumulates and stores the number of illegal ball lending that has been attempted to be illegally lended this time when the game balls have not been added and updated, in the already stored number of illegal ball lending. However, it is also possible to display on the game ball number display 29 information capable of specifying only the number of illegal ball lending that has been attempted illegally this time.

For example, the P unit 2 does not store the number of illegal ball lending to the P unit 2, and when the game ball is not added and updated, the number of illegal ball lending attempted to be illegally lended this time is set. It is also possible to only display the identifiable information on the game ball number display 29. Further, in the display of the information capable of specifying the number of illegal ball rental, the number of the illegal ball rental itself may be displayed, or a predetermined error code may be displayed. Further, the information capable of specifying the number of illegally loaned balls may be displayed not only on the game ball number display 29 but also on another display, or may be output as a sound from the speaker.

(11) In the present embodiment, the CU 3 accumulates the number of illegal ball rentals attempted to be illegally lent this time, when the game balls have not been added and updated on the P unit 2 The information capable of specifying the number is transmitted to the hall server 801. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the CU 3 may transmit information to the hall server 801 that can specify only the number of illegal ball lending attempts to illegally lend a ball this time. Alternatively, the CU 3 may not transmit the information capable of specifying the number of illegally lended balls to the hall server 801.

(12) In this embodiment, the CU 3 determines whether or not a card is inserted every time a status information request is sent to the P unit 2 every 200 ms, and if a card is inserted, inserts the card. The state was set to ON, and if the card was not inserted, the card insertion state was set to OFF. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the card is inserted and the card insertion notification is transmitted to the P unit 2, the CU 3 sets a flag indicating that the card has been inserted and sends a status information request every 200 ms to the P unit 2. When sending to 2, the card insertion state may be set to ON if the flag is set, and the card insertion state may be set to OFF if the flag is not set. When the card is inserted, the CU 3 sends a card insertion notification to the P stand 2, and receives a card insertion response from the P stand 2 indicating that the card ID and the card insertion time have been normally overwritten. Alternatively, a flag indicating that a card has been inserted may be set. The flag indicating that the card has been inserted may be cleared when the card is returned.

(13) In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine in which the pachinko balls are enclosed, but the present invention is also applied to the enclosed circulation type slot machine in which medals are enclosed. Good. In this case, for example, a process of determining suitability with respect to the base, role character ratio, and continuous character ratio of the enclosed circulation type slot machine may be performed in the same manner as in the present embodiment.

(14) In the present embodiment, the P stand 2 determines whether or not a card is inserted in the CU 3 when an addition request is made at the time of prepaid lending or replay (hereinafter, also referred to as a determination process. ), if no card is inserted, addition of game balls is prohibited (hereinafter, also referred to as addition prohibition processing). However, the P unit 2 may execute the determination process and the addition prohibition process not only during prepaid lending and replay, but also when the CU 3 requests addition in other situations.

For example, by additionally inserting a card different from the card inserted in the CU3 into the CU3, it is possible to add the ball held in the other card to the game ball stored in the P unit 2. Good. In this case, the P unit 2 may execute the determination process and the addition prohibition process when an addition request is made to add the ball held in another card to the game ball stored in the P unit 2. .. In the determination processing in this case, the P-base 2 determines whether or not the card originally supposed to be inserted is inserted, whether or not the additionally inserted card is inserted, or either. You may.

Further, for example, by inserting a card in which the dice having the first value (for example, 1 yen) per one are stored in the CU 3, the P stand 2 stores the dice stored in the card 1 It may be possible to add to a game ball having a second value (for example, 4 yen) per ball. Alternatively, by inserting into the CU3 a card in which balls that have a second value (for example, 4 yen) are stored in the CU3, the balls that are stored in the card are stored in the P stand 2 It may be possible to add to a game ball having a first value (for example, 1 yen). In this case, the P unit 2 may execute the determination process and the addition prohibition process when an addition request is made to add the ball held in the card to the game ball stored in the P unit 2.

(15) In the present embodiment, the P unit 2 executes the determination process and the addition prohibition process when an addition request is made, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the CU 3 is made when a subtraction request is made. It may be determined whether or not a card is inserted in (determination process), and if the card is not inserted, the subtraction of the game ball may be prohibited (hereinafter, also referred to as subtraction prohibition process).

For example, the P unit 2 may execute the determination process and the subtraction prohibition process when the game balls stored in the P unit 2 are converted into the dice balls during the counting process when the counting button 28 is pressed. Good.

Further, for example, the P machine 2 executes the determination process and the subtraction prohibition process when the game balls stored in the P machine 2 are converted into the dice balls when the card is returned when the card return button 322 is pressed. You may.

Further, for example, the P unit 2 may execute the determination process and the subtraction prohibition process when the game balls stored in the P unit 2 are converted into the dice balls when the order of the wagon service is received.

Further, for example, the P unit 2 converts the part of the game balls stored in the P unit 2 into balls and stores the balls, when the card is issued by the CU 3, the determination process and the subtraction prohibition process. May be executed.

(16) In the present embodiment, the P unit 2 executes the above-described determination process and the addition prohibition process and the subtraction prohibition process, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the CU 3 executes the above-described determination process. At the same time, addition prohibition processing or subtraction prohibition processing may be executed.

For example, CU3 inserts a card into CU3 when it receives a status information response including the result of game ball addition result=OK and a predetermined number of game balls from P unit 2 at the time of prepaid lending or replay. It may be determined whether or not there is no card, and the ball is not subtracted if the card is not inserted. In addition, for example, when the CU3 receives a signal including information to convert the game balls into the owned balls from the P unit 2 when receiving the order of the wagon service, whether or not the card is inserted in the CU3. If the card has not been inserted, the balls may not be added. In the determination of whether or not a card is inserted, the CU 3 determines that the card is inserted when the card insertion response including the result=OK is received from the P stand 2, and the result=NG It may be determined that the card is not inserted when the card insertion response including the card insertion response is received from the P platform 2 or when the card insertion response to the card insertion notification is not received from the P platform 2. Further, the CU 3 determines that the card is inserted when the status information response including the information indicating that the card is inserted is received from the P stand 2, and the status information including the information indicating that the card is not inserted When the response is received from the P unit 2, it may be determined that the card is not inserted.

(17) Further, not only when adding or subtracting game balls on the P base 2, but also when executing other predetermined processing, the P base 2 determines whether or not a card is inserted in the CU 3, If the is not inserted, the execution of the predetermined process may be prohibited. For example, the P stand 2 may prohibit the game on the P stand 2 unless a card is inserted into the CU 3.

(18) In the present embodiment, the addition sequence number and the counting sequence number are defined as separate data in the message format, but they may be shared as the request sequence number. In particular, since the process of adding game balls and the process of counting game balls are the opposite processes, it is unlikely that both processes will occur at the same time, and from that perspective it is possible to reduce the message data volume by sharing both serial numbers. Is.

Further, in the present embodiment, when a new request is generated, the request sequence number is updated based on the previously updated value until a new upper limit value is reached. However, instead of such control, when all the processes corresponding to one request are completed, the request sequence number may be initialized to a predetermined initial value.

Further, the request sequence numbers such as the addition sequence number and the counting sequence number, and the normal sequence number are not counted up one by one, but are updated (addition update, subtraction according to a predetermined rule stored in both the P unit 2 and the CU3). It may be updated or updated by other arithmetic expressions). In this case, the serial number is not a "sequential number" such as 1, 2, 3 but is data that is updated based on the concept of A, B, C and the like.

(19) In the present embodiment, the game points are added by consuming the card frequency. Alternatively, the game points are added by consuming the accumulated balls (saved medals). That is, the card frequency or the accumulated coins are converted into game points. On the other hand, the card frequency and the accumulated balls are not converted into the points (counting balls, counting medals). However, the card frequency and the accumulated coins may be temporarily converted into points.

(20) In the present embodiment, game points are converted into holding points by counting operation. The conversion rate in this case is 1:1. However, the conversion rate for conversion may be other than 1:1. For example, when 100 game points are converted, 97 points obtained by subtracting 3 points from the game points may be converted to points. Alternatively, the points may be converted into a number of game balls obtained by multiplying the points by a predetermined ratio of less than 100%.

(21) As a recording medium for recording the points that can be specified, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone may be used. In this case, a communication unit for communicating with the mobile terminal is provided in the CU, and the mobile terminal is held over the communication unit so that the CU recognizes the ID stored in the mobile terminal. The game can be played by the procedure as described. On the other hand, at the end of the game, the mobile terminal is again held over the communication unit so that the score at the end of the game is added to the score of the player through the ID.

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

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

2 Pachinko machine, 3 card unit, 16 main control board, 17 payout control board, 26 game board, 29 game ball number display, 171 payout control section, 309 card insertion/ejection slot, 319 replay button, 320 IR light reception Unit, 321 ball lending button, 322 return button, 323 CU control unit.

Claims (3)

A game machine in which a game medium is enclosed,
First variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
Second variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
First control means capable of controlling the first variable means into an advantageous state in which the game medium is changed into a state in which the game medium can easily enter a plurality of times, and a specific state in which the second variable means can be controlled into a state in which the game medium can easily enter. When,
A specific area where game media can enter,
And a second control means capable of imparting a game value based on the entry into any one of the specific area, the first variable means, and the second variable means,
The second control means
The number of game media launched,
A first specification relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value in a non-specific state in which it is difficult for the game medium to enter the second variable means as compared with the specific state. Value and
A second specific value relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched in the specific state and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value;
Of the provided game value, the role ratio relating to the ratio of the game value provided based on the entry of the game medium into either the first variable means or the second variable means,
A gaming machine, which transmits, to the outside, a continuous role ratio related to the ratio of the game value given based on the fact that the game medium has entered the first variable means in the advantageous state among the given game values . A gaming system including a gaming machine in which a gaming medium is enclosed, and a gaming device provided corresponding to the gaming machine and capable of communicating with the gaming machine,
The gaming machine is
First variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
Second variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
First control means capable of controlling the first variable means into an advantageous state in which the game medium is changed into a state in which the game medium can easily enter a plurality of times, and a specific state in which the second variable means can be controlled into a state in which the game medium can easily enter. When,
A specific area where game media can enter,
And a second control means capable of imparting a game value based on the entry into any one of the specific area, the first variable means, and the second variable means,
The gaming system,
The number of game media launched,
A first specification relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value in a non-specific state in which it is difficult for the game medium to enter the second variable means as compared with the specific state. Value and
A second specific value relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched in the specific state and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value;
Of the provided game value, the role ratio relating to the ratio of the game value provided based on the entry of the game medium into either the first variable means or the second variable means,
A gaming system for transmitting, to the outside, a continuous winning role ratio related to a ratio of a game value given based on a game medium having entered the first variable means in the advantageous state among the given game values . A game medium is enclosed ,
First variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
Second variable means capable of changing to a state in which a game medium can enter,
First control means capable of controlling the first variable means into an advantageous state in which the game medium is changed into a state in which the game medium can easily enter a plurality of times, and a specific state in which the second variable means can be controlled into a state in which the game medium can easily enter. When,
A specific area where game media can enter,
Corresponding to a gaming machine , including a second control means capable of imparting a gaming value based on the entry into any one of the specific area, the first varying means, and the second varying means A gaming device provided and capable of communicating with the gaming machine,
The gaming device,
The number of game media launched,
A first specification relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value in a non-specific state in which it is difficult for the game medium to enter the second variable means as compared with the specific state. Value and
A second specific value relating to the ratio between the number of game media launched in the specific state and the number of game media corresponding to the given game value;
Of the provided game value, a role ratio relating to the ratio of the game value provided based on the entry of the game medium into either the first variable means or the second variable means,
A gaming device for transmitting, to the outside, a continuous role ratio relating to a ratio of a game value given based on a game medium having entered the first variable means in the advantageous state among the given game values .

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