JP7094111B2 - Pachinko machines and game slots - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a gaming frame.

Patent Document 1 describes a game machine in which a game ball is enclosed, in which a game point (number of game balls) is subtracted based on ball detection accompanying a ball feed operation in a ball feedr in the front stage of a launcher. It has been disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-164318

However, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, the subtraction timing of the game points (number of gaming balls) electromagnetically managed does not correspond to the actual launching operation of the launching device, and there is a possibility that the processing will be inappropriate. there were.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine and a gaming frame that perform subtraction processing of an appropriate gaming point (number of gaming balls) corresponding to the launching operation of the launching device. That is.

(1) A gaming machine (for example, P machine 2) capable of playing a game by firing a gaming medium corresponding to a gaming point (for example, the number of gaming balls).
A launching device that launches a game medium (for example, a launching mechanism 30),
A transport means for transporting the game medium to the launching device (for example, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a movable piece 45, etc.) and
A signal generation means (for example, a subtraction mechanism 32) that generates a special signal (for example, a subtraction reference signal) corresponding to the launching operation of the game medium in the launching device, and
A control means (for example, the number of game balls of the frame control board 17) that manages game points, causes the transfer means to execute a transfer operation of a game medium based on the special signal, and subtracts game points based on the special signal. Processed by the management program)
The transport means includes a discharge sensor for detecting the discharge of the game medium.
The control means can determine a transport error of the game medium based on the detection state of the discharge sensor in a predetermined period after receiving the special signal from the signal generation means .
When it is determined that the transport error is determined, the generation of the special signal by the signal generation means is stopped, and the launching device is made to execute the firing operation a predetermined number of times .

According to such a configuration, the game point is subtracted by the transport means performing the game medium transport operation based on the special signal, so that the appropriate game point subtraction process can be performed according to the launch operation of the launcher. realizable.

(2) A gaming frame (for example, a gaming machine frame 5) of a gaming machine (for example, P machine 2) capable of playing a game by firing a gaming medium corresponding to a gaming point (for example, the number of gaming balls). ,
A launching device that launches a game medium (for example, a launching mechanism 30),
A transport means for transporting the game medium to the launching device (for example, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a movable piece 45, etc.) and
A signal generation means (for example, a subtraction mechanism 32) that generates a special signal (for example, a subtraction reference signal) corresponding to the launching operation of the game medium in the launching device, and
A control means (for example, the number of game balls of the frame control board 17) that manages game points, causes the transfer means to execute a transfer operation of a game medium based on the special signal, and subtracts game points based on the special signal. Processed by the management program).

According to such a configuration, the game point is subtracted by the transport means performing the game medium transport operation based on the special signal, so that the appropriate game point subtraction process can be performed according to the launch operation of the launcher. realizable.

(3) In the gaming machine of (1) above
A launch control means (for example, a launch control board 31) that controls the operation of the launch device, and
Further provided with a frame control means (for example, a frame control board 17) as the control means,
The frame control means executes a subtraction process of managed game points based on the reception of the special signal from the launch control means (for example, the frame control board 17 receives the subtraction reference signal). Based on this, one is subtracted from the number of X game balls to display the number of game balls of X-1 on the game ball number display 29).

According to such a configuration, the frame control means can realize an appropriate subtraction process of game points corresponding to the firing operation of the launching device.

(4) In the gaming machine of (3) above
The frame control means causes the transfer means to execute the transfer operation of the game medium based on the reception of the special signal from the launch control means (for example, subtraction based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal). By controlling the solenoid 32a, the movable piece 45 is driven to convey the game ball p).

According to such a configuration, the frame control means can realize an appropriate transfer of the game ball corresponding to the launching operation of the launching device.

(5) In the gaming machine of (3) or (4) above,
The transport means includes an approach sensor (for example, a subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b) for detecting the entry of the game medium.
After receiving the special signal from the launch control means, the frame control means executes a subtraction process of managed game points based on the detection of the game medium by the approach sensor (for example, subtraction). When the mechanism entrance sensor 32b is turned on and the game ball p is detected, one is subtracted from the number of X game balls to display the number of game balls of X-1 on the game ball number display 29).

According to such a configuration, the frame control means can realize the subtraction process of the game points corresponding to the firing operation of the launching device and the operation of the transport mechanism.

(6) In the gaming machines (3) to (5) above,
The transport means includes a discharge sensor (for example, a subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c) for detecting the discharge of the game medium.
The frame control means can determine a transport error of the game medium based on the detection state of the discharge sensor within a predetermined period after receiving the special signal from the launch control means (for example, the subtraction reference signal can be used). If the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is in the ON state 16 ms after the ON state, it is determined that ball clogging has occurred).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect a malfunction in the operation due to the transport mechanism such as the occurrence of ball clogging.

(7) In any of the gaming machines (3) to (6) above,
The frame control means can communicate with the game control means (for example, the main control board 16), and based on the occurrence of a special event (for example, an error), a predetermined signal for notifying the occurrence of the special event (for example). For example, an error signal) is transmitted to the game control means,
The game control means executes a launch stop process based on the reception of the predetermined signal (for example, stops the output of the launch permission signal).

According to such a configuration, the firing operation can be stopped in response to the occurrence of a special event detected by the frame control means.

It is a front view which shows the card unit and the pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the glass door and the game machine frame of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the state before and after the game board is attached to the game machine frame. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit used for a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline of the signal sent and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence between a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows the timing of the signal sent and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows the main thing among the various data stored in each of a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine, and the transmission / reception mode thereof. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence of the modification 1 between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the timing of the modification 1 of the signal sent and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence of the modification 2 between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the timing of the modification 2 of the signal sent and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the timing of the modification of the signal which concerns on lending sent and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the timing of the signal which concerns on the lending which is sent and received between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the structure of a firing mechanism. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the state which the game ball is filled in the ball passage of a firing mechanism. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the firing of a game medium and the subtraction of the number of game balls. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the processing in a firing mechanism. It is a timing chart for explaining the processing in a firing mechanism, and the operation of a hitting ball operation handle. It is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the subtraction mechanism and the game ball number display. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the operation when the ball clogging is detected by the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the notification processing when an abnormality is detected. It is a figure for demonstrating the type of an error and fraud detection which can be notified. It is a block diagram for demonstrating error and fraud detection which occur in a game machine frame and a game board. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of a backup power supply board. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence between a main control board and a frame control board. It is a figure which shows the communication sequence for explaining the communication timing. It is a figure which shows the list of the command which is sent and received between the main control board and a frame control board. It is a figure for demonstrating the response of the game machine installation information notification command and the game machine installation information response. It is a figure for demonstrating the command of the gaming machine information notification. It is a figure for demonstrating the type information included in the game information. It is a figure for demonstrating the command of a game machine information response. It is a figure for demonstrating the total result of the winning number before and after the game state changes. In this embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the total result of the winning number before and after the game state changes. It is a figure which showed the memory map of the CPU in the frame control board. It is a figure which showed the memory map of the built-in ROM area. It is a figure which shows the structure of the program area in a used area and the program area outside a used area in a built-in ROM area. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the performance display calculation process executed in a frame control board. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the passage number addition process in a frame control board. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the game board surface determination-related processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the situation of calculation and display of a base value. It is explanatory drawing about the performance information. It is explanatory drawing of the section (aggregation section, evaluation section) corresponding to the total number of outs (total number of launches). It is a list of performance items that are aggregated. It is a block diagram which shows various control boards mounted on a pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the timer interrupt processing (the game control timer interrupt processing) performed by the CPU of the main board. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the performance information update processing executed in the game control timer interrupt processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the performance display external output processing executed in the game control timer interrupt processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the serial signal for specifying the performance information output from an external output terminal. It is a figure for demonstrating the terminal composition of an external output terminal.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Composition of pachinko machine>
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described. Each game island (not shown) arranged in a plurality of game halls (halls) may be abbreviated as an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine (hereinafter, a game machine, a pachinko machine or a P machine), which is an example of a game machine. ) 2 is attached. In addition, at the side position on the predetermined side of the P stand 2, a card unit (hereinafter, also abbreviated as CU) 3 which is an example of a gaming device is installed on the P stand 2 in a one-to-one correspondence. There is. A card unit will be described below as an example of the gaming device according to the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the card unit can be connected to the P unit 2 to notify of big hits and abnormalities, collect game information such as the number of winnings, and the like. It may be a call lamp device or the like.

The P stand 2 contains a game ball (pachinko ball), which is an example of a game medium, inside (hereinafter, also referred to as an enclosed ball), and is provided on the upper left side by the player operating the ball striking operation handle 25. The launching solenoid of the launching mechanism 30, which is a launching device, is driven to drive the enclosed balls one by one into the gaming area 27 on the front surface of the gaming board 26 so that the game can be played. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the ball striking operation handle 25, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player is operating the ball striking operation handle 25, and the player's hand The contact is detected by the touch sensor and the firing solenoid is driven. In this state, the hitting ball launching momentum is adjusted according to the amount of rotation of the hitting ball operating handle 25 by the player, and the enclosed ball is launched into the game area 27.

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

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

The variable display device 278 includes a variable display unit capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (designs), and based on the detection signals of the starting winning balls that have won in each starting winning opening 275, 276, 277. Start variable display of multiple types of identification information. When the display result of the variable display device becomes a combination of specific identification information (for example, doublet), a big hit state (also referred to as a big hit game state) is set, and the big winning opening 271 is opened.

Further, the display result of the variable display device 278 is a combination of special identification information (for example, a combination of probabilistic symbols such as 777) among the combinations of jackpot symbols (doublets), so that the probabilistic jackpot state Is generated, and after the end of the jackpot state, a probability fluctuation state (probability variation state) in which the probability of occurrence of the jackpot is improved is generated.

The enclosed balls driven into the game area 27 are collected in the out opening 154 with or without winning any winning opening. The enclosed ball that has won a prize in any of the winning openings and the enclosed ball that has been collected in the out opening 154 are returned to the hitting ball launching position through the collection path in the P table 2 again. Then, when the player operates the hitting ball operation handle 25, the enclosed ball at the hitting ball launching position is hit into the game area 27 again.

Further, a game ball number display for displaying the number of game balls is provided at a position above the ball striking operation handle 25 of the P table 2. The game ball number display 29 is composed of a 7-segment type LED display, and is controlled by a frame control unit 171 (see FIG. 4). The game ball number display 29 displays the number of game balls, the error number of the error that has occurred, and the like. The game ball number display 29 is not limited to the 7-segment LED display, and may be composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or another display.

Further, a counting button 28 for counting from the game ball to the possession ball is provided at the left position of the game ball number display 29 on the P stand 2. In the present embodiment, the counting operation is repeatedly executed according to the time during which the counting button 28 is continuously pressed (for example, the counting process of 250 balls is executed every time the pressing state is continued for 0.3 seconds). In addition, regardless of the pressing duration, if the pressing is performed once, the counting from the game balls to the possessed balls may be performed by a predetermined number (for example, 250 balls), or when the counting button 28 is pressed once. May be such that all of the game balls currently owned by the player are counted regardless of the pressing time (whether or not they are pressed for a long time). In addition, the counting speed is further improved when the card return operation is performed, and smooth card return processing is realized.

As described above, since the counting button 28 is provided on the P stand 2 side, the operability of the player sitting facing the P stand 2 can be improved as compared with the case where the counting button 28 is provided on the CU3 side. .. Further, the P stand 2 is provided with speakers 270 at the upper right position and the upper left position of the game area 27 for outputting music data to be reproduced according to the effect displayed by the variable display device 278. The position and number of speakers are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the position and number may be changed as necessary.

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

<Structure of card unit>
Next, the configuration of the CU 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This CU3 is a visitor card (also referred to as 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 in the game hall. We accept membership cards, which are storage media for games, issued to. Visitor cards and membership cards are composed of IC cards.

The CU3 that receives these cards has a function of converting the player-owned game value (for example, the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, or the number of stored balls) specified by the stored information of the card into "game ball data". .. On the P-unit 2, it is possible to play a ball corresponding to the number of balls specified by the data of the game ball. That is, the "game ball data" is data indicating the number of remaining shots of balls that can be fired. In the following description, the "game ball data" is simply referred to as a "game ball" in the same way as a stored ball or a possession ball.

On the front side of the CU 3, a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting bills, a card insertion / ejection port 309 for inserting a membership card or a visitor card, and the like are provided. The membership card or visitor card inserted in the card insertion / ejection port 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 CU3, a display 312, a membership card ID (simply also referred to as a card ID or C-ID) stored in the membership card when the membership card is received, and a membership card ID are specified. A replay button 319 for carrying out a replay game using the number of stored balls is provided.

The display 312 displays the prepaid balance stored in the inserted game storage medium (card), but can display the number of game balls and other various information, and the surface is a transparent touch panel. It is configured so 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 and the inserted card stores the number of balls held by the player, a part of the number of balls held is withdrawn and converted into a game ball, and the converted game ball is used. Based on this, it is possible to play a game with the P stand 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 management computer for the hall, a part of the stored balls is withdrawn and used as a game ball. It is converted and the game by the P stand 2 becomes possible. That is, when both the stored ball and the possessed ball are stored in association with the inserted card, the possessed ball is preferentially withdrawn. In addition to the replay button 319, a dedicated ball payout button for withdrawing the ball may be provided, and the replay button 319 may be a button dedicated to withdrawing the stored ball.

Here, the "reservoir ball" is a ball that has been acquired before the previous day and is deposited in the hall, and becomes a game ball by paying out the stored ball. The ball storage is a game medium deposited in the game hall, and is generally managed by a hall management computer or other management computer installed in the game hall.

A "mochi ball" is a ball acquired on the day of the event, and becomes a game ball by paying out the mochi ball. In addition, the number of balls possessed is a card that stores the number of game balls owned by the player as a result of the player playing a game on the P unit 2, and is the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall. That is. Generally, the number of balls acquired by the player on the day of the game is called "mochi ball", and the number of balls acquired by the player before the previous day and deposited in the game area is called "stored ball". Say.

The "game ball" is a ball that can be launched by the P stand 2. As described above, the data on the number of game balls is generated in exchange for withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card, the possessed balls, or the stored balls.

The number of balls held may be managed by a management device for managing the number of balls held in the game hall. In short, the difference between "reservoir" and "possessed ball" is the number of balls deposited in the amusement park after the ball storage operation for depositing in the amusement park, or it is still deposited in the amusement park. The point is whether it is the number of balls at the stage where it has not been completed.

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

The timing for storing the balls in the card (membership card, visitor card) or the hall server is, for example, stored in real time each time the counting button 28 is operated and the counting process is performed, and is stored at regular intervals. It is conceivable that the timing may be such that the cards are to be stored or stored together when the cards are returned.

In addition, when the player finishes the game and returns the card from the CU3, the ball held in the CU3 is temporarily stored in the hall server as a stored ball, and the day when the player receives the card return. When the card is inserted into the same or another CU3 again on the same day, only the balls for the day once stored as stored balls are stored in the CU3 again, and the game balls can be added and played within the range of the balls. You may do so.

The bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 302 is taken in by a money classifier (not shown) to identify its authenticity and bill type.

Further, 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 provided on the front 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) possessed by a staff member of the amusement park, converts it into an electronic signal, and outputs the infrared signal. The ball lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to a game ball) for using the remaining amount stored in the inserted card for a game by the P stand 2. The card return button 322 is operated when the player ends the game, and the fixed number of balls held at the end of the game (number of balls held when the card is inserted-number converted to a game ball + counting) is inserted in the card. It is an operation button for storing and discharging the number of balls held by the operation.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, in the P stand 2, the gaming machine frame (hereinafter, also referred to as a cell) 5 and the glass door 6 have the left side edge as the swing center with respect to the frame-shaped outer frame 4. It is provided so that it can be opened and closed.

A pair of upper and lower engaging protrusions 6a and 6b are provided in the vicinity of the edge (free end side) on the side opposite to the swing center in the gaming machine frame 5. The engaging protrusions 6a and 6b are pressed downward by a spring (not shown). On the other hand, the engaging receiving pieces 7a and 7b are provided at the positions of the outer frame 4 facing the engaging projections 6a and 6b. By pressing the gaming machine frame 5 in the open state against the outer frame 4, the engaging protrusions 6a and 6b get over the engaging receiving pieces 7a and 7b, and in the overcoming state, the engaging protrusions 6a and 6b are lowered by the urging force of the spring. Moves to and locks.

Then, a staff member of the game hall inserts the key into the keyhole 10 shown in FIG. 1 and unlocks the key (for example, clockwise rotation). 6b is pushed upward, and as a result, the engagement protrusions 6a and 6b are disengaged from the engagement receiving pieces 7a and 7b, the lock is released, and the game machine frame 5 is opened.

Further, the gaming machine frame 5 is also provided with an engaging protrusion 8 for the glass door 6, and an engaging hole 9 is provided in the portion of the glass door 6 facing the engaging protrusion 8. The engaging protrusion 8 is pressed downward by a spring (not shown), and by pressing the open glass door 6 against the game machine frame 5, the engaging protrusion 8 is pushed up by the lower edge portion of the engaging hole 9. The engaging protrusion 8 is pushed down by the urging force of the spring, and the engaging protrusion 8 and the engaging hole 9 are engaged with each other to be in a locked state. In this state, the staff of the game hall inserts the key into the keyhole 10 shown in FIG. 1 and unlocks the key (for example, counterclockwise rotation), whereby the engaging protrusion 8 is pulled up against the urging force of the spring. Then, the engagement between the engaging protrusion 8 and the engaging hole 9 is released, the lock is released, and the glass door 6 is opened.

A back mechanism opening switch 13 is provided at a position in contact with the outer frame 4 in the lower portion of the gaming machine frame 5, and it is detected that the gaming machine frame 5 is opened. Further, the front decoration opening switch 12 is provided at the contact portion with the glass door 6 in the upper portion of the gaming machine frame 5, and it is detected by the front decoration opening switch 12 that the glass door 6 is opened.

The number of times the front decoration opening switch 12 and the back mechanism opening switch 13 are opened is counted by a counting counter (not shown). The counting counter is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and can be operated by a backup power supply even when the power supply of the P unit 2 is interrupted, such as at night. Even when the power is turned off, the number of times the glass door 6 and the game machine frame 5 are detected to be opened can be counted and the counted value can be transmitted to the frame control unit 171 (see FIG. 4). Here, the backup power source is, for example, a capacitor or a storage battery provided in the P unit 2.

The main control board 16 is provided on the back surface of the game board 26 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the glass door 6). Since the back surface of the outer frame 4 is closed, the main control board 16 can be attached to and detached from the gaming board 26 by first opening the gaming machine frame 5 and removing the gaming board 26 from the gaming machine frame 5. 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 game machine frame 5, so that the back mechanism portion open switch 13 is used. The work can always be detected with. Therefore, if the main control board 16 is illegally removed from the game board 26 or the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16 is illegally replaced, it can always be detected by the back mechanism portion open switch 13.

Further, a frame control board 17 is provided on the back surface of the gaming machine frame 5. The frame control board 17 also needs to be removed from the back surface of the gaming machine frame 5 after opening the gaming machine frame 5 first. Therefore, if the frame control board 17 is illegally removed from the back surface of the gaming machine frame 5 or the semiconductor chip provided on the frame control board 17 is illegally replaced, it can always be detected by the back mechanism portion open switch 13.

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

Further, when the gaming board 26 is installed in the gaming machine frame 5, the convex drawer connector 33A is coupled to the concave drawer connector 33B to form a main control board 16 on the gaming board 26 side and a frame on the gaming machine frame 5 side. It will be connected to the control board 17. Further, since the game board 26 is fixed at a fixed position and the convex drawer connector 33A and the concave drawer connector 33B have flexibility against a certain degree of misalignment, the convex drawer connector 33A and the concave drawer are provided. These can be connected without being aware of the positional relationship with the connector 33B. Even if the gaming board 26 is installed in the gaming machine frame 5 with only the convex drawer connector 33A and the concave drawer connector 33B without providing the mounting mechanisms 34a and 34b, the convex drawer connector 33A and the concave drawer connector are provided. Since the 33B itself is a flexible floating connector, these can be coupled without being aware of the positional relationship between the gaming board 26 and the gaming machine frame 5. Here, the convex drawer connector 33A is connected to the main control board 16 via the internal wiring (not shown) of the game board 26, and the concave drawer connector 33B is connected to the frame shown in FIG. 2 via the signal cable 36. It is connected to the control board 17.

<Composition 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. With reference to FIG. 4, the outline of the control circuit between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 will be described.

The CU 3 is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer or the like. This CU control unit 323 is the main control function unit of the CU 3, 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 for maintaining signal consistency with the device is provided.

The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external output terminal 340 for communicating with a hall management computer and a hall server that manages security. The CU 3 receives the status of the CU 3 and the gaming machine status information (including the information displayed by the performance display monitor 40) received from the P stand 2 via the external output terminal 340 for the hall management computer (Hallcon) and security. It is sent to the outside such as a hall server that manages. The CU control unit 323 communicates with the frame control board 17 of the P stand 2 via the communication control IC 325. The communication control IC 325 and the frame control board 17 are connected, for example, by an asynchronous serial communication port. In the communication between the CU control unit 323 and the frame control board 17, a signal related to lending (a signal related to an operation for withdrawing the remaining amount stored in the inserted card and using it for a game by the P unit 2) is performed in both directions. ing. The other signals related to counting (signals related to counting processing from the game ball to the ball) and signals related to game machine information are unidirectional communication from the frame control board 17 to the CU control unit 323. The CU 3 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the P stand 2 side, and the P stand 2 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the CU 3 side. These connection portions are composed of, for example, connectors and the like.

The CU control unit 323 identifies the authenticity and type of banknotes by the above-mentioned money classifier, and inputs the identification result signal. Further, when the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives infrared rays emitted from a remote controller possessed by a staff member of the game hall, the CU control unit 323 receives the light receiving signal. The card reader / writer reads the stored information of the inserted card into the CU control unit 323, the read information is input, and the CU control unit 323 writes the stored information of the inserted card into the inserted card to the card reader / writer. When the data is transmitted, the card reader / writer writes the data to the inserted card. The stored information of the card includes the card ID. The CU control unit 323 stores the card ID read by the card reader / writer until the end of the game.

The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the player's ball when the player is playing. Data such as the balance or the number of balls held is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350, and is converted into display data by the display control unit 350. The display data converted by the display control unit 350 is transmitted to the display 312 provided on the front surface of the CU 3. An image corresponding to the display data is displayed on the display 312. Further, when the player operates the touch panel provided on the surface of the display device 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 and input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the replay button 319, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the 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 of the P stand 2, a frame control board 17 that manages and stores the game ball, and a launch solenoid 31a that is driven and controlled based on the command of the frame control board 17. A launch control board 31 for displaying, a variable display device 278, and an effect control board 15 for displaying and controlling the variable display device 278 based on a command transmitted from the main control board 16 are provided.

The main control board 16 and the staging control board 15 are provided on the game board 26. The game control microcomputer, which is the main control unit 161 is mounted on the main control board 16. The main control unit 161 is a main control function unit of the gaming machine. The microcomputer for controlling a game machine maintains the consistency of signals with 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 peripheral devices. An input / output interface for the purpose is provided. The main control unit 161 is connected to a winning sensor 162 and a radio wave sensor 163 provided on the game board 26.

When a ball wins in each starting winning opening 275, 276, 277, the main control unit 161 draws a random number for determining a big hit (or further including a small hit) / loss, and stores the random number. This is called hold memory. The maximum value of the reserved storage number is, for example, "4". When the variable display device 278 is in a state where a new variable display can be started, the main control unit 161 digests one reserved memory, makes a big hit determination based on the reserved memory, and derives a display result from the variable start. The variable display time up to that point is determined from multiple types. In addition, when a big hit is decided, it is also decided whether or not to cause a probability fluctuation. The main control unit 161 transmits the result of the jackpot determination (including whether or not to make a probability change) and information on the variable display time as commands to the effect control unit 151 mounted on the effect control board 15.

For the commands related to the variable display transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the staging control unit 151, a variable start command indicating the start of the variable display, a display result command indicating the result of the variable display (big hit / miss), and a variable display pattern are specified. It includes possible variable display time commands, variable stop commands that indicate when variable display results are derived and displayed. Further, the commands transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151 include a command that can specify the progress of the big hit during the big hit, a command that indicates the occurrence of a new hold memory, and the occurrence of a game state error. There are commands to show.

The staging 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 staging control unit 151 specifies a variable display result and a variable display time based on a command transmitted from the main control unit 161 to determine a stop symbol and a variable display pattern (presence / absence of reach, type of reach). And also decide the production pattern of the notice production regarding big hits and reach. The staging control unit 151 displays and controls the variable display device 278 according to the determined variable display content.

The frame control board 17 is provided on the gaming machine frame 5. The frame control board 17 is equipped with a payout control microcomputer, which is a frame control unit 171. The frame control unit 171 is a payout control function unit of the gaming machine. The payout control microcomputer maintains signal consistency with 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 peripheral devices. An input / output interface for the purpose is provided.

Further, for the frame control board 17, the counting button 28, the performance display monitor 40, the radio wave sensor 173, the subtraction solenoid 32a, the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b, the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c, the lifting mechanism outlet sensor 33, and the out ball detection switch 701 , The front decoration release switch 12, and the back mechanism portion opening switch 13 are provided in a state of being electrically connected. An out-ball detection signal is input from the out-ball detection switch 701 to the frame control board 17. The main control board 16 calculates a base value (simply also referred to as a base) based on an out-ball detection signal as described later. The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting a fraudulent act of illegally transmitting a radio wave and mainly turning on the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b at all times. The detection signal of the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the frame control unit 171 via an input port (not shown) of the frame control board 17. The subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b detects the launch of the game ball by changing from off to on, and the frame control unit 171 subtracts "1" from the number of game balls based on the detection.

Therefore, when the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b is constantly turned off due to an illegal radio wave, the number of game balls is not subtracted no matter how many balls are fired. The radio wave sensor 173 detects such fraud due to radio waves.

A performance display monitor 40 is provided on the frame control board 17. The performance display monitor 40 is a 7-segment LED display. The performance display monitor 40 displays predetermined information such as a base, a bonus ratio, and a continuous bonus ratio by the frame control unit 171. Although the information displayed on the performance display monitor 40 can be output to the hall server or the like via the CU 3, an external output terminal may be provided on the P unit 2 and directly output to the hall server or the like.

Here, the base is a large winning opening 271, a normal winning opening 272 to 274, and a starting winning opening 275 to 277 provided in the game area 27 with respect to the number of game balls driven into the game area 27 of the P stand 2. It is the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given according to the prize of the game ball to the winning opening such as. Further, the character ratio (also referred to as a character ratio) refers to the ratio of the game balls acquired by the game balls launched in 10 hours due to the operation of the character. In the present embodiment, the bonus ratio corresponds to the game value given by winning all the winning openings of the game balls fired in 10 hours (60,000 balls can be fired per minute, so 60,000 balls). Of the number of game balls to be played, the game is played in the starting winning opening 276 composed of the electric tulip, which is one of the winning characters, and the large winning opening 271 composed of the variable winning ball device, which is one of the winning roles. The ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning a ball. Further, the continuous bonus ratio (also referred to as a continuous ratio) is the ratio of the number of game balls acquired by the game balls fired in 10 hours due to the operation of the bonus when the bonus is continuously operated. Say. In the present embodiment, the continuous bonus ratio is the game value given by winning all the winning openings of the game balls fired in 10 hours (60,000 balls can be fired per minute, so 60,000 balls). Of the number of corresponding game balls, the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning the game ball to the large winning opening 271 provided with the variable winning ball device which is one of the winning characters. Say.

Information such as the main control chip ID, winning opening information, round information, winning detection signal, starting winning opening winning information, error information, symbol confirmation count, and jackpot information is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17.

The main control chip ID (also referred to as the main chip ID) is a chip ID stored in the main control board 16 of the P stand 2, and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P stand 2 is turned on. Information. The winning opening information is information including the types of winning openings (starting winning opening, normal winning opening, large winning opening) and the number of prize balls (number of balls to be paid out when a game ball enters the winning opening). It is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the stand 2 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds at the time of a big hit, and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P unit 2 is turned on.

The winning detection signal is a detection signal of a game ball that has won a prize in a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. The frame control board 17 that receives this detection signal controls 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 the game ball has won a prize in any of the starting winning openings. The error information is information for notifying the frame control board 17 when an error occurs while the main control board 16 is performing game control.

The symbol confirmation number is information on the symbol confirmed as a display result of the variable display device for winning a prize in each starting winning opening.

The jackpot information is information indicating that a jackpot has occurred, and the breakdown thereof includes common jackpot information indicating a jackpot common to each manufacturer and manufacturer-specific jackpot information indicating a manufacturer-specific jackpot. The common jackpot information is a jackpot commonly used by each gaming machine manufacturer, such as a 15-round jackpot, and if a probability change occurs with the jackpot, the probability variation information is included, and the jackpot is accompanied by the probability variation information. When 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 manufacturer-specific jackpot is a jackpot state adopted only by a certain gaming machine manufacturer, such as a sudden change (sudden probability).

The game machine installation information reception result, the game machine information reception result, and the frame control state are transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the main control board 16. The game machine installation information reception result and the game machine information reception result are commands for indicating that the game machine installation information and the game machine information have been received from the main control board 16. The frame control state is a command for notifying the control state of the frame control board 17.

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

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

A launch permission signal is output from the frame control board 17 to the launch control board 31. In response to this, the launch control board 31 outputs a signal for exciting the launch solenoid 31a of the launch mechanism 30. As a result, the game ball is in a state of being shot and fired into the game area 27. The launch control board 31 emits a launch solenoid excitation output when an input signal of the touch ring for detecting that the player is touching the ball striking handle 25 is input, and drives the launch solenoid 31a.

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

<Circulation route of game balls>
Here, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the circulation path of the game ball in the P platform 2 will be outlined. When the player operates the ball striking operation handle 25, the firing solenoid 31a is driven. As a result, one game ball supplied to the launch position is repelled by the hitting hammer, and the game ball is driven into the game area 27.

A subtraction reference signal is output to the subtraction mechanism 32 in conjunction with the activation of the firing solenoid 31a and the firing of the game ball. In the subtraction mechanism 32, the subtraction solenoid 32a is energized based on the output subtraction reference signal to move the movable piece to send the game ball to the launch mechanism 30, and the game ball passes through the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b. Subtract the number of game balls.

Of the balls driven into the game area 27, the out balls that have entered the out port 154 (see FIG. 1) flow down the out ball flow path and are detected by the out ball detection switch 701 provided in the middle of the out ball flow path. ..

All the winning balls that have won in the winning opening or the variable winning ball device are collected on the back of the gaming machine and guided to the collection ball passing path. Similarly, out balls and foul balls are also guided to the recovery ball passage path. A lifting mechanism outlet sensor 33 is provided in the collection ball passage path. Therefore, all of the winning ball, the out ball, and the foul ball are detected by the lifting mechanism outlet sensor 33. That is, the lifting mechanism outlet sensor 33 is a switch that detects all of the repelled game balls. When the detected number of this switch and the number of shots of the game ball ejected by the firing solenoid 31a become equal, it can be determined that all the driven game balls have been recovered.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the difference between the number of detections of the lifting mechanism outlet sensor 33 and the number of shots is calculated, and when this difference is not 0, the ball driven into the game area 27 is collected. It is determined that it has not been completed. By making this determination, it can be determined whether the game area 27 is rolling or whether there is a floating ball that is caught between nails in the game area and does not fall.

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

<Signs sent and received between the CU and the P unit>
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the outline of the signal (telegram) transmitted / received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 will be described. A common asynchronous message from the frame control board 17 of the P unit 2 to the CU3 by separating (a) a signal related to lending, (b) a signal related to counting, and (c) a signal related to game machine information. Communicate via serial communication port. The three types of signals (telegrams) (a) to (c) transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 have different telegram headers, and it is possible to distinguish the type of telegram by the header. It has become. Note that (b) the signal related to counting and (c) the signal related to game machine information may be communicated via a common asynchronous serial communication port. Further, (a) the signal related to lending and (b) the signal related to counting may be communicated with each other through a common asynchronous serial communication port.

FIG. 5A shows a signal relating to lending. In the signal related to lending, the P unit 2 receives the lending number of balls and the lending serial number for communication management from the CU 3, and transmits the lending ball number receipt result and the lending serial number to the CU 3 in order to respond to the reception result. The number of rented balls, the result of receiving the number of rented balls, and the rental serial number are all signals for the purpose of renting game balls. Further, the number of rented balls transmitted by one signal is, for example, 125 balls. When the number of rented balls is 0 (zero), the signal related to lending may be transmitted by inputting 0 (zero) information into the signal of the number of rented balls.

FIG. 5B shows a signal related to counting. In the signal related to counting, the P unit 2 transmits the number of counting balls and the counting serial number for communication management to the CU 3. The P unit 2 does not receive a signal for confirming the transmission result from the CU 3. Both the counting ball number and the counting serial number are signals for the purpose of counting game balls. Further, the number of counting balls transmitted by one signal is, for example, 250 balls. When the number of counting balls is 0 (zero), the signal related to counting may be transmitted by inputting 0 (zero) information into the signal of the number of counting balls.

FIG. 5C shows a signal related to the gaming machine information. In the signal related to the gaming machine information, the P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine installation information, the gaming machine performance information, the hall control information, and the fraud monitoring information to the CU 3. The P unit 2 does not receive a signal for confirming the transmission result from the CU 3. The gaming machine installation information is a signal for the purpose of managing the machine history, and is a signal transmitted after the power is turned on. The gaming machine installation information includes information such as a manufacturer code, a model code, and a chip ID number of the main / frame control CPU. The game machine performance information is a signal for the purpose of aggregating the performance information, and includes information such as the number of game balls acquired per minute (low base), the bonus ratio, the continuous bonus ratio, and the hall control information is the hole control information. It is a signal for the purpose of aggregation, including big hits, probability fluctuations, time reduction, number of winning balls for each winning opening, etc., and the fraud monitoring information is a signal for the purpose of fraud monitoring by CU3, and the number of game balls (current possession). Includes information such as the number of balls) and the number of game balls.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the timing of signals transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. In the sequence shown in FIG. 6, among the signals related to (a) lending shown in FIG. 5, No. 3 to No. The signal of No. 4, (b) the signal related to counting, and (c) the signal related to game machine information are transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 through a common asynchronous serial communication port. On the contrary, among the signals related to (a) lending shown in FIG. 5, No. 1 to No. The signal of 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 by a common asynchronous serial communication port.

Of the signals transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3, (c) the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted every specified period A as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the period from the transmission of the signal from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 to the transmission of the next signal is controlled to the specified period A (for example, 300 ms = 0.3 seconds). The P-unit 2 can transmit the gaming machine information to the CU 3 every specified period A regardless of the reception status of the gaming machine information in the CU 3. Therefore, in the P machine 2, it is not necessary to retransmit the gaming machine information, it is not necessary to store the past gaming machine information, and the processing load can be reduced.

In this way, signals are transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 at intervals of 300 ms. On the other hand, in the P table 2, 100 game balls are driven into the game area 27 per minute by operating the ball hitting operation handle 25, so that the hitting ball firing time interval is 0.6 seconds. As a result, a plurality of signals are transmitted and received while one ball is fired.

The signal related to the game machine information communicates with the asynchronous serial communication port common to the signal related to counting. Therefore, if an attempt is made to transmit a signal related to counting at the timing of transmitting a signal related to game machine information, the signals will be congested within a common asynchronous serial communication port, data collision will occur, and communication will be performed correctly. It may not be possible. Therefore, in the P unit 2, when the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted to the CU 3 every specified period A, in order to optimize the information transmission, the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted for the specified period. The signal related to counting is communicated with the CU 3 at a timing corresponding to a specified period B (for example, 50 ms) shorter than A.

In FIG. 7, after the hall control signal and the fraud monitoring signal are transmitted to the CU 3 as the signals related to the game machine information, and immediately before and immediately before the timing (after the specified period A elapses) when the signal related to the game machine information is transmitted next. The number of counting balls and the counting serial number are transmitted to the CU 3 as signals related to counting within the specified period B after the game machine information is transmitted. When the operation of the counting button 28 by the player is performed before transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, the transmission of the signal related to counting is the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information after the operation. Waiting for, it will be done within the specified period B from the relevant timing.

The transmission of the signal related to the counting is not limited to the case where the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted within the specified period B from the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, and it may be specified as long as the timing does not cause congestion with the signal related to the gaming machine information. It may be between the elapse of the period B and the timing at which the signal related to the next gaming machine information is transmitted.

As for the signal related to lending, when the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319, the signal of the number of lending balls and the lending serial number is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. The signal related to the rental also communicates with the asynchronous serial communication port common to the signal related to the gaming machine information. Therefore, when the signal related to lending is transmitted from CU3 at the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, the signals are congested in the common asynchronous serial communication port, data collision occurs, and communication is performed. It may not be done correctly.

Therefore, the CU 3 has a signal related to the gaming machine information on the condition that the signal related to the counting is not received when the P unit 2 transmits the signal related to the gaming machine information to the CU 3 every specified period A. Is transmitted, and at a timing corresponding to a specified period C (for example, 100 ms) different from the specified period A and the specified period B, the signal related to lending is communicated with the P unit 2. That is, the P-unit 2 receives the signals of the number of rented balls and the rented serial number from the CU 3 at the timing after the lapse of the specified period C after transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information. When the P unit 2 receives the signal of the number of rented balls and the signal of the rented serial number from the CU3, the P unit 2 transmits the signal of the number of rented balls and the signal of the rented serial number to the CU3. When the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 before transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, the signal of the number of lending balls and the lending serial number is transmitted after the operation. It waits for the timing of receiving the signal related to the gaming machine information from the P machine 2, and is performed after the specified period C elapses from the timing.

The transmission of the signal related to the lending is not limited to the case where the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted after the lapse of the specified period C from the timing when the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted. It may be between the time when the signal related to the machine information is received and the time after the specified period B elapses until the timing within the specified period C. For the specified periods A to C, different values can be appropriately set so that the communication timings of various information are deviated.

<Transmission / reception mode between the card unit side and the pachinko machine side>
Next, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the main data stored in each of the CU3 side and the P stand 2 side and the transmission / reception mode thereof. With reference to FIG. 8, the main data stored in each of the CU3 side and the P stand 2 side and the transmission / reception mode thereof will be described.

In the present embodiment, the fluctuation of the number of game balls is calculated on the P table 2 side, and the current latest number of game balls is stored and managed. 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 (number of cards held), the number of stored balls, and the prepaid balance (remaining amount) are managed and stored on the CU3 side.

FIG. 8 shows the stored data of the RAM provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU3 side and the stored data of the RAM mounted on the frame control board 17 on the P stand 2 side. First, when the power supply is turned on in a state where the P stand 2 and the CU 3 are electrically connected for the first time after being installed in the amusement park, the frame control board 17 on the P stand 2 side is the main chip from the main control board 16. The ID (main control chip ID) is transmitted, the main chip ID is transmitted to the CU3 side, and the frame chip ID (frame control chip ID) stored in the frame control board 17 itself is transmitted to the CU3 side. ..

On the CU3 side, the transmitted main chip ID and frame chip ID are stored. In this state, the information of the main chip ID and the frame chip ID is stored in the CU3 side and the P unit 2 side. When the power is turned on after that, the two pieces of information, that is, the main chip ID and the frame chip ID, are transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU3 side.

On the CU3 side, the transmitted data and the already stored data are collated, and it is determined whether or not the same P unit 2 as the previous time is connected. On the other hand, in the P unit 2, information such as main chip ID and frame chip ID information, which are installation information, is transmitted to the CU 3 after the power is turned on, and then the gaming machine information is transmitted to the outside including the CU 3 at predetermined intervals. Is possible. Since the gaming machine information can be output on the P machine 2 without going through the authentication process, the processing load can be reduced.

Both the CU 3 and the P unit 2 transmit the telegram with a "serial number" added. 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 numbers": "game ball number serial numbers", "counting serial numbers", and "rental serial numbers". "Serial number" indicates the sequence number of the telegram. The "serial number" is transmitted by counting up (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission by the transmitting side (primary station side) with the initial value set to "1". However, when resending, the "serial number" is not counted up. The receiving side (secondary station side) transmits the received serial number as it is. If the continuity of the serial numbers is not established, there is no response. The "game ball number serial number" is a serial number used when the P unit 2 notifies the CU 3 of the game ball number. The "counting serial number" is a serial number used when the P unit 2 requests the CU 3 to count the game balls. The "rental serial number" is a serial number used when the CU 3 requests the P unit 2 to lend a game ball.

The latest gaming machine performance information, hall control information, and fraud monitoring information are transmitted from the P machine 2 side to the CU 3 side. The latest gaming machine performance information, hall control information, and fraud monitoring information are stored in the RAM of the frame control unit 171 (see FIG. 4) on the P unit 2 side. Specifically, the information of the counting ball number counter is included. As for the number of game balls, the count value of the number of game balls counter is transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU 3 side as fraud monitoring information. However, instead of this, or in addition to the game ball number counter, the game ball number may be included in the latest game machine performance information.

The information of these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU3 side as a signal related to the gaming machine information. The CU 3 grasps the change in the number of gaming balls from the latest gaming machine performance information and hall control information transmitted from the P machine 2. In CU3, for example, the number of game balls is added based on the "number of prize balls x number of winning balls" included in the hall control information, and the number of game balls is subtracted based on the "number of fired balls". Further, the counting ball number counter is a counter that counts the number of counting balls. The counting ball is "the number of balls converted from a game ball to a possession ball by a counting operation". Here, the "prize ball" is a ball that is paid out when a ball wins a prize at the winning opening, and is a safe ball. The "launched ball" is a ball fired by a gaming machine, and if there is a back ball, the number of balls obtained by subtracting the back ball is the number of fired balls.

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

On the P unit 2 side, each time the value of the counting ball counter is transmitted to the CU3 side, the count value is stored (rewritten) as backup data in the previous game machine information storage area (RAM of the frame control unit 171 or the like). After that, the value of the counting ball counter is cleared to 0 (excluding the game ball counter). In the present embodiment, "clear" has the same meaning as "initialization".

As a result, the data of the number of counting balls transmitted to the CU3 side immediately before is stored as backup data in the storage area of the previous game machine information (game machine information transmitted immediately before). This backup data is not only the value of each counter this time but also the value of each previous counter that was not transmitted at the time of the next transmission when the data of the number of counting balls was not transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU3 side. Is also intended to be able to be sent. The number of gaming balls transmitted immediately before may be further added to the previous gaming machine information and stored.

Further, the frame control board 17 updates the value of the game ball number counter according to the occurrence of winning, the firing of balls, and the generation of counting balls (conversion from a game ball to a possession ball), and the updated game. The value of the ball number counter is transmitted to the CU3 side as the number of game balls.

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

The number of cards held on the card is added based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P unit 2, and the number is subtracted from the number of game balls to update. In this way, the CU 3 can manage the latest information by updating the number of gaming balls and the number of cards held by the latest gaming machine information transmitted from the P machine 2 one by one.

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

As a result, for example, an error notification is performed 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 (in this case, the hall management computer). And error notification may be performed by the hall server). As a result, a predetermined notification is performed to encourage the staff to take an artificial response.

In addition, 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, instead, it may be corrected to the average value of the number of game balls managed on the CU3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P unit 2 side.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of game balls is also stored on the CU3 side, but it is determined whether or not the number of game balls matches the number of game balls managed and stored on the P unit 2 side. (CU3 side function). Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which the number of game balls stored on the P stand 2 side does not match the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side due to fraudulent acts or other circumstances, it is possible to check to that effect. Here, the determination function is provided on the CU3 side, but for example, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P unit 2 side are stored by the hall server or hall management computer connected to the CU3. It may be possible to receive the number of game balls and determine whether or not the two are consistent.

Further, if the CU 3 cannot receive the signal related to the counting, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the number of game balls managed and stored on the P unit 2 side do not match, so special processing is performed. Run. As the special processing, a process of displaying the history information of the gaming machine information is performed in order to compensate the number of gaming balls based on the gaming machine information, the number of gaming balls is supplemented based on the history information, and an error notification is performed. Or something.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the CU 3 has a storage area for storing the number of cards held and the number of stored balls, a storage area for storing the prepaid balance of the received (inserted) card, and a ball held when the card is inserted. It also has a storage area for storing. The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 4) stores the stored balls in response to an input requesting the use of the stored balls (for example, a pressing input of the replay button 319 provided on the CU 3 (however, when there is no ball)). Subtract a predetermined number of stored balls from the area.

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

When the player performs an operation to lend a value of a predetermined size from the possession value owned by the player (for example, the number of balls held, the number of stored balls, or the prepaid balance) and use it for the game, the number of balls to be withdrawn. The number of rented balls for adding to the game ball number counter is transmitted from the CU3 side to the P unit 2 side. In response to this, the P-unit 2 side adds and updates the game ball number counter.

On the other hand, in the game system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accept an order of a so-called wagon service in which the ownership value owned by the player is deducted and exchanged for a drink or the like. However, receiving the wagon service with a game ball is restricted, and you can only receive the wagon service with your own ball. This is an image that prohibits the conventional enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine equipped with each counter from picking up the uncounted balls remaining on the plate and using them for the wagon service.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the operation of performing the wagon service is executed, if the number of balls held is less than the number of balls corresponding to the desired menu of the wagon service, the player is urged 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 cards possessed to update.

<Modification example 1 of communication between CU and P unit>
6 and 7 have described an example in which a common asynchronous serial communication port is used to communicate a signal related to lending, a signal related to counting, and a signal related to game machine information. As a modification 1, an example will be described in which a signal related to counting and a signal related to game machine information are communicated by a common asynchronous serial communication port, and a signal related to lending is communicated by another asynchronous serial communication port. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a communication sequence of the first modification between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the timing of modification 1 of the signal transmitted / received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. In the sequence shown in FIG. 9, the signal related to (b) counting and the signal related to (c) game machine information shown in FIG. 5 are transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 through a common asynchronous serial communication port. Among the signals related to (a) lending shown in FIG. 5, No. 1 to No. The signal of No. 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 by another asynchronous serial communication port, and (a) No. 1 of the signals related to lending. 3 to No. The signal of 4 is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 by another asynchronous serial communication port.

Of the signals transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3, (c) the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted every specified period A as shown in FIG. That is, the period from the transmission of the signal from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 to the transmission of the next signal is controlled to the specified period A (for example, 300 ms = 0.3 seconds).

The signal related to the game machine information communicates with the asynchronous serial communication port common to the signal related to counting. Therefore, if an attempt is made to transmit a signal related to counting at the timing of transmitting a signal related to game machine information, the signals will be congested within a common asynchronous serial communication port, data collision will occur, and communication will be performed correctly. It may not be possible. Therefore, in the P unit 2, when the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted to the CU 3 for each specified period A, the specified period B shorter than the specified period A after the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted (for example,). , 50 ms), the signal related to counting is communicated with the CU3 at the timing corresponding to).

In FIG. 10, after the hall control signal and the fraud monitoring signal are transmitted to the CU 3 as the signal related to the game machine information, and immediately before and immediately before the timing (after the lapse of the specified period A) to transmit the signal related to the game machine information next. The number of counting balls and the counting serial number are transmitted to the CU 3 as signals related to counting within the specified period B after the game machine information is transmitted. When the operation of the counting button 28 by the player is performed before transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, the transmission of the signal related to counting is the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information after the operation. Waiting for, it will be done within the specified period B from the relevant timing. Here, even if the player does not operate the counting button 28, a signal related to counting (for example, a signal including information that the number of counting balls is 0 (zero)) is transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2. You may.

The transmission of the signal related to the counting is not limited to the case where the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted within the specified period B from the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, and it may be specified as long as the timing does not cause congestion with the signal related to the gaming machine information. It may be between the elapse of the period B and the timing at which the signal related to the next gaming machine information is transmitted.

As for the signal related to lending, when the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319, the signal of the number of lending balls and the lending serial number is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. The signal related to the lending communicates with an asynchronous serial communication port different from the signal related to the gaming machine information.

The CU 3 transmits the signal related to the gaming machine information on the condition that the signal related to the counting is not received when the P unit 2 transmits the signal related to the gaming machine information to the CU 3 every specified period A. Then, at the timing corresponding to the specified period C (for example, 100 ms) different from the specified period A and the specified period B, the signal related to the lending is communicated with the P unit 2. That is, the P-unit 2 receives the signals of the number of rented balls and the rented serial number from the CU 3 at the timing after the lapse of the specified period C after transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information. When the P unit 2 receives the signal of the number of rented balls and the signal of the rented serial number from the CU3, the P unit 2 transmits the signal of the number of rented balls and the signal of the rented serial number to the CU3. When the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 before transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, the signal of the number of lending balls and the lending serial number is transmitted after the operation. It waits for the timing of receiving the signal related to the gaming machine information from the P machine 2, and is performed after the specified period C elapses from the timing.

The transmission of the signal related to the lending is not limited to the case where the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted after the specified period C has elapsed from the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, and the specified period B has elapsed after the signal related to the gaming machine information has been received. It may be until the timing within C. For the specified periods A to C, different values can be appropriately set so that the communication timings of various information are deviated.

<Modification 2 of communication between CU and P unit>
6 and 7 have described an example in which a common asynchronous serial communication port is used to communicate a signal related to lending, a signal related to counting, and a signal related to game machine information. As a second modification, an example will be described in which a common asynchronous serial communication port is used to communicate a signal related to lending and a signal related to counting, and another asynchronous serial communication port is used to communicate a signal related to game machine information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication sequence of the second modification between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the timing of modification 2 of the signal transmitted / received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. In the sequence shown in FIG. 11, among the signals related to (a) lending shown in FIG. 5, No. 1 to No. The signal of No. 2 is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 through a common asynchronous serial communication port, and among the signals related to (a) lending shown in FIG. 5, No. 3 to No. The signal of No. 4 and the signal related to (b) counting are transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 through a common asynchronous serial communication port. (C) The signal related to the gaming machine information shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 by another asynchronous serial communication port.

Of the signals transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3, (c) the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted every specified period A as shown in FIG. That is, the period from the transmission of the signal from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 to the transmission of the next signal is controlled to the specified period A (for example, 300 ms = 0.2 seconds).

The signal related to lending and the signal related to counting communicate on a common asynchronous serial communication port, and the signal related to game machine information communicates on a different asynchronous serial communication port from the signal related to lending and the signal related to counting. conduct. In the P unit 2, when the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted to the CU 3 every specified period A, the signal related to lending and the signal related to counting communicate with each other through a common asynchronous serial communication port. Therefore, the signal related to the counting is transmitted to the CU 3 at a timing corresponding to the specified period B (for example, 50 ms) shorter than the specified period A after the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted.

In FIG. 12, after the hall control signal and the fraud monitoring signal are transmitted to the CU 3 as the signals related to the game machine information, and immediately before and immediately before the timing (after the specified period A elapses) when the signal related to the game machine information is transmitted next. The number of counting balls and the counting serial number are transmitted to the CU 3 as signals related to counting within the specified period B after the game machine information is transmitted. When the operation of the counting button 28 by the player is performed before transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, the transmission of the signal related to counting is the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information after the operation. Waiting for, it will be done within the specified period B from the relevant timing.

The transmission of the signal related to counting is not limited to the case where the signal related to the game machine information is transmitted within the specified period B, and the timing when the signal related to the next game machine information is transmitted after the specified period B elapses. It may be between.

As for the signal related to lending, when the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319, the signal of the number of lending balls and the lending serial number is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. When the signal related to lending is communicated at the timing of transmitting the signal related to counting, there is a possibility that the signals will be congested within the common asynchronous serial communication port, data collision will occur and communication will not be performed correctly. be.

The signal related to the lending communicates with an asynchronous serial communication port different from the signal related to the gaming machine information.

Therefore, the CU 3 has a signal related to the gaming machine information on the condition that the signal related to the counting is not received when the P unit 2 transmits the signal related to the gaming machine information to the CU 3 every specified period A. Is transmitted, and at a timing corresponding to a specified period C (for example, 100 ms) different from the specified period A and the specified period B, the signal related to lending is communicated with the P unit 2. That is, the P-unit 2 receives the signals of the number of rented balls and the rented serial number from the CU 3 at the timing after the lapse of the specified period C after transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information. When the P unit 2 receives the signal of the number of rented balls and the signal of the rented serial number from the CU3, the P unit 2 transmits the signal of the number of rented balls and the signal of the rented serial number to the CU3. When the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 before transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, the signal of the number of lending balls and the lending serial number is transmitted after the operation. It waits for the timing of receiving the signal related to the gaming machine information from the P machine 2, and is performed after the specified period C elapses from the timing.

The transmission of the signal related to lending is not limited to the case where the signal related to the lending is transmitted after the lapse of the specified period C from the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, as long as the timing does not cause congestion with the signal related to counting. It may be between the time when the signal relating to the above signal is received and the time after the specified period B elapses until the timing within the specified period C. For the specified periods A to C, different values can be appropriately set so that the communication timings of various information are deviated.

<Modification example of the signal related to lending sent and received between the CU and the P unit>
In the above configuration, it has been explained that the signals of the number of rented balls and the rented serial number are received from the CU 3 at the timing after the lapse of the specified period C after the signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted. In the modification described below, the CU 3 transmits the signal related to lending within a predetermined period from the completion of receiving the signal related to counting. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the timing of a modified example of a signal related to lending transmitted / received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine.

First, in (i) shown in FIG. 13, when the game becomes possible, the frame control board 17 transmits a signal related to the game machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 300 ms. In (ii), the frame control board 17 transmits the signal related to counting 100 ms after the signal related to the game machine information is transmitted, regardless of whether or not the player operates the counting button 28. Further, when the counting button 28 is pressed within the cycle of 300 ms, the number of counting balls is set to 250 and the signal related to counting is transmitted. If the counting button 28 is not operated, a signal related to counting is transmitted by inputting 0 (zero) information into the number of counting balls.

In (iii), the CU 3 transmits a preparation signal related to lending or a signal related to lending within 150 ms (effective time for transmitting the signal related to lending) from the completion of receiving the signal related to counting. Further, when the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 is pressed within the cycle of 300 ms, the lending signal is transmitted with the number of lending balls set to 125. If the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 is not operated, the lending signal is transmitted with 0 (zero) information in the number of lending balls.

In (iv), when the frame control board 17 receives the signal of the number of rented balls and the rented serial number from the CU3, the frame control board 17 transmits the result of receiving the number of rented balls and the signal related to the lending of the rented serial number to the CU3 within 10 ms from the reception of the signal. do. (V) After that, the same operation is repeated in a cycle of 300 ms.

At the timing shown in FIG. 13, a signal related to lending is transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 without the player operating the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319. However, if the player does not operate the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319, the lending signal may not be transmitted or received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the timing of signals related to lending transmitted / received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine.

First, in (i) shown in FIG. 14, when the game becomes possible, the frame control board 17 transmits a signal related to the game machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 300 ms. In (ii), the frame control board 17 transmits the signal related to counting 100 ms after the signal related to the game machine information is transmitted, regardless of whether or not the player operates the counting button 28. Further, when the counting button 28 is pressed within the cycle of 300 ms, the number of counting balls is set to 250 and the signal related to counting is transmitted. If the counting button 28 is not operated, a signal related to counting is transmitted by inputting 0 (zero) information into the number of counting balls. (Iii) After that, the same operation is repeated in a cycle of 300 ms.

In (iv), when the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 is pressed, the CU 3 transmits a lending signal with the number of lending balls set to 125 within 150 ms from the completion of receiving the signal related to counting. That is, the operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 by the player is performed before transmitting the signal related to counting, and after the operation, the timing of receiving the signal related to counting from the P unit 2 is set. Wait, and transmit the signal related to lending within 150 ms (valid time for transmitting the signal related to lending). On the other hand, when the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 is not pressed, the CU 3 does not transmit the lending signal even if the reception of the counting signal is completed. In (v), when the frame control board 17 receives the signal of the number of rented balls and the rental serial number from the CU3, the frame control board 17 transmits the result of receiving the number of rented balls and the signal related to the rental of the rented serial number to the CU3 within 10 ms from the reception of the signal. do.

<Launch mechanism>
Next, the launch mechanism 30 will be described in more detail. 15 (a) is a front view of the launch mechanism 30, FIG. 15 (b) is a right side view of the launch mechanism 30, and FIG. 15 (c) is a back view of the launch mechanism 30. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the ball passage of the launch mechanism 30 is filled with a game ball. FIG. 17 is a block diagram for explaining the launch of the game medium and the subtraction of the number of game balls.

With reference to FIG. 15, the launch mechanism 30 mainly includes a launch solenoid 31a, a pestle only 42, a launch pad 43, and a valve 44. Further, a subtraction mechanism 32 is provided in the vicinity (back side) of the launch mechanism 30. The subtraction mechanism 32 mainly has a subtraction solenoid 32a, a subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b, and a subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c.

When the firing solenoid 31a can be energized by the firing permission signal from the main control board 16 and each state of the ball striking operation handle 25 accompanying the direct operation of the player, the firing mechanism 30 puts the game ball p on the game board. Fire at 26. Further, when the firing solenoid 31a is activated, a subtraction reference signal linked with each other is output from the firing control board 31 to the frame control board 17 as shown in FIG. The subtraction reference signal serves as a reference for energizing the subtraction solenoid 32a in the subtraction mechanism 32.

As shown in FIG. 17, when the CU 3 is connected to the terminal board for renting a game ball or the like and the launch permission signal is output from the main control board 16, the launch solenoid 31a can be energized. FIG. 18 is a block diagram for explaining the processing in the firing mechanism. As shown in FIG. 18, the AND circuit 172 provided on the frame control board 17 permits firing to the firing control board 31 when the connection state of the CU 3 and the firing permission signal are input from the main control board 16. Output a signal. When the firing permission signal is not output, the firing solenoid 31a cannot be energized regardless of each state of the ball striking operation handle 25. When the main control board 16 receives a specific error signal from the frame control board 17, the main control board 16 stops the output of the firing permission signal.

Here, the operating principle and each state of the ball striking operation handle 25 will be described. Although not shown, the ball striking operation handle 25 includes a launch stop button, a launch stop switch, a handle lever, a touch sensor, a handle volume, a ring, and the like. When the player operates the ball striking operation handle 25, the firing solenoid 31a can be activated and stopped, and the firing intensity can be changed. Also, by operating the launch stop button, the game balls can be launched one by one.

When the player touches the ring of the ball striking operation handle 25, the touch sensor connected to the ring outputs a detection signal to the launch control board 31 as shown in FIG. When the firing control board 31 detects this signal, the firing solenoid 31a can be energized on condition that the firing permission signal is output. When the player does not directly touch the ring of the ball striking operation handle 25, the player cannot energize the firing solenoid 31a regardless of each state of the ball striking operation handle 25. When the player stops pressing the firing stop button and the firing stop switch is opened, the firing solenoid 31a can be energized.

When the player turns the handle lever of the ball striking operation handle 25, the detection voltage of the handle volume changes, and the strength of the energizing current to the firing solenoid 31a can be changed according to the turning angle. In FIG. 18, in the operation condition determination unit 31b, an operation permission signal is output to the pulse clock generation unit 31c based on a firing permission signal, a touch sensor detection signal, a rotation detection signal from the handle volume, and the like. The pulse clock generation unit 31c generates various pulses and clocks of the emission control board 31 from the operation condition determination unit 31b based on the operation permission signal. By generating various pulses and clocks in the pulse clock generation unit 31c, the constant current control unit 31d fires a solenoid based on the detection value from the handle rotation value detection unit 31e according to the turning angle of the handle volume. The energizing current to 31a is controlled. As a result, the flight distance of the game ball p changes, and the player can launch the game ball p at an arbitrary position on the game board 26.

When the handle lever is in the origin position state and the detected voltage becomes equal to or lower than the set voltage, the firing solenoid 31a cannot be energized regardless of each state of the handle. In the handle rotation value comparison unit 31f shown in FIG. 18, when the detection voltage is equal to or less than the set voltage, the rotation detection signal is not output to the operation condition determination unit 31b.

When the launch solenoid 31a is driven, the pestle 42 moves in the direction of the game ball p and launches the game ball p stopped on the launch pad 43. The fired game ball p passes through the valve 44 and is fired on the game board 26. The valve 44 returns to the fixed position after the game ball p has passed. Therefore, the valve 44 prevents the launched game ball p from returning to the launch pad 43.

When the firing solenoid 31a is activated, a subtraction reference signal linked with each other is output from the firing control board 31 to the frame control board 17 as shown in FIG. In the frame control board 17, the CPU of the frame control unit 171 processes the subtraction reference signal by the game ball number management program in the user program area (used area). The subtraction solenoid control unit 32d controls the subtraction solenoid 32a of the subtraction mechanism 32 by the game ball number management program. The subtraction mechanism 32 converts the game ball p recorded by the electromagnetic method into a real ball by energizing the subtraction solenoid 32a and moving the movable piece 45 shown in FIG. 16 with reference to the subtraction reference signal, and launches the mechanism. I am sending it to 30. When the game ball p passes through the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b, the number of game balls is subtracted and displayed on the game ball number display 29.

Next, the details of the operation of the subtraction mechanism 32 will be described. First, when the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b has the game ball p, the subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c does not have the game ball p, and the subtraction mechanism has the number of game balls, the subtraction mechanism 32 subtracts 16 ms after the subtraction reference signal is output. Energize the solenoid 32a. When the subtraction solenoid 32a is energized, the movable piece 45 moves to the position shown in FIG. 16A. When the movable piece 45 moves to the position, the game ball p moves to the notch portion of the movable piece 45. When the subtraction solenoid 32a is de-energized with the game ball p sandwiched between the notches of the movable piece 45, the movable piece 45 moves to the position shown in FIG. 16 (c). When the movable piece 45 moves to the position, the game ball p sandwiched between the notches of the movable piece 45 is sent out to the launch pad 43 of the launch mechanism 30.

When the subtraction solenoid 32a is energized and the game ball p moves to the notch portion of the movable piece, the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b detects the passage of one game ball. The detection signal of the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b is processed by the game ball number management program of the frame control board 17, the number of game balls is subtracted by one, and the number of game balls subtracted is displayed on the game ball number display 29.

When the energization of the subtraction solenoid 32a is stopped, the game ball p sent to the launch mechanism is detected by the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c. The detection signal of the subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c is processed by the game ball number management program of the frame control board 17.

Next, the processing in the firing mechanism and the subtraction mechanism will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 is a timing chart for explaining the processing by the firing mechanism 30 and the operation of the ball striking operation handle 25. The state (i) shown in FIG. 19 is a state in which the CU 3 is connected and the firing permission signal is changed from off to on from the main control board 16, and the game ball p can be fired.

When the player holds the hitting ball operation handle 25 to play a game, the player directly touches the ring of the hitting ball operation handle 25, and the detection signal of the touch sensor changes from off to on (Fig.). (Ii) shown in 19).

When the player turns the ball striking operation handle 25 clockwise to play a game, the detection voltage of the handle volume of the ball striking operation handle 25 changes from weak to strong, and the set voltage is exceeded (FIG. 19). The state of (iii) shown).

The firing stop switch of the ball striking operation handle 25 is in the off state (state of (iv) shown in FIG. 19). When the states (i) to (iv) are satisfied, the firing mechanism 30 turns on the firing solenoid 31a 37.5 ms after the state of (iv).

The firing mechanism 30 turns on the firing solenoid 31a for 16 ms with an energizing current corresponding to the angle of the ball striking operation handle 25, and outputs a subtraction reference signal from the launch control board 31 for 37.5 ms (FIG. 19). (V) shown).

When the states (i) to (iv) are satisfied 562.5 ms after the firing solenoid 31a is turned on, the firing mechanism 30 turns the firing solenoid 31a on for 16 ms after 37.5 ms to control the firing. The subtraction reference signal is output from the substrate 31 for 37.5 ms (state (vi) shown in FIG. 19). The firing mechanism 30 subsequently turns on the firing solenoid 31a at a cycle of about 600 ms as long as the states (i) to (iv) are satisfied.

When 562.5 ms after the firing solenoid 31a is turned on, the firing mechanism 30 does not output the subtraction reference signal from the firing control board 31 when the states (i) to (iv) are not satisfied, so that the firing solenoid 32a is turned on. The subtraction mechanism 32 is stopped without turning it on. Since there is a space for three game balls p3 in the ball passage from the subtraction mechanism 32 to the pestle only 42, even if the ball is clogged in the ball passage, the subtraction mechanism 32 is stopped and only the firing solenoid 31a is used. By turning it on three times, the jammed game ball p can be discharged. Therefore, when the subtraction mechanism 32 is stopped without satisfying the states (i) to (iv), only the firing solenoid 31a is turned on three times as shown in FIG. 19 for the purpose of preventing ball clogging. The minimum number of times that only the firing solenoid 31a is turned on is three, but the number of times may be changed according to the length of the ball passage and the firing conditions. After that, when the states of (i) to (iv) are satisfied, the launch mechanism 30 returns to the state of (v) shown in FIG. 19 and launches the game ball p. Even if the ball jam is not cleared even when the launch solenoid 31a is turned on three times, only the launch solenoid 31a is turned on every 0.6 seconds in response to the operation of the ball striking operation handle 25 by the player. It may be in a state.

Next, FIG. 20 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the subtraction mechanism 32 and the game ball number display 29. First, when the states (i) to (iv) shown in FIG. 19 are satisfied and the firing solenoid 31a of the firing mechanism 30 is turned on, the subtraction reference signal is output from the firing control board 31 for 37.5 ms (FIG. 20). (I) shown in.

The subtraction mechanism 32 turns on the subtraction solenoid 32a for 75 ms on condition that the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is in the off state 16 ms after the subtraction reference signal is turned on (shown in FIG. 20). (Ii) state).

By turning on the subtraction solenoid 32a, the subtraction mechanism 32 drives the movable piece 45 shown in FIG. 16 to move the game ball p stopped in front of the movable piece 45. When the game ball p moves, the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b is turned on (the state of (iii) shown in FIG. 20). When the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b is turned on and the game ball p is detected, the game ball number display 29 subtracts one from the display of the number of X game balls and changes the display to the display of the number of game balls of X-1. ..

In the subtraction mechanism 32, when the subtraction solenoid 32a is turned off, the game ball p moves to the position of the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c and the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is turned on ((iv) shown in FIG. 20). In 32, as long as the firing mechanism 30 satisfies the states (i) to (iv) shown in FIG. 19, the firing solenoid 31a is turned on at a cycle of about 600 ms thereafter, and the subtraction process of the number of game balls is repeated. ..

Next, FIG. 21 is a timing chart for explaining the operation when ball clogging is detected by the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c. First, the frame control board 17 determines that ball clogging has occurred when the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is in the ON state 16 ms after the subtraction reference signal is turned on (FIG. 21). The state of (i) shown). In this case, the frame control board 17 does not turn on the subtraction solenoid 32a.

When the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is turned off, the frame control board 17 determines that the ball clogging has been cleared, turns on the firing solenoid 31a twice, and returns it to the normal state (FIG. 21). The state of (ii) shown).

The P stand 2 includes a launching mechanism 30 for launching the game ball p, a subtraction mechanism 32 (particularly, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a movable piece 45, etc.) for transporting the game ball p to the launching mechanism 30, and the game ball p in the launching mechanism 30. The firing control board 31 that generates a subtraction reference signal corresponding to the firing operation of the above, the number of game balls (game points) are managed, and the subtraction mechanism 32 is made to execute the transport operation of the game ball p based on the subtraction reference signal. A frame control board 17 for subtracting the number of game balls based on a subtraction reference signal is provided. As a result, it is possible to realize an appropriate subtraction process of the number of game balls corresponding to the firing operation of the firing mechanism 30.

Conventionally, a launch detection signal indicating that a game ball has been launched is input from the launching unit to the frame control board, and the frame control board that receives the launch detection signal detects a subtraction ball for the detection of one launch ball. The process of updating the number and the number of balls in the game by 1 addition and updating the number of the game balls by 1 subtraction was performed. That is, the subtraction of the number of game balls by launching the game balls and the transportation of the game balls were performed individually. Therefore, when a problem related to the transfer of the game ball occurs, such as detecting a foul ball with the foul ball detection switch, it is necessary to add and return the number of game balls once subtracted on the frame control board.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, a subtraction reference signal corresponding to the launch operation of the game ball p in the launch mechanism 30 is generated, and the subtraction mechanism 32 performs a transport operation of the game ball p based on the subtraction reference signal. As a result, the number of game balls is subtracted, so that the number of game balls is not subtracted even if a problem related to the transport of the game balls occurs. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the number of game balls can be appropriately subtracted corresponding to the launch of the game balls p in the launch mechanism 30. Further, in the configuration of this embodiment, the foul ball detection switch itself for detecting the foul ball is not required, and the process related to the detection of the foul ball can be omitted.

The frame control board 17 executes the subtraction process of the managed game points based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal from the launch control board 31. Specifically, the frame control board 17 subtracts one from the number of X game balls based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal, and causes the game ball number display 29 to display the number of game balls of X-1. .. As a result, the frame control board 17 can realize an appropriate subtraction process of the number of game balls corresponding to the firing operation of the firing mechanism 30.

The frame control board 17 causes the subtraction mechanism 32 to execute the transfer operation of the game ball p based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal from the launch control board 31. Specifically, the frame control board 17 drives the movable piece 45 by controlling the subtraction solenoid 32a based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal, and conveys the game ball p. As a result, the frame control board 17 can realize an appropriate transfer of the game ball p corresponding to the firing operation of the firing mechanism 30.

After receiving the subtraction reference signal from the launch control board 31, the frame control board 17 executes the subtraction process of the managed game points based on the detection of the game ball p by the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b. .. Specifically, the frame control board 17 receives the subtraction reference signal, and when the game ball p is conveyed, the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b is turned on and the game ball p is detected, X games are played. The number of game balls of X-1 is displayed on the game ball number display 29 by subtracting one from the number of balls. As a result, the frame control board 17 can realize an appropriate subtraction process of the number of game balls corresponding to the firing operation of the firing mechanism 30 and the operation of the transport mechanism (for example, the movable piece 45).

The frame control board 17 can determine the transport error of the game ball p based on the detection state of the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c within a predetermined period after receiving the subtraction reference signal from the launch control board 31. Specifically, the frame control board 17 determines that ball clogging has occurred when the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is in the ON state 16 ms after the subtraction reference signal is in the ON state. As a result, it is possible to detect a malfunction in the operation of the subtraction mechanism 32 including the subtraction solenoid 32a and the movable piece 45.

The main control board 16 executes a firing stop process based on receiving a predetermined signal for notifying that a special event has occurred from the frame control board 17. Specifically, when the main control board 16 receives a specific error signal (a predetermined signal for notifying that a special event has occurred) from the frame control board 17, the output of the firing permission signal is stopped. As a result, the firing operation can be stopped in response to the occurrence of the special event detected on the frame control board 17.

<Notification processing of abnormalities that occur in card units and pachinko machines>
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a notification process when an abnormality is detected. With reference to FIG. 22, when an abnormality occurs in the CU control unit 323, the communication control IC 325, the frame control unit 171 or the main control board 16, notification is given to the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 22. The abnormality mentioned here is that the CU control unit 323, the communication control IC 325, the frame control unit 171 or the main control board 16 is replaced with another illegally manufactured one, or malfunctions or fails due to noise or the like. It includes various error states such as when it goes off or when it goes offline due to disconnection. The machine history management server 800 shown in FIG. 22 manages the ID information written in the P unit 2 by the manufacturer of the P unit 2 or the chip provider, and the ID information written in the CU 3 by the equipment manufacturer. Is to do.

First, when an abnormality occurs due to the communication control IC 325 of the CU 3, the CU control unit 323 detects the abnormality. When the CU control unit 323 detects an abnormality in the communication control IC 325, the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 to that effect and transmits an abnormality notification command to the display control unit 350 of the CU 3. The CU control unit 323 causes the display control unit 350 to control the display to indicate that an abnormality has occurred, and also lights or blinks an abnormality notification lamp (not shown) to perform abnormality notification. Further, the CU control unit 323 transmits a signal from the external communication unit to the hall management computer to the effect that an abnormality has occurred.

When an abnormality occurs in the CU control unit 323 of the CU 3, the CU control unit 323 detects the occurrence of the abnormality and notifies the hall server 801 of a signal (abnormality notification signal) to that effect. When the frame control unit 171 detects an abnormality in the frame control unit 171, the frame control unit 171 notifies the CU control unit 323 via the communication control IC 325, and the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 to that effect. The communication control IC 325 is connected to the frame control unit 171 by a parallel signal via a PIF circuit which is a parallel interface circuit.

When an abnormality occurs in the main control board 16, the frame control unit 171 detects the occurrence of the abnormality, notifies the CU control unit 323 of a signal indicating the abnormality, and the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 to that effect. .. Of course, when an abnormality occurs in the main control board 16, the main control board 16 detects the occurrence of the abnormality, notifies the CU control unit 323 of a signal indicating the abnormality, and the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 to that effect. You may notify.

The gaming machine management server 802 shown in FIG. 22 is provided in, for example, 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 ground differ from the design values. It is a server that manages gaming machines 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 and the CU 3 and the P unit 2.

In the present embodiment, the gaming machine management server 802 designs the gaming machine for determining the model name of the gaming machine and the abnormality of the gaming machine by associating each gaming machine such as the main chip ID with the information for identifying the gaming machine. Remember the value.

<Operation after P unit error and fraud detection>
Next, the operation after the error and fraud detection of the P unit 2 will be described. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the types of error and fraud detection that can be notified. In FIG. 23, 26 types of errors are described, and the "error code", "error name", "error and fraud detection content", and "operation after error and fraud detection" of each error are described. There is.

For example, for the error of number 3, the "error code" is "F06", the "error name" is "communication error in the managed game machine", and the "error detection content" is "communication between the managed game machine game board and the managed game machine frame". "No response or non-connection detected" and "Operation after error and fraud detection" detect an abnormality in the game machine frame 5, and the audio output on the game ball number display 29 and the game board 26 side on the game machine frame 5 side. (1st audio output means), LCD effect, and lighting are used to notify and output error information to the hall controller.

Here, when the game machine frame 5 is used for notification, in addition to displaying an "error code" on a display device such as the game ball number display 29 (for example, variable display device 278) and notifying the notification, the frame control board 17 is used for notification. An "error code" may be displayed on the provided 7-segment LED display to perform 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.

For example, the error number 23 does not start even if the "error code" is "F97", the "error name" is "main control board startup error", and the "error detection content" is "main control board startup error". "Detected that" and "Operation after error and fraud detection" detect an abnormality on the game board 26, notify the game board 26 with audio output, LCD effect, and lighting, stop firing, and hall. Output error information to the computer.

Depending on the type of error, the notification means may notify the error by outputting voice on the game board or turning on the illumination. Further, the notification means may notify the error by outputting error information output or invalid information output to the hall controller depending on the type of error.

Next, the plurality of errors shown in FIG. 23 will be described in more detail. FIG. 24 is a block diagram for explaining an error and fraud detection that occur in the gaming machine frame 5 and the gaming board 26. First, when a communication no response between the dedicated unit (CU3) and the management gaming machine frame (game machine frame 5) is detected in the gaming machine frame 5, the frame control board 17 does not respond to the communication of the dedicated unit (error code = F05). ) Error notification. Specifically, when the frame control board 17 detects an error of no response in the dedicated unit communication, the error code is displayed on the game ball number display 29, and the counting process does not function even if the counting button 28 is operated. The counting is stopped, and a dedicated unit communication non-response signal is output to the main control board 16 as shown in FIG. 24. In the main control board 16, the port signal detection 16b of the user program 16a detects the dedicated unit communication non-response signal transmitted from the frame control board 17, and the audio output controlled by the staging control board 15 (for example, the speaker on the game board side). 270B), LCD production, and lighting are used to notify the error. Further, the main control board 16 transmits a launch stop signal (for example, an off signal of the launch permission signal) to the launch control board 31 to stop the launch function of the game ball. The frame control board 17 outputs error information to the hall controller, and in the CU 3, the operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 becomes invalid.

Next, in the game machine frame 5, when the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b detects a ball jam or when a failure of the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b is detected, the frame control board 17 causes the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor abnormality (error code). = F14) error notification is performed. Specifically, when the frame control board 17 detects an error of the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor abnormality, it displays an error code on the game ball number display 29 and subtracts from the main control board 16 as shown in FIG. 24. Mechanism entrance sensor Outputs an error signal. In the main control board 16, the port signal detection 16b of the user program 16a detects the subtraction mechanism inlet sensor abnormality signal transmitted from the frame control board 17, and the sound output controlled by the staging control board 15 (for example, the game board side speaker). 270B), LCD production, and lighting are used to notify the error. Further, the main control board 16 transmits a launch stop signal (for example, an off signal of the launch permission signal) to the launch control board 31 to stop the launch function of the game ball. The frame control board 17 outputs error information to the hall controller.

Next, in the gaming machine frame 5, when the number of gaming balls exceeds 40,000, the frame control board 17 notifies an error that the number of gaming balls is exceeded (error code = F23). Specifically, when the frame control board 17 detects an error of exceeding the number of game balls, the frame control board 17 displays an error code on the game ball number display 29 and, as shown in FIG. 24, displays the game balls with respect to the main control board 16. Output a number over signal. In the main control board 16, the port signal detection 16b of the user program 16a detects the game ball number over signal transmitted from the frame control board 17, and the audio output controlled by the staging control board 15 (for example, the game board side speaker 270B). ), LCD production, and lighting to notify the error. The frame control board 17 outputs error information to the hall controller.

Next, when the game board 26 detects that there is no communication response or no connection between the management game machine game board and the management game machine frame, the main control board 16 has an error of communication error (error code = F06) in the management game machine. Notify. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, when the main control board 16 detects the error by the communication abnormality detection 16c in the management game machine, the sound output controlled by the staging control board 15 (for example, the game board side speaker 270B). The error is notified by LCD production and illumination. Further, the main control board 16 transmits a launch stop signal (for example, an off signal of the launch permission signal) to the launch control board 31 to stop the launch function of the game ball. The frame control board 17 also displays an error code on the game ball number display 29 and outputs error information to the hall controller.

Here, since the gaming machine frame 5 and the gaming board 26 perform serial communication, the error and fraud detection detected on the main control board 16 side are notified to the frame control board 17 via the serial communication. .. Therefore, the frame control board 17 can grasp the error and fraud detection detected on the main control board 16 side. For example, when a communication abnormality (error code = F06) in the management game machine is detected on the main control board 16 side and a game ball circulation device abnormality (error code = F17) is detected on the frame control board 17 side, the frame control board 17 , It is possible to grasp the error detection on the main control board 16 side via serial communication. The main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the error information by the information of the "game machine error state" included in the game machine information notification command shown in FIG. 30, which will be described later. In the "game machine error status", the error code information is set in Bit0 to Bit5, and the information whether the error is detected in Bit6 is the frame control board 17 ("0") or the main control board 16 ("1"). Bit7 contains information on the output destination of error information. When Bit 7 of the "game machine error state" is "0", only error notification (reporting) is performed on the frame control board 17 side. Further, when Bit 7 of the "game machine error state" is "1", in addition to the error notification (reporting) on the frame control board 17 side, the error information is output (HC output) to the hall controller. That is, when the error information is notified from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17, the frame control board 17 includes the error information in the signal related to the gaming machine information shown in FIG. 5 (for example, the hall control signal). And send it to CU3. The CU 3 outputs the error information included in the signal related to the gaming machine information to the hall controller via the external output terminal 340.

Therefore, in the frame control board 17, the error notification of the communication abnormality in the management game machine performed by the voice output on the main control board 16 side (for example, the game board side speaker 270B) and the voice output on the frame control board 17 side (game machine frame). The error priority is set so as to limit the error notification of the game ball circulation device abnormality so as not to overlap with the error notification of the game ball circulation device abnormality performed by the side speaker 270A). That is, in the frame control board 17, the error notification from the game board side speaker 270B has a higher priority, and the error notification from the game machine frame side speaker 270A is restricted while the error notification is being performed.

The frame control board 17 can detect the occurrence of an error (specific event) different from the error (predetermined event) on the main control board 16 side, and the error notification (predetermined notification) is the voice output (first) on the main control board 16 side. 1) Error notification (specific notification) based on the fact that an error (specific event) is detected by the frame control board 17 when not performed by the frame control board 17 is the voice output (second) on the frame control board 17 side. When the error notification (predetermined notification) is performed by the voice output on the main control board 16 side, the error notification (specific notification) is performed by the voice output on the frame control board 17 side. Not done at. For example, when a game ball circulation device abnormality (error code = F17) is detected on the frame control board 17 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is notified when the error notification is not performed on the main control board 16 side. Therefore, when the error is notified on the main control board 16 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is not notified. By determining the priority of the error to be notified in this way, even when the game board 26 of one manufacturer is mounted on the game machine frame 5, the game board 26 of another manufacturer is mounted on the game machine frame 5. It is possible to perform unified error notification even at any time.

Further, the frame control board 17 can detect the occurrence of a special event different from the specific event, and when the occurrence of the special event is detected, the frame control board 17 transmits information regarding the detection of the special event to the main control board 16. For example, unlike an error in which notification is performed only on the frame control board 17 side such as an error in the game ball circulation device (error code = F17), an error in which the number of game balls is notified on the main control board 16 side is exceeded (error code = F23). When the frame control board 17 detects an error (special event), information regarding the detection of the error (special event) is transmitted to the main control board 16. Specifically, the frame control board 17 transmits information regarding the detection of the error to the main control board 16 side via serial communication. The main control board 16 is the sound output (for example, the game board side speaker 270B) controlled by the effect control board 15 based on the reception of information regarding the detection of the error (special event), the LCD effect, and the illumination. Notify the error. By doing so, it is possible to appropriately notify the occurrence of an error (special event) detected by the frame control board 17.

When the game board 26 detects the opening of the front decoration (detects the ON state of the front decoration opening switch 12), the main control board 16 notifies the error of the opening of the front decoration (error code = F64). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, when the main control board 16 detects the error by the front decoration release switch open detection 16d, the sound output controlled by the staging control board 15 (for example, the game board side speaker 270B). The error is notified by LCD production and illumination. Further, the main control board 16 transmits a launch stop signal (for example, an off signal of the launch permission signal) to the launch control board 31 to stop the launch function of the game ball. The frame control board 17 also displays an error code on the game ball number display 29 and outputs illegal information to the hall controller.

When the game board 26 detects the opening of the back mechanism portion (detects the ON state of the back mechanism portion opening switch 13), the main control board 16 notifies the error of the opening of the back mechanism portion (error code = F65). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, when the main control board 16 detects the error by the back mechanism portion open switch open detection 16e, the sound output controlled by the staging control board 15 (for example, the game board side speaker 270B). , LCD effect, and illumination to notify the error. The frame control board 17 also displays an error code on the game ball number display 29 and outputs illegal information to the hall controller.

Here, the back mechanism portion release switch 13 is connected to the backup power supply board 174, and can detect the opening even at night when the power is turned off. FIG. 25 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the backup power supply board 174. Since the backup power supply board 174 is connected to the power supply circuit 400, power is supplied from the power supply line DC5V-1 shown in FIG. 25 when the power supply is turned on. Further, the backup power supply board 174 has a backup power supply II (5V) 17c. The backup power supply II (5V) 17c is charged by the power from the power supply line DC5V-1 via the charging circuit 174a of the power generation function when the power is turned on, and is backed up by the diode circuit 174b of the power supply selection function when the power is turned off. It is possible to switch to the power supply by the power supply board 174.

The backup power supply board 174 also backs up the power supply for the configuration in which the disconnection opening detection is determined based on the game board connection confirmation signal and the clear signal and the detection signal of the back mechanism portion opening switch 13.

The frame control board 17 stores a program (communication process shown in FIG. 37) used for communication control with the main control board 16 in the use area (in the specific area) of the user program. The frame control board 17 is different in the event that can be detected between the process executed in the used area of the user program and the process executed outside the used area (outside the specific area). For example, since the game ball number display process (FIG. 37) is executed in the used area of the user program, the error of the game ball number over (error code = F23) can be detected in the used area, and the user program Since the game ball circulation process (FIG. 37) is executed outside the used area, the error of the game ball circulation device abnormality (error code = F17) can be detected outside the used area. Therefore, an error (event) detected by a process executed in the area used by the user program can be transmitted to the main control board 16 by executing the program (particularly, communication process). As a result, it is possible to execute the process without straddling the inside and outside of the used area of the user program.

The main control board 16 can control the firing operation of the firing mechanism 30, and stops the firing operation of the firing mechanism 30 based on receiving information regarding the detection of an error (special event) from the frame control board 17. As a result, the firing operation can be stopped in response to the occurrence of an error (special event) detected on the frame control board 17.

When the frame control board 17 detects the occurrence of an error (either a specific event or a special event), the number of game balls is displayed regardless of the detection status of the error (predetermined event) by the main control board 16. Information that can identify the detected error (for example, an error code) may be displayed on the device 29. As a result, the detected error can be identifiable and displayed regardless of the control state on the game board 26 side.

<Communication between the main control board and the frame control board>
Next, communication between the main control board 16 (main control unit 161) and the frame control board 17 (frame control unit 171) provided in the P stand 2 (see FIG. 4) will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 26, a sequence processed between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 when the power is turned on will be described. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17.

Further, the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed by the polling method with the main control board 16 as the primary station, and the polling interval is, for example, 100 ms. The communication of power-on notification and power-on reception is excluded. If the main control board 16 cannot receive the response for 100 ms after transmitting the notification message, the main control board 16 retransmits the notification message. If the response cannot be received 10 times in a row, the communication line is disconnected. If the frame control board 17 cannot receive the next notification for 1000 ms after receiving the notification message, the communication line is disconnected.

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

Specifically, to explain the communication sequence, first, when the power is turned on, communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is started after waiting for the activation of the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17. For example, the maximum speed of starting the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is 10,000 ms. Although the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed in plain text, encrypted communication may be performed.

First, the main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the gaming machine installation information after the start-up. Specifically, the main control board 16 transmits a command for notifying the gaming machine installation information to the frame control board 17 with the communication serial number set to "1". The frame control board 17 that has received the command for notifying the game machine installation information transmits the response of the game machine installation information response to the main control board 16 with the communication serial number set to "1" without counting up.

The main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information, and then notifies the frame control board 17 of the game machine information at regular intervals (100 ms). Specifically, the main control board 16 transmits a command for notifying the gaming machine information to the frame control board 17 with the communication serial number set to "2". The frame control board 17 that has received the game machine information notification command transmits the response of the game machine information response to the main control board 16 with the communication serial number set to "2" without counting up. After that, when the main control board 16 transmits a command to the frame control board 17, the game machine information is notified to the frame control board 17 while counting up the communication serial number.

Here, the relationship between the communication timing between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 and the communication timing between the frame control board 17 (P stand 2) and the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a communication sequence for explaining communication timing. As shown in FIG. 27, the main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the gaming machine information at regular intervals (100 ms). On the other hand, the frame control board 17 transmits the gaming machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle (200 ms) slower than a fixed cycle (100 ms) of communication with the main control board 16. The frame control board 17 may transmit game machine information to the CU 3 at a cycle of 300 ms instead of 200 ms.

That is, it is a communication timing in which communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed twice while communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU 3 is performed once. When the communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU 3 has a cycle of 300 ms, the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed 3 while the communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU 3 is performed once. It is the communication timing to be performed once. Therefore, the frame control board 17 can acquire the information of the gaming machine from the main control board 16 more frequently, so that the change of the gaming machine can be grasped more accurately, and the information of the gaming machine is CU3 at appropriate intervals. Can be sent to. Even if the communication timing between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 and the communication timing between the frame control board 17 (P stand 2) and the CU 3 have the same cycle of 200 ms, the timing is different from that in FIG. 27. There may be.

<Command between the main control board and the frame control board>
Next, commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 will be described. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a list of commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17.

As shown in FIG. 28, the commands transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17 include a gaming machine installation information notification and a gaming machine information notification. The command for notifying the gaming machine installation information is a command for notifying the frame control board 17 of the gaming machine installation information. The game machine information notification command is a command for notifying the frame control board 17 of the game machine information.

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

<Notification of gaming machine installation information / Response of gaming machine installation information>
Next, the response of the game machine installation information notification command and the game machine installation information response will be described in detail. FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining the response of the game machine installation information notification command and the game machine installation information response. The command for notifying the gaming machine installation information shown in FIG. 29A is a command for the main control board 16 to notify the frame control board 17 of the gaming machine installation information, and the game machine installation information is "main control chip". It includes "ID number", "main control CPU maker code", and "main control CPU model code". When the main control board 16 transmits a command for notifying the gaming machine installation information to the frame control board 17, the communication serial number is 1. In addition, the message of the gaming machine installation information notification must be completed in one frame and not divided and transmitted. Further, if the frame control board 17 cannot receive the checksum within 20 ms after receiving the message length of the gaming machine installation information notification, the frame control board 17 cancels the received data up to that point and receives the message length again. The same is done for the following commands and responses.

The response of the gaming machine installation information response shown in FIG. 29B is a response for the frame control board 17 to respond to the main control board 16 with the receipt result of the gaming machine installation information notification, and is "game machine installation information". Includes "receipt result". The frame control board 17 responds as it is to the communication serial number received in the gaming machine installation information notification. However, when the frame control board 17 receives a communication serial number other than 1, it makes no response.

<Notification of gaming machine information>
Next, the command for notifying the gaming machine information will be described in detail. FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a command for notifying gaming machine information. The game machine information notification command is a command for the main control board 16 to notify the frame control board 17 of game machine information (hole control information, fraud monitoring information, etc.), and is "main control" as game machine installation information. It includes "status", "game machine error status", "fraud detection status", and "game information". The main control board 16 adds 1 to the communication serial number when the gaming machine information is notified. For the communication serial number, 255 is the maximum, and after 255, the count is returned to 1. Also, when the message is retransmitted, the communication serial number is not added (updated) by 1.

The "main control state" is information on the gaming state of the P unit 2, and includes the "main control state 1" and the "main control state 2". The "main control state 1" includes information on jackpot 1 (all jackpots), jackpot 2 (specific jackpot), jackpot 3 (short-time jackpot), and information on gaming machine status signals 1 to 5. The gaming machine status signals 1 to 5 are used to output the status from the external output terminal 340 of the CU 3, and correspond to the "external terminal status output signals 1 to 5" output from the external output terminal of the CU 3. The "main control state 1" includes information during the jackpot + time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time), high probability, and time reduction (shortening of fluctuation time), and information of the gaming machine state signals 6 to 9. The gaming machine status signals 6 to 9 are used to output the status from the external output terminal 340 of the CU 3, and correspond to the "external terminal status output signals 6 to 9" output from the external output terminal of the CU 3.

The "game machine error state" includes information on the error code occurring in the game machine. The "fraud detection state" includes information indicating that board frauds 1 to 6 have been detected.

The "game information" includes information for notifying the frame control board 17 of the starting opening winning, the big winning opening winning, the number of times the symbol is confirmed, etc. generated in the main control board 16. The "game information" is composed of a total of 2 bytes of type information (upper 1 byte) and count information (lower 1 byte). The type information is composed of a data type and a data number, and a data number is set for each data type.

The type information will be described in more detail. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the type information included in the game information. The type information is set for each value of the data type (Bit 4 to 7). For example, when the value of the data type is 1, it is the information of the start opening winning. Further, a data number (Bit 0 to 3) is set for each data type. For example, if the data number is 1, the starting port 1 and the starting port number are indicated.

When the value of the data type is 2, it is notified that a prize has been won in the big winning opening, and when the data number is 1, the big winning opening 1 or the like and the big winning opening number are shown. When the value of the data type is 4, the number of fluctuations of the symbol is notified, and when the data number is 1, the special figure number such as special figure 1 is indicated. When the value of the data type is 8, the continuous operating device for the accessory notifies the opening of the large winning opening when it is not operated, and if the data number is 1, the accessory number such as the accessory 1 is indicated. When the value of the data type is 13, it is instructed to output a pulse from CU3, and the terminal of the external output terminal 340 of CU3 is indicated by the data number. When the value of the data type is 14, the state required for the calculation of the performance information is notified, and the data number is fixed to 1.

As the count information, different number of times information is set for each data type. Data type is 1 = starting opening prize, 2 = large winning opening prize, 3 = winning opening winning, 9 = starting opening winning due to character operation, 10 = large winning opening winning due to continuous operation of character, 11 = due to character operation In the case of winning a prize, the count information is composed of the number of prize balls (top 4 bits) and the number of prizes (bottom 4 bits). For example, when two prizes are won in the starting port 1 of three prize balls, the data type (Bit4 to 7) is "1 = starting port 1", the data number (Bit0 to 3) is "1 = starting port 1", and the prize. The game information (0x1131) in which the number of balls (Bits 4 to 7) is "3 = 3 prize balls" and the number of winnings (Bits 0 to 3) is "1 = 1 prize" is 2 data.

When the data type is 4 = the number of times the symbol is confirmed, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of times the symbol is confirmed (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 5 = big hit and 6 = small hit, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and number of hits (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 7 = gate passage, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of gate passages (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 8 = the number of bonuses (the number of times the large winning opening is opened), the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of bonuses (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 12 = passage through a specific area, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of passages in the specific area (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 13 = the number of pulse counts, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of pulse outputs (lower 4 bits).

When the data type is 14 = performance information status notification, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and status flag (lower 4 bits). In the state flags (Bit0 to 3), Bit0 indicates a base state, when Bit0 is "0", it indicates that it is in a low base, when it is "1", it indicates that it is in a high base, Bit1 indicates a state in which it is a big hit, and Bit1 indicates a big hit state. "0" indicates normal time, "1" indicates a big hit, Bit2 indicates a high probability state, Bit1 indicates "0" indicates a low probability, and "1" indicates a high probability. There is.

<Game machine information response>
FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining a command for responding to gaming machine information. The response of the gaming machine information response shown in FIG. 32 is a response for the frame control board 17 to respond to the main control board 16 with the reception result of the gaming machine information notification, and is the “game machine information reception result” and the “frame”. Includes "control state". The frame control board 17 responds as it is to the communication serial number received in the gaming machine information notification. However, when the frame control board 17 receives a communication serial number for which continuity is not established, the frame control board 17 makes no response.

The "frame control state" includes the state information of the frame control board 17, and specifically, Bit 0 includes information on the number of game balls being exceeded. The frame control board 17 mainly transmits information related to detection of an error of exceeding the number of game balls (error code = F23) shown in FIG. 23 by transmitting a game machine information response to the main control board 16 side via serial communication. The control board 16 can be notified. Therefore, the error that the number of game balls is exceeded (error code = F23) can be notified even on the main control board 16 side.

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

By being able to represent information on the gaming status that has changed between the previous gaming machine information notification and the current gaming machine information notification, winning a prize from the previous gaming machine information notification to the changing gaming status. It has become possible to distinguish between the cumulative number of pachinko machines and the cumulative number of winning pachinko machines from the change in the gaming state to the notification of the gaming machine information this time, and notify the frame control board 17. In addition, 14 = performance information status notification is provided for the data type in the game machine information notification command, and changes from the previous game machine information notification to the current game machine information notification from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17. Although the information on the gaming state can be notified, the information on the gaming state may be notified to the CU3 which is a gaming device, the hall server 801 which is a higher-level server, the hall computer, and the like.

Specifically, a configuration that can distinguish the cumulative number of winnings before and after the game state changes will be described. First, before that, a problem will be described when the cumulative number of winnings cannot be distinguished before and after the game state changes. FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining the aggregation result of the number of winnings before and after the game state changes. In the example shown in FIG. 33, the gaming state changes from the normal state to the jackpot state in the middle, and the main control board 16 receives the prize ball commands a to f from the winning sensor 162 (see FIG. 4) before and after the state change. is doing. More specifically, the main control board 16 receives the prize ball commands a to c during the normal state period, and receives the prize ball commands d to f during the jackpot period.

However, the main control board 16 does not notify the frame control board 17 of the number of winnings for each received prize ball command, but is cumulatively transmitted to the gaming machine information notification command transmitted every 100 ms. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 33, the winning numbers of the prize ball commands a and b are accumulated and transmitted to the frame control board 17 by the communication command A, and the winning numbers of the prize ball commands c and d are accumulated and the communication command B is used. Is transmitted to the frame control board 17, and the winning numbers of the prize ball commands e and f are accumulated and transmitted to the frame control board 17 by the communication command C.

On the other hand, the change in the gaming state means that the gaming state information such as the type of jackpot is transferred from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17 in the "main control state 1" included in the gaming machine information notification command shown in FIG. Has been sent. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 33, the change to the big hit gaming state by the "main control state 1" of the communication command B immediately after the change from the normal state to the big hit state is transmitted to the frame control board 17, so that the frame The change in the gaming state that can be known on the control board 17 side is from the time when the communication command B is received as shown in the jackpot state of the communication telegram.

Therefore, when the prize ball commands are distinguished based on the jackpot state of the communication telegram, the prize ball commands a and b are accumulated as the number of prizes in the normal state (prize ball total result), and the prize ball commands c to f are prizes in the jackpot state. It will be accumulated as the number of pieces (results of totaling prize balls). However, when the number of prizes is accumulated based on the actual gaming state, the prize ball command c needs to be accumulated as the number of prizes in the normal state period, not as the jackpot period. Therefore, there is a problem that an error occurs in the prize ball totaling result by the number of prize balls of the prize ball command c, and it is not possible to accurately calculate the base, the bonus ratio, and the continuous bonus ratio described later.

Therefore, in the main control board 16 according to the present embodiment, 14 = performance information status notification is provided for the data type in the gaming machine information notification command, and between the previous gaming machine information notification and the current gaming machine information notification. A configuration is adopted in which the number of winning ball commands can be distinguished by the change in the gaming state. Specifically, FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining the aggregation result of the number of winnings before and after the game state changes in the present embodiment. Also in the example shown in FIG. 34, the gaming state changes from the normal state to the jackpot state in the middle, and the main control board 16 receives the prize ball commands a to f from the winning sensor 162 (see FIG. 4) before and after the state change. is doing. More specifically, the main control board 16 receives the prize ball commands a to c during the normal state period, and receives the prize ball commands d to f during the jackpot period.

Also in the example shown in FIG. 34, the winning numbers of the prize ball commands a and b are accumulated and transmitted to the frame control board 17 by the communication command A, and the winning numbers of the prize ball commands c and d are accumulated and the frame is used by the communication command B. It is transmitted to the control board 17, and the winning numbers of the prize ball commands e and f are accumulated and transmitted to the frame control board 17 by the communication command C.

However, in the game machine information notification command according to the present embodiment, 14 = performance information status notification is provided for the data type of the game information, and the winning number of the prize ball command c and the winning number of the prize ball command d are distinguished. There is. Specifically, the communication command B includes information on the prize ball command c and the prize ball command d, and the game state has changed due to a big hit between the prize ball command c and the prize ball command d. Information on the state change (14 = performance information state notification) indicating the above is included. Therefore, the main control board 16 uses the winning number of the prize ball command c received in the normal state as the type information 1 and the count number information 1 (see FIG. 30), and the state change information as the type information 2 and the count number information 2. , The winning number of the prize ball command d is stored in the type information 3 and the count number information 3, respectively, and the game machine information notification command is generated. Then, the main control board 16 transmits the game machine information notification command to the frame control board 17, so that the game information of the type information 1 and the count number information 1 to the type information 3 and the count number information 3 is sequentially transmitted to the frame control board. It will be sent to 17. That is, when the gaming state is changed, the main control board 16 transmits the winning number (type information 1 and count number information 1) of the prize ball command c before the change, and then notifies the change of information F (type). After transmitting the information 2 and the count number information 2), the winning number (type information 3 and the count number information 3) of the prize ball command d after the change is transmitted.

Therefore, the frame control board 17 distinguishes the prize ball command c received before the state change information as the winning number in the normal state, and the prize ball command d received after the state change information as the winning number in the jackpot state. The prize ball commands a to c are accumulated as the number of prizes in the normal state (prize ball total result), and the prize ball commands d to f are accumulated as the number of prizes in the big hit state (prize ball total result). Therefore, there is no error in the prize ball totaling result, and the base, the bonus ratio, and the continuous bonus ratio described later can be accurately calculated.

<Frame control board program>
By executing the program on the CPU of the frame control board 17, various control processes such as power-on processing, communication processing, game ball number display processing, performance display calculation processing, and error detection processing are performed. First, the memory space of the CPU of the frame control board 17 will be described. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a memory map of the CPU in the frame control board 17. The CPU of the frame control board 17 has a memory space for accessing the built-in registers, ROM, RAM, and the like. Specifically, as shown in the memory map of FIG. 35, the ROM address / data signal line is a built-in ROM area of a 16 Kbyte area of 0000H to 2FFFH (H indicates a hexadecimal number; hereinafter the same) in the memory space. Is assigned to. The CPU of the frame control board 17 performs various control processes in the built-in ROM area.

Further, the address / data signal line of the built-in register is assigned to the built-in register area of FE00H to FEBFH in the memory space. The CPU of the frame control board 17 reads data from the built-in register and writes data to the register via the built-in register area.

Further, the address / data signal line of the RAM is assigned to the RWM area (built-in RAM area) of F000H to F3FFH in the memory space. The CPU of the frame control board 17 designates this RWM area to read data from the RAM and write data to the RAM. The other areas of the memory space (3000H to EFFFH, F400H to FDFFH, FEC0H to FFFFH in this embodiment) are regarded as unused areas.

Further, FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a memory map of the built-in ROM area. As shown in FIG. 36, the built-in ROM area is assigned a program area in the used area, a data area in the used area, a program area outside the used area, and a data area outside the used area. In addition, a free area is allocated between the program area in the used area and the data area outside the used area. Similarly, free space is allocated between the data area in the used area and the program area outside the used area, and between the program area outside the used area and the data area outside the used area. The CPU 103 of the frame control board 17 designates the built-in ROM area and reads data from the ROM.

Of these, the program area in the used area is required for instruction data (operation code) corresponding to each of a plurality of types of instructions executed by the CPU of the frame control board 17 and for the CPU of the frame control board 17 to execute each instruction. It is composed of supplementary data (operators) and stores data of related programs for playing games. The related program stored in the program area in the used area includes a control program which is a program for controlling the frame control board 17, and a related program for managing and displaying the number of game balls. These related programs are stored in the program area in the used area.

In the program area outside the used area, the CPU of the frame control board 17 is the base, and the instruction data (opcode) for calculating the connection ratio and the combination ratio and the CPU of the frame control board 17 are required to execute each instruction. It consists of supplementary data (operands). Data of a program (hereinafter, may be referred to as a performance display related program) for calculating and displaying a base, a connection ratio, and a combination ratio are stored. The performance display-related program includes a performance display calculation program for calculating and displaying a base, a connection ratio, and a combination ratio. In the program area outside the used area, a program different from the related program for playing the game is stored.

Here, the program area in the used area and the program area outside the used area will be further described. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a configuration of a used area program area and a non-used area program area in the built-in ROM area. As shown in FIG. 37, in the program area in the used area, as related programs, "power-on processing", "main loop processing", "timer interrupt control processing", "memory processing", "port processing", etc. Each program of "communication processing", "rental processing", and "game ball number display processing" is stored. In addition, in the program area outside the used area, each program of "performance display calculation processing", "error detection processing", "error cancellation processing", "fraud monitoring processing", "game ball circulation processing", and "ball polishing processing" Is remembered.

<Performance display calculation processing>
Next, the performance display arithmetic processing shown in FIG. 37 will be further described. FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining the performance display calculation process executed on the frame control board 17. With reference to FIG. 38, first, the frame control board 17 executes the pass number addition process (step S300). FIG. 39 is a flowchart for explaining the passing number addition process in the frame control board 17. Here, for example, the nth winning opening without a character (the winning opening other than the large winning opening 271 is numbered n. For example, the ordinary winning openings 272 to 274 are numbered 1 to 3, that is, the first winning opening ~. The 3rd winning opening and the starting winning opening 275 to 277 are the numbers 4 to 6, that is, the 4th winning opening to the 6th winning opening. Therefore, the winning opening without a character is the 1st winning opening to the 4th winning opening. The number of prize balls for one prize of the winning opening and the sixth winning opening (for example, 3 for the 1st winning opening to the 3rd winning opening, 5 for the 4th winning opening and 5 for the 6th winning opening). The number of prize balls As (for example, 5) for one prize of the starting prize opening 276 (here, the fifth prize opening) with a character, and the prize for one prize of the large winning opening 271. The number of balls is Ab (for example, 3). These settings can be changed according to the model of the game board 26.

With reference to FIG. 39, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not it is in the jackpot gaming state (step S351). When it is determined that the game is not in the jackpot game state (NO in step S351), the frame control board 17 determines whether or not it is in the high base state (step S352). Here, it is assumed that there are two types of gaming states in the P stand 2: a high-accuracy high-base state (hereinafter, simply referred to as a high-base state) and a low-accuracy low-base state (hereinafter, simply referred to as a low-base state). do. When it is determined that the base is not in the high base state (NO in step S352), that is, when the game is not in the big hit game state and the base is in the low base state, it is determined whether or not the detection signal is received from the out ball detection switch 701 (NO). Step S353). If it is determined that the signal has been received (YES in step S353), the number of passing through the out port at the time of low base pl is added by 1 (step S354).

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

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

On the other hand, if it is determined that the base is high (YES in step S352), that is, if the game is not in the jackpot game state and the base is high, it is determined whether or not the detection signal is received from the out ball detection switch 701. Judgment (step S357). If it is determined that the signal has been received (YES in step S357), the passing number ph of the out port at the time of high base is added by 1 (step S358).

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

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

When it is determined that the detection signal of the nth winning opening has not been received (NO in step S361), and after step S362, the frame control board 17 has received the detection signal of the starting winning opening 276 having the accessory. Whether or not it is determined (step S363). When it is determined that the reception is received (YES in step S363), the frame control board 17 adds the count number (winning number) to the passing number qs of the starting winning opening 276 having the accessory (step S364).

When it is determined that the detection signal of the start winning opening 276 having the accessory is not received (NO in step S363), and after step S364, the frame control board 17 receives the detection signal of the large winning opening 271. Whether or not it is determined (step S365). When it is determined that the reception is received (YES in step S365), the frame control board 17 adds the count number (winning number) to the passing number qb of the large winning opening 271 (step S366).

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

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

If it is determined that the frame control board 17 has not received the detection signals of all the winning openings (NO in step S369), the frame control board 17 ends this passing number addition process.

Returning to FIG. 38, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not it is in the high base state (step S301). When it is determined that the base state is not high (NO in step S301), the frame control board 17 calculates the number of out balls rl = pl + Σqln at the time of low base (step S302). Further, the frame control board 17 calculates the number of safe balls at low base sl = Σ (An × pln) (step S303).

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 40 is a flowchart for explaining the game board surface determination related processing. With reference to FIG. 40, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not the period is not subject to determination value calculation (step S381). The period outside the judgment value calculation target is a period during which the judgment values such as the base, the bonus ratio, and the continuous bonus ratio are excluded from the calculation. For example, the glass door 6 and the gaming machine frame 5 are open. During a certain period, such as a non-launching period of the game ball (for example, a period 15 seconds after the last launch of the game ball) and a period during which the game hall is closed, a period during which the clerk can cheat. be. When it is determined that the period is not subject to the determination value calculation (YES in step S381), the frame control board 17 ends the game board surface determination-related process and returns the process to be executed to the caller.

When it is determined that the period is not subject to the determination value calculation (NO in step S381), the frame control board 17 has a low base time base lower limit value Bll <low base time base value bl based on the information acquired in FIGS. 38 and 39. <Determining whether or not the base upper limit value is Blu at the time of low base (step S382). When it is determined that Bll <Bl <Blu (NO in step S382), the frame control board 17 outputs the low base time base abnormality information to the gaming machine management server via the CU 3 (step S383).

When it is determined that Bll <Bl <Blu (YES in step S382), and after step S383, the frame control board 17 resets pl and qln to 0 (step S384).

Next, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not the high base time base lower limit value Bhl <high base time base value bh <high base time base upper limit value Bhu based on the information acquired in FIGS. 38 and 39. (Step S385). When it is determined that Bll <Bh <Bhu (NO in step S155), the frame control board 17 outputs high-base time-based abnormality information to the gaming machine management server via the CU 3 (step S386). In the game board surface determination-related processing, the processing may be omitted for the base abnormality determination processing in steps S382 and S385 and the output processing of the base abnormality information in steps S383 and S386.

When it is determined that Bll <Bh <Bhu (YES in step S385), and after step S386, the frame control board 17 resets ph and qhn to 0 (step S387).

Next, the frame control board 17 calculates the number of prize balls sn = Σ (An × qn) of the winning openings without accessories (here, the first winning opening to the fourth winning opening, the sixth winning opening) ( Step S388), the number of prize balls ss = As × qs of the winning opening with the accessory (here, the fifth winning opening) is calculated (step S389), and the number of winning balls sb = Ab × qb of the large winning opening 271 is calculated. Calculate (step S390).

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

Next, it is determined whether or not the number of launch balls r = 60,000 (step S393). The P stand 2 of the present embodiment can launch 100 game balls into the game area 27 in one minute. Therefore, 60,000 balls is the number of balls that can be fired in 10 hours. When it is determined that the number of fired balls r = 60,000 (YES in step S393), the frame control board 17 is displayed on the 7-segment LED display of the game ball number display 29, and the large winning opening 271 calculated in step S164 is used. Information such as the number of prize balls is lit and displayed (step S394).

When it is determined that the number of fired balls r = 60,000 (NO in step S167), the frame control board 17 is displayed on the 7-segment LED display of the game ball number display 29, and the prize of the large winning opening 271 calculated in step S390. Information such as the number of balls is blinked and displayed (step S395).

Then, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not the accessory ratio u> 70% (step S396). When it is determined that u> 70% (YES in step S396), the frame control board 17 outputs the bonus ratio abnormality information to the gaming machine management server via the CU 3 (step S397).

When it is determined that the accessory ratio u> 70% (NO in step S396), and after step S397, the frame control board 17 determines whether or not the continuous accessory ratio v> 60% (step). S398). When it is determined that v> 60% (YES in step S398), the frame control board 17 outputs continuous accessory ratio abnormality information to the gaming machine management server via the CU 3 (step S399).

When it is determined that the continuous bonus ratio v> 60% (NO in step S398), and after step S399, the frame control board 17 ends this game board surface determination-related process, and uses the process to be executed as the caller. return.

In the game board surface determination-related processing, the base value bln for each winning opening at the time of low base and the base value bhn for each winning opening at the time of high base may be obtained and the determination may be made for each winning opening.

FIG. 41 is a diagram for explaining the status of calculation and display of the base value. When game information capable of specifying the winning opening type, the winning opening number, the number of winning balls, and the number of winnings is received from the main control board 16 with reference to FIG. 41, in steps S302 to S311 of FIG. 38. The calculation is performed as shown and added to the number of safe balls at low base, sh, and the number of fired balls r = (rl + rh) stored in the addition area.

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

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

When the base value is not displayed on the performance display monitor 40, nothing in particular may be displayed, or the bonus ratio, the continuous bonus ratio, and the number of fired balls r may be displayed. ..

<Display on performance display monitor>
Next, the display on the performance display monitor 40 will be described. FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram regarding performance information. FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram of a section (aggregation section, evaluation section) according to the total number of outs (total number of shots). On the P unit 2, the real-time base value and the previous cumulative base value can be displayed as performance information. The real-time base value of the item number “bL” is a base value (real-time value during measurement) for every 60,000 outs in the normal state. More specifically, the real-time base value is the ratio of the number of prize balls to the number of game balls being measured up to 60,000 (0 to 59999), which is the number of game balls used (launched) in the normal state. It is a value indicating (%). The previous cumulative base value of the item number "b6" is the base value for every 60,000 outs (cumulative value measured last time) in the normal state. More specifically, the previous cumulative base value is the number of game balls used (launched) in the normal state, and is a value indicating the ratio (%) of the number of prize balls to the number of 60,000 game balls measured last time. .. Here, in the performance display, a state that is not a probable change state, a time saving state, or a round game in progress state is referred to as a normal state.

The base value displayed on the performance display monitor 40 in the performance display is the base value in the normal state, corresponds to the low base value bl shown in FIG. 38, and is the base value in the low probability time and no time reduction state. .. Specifically, the base value is the ratio (%) of the number of prize balls by all the winning openings to the number of fired balls (60,000). That is, in the P unit 2, the real-time base value and the previous cumulative base value are calculated and displayed using the values aggregated in the normal state.

In the P stand 2, the performance display monitor 40 provided on the frame control board 17 is divided into a mode of displaying the real-time base value and a mode of displaying the previous cumulative base value. Specifically, when displaying the real-time base value, the P unit 2 displays (blinks or lights up) "bL." In the upper two digits of all four digits indicating that it is the real-time base value. A number (%) in the range of "00" to "99" or "---" is displayed (lit) in the lower two digits of all four digits. Although the lower two digits of the four digits are the original real-time base value, the real-time base value may be displayed by displaying all four digits including the upper two digits. In addition, when displaying the previous cumulative base value, the P unit 2 displays (blinks or lights up) "b6." In the upper two digits of all four digits to indicate that it is the previous cumulative base value. A number (%) in the range of "00" to "99" or "---" is displayed (lit) in the lower two digits of all four digits. In addition, although the lower two digits of all four digits are the original previous cumulative base value, the display of all four digits including the upper two digits may be referred to as the previous cumulative base value.

FIG. 43 shows a section (aggregation section, evaluation section) according to the total number of outs (total number of shots). The "factory shipping test section" is a section in which the total number of outs is less than 300. The "first section" is the first section of each section managed for each total number of outs of 60,000 (0 to 59999). The "second section" is the second section of each of the above sections. The "nth section" is the nth section of each of the above sections. In FIG. 43, the sections after the n + 1 section are omitted.

FIG. 42 shows a display mode of performance information according to each section (and the number in the section). In each of FIGS. 42 (A) to 42 (E), the left side is the display mode of the real-time base value, the right side is the display mode of the previous cumulative base value, and the arrows pointing in both directions in the center indicate the real-time base value and the previous cumulative base value. Indicates that it will switch.

FIG. 42A shows a display mode of performance information displayed in the factory shipment test section shown in FIG. 43. In the factory shipment test section, as shown in FIG. 42 (A), the upper two digits are "bL. (Blinking)" and the lower two digits are "--- (lit)", and the upper two digits. The previous cumulative base value, in which the two digits are "b6. (Blinking)" and the lower two digits are "--- (lit)", is displayed alternately every 5 seconds. The radial highlights shown in the upper two digits "bL." On the left side of FIG. 42 (A) and the upper two digits "b6." On the right side are blinking. It shows that. The same applies to FIGS. 42 (B), 42 (C), and 42 (D).

FIG. 42B shows a display mode of performance information displayed when the total number of outs is 0 to 5999 in the first section shown in FIG. 43. When the total number of outs is from 0 to 5999 in the first section, as shown in FIG. 42 (B), the upper two digits are "bL. (Blinking)" and the lower two digits are numerical values. The real-time base value of (%) lighting (“32 (lighting)” in the example of FIG. 42 (B)) and the upper two digits are “b6. (Blinking)” and the lower two digits are “－－ (. (Lighting) ”is displayed alternately every 5 seconds with the previous cumulative base value.

FIG. 42C shows a display mode of performance information displayed when the total number of outs is 6000 to 59999 in the first section shown in FIG. 43. When the total number of outs is from 6000 to 59999 in the first section, as shown in FIG. 42 (C), the upper two digits are "bL. (Lighting)" and the lower two digits are numerical values. The real-time base value of (%) lighting (“33 (lighting)” in the example of FIG. 42 (C)) and the upper two digits are “b6. (Blinking)” and the lower two digits are “－－ (. (Lighting) ”is displayed alternately every 5 seconds with the previous cumulative base value.

FIG. 42 (D) shows a display mode of performance information displayed when the total number of outs is 0 to 5999 in the second and subsequent sections shown in FIG. 43. When the total number of outs is from 0 to 5999 in the second and subsequent sections, the upper two digits are "bL. (Blinking)" and the lower two digits are as shown in FIG. 42 (D). The real-time base value of the numerical value (%) lighting (“34 (lighting)” in the example of FIG. 42 (D)) and the upper two digits are “b6. (Lighting)” and the lower two digits are numerical values (%). ) Is lit (“33 (lit)” in the example of FIG. 42 (D)), and the previous cumulative base value is alternately displayed every 5 seconds.

FIG. 42 (E) shows a display mode of the performance information displayed when the total number of outs is 6000 to 59999 in the second and subsequent sections shown in FIG. 43. When the total number of outs is from 6000 to 59999 in the second and subsequent sections, the upper two digits are "bL. (Lighting)" and the lower two digits are as shown in FIG. 42 (E). The real-time base value of the numerical value (%) lighting (“34 (lighting)” in the example of FIG. 42 (E)) and the upper two digits are “b6. (Lighting)” and the lower two digits are numerical values (%). ) Is lit (“33 (lit)” in the example of FIG. 42 (E)), and the previous cumulative base value is alternately displayed every 5 seconds.

<Performance items>
Next, the performance items aggregated by P unit 2 will be described. FIG. 44 is a list of performance items that are aggregated. In addition, the "actuating port" in the table is a starting port in which an accessory is operated, and is, for example, two types of otoshi. As shown in FIG. 44, the performance items such as the total number of launched game balls and the total number of acquired game balls are the information transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17 by the command of the game machine information notification shown in FIG. Based on this, it is tabulated by the frame control board 17. Further, performance items such as the number of game balls acquired by the ordinary electric accessory and the accessory ratio are totaled by the frame control board 17 based on the information collected by the main control board 16. The information collected by the main control board 16 is transmitted to the frame control board 17 by the command of the gaming machine information notification shown in FIG.

Here, the character ratio (also referred to as a character ratio) refers to the ratio of the game balls acquired by the game balls fired in 10 hours due to the operation of the character. The rules regarding the certification of gaming machines and the certification of types, etc. stipulate that the ratio of bonuses must be 70% or less. In the present embodiment, the bonus ratio is the game value given by winning all the winning openings of the game balls fired in 10 hours (60,000 balls because 100 balls can be fired per minute). Of the number of game balls corresponding to the above, to the start winning opening 276 composed of the electric tulip which is one of the characters and the large winning opening 271 composed of the variable winning ball device which is one of the characters. It is the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning the game ball.

The continuous bonus ratio (also referred to as the continuous ratio) is the ratio of the number of game balls acquired by the game balls fired in 10 hours due to the operation of the bonus when the bonus is continuously operated. .. The rules regarding the certification of gaming machines and the certification of types, etc. stipulate that the ratio of continuous characters must be 60% or less. In the present embodiment, the continuous bonus ratio is a game given by winning a prize in all winning openings of a game ball fired in 10 hours (60,000 balls can be fired in 100 balls per minute). Of the number of game balls corresponding to the value, the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning the game ball to the large winning opening 271 provided with the variable winning ball device which is one of the winning characters. Refers to the ratio.

The aggregation of performance items is performed based on the information necessary for calculation and the calculation method shown in FIGS. 38 to 40. For example, the total number of fired game balls can be totaled by accumulating the number of fired balls. In addition, the prize ratio is calculated by using the number of prize balls and the number of prize balls for the movement of the prize, and the cumulative value of the number of prize balls for the movement of the prize divided by the cumulative value of the number of prize balls is multiplied by 100. It can be aggregated by doing.

The output of the performance item can be output to the CU 3, displayed on the performance display monitor 40 of the frame control board 17, the game ball number display 29, or the like, or displayed on the display 312 of the CU 3. For example, performance items such as the total number of launched game balls and the total number of acquired game balls are output to the CU 3, displayed on the display of the frame control board 17, and also displayed on the display 312 of the CU 3. Performance items such as the number of game balls acquired by the ordinary electric accessory and the accessory ratio are not output to the CU3, are not displayed on the display of the frame control board 17, and are not displayed on the display 312 of the CU3. The display method on the frame control board 17 or CU3 display is (1) accumulating information from the start of firing, (2) blinking display until the total number of firing game balls is less than 60,000, (3). ) When the total number of game balls is 60,000 or more, the display is switched to the lighting display, and thereafter, the information is accumulated and displayed. The display switching method on the display of the frame control board 17 or CU3 is as follows: (1) Select the display item by pressing the game ball clear switch (for example, select by the display number), and (2) Confirm the display item with the ball removal switch. indicate.

<Pachinko game machine>
The configuration related to the performance display described so far has been described on the premise that it is the P-unit 2 which is an enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine, but it can be similarly applied to a pachinko gaming machine in which the gaming ball is not enclosed and circulated. can. FIG. 45 is a configuration diagram showing various control boards and the like mounted on the pachinko gaming machine.

The pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 45 is equipped with various control boards such as a main board P11, an effect control board P12, a voice control board P13, and a lamp control board P14. Further, the pachinko gaming machine is also equipped with a relay board P15 for relaying various control signals transmitted between the main board P11 and the staging control board P12. In addition, various boards such as a power supply board, an information terminal board, a launch control board, and an interface board are arranged on the back surface of the game board of the pachinko gaming machine. The power supply board is a board that supplies power to each board such as the main board P11 and the staging control board P12. The power supply board is connected to other boards such as a voice control board P13, a lamp control board P14, and a relay board P15 in addition to the main board P11 and the staging control board P12 to supply power. A power switch is provided on the power supply board, and when the power switch is turned on, power is turned on and power supply from the power supply board to each board is started. Further, by turning off the power switch, the power supply to each board is stopped. Further, the main board P11 includes a payout control board. The payout control board may be provided separately from the main board P11. The payout control board is a board for controlling the payout of prize balls, and is equipped with a payout control microcomputer. The payout control board is composed of a ball payout device (not shown) or the like in response to reception of a prize ball number command (transmitted as a control signal from the main board P11) in which data indicating the number of prize balls is set. The payout mechanism (the mechanism for paying out the prize balls) is driven to execute the payout of the prize balls.

The main board P11 is a control board on the main side, and is equipped with various circuits for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine. The main board P11 is mainly addressed to a sub-side control board including a random number setting function used in a special figure game, a function of inputting a signal from a switch or the like arranged at a predetermined position, and an effect control board P12 or the like. , It has a function to output and transmit a control command as an example of command information as a control signal, and a function to output various information to a hall management computer. Further, the main board P11 controls lighting / extinguishing of each LED (for example, segment LED) constituting the first special symbol display device P4A and the second special symbol display device P4B to control the lighting / extinguishing of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. Variable display of a predetermined display symbol, such as controlling the variable display of the normal symbol and controlling the variable display of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display P20 by controlling the lighting / extinguishing / coloring of the normal symbol display P20. It also has a control function. On the main board P11, for example, a game control microcomputer P100, a switch circuit 110 that captures detection signals from various switches for game ball detection and transmits them to the game control microcomputer P100, and a game control microcomputer P100. A solenoid circuit P111 or the like that transmits a solenoid drive signal to the solenoids P81 and P82 is mounted.

Further, the switch circuit 110 takes in signals from the gate switch P21, the first start port switch P22A, the second start port switch P22B, and the count switch P23 and transmits them to the game control microcomputer P100.

The main board P11 is connected to a display monitor P29 for displaying performance and an external output terminal P40 for outputting performance display information to the outside (for example, a hall controller). The display monitor P29 is arranged at a position in front of the main board P11 when visually recognizing it, and is provided with four digits of seven segments composed of seven segments. The external output terminal P40 is provided on the external terminal board of the game frame, and can perform external (for example, hall control) serial communication.

The staging control board P12 is a control board on the sub side independent of the main board P11, receives a control signal transmitted from the main board P11 via the relay board P15, and receives the staging display device P5, the speakers P8L, and P8R. And various circuits for controlling the effect operation by the electric component for the effect such as the game effect lamp P9 are mounted. That is, the effect control board P12 has an effect such as all or part of the display operation in the effect display device P5, all or part of the audio output operation from the speakers P8L and P8R, and all or part of the lighting / extinguishing operation in the game effect lamp P9 and the like. It is equipped with a function to determine the control content for causing a predetermined effect operation to be performed on the electric component for use.

The audio control board P13 is a control board for audio output control provided separately from the effect control board P12, and outputs audio from the speakers P8L and P8R based on commands and control data from the effect control board P12. It is equipped with a processing circuit that executes voice signal processing for this purpose. The lamp control board P14 is a control board for lamp output control provided separately from the effect control board P12, and is turned on / off in the game effect lamp P9 or the like based on commands and control data from the effect control board P12. It is equipped with a lamp driver circuit that drives it.

A wiring for transmitting detection signals from the gate switch P21, the first start port switch P22A, the second start port switch P22B, the count switch P23, and the out ball detection switch P710 is connected to the main board P11.

The gate switch P21, the first start port switch P22A, the second start port switch P22B, the count switch P23, and the out ball detection switch P710 use a game ball as a game medium, for example, a sensor. Any configuration that can be detected may be used. Further, on the main board P11, a first special symbol display device P4A, a second special symbol display device P4B, a normal symbol display P20, a first hold display P25A, a second hold display P25B, and a normal figure hold display P25C Wiring for transmitting a command signal for performing display control such as is connected.

The control signal transmitted from the main board P11 to the staging control board P12 is relayed by the relay board P15. The main board P11 is provided with, for example, a main board side connector corresponding to the relay board P15, and an output buffer circuit is connected between the main board side connector and the game control microcomputer P100. The output buffer circuit can pass a signal only in the direction from the main board P11 to the staging control board P12 via the relay board P15, and blocks the input of the signal from the relay board P15 to the main board P11. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the side of the staging control board P12 or the relay board P15 to the main board P11 side.

The relay board P15 may be provided with, for example, a transmission direction regulation circuit for each wiring for transmitting a control signal from the main board P11 to the staging control board P12. Each transmission direction regulation circuit is connected to a diode in which an anode is connected to a main board connector corresponding to the main board P11 and a cathode is connected to a directing control board connector corresponding to the effect control board P12, and one end is connected to the cathode of the diode. The other end is composed of a resistor connected to the ground (GND). With this configuration, each transmission direction regulation circuit can block the input of the signal from the effect control board P12 to the relay board P15, and allow the signal to pass only in the direction from the main board P11 to the effect control board P12. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the effect control board P12 side to the main board P11 side. In this embodiment, a transmission direction regulation circuit is provided for each wiring for transmitting a control signal on the relay board P15, and an output buffer circuit is provided between the game control microcomputer P100 and the main board side connector on the main board P11. By providing the above, it is possible to prevent an illegal signal from being input to the main board P11 from the outside.

The control command transmitted from the main board P11 to the effect control board P12 via the relay board P15 is, for example, an effect control command transmitted / received as an electric signal. The effect control commands include, for example, a display control command used to control an image display operation on the effect display device P5, a voice control command used to control audio output from the speakers P8L and P8R, and a game effect lamp P9. It contains lamp control commands used to control lighting operations of decorative LEDs and the like.

Such effect control commands include, for example, a game state specification command for designating a game state (normal state, probability change state, or time saving state), a variation start command for designating a variation start in a special figure game, and a special in a special figure game. A variable pattern specification command that specifies a variation time of a symbol or a variation pattern such as a decorative symbol on the effect display device P5, a variable display result notification command that specifies a variable display result such as a special symbol or a decorative symbol, and a decorative symbol on the effect display device P5. A decorative symbol stop command that specifies the stop of the variable display of, a jackpot start designation command that specifies the start or end of the jackpot game state, a jackpot end designation command, and a game ball wins in the first start winning opening or the second starting winning opening. The start winning command that is output when, the general winning opening designation command that is output when the game ball wins in the general winning opening, the big winning opening winning command that is output when the game ball wins in the big winning opening, etc. included.

<Performance display calculation processing of pachinko gaming machines>
In the P-unit 2 which is an enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine, the frame control board 17 calculates the performance display such as the base value and outputs it to the outside via the external output terminal 340 of the CU 3. However, in the pachinko gaming machine that does not circulate in the pachinko machine, since the display monitor P29 for displaying the performance and the external output terminal P40 are connected to the main board P11, the main board P11 can calculate the performance display such as the base value. Is going. Hereinafter, the performance display calculation on the main board P11 will be described.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing (game control timer interrupt processing) performed by the CPU (P103) of the main board P11. In the game control timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 46, the CPU (P103) first executes an error detection process (step S10), and if an error (abnormality) is detected, an error is notified (step S11). In the processing of steps S10 and S11, the CPU (P103) monitors, for example, the signal output from the out-ball detection switch P710, and detects a reception abnormality of the signal output from the out-ball detection switch P710 (step S10). When a reception abnormality is detected, the display monitor 1130 or the like notifies the user (step S11).

Following step S11, the CPU (P103) executes a random number update process (step S12). In the random number update process in step S12, the CPU (P103) updates, for example, a game random number (for example, a big hit determination random number, a big hit type determination random number, a variation pattern determination random number, etc.) used on the main board P11 side. do. Following step S12, the CPU (P103) executes special symbol processing (special symbol process processing) (step S13).

Following step S13, the CPU (P103) executes the performance information update process (step S14). As will be described later, the details of the performance information update process correspond to the performance display calculation process of FIG. 38. Subsequently, the CPU (P103) executes the performance information display process (step S15). In the performance information display process in step S15, the CPU (P103) displays, for example, the performance information updated in the performance information update process (step S14) on the display monitor P29 as shown in FIG. 42.

Following step S15, the CPU (P103) executes the performance display external output process (step S15A). The details of the performance display external output processing will be described later. Following step S15A, the CPU (P103) executes the prize ball processing (step S16). In the prize ball processing in step S16, for example, the CPU (P103) calculates the number of prize balls based on the detection signals of various switches, and controls the payout mechanism so that the calculated number of game balls are paid out. Following step S16, the CPU (P103) executes a normal symbol process (ordinary symbol process process) (step S17). In the normal symbol processing in step S17, the CPU (P103) controls, for example, the variable display of the normal symbol on the normal symbol display P20 and the operation of the movable wing piece in the normal variable winning ball device. Following step S17, the CPU (P103) executes information output processing (step S18). In the information output process of step S18, the CPU (P103) is, for example, an information display device (for example, a display device of a card unit provided on the side of the pachinko gaming machine, a call lamp device provided above the pachinko gaming machine, etc.). And information management devices (hall computers, etc.) output various information such as jackpot information, start information, probability fluctuation information, and abnormality information. Then, the game control timer interrupt processing is terminated.

The processes of steps S10 to S18 shown in FIG. 46 describe a part of the processes executed in the game control timer interrupt process, and the CPU (P103) is a step in the game control timer interrupt process. Processing other than S10 to S18 (for example, switch processing for inputting (determining) the state of detection signals input from various switches, processing for transmitting an effect control command from the main board P11 side to the effect control board P12 side, etc.) It is feasible.

Further, the execution order of each process in steps S10 to S18 of the game control timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 46 is an example. Therefore, for example, the CPU (P103) may execute the information output process before the random number update process, or may execute the normal map process immediately after the special figure process.

Further, the grouping (unit of each process) of each process such as the error detection process (step S10) and the error notification process (step S11) is an example. Therefore, for example, the CPU (P103) may execute the error notification process (step S11) and the performance information display process (step S15) as one process. Further, the CPU (P103) may execute the performance display external output process (step S15A) and the information output process (step S18) as one process.

Further, the process shown in FIG. 46 is the game control timer interrupt process when displaying the performance information, but the same applies to the game control timer interrupt process when displaying the connection ratio and the combination ratio. That is, the performance information update process (step S14) of FIG. 46 may be a process of updating the continuous ratio and the combination ratio, and the performance information display process (step S15) may be a process of displaying the continuous ratio and the combination ratio.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing an example of the performance information update process (step S14) executed in the game control timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 46. The CPU (P103) first determines whether or not the probability change flag is on (step S20). If the probability variation flag is not on in step S20 (step S20; NO), the CPU (P103) determines whether or not the time saving flag is on (step S21).

If the time saving flag is not on in step S21 (step S21; NO), the CPU (P103) determines whether or not the round gaming flag is on (step S22). At the start of the jackpot game state, the round gaming flag changes from the off state to the on state after the set state change switching waiting time (time T2) has elapsed, so that the process of step S22 is the jackpot game state. It can be said that it is determined whether or not the state change switching waiting time (time T2) has elapsed at the start of.

If the round gaming flag is not turned on in step S22 (step S22; NO), that is, before the state change switching waiting time (time T2) has elapsed, the CPU (P103) determines the number of prize balls and the number of hits. The number of balls is added to calculate the base value which is the performance information (step S23). In the process of step S23, the CPU (P103) adds, for example, the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning openings specified from the detection results (detection signals) of the various switches of the various winning openings, and detects the out-ball detection switch P710. The number of balls to be driven is added based on the result (detection signal), then the real-time base value and the previous cumulative base value are calculated, and the performance information update process (step S14) is completed.

On the other hand, if the probability change flag is on in step S20 (step S20; YES), the time saving flag is on in step S21 (step S21; YES), or the round gaming flag is on in step S22 (step S20). Step S22; YES), the performance information update process (step S14) is terminated without performing the process of step S23.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing an example of the performance display external output process (step S14) executed in the game control timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 46. First, the CPU (P103) outputs the performance information calculated in the performance information update process when the power is turned on (step S501), when a big hit occurs (step S502), and the number of out balls. It is determined whether any of the conditions of reaching 60,000 balls (step S503) is satisfied.

The CPU (P103) has performance information when the power is turned on (step S501; YES), when a big hit occurs (step S502; YES), or when the number of out balls reaches 60,000 balls (step S503; YES). Acquire the performance information calculated in the update process (step S504). The CPU (P103) acquires the model name and the main chip ID stored in the ROM (P101) (step S504). The CPU (P103) displays the performance when the power is not turned on (step S501; NO), the jackpot is not generated (step S502; NO), and the number of out balls does not reach 60,000 balls (step S503; YES). End the external output processing.

The CPU (P103) serially converts the performance information acquired in step S503, the model name and the main chip ID acquired in step S504 into a identifiable serial signal, and outputs the information from the external output terminal P40 (step S504).

A configuration in which the CPU (P103) converts the performance information into a serial signal for specifying the performance information and outputs the serial signal from the external output terminal P40 will be described. FIG. 49 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a serial signal for specifying performance information output from the external output terminal P40. FIG. 49A is a diagram showing a data configuration of a serial signal output from the external output terminal P40, and FIG. 49B is a diagram showing an output configuration of a serial signal output from the external output terminal P40. ..

As shown in FIG. 49 (a), the serial signal output from the external output terminal P40 is a 3-byte “model name” indicating the model name of the pachinko gaming machine, and the main chip mounted on the main board P11 of the pachinko gaming machine. It is composed of a 4-byte "main chip ID" which is a unique ID number and a 32-byte "data" which is output performance information data. That is, the serial signal output from the external output terminal P40 is composed of 39 bytes of serial data, and is transmitted in the order of "model name", "main chip ID", and "data" from the first byte.

The 3-byte "model name" and 4-byte "main chip ID" are ASCII data, and the hall controller (management device) into which the "model name" and "main chip ID" are input is predetermined. The "model name" and "main chip ID" can be directly displayed on the display device of. The information of the "model name" is stored in advance in a predetermined storage area of the ROM (P101), unlike the information of the "first unique number". A 3-byte "manufacturer name" indicating the name of the manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine may be included in the serial signal output from the external output terminal P40.

As shown in FIG. 49 (b), the external output terminal P40 adds a start bit immediately before the first bit (BIT0) of the 1-byte serial signal, and immediately after the last bit (BIT7) of the 1-byte serial signal. A parity bit for error determination is added, a stop bit is added at the end, and serial signals are sequentially output. Therefore, the serial signal output to the hall controller (management device) is output by the pace-synchronized serial communication. Further, when outputting a serial signal for one byte, three bits of a start bit, a parity bit, and a stop bit are added, and a total of 11 bits of information is output.

In the present embodiment, the unit of the amount of information in which the three bits of the start bit, the parity bit, and the stop bit are added to the serial signal for one byte is referred to as "1 frame". That is, the 39-byte serial signal can be said to be a 39-frame serial signal.

In the communication specifications of the serial signal output from the external output terminal P40, for example, the baud rate (communication speed) is set to 200 bps. With this setting, the 1-bit output completion time is 5 ms. The output completion time of one frame is 55 ms (= 5 ms × 11 bits), and the output completion time of one serial signal (39 frames) is 2145 ms (= 55 ms × 39 frames). That is, the output completion time of the serial signal output from the external output terminal P40 takes about 2 seconds.

The external output terminal P40 is, for example, a photocoupler or a relay in order to input the serial signal output by the pachinko gaming machine to the hall controller (management device) while insulating the hall controller (management device) and the pachinko gaming machine. , Photomos and other transmission elements are provided. It is necessary to determine the communication specifications of serial data in consideration of the specifications of the transmission element (minimum time for turning data on and off).

The terminal configuration of the external output terminal P40 will be described. FIG. 50 is a diagram for explaining a terminal configuration of the external output terminal P40. The terminal number (1) is a terminal whose terminal color is white and which outputs prize ball information. Specifically, at the terminal number (1), a pulse signal of 0.1 seconds 0FF is output after 0.1 seconds ON for every 10 prize balls. The terminal number (2) is a terminal whose terminal color is green and outputs information on opening the door / frame (ON when opened). Specifically, the terminal number (2) outputs a signal that turns ON while the glass door and the gaming machine frame of the gaming machine are open. The terminal number (3) is a terminal whose terminal color is gray and outputs information on the number of times all symbols are confirmed. Specifically, at the terminal number (3), a pulse signal that is turned ON for 0.5 seconds is output every time the special symbol is stopped. The terminal number (4) is a terminal whose terminal color is yellow and which outputs information on all starting ports. Specifically, at the terminal number (4), a pulse signal that is turned on for 0.1 second and then turned off for 0.1 second is output for each winning in the starting winning opening.

The terminal number (5) is a terminal whose terminal color is black and outputs information of a jackpot 1. Specifically, at the terminal number (5), a signal that is turned ON during the big hit is output. The terminal number (6) is a terminal whose terminal color is pink and outputs information of the jackpot 2. Specifically, at the terminal number (6), a signal that is ON during the big hit and during the high base is output. The terminal number (7) is a terminal whose terminal color is blue and which outputs information on the out sphere. Specifically, at the terminal number (7), a pulse signal of 0.1 seconds 0FF is output after 0.1 seconds ON for every 10 out balls. The out sphere is detected by the out sphere detection switch P710 shown in FIG. 45, and P11 outputs a pulse signal for every 10 out spheres from the terminal number (7) of the external output terminal P40.

The terminal number (8) is a terminal whose terminal color is red and which outputs information on performance information. Specifically, at the terminal number (8), a signal corresponding to the base value calculated in the performance information update process (FIG. 47; step S14) is output. The terminal number (9) has an orange terminal color and is a terminal that outputs winning information. Specifically, at the terminal number (9), a pulse signal of 0.1 seconds 0FF is output after 0.1 seconds ON for every 10 prize balls at the time of winning all the winning openings. The terminal number (10) is a terminal whose terminal color is light blue and outputs security information. Specifically, at the terminal number (10), for example, a signal that is turned on when the power is turned on is output for 30 seconds (however, only when the backup is cleared). Further, in the terminal number (10), for example, a signal that is turned on when an illegal act (abnormal winning, switch abnormality) is detected is output for 4 minutes, or a signal that is turned on when a game stop target error (magnetism) is detected is output. , Output for 4 minutes until the power is turned off and after the power is turned on again (after the error is cleared).

In the external output terminal P40, the terminal number (8) for outputting performance information such as the base value and the terminal number (10) for outputting the security signal are different terminals.

In this way, in a pachinko gaming machine provided with a plurality of winning openings for giving a game value by passing a game ball, the display monitor P29 and the performance related to the given game value (for example, a prize ball). It includes a main board P11 capable of calculating information (predetermined information) and performing display control for displaying the performance information on the display monitor P29, and an external output terminal P40 capable of outputting a signal to the outside. The main board P11 can output a serial signal (specific signal) for specifying performance information from the external output terminal P40. As a result, the performance information (for example, the base value, etc.) displayed on the gaming machine can be specified and output to the outside of the gaming machine such as a hall controller (management device) or a data lamp.

On the main board P11, when a predetermined condition corresponding to the number of shots of the game ball is satisfied (for example, when the power is turned on (step S501; YES) and when a big hit occurs (step S502; YES), the number of out balls reaches 60,000 balls. In each case (in any case of step S503; YES), a serial signal can be output from the external output terminal P40 to the outside of a gaming machine such as a hall controller (management device) or a data lamp. As a result, the performance information (for example, the base value) can be notified to the outside every time a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the change in the performance related to the addition of the game value in the gaming machine can be grasped at any time.

The external output terminal P40 has a plurality of terminals including a terminal number (8) (specific terminal) for outputting a serial signal. The main board P11 can output a security signal from a terminal number (10) different from the terminal number (8) among a plurality of terminals of the external output terminal P40 in response to abnormality detection (error detection). As a result, it is possible to distinguish between the occurrence of an abnormality in the gaming machine and the predetermined information and notify the outside.

The CPU (P103) can output identification information (for example, "model name" and "main chip ID") for identifying a gaming machine to the outside together with performance information (for example, a base value). As a result, it becomes possible to manage the identification information and the performance information in association with each other in the hall controller (management device) outside the gaming machine, so that the hall controller (management device) can manage the information more appropriately. Further, although it was explained that the external output terminal P40 outputs performance information such as the base value from the terminal number (8), the game machine that can be controlled to the setting change mode and the confirmation mode (the jackpot probability of the jackpot lottery according to the setting value). In the gaming machine), the signal (serial signal) corresponding to the set value may be output from the terminal number (8) after the setting change mode or the confirmation mode is completed. Of course, the signal (serial signal) corresponding to the set value may be output from the external output terminal P40 other than the terminal number (8).

In the above example, the main board P11 notifies the outside of the performance information (for example, the base value) every time the predetermined condition is satisfied. However, the base abnormality determination (for example, when the base value in the low base state is less than 30) is performed based on the performance information calculated by the performance information update process on the main board P11, and in the case of the base abnormality, the base abnormality is externally performed. May output a signal that can identify the occurrence of. This makes it possible to identify the occurrence of a base abnormality in a hall controller (management device) outside the gaming machine. In addition, in the configuration that outputs a signal that can identify the base abnormality, the base abnormality determination is performed when the total number of outs is 6000 or more (corresponding to the game period of 1 hour) in consideration of the convergence of the game performance. It is preferable to output a signal that can identify the base abnormality. Further, every time the total number of outs reaches a predetermined number (for example, 60,000), the base abnormality determination may be performed. Further, the signal capable of identifying the base abnormality may be output from the terminal number (8), the terminal number (10), or another terminal of the external output terminals P40.

Even in the P-unit 2 which is an enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine as shown in FIG. 1, the performance information (predetermined information) regarding the given gaming value is calculated and the performance information is displayed on the performance display monitor 40. It is provided with a frame control board 17 capable of executing display control for performing the display control, and an output terminal (connection terminal with the CU 3) capable of outputting a signal to the outside. The frame control board 17 can output a serial signal (FIG. 5; Hallcon signal) for specifying performance information to the CU 3. The CU 3 can output from the external output terminal 340 to the hall controller (management device).

The external output terminal 340 (see FIG. 4) may include both a serial terminal and a parallel terminal shown in FIG. 50. As a result, the CU 3 can be connected to a conventional hall controller having only a parallel terminal. When the terminal configuration of the external output terminal 340 is the configuration shown in FIG. 50, the terminal number (8) for outputting performance information such as the base value and the terminal number for outputting the security signal are also used for the external output terminal 340. The terminal is different from (10). Further, although not shown, the terminal connecting the P stand 2 and the CU 3 may be configured so that the terminal for outputting the performance information and the terminal for outputting the security signal are different terminals.

Further, even in the P-unit 2 which is an enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine as shown in FIG. 1, the frame control board 17 satisfies a predetermined condition corresponding to the number of shots of the gaming balls (for example, when the power is turned on). Every time the number of out balls reaches 60,000 when a big hit occurs), a serial signal can be output from the external output terminal 340 to the outside of a gaming machine such as a hall controller (management device) or a data lamp. As a result, the performance information (for example, the base value) can be notified to the outside every time a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the change in the performance related to the addition of the game value in the gaming machine can be grasped at any time.

Further, even in the P-unit 2 which is an enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine as shown in FIG. 1, the CPU of the frame control board 17 has identification information (for example, "model name" and "model name" for identifying the gaming machine. "Main chip ID") can be output to the outside together with performance information (for example, base value). As a result, it becomes possible to manage the identification information and the performance information in association with each other in the hall controller (management device) outside the gaming machine, so that the hall controller (management device) can manage the information more appropriately.

<Structure of Embodiment>
(1) A gaming device (1) that is connected to an enclosed gaming machine in which a gaming ball is enclosed so as to be communicable with the gaming machine and enables the gaming machine to play using the gaming value owned by the player. A gaming system including a unit) is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-042799). In the gaming system disclosed in Patent Document 1, information such as the number of gaming balls for playing a game on a gaming machine is transmitted by bidirectional communication between the gaming machine and the gaming device (unit). is doing. However, in the gaming system of Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in the transmission method of information exchanged between the gaming machine and the gaming device (unit) from the viewpoint of stability and safety. The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine and a gaming system capable of stably and safely transmitting information communicated between a gaming machine and a gaming device. It is to be.

(1-1) A gaming machine (for example, P machine 2) capable of communicating with a gaming device (for example, CU3).
A transmission means (for example, CU3 and P machine 2) for transmitting game information (for example, a signal related to the game machine information) related to a game performed by the game machine to the game device every predetermined period (for example, a specified period A). Communication control IC325) that communicates with
Specific information on the game value (for example, a signal related to counting or a signal or a signal related to counting) at a timing corresponding to a specific period (for example, a specified period B or a specified period C) shorter than the predetermined period after the transmitting means transmits the game information. It is provided with a communication means (for example, a communication control IC 325) for communicating with the gaming device for a signal related to lending).

According to such a configuration, information transmission can be optimized, and since the transmission timings of the game information and the specific information are separated, information congestion can be avoided.

(1-2) A gaming system including a gaming device (for example, CU3) and a gaming machine capable of communicating with the gaming device (for example, P machine 2).
A transmission means (for example, CU3 and P machine 2) for transmitting game information (for example, a signal related to the game machine information) related to a game performed by the game machine to the game device every predetermined period (for example, a specified period A). Communication control IC325) that communicates with
For the game, specific information on the game value (for example, a signal related to counting) at a timing corresponding to a specific period (for example, a specified period B) shorter than the predetermined period after the transmitting means transmits the game information. It is provided with a communication means (for example, a communication control IC 325) for communicating with the device.

According to such a configuration, information transmission can be optimized, and since the transmission timings of the game information and the specific information are separated, information congestion can be avoided.

(1-3) In the gaming machine of (1-1) above
The communication means is
Counting information (for example,) regarding the magnitude of the game value managed by the gaming machine among the specific information at the timing corresponding to the specific period (for example, the specified period B) after the transmitting means transmits the game information. , Signals related to counting) can be transmitted to the gaming device.
Of the specific information, at a timing corresponding to a special period (for example, a specified period C) different from the specific period within the predetermined period (for example, the specified period A) after the transmitting means transmits the game information. It is possible to communicate with the gaming device the lending information (for example, a signal relating to the lending) regarding the magnitude of the gaming value rented for the game on the gaming machine.

According to such a configuration, since the rental information is transmitted from the game device at the timing corresponding to the special period from the reception of the game information, it is possible to avoid data collision in the two-way communication and optimize the information transmission. be able to.

(1-4) In the gaming machine of (1-3) above,
The transmission line (for example, asynchronous serial communication port) to which the transmission means transmits the game information is common to the transmission line to which the communication means transmits the counting information and the lending information (for example, FIG. 6).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to simplify the wiring constituting the transmission line and to optimize the information transmission in the configuration in which the transmission line is shared.

(1-5) In the gaming machine of (1-3) above
The transmission line (for example, asynchronous serial communication port) to which the transmission means transmits the game information is common to the transmission line to which the communication means transmits the counting information, and the transmission line to which the communication means transmits the rental information. (For example, FIG. 9).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to simplify the wiring constituting the transmission line and to optimize the information transmission in the configuration in which the transmission line is shared.

(1-6) In the gaming machine of (1-3) above
The transmission line (for example, asynchronous serial communication port) through which the transmission means transmits the game information is separate from the transmission line through which the communication means transmits the counting information and the rental information.
The transmission line through which the communication means transmits the counting information and the transmission line through which the communication means transmits the rental information are common (for example, FIG. 11).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to simplify the wiring constituting the transmission line and to optimize the information transmission in the configuration in which the transmission line is shared.

(1-7) In any of the gaming machines (1-1), (1-3) to (1-6) above,
The transmission means transmits installation information (for example, game machine installation information among signals related to game machine information) to the game device after the power is turned on, and then the game information (for example, a signal related to game machine information). Of these, game machine performance information, hall control information, etc.) are transmitted to the game device at the predetermined period.

According to such a configuration, the gaming machine can output the gaming information without going through the authentication process, so that the processing load can be reduced.

(1-8) In any of the gaming machines (1-1), (1-3) to (1-7) above,
The transmission means transmits the game information to the game device at predetermined intervals regardless of the reception status of the game information in the game device (for example, regardless of the reception status of the game information in the CU 3). Instead, the game information is transmitted to CU3 every specified period A).

According to such a configuration, in the gaming machine, it is not necessary to retransmit the gaming information, it is not necessary to store the past gaming machine information, and the processing load can be reduced.

(2) In an enclosed game machine in which a game ball is enclosed, a patented game machine that subtracts game points (number of game balls) based on ball detection accompanying a ball feed operation in the ball feed groove in the front stage of the launcher. It is disclosed in Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-164318). However, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 2, the subtraction timing of the game points (number of gaming balls) electromagnetically managed does not correspond to the actual launching operation of the launching device, and there is a possibility that the processing will be inappropriate. there were. The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine and a gaming frame that perform subtraction processing of an appropriate gaming point (number of gaming balls) corresponding to the launching operation of the launching device. That is.

(2-1) A gaming machine (for example, P machine 2) capable of playing a game by firing a gaming medium corresponding to a gaming point (for example, the number of gaming balls).
A launching device that launches a game medium (for example, a launching mechanism 30),
A transport means for transporting the game medium to the launching device (for example, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a movable piece 45, etc.) and
A signal generation means (for example, a subtraction mechanism 32) that generates a special signal (for example, a subtraction reference signal) corresponding to the launching operation of the game medium in the launching device, and
A control means (for example, the number of game balls of the frame control board 17) that manages game points, causes the transfer means to execute a transfer operation of a game medium based on the special signal, and subtracts game points based on the special signal. Processed by the management program).

According to such a configuration, the game point is subtracted by the transport means performing the game medium transport operation based on the special signal, so that the appropriate game point subtraction process can be performed according to the launch operation of the launcher. realizable.

(2-2) In a game frame (for example, a game machine frame 5) of a game machine (for example, P machine 2) capable of playing a game by firing a game medium corresponding to a game point (for example, the number of game balls). There,
A launching device that launches a game medium (for example, a launching mechanism 30),
A transport means for transporting the game medium to the launching device (for example, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a movable piece 45, etc.) and
A signal generation means (for example, a subtraction mechanism 32) that generates a special signal (for example, a subtraction reference signal) corresponding to the launching operation of the game medium in the launching device, and
A control means (for example, the number of game balls of the frame control board 17) that manages game points, causes the transfer means to execute a transfer operation of a game medium based on the special signal, and subtracts game points based on the special signal. Processed by the management program).

According to such a configuration, the game point is subtracted by the transport means performing the game medium transport operation based on the special signal, so that the appropriate game point subtraction process can be performed according to the launch operation of the launcher. realizable.

(2-3) In the gaming machine of (2-1) above,
A launch control means (for example, a launch control board 31) that controls the operation of the launch device, and
Further provided with a frame control means (for example, a frame control board 17) as the control means,
The frame control means executes a subtraction process of managed game points based on the reception of the special signal from the launch control means (for example, the frame control board 17 receives the subtraction reference signal). Based on this, one is subtracted from the number of X game balls to display the number of game balls of X-1 on the game ball number display 29).

According to such a configuration, the frame control means can realize an appropriate subtraction process of game points corresponding to the firing operation of the launching device.

(2-4) In the gaming machine of (2-3) above,
The frame control means causes the transfer means to execute the transfer operation of the game medium based on the reception of the special signal from the launch control means (for example, subtraction based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal). By controlling the solenoid 32a, the movable piece 45 is driven to convey the game ball p).

According to such a configuration, the frame control means can realize an appropriate transfer of the game ball corresponding to the launching operation of the launching device.

(2-5) In the gaming machine of (2-3) or (2-4) above,
The transport means includes an approach sensor (for example, a subtraction mechanism inlet sensor 32b) for detecting the entry of the game medium.
After receiving the special signal from the launch control means, the frame control means executes a subtraction process of managed game points based on the detection of the game medium by the approach sensor (for example, subtraction). When the mechanism entrance sensor 32b is turned on and the game ball p is detected, one is subtracted from the number of X game balls to display the number of game balls of X-1 on the game ball number display 29).

According to such a configuration, the frame control means can realize the subtraction process of the game points corresponding to the firing operation of the launching device and the operation of the transport mechanism.

(2-6) In the gaming machines (2-3) to (2-5) above,
The transport means includes a discharge sensor (for example, a subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c) for detecting the discharge of the game medium.
The frame control means can determine a transport error of the game medium based on the detection state of the discharge sensor within a predetermined period after receiving the special signal from the launch control means (for example, the subtraction reference signal can be used). If the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is in the ON state 16 ms after the ON state, it is determined that ball clogging has occurred).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect a malfunction in the operation due to the transport mechanism such as the occurrence of ball clogging.

(2-7) In any of the gaming machines (2-3) to (2-6) above,
The frame control means can communicate with the game control means (for example, the main control board 16), and based on the occurrence of a special event (for example, an error), a predetermined signal for notifying the occurrence of the special event (for example). For example, an error signal) is transmitted to the game control means,
The game control means executes a launch stop process based on the reception of the predetermined signal (for example, stops the output of the launch permission signal).

According to such a configuration, the firing operation can be stopped in response to the occurrence of a special event detected by the frame control means.

(3) The enclosed gaming machine in which the gaming ball is enclosed is composed of a gaming board and a gaming machine frame, and the gaming board is provided with a main control board and the gaming machine frame side is provided with a frame control board. Patent Document 3 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-158716) discloses a gaming machine capable of notifying an error detected on the frame control board side on the gaming machine frame side as well as on the gaming board side. However, in a configuration in which an error detected on the frame control board side can be notified by voice output, the detected error is not notified on the game machine frame side as in the game machine of Patent Document 3, but also on the game board side. If it is possible to notify, the notification of the error detected on the game machine frame side and the notification of the error detected on the main control board side of the game board may overlap, and the error becomes difficult to recognize on the contrary. there is a possibility. Furthermore, when it is possible to mount game boards of different manufacturers in a common game machine frame, and if there is no specified priority for the error to be notified, when a game board of a certain manufacturer is mounted in the game machine frame, Errors detected on the frame control board side are prioritized and notified, and when a game board of another manufacturer is mounted on the gaming machine frame, the errors detected on the main control board side are notified with priority and unified error notification is performed. Can't. The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is that even if it is possible to notify an error on the gaming machine frame side and the gaming board side, the error notification is duplicated. It is to provide a gaming machine and a gaming frame that can avoid being performed and perform unified error notification.

(3-1) A gaming machine (for example, P stand 2) including a gaming board (for example, a gaming board 26) and a gaming frame (for example, a gaming machine frame 5) to which the gaming board can be attached.
The game board
A first control means (for example, a main control board 16) that controls the progress of the game,
The first audio output means (for example, audio output controlled by the effect control board 15 (game board side speaker 270B)) is included.
The game frame is
A second control means (for example, a frame control board 17) that manages information related to the game value, and
The second audio output means (for example, audio output controlled by the frame-side effect control board 15A (game machine frame-side speaker 270A)) is included.
The first control means can detect the occurrence of a predetermined event (for example, an error detected by the main control board 16).
Predetermined notification (for example, error notification) based on the detection of the predetermined event by the first control means is performed by the first voice output means.
The second control means can detect the occurrence of a specific event (for example, an error detected by the frame control board 17) different from the predetermined event.
When the predetermined notification is not performed by the first voice output means, the specific notification based on the detection of the specific event by the second control means is performed by the second voice output means.
When the predetermined notification is performed by the first voice output means, the specific notification is not performed by the second voice output means (for example, a game ball circulation device abnormality (error) on the frame control board 17 side. When the code = F17) is detected, when the error is not notified on the main control board 16 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is notified, and the error is notified on the main control board 16 side. When there is, the game ball circulation device abnormality is not notified).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid duplication of notifications based on events between the game board side and the game machine frame side, and to perform unified error notifications.

(3-2) The first control means (for example, the main control board 16) for controlling the progress of the game and the first sound output means (for example, the sound output controlled by the effect control board 15) are included. A gaming board (for example, a game) in which a predetermined notification (for example, error notification) based on the detection of a predetermined event (for example, an error detected by the main control board 16) by the control means is performed by the first voice output means. It is a game frame (for example, a game machine frame 5) of a game machine (for example, P stand 2) to which a board 26) can be attached.
A second control means (for example, a frame control board 17) that manages information related to the game value, and
The second audio output means (for example, audio output controlled by the frame-side staging control board 15A) is included.
The second control means can detect the occurrence of a specific event (for example, an error detected by the frame control board 17) different from the predetermined event.
When the predetermined notification is not performed by the first voice output means, the specific notification based on the detection of the specific event by the second control means is performed by the second voice output means.
When the predetermined notification is performed by the first voice output means, the specific notification is not performed by the second voice output means (for example, a game ball circulation device abnormality (error) on the frame control board 17 side. When the code = F17) is detected, when the error is not notified on the main control board 16 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is notified, and the error is notified on the main control board 16 side. When there is, the game ball circulation device abnormality is not notified).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid duplication of notifications based on events between the game board side and the game machine frame side, and to perform unified error notifications.

(3-3) In the gaming machine of (3-1) above
The second control means is
It is possible to detect the occurrence of a special event (for example, an error that notifies the main control board 16 side) that is different from the specific event.
When the occurrence of the special event is detected, information regarding the detection of the special event is transmitted to the first control means (for example, information regarding the detection of the error (special event) to the main control board 16). Send),
The first control means can perform notification by the first voice output means based on the reception of the information regarding the detection of the special event (for example, the information regarding the detection of the error (special event)). The audio output (game board side speaker 270B) controlled by the staging control board 15 based on the reception is notified of the error).

With such a configuration, the occurrence of a special event detected by the second control means can be appropriately notified.

(3-4) In the gaming machine of (3-3) above
The second control means is
A program (communication process shown in FIG. 37) used for communication control with the first control means is stored in a specific area (for example, in a used area).
The event that can be detected differs between the process executed in the specific area and the process executed outside the specific area (for example, outside the used area), and the event detected by the process executed in the specific area is described. The program (particularly, communication processing) can be executed to execute the program and transmit it to the first control means (for example, an error (event) detected by a process executed in the area used by the user program). It can be transmitted to the main control board 16).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to execute the process without straddling the inside of the specific area and the outside of the specific area of the user program.

(3-5) In the gaming machine of (3-3) or (3-4) above,
The first control means can control the launching operation of the launching device (for example, the launching mechanism 30), and stops the launching operation of the launching device based on receiving the information regarding the detection of the special event.

According to such a configuration, the first control means can stop the firing operation in response to the occurrence of the special event detected by the second control means.

(3-6) In the gaming machines (3-1) to (3-5) above,
When the second control means detects the occurrence of any one of a specific event and a special event, the display unit (for example, a game ball) regardless of the detection status of the predetermined event by the first control means. Information that can identify the detected event is displayed on the number display 29).

According to such a configuration, the detected event can be identifiable and displayed regardless of the control state on the game board side.

(4) Patent Document 4 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-90775) discloses a configuration in which information such as stored game machine model information can be output to the outside of a gaming machine. Further, Patent Document 5 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-172808) discloses a configuration in which individual identification information of a gaming machine can be output to the outside at the time of initialization, at the time of a big hit, and at the time of occurrence of an abnormality in the gaming machine. However, although the gaming machines in the patent document that output information such as the model information of the gaming machine and the individual identification information of the gaming machine to the outside are disclosed, the gaming machines that perform the gaming performance information are displayed on the display monitor. It was not possible to output the content of the game performance being played to the outside and check it outside. That is, in order to confirm the content of the gaming performance displayed on the display monitor, it is necessary to open the door of the gaming machine, which reduces the management efficiency. The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of identifiablely outputting predetermined information displayed on the gaming machine to the outside.

(4-1) A plurality of predetermined areas (for example, large winning opening 271, ordinary winning opening 272 to 274, and starting winning opening 275) for imparting game value by passing through a game medium (for example, a gaming ball). ~ 277 etc.)
Display means (for example, performance display monitor 40, display monitor P29) and
Control that can execute display control for calculating predetermined information regarding the given game value (for example, performance display calculation processing in FIG. 38, performance information update processing in FIG. 47) and displaying the predetermined information on the display means. Means (for example, frame control board 17, main board P11) and
Equipped with a signal output means that can output signals to the outside
The control means can output a specific signal (for example, a hall control signal, serial data) for specifying the predetermined information from the signal output means (for example, from the external output terminal 340 and the external output terminal P40 to the outside). Output).

According to such a configuration, predetermined information displayed on the gaming machine can be specified and output to the outside.

(4-2) In the gaming machine of (4-1) above,
In the control means, a predetermined condition corresponding to the number of shots of the game medium is satisfied (for example, when the power is turned on (step S501; YES), when a big hit occurs (step S502; YES), the number of out balls reaches 60,000 balls. (In any case of step S503; YES), the specific signal can be output to the outside from the signal output means.

With such a configuration, predetermined information can be notified to the outside each time a predetermined condition is satisfied, and changes in performance related to the addition of game value in the gaming machine can be grasped at any time.

(4-3) In the gaming machine of (4-1) or (4-2) above,
The signal output means has a plurality of terminals including a specific terminal (for example, the terminal number (8) in FIG. 50) for outputting the specific signal.
The control means receives a security signal from a terminal different from the specific terminal (for example, the terminal number (10) in FIG. 50) among a plurality of terminals of the signal output means in response to an abnormality detection (for example, error detection). It can be output.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to distinguish between the occurrence of an abnormality in the gaming machine and the predetermined information and notify the outside.

(4-4) In the gaming machines (4-1) to (4-3) above,
The control means can output identification information (for example, "model name" and "main chip ID") for identifying the gaming machine to the outside together with the predetermined information.

According to such a configuration, the identification information and the predetermined information can be managed in association with each other in the management device outside the gaming machine, so that the management device can manage the information more appropriately.

<Modification example>
(1) By operating the operation switch for displaying the accessory ratio / continuous accessory ratio provided on the frame control board 17, the performance display monitor 40 (display monitor P29) has the accessory ratio / continuous accessory. The ratio may be displayed. Further, by operating an operation switch (for example, an error release switch, a RAM clear switch) for displaying the accessory ratio provided on the frame control board 17, the accessory ratio is displayed and the frame control board 17 displays the accessory ratio. The continuous bonus ratio may be displayed by operating an operation switch (for example, a ball removal switch, a game ball clear switch) for displaying the provided continuous bonus ratio. At this time, it may be added as a display condition that the gaming machine frame 5 is open.

(2) The accessory ratio u and the continuous accessory ratio v may be displayed on the performance display monitor 40 (display monitor P29). Further, it may be displayed on a part other than the performance display monitor 40 of the gaming machine, for example, it may be displayed on the display 312 or displayed on the gaming ball number display 29. You may. Even if it is displayed on a portion other than these performance display monitors 40, it may be displayed according to a predetermined operation. Further, it may be displayed on a dedicated display different from the performance display monitor 40. For example, a dedicated display may be provided on the main control board 16.

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

(4) The above-mentioned start winning opening 276 may be such that the game ball cannot win a prize in a state where the accessory is closed. The game ball can be won and is open regardless of whether the accessory of the start winning opening 276 is closed (the accessory is not operating) or open (the accessory is operating). May be easier to win than the closed state.

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

(6) In the management device or the gaming device that has received the predetermined information, the base, the bonus ratio, or the continuous combination is based on the predetermined information itself (for example, the determination result of the suitability of the base, the bonus ratio, or the continuous bonus ratio). The abnormality of the object ratio may be monitored, and if it is determined to be abnormal, the abnormality may be notified, or predetermined information (for example, low base time base, high base time base, continuous accessory ratio, accessory ratio, out). Calculate the base, bonus ratio or continuous bonus ratio from (number of balls + number of safe balls, number of out balls + number of safe balls for each winning opening), monitor the abnormality, and notify the abnormality if it is determined to be abnormal. You may try to do it.

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

(8) In the 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.

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

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

(11) In the above-described embodiment, the fact that the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio are abnormal indicates that the performance display monitor 40, which is a 7-segment LED display of the frame control board 17, (FIGS. 4 and 4). (Refer to 42), it is notified by displaying it on the display unit. This notification may be performed in response 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 frame control board 17. Further, it may be displayed on a display unit that can be seen by a player different from the display unit that the player cannot normally see, such as the display unit of the frame control board 17, for example, the display unit 312. In this case, it may be displayed according to a specific operation on the touch panel of the display device 312. Further, it may be always displayed even if there is no specific operation. Also, even if the base, the bonus ratio and the continuous bonus ratio are abnormal, and at least one or more of the base, the bonus ratio and the continuous bonus ratio are displayed. good. Also, information suggesting one or more of these pieces of information (eg, displaying a red icon, making the background red) or related information (eg, base, bonus ratio, or continuous bonus ratio). A graph display such as a bar graph or a line graph) may be displayed.

(12) In the above-described embodiment, when the base, the accessory ratio, and the continuous accessory ratio are continuously determined to be abnormal, and when it is determined that the abnormality has been resolved, information indicating that fact is provided. It may be transmitted to a management device outside or inside the playground.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

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

Claims (1)

It is a gaming machine that can play games by firing a gaming medium corresponding to a gaming point.
A launcher that launches game media and
A transport means for transporting the game medium to the launcher, and
A signal generation means for generating a special signal corresponding to the launching operation of the game medium in the launching device, and
It is provided with a control means for managing game points, causing the transport means to execute a transport operation of a game medium based on the special signal, and subtracting game points based on the special signal.
The transport means includes a discharge sensor for detecting the discharge of the game medium.
The control means can determine a transport error of the game medium based on the detection state of the discharge sensor in a predetermined period after receiving the special signal from the signal generation means .
A gaming machine that, when it is determined that the transport error is determined, stops the generation of the special signal by the signal generation means and causes the launching device to execute the firing operation a predetermined number of times .

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