JP7197417B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines .

Patent Document 1 discloses a game machine in which game balls are enclosed and game points (the number of game balls) are subtracted based on ball detection accompanying a ball feeding operation in a ball feeding mechanism in the preceding stage of a shooting device. disclosed. (See Patent Document 1, for example).

JP 2017-164318 A

However, in Patent Literature 1, the timing of subtracting the game points electromagnetically managed does not correspond to the shooting operation of the shooting device, and there is a risk of inappropriate processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of subtracting appropriate game points (the number of game balls) corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting device. aim.

The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A gaming machine capable of managing game points as game values and shooting game media using the game points,
a firing operation means capable of detecting a firing operation;
a shooting device capable of shooting a game medium toward a game area when a shooting enable condition is established based on detection of a shooting operation by the shooting operation means;
special signal generating means for generating a special signal in response to the firing operation due to the establishment of the firing enable condition;
supply means capable of supplying game media to the shooting device;
a detection means capable of detecting an abnormality in the supply of game media in the supply means;
with
A game point subtraction process is executed based on the special signal,
The launch device is
A supply abnormality is detected by the detection means, and when it is detected that the supply abnormality is resolved, a special firing operation that is a multiple firing operation is performed,
performing a specific firing operation based on a change from a state in which the firing condition is satisfied to a state in which the firing condition is not satisfied in a state in which no supply abnormality is detected by the detection means;
The special signal generating means does not generate the special signal when the specific firing operation is performed.
It is characterized by
In addition, the game machine of means 1 is
A game machine (for example, P machines 2/P machines 1002) that manages game points (for example, the number of game balls) as game values and can shoot game media (for example, game balls p) using the game points There is
A shooting operation means (for example, a ball hitting operation handle 25) capable of detecting a shooting operation;
Satisfaction of a firing enable condition based on the detection of the firing operation by the firing operation means (for example, the firing permission signal and the touch sensor are in an ON state, the firing stop switch is in an OFF state, and the handle volume is equal to or greater than a threshold value). a shooting device (e.g., shooting mechanism 30) capable of shooting game media toward a game area (e.g., game area 27) by
a special signal generating means (for example, a subtraction mechanism 32) for generating a special signal (for example, a subtraction reference signal) corresponding to the firing operation due to the fulfillment of the firing condition;
with
A game point subtraction process (for example, a subtraction mechanism control process by the frame control board 17 shown in FIG. 29) is executed based on the special signal,
The firing device performs a specific firing operation (for example, as shown in FIG. 30, the firing stop switch is turned on and the firing enable condition is disabled) based on the fact that the firing enable condition is changed from the satisfied state to the non-fulfilled state. When the state is established, the firing solenoid 31a is turned on to operate the punch 42).
The special signal generating means does not generate a special signal when the specific firing operation is performed (for example, as shown in FIG. 30, when the firing stop switch is turned on and the firing condition is not Regarding the ON state of the firing solenoid 31a, the part where the subtraction reference signal does not turn ON)
It is characterized by
According to these features, it is possible to realize appropriate game point subtraction processing corresponding to the shooting motion of the shooting device, and to prevent the game medium from remaining in the shooting device by the specific shooting motion. Inappropriate subtraction of game points due to the shooting motion can also be prevented.

The gaming machine of means 2 is the gaming machine according to means 1,
The specific firing motion includes multiple firing motions (for example, as shown in FIG. 30, when the firing stop switch is turned on, the firing solenoid 31a is turned on three times to operate the punch 42. )
It is characterized by
According to this feature, it is possible to more reliably prevent the game media from staying in the shooting device.

The gaming machine of means 3 is the gaming machine according to means 1 or 2 ,
a firing control means (e.g., a firing control board 31) capable of controlling the operation of the firing device;
A game to which a game board (for example, a game board 26) on which a game area (for example, a game area 27) is formed can be attached and which has a display device (for example, a game ball number indicator 29) capable of displaying game points. frame control means (for example, frame control board 17) provided in a game frame (for example, game machine frame 5) and capable of executing control of the game frame;
with
The special signal generating means is provided in the firing control means (as shown in FIG. 20, the portion where the subtraction reference signal is generated and output by the firing control board 31),
The frame control means executes the subtraction process based on the reception of the special signal from the firing control means, and executes display control for displaying the game points after the subtraction process on the display device ( For example, the part that executes S309 of the subtraction mechanism control processing by the frame control board 17 shown in FIG.
It is characterized by
According to this feature, since the special signal generating means is provided in the firing control means for performing firing control, an appropriate special signal can be generated, and the subtraction process is executed by the frame control means for performing display control. Since the game points displayed on the display device can be appropriately updated, it is possible to realize an appropriate game point subtraction process corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting device.

The gaming machine of means 4 is the gaming machine according to means 3 ,
A transportation means (for example, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a movable piece 45, etc.) that can supply a game medium to the shooting device by transportation,
The frame control means is capable of controlling transport of the game medium by the transport means, and controls transport of the game medium by the transport means based on the reception of the special signal (for example, by outputting a subtraction reference signal). Part that drives the movable piece 45 and conveys the game ball p by controlling the subtraction solenoid 32a based on the received information)
It is characterized by
According to this feature, it is possible to realize appropriate transportation corresponding to the firing operation.

The gaming machine of means 5 is the gaming machine according to means 4 ,
An entry detection means (for example, a subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b) for detecting a game medium entering the transport means,
The frame control means executes subtraction processing of the game points based on the detection of the game medium by the entry detection means after receiving the special signal (for example, subtraction mechanism control by the frame control board 17 shown in FIG. 29). In the processing, after the determination of "Y" in S301 because the subtraction reference signal is ON, the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b is turned ON and the gaming ball p is detected, and thus the determination is "Y" in S303. part that executes the processing of S309 by
It is characterized by
According to this feature, it is possible to perform the subtraction process corresponding to the transportation by the transportation means as well as the firing operation.

The gaming machine of means 6 is the gaming machine according to any one of means 3 to 5 ,
transport means (for example, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a movable piece 45, etc.) capable of transporting and supplying game media to the shooting device;
discharge detection means (for example, a subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c) for detecting game media discharged from the transport means;
with
The frame control means can determine a transport abnormality in the transport means based on the special signal and the detection status of the game medium by the discharge detection means (for example, as shown in FIG. 32, the subtraction reference signal is 16 ms after turning on, when the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is turned on, it is determined that ball clogging has occurred)
It is characterized by
According to this feature, it is possible to appropriately determine a transport abnormality in the transport means.

The gaming machine of means 7 is the gaming machine according to any one of means 3 to 6 ,
Based on the occurrence of a special event (for example, an error), the frame control means sends a predetermined signal (for example, a game machine information response signal including an error notification) for notifying the occurrence of the special event to the game machine. A game control means (for example, main control board 16) for controlling games on the board has a predetermined signal output means (for example, a serial communication section for serial communication with the main control board 16),
Based on the output of the predetermined signal from the predetermined signal output means, the game control means performs a firing prohibition process for prohibiting the firing operation of the firing device (for example, as shown in FIG. process to stop signal output).
According to this feature, the game control means can grasp the occurrence of the special event, and can prohibit the shooting action according to the occurrence of the special event.

The gaming machine of means 8 is the gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 7 ,
The shooting device is provided below the game area (for example, as shown in the P platform 1002 of the second embodiment, the shooting mechanism 30 is provided below the game area 27. FIG. 57, 61 and 62),
A non-reaching medium detection means (for example, foul ball detection switch 703) capable of detecting a game medium that has been fired from the shooting device but has not reached the game area,
A game point addition process can be executed based on detection of a game medium by the non-arrival medium detecting means (for example, as shown in FIG. 79, the frame control board 17 executes steps S311 to S314). )
It is characterized by
According to this feature, even when a game medium that does not reach the game area is shot, appropriate game point addition processing can be realized.

In addition, the present invention may have only the matters specifying the invention described in the claims of the present invention, or may include the matters specifying the invention described in the claims of the present invention as well as the matters specifying the invention other than the matters specifying the invention. It can be anything.

It is a front view showing a card unit and a pachinko game machine. It is a perspective view showing a state in which the glass door and the game machine frame of the pachinko game machine are opened. It is a figure which shows the state before and after a game board is attached to a game machine frame. It is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the card unit and the pachinko game machine. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of signals transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing the timing of signals transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing major data among various data stored in the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine, respectively, and transmission/reception modes thereof; It is a figure which shows the classification of gaming machine information, and the priority of each classification. It is a diagram showing a basic sequence of game machine information notification. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when different types of gaming machine information are transmitted at the same time; It is a diagram showing another form of communication between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the count notification sequence in other communication forms. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a lending notification sequence in another communication form; It is a diagram showing a communication recovery sequence when communication between the card unit and the pachinko game machine is interrupted. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence when a communication error occurs during counting; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence when a communication error occurs during rental; It is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the firing mechanism. It is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the ball passage of the shooting mechanism is filled with game balls. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining shooting of game media and subtraction of the number of game balls; FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining processing in a launching mechanism; FIG. It is the figure which showed the memory map of CPU in a frame control board. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map of an internal ROM area; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a program area within a usage area and a program area outside a usage area in a built-in ROM area; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing in a CPU mounted on a frame control board; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing power-on processing in a CPU mounted on a frame control board; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main loop processing in a CPU mounted on a frame control board; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt control processing in a CPU mounted on a frame control board; FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a subtraction mechanism control process; 4 is a timing chart for explaining the processing in the shooting mechanism and the operation of the hitting operation handle; It is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the subtraction mechanism and the game ball number display. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation when ball clogging is detected by a subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining notification processing when an abnormality is detected; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining types of notifiable errors and fraud detection; FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining errors and fraud detection that occur in the game machine frame and the game board; 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a backup power supply board; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between a main control board and a frame control board; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a communication sequence for explaining communication timing; 4 is a diagram showing a list of commands transmitted and received between the main control board and the frame control board; FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a state in which the main control board stops the output of the launch permission signal; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a command for notifying gaming machine installation information and a response for gaming machine installation information response; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining commands for notifying gaming machine information; It is a figure for demonstrating the classification information contained in game information. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a command for gaming machine information response; It is a front view showing an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine and a card unit in a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing a state in which the enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine is seen obliquely from the front right. They are a left side view, a right side view, and a rear view showing the enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine. It is the top view and bottom view which show an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine. FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 45; FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 45; FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 45; FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 45; FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 45; It is a perspective view showing a mounting method of the game board. It is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting method of the game board. (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the mounting state by the upper board presser, and (C) is a perspective view showing the lower board presser. It is the perspective view which shows the state which looked at the front lower part of the game machine frame from the diagonally right front side. It is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of the members of the game machine frame is removed and the structure of the lower back surface is seen from the diagonally front right side. It is the perspective view which shows the state which looked at the back lower part of the game machine frame from the diagonally right rear side. It is a perspective view showing a state in which the lower back surface of the game machine frame is seen from the diagonal rear left side. It is a schematic front view showing a circulation path of game balls. It is a schematic perspective view showing a circulation path of game balls. (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a normal state of the collected-ball flowing-down path, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a clogging of the collected-ball flowing-down path when clogging is detected. (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which ball clogging in the collected ball flow-down path is released, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing ball removal from the collected ball flow-down path. (A) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the polishing cassette is supported, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the polishing cassette is pulled out. It is a schematic front view showing a circulation path of game balls as a modification 1. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view showing a circulation path of game balls as a first modification. It is a schematic front view showing a circulation path of game balls as a modification 2. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view showing a circulation path of game balls as a modification 2. FIG. 14 is a schematic front view showing a circulation path of game balls as Modified Example 3. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view showing a circulation path of game balls as a third modification. It is a perspective view which shows the state which looked at the glass door base and the decorative cover from the diagonally front right side. It is a perspective view which shows the state which looked the glass door base and the decorative cover from the diagonally rear right side. It is a schematic rear view which shows the locking mechanism of a glass door base. (A) is a schematic front view showing the locked state of the left lock mechanism, and (B) the unlocked state. (A) is a locked state of the lock mechanism on the left side, and (B) is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the unlocked state. It is explanatory drawing which shows that various decorative covers can be exchanged for a glass door base. It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second form of pachinko game machine having a shooting device below the game board. It is a flow chart showing launch control and return ball control in the pachinko game machine of the second form. It is a timing chart for explaining the processing in the shooting mechanism, the operation of the hitting operation handle, and the addition of the number of game balls by foul balls.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of pachinko machine according to first embodiment>
First, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the first embodiment will be described. On each game island (not shown) arranged in a game hall (hall), an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine (hereinafter also abbreviated as a game machine, pachinko machine or P machine) is an example of a game machine. ) 2 are installed. A card unit (hereinafter also abbreviated as CU) 3, which is an example of a game device, is installed in a one-to-one correspondence with the P table 2 at a predetermined side position of the P table 2. there is Although a card unit will be described below as an example of a gaming device according to the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a call lamp device or the like.

The P table 2 encloses a game ball (pachinko ball) p, which is an example of a game medium (hereinafter also referred to as an enclosed ball), and is provided on the upper left side when the player operates the batting operation handle 25 . A shooting solenoid 31a of a shooting mechanism 30, which is a shooting device, is driven to shoot enclosed balls one by one into a game area 27 on the front surface of a game board 26, so that a game can be played. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the ball hitting operation handle 25, and when the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player is operating the ball hitting operation handle 25, the player's hand touches the touch sensor. The contact is detected by the touch sensor and the firing solenoid is driven. In this state, the enclosed ball is shot into the game area 27 by adjusting the hitting ball shooting momentum according to the amount of rotation operation of the hitting ball operation handle 25 by the player.

When the shooting solenoid 31a is driven to hit the enclosed ball into the game area 27 one by one, the subtraction mechanism 32 accordingly subtracts one ball (1 point) from the number of game balls (game points) that can be played on the P table 2. Subtract. The shooting intensity of the game ball (hereinafter simply referred to as shooting intensity T) can be adjusted according to the amount of rotation operation of the ball hitting operation handle 25 (hereinafter also simply referred to as handle operation amount), and the handle operation amount is increased. The emission intensity T increases accordingly. Therefore, the player can adjust the launch intensity T so that the game ball passes through the area he or she is aiming at by adjusting the amount of operation of the handle.

The P table 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called first-class pachinko game machine, and a variable display device (also called a special symbol) 278 is provided in the center of the game area 27 . In addition, the game area 27 is provided with a plurality of types of prize-winning openings in which the hit enclosed ball can win a prize. In the game area 27 shown in FIG. 1, one big winning hole (variable winning ball device) 271, three normal winning holes 272, 273, 274, and three start winning holes 275, 276, 277 are shown. ing. In particular, the starting prize-winning port 276 is composed of an electric tulip that can be changed between a first state that is advantageous to the player (eg, open state) and a second state that is disadvantageous to the player (eg, closed state). .

The variable display device 278 has three variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (symbols). The variable display of those multiple types of identification information is started. When the display result of the variable display device becomes a combination of specific identification information (for example, double eyes in which the same pattern is derived and displayed on each variable display part), a big win state (also called a big win game state) occurs, and a big winning opening 271. opens.

In addition, the display result of the variable display device 278 is a combination of predetermined special identification information (for example, a combination of definite variable symbols such as 777) among the combination of jackpot symbols (double eyes). After the end of the accompanying jackpot state, a probability variable state (probability variable state) in which the probability of occurrence of the jackpot is improved occurs.

The enclosed ball hit into the game area 27 wins a prize in one of the prize-winning openings, or is collected to an out-port 154 without winning a prize. Enclosed balls that have entered one of the winning openings and enclosed balls that have been collected in the out opening 154 are returned to the hitting ball launching position through the collection path in the P platform 2 again. When the player operates the batted ball operation handle 25, the enclosed ball at the batted ball launching position is hit into the game area 27 again.

A game ball number indicator 29 for displaying the number of game balls is provided above the ball hitting operation handle 25 of the P platform 2 . The game ball number display 29 is composed of a 7-segment LED display, and is controlled by a frame control section 171 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later. This game ball number display 29 displays the number of game balls, which are game points that can be used in a game, an error number of an error that has occurred, and the like. The game ball number display 29 is not limited to a 7-segment LED display, and may be configured with a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or other display.

Furthermore, a count button 28 is provided at the left side of the game ball number display 29 on the P table 2 to execute a counting process of shifting the number of game balls to the possessed ball. In the present embodiment, the counting process is repeatedly executed according to the length of time the counting button 28 is kept pressed (for example, every time the button is kept pressed for 0.3 seconds, the counting process of 250 balls is executed). It should be noted that regardless of the pressing duration, when the button is pressed once, a predetermined number (for example, 250 balls) may be counted (transitioned) from the number of game balls to the number of held balls, or the counting button 28 may be set to 1. When pressed once, regardless of the pressing time (regardless of long pressing), all the number of game balls owned by the player at that time may be counted (transferred). . In addition, the counting speed is further improved when the card return operation is performed, realizing smooth card return processing.

Thus, since the count button 28 is provided on the P table 2 side, the operability of the player sitting facing the P table 2 can be improved compared to the case where the count button 28 is provided on the CU3 side. . In addition, speakers 270 for outputting music data to be reproduced in accordance with the effects displayed on the variable display device 278 are provided on the P table 2 at the upper right position and the upper left position of the game area 27 . Note that the positions and the number of speakers are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the positions and the number may be changed as necessary.

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

<Configuration of card unit>
Next, still referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of CU3 according to the present embodiment will be described. This CU3 can be a visitor card (also called a general card) with a prepaid function, which is a game storage medium issued to general players who have not registered as members, or a member player who has registered as a member of the game parlor. A member card, which is a game storage medium issued to a player, is accepted. A visitor card or a membership card is composed of an IC card.

The CU 3 that has received those cards uses the game value owned by the player (for example, the prepaid balance, the number of held balls, or the number of stored balls, etc.) specified by the stored information of the card for shooting game balls at the P machine 2. It has a function to convert into possible "game ball data". At the P table 2, a pinball game corresponding to the number of balls specified by the game ball data is enabled. In other words, the “game ball data” is data indicating the remaining number of shootable balls (the number of game balls). In the following description, "game ball data" may be simply referred to as "game ball" in the same way as stored balls and held balls.

A bill insertion slot 302 for inserting bills, a card insertion/ejection slot 309 for inserting a membership card or a visitor card, and the like are provided on the front side of the CU3. A card reader/writer (not shown) accepts a member card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion/ejection port 309, and reads information stored in the card.

On the front side of CU3 is a display 312, and when a membership card is accepted, a membership card ID (simply referred to as a card ID or C-ID) stored in the membership card and a membership card ID specified by the membership card ID. A replay button 319 is provided for executing a replay game using the number of stored balls.

The display device 312 displays the prepaid balance stored in the inserted game storage medium (card), and can display the number of game balls and other various information. Various operations can be input by touching various display items displayed on the display unit of the display device 312 with a finger.

When the replay button 319 is operated, if the inserted card stores the number of possession balls acquired by the player, part of the number of possession balls is withdrawn and converted into game balls, and converted into game balls. Based on this, it becomes possible to play a game using the P table 2 . On the other hand, if the inserted card is a membership card and the number of balls held is not stored and the stored balls are stored in the hall management computer or the like, part of the stored balls is withdrawn and the game is played. It is converted into a ball, and a game can be played on the P table 2. - 特許庁That is, when both the stored ball and the held ball are stored in association with the inserted card, the held ball is preferentially converted. In addition to the replay button 319, a dedicated ball payout button for converting owned balls may be provided, and the replay button 319 may be a dedicated button for withdrawing stored balls.

Here, a "stored ball" is a ball that is deposited in the hall out of the balls acquired on the previous day or earlier, and becomes a game ball when the stored ball is paid out. A stored ball is a game medium deposited in a game hall, and is generally managed by a hall management computer or other management computer installed in the game hall.

"Possessed ball" is a ball acquired on the day, and becomes a game ball by payout of the possessed ball. The number of balls in possession is the number of game balls that the player has owned as a result of playing the game on the P machine 2, and is the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall. It's about. In general, the number of balls acquired by a player on the day in amusement arcades is called "balls possessed", and the number of balls acquired by a player on the day before and deposited in the arcade is called "stored balls". ’ says.

A “game ball” is a ball that can be shot from the P platform 2 . As already explained, the data on the number of game balls is generated in exchange for the withdrawal of the balance of the prepaid card, owned balls, or stored balls.

Incidentally, the number of owned balls may be managed by a management device for managing the number of owned balls set in the game hall. In short, the difference between "stored balls" and "balls in possession" is the number of balls that have been stored in the game hall after the operation for depositing them into the game hall, or the number of balls that have been deposited in the game hall. It is a point whether it is the number of balls in the stage that is not put in.

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

The timing at which the held balls are stored in the card (member card, visitor card) or the hall server is, for example, stored in real time each time the count button 28 is operated and the counting process is performed. Alternatively, the timing may be set such that the card is stored collectively when the card is returned.

Further, when the player finishes playing and returns the card from the CU3, the held balls stored in the CU3 are temporarily stored in the hall server as stored balls, and the day the player receives the return of the card. When the card is inserted again in the same or another CU3 on the same day, only the held balls for the day once stored as stored balls are stored again in the CU3, and the game balls are added within the range of the held balls, You may enable it to play.

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

An IR (Infrared) photosensitive unit (also referred to as an IR light receiving unit) 320, a ball lending button (also referred to as a lending button) 321, and a card return button 322 are further provided on the front side of the CU3. The IR sensitive unit 320 is an IR sensitive unit 320 that receives an infrared signal from a remote control (not shown) carried by a game hall attendant, converts it into an electronic signal, and outputs the electronic signal. The ball lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to game balls) for withdrawing the balance stored in the inserted card and using it for a game on the P table 2 . The card return button 322 is operated when the player ends the game, and the inserted card has the fixed number of balls at the end of the game (number of balls at the time of inserting the card - number of balls converted into game balls + counting). It is an operation button for storing and discharging the number of possession balls counted (transferred) by the operation.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the P platform 2 is configured such that a gaming machine frame (hereinafter also referred to as a cell) 5 and a glass door 6 are pivoted about the left edge of the outer frame 4 in the form of a picture frame. It is provided so that it can be opened and closed.

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

Then, when the staff of the game hall inserts the key into the keyhole 10 shown in FIG. 6b is pushed upward, and as a result, the engagement of the engagement projections 6a, 6b with the engagement receiving pieces 7a, 7b is released to enter the unlocked state, and the game machine frame 5 is opened.

Furthermore, the game machine frame 5 is also provided with an engagement projection 8 for the glass door 6 , and an engagement hole 9 is provided in a portion of the glass door 6 facing the engagement projection 8 . The engagement projection 8 is pressed downward by a spring (not shown), and when the glass door 6 in the open state is pressed against the game machine frame 5, the engagement projection 8 is pushed up by the lower edge portion of the engagement hole 9. By getting over it, the engaging projection 8 is pushed down by the urging force of the spring, and the engaging projection 8 and the engaging hole 9 are engaged and locked. In this state, the staff of the game hall inserts the key into the keyhole 10 shown in FIG. As a result, the engagement between the engagement projection 8 and the engagement hole 9 is released, the lock is released, and the glass door 6 is opened.

A back mechanism part opening switch 13 is provided at a portion of the lower part of the game machine frame 5 that contacts the outer frame 4, and the opening of the game machine frame 5 is detected. A front decoration open switch 12 is provided at a contact portion of the upper part of the game machine frame 5 with the glass door 6, and the opening of the glass door 6 is detected by the front decoration open switch 12. - 特許庁

The number of times the front cover open switch 12 and the back mechanism open switch 13 are opened is counted by a 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 operate with a backup power supply even when the power supply to the P unit 2 is interrupted. Even when the power is off, the number of open detection times of the glass door 6 or the game machine frame 5 can be counted and the counted value can be transmitted to the frame control section 171 (see FIG. 4). Here, the backup power source is, for example, a capacitor or a storage battery provided in the P platform 2 .

A 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 becomes detachable from the game board 26 by first opening the game machine frame 5 and removing the game board 26 from the game machine frame 5.例文帳に追加In other words, in order to remove the main control board 16 from the game board 26 or to replace the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16, the game machine frame 5 must be opened. can always detect the work. Therefore, if the main control board 16 is illegally removed from the game board 26 or if the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16 is illegally replaced, the back mechanism open switch 13 can detect it.

Furthermore, a frame control board 17 is provided on the back surface of the game machine frame 5 . The frame control board 17 also needs to be removed from the back surface of the game machine frame 5 after the game machine frame 5 is first opened. Therefore, if the frame control board 17 is illegally removed from the back surface of the game machine frame 5, or if the semiconductor chip provided on the frame control board 17 is illegally replaced, the back mechanism open switch 13 can always detect it.

Next, a configuration for installing the game board 26 in the game machine frame 5 will be described. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing states before and after the game board 26 is attached to the game machine frame 5. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, mounting mechanisms 34a and 34b are provided on the rear surface of the game machine frame 5 so as to be openable and closable around hinges 35a and 35b, respectively. The attachment mechanisms 34a and 34b are U-shaped and have a bottom width corresponding to the game board 26. - 特許庁By pushing the game board 26 into the game machine frame 5 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3(b), the game board 26 is fixed by the mounting mechanisms 34a and 34b as shown in FIG. 3(a). 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 with 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 game board 26 is installed in the game machine frame 5, the convex drawer connector 33A is coupled with the concave drawer connector 33B so that the main control board 16 on the game board 26 side and the frame on the game machine frame 5 side are connected. The control board 17 is connected. Furthermore, the game board 26 is fixed in a fixed position, and the convex drawer connector 33A and the concave drawer connector 33B have flexibility against positional deviation to some extent. These can be combined without being conscious of the positional relationship with the connector 33B. Even if the game board 26 is installed in the game machine frame 5 only with 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 33B may be used. Since 33B itself is a flexible floating connector, the game board 26 and the game machine frame 5 can be connected without being conscious of their positional relationship. 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 via the signal cable 36 to the frame shown in FIG. It is connected to the control board 17 .

<Configuration of card unit and pachinko machine>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used for CU3 and P-table 2. As shown in FIG. The outline of the control circuit for the CU 3 and the P table 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The CU3 is provided with a CU control unit 323 configured by a microcomputer or the like. The CU control unit 323 is the main control function unit of the CU 3, and includes a CPU as a control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for the CPU to operate, a RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU, peripheral An input/output interface and the like are provided to maintain signal consistency with equipment.

The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external output terminal 340 for communicating with a hall management computer and a hall server for security management. CU3 transmits the state of CU3 and the gaming machine state information (including information displayed on the performance display monitor 40) received from the P machine 2 via the external output terminal 340 to a hall management computer (hall computer) or a security system. Send 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 a security board (SC board; not shown) on which the communication control IC 325 and the like are mounted. The communication control IC 325 of the SC board and the frame control board 17 are connected by, for example, an asynchronous serial communication port. Communication between the CU control unit 323 and the frame control board 17 is performed bi-directionally for a signal related to lending (a signal related to an operation for withdrawing the balance stored in the inserted card and using it for a game on the P table 2). ing. Other signals related to counting (signals related to counting processing from game balls to held balls) and signals related to game machine information are one-way communications from the frame control board 17 to the CU control unit 323 . The CU3 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the side of the P table 2, and the P table 2 is provided with a connection portion (not shown) to the side of the CU3. These connection units are composed of dedicated interfaces (dedicated PIFs) such as connectors, for example.

The CU control unit 323 is supplied with the identification result signal after identification of the bill's authenticity and type by the above-described currency identification device. In addition, when the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives infrared rays emitted from a remote control possessed by a game arcade attendant, the received light signal is input to the CU control unit 323 . The card reader/writer reads the stored information of the inserted card and inputs the read information to the CU control unit 323. At the same time, the CU control unit 323 instructs the card reader/writer to write the information to the inserted card. When data is transmitted, the card reader/writer writes the data to the inserted card. The information stored in the card includes a card ID. The CU control unit 323 stores the card ID read by the card reader/writer until the game ends.

The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the balls possessed by the player while the player is playing the game. Data such as the balance or the number of balls held is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350 and 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 CU3. The display 312 displays an image corresponding to the display data. Also, 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 section 323 via the display control section 350 . When the player operates the ball lending button 321 , the operation signal is input to the CU control section 323 . The ball lending button 321 is not limited to the configuration provided on the CU 3 , and may be provided on the P table 2 to input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323 . When the player operates the replay button 319 , the operation signal is input to the CU control section 323 . When the player operates the card return button 322 , the operation signal is input to the CU control section 323 .

The P machine 2 controls the main control board 16 for controlling the progress of the game on the P machine 2 and the gaming machine frame 5, manages and stores the game balls, and controls the display of the game ball number display 29. a frame control board 17, a firing control board 31 for driving and controlling the firing solenoid 31a based on commands from the frame control board 17, a variable display device 278, and a variable display based on commands sent from the main control board 16. A performance control board 15 for controlling the display of the device 278 is provided.

The main control board 16 and the effect control board 15 are provided on the game board 26 . The main control board 16 is equipped with a game control microcomputer, which is the main control section 161 . The main control section 161 is the main control function section of the gaming machine. The game machine control microcomputer consists of the CPU as the control center, the ROM that stores programs and control data for the CPU to operate, the RAM that functions as the work area for the CPU, and maintains signal consistency with peripheral devices. An input/output interface and the like are provided for this purpose. The main control unit 161 is connected to a winning sensor 162 and a radio wave sensor 163 provided on the game board 26 .

The main control unit 161 selects a random number for determining a big win (or a small win)/losing when a ball wins in each of the start winning holes 275, 276, and 277, and stores the random number. This is called reserved memory. The maximum number of reserved memories is, for example, "4". When the variable display device 278 becomes ready to start a new variable display, the main control unit 161 consumes one reserved memory, performs a jackpot determination based on the reserved memory, and derives the display result from the start of the variable display. The variable display time up to the point is determined from a plurality of types. Moreover, when a big hit is determined, it is also determined whether or not to generate a probability variation. The main control unit 161 transmits the result of the big hit determination (including whether or not to change probability) and the information on the variable display time to the effect control unit 151 mounted on the effect control board 15 as a command.

Commands related to variable display transmitted from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151 include a variable start command indicating the start of variable display, a display result command (big hit/loss) indicating the result of variable display, and a variable display pattern. A possible variable display time command, a variable stop command indicating the timing for deriving and displaying a variable display result, and the like are included. Furthermore, the commands sent from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151 include a command that can identify the progress of the big win during the big win, a command that indicates the occurrence of a new pending memory, and a command that indicates the occurrence of an error in the game state. There are commands to show

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

The frame control board 17 is provided in the game machine frame 5 . The frame control board 17 is equipped with a payout control microcomputer, which is a frame control section 171 . The frame control unit 171 is a payout control function unit of the gaming machine. The payout control microcomputer has a CPU as the control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for the CPU to operate, a RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU, and maintains signal consistency with peripheral devices. An input/output interface and the like are provided for this purpose. The CPU of the frame control board 17 executes various programs stored in ROM (built-in) to perform various processes such as power-on processing, communication processing, game ball number display processing, performance display calculation processing, and error detection processing. various control processes (see FIG. 24).

For the frame control board 17, a counting button 28, a performance display monitor 40, a radio wave sensor 173, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b, a subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c, a lifting mechanism exit sensor 33, and an out ball detection switch 701 , the safe ball detection switch 702, the front cover open switch 12, and the back mechanism open switch 13 are provided in an electrically connected state. An out-ball detection signal is input from the out-ball detection switch 701 to the frame control board 17 . The main control board 16 calculates a base value (also simply referred to as a base) based on the out-ball detection signal, as will be described later. The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting a fraudulent act of illegally transmitting radio waves to keep the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b always on. A detection signal from the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the frame control section 171 via an input port (not shown) of the frame control board 17 . The subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b detects the shooting of game balls by changing from off to on, and based on the detection, the frame control section 171 subtracts "1" from the number of game balls.

Therefore, if the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b is always turned off due to illegal radio waves, the number of game balls will not be subtracted no matter how many balls are shot. The radio wave sensor 173 detects such fraud by radio waves.

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

Here, the base is the large winning opening 271, normal winning openings 272 to 274, and start winning opening 275 to It is the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given according to the winning of the game balls to the winning opening such as 277. In addition, the role ratio (also referred to as role ratio) refers to the ratio of the game balls acquired by the game balls fired in 10 hours due to the operation of the role. In this embodiment, the role ratio corresponds to the game value given by winning the game balls fired in 10 hours (60,000 balls because 100 balls can be fired in one minute) into all the winning holes. Of the number of game balls to be played, a start winning opening 276 composed of an electric tulip as one of the accessories and a big winning opening 271 composed of a variable winning ball device as one of the accessories are played. It refers to the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning a prize of the ball. In addition, the continuous role ratio (also referred to as continuous ratio) is the ratio of the number of game balls acquired from the game balls fired in 10 hours due to the operation of the relevant role when the role is continuously operated. say. In the present embodiment, the continuous role ratio is the game value given by winning the game balls fired in 10 hours (60,000 balls because 100 balls can be fired in one minute) into all the winning holes. Among the number of corresponding game balls, the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning the game ball to the big winning hole 271 provided with the variable winning ball device which is one of the accessories say. In this embodiment, the base, the character ratio, and the continuous character ratio are displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other performance information may be displayable, and these other displayable performance information may be output to the outside in the same manner as the base, the character ratio, and the continuous character ratio.

Main control chip ID, winning slot information, round information, winning detection signal, starting winning slot winning information, error information, number of symbol determination times, and jackpot information are transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17.

The main control chip ID (also called 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. Winning hole information is information including the type of winning hole (starting winning hole, normal winning hole, big winning hole) and the number of prize balls (the number of payout balls when a game ball enters the winning hole). It is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the base 2 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds when the jackpot is won, and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P table 2 is turned on.

The winning detection signal is a detection signal of a game ball that has entered a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. The frame control board 17, which receives this detection signal, performs control to add the number of balls to be given to the winning ball to the number of game balls and the number of additional balls.

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

The number of design determinations is information on the design determined as the display result of the variable display device for winning a prize in each starting prize winning opening.

The jackpot information is information indicating that a jackpot has occurred, and includes common jackpot information indicating jackpots common to each manufacturer and manufacturer-specific jackpot information indicating manufacturer-specific jackpots. The common jackpot information is a jackpot commonly adopted by each game machine maker, such as a 15-round jackpot, for example. When a time-saving state (control state for shortening the variable display time of the variable display device) occurs, the time-saving information is included. A maker-specific jackpot is a jackpot state such as a sudden change in probability (suddenly), which is adopted only by a certain game machine maker.

The gaming machine installation information reception result, the gaming 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 CU3 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. Conversely, various responses are transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the communication control IC 325 as will be 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 indicator 29. As shown in FIG. Although the game ball number display 29 may be directly attached to the game machine frame 5, it may be attached to the game machine frame 5 like the upper and lower trays provided on the front side of a normal pachinko game machine from which balls are paid out. You may make it provide in the aspect which can be rotated with respect to. The frame control unit 171 of the frame control board 17 displays the number of game balls currently owned by the player on the game ball number display 29 .

A firing enable signal is output from the frame control board 17 to the firing control board 31 . The firing control board 31 receiving it outputs a signal for exciting the firing solenoid 31 a of the firing mechanism 30 . As a result, the game ball is shot to the game area 27 . The shooting control board 31 emits a shooting solenoid excitation output and drives the shooting solenoid 31a when the input signal of the touch ring for detecting that the player touches the hitting operation handle 25 is input.

The RAM clear switch 293 is a switch for erasing the gaming machine information and game information stored in the RAM of the P machine 2. After the P machine is in an error state, the switch is operated by the clerk to clear the initial state. state can be restored. This RAM clear switch 293 is operated by a store clerk, for example, after the card is ejected.

<Circulation path of game balls>
Here, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the circulation route of the game ball in P stand 2 is outlined. When the player operates the hitting operation handle 25, the shooting solenoid 31a is driven. As a result, one game ball that has been supplied to the shooting position is shot by a pestle 42 to be described later, and the game ball is hit into the game area 27 .

A subtraction reference signal is output to the subtraction mechanism 32 in conjunction with the shooting solenoid 31a operating and the game ball being shot. In the subtraction mechanism 32, based on the output subtraction reference signal, the subtraction solenoid 32a is energized to move the movable piece to send the game ball to the shooting mechanism 30, and the game ball is sent to the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b and the subtraction mechanism exit sensor. 32c, the number of game balls is subtracted (see FIG. 29).

Of the balls hit into the game area 27, the out balls that enter 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 on the way. .

All the winning balls that have entered the winning opening or the variable winning ball device are collected at the back of the game machine and guided to the collected ball passage path. Similarly, out balls and foul balls are also guided to the recovery ball passage path. A lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 is provided in the recovery ball passage path. Therefore, all winning balls, out balls, and foul balls are detected by the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 . In other words, the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 is a switch that detects all of the game balls that have been shot. When the number detected by the switch and the number of shots of the game balls shot by the shot solenoid 31a become equal, it can be determined that all the hit game balls have been recovered.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the difference between the number detected by the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 and the number of shots is calculated. It is determined that it has not been completed. By making this determination, it can be determined whether or not there is a floating ball that is rolling in the game area 27 or caught between nails or the like in the game area and not falling.

<Frame configuration used in communication between CU3 and P unit 2>
Next, communication between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail. A message used in the communication is composed of a frame having a predetermined format. Transmission data (telegram) is always transmitted in units of one frame. In other words, the message is not divided and transmitted. Also, when sending electronic messages continuously, leave an interval of 1 millisecond or more.

<Signals sent and received between the CU and the P unit>
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an outline of signals (telegrams) transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 will be described. (a) a signal related to lending, (b) a signal related to counting, and (c) a signal related to gaming machine information are respectively separated from the frame control board 17 of the P machine 2 to the CU 3, and a common asynchronous message is sent. Communicate with the serial communication port. The three types of signals (telegrams) (a) to (c) sent and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 have different headers, and the type of the telegram can be distinguished by the header. It has become. It should be noted that (b) signals related to counting and (c) signals related to gaming machine information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port. Further, (a) a signal related to lending and (b) a signal related to counting may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port.

FIG. 5(a) shows a signal related to lending. In the signal related to lending, the P-unit 2 receives the number of lending balls and the lending serial number for communication management from the CU3, and transmits the lending ball reception result and the lending serial number to the CU3 in order to respond to the reception result. The number of lent balls, the result of receiving the number of lent balls, and the lending serial number are all signals for the purpose of lending game balls. Also, the number of rental balls transmitted by one signal is, for example, 125 balls. In addition, when the number of rental balls is 0 (zero), the signal related to the rental may be transmitted by inserting the information of 0 (zero) into the signal of the number of rental balls.

FIG. 5(b) shows signals related to counting. As a signal relating to counting, the P-unit 2 transmits the number of counting balls and a counting serial number for communication management to the CU3. Note that the P unit 2 does not receive the signal for confirming the transmission result from the CU3. Both the number of balls to be counted and the serial number to be counted are signals for the purpose of counting game balls. Also, the number of counted balls transmitted by one signal is, for example, 250 balls. When the number of balls counted is 0 (zero), the signal related to the counting may be transmitted by inserting the information of 0 (zero) into the signal of the number of counted balls.

FIG. 5(c) describes a signal related to gaming machine information. In the signal relating to the game machine information, the P machine 2 transmits the game machine installation information, the game machine performance information, the hall control information, and the fraud monitoring information to the CU3. Note that the P unit 2 does not receive the signal for confirming the transmission result from the CU3. The gaming machine installation information is a signal intended for machine history management, and is a signal transmitted after the power is turned on. The gaming machine installation information includes information such as the manufacturer code, model code, and chip ID number of the main/frame control CPU. Game machine performance information is a signal for the purpose of summarizing performance information, and includes information such as the number of game balls acquired per minute (low base), role ratio, continuous role ratio, etc. Hall controller information is information on hall controllers. It is a signal for the purpose of tallying, and includes big hits, probability fluctuations, time reduction, the number of winning balls in each winning hole, etc. number of balls), number of game balls serial number, fraud detection status 1, fraud detection status 2, fraud detection status 3, and other information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the card unit and the 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, out of the signals (a) relating to lending shown in FIG. 3 to No. 4, (b) a signal related to counting, and (c) a signal related to game machine information are transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 through a common asynchronous serial communication port. Conversely, among the signals relating to (a) lending shown in FIG. 1 to No. 2 signals are sent from CU3 to P-unit 2 over a common asynchronous serial communication port.

Among the signals transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3, the (c) signal relating to the gaming machine information is transmitted at regular intervals A as shown in FIG. In other words, the period from the transmission of a 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 milliseconds=0.3 seconds). The P machine 2 can transmit the gaming machine information to the CU3 every prescribed period A regardless of the reception status of the gaming machine information at the CU3. Therefore, the P machine 2 does not need to resend the gaming machine information, and it does not need to store the past gaming machine information, so that the processing load can be reduced. In the following, milliseconds may be expressed as ms.

In this way, signals are transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 at intervals of 300 ms. On the other hand, since 100 game balls are hit into the game area 27 per minute by operating the hitting ball operation handle 25 of the P table 2, the hitting time interval is 0.6 seconds. As a result, multiple signals are transmitted and received during one shot of the ball.

Signals related to gaming machine information are communicated through an asynchronous serial communication port common to signals related to counting (half-duplex communication). Therefore, if a signal related to counting is attempted to be transmitted at the same timing as a signal related to gaming machine information, signals congested within the common asynchronous serial communication port and data collision occurs, resulting in correct communication. may not be broken. Therefore, when the P machine 2 transmits the signal related to the game machine information to the CU 3 every specified period A, in order to optimize the information transmission, the signal related to the game machine information is sent for a specified period after the signal related to the game machine information is transmitted. At a timing corresponding to a specified period B (for example, 50 ms) shorter than A, communication is performed with the CU3 regarding a signal related to counting.

In FIG. 7, after transmitting the hall controller signal and the fraud monitoring signal to the CU3 as signals related to the gaming machine information, immediately before the next timing (after the lapse of the specified period A) of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information. The number of balls to be counted and the serial number to be counted are transmitted to the CU3 as a signal related to counting within a specified period B after the game machine information is transmitted. When the counting button 28 is operated by the player before the signal related to the game machine information is transmitted, the signal related to the count is transmitted at the timing of transmitting the signal related to the game machine information after the operation. , and is performed within a specified period B from the timing.

The transmission of the signal related to counting is not limited to the case where it is performed within the specified period B from the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, and any timing that does not cause congestion with the signal related to the gaming machine information. It may be from after the period B has elapsed to the timing when the next signal related to the gaming machine information is transmitted.

As a signal related to lending, when the player operates the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319, the number of lending balls and a lending serial number are transmitted from the CU3 to the P table 2. The signal related to the lending is also communicated through the same asynchronous serial communication port as the signal related to the gaming machine information. Therefore, when a signal related to lending is transmitted from the CU3 at the timing of transmitting a signal related to gaming machine information, signals become congested in the common asynchronous serial communication port, and data collision occurs, resulting in communication failure. It may not be done correctly.

Therefore, when the P machine 2 transmits a signal related to the gaming machine information to the CU3 every prescribed period A, the CU3 receives the signal related to the gaming machine information on the condition that the signal related to the counting is not received. is transmitted, the signal relating to lending is communicated with the P unit 2 at a timing corresponding to a specified period C (for example, 100 ms) different from the specified periods A and B. In other words, the P machine 2 receives the signal of the number of lent balls and the lent serial number from the CU 3 at the timing after the specified period C has passed since the signal related to the gaming machine information was transmitted. When the P machine 2 receives the signal of the number of rental balls and the rental serial number from CU3, it transmits the signal of the reception result of the number of rental balls and the rental serial number to CU3. In addition, 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 number of lending balls and the number of lending serial numbers are transmitted after the operation. Waiting for the timing of receiving the signal related to the gaming machine information from the P machine 2, it is carried out after the lapse of the specified period C from the timing.

The transmission of the signal related to lending is not limited to the case where it is performed after the specified period C has elapsed from the timing of transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information, and any timing that does not cause congestion with the signal related to the gaming machine information may be used. It may be the timing within the specified period C after the lapse of the specified period B after the signal related to the machine information is received. It should be noted that different values can be appropriately set for the specified periods A to C so that the communication timing of various information is shifted.

<Transmission mode when transmission of game machine information for each type is duplicated>
Next, a description will be given of the mode of transmission when the transmission of each type of gaming machine information overlaps. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the types of gaming machine information, their notification conditions, and their priorities according to the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 5(c), gaming machine installation information, gaming machine performance information, hall controller information, and fraud monitoring information are sent to CU3 as signals related to gaming machine information. be.

Of these gaming machine information, the hall control information and fraud monitoring information are transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 every 300 milliseconds, for example, every 300 milliseconds, which is a predetermined period A from the completion of activation of the P machine 2. is the highest "1". Also, the gaming machine installation information is transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU3 every 60 seconds after the start of the P machine 2 is completed, and the transmission priority is "2". In addition, the gaming machine performance information is transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU3 every 180 seconds after the start of the P machine 2 is completed, and the transmission priority is "3".

Hall control information/fraud monitoring information is transmitted not only when there is gaming information to be transmitted (half control information or fraud monitoring information), but also when there is no gaming information to be transmitted. Hall control information and fraud monitoring information when there is no game information to be played are also transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 every 300 milliseconds, which is the predetermined period A after the completion of activation of the P machine 2, but the priority is as follows. "4" is the lowest. That is, the hall control information/fraud monitoring information has the highest priority when there is game information to be transmitted, but has the lowest priority when there is no game information to be transmitted. The gaming machine information of the type is preferentially transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU3. In the following explanation, the case where there is gaming information to be transmitted is referred to as hall con information/fraud monitoring information (with gaming information), and the case where there is no gaming information to be transmitted is referred to as hall con information/fraud monitoring information. Described as monitoring information (without game information).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the start-up of the P machine 2 is completed, hall control information/fraud monitoring information (no game information) is first transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 as gaming machine information. After that, during the period from the elapse of the predetermined period A to the next transmission of the gaming machine information, transmission/reception of a signal related to counting, a signal related to lending, etc. is executed. After the predetermined period A elapses, the gaming machine information (for example, hall controller information/fraud monitoring information (no game information) or hall controller information/fraud monitoring information (with game information)) is repeatedly generated each time the predetermined period A elapses. It is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU3.

Then, when 60 seconds have passed since the start-up is completed, for example, game machine installation information is transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 as game machine information, prior to the hall control information and fraud monitoring information (no game information). . Since the gaming machine installation information is transmitted every 60 seconds after the transmission, the transmission timing overlaps with the gaming machine performance information that should be transmitted when 180 seconds have passed since the completion of activation. Sometimes.

In this way, when the transmission timing of the gaming machine installation information and the transmission timing of the gaming machine performance information overlap, as shown in FIG. The gaming machine performance information, which is transmitted first and has a lower priority, is transmitted when a predetermined period, for example, 300 milliseconds, has passed since the transmission of the gaming machine installation information.

Although FIG. 9 shows an example in which the gaming machine installation information is transmitted when 60 seconds have passed since the completion of activation, for example, as shown in FIG. If there is game information to be sent and the highest priority hall control information/fraud monitoring information (with game information) is sent In the monitoring information (including the case where the game information is transmitted), the hole controller information/fraud monitoring information (with the game information) is transmitted prior to the gaming machine installation information. It should be noted that the hall control information/fraud monitoring information (with game information) disappears and the hall controller information/fraud monitoring information (without game information) is transmitted every time 300 milliseconds elapse. will be sent with the highest priority. Then, at the timing when there is no game information to be transmitted and the hall control information/fraud monitoring information (no game information) is transmitted, the gaming machine installation information whose transmission has been suspended is transmitted. .

Similarly, when 180 seconds have passed since the completion of activation, if there is game information to be transmitted and the highest priority hall control information/fraud monitoring information (with game information) is transmitted (activation (including cases where hall control information/fraud monitoring information (with game information) has been sent before 180 seconds have elapsed since the completion of the game), precedence over gaming machine performance information. Information (including game information) is transmitted. It should be noted that the hall control information/fraud monitoring information (with game information) disappears and the hall controller information/fraud monitoring information (without game information) is transmitted every time 300 milliseconds elapse. will be sent with the highest priority. Then, at the timing when there is no game information to be transmitted and the hall control information/fraud monitoring information (no game information) is transmitted, the gaming machine performance information whose transmission has been suspended is transmitted. .

As described above, in the present embodiment, different transmission timings are set in advance for each type of gaming machine information, and priorities are also set. Since the gaming machine information of the type with the higher order is transmitted first, and after all the gaming machine information of the type with the higher priority is transmitted, the gaming machine information of the type with the lower priority, whose transmission has been reserved, is transmitted. , even if the transmission timing overlaps, the transmission and reception of various game machine information can be accurately performed by asynchronous serial communication.

<Modified example of communication form between P unit 2 and CU 3>
As described above, in the present embodiment, 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, a common asynchronous serial communication port may be used for communication of a signal related to counting and a signal related to gaming machine information, and a separate asynchronous serial communication port may be used for communication of a signal related to lending. As a modified example 2, a common asynchronous serial communication port may be used for communication of signals related to lending and counting, and another asynchronous serial communication port may be used for communication of signals related to gaming machine information. Also, in this way, instead of classifying the asynchronous serial communication port by the type of signal, communication from the P unit 2 to the CU3 and communication from the CU3 to the P unit 2 are performed by separate asynchronous serial communication ports. You may do so. In other words, as described above, in the present embodiment, half-duplex communication is performed by a common asynchronous serial communication port as communication between the P unit 2 and the CU3, thereby connecting the P unit 2 and the CU3. Although the number of cables can be reduced, as described above, it is necessary to adjust the transmission timing in order to prevent congestion between the signal transmitted from the P unit 2 and the signal transmitted from the CU 3. Therefore, as a method of preventing such congestion, for example, as shown in FIG. and the communication line 2, the occurrence of congestion may be prevented without performing processing for adjusting the transmission timing. In full-duplex communication, there is no need to adjust the transmission timing to prevent congestion. is performed in the same manner as half-duplex communication, so that even if the transmission timing of the game machine information overlaps, the transmission and reception of the game machine information can be accurately performed.

<Sequence of signals related to counting>
Next, FIG. 12 shows a specific sequence of signals related to counting when the counting button 28 is operated. In the example shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the number of game balls on the P table 2 is "1000" and the number of balls held by the CU3 is "100".

When the count button 28 is operated to be long-pressed on the P machine 2, when the signal related to the gaming machine information is first transmitted after the operation is detected, the number of game balls "1000" and the number of game balls are transmitted. A signal (game machine information notification) related to gaming machine information including the serial number n is transmitted, and the number of game balls is notified to CU3.

Then, 100 milliseconds after the gaming machine information is transmitted, a count including the number of counted balls "250" corresponding to one operation of the count button 28, the cumulative number of counted balls "250", and the count serial number m A signal (counting notification) related to is output from the P unit 2 to the CU3. Along with the transmission of the signal related to this count, the number of game balls in the P table 2 is updated to "750" by subtracting "250" from "1000", and the number of held balls in CU3 is changed from "100" to "250". It is added and updated to "350".

After transmitting these count-related signals, as described above, a lending-related signal (lending notice) containing the lending serial number k and the number of lending balls "0" and the number of lending balls received (lending serial number k, lending balls number reception result "normal") is executed before the next gaming machine information is transmitted, as described above.

Then, 300 milliseconds after the transmission of the signal related to the gaming machine information of the game ball serial number n, the signal related to the gaming machine information including the game ball number "750" after the subtraction and the game ball serial number n+1 is transmitted. Then, the number of game balls after the subtraction is notified to CU3. As a result, in CU3, the number of game balls "1000" notified by the game machine information before receiving the signal related to counting is changed to the number of game balls notified by the game machine information after receiving the signal related to counting. It can be confirmed that "250" added by the signal related to the counting is appropriately subtracted from "750" in the P stage 2.

Then, 100 milliseconds after the gaming machine information is transmitted, as the operation of the count button 28 continues, the number of count balls corresponding to one operation of the count button 28 is counted as "250". A signal relating to counting including the cumulative number of balls "500" and the counting serial number m+1 is transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU3. Along with the transmission of the signal related to this count, the number of game balls in the P table 2 is updated to "500" by subtracting "250" from "750", and the number of held balls in CU3 is changed from "350" to "250". It is added and updated to "600".

After transmitting these counting-related signals, the lending-related signal (renting serial number k+1, the number of rented balls "0") and the number of rented balls reception result (rental serial number k+1, the number of rented balls number reception result "normal") is executed before the next gaming machine information is transmitted, as described above.

Then, if the operation of the counting button 28 is canceled before 300 milliseconds elapse from the transmission of the signal related to the gaming machine information of the game ball serial number n+1, the gaming machine information related to the game ball serial number n+1 is released. When 300 milliseconds have passed since the transmission of the signal, gaming machine information including the game ball number "500" after subtraction and the game ball number serial number n+2 is transmitted, and the game ball number is notified to CU3.

Then, 100 milliseconds after the signal related to the gaming machine information of the game ball serial number n+2 is transmitted, the operation of the count button 28 is canceled, and the number of counted balls "0" and the number of accumulated counted balls A count-related signal containing "500" and the count serial number m+2 is sent from the P-unit 2 to the CU3. In this way, since the signal related to the counting of the number of counted balls "0" is transmitted, the number of balls held remains "600" in CU3.

After that, the transmission and reception of the signal related to lending (rental serial number k+2, number of lent balls "0") and the reception result of the number of lent balls (lending serial number k+2, number of lent balls received "normal") is related to the next gaming machine information. Executed before the signal is transmitted, and 300 milliseconds after the signal related to the gaming machine information of the game ball serial number n+2 is transmitted, the game ball number "500" and the game ball serial number n+3 are included again. Gaming machine information is transmitted, and the number of game balls is notified to CU3.

In this way, when the counting button 28 is operated and a signal relating to counting is transmitted from the P table 2 to the CU 3 and addition to the number of held balls is executed, the number of game balls before addition and the number of balls to be added After the number of game balls is transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU3 as a signal related to the gaming machine information and notified to the CU3, the number of game balls is transmitted to the CU3 without transmitting a signal related to counting from the CU3 side. It is possible to know exactly when a subtraction of numbers has been performed.

<Sequence of signals related to lending>
Next, FIG. 13 shows a specific sequence of signals relating to lending when the ball lending button 321 is operated in CU3. In the example shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the number of game balls on P 2 is "50" and that CU3 has a balance that can be lent out.

When the ball lending button 321 is operated in the CU3, the signal relating to the lending is not immediately transmitted to the P machine 2 at the timing of the operation, but the signal relating to the gaming machine information from the P machine 2 after the operation. and is transmitted at a timing according to the reception of the signal related to the subsequent counting.

That is, when the game machine information is first transmitted after the ball lending button 321 is operated, a signal related to the game machine information including the number of game balls "50" and the serial number n of the number of game balls is transmitted to CU3. is notified of the number of game balls.

100 milliseconds after the signal related to the game machine information is transmitted, for example, a signal related to counting including the number of counted balls “0”, the cumulative number of counted balls “0”, and the counting serial number m is transmitted to the P machine 2 to CU3.

Then, within 170 milliseconds from the reception of the signal related to the counting of the counting serial number m, that is, within 270 milliseconds from the transmission of the signal related to the game machine information including the game ball number n, for example, the rental serial number k, the rental A signal relating to the rental of the number of balls "125" is transmitted.

In response to the reception of the signal related to the lending of the lending serial number k, the P machine 2 adds "125" to the number of game balls "50" at that time to update it to "175". Within 10 milliseconds from the reception, the rental ball number reception result (rental serial number k, rental ball number reception result "normal") is transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU3.

Upon receiving the result of receiving the number of loaned balls, CU3 confirms whether or not the result of receiving the number of loaned balls is "normal", and if it is "normal", subtracts the amount corresponding to "125" from the balance. Subtract update. If the result of receiving the number of loaned balls is not "normal", the remaining amount is not updated.

The signal related to lending and the reception result of the number of lent balls are executed within 170 milliseconds + 10 milliseconds from the reception of the signal related to counting, which is transmitted 100 milliseconds after the gaming machine information is transmitted. Since it is executed within 270 milliseconds + 10 milliseconds after the gaming machine information is transmitted, the period from the transmission of the rental ball number reception result to the next transmission of the gaming machine information is 20 milliseconds or more. Since it is secured, the transmission of the number of rented balls reception result and the transmission of the gaming machine information do not overlap.

In this way, the signal related to the gaming machine information, the signal related to counting, the signal related to lending, and the reception result of the number of lending balls are transmitted at different timings, thereby reducing signal congestion in half-duplex communication. In addition, in full-duplex communication, although there is no congestion between the signal related to lending and other signals, the short-term occurrence of both signal transmission and reception can lead to communication It is possible to prevent a short-term increase in the processing load related to.

<Recovery sequence when dedicated interface is disconnected>
Next, FIG. 14 shows a recovery sequence when disconnection occurs in the dedicated interface connecting the P unit 2 and the CU 3 . In the example shown in FIG. 14, it is assumed that the number of game balls on the P table 2 is "1000".

Before disconnection occurs in the dedicated interface, as described above, the P machine 2 transmits a signal related to the gaming machine information to the CU 3 every 300 milliseconds, and the signals related to the gaming machine information are also transmitted. In between, a signal related to counting, a signal related to lending, and a reception result of the number of lending balls are sequentially transmitted and received at different timings.

Specifically, a signal related to the gaming machine information (the number of game balls "1000", the number n of the game balls), and 100 milliseconds after that, a signal related to counting (the number of counted balls "0", the cumulative number of counted balls "0" , counting serial number m), within 170 milliseconds, a signal related to lending (rental ball number "0", lending serial number k), within 10 milliseconds, the lending ball number reception result (rental serial number k, lending ball number reception result 300 milliseconds after the game ball number n is transmitted, a signal related to the gaming machine information (game ball number "1000", game ball number n+1) is transmitted.

Then, when disconnection of the dedicated interface occurs after transmission of the signal related to the gaming machine information of the game ball number n+1, the occurrence of disconnection is detected by the communication control IC 325, and the CU3 (CU control unit 323 ) turns off the connection signal (VL signal (also called BRDY signal), see FIG. 20). The connection signal (VL signal) is a signal with a predetermined voltage that is output from the CU3 to the P unit 2 through a dedicated line that constitutes a dedicated interface, and the P unit 2 can identify that the CU3 is connected. It is a signal for

By turning off the connection signal (VL signal), the P table 2 stops shooting the game ball p to disable the game, and disables the operation of the counting button 28 . Then, since disconnection occurred in the dedicated interface after transmitting the signal related to the gaming machine information of the game ball serial number n+1, the P machine 2 sends a signal related to counting corresponding to the invalid operation of the counting button 28 (the number of counting balls "0"). ”, count cumulative number of balls “0”, and count serial number m+1). However, the transmission is not received by CU3.

After the signal related to counting is transmitted, normally, the signal related to lending is transmitted from the CU3 to the P unit 2, but the signal related to counting is not transmitted due to disconnection of the dedicated interface.

After that, a signal related to the game machine information of the game ball number n+2 and a signal related to the count of the count number m+2 are transmitted, but these signals are also not received by the CU3.

When disconnection occurs in these dedicated interfaces, a dedicated interface error is reported in the P machine 2 and the CU 3, so the game parlor clerk confirms the number of game balls at that time and recovers the dedicated interface error. Let Then, CU3 (CU control unit 323) turns on the connection signal (VL signal), and then checks the connection status of the dedicated interface with communication control IC 325. FIG. In response to the ON state of the connection signal (VL signal), the P machine 2 enables the shooting of the game ball p and validates the operation of the counting button 28 .

After that, a signal related to gaming machine information (number of game balls “1000”, serial number n+3 of game balls) and a signal related to counting (number of counted balls “0”, cumulative number of counted balls “0”, counted serial number m+3) are transmitted. After that, a signal related to lending (the number of lending balls “0”, the lending serial number 0) is transmitted from the CU3 to the P machine 2 . In this case, a signal relating to lending with the lending sequence number set to "0" is transmitted. Then, the lending number reception result (lending serial number k, lending number reception result "abnormal") corresponding to the signal related to this lending is transmitted, and the lending serial number in CU3 is updated from "0" to "k". be done.

Then, 300 milliseconds after that, as shown in FIG. 14, based on the updated lending serial number, a signal related to lending (the number of lending balls "0" and the lending serial number k+1) is transmitted from CU3 to P machine 2. As a result, the rental ball number reception result (rental serial number k+1, rental ball number reception result "normal") is transmitted, and the communication between the P machine 2 and the CU 3 is restored normally.

<Sequence in communication error during counting>
Next, FIG. 15 shows a recovery sequence when a communication error occurs during counting. In the example shown in FIG. 15, it is assumed that the number of game balls on the P table 2 is "1000" and the number of balls held by the CU3 is "100". In FIG. 15, the steps up to the stage where the signal related to the game machine information of the game ball serial number n+1 is transmitted are the same as those in FIG.

100 milliseconds after the signal related to the gaming machine information of the game ball number n+1 is transmitted, the count ball number "250" corresponding to the operation of the count button 28, the count accumulated ball number "500", and the count number m+1 A signal related to the counting including is output from the P machine 2 to the CU3, but due to the occurrence of some error, the signal related to the counting is not received by the CU3. The number is updated to "500" by subtracting "250" from "750". After the transmission of the signal related to the counting of the count serial number m+1, the signal related to the lending from the CU3 is not transmitted due to the occurrence of the error.

Then, 300 milliseconds after the signal related to the gaming machine information of the game ball serial number n+1 is transmitted, the signal related to the gaming machine information including the game ball number "500" and the game ball serial number n+2 is transmitted. However, since some error has occurred in CU3, neither of these signals relating to the gaming machine information is received by CU3.

Since the signal related to this game machine information cannot be received, the CU 3 detects a communication abnormality and turns off the connection signal (VL signal) after 300 milliseconds. As a result, in the P table 2, the shooting of the game ball p is stopped and the game is disabled, and the operation of the counting button 28 is also disabled.

Since these errors are notified in the P machine 2 and the CU3, the store clerk of the game parlor confirms the number of game balls and the number of balls held at that time, and restores the error. The CU3 turns on the connection signal (VL signal) after the error is recovered, so that the game ball p can be launched at the P table 2 along with the error recovery of the CU3, and the counting button is activated. 28 operations are valid.

The restoration sequence by turning on the connection signal (VL signal) is the same as in the case of FIG.

<Sequence of communication failure during rental>
Next, FIG. 16 shows a recovery sequence when a communication error occurs during lending. In the example shown in FIG. 16, as in the case of FIG. 13, it is assumed that the number of game balls on the P table 2 is "50" and the CU3 has a balance that can be borrowed.

In FIG. 16, the flow up to the transmission of the signal relating to the rental of the rental serial number k and the number of rental balls "125" is the same as in the case of FIG.

In response to the reception of the signal related to the lending of the lending serial number k, the P machine 2 adds "125" to the number of game balls at that point of time "50" to update it to "175", and receives the received signal. Within 10 milliseconds from , the rental ball number reception result (rental serial number k, rental ball number reception result "normal") is transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU3. However, if these rental ball reception results are not received by CU3 for some reason, CU3 will not be able to receive the rental ball reception results even after 10 milliseconds have elapsed since the transmission of the signal related to rental. Judge as incomplete.

Then, within 170 milliseconds after receiving the signal related to counting after the signal related to the gaming machine information of the number of game balls "175" after the addition update and the number of game balls serial number n+1, it is determined that the lending has not been completed. Based on this, the same lending serial number k and the number of lending balls "125" as the previously transmitted signal relating to lending are transmitted again.

The P machine 2 (frame control unit 171) checks the continuity of the lending serial number of the signal related to lending. k+1", the number of loaned balls reception result "Normal", but the number of loaned balls reception result of the number of loaned balls "k" and the number of loaned balls reception result "abnormal" is transmitted.

CU3, which has received the loaned ball number reception result with the loaned ball number "k" and the loaned ball number reception result "abnormal", detects that the previous lending signal and the lending serial number match. It is judged that the reception has been completed at the base 2 (frame control unit 171), and the lending is judged to be completed.

<Mode of transmission and reception between the card unit side and the pachinko machine side>
Next, FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing major data among various data stored on the CU 3 side and the P stand 2 side, respectively, and their transmission/reception modes. Referring to FIG. 17, major data among various data stored on the CU 3 side and the P stand 2 side, and transmission/reception mode thereof will be described.

In this embodiment, the variation in 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 machine 2 side. On the other hand, the held balls (the number of held balls on the card), the number of stored balls, and the prepaid balance (balance) are managed and stored on the CU3 side.

FIG. 17 shows data stored in the RAM provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU3 side and data stored in the RAM mounted on the frame control board 17 on the P stand 2 side. First, when the P-machine 2 and the CU 3 are installed in the game hall and the power is turned on in a state where they are electrically connected for the first time, the frame control board 17 on the P-machine 2 side is transferred from the main control board 16 to the main chip. ID (main control chip ID) is sent, the main chip ID is sent to the CU3 side, and the frame chip ID (frame control chip ID) stored in the frame control board 17 itself is sent to the CU3 side. .

The CU3 side stores the transmitted main chip ID and frame chip ID. In this state, the information of the main chip ID and the frame chip ID are stored on the CU3 side and the P stand 2 side. When the power is turned on thereafter, the two pieces of information, that is, the main chip ID and the frame chip ID are transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side.

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

Both the CU3 and the P unit 2 add a "serial number" to the message and transmit it. Both CU3 and P unit 2 store the "serial number" received from the other party. As described above, there are three types of "serial number", namely, "game ball number serial number", "counting serial number" and "rental serial number". "Serial number" indicates the sequence number of the message. For the "serial number", the transmitting side (primary station side) sets the initial value to "1" and increments (+1) the serial number received at the time of transmission. However, when resending, the "serial number" is not counted up. The receiving side (secondary station side) transmits the received serial number as it is. Note that no response will be given if the continuity of the serial numbers is not established. "Game ball number serial number" is a serial number used when the P machine 2 notifies the game ball number to the CU3. "Counting serial number" is a serial number used when the P machine 2 requests the CU3 to count the game balls. "Rental serial number" is a serial number used when CU3 requests the P stand 2 to lend out game balls.

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

The information of these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU3 side as a signal related to gaming machine information. The CU 3 grasps changes in the number of game balls from the latest game machine performance information and hall control information transmitted from the P machine 2 . At CU3, for example, the number of game balls is added based on the "number of winning balls×the number of winning balls" included in the hall control information, and the number of game balls is subtracted based on the "number of shot balls". Furthermore, the counting ball number counter is a counter that counts the number of counting balls. A counting ball is "a ball converted from a game ball into a held ball by a counting operation". Here, the "prize ball" is a ball paid out when the ball enters the winning hole, and is a safe ball. The "shot ball" is the ball shot by the gaming machine, and if there is a back ball, the number of shot balls is the number of balls after subtracting the back ball.

By pressing the count button 28, the frame control unit 171 counts the number of game balls as the number of counted balls, and transmits the value of the counted number counter (number of counted balls) from the P machine 2 side to the CU 3 side (FIG. 12). ).

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

As a result, the data of the number of counted balls transmitted to the CU 3 side immediately before is stored as backup data in the storage area for the previous gaming machine information (the gaming machine information transmitted immediately before). This backup data is not only the value of each counter at the time of the next transmission, but also the value of each counter that was not transmitted last time, when the data of the number of counted balls is not transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side. to be able to send The number of game balls transmitted immediately before may be added to the previous gaming machine information and stored.

In addition, the frame control board 17 updates the value of the game ball number counter in accordance with the occurrence of winning, the shooting of balls, and the occurrence of counting balls (conversion from game balls to possession balls). The value of the number-of-balls 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 (also simply called the number of held balls), the number of stored balls, the balance, and the number of held balls 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 obtained by subtracting the number of lent balls (the number of balls converted from the number of balls held on the card into the number of game balls) from the number of balls held when the card is inserted, and adding the number of counted balls. That is, the number of cards held is the number of balls currently owned by the player.

Based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P table 2, the number of card holding balls is added, and the number of game balls is subtracted for updating. In this way, the CU3 can manage the latest information by updating the number of game balls and the number of cards held by the latest gaming machine information sent from the P machine 2 one by one.

As shown, the CU3 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 platform 2 side. . CU3 updates the area for storing the number of game balls in the following procedure. That is, the CU3 grasps the change in the number of game balls from the latest gaming machine performance information and hall control information transmitted from the P machine 2 side, and based on the value of the counting ball counter and the number of rented balls, , updates the number of game balls stored, and determines whether or not the count value of the game ball counter transmitted from the P stand 2 side matches the updated number of game balls. If they match, the game is allowed to continue.

As a result, for example, an error notification is performed by an abnormality notification lamp or display 312, or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the hall management computer or hall server (in this case, the hall management computer or an error notification may be made by a hall server). As a result, a predetermined notification is issued to prompt the attendant to take a manual action.

Instead of shifting to an 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 machine 2 side. good. Alternatively, instead of that, the number of game balls managed by the CU3 side and the number of game balls stored by the P machine 2 side may be corrected to an average value.

Thus, in this embodiment, the number of game balls is also stored on the CU3 side, and it is determined whether or not the number of game balls matches the number of game balls managed and stored on the P stand 2 side. (CU3 side function). Therefore, even if the number of game balls stored on the P table 2 side does not match the number of game balls stored on the CU 3 side due to fraud or other circumstances, it can be checked. In this case, the determination function is provided on the CU3 side. It is also possible to receive the number of game balls that are in agreement and determine whether or not they match.

Further, when the CU3 fails to receive the signal related to counting, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the number of game balls managed and stored on the P machine 2 side do not match, so special processing is performed. Run. As the special processing, processing for displaying the history information of the gaming machine information is performed to compensate for the number of game balls based on the gaming machine information, compensation for the number of game balls is performed based on the history information, and error notification is performed. or

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, CU3 has a storage area for storing the number of balls held and stored on the card, a storage area for storing the prepaid balance of the received (inserted) card, and a storage area for storing the amount of prepaid balance of the received (inserted) card. and a storage area for storing spheres. The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 4) stores a ball in response to an input requesting the use of a stored ball (for example, pressing the replay button 319 provided in the CU3 (when no ball is held)). A predetermined number of stored balls is subtracted from the storage area to be stored.

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

When a player performs an operation of lending out a predetermined amount of value from the value owned by the player (for example, the number of owned balls, the number of stored balls, or the prepaid balance) and uses it in a game, the amount of balls withdrawn. The number of rented balls for adding the number to the game ball number counter is transmitted from the CU3 side to the P table 2 side. In response to this, the P table 2 side increments and updates the game ball number counter.

In the gaming system according to the present embodiment, on the other hand, it is possible to receive an order for a so-called wagon service in which the player's property value is withdrawn and exchanged for a drink or the like. However, receiving wagon service with game balls is restricted, and wagon service can only be received with holding balls. This is an image of prohibiting, in a conventional enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine equipped with a counter for each machine, to manually pick up the balls remaining on the plate before being counted and use them for wagon service.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, when the operation to perform the wagon service is executed, if the number of balls in possession is less than the number of balls corresponding to the desired menu of the wagon service, the player is prompted to perform a counting operation. It is At that time, when the player executes a counting operation, the number of balls counted based on the operation is transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side. In response to this, the CU3 side subtracts the number of game balls and adds the number of card holding balls for updating.

<Launch mechanism>
Next, the firing mechanism 30 will be described in more detail. 18(a) is a front view of the firing mechanism 30, FIG. 18(b) is a right side view of the firing mechanism 30, and FIG. 18(c) is a rear view of the firing mechanism 30. FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the ball passage of the shooting mechanism 30 is filled with game balls. FIG. 20 is a block diagram for explaining the shooting of game media and the subtraction of the number of game balls.

18, the firing mechanism 30 mainly has a firing solenoid 31a, a punch 42, a firing pad 43 and a valve 44. As shown in FIG. A subtraction mechanism 32 is provided in the vicinity of the firing mechanism 30 (back side). The subtraction mechanism 32 mainly has a subtraction solenoid 32a, a subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b, and a subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c.

The shooting mechanism 30 releases the game ball p to the game board when the shooting solenoid 31a can be energized by the shooting permission signal from the main control board 16 and each state of the hitting ball operation handle 25 accompanying the player's direct operation. Fire at 26. Further, when the firing solenoid 31a is activated, the interlocking subtraction reference signal 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 32 a in the subtraction mechanism 32 .

As shown in FIG. 20, when the CU3 is connected to the game ball rental device connection terminal board and the VL signal is output from the CU3 and the firing permission signal is output from the main control board 16, the firing solenoid 31a is energized. becomes possible. FIG. 21 is a block diagram for explaining the processing in the launch mechanism. As shown in FIG. 21, the AND circuit 172 provided on the frame control board 17 gives the firing permission to the firing control board 31 when the connection state of the CU 3 and the firing permission signal from the main control board 16 are inputted. Output a signal. When the firing permission signal is not output, the firing solenoid 31a cannot be energized regardless of the state of the ball hitting operation handle 25. FIG. Note that the main control board 16 stops outputting the firing enable signal when receiving a specific error signal from the frame control board 17 (see FIG. 40).

Here, the operation principle and each state of the hitting operation handle 25 will be described. The hitting operation handle 25 includes a firing stop button, a firing stop switch, a handle lever, a touch sensor, a handle volume, a ring, and the like (not shown). When the player operates the hitting operation handle 25, it is possible to activate and stop the firing solenoid 31a and change the firing intensity. In addition, the game balls can be shot one by one by operating the shooting stop button.

When the player touches the ring of the ball hitting 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, it becomes possible to energize the firing solenoid 31a on condition that the firing permission signal is output. When the player does not directly touch the ring of the ball hitting operation handle 25, the firing solenoid 31a cannot be energized regardless of the state of the ball hitting operation handle 25 by the player. 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 hitting operation handle 25, the detection voltage of the handle volume changes, and the strength of the current supplied to the firing solenoid 31a can be changed according to the turning angle. In FIG. 21, the operating condition determination unit 31b outputs an operation permission signal to the pulse/clock generation unit 31c based on the firing permission signal, the touch sensor detection signal, the rotation detection signal from the handle volume, and the like. The pulse/clock generation unit 31c generates various pulses and clocks for the launch control board 31 based on the operation permission signal from the operation condition determination unit 31b. By generating various pulses and clocks in the pulse/clock generation unit 31c, the constant current control unit 31d controls the firing solenoid based on the detected value from the handle rotation value detection unit 31e corresponding to the angle of rotation of the handle volume. It controls the energization current to 31a. As a result, the flying distance of the game ball p changes, and the player can shoot the game ball p to any position on the game board 26.例文帳に追加

In addition, 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 steering wheel rotation value comparison section 31f shown in FIG. 21, when the detected voltage is equal to or lower than the set voltage, no rotation detection signal is output to the operating condition determination section 31b.

When the shooting solenoid 31a is driven, the pestle 42 moves in the direction of the game ball p, and the game ball p stopped on the launch pad 43 is shot. The shot game ball p passes through the valve 44 and is shot onto the game board 26 . The valve 44 returns to its normal 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 actuated, an interlocking subtraction reference signal 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 (payout control microcomputer) of the frame control section 171 processes the subtraction reference signal in the later-described subtraction mechanism control processing by the game ball number management program in the user program area (usage area). . The subtraction solenoid control section 32d controls the subtraction solenoid 32a of the subtraction mechanism 32 according to the game ball number management program. Using the subtraction reference signal as a reference, the subtraction mechanism 32 energizes the subtraction solenoid 32a to move the movable piece 45 shown in FIG. are sending to 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. - 特許庁

Next, the details of the operation of the subtraction mechanism 32 will be described. First, if there is a game ball p in the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b, there is no game ball p in the subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c, and there is a game ball number, 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. 19(a). 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 while the game ball p is caught in the notch of the movable piece 45, the movable piece 45 moves to the position shown in FIG. 19(c). When the movable piece 45 moves to the position, the game ball p caught in the notch of the movable piece 45 is sent out to the launch pad 43 of the shooting mechanism 30 .

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

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

<Program for Frame Control Board 17>
Next, a program executed by the CPU (payout control microcomputer) of the frame control board 17 will be described. The CPU of the frame control board 17 executes various programs such as power-on processing, main loop processing, timer interrupt control processing, communication processing, game ball number display processing, performance display calculation processing, and error detection processing. various control processes. First, the memory space of the CPU of the frame control board 17 will be described. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a memory map of the CPU in the frame control board 17. As shown in FIG. The CPU of the frame control board 17 has a memory space for accessing built-in registers, ROM, RAM and the like. Specifically, as shown in the memory map of FIG. 22, the address/data signal lines of the ROM are 0000H to 2FFFH (H indicates a hexadecimal number; the same shall apply hereinafter) in the internal ROM area of 16K bytes in the memory space. assigned to. The CPU of the frame control board 17 performs various control processes in the built-in ROM area.

The address/data signal lines of the built-in registers are assigned to the built-in register areas 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 this built-in register area.

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

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a memory map of the built-in ROM area. As shown in FIG. 23, the built-in ROM area is assigned with a program area within the usage area, a data area within the usage area, a program area outside the usage area, and a data area outside the usage area. A free area is allocated between the in-use area program area and the out-of-use area data area. Similarly, empty areas are allocated between the data area inside the usage area and the program area outside the usage area, and between the program area outside the usage area and the data area outside the usage area. The CPU of the frame control board 17 designates this built-in ROM area and reads data from the ROM.

Of these, the program area within the use area contains command data (opcodes) corresponding to each of a plurality of types of commands executed by the CPU of the frame control board 17 and data necessary for the CPU of the frame control board 17 to execute each command. supplementary data (operands), and stores related program data for playing games. The related programs stored in the use area program area include a control 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 used area program area.

In the program area outside the use area, the CPU of the frame control board 17 is the base, the command data (opcode) for calculating the consecutive ratio and the role ratio, and the CPU of the frame control board 17 necessary for executing each command. It consists of supplementary data (operands). Data of a program for calculating and displaying base, consecutive ratio and role ratio (hereinafter sometimes referred to as performance display related program) is stored. Performance display-related programs include a performance display calculation program for calculating and displaying base, consecutive ratios, and role ratios. The out-of-use area program area stores a program different from related programs for playing games.

Here, the program area within the usage area and the program area outside the usage area will be further described. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the configuration of a used area program area and a non-used area program area in the built-in ROM area. As shown in FIG. 24, in the program area within the usage area, related programs include "power-on processing", "main loop processing", "timer interrupt control processing", "memory processing", "port processing", Programs of "communication processing", "rental processing", and "game ball number display processing" are stored. In addition, in the program area outside the use area, each program of "performance display calculation processing", "error detection processing", "error cancellation processing", "illegal monitoring processing", "game ball circulation processing", "ball polishing processing" is stored.

<Processing in Frame Control Board 17>
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing processing in the CPU (payout control microcomputer) of the frame control board 17. As shown in FIG. When the power is turned on, the CPU (payout control microcomputer) executes a power-on process (step S1). After that, the main loop processing (step S2) is entered. Thereafter, the CPU (payout control microcomputer) of the frame control board 17 periodically executes timer interrupt control processing (step S3) in response to timer interrupts that occur at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1 ms). Therefore, the CPU (payout control microcomputer) executes the main loop process (step S2) after starting, and periodically executes the timer interrupt control process (step S3) in response to the timer interrupt. , returning to the main loop processing (step S2).

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing specific processing contents of the power-on processing shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 26, the CPU (payout control microcomputer), in the power-on processing, first, CPU initialization processing (step S11) for enabling the CPU (payout control microcomputer) to execute the processing. is executed, and RAM clear processing for clearing data stored in the built-in RAM shown in FIG. 22 is executed (step S12).

In addition, the CPU (CPU (payout control microcomputer)) performs a game ball clearing process (step S13) for clearing data on the number of game balls stored in a predetermined storage area of the frame control unit 171, and an area to be described later. In-region initial value setting processing (step S14) for setting each initial value for enabling execution of inner processing, and outside-region initial value setting processing for setting each initial value for enabling execution of later-described out-of-region processing Processing (step S15) and are executed. Note that the out-of-area initial value setting process (step S15) is executed as an out-of-area process.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the main loop processing (step S2) shown in FIG. In the main loop process, the CPU (payout control microcomputer) first performs a firing stop control process (step S101) including control such as stopping firing by outputting/non-outputting a firing permission signal, etc., the main control board 16 (main control 161), main control board communication processing (step S102) for communicating with the game machine information management processing (step S103) for managing game machine information, and communication with the SC board provided in the CU3 SC board communication processing (step S104), game ball number display control processing (step S105) for displaying the number of game balls owned by the player on the game ball number display 29 (step S105), An in-region error cancellation process (step S106) is executed to cancel an error that has occurred in the process. The processing from step S101 to step S106 is executed as intra-region processing.

Following step S106, the CPU (payout control microcomputer) carries out ball polishing mechanism control processing (step S110) for controlling a ball polishing mechanism (not shown), game balls p for circulating the enclosed game balls p. Game ball circulation mechanism control processing (step S111) for controlling the circulation mechanism, out-of-area error detection processing (step S112) for detecting errors generated by the execution of out-of-area processing, in out-of-area error detection processing Out-of-area error cancellation processing for canceling the detected error (step S113), fraud detection processing for detecting fraud with respect to the P platform 2 (step S114), performance information such as the base value displayed on the performance display monitor 40 A performance information accumulation process (step S115) for accumulating information such as the number of winning balls and the number of prize balls for calculation, and the performance display monitor 40 based on the number of winning balls and the number of prize balls accumulated in the performance information accumulation process. A performance information calculation process (step S116) for calculating each data such as a base value for display is executed. After executing the performance information calculation process (step S116), the process returns to step S101 to repeat the main loop process. The processing from step S110 to step S116 is executed as outside processing.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing timer interrupt control processing shown in FIG. In the timer interrupt control process, the CPU (payout control microcomputer) executes a 1 ms timer subtraction process (step S201), and then a cassette motor drive process (step S202) for driving the cassette motor of the ball polishing mechanism (not shown). Then, a lifting motor driving process (step S203) is executed for driving a lifting motor of a game ball circulation mechanism (not shown). Therefore, these processes are processes executed every 1 ms, and are executed as out-of-area processes. Then, it is determined whether or not it is time to execute the process to be executed every 2 ms (step S204).

If it is the execution timing of the process to be executed every 2 ms (step S204; Y), after executing the 2 ms timer subtraction process (step S205), the game ball for controlling the lighting of the LED of the game ball number display 29 Number indicator LED control processing (step S206), port input processing (step S207), switch detection processing for detecting inputs from the out ball detection switch 701, the front decoration open switch 12, and the back mechanism unit open switch 13 (step S208), subtraction mechanism control processing shown in FIG. 29 (step S209), ball polishing mechanism control timer subtraction processing for updating the ball polishing mechanism control timer used for controlling the ball polishing mechanism (step S210), ball polishing mechanism A ball polishing mechanism switch detection process (step S211) related to the detection of a ball polishing mechanism switch for detecting a game ball p provided in a game for detecting a game ball p provided in a game ball circulation mechanism (not shown) Game ball circulation mechanism switch detection processing (step S212), out-of-area error monitoring processing (step S213), out-of-area error release monitoring processing (step S214), fraud monitoring processing (step S215) are executed. do. It should be noted that the processing of steps S210 to S215 is executed as out-of-region processing.

In step S204, if it is not the execution timing of the process to be executed every 2 ms (step S204; N), or the CPU (payout control microcomputer) executes the process of steps S205 to S215 as a process to be executed every 2 ms After that, it is further determined whether or not it is time to execute the process to be executed every 4 ms (step S220).

If it is not the execution timing of the process to be executed every 4 ms (step S220; N), the timer interrupt control process is terminated, and if it is the execution timing of the process to be executed every 4 ms (step S220; Y), the CPU (payout control microcomputer) executes 4 ms timer subtraction processing (step S221) and test signal output processing (step S222), and terminates the timer interrupt control processing.

In this manner, each process is executed at an appropriate timing frequency every 1 ms, 2 ms, and 4 ms, thereby preventing an increase in processing load and executing appropriate processes.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the subtraction mechanism control process (step S208) in FIG. In the subtraction mechanism control process, the CPU (payout control microcomputer) determines whether or not the subtraction reference signal is ON (step S301). If the subtraction reference signal is off (step S301; N), the subtraction mechanism control process is terminated, and if the subtraction reference signal is on (step S301; Y), whether the number of game balls is 0 is determined (step S302).

If the number of game balls is 0 (step S302; Y), the subtraction mechanism control process is terminated. It is determined whether or not (step S303). If the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b is off (step S303; N), the subtraction mechanism control process is terminated. If the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b is on (step S303; Y), the subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c is It is determined whether or not it is on (step S304).

If the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is off (step S304; N), the subtraction mechanism control process is terminated. As shown in , after executing the process of turning on for a predetermined period (step S305), it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b by turning on the subtraction solenoid 32a (step S306). .

If the game ball has not passed through the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b (step S306; N), it is determined whether or not 500 ms has passed since the subtraction solenoid 32a was turned on (step S307). If 500 ms has not passed since the subtraction solenoid 32a was turned on (step S307; N), the processing of steps S306 and S307 is repeated, and if 500 ms has passed since the subtraction solenoid 32a was turned on (Step S307; Y) performs subtraction mechanism entrance sensor abnormality processing (S308).

On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b in step S306 (step S306; Y), the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the game ball number is displayed on the game ball number display 29 (step S309), and the subtraction mechanism End the control process.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the movable piece 45 is driven by controlling the subtraction solenoid 32a based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal, which is a special signal, to convey the game ball p. , it is possible to realize appropriate transportation corresponding to the shooting operation, and after it is determined as "Y" in step S301 because the subtraction reference signal is in the ON state, the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b is turned on to release the game ball p. Since the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of game balls is displayed on the number display 29 of the number of game balls, the process of S309 is executed. , the subtraction process corresponding to the transport can be executed.

Next, the processing in the firing mechanism and the subtraction mechanism will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 30 is a timing chart for explaining the processing in the shooting mechanism 30 and the operation of the hitting operation handle 25. FIG. The state (i) shown in FIG. 30 is a state in which the CU3 is connected and the launch permission signal from the main control board 16 has changed from OFF to ON, and the game ball p can be launched.

When the player grips the ball hitting operation handle 25 to play a game, the player directly touches the ring of the ball hitting operation handle 25, and the detection signal of the touch sensor changes from off to on (Fig. (ii) shown in 30).

When the player rotates the ball hitting operation handle 25 clockwise to play a game, the detection voltage of the handle volume of the ball hitting operation handle 25 changes from low to high, exceeding the set voltage (see FIG. 30). State (iii) shown).

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

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

562.5 ms after turning on the firing solenoid 31a, the firing mechanism 30 turns on the firing solenoid 31a for 16 ms after 37.5 ms when the conditions (i) to (iv) are satisfied, and the firing control is performed. The substrate 31 outputs the subtraction reference signal for 37.5 ms (state (vi) shown in FIG. 30). As long as the conditions (i) to (iv) are satisfied, the firing mechanism 30 thereafter turns on the firing solenoid 31a at intervals of about 600 ms.

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 if the states (i) to (iv) are not satisfied, thereby turning the subtraction solenoid 32a on. It is not turned on, and the subtraction mechanism 32 is stopped. In addition, since the ball passage from the subtraction mechanism 32 to the punch 42 has a space for p3 game balls, even if a ball clog occurs in the ball passage, the subtraction mechanism 32 is stopped and only the firing solenoid 31a is released. For example, by performing a specific shooting action that turns on three times with the same shooting intensity as the last shooting intensity, the clogged game ball p can be discharged. Therefore, when the subtraction mechanism 32 is stopped without satisfying the conditions (i) to (iv), only the firing solenoid 31a is turned on three times as shown in FIG. 30 for the purpose of preventing clogging. As a result, it is possible to prevent the gaming balls p from staying in the shooting mechanism 30 by the specific shooting operation, and also to prevent the number of game balls from being inappropriately subtracted by the specific shooting operation.

The number of specific firing operations in which only the firing solenoid 31a is turned on is set at a minimum of three times, 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 (i) to (iv) are satisfied, the shooting mechanism 30 returns to the state (v) shown in FIG. 30 and shoots the game ball p. Even if the ball jam is not cleared even after the firing solenoid 31a is turned on three times, only the firing solenoid 31a is turned on every 0.6 seconds according to the operation of the hitting ball operation handle 25 by the player. state.

Next, FIG. 31 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the subtraction mechanism 32 and the game ball number display 29. As shown in FIG. First, when the states (i) to (iv) shown in FIG. 30 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. 31 (i) state 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 (see FIG. 31). (ii) state).

By turning on the subtraction solenoid 32a, the subtraction mechanism 32 drives the movable piece 45 shown in FIG. By moving the game ball p, the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b is turned on (state (iii) shown in FIG. 31). When the subtraction mechanism entrance 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 game balls of X and changes the display to 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 exit sensor 32c and the subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c is turned on ((iv) shown in FIG. 31. The subtraction mechanism 32, as long as the firing mechanism 30 satisfies the states (i) to (iv) shown in FIG. 30, thereafter, the firing solenoid 31a is turned on at intervals of about 600 ms, and the subtraction process of the number of game balls is repeated. .

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

When the subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c is turned off, the frame control board 17 determines that the ball clogging has been eliminated, and turns on the firing solenoid 31a twice to restore the normal state (see FIG. 32). state (ii) shown).

The P platform 2 includes a shooting mechanism 30 for shooting a game ball p, a subtraction mechanism 32 for conveying the game ball p to the shooting mechanism 30 (in particular, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a movable piece 45, etc.), and a game ball p in the shooting mechanism 30. A shooting control board 31 that generates a subtraction reference signal corresponding to the shooting operation of , manages the number of game balls (game points), and causes the subtraction mechanism 32 to carry out the transportation 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 the subtraction reference signal is provided. As a result, appropriate subtraction processing of the number of game balls corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting mechanism 30 can be realized.

Conventionally, a shooting detection signal indicating that a game ball has been shot is input from the launching unit to the frame control board 17, and the frame control board 17 that receives the shooting detection signal responds to the detection of one shot ball. The number of subtracted balls and the number of balls in play are updated by adding 1, and the number of playing balls is updated by subtracting 1. In other words, the subtraction of the number of game balls caused by shooting game balls and the transportation of game balls are performed separately. For this reason, when a problem related to the transport of game balls occurs, such as when a foul ball is detected by the foul ball detection switch, the frame control board 17 needs to perform processing to add back the number of game balls that has been subtracted.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the subtraction reference signal corresponding to the shooting operation of the game ball p in the shooting mechanism 30 is generated, and the subtraction mechanism 32 carries out the operation of conveying the game ball p based on the subtraction reference signal. Since the number of game balls is subtracted by , the number of game balls will not be subtracted even if a problem related to the transportation of game balls occurs. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately subtract the number of game balls corresponding to the shooting of the game balls p by the shooting mechanism 30 . In addition, in the configuration of the present embodiment, unlike the modified example using the bottom firing described later, the foul ball detection switch itself for detecting foul balls is not required, and the processing related to the detection of foul balls can be omitted.

When the frame control board 17 receives the subtraction reference signal from the launch control board 31, it executes subtraction processing of the managed game points. Specifically, the frame control board 17 subtracts 1 from the number of X game balls based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal, and displays the number of game balls X-1 on the game ball number display 29. . As a result, the frame control board 17 can realize appropriate subtraction processing of the number of game balls corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting mechanism 30 .

The frame control board 17 causes the subtraction mechanism 32 to carry out the game ball p transport operation based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal from the shooting control board 31 . Specifically, the frame control board 17 drives the movable piece 45 to convey the game ball p by controlling the subtraction solenoid 32a based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal. As a result, the frame control board 17 can realize appropriate transportation of the game ball p corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting mechanism 30 .

After receiving the subtraction reference signal from the launch control board 31, the frame control board 17 executes subtraction processing of the managed game points based on the detection of the game ball p by the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b. . Specifically, the frame control board 17 receives the subtraction reference signal, and when the game ball p is transported and the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b is turned on to detect the game ball p, X game The number of game balls 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 perform appropriate subtraction processing of the number of game balls corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting mechanism 30 and the operation of the transport mechanism (for example, the movable piece 45).

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

When the main control board 16 receives a predetermined signal from the frame control board 17 to notify that a special event has occurred, the main control board 16 executes firing stop processing. Specifically, when the main control board 16 receives a specific error signal (predetermined signal for notifying that a special event has occurred) from the frame control board 17, it stops outputting the firing enable signal. As a result, the shooting operation can be stopped in response to the occurrence of the special event detected by the frame control board 17. FIG.

<Notification processing of abnormalities occurring in card units and pachinko machines>
FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram for explaining notification processing when an abnormality is detected. Referring to FIG. 33, when an abnormality occurs in CU control unit 323, communication control IC 325, frame control unit 171, or main control board 16, notification is sent in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Abnormalities here include replacing the CU control unit 323, the communication control IC 325, the frame control unit 171, or the main control board 16 with those manufactured illegally, or malfunctioning or breaking down due to noise or the like. It includes various error states, such as when the line is disconnected, and when it becomes offline due to disconnection. The device history management server 800 shown in FIG. 33 manages ID information written in the P unit 2 by the manufacturer of the P unit 2 or the chip provider, and ID information written in the CU 3 by the equipment manufacturer. is performed.

First, when an abnormality occurs in the communication control IC 325 of the CU3, the CU control section 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 of the abnormality and transmits an abnormality notification command to the display control unit 350 of the CU3. The CU control unit 323 causes the display control unit 350 to control the display device 312 to indicate that an abnormality has occurred, and also lights or flashes an abnormality notification lamp (not shown) to notify the abnormality. Furthermore, the CU control unit 323 transmits a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred from the external communication unit to the hall management computer.

When the CU control unit 323 of the CU3 causes an abnormality, the CU control unit 323 detects the occurrence of the abnormality and notifies the hall server 801 of a signal (abnormality notification signal) indicating the occurrence of the abnormality. When the frame control unit 171 detects an abnormality in the frame control unit 171 , it notifies the CU control unit 323 of the fact via the communication control IC 325 , and the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 of the fact. Although not shown in FIG. 33, when the frame control unit 171 detects an abnormality, the main control board 16 is notified of the abnormality by the game machine response information, which will be described later. Also, the communication control IC 325 is connected to the frame control section 171 by parallel signals via a dedicated interface (dedicated PIF) composed of a PIF circuit which is a parallel interface circuit.

When an abnormality occurs in the main control board 16, the frame control section 171 detects the occurrence of the abnormality, notifies the CU control section 323 of the signal indicating the occurrence of the abnormality, and the CU control section 323 notifies the hall server 801 of the abnormality. . 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 the signal indicating the occurrence of the abnormality, and the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall server 801 of the fact. may notify you.

The gaming machine management server 802 shown in FIG. 33 is provided in, for example, an organization that manages gaming machines operated by an organization in which a plurality of gaming machine manufacturers are affiliated, and the gaming machines installed in the gaming hall are different from the design values. This is a server that manages gaming machines by checking whether they are 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, CU3 and P machine 2.

In this embodiment, the gaming machine management server 802 associates each gaming machine with information identifying the gaming machine such as the main chip ID, and determines the model name of the gaming machine and the design of the gaming machine for determining abnormalities in the gaming machine. store the value.

<Operation after error and fraud detection of P unit 2>
Next, the operation after the error and fraud detection of the P machine 2 will be described. FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining types of notifiable error and fraud detection. FIG. 34 describes 26 types of errors, and describes the "error code", "error name", "details of error and fraud detection", and "operation after error and fraud detection" for each error. there is

For example, the number 3 error has an "error code" of "F06", an "error name" of "communication error within managed gaming machine", and an "error detection content" of "communication between managed gaming machine board and managed gaming machine frame". Detecting no response or disconnection", "Operation after error and fraud detection" detects an abnormality in the gaming machine frame 5, and outputs the game ball number display 29 on the gaming machine frame 5 side and the audio output on the gaming board 26 side. (First voice output means), the error information is output to the hall controller by notifying by LCD effects and electric decorations.

Here, when notifying with the gaming machine frame 5, in addition to notifying by displaying an "error code" on a display device such as the game ball number display 29 (for example, the variable display device 278, etc.), on the frame control board 17 An "error code" may be displayed on the provided 7-segment LED display for notification. Also, instead of displaying the "error code", the game may be stopped to report an error, or error information may be output to the outside.

Also, for example, error number 23 has an "error code" of "F97", an "error name" of "main control board startup error", and an "error detection content" of "main control board does not start even after a specified period of time has passed." "detected", "operation after error and fraud detection" detects an abnormality on the game board 26, notifies with sound output on the game board 26 side, LCD effect, and illumination, stops firing, stops the hole Outputs error information to the controller.

The reporting means may report the error by outputting a sound on the game board or lighting up an electric decoration depending on the type of the error. Further, the notification means may notify the error by outputting error information output or incorrect information output to the hall controller depending on the type of the error.

Next, the multiple errors shown in FIG. 34 will be described in more detail. FIG. 35 is a block diagram for explaining error and fraud detection that occurs in the game machine frame 5 and the game board 26. As shown in FIG. First, in the game machine frame 5, when detecting no communication response between the dedicated unit (CU3) and the management game machine frame (game machine frame 5), the frame control board 17 detects no response in the dedicated unit communication (error code = F05 ) error notification. Specifically, when the frame control board 17 detects a dedicated unit communication non-response error, it displays an error code on the game ball number display 29 and also prevents the counting process from functioning even if the counting button 28 is operated. 35, and outputs a dedicated unit communication non-response signal to the main control board 16 as shown in FIG. 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 sound output controlled by the effect control board 15 (for example, the game board side speaker 270Z), the error is notified by LCD effects and illumination. Further, the main control board 16 transmits a firing stop signal (for example, an off signal of a firing permission signal, etc.) to the firing control board 31 to stop the game ball firing function. The frame control board 17 outputs error information to the hall controller, and the operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button 319 is invalidated in the CU3.

Next, in the gaming machine frame 5, when the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b detects ball clogging or when a failure of the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b is detected, the frame control board 17 detects a subtraction mechanism entrance sensor abnormality (error code =F14) error notification. Specifically, when the frame control board 17 detects an error of the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor abnormality, it displays an error code on the game ball number display 29, and subtracts the main control board 16 as shown in FIG. Outputs a mechanism entrance sensor error signal. In the main control board 16, the port signal detection 16b of the user program 16a detects the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor abnormality signal transmitted from the frame control board 17, and the sound output controlled by the effect control board 15 (for example, the game board side speaker 270Z), the error is notified by LCD effects and illumination. Further, the main control board 16 transmits a firing stop signal (for example, an off signal of a firing permission signal, etc.) to the firing control board 31 to stop the game ball firing function. Note that the frame control board 17 outputs error information to the hall controller.

Next, when the number of game balls exceeds 40,000 in the game machine frame 5, the frame control board 17 notifies an error that the number of game balls is over (error code=F23). Specifically, when the frame control board 17 detects an error that the number of game balls is over, the error code is displayed on the game ball number display 29, and as shown in FIG. 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 sound output controlled by the effect control board 15 (for example, the game board side speaker 270Z ), an LCD presentation, and an electric decoration to notify the error. Note that the frame control board 17 outputs error information to the hall controller.

Next, in the game board 26, when no communication response or no connection between the management game machine game board and the management game machine frame is detected, the main control board 16 generates an error of internal communication abnormality in the management game machine (error code = F06). Notify. Specifically, when the main control board 16 detects the error by the communication abnormality detection 16c in the management game machine as shown in FIG. The error is notified by LCD presentation and illumination. Further, the main control board 16 transmits a firing stop signal (for example, an off signal of a firing permission signal, etc.) to the firing control board 31 to stop the game ball firing function. 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 game machine frame 5 and the game board 26 are performing serial communication, errors and fraud 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 errors and fraud detections detected on the main control board 16 side. For example, when the main control board 16 side detects a communication error within the management game machine (error code = F06) and the frame control board 17 side detects a game ball circulation device error (error code = F17), the frame control board 17 , the error detection on the main control board 16 side can be grasped through serial communication. Note that the main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the error information with the information of "gaming machine error state" included in the gaming machine information notification command shown in FIG. 42 which will be described later. The "gaming machine error state" includes error code information in Bits 0 to 5, information on whether the error is detected in Bit 6 by the frame control board 17 ("0") or the main control board 16 ("1"), Bit 7 contains the information of the output destination of the error information. When Bit 7 of "gaming machine error state" is "0", the frame control board 17 side performs only error notification (notification). Further, when Bit 7 of "gaming machine error state" is "1", in addition to error notification (notification) on the frame control board 17 side, error information is output (HC output) to the hall controller. That is, when 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 (for example, hall controller signal) related to the gaming machine information shown in FIG. and send it to CU3. The CU3 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 main control board 16 side audio output (for example, the game board side speaker 270Z) performs error notification of communication abnormality in the management game machine, and the frame control board 17 side audio output (game machine frame The priority of the error is determined so as to limit the error notification of the game ball circulating device abnormality so as not to overlap with the error notification of the game ball circulating device abnormality performed by the side speaker 270W). That is, the frame control board 17 gives higher priority to the error notification from the game board side speaker 270Z, and the error notification from the game machine frame side speaker 270W 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 notification of the error (predetermined notification) is output by the main control board 16 side audio output (second event). 1 audio output means), an error notification (specific notification) based on the detection of an error (specific event) by the frame control board 17 is output by the frame control board 17 side audio output (second When the error notification (predetermined notification) is performed by the main control board 16 side audio output, the error notification (specific notification) is performed by the frame control board 17 side audio output. not performed in For example, when the frame control board 17 detects a game ball circulator abnormality (error code = F17), the game ball circulator abnormality is notified when the main control board 16 side does not notify the error. Therefore, when an error is reported on the main control board 16 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is not reported. Thus, by setting the priority of the error to be notified, even when the game board 26 of a certain manufacturer is mounted in the game machine frame 5, the game board 26 of another manufacturer is mounted in the game machine frame 5.例文帳に追加A unified error notification can be performed even when

Further, the frame control board 17 can detect the occurrence of a special event different from the specific event, and when detecting the occurrence of the special event, transmits information regarding the detection of the special event to the main control board 16 . For example, unlike an error that is notified only on the frame control board 17 side, such as a game ball circulating device abnormality (error code = F17), if the number of game balls is over (error code = F23) that is also notified on the main control board 16 side , when the frame control board 17 detects an error (special event), it transmits information regarding the detection of the error (special event) to the main control board 16 . Specifically, the frame control board 17 transmits information regarding detection of the error to the main control board 16 side via serial communication. The main control board 16 is controlled by the effect control board 15 based on the reception of the information regarding the detection of the error (special event), the sound output (for example, the game board side speaker 270Z), the LCD effect, and the illumination. Notify the error. By doing so, the occurrence of an error (special event) detected by the frame control board 17 can be appropriately notified.

The information on the detection of errors (special events) to the main control board 16 is, as shown in FIG. It is notified as frame control state information (see FIGS. 38 and 39). And when it is notified that an error (special event) has occurred, the game ball cannot be shot by turning off the shooting permission signal.

In the game board 26, when the opening of the front decoration is detected (the ON state of the front decoration open switch 12 is detected), the main control board 16 notifies the front decoration opening (error code=F64). Specifically, when the main control board 16 detects the error by the opening detection 16d of the front decoration open switch as shown in FIG. The error is notified by LCD presentation and illumination. Further, the main control board 16 transmits a firing stop signal (for example, an off signal of a firing permission signal, etc.) to the firing control board 31 to stop the game ball firing function. 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.

In the game board 26, when the opening of the back mechanism is detected (the on state of the back mechanism opening switch 13 is detected), the main control board 16 notifies the error of the opening of the back mechanism (error code=F65). Specifically, the main control board 16, as shown in FIG. 35, when the error is detected by the back mechanism part opening switch opening detection 16e, the sound output controlled by the effect control board 15 (for example, the game board side speaker 270Z) , 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 part opening switch 13 is connected to the backup power supply board 174, and opening can be detected even at night when the power supply is turned off. FIG. 36 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the backup power supply board 174. As shown in FIG. 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. 36 when the power is turned on. In addition, the backup power supply board 174 has a backup power supply II (5V) 17c. The backup power supply II (5V) 17c is charged with power from the power supply line DC5V-1 through the charging circuit 174a of the power supply generation function when the power supply is turned on, and is backed up by the diode circuit 174b of the power supply selection function when the power supply is turned off. It is possible to switch to the power supply on the power board 174 .

The backup power supply board 174 also backs up the power supply for the structure that determines disconnection open detection based on the game board connection confirmation signal, the clear signal, and the detection signal of the back mechanism open switch 13 .

In the frame control board 17, a program (communication processing shown in FIG. 24) used for communication control with the main control board 16 is stored in a user program use area (specific area). The frame control board 17 detects different events between processes executed within the use area of the user program and processes executed outside the use area (outside the specific area). For example, since the number of game balls display processing (Fig. 24) is executed within the use area of the user program, the error of the number of game balls over (error code = F23) can be detected within the use area, and the user program Since the game ball circulation process (FIG. 24) is executed outside the use area, the game ball circulation device error (error code=F17) can be detected outside the use area. Therefore, an error (event) detected by a process executed within the user program's use area can be transmitted to the main control board 16 by executing the program (in particular, communication process). As a result, processing can be executed without straddling the area used by the user program and the area outside the area used.

The main control board 16 can control the firing operation of the firing mechanism 30, and as shown in FIG. Stop firing. As a result, the shooting operation can be stopped in response to the occurrence of an error (special event) detected by 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), regardless of the detection status of the error (predetermined event) by the main control board 16, the number of game balls is displayed. Information that can identify the detected error (for example, an error code) may be displayed on the device 29 . Thus, regardless of the control state of the game board 26, the detected error can be displayed in a identifiable manner.

<Communication Between Main Control Board 16 and Frame Control Board 17>
Next, communication between the main control board 16 (main control section 161) and the frame control board 17 (frame control section 171) provided in the P table 2 (see FIG. 4) will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 37, the sequence processed between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 when the power is turned on will be described. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17. FIG.

Communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed by a polling method with the main control board 16 as a primary station, and the polling interval is, for example, 100 ms. Note that communication for power-on notification and power-on reception is excluded. The main control board 16 resends the notification telegram when it cannot receive a response for 100 ms after transmitting the notification telegram. If no response is received 10 times in a row, the communication line is disconnected. If the frame control board 17 fails to receive the next notification for 1000 ms after receiving the notification telegram, it disconnects the communication line.

Furthermore, the frame control board 17 transmits a response command to the main control board 16 only when it receives normal data. The serial number used for transmission/reception is stored in the storage unit of both the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17, and is used for confirming the normality of commands and for recovering from power failure and recovery from communication line interruption.

Specifically, the communication sequence will be described. First, when power is turned on, communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is started after the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 are activated. Activation of the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 may take up to 10000 ms, for example. Although the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed in plaintext, encrypted communication may be performed.

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

After notifying the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information, the main control board 16 notifies the frame control board 17 of the game machine information at regular intervals (100 ms). Specifically, the main control board 16 transmits a game machine information notification command 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 sets the communication serial number to “2” without counting up and transmits a game machine information response response to the main control board 16 . Thereafter, when the main control board 16 transmits a command to the frame control board 17, it notifies the frame control board 17 of the gaming machine information while counting up the communication serial number.

Here, the relationship between the communication timing between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 and the communication timing between the frame control board 17 (P table 2) and the CU3 will be described. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a communication sequence for explaining communication timing. As shown in FIG. 38, 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 CU3 at a cycle (200 ms) slower than the fixed cycle (100 ms) of communication with the main control board 16 . Note that the frame control board 17 may transmit the game machine information to the CU3 at a cycle of 300 ms instead of 200 ms.

In other words, this is the communication timing at which the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is performed twice while the communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU3 is performed once. If the communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU3 is at a period of 300 ms, the communication between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 will be repeated three times during one communication between the frame control board 17 and the CU3. communication timing. Therefore, the frame control board 17 can acquire the information of the game machine from the main control board 16 more frequently, so that the change of the game machine can be grasped more accurately. can be sent to In this example, the communication timing between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 is set to a period of 200 ms, and the communication timing between the frame control board 17 (P table 2) and the CU 3 is set to a period of 300 ms. , the present invention is not limited to this, and these cycles may be the same cycle of 200 ms, for example, or may be different cycles from 200 ms and 300 ms.

<Command between main control board 16 and frame control board 17>
Next, commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17 will be described. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a list of commands transmitted and received between the main control board 16 and the frame control board 17. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 39, commands transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17 include game machine installation information notification and game machine information notification. The game machine installation information notification command is a command for notifying the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information. The game machine information notification command is a command for notifying the frame control board 17 of the game machine information.

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

<Game machine installation information notification/game machine installation information response>
Next, the gaming machine installation information notification command and the gaming machine installation information response response will be described in detail. FIG. 41 is a diagram for explaining a gaming machine installation information notification command and a gaming machine installation information response response. The game machine installation information notification command shown in FIG. 41(a) is a command for the main control board 16 to notify the frame control board 17 of the game machine installation information. ID number", "main control CPU manufacturer code", and "main control CPU model code". When the main control board 16 transmits a game machine installation information notification command to the frame control board 17, the communication serial number is 1. Also, the electronic message for notifying the installation information of the gaming machine must be completed in one frame and not divided and transmitted. Further, if the frame control board 17 fails to receive the checksum within 20 ms after receiving the telegram length of the gaming machine installation information notification, the frame control board 17 cancels the data received up to that point and receives again from the telegram length. The following commands and responses are performed in the same way.

The gaming machine installation information response shown in FIG. 41(b) is a response for the frame control board 17 to respond to the main control board 16 with the reception result of the gaming machine installation information notification. Receipt Result”. The frame control board 17 directly responds with the communication serial number received in the game machine installation information notification. However, when receiving a communication serial number other than 1, the frame control board 17 does not respond.

<Game machine information notification>
Next, the game machine information notification command will be described in detail. FIG. 42 is a diagram for explaining commands for game machine information notification. 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 (hall control information, fraud monitoring information, etc.). status", "gaming machine error status", "fraud detection status", and "game information". The main control board 16 adds 1 to the communication serial number when notifying the gaming machine information. Note that the maximum communication serial number is 255, and the count returns to 1 after 255. Also, when retransmitting a message, 1 is not added (updated) to the communication serial number.

The "main control state" is information on the game state of the P machine 2, and includes "main control state 1" and "main control state 2". "Main control state 1" includes information on jackpot 1 (all jackpots), jackpot 2 (specific jackpot), and jackpot 3 (time-saving jackpot), and information on gaming machine state signals 1-5. Gaming machine state signals 1-5 are used to output states from the external output terminal 340 of CU3, and correspond to "external terminal state output signals 1-5" output from the external output terminal of CU3. "Main control state 1" includes information on jackpot + time reduction (variation time reduction), high probability, and time reduction (variation time reduction), and information on gaming machine state signals 6-9. Gaming machine state signals 6-9 are used to output states from the external output terminal 340 of CU3, and correspond to "external terminal state output signals 6-9" output from the external output terminal of CU3.

The "gaming machine error state" includes information on the error code occurring in the gaming machine. “Fraud detection status” 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 start-up wins, big wins, and the number of symbol determinations generated by the main control board 16 . The "game information" consists of a total of 2 bytes: 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 explained in more detail. FIG. 43 is a diagram for explaining type information included in game information. The type information is set for each value of the data type (Bits 4 to 7). For example, when the value of the data type is 1, it is the start-up winning information. A data number (Bits 0 to 3) is set for each data type. For example, if the data number is 1, it indicates the starting port number such as start port 1.

When the data type value is 2, it notifies that the player has won the big prize slot, and when the data number is 1, it indicates the big prize hole number such as 1 and so on. If the value of the data type is 4, it notifies the number of fluctuations in the design, and if the data number is 1, it indicates the special figure number such as special figure 1. When the value of the data type is 8, it notifies the opening of the large winning opening when the accessory continuous operation device is not activated, and when the data number is 1, the accessory number such as accessory 1 is indicated. When the data type value is 13, it indicates that the CU3 is to output a pulse, and the data number indicates the terminal of the external output terminal 340 of the CU3. When the data type value is 14, the state required for calculating the performance information is notified, and the data number is fixed to 1.

As the count information, different frequency information is set for each data type. Data type is 1 = starting entry winning, 2 = big winning entry winning, 3 = winning entry winning, 9 = starting entry winning by operation of role, 10 = big winning entry by continuous operation of role, 11 = by operation of role In the case of a prize-winning prize, the count information consists of the number of prize balls (upper 4 bits) and the number of prizes (lower 4 bits). For example, if 2 wins are made in the starter 1 of 3 prize balls, the data type (Bits 4 to 7) is "1 = starter 1", the data number (Bits 0 to 3) is "1 = starter 1", and the prize The game information (0x1131) with the number of balls (Bits 4 to 7) of "3 = 3 prize balls" and the number of prizes (Bits 0 to 3) of "1 = 1 prize" is 2 data.

When the data type is 4=the number of design determinations, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of design determinations (lower 4 bits). If the data type is 5 = big hit, 6 = small hit, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of hits (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 7=gate passing, the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and gate passing number (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 8=the number of times of the prize (the number of openings of the big prize opening), the count information is composed of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of times of the prize (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 12=passing through a specific area, the count information consists of unused (upper 4 bits) and the number of passing through specific areas (lower 4 bits). When the data type is 13=number of pulse counts, the count information consists 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 consists of unused (upper 4 bits) and a status flag (lower 4 bits). In the state flags (Bit0 to 3), Bit0 indicates the base state, Bit0 indicates that it is in the low base if it is "0", indicates that it is in the high base if it is "1", Bit1 indicates the state in the big hit, Bit1 is "0" indicates normal time, "1" indicates that it is a big hit, Bit2 indicates a high probability state, Bit1 indicates a low probability if "0", high probability if "1" there is

<Game machine information response>
FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining the gaming machine information response command. The gaming machine information response shown in FIG. 44 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. control state”. The frame control board 17 directly responds with the communication serial number received in the game machine information notification. However, when the frame control board 17 receives a communication serial number that does not establish continuity, it does not respond.

The "frame control state" includes state information of the frame control board 17, and specifically, information (error) that the number of game balls is over is included in Bit0. The frame control board 17 transmits the gaming machine information response to the main control board 16 side via serial communication, thereby mainly sending information regarding the detection of the game ball number over (error code=F23) error shown in FIG. The control board 16 can be notified. Therefore, the main control board 16 side can also notify an error that the number of game balls is over (error code=F23).

That is, as shown in FIG. 40, when the frame control state game machine information response regarding the detection of the error of the number of game balls over (error code=F23) is transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the main control board 16 2, the main control board 16 disables the shooting of game balls by turning off the shooting permission signal.

<Configuration of pachinko machine according to the second embodiment>
Next, the configuration of the enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 45 to 80. FIG. FIG. 45 is a front view showing an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine and a card unit. FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing a state in which the enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine is seen obliquely from the front right. FIG. 47 is a left side view, a right side view, and a rear view showing an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine. 4A and 4B are a plan view and a bottom view showing an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 45. FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 45. FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 45. FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 45. FIG. FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. In the following, differences from the pachinko game machine 2 of the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and detailed description will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the same components and control contents. Also, in the following drawings, some members, devices, etc. may be partially omitted so that the structure can be understood.

As shown in FIG. 45, an enclosed circulation type pachinko gaming machine 1002 (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as P machines 1002) as the second embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine 2 (hereinafter, P machines) as the first embodiment. 2), it can be installed on a game island (not shown) installed in a game hall (hall), and at a lateral position on a predetermined side of the P stand 1002, the P stand A card unit 3 (hereinafter also abbreviated as CU3), which is an example of a game device, is installed to 1002 in a one-to-one correspondence.

The P platform 1002 contains a predetermined number (for example, 40) of game balls (pachinko balls, hereinafter also referred to as enclosed balls), which is an example of game media. As a result, the shooting solenoid 31a of the shooting mechanism 30 (see FIG. 61), which is a shooting device provided on the lower left side of the game board 26, is driven to shoot game balls one by one into the game area 27 on the front of the game board 26. is configured so that In the second embodiment, game balls made of synthetic resin material are used as game balls, but the material is not limited to synthetic resin material, and iron game balls ( Hereinafter, it may be abbreviated as an iron ball) or the like may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 45 to 53, the P platform 1002 is supported by a square frame-shaped outer frame 4 fixed to a game island (not shown) and rotatable about the left side of the outer frame 4. and a glass door 6 supported to be rotatable about the left side of the game machine frame 5 .

A game board 26 is provided in the game machine frame 5 . The glass door 6 is provided with a glass window 6G made of two glass plates 6GF and 6GB (synthetic resin material having translucency may be used). A game area 27 in which game balls can flow down is formed between the window 6G, and the game area 27 can be seen through from the player side through the glass window 6G.

The P stand 1002 can be divided into a game board 26 and a game frame including an outer frame 4, a game machine frame 5, a glass door 6, and the like. In particular, the game board 26 differs for each model of pachinko game machine developed by each company, while the game frame including the outer frame 4, the game machine frame 5, the glass door 6, etc. is common regardless of the model. It is used as a common frame. Therefore, it is sufficient to replace only the game board 26 when replacing the machines in the game hall.

A decorative body composed of a plurality of decorative covers 1201A to 1201D is provided on the front surface of the P table 1002 so as to surround the glass window 6G. The decorative cover 1201A is arranged on the upper side of the glass window 6G, the decorative cover 1201B is arranged on the left side of the glass window 6G, the decorative cover 1201C is arranged on the lower side of the glass window 6G, and the decorative cover 1201D is arranged on the glass window 6G. is placed on the right side of the

As shown in FIGS. 47 to 51, each of the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D is made of a translucent synthetic resin material and has a generally triangular shape in horizontal cross section that gradually tapers forward and has an open rear surface. These forwardly projecting decorative covers 1201A to 1201D constitute a three-dimensional frame-shaped decorative portion surrounding the glass window 6G. As a result, a space surrounded by the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D is formed on the front side of the glass window 6G.

Inside each of the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D, a plurality of effect LEDs 1202A to 1202D (see FIG. 51) are provided so as to be able to emit light forward. By forming a light diffusing portion (not shown) having a shape, the light from the performance LEDs 1202A to 1202D is diffused inside the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D and emitted to the outside. emits light. Speakers 270A and 270B are provided on the left and right sides inside the decorative cover 1201A, and the sounds output from the speakers 270A and 270B are emitted to the outside at positions corresponding to the speakers 270A and 270B in the decorative cover 1201A. Sound emitting portions 1203A and 1203B, which are slits and holes for sound emission, are formed.

As shown in FIG. 47, the longest protruding dimensions (front-to-rear dimensions) from the rear end to the front end of each of the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D are projection dimensions LA, LB, LC, and LD. Among these projecting dimensions LA, LB, LC, and LD, the projecting dimension LA on the left and right sides of the decorative cover 1201A is the longest, and the projecting dimension LD, projecting dimension LC, and projecting dimension LB are shorter in this order ( LA>LD>LC>LB). As shown in FIG. 4, a recess 1204 recessed rearward is formed in the center of the upper decorative cover 1201A in the left-right direction. ' is shorter than the projecting dimension LB of the decorative cover 1201B (LB>LA').

Further, as shown in FIG. 47, the front edge of the left decorative cover 1201B is formed in an arcuate shape that curves rearward, and the front edge of the right decorative cover 1201D curves forward in a convex shape. The left decorative cover 1201B has a projecting dimension LB shorter than the projecting dimension LD of the right decorative cover 1201D. Therefore, when the glass door 6 is opened centering on the left side, the left decorative cover 1201B is less likely to come into contact with game devices such as CU3 arranged on the left side of the P table 1002, the P table 1002, and the like.

Since the P table 1002 contains game balls, it does not require a game ball insertion part (upper tray) like the current pachinko game machine. , 1201B and 1201D project forward. The upper surface of the lower decorative cover 1201C is formed in a slanted shape that slopes downward toward the front, and the upper surface is provided with an operation section 1205 that can be operated by the player. A non-contact capacitive detection switch (touch sensor) or the like (not shown) is provided inside the decorative cover 1201C so that it can be detected that the player approaches or touches the operation unit 1205 . Note that the operation unit 1205 may be configured by a button switch or the like that can be pressed. Further, by providing the decorative cover 1201C operably with respect to the glass door 6, the decorative cover 1201C itself may be configured as a button switch.

Below the glass window 6G on the front surface of the P table 1002, an operation unit 1210 is provided so as to protrude forward. The operation unit 1210 is formed in a three-dimensional shape having a substantially trapezoidal shape in a plan view, and has a count button 28 and a game ball number display 29 on the top surface, and a hitting ball operation handle 25 on the right side surface. . The projection dimension LE from the rear end to the front end (the front-rear dimension LE) of the operation unit 1210 is substantially the same as the projection dimension LD of the right decorative cover 1201D, and is longer than the projection dimension LC of the lower decorative cover 1201C. It is long (LE=LD, LE>LC). That is, the front end protrudes slightly forward of the front end of the decorative cover 1201C, so that the counting button 28 and the game ball number display 29 can be arranged so that the player can operate them. .

In addition, speakers 270C and 270D are provided at the center position and the right side in the horizontal direction inside the operation unit 1210 (see FIG. 53). Sound emitting portions 1203C and 1203D, which are slits and holes for emitting sounds output from the speakers 270C and 270D to the outside, are formed.

In this way, in the sealed circulation type pachinko game machine 1002, unlike the current pachinko game machine, the upper tray, which is the insertion part for inserting the game balls, is not required, so the lower decorative cover 1201C is replaced with, for example, It can be protruded forward from the left decorative cover 1201C, and the space such as the upper surface of the decorative cover 1201C formed by this can be used to count the production units related to production such as the operation unit 1205 and the decoration unit. It is possible to dispose separately at a position closer to the game area 27 and the variable display device 278 than the game parts related to the game such as the button 28 and the game ball number display 29 .

In addition, the current pachinko machine has a payout section that pays out game balls to players, thereby securing space below the payout section for installing a storage box that can store game balls and a counting device. However, since the P table 1002 does not require a payout portion, the operation unit 1210 having the ball-hitting operation handle 25 and the like can be arranged at the lower position of the outer frame 4 . Therefore, since the game area 27 can be expanded downward more than the current pachinko game machine, the degree of freedom in designing the game board 26 is improved.

As shown in FIGS. 47 to 52, on the back of the game board 26, there is a main control board storage case 16A in which the main control board 16 is stored, and an effect control board storage case (not shown) in which the effect control board 15 is stored. , various production devices (not shown), etc. are provided, and these are covered with a cover member 1211 made of a synthetic resin material having translucency. The cover member 1211 protrudes rearward from the outer frame 4 when the game board 26 is attached to the game machine frame 5 . The game board 26 is a structure including a board 26A and obstacle nails, windmills, and various winning devices provided on the board 26A. A game board unit consisting of a main control board storage case 16A, an effect control board storage case (not shown), various effect devices, and a cover member 1211 covering these is provided by each game machine manufacturer.

Various devices including a power board housing case 18A housing the power board 18 and a frame control board housing case 17A housing the frame control board 17 are positioned below the game board 26 on the back surface of the game machine frame 5. and parts are provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 52, the power board storage case 18A is attached to the right side of the back of the mounting member 1212 attached to the back of the game machine frame 5, and the frame control board storage case 17A is attached to the back of the mounting member 1212. It is attached to the back surface of the attachment member 1213 provided so as to overlap on the side. Therefore, by removing the mounting members 1212 and 1213, the rear side of a game ball circulation path provided in the lower portion of the game machine frame 5, which will be described later, can be opened.

<Configuration of pachinko machines>
Next, the configuration of the enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine 1002 will be described with reference to FIGS. 53 to 56. FIG. FIG. 54 is a perspective view showing how to attach the game board. FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of mounting the game board. 56, (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the mounting state by the upper board presser, and (C) is a perspective view showing the lower board presser.

As shown in FIG. 53, the P platform 1002 includes a square frame-shaped outer frame 4 fixed to a game island (not shown), and a gaming machine supported rotatably about the left side of the outer frame 4. It is mainly composed of a frame 5 and a glass door 6 rotatably supported on the left side of the game machine frame 5. - 特許庁

A pair of upper and lower engaging protrusions 6a and 6b are provided on the right side of the game machine frame 5 opposite to the center of rotation so as to protrude to the rear side. The engaging projections 6a and 6b are pressed downward by springs (not shown). On the other hand, engagement receiving pieces 7a and 7b are provided on the right side of the outer frame 4 corresponding to the engagement projections 6a and 6b. By pressing the game machine frame 5 in the open state against the outer frame 4, the engaging projections 6a and 6b get over the engaging receiving pieces 7a and 7b, and in the overridden state, the engaging projection 6a is pushed by the urging force of a spring (not shown). , 6b move downward and enter a locked state.

Also, when a store clerk or the like inserts a key (not shown) of the game place into the keyhole 10 and performs an unlocking operation (for example, rotates clockwise), it moves up and down against the biasing force of the spring (not shown). The pair of engaging projections 6a and 6b are pushed upward, and as a result, the engagement of the engaging projections 6a and 6b with the engaging receiving pieces 7a and 7b is released to enter the unlocked state, and the game machine frame 5 is released. Open to frame 4.

Engagement projections 8a, 8b and 8c for the glass door 6 are provided on the upper, middle and lower portions of the right side of the game machine frame 5 so as to protrude forward. , 8c are provided on the right side of the rear surface of the glass door 6 with engaging holes 9a, 9b, 9c. The engagement protrusions 8a, 8b, 8c are pressed downward by springs (not shown), and by pressing the open glass door 6 against the game machine frame 5, the engagement holes 9a, 9b, 9c are closed. When the engaging projections 8a, 8b, 8c are pushed up by the lower edge portion and overcome, the engaging projections 8a, 8b, 8c are pushed down by the urging force of the spring, and engage with the engaging projections 8a, 8b, 8c. The mating holes 9a, 9b and 9c are engaged with each other to establish a locked state. In this state, a game hall clerk inserts a game hall key (not shown) into the keyhole 10 and performs an unlocking operation (for example, rotates it counterclockwise), thereby engaging the projection against the biasing force of the spring. 8a, 8b, 8c are pulled up, the engagement between the engagement projections 8a, 8b, 8c and the engagement holes 9a, 9b, 9c is released, the lock is released, and the glass door 6 is opened.

A back mechanism opening switch 13 is provided at a portion of the lower part of the game machine frame 5 that contacts the outer frame 4, and the opening of the game machine frame 5 is detected. A front decoration open switch 12 is provided at a contact portion of the upper part of the game machine frame 5 with the glass door 6, and the opening of the glass door 6 is detected by the front decoration open switch 12. - 特許庁

The number of times the front cover open switch 12 and the back mechanism open switch 13 are opened is counted by a 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 operate with a backup power supply even when the power supply to the P unit 1002 is interrupted. Even when the power is off, the number of open detection times of the glass door 6 or the game machine frame 5 can be counted and the counted value can be transmitted to the frame control section 171 . Here, the backup power source is, for example, a capacitor or a storage battery provided in the P platform 1002 .

As shown in FIGS. 47 to 51, 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 becomes detachable from the game board 26 by first opening the game machine frame 5 and removing the game board 26 from the game machine frame 5.例文帳に追加In other words, in order to remove the main control board 16 from the game board 26 or to replace the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16, the game machine frame 5 must be opened. can always detect the work. Therefore, if the main control board 16 is illegally removed from the game board 26 or if the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16 is illegally replaced, the back mechanism open switch 13 can detect it. Incidentally, the effect control board 15 may be provided on the back surface of the game board 26 .

Furthermore, a frame control board 17 is provided on the back surface of the game machine frame 5 . The frame control board 17 also needs to be removed from the back surface of the game machine frame 5 after the game machine frame 5 is first opened. Therefore, if the frame control board 17 is illegally removed from the back surface of the game machine frame 5, or if the semiconductor chip provided on the frame control board 17 is illegally replaced, the back mechanism open switch 13 can always detect it.

As shown in FIG. 54, the game board 26 includes a board 26A formed of a translucent synthetic resin material such as an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, or a methacrylic resin and having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The game board surface, which is the front surface, is composed of obstacle nails (not shown), guide rails 1220, various winning devices, and the like. Note that the board plate 26A may be configured in a substantially rectangular shape in a front view by using a non-translucent member such as a plywood plate.

The game machine frame 5 is formed with an opening 1230 into which the game board 26 cannot be inserted and into which the cover member 1211 can be inserted, so that the game board 26 can be attached from the front side. Locking recesses 1231A and 1231B are provided at upper and lower positions on the left side of the opening 1230 by a pair of front and rear plate springs spaced apart in the front and rear direction, and board retainers 1232 and 1233 are provided at upper and lower positions on the right side. The left end of the game board 26 is inserted into the locking recesses 1231A and 1231B, and the right end is locked by the board retainers 1232 and 1233 to be attached. When the game board 26 is attached to the game machine frame 5 , the cover member 1211 on the back side of the game board 26 protrudes to the back side of the game machine frame 5 through the opening 1230 .

As shown in FIGS. 55 and 56(A) and (B), the board retainer 1232 has a first rotating portion 1235 which is rotatably provided on the game machine frame 5 about a rotating shaft 1234 facing in the vertical direction. a second rotating portion 1237 provided to the first rotating portion 1235 so as to be rotatable about a rotating shaft 1236 directed in the vertical direction; a leaf spring 1238 that biases the first rotating portion 1235; and a regulation shaft 1239 that regulates the rotation of the second rotation portion 1237 . As shown in FIG. 56A, the first rotating portion 1235 is formed with a recess 1235A into which the game board 26 can be inserted, and the recess 1235A is urged forward by a plate spring 1238. .

As shown in FIG. 56(C), the board retainer 1233 includes a base portion 1240 fixed to the lower right side of the opening portion 1230 in the game machine frame 5, and a vertical turn provided on the right side of the base portion 1240. It is mainly composed of a rotating portion 1242 that is rotatable around a driving shaft 1241 and a locking portion 1243 that is slidable in the lateral direction with respect to the rotating portion 1242 .

The rotating portion 1242 is always urged in the opening direction by a coil spring (not shown) attached to the rotating shaft 1241, and is provided with a pressing portion that presses the right side of the front lower side of the game board 26 from the front side. 1242A extends in the left-right direction.

The locking portion 1243 has a locking pawl (not shown) that can be locked to a locked portion (not shown) formed on the base portion 1240, and an operation piece 1243A for unlocking operation. It is always urged in the locking direction by a compression spring (not shown).

When the game board 26 is attached to the game machine frame 5, first, the board retainer 1232 is brought into the non-fixed state shown in FIG. . Next, as shown in FIGS. 54 and 55, from the front side of the game machine frame 5, the upper and lower parts of the left side of the game board 26 are inserted into the locking recesses 1231A and 1231B, and the right side of the game board 26 is inserted into the game machine frame 5. push to the side.

Then, as shown in FIG. 56B, the first rotating portion 1235 and the second rotating portion 1237 of the board retainer 1232 rotate clockwise about the rotating shaft 1234 in a plan view, and the game board 26 is moved. When the right side portion is inserted into the concave portion 1235A and becomes substantially parallel to the gaming machine frame 5, the rotation of the second rotating portion 1237 is restricted by the restricting shaft 1239, and the elastic piece 1237A of the second rotating portion 1237 rotates. The rotation of the first rotating portion 1235 is also restricted and held at the fixed position.

Next, as shown in FIG. 56(C), the rotary portion 1242 of the presser foot 1233 is rotated substantially clockwise in a plan view, and the locking portion 1243 is engaged with the locked portion (not shown) formed on the base portion 1240. ), the front right lower portion of the game board 26 is fixed by the holding portion 1242A. When removing the game board 26, the game board 26 can be easily removed from the game machine frame 5 simply by releasing the fixation by the board retainers 1232 and 1233 and extracting it from the engaging recesses 1231A and 1231B.

Although not shown, when the game board 26 is fixed by the board retainers 1232 and 1233, the convex drawer connector (not shown) provided on the game board 26 side is connected to the concave drawer connector provided on the game machine frame 5 side. (not shown). Here, the convex drawer connector and the concave drawer connector are floating connectors having flexibility against misalignment. When the game board 26 is installed in the game machine frame 5, the convex drawer connector is coupled with the concave drawer connector, thereby connecting the main control board 16 on the game board 26 side and the frame control board 17 on the game machine frame 5 side. will be connected. Furthermore, since the game board 26 is fixed in a fixed position and the convex drawer connector and the concave drawer connector have flexibility against positional deviation to some extent, the convex drawer connector and the concave drawer connector These can be combined without being conscious of their positional relationship. Even if the game board 26 is installed in the game machine frame 5 only with the convex drawer connector and the concave drawer connector without providing the board retainers 1232 and 1233, the convex drawer connector and the concave drawer connector themselves are flexible. Since it is a flexible floating connector, the game board 26 and the game machine frame 5 can be connected without being conscious of their positional relationship. The convex drawer connector is connected to the main control board 16 via internal wiring (not shown) of the game board 26, and the concave drawer connector is connected to the frame control board 17 via a signal cable.

The mounting mechanism for the game board 26, which consists of the locking recesses 1231A and 1231B and the board retainers 1232 and 1233, corresponds to the game board 26 manufactured by each game machine maker having slightly different shapes, thicknesses and sizes. It is preferable to allow common use.

<Circulation path of game balls>
Next, based on FIGS. 57 to 62, the circulation path of game balls on the P platform 1002 will be outlined. FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front lower portion of the gaming machine frame is viewed obliquely from the front right side. FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of the members of the game machine frame is removed and the structure of the lower back surface is seen from the front right side. FIG. 59 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lower back surface of the gaming machine frame is viewed obliquely from the right rear side. FIG. 60 is a perspective view showing the lower back surface of the gaming machine frame as viewed obliquely from the rear left side. FIG. 61 is a schematic front view showing a circulation path of game balls. FIG. 62 is a schematic perspective view showing a circulation path of game balls. 63, (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the normal state of the collected ball downflow path, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the clogging of the collected ball downflow path when clogging is detected. 64, (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which ball clogging in the collected ball flow-down path is released, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing ball removal from the collected ball flow-down path. 65A is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the polishing cassette is supported, and FIG. 65B is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the polishing cassette is pulled out. In FIG. 62, the halftone dot area indicates the wall portion of the game machine frame 5. As shown in FIG. 59 and 60, the lifting device 1330 is in a state where a part of the case body is removed.

In the above embodiment (first embodiment), the shooting mechanism 30 and the subtraction mechanism 32 are provided in the upper left part of the game area 27, and the game ball is shot from the upper left part of the game area 27. In the embodiment, the shooting mechanism 30 and the subtracting mechanism 32 are provided at the lower left position of the game area 27, and game balls are shot upward from the lower left position of the game area 27. The shooting mechanism 30 and the subtracting mechanism 32 are different in the direction in which the game ball is shot, but the basic configuration and shooting control are the same.

In the above-described embodiment, since the shooting mechanism 30 and the subtracting mechanism 32 are arranged in the upper left part of the game area 27, the arrangement space for the shooting mechanism 30 and the subtracting mechanism 32 must be secured in the upper left part of the game board 26. rice field. In addition, after recovering out balls and safe balls (winning balls) that have been launched into the game area 27 and flowed down below the game area 27, they are lifted up to the upper left part of the game area 27 and supplied to the shooting mechanism 30. A long lifting device and the like are arranged on the left rear surface of the game board 26 . Therefore, the game machine maker that manufactures the game board 26 manufactures the game board 26 in consideration of the arrangement positions of the shooting mechanism 30, the subtraction mechanism 32, and the lifting device provided in the game machine frame 5, which is a common frame. Therefore, there is a limit to increase the degree of freedom in design, such as the game area 27 cannot be enlarged.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the shooting mechanism 30, the subtraction mechanism 32, and the circulation path for returning the game balls collected from the game area 27 to the shooting mechanism 30 are provided below the game area 27, and the game balls are released above the game area. By adopting a configuration that launches toward the area 27, the game machine frame 5 side such as the shooting mechanism 30, the subtraction mechanism 32, and the lifting device is placed below the arrangement position (outside the arrangement position) of the game board 26 manufactured by the game machine maker. By providing such a device, etc., it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in design, such as increasing the size of the game area 27.例文帳に追加The circulation route will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 57 and 58 , a shooting mechanism 30 is provided at the lower left front position of the game machine frame 5 , and the front side of the shooting mechanism 30 is covered with a shooting cover 1300 . The firing cover 1300 and its peripheral front side are covered with a cover body 1310 that can be opened and closed (see FIGS. 53 and 54). are prevented from doing so. A shot ball guide rail 1301A forming a shot ball guide path 1301 extends from the launch pad 43 obliquely upward to the left. It is designed to be induced. The ball-hitting hammer is provided so that a game ball supplied to the launch pad 43 can be hit from below with a pestle 42.例文帳に追加

Also, the launch cover 1300 is launched from the front wall of the launch ball guide path 1301, the launch pad 43 to the launch ball guide path 1301, and the board-side launch ball guide path 1302, but falls without reaching the game area 27. It constitutes the front wall, the left wall, and the bottom wall of a foul ball guide path 1303 that guides a returned foul ball (also referred to as a return ball). The game ball guided by the foul ball guide path 1303 is guided to the back side of the game machine frame 5 and detected by the foul ball detection switch 703 provided on the way. The upper ends of the launch ball guide path 1301 and the foul ball guide path 1303 are connected to the lower part of the board-side launch ball guide path 1302 .

As shown in FIGS. 59 and 60, a subtraction mechanism 32 is provided at a lower left position on the back surface of the game machine frame 5, and a foul ball guide path 1303 extends downward to the right. In addition, on the back side of the game machine frame 5, various guidance paths are provided to constitute a circulation path.

In the above-described embodiment, since the shooting mechanism 30 is provided close to the upper left part of the game area 27, the foul ball guide path and the foul ball detection switch are unnecessary. Since the launching mechanism 30 is provided below the game area 27, the launch ball guide path 1301 and the board-side launch ball guide path 1302 are longer than in the above-described embodiment. A switch 703 and processing related to foul ball detection, which will be described later, are required. Further, the arrangement position of the foul ball detection switch 703 on the foul ball guide path 1303 is not limited to the positions shown in FIGS. 61 and 62, and can be changed variously.

Next, based on FIGS. 61 and 62, the circulation route will be described with reference to FIGS. 57 to 60. FIG. First, when the player operates the hitting operation handle 25, the shooting solenoid 31a is driven. As a result, one game ball that has been supplied to the shooting position is shot by the hitting ball hammer. The shot game ball enters the game area 27 after being guided diagonally upward to the left by the shot ball guide path 1301 and to the upper left part of the game area 27 by the board-side shot ball guide path 1302 .

A subtraction reference signal is output to the subtraction mechanism 32 in conjunction with the shooting solenoid 31a operating and the game ball being shot. In the subtraction mechanism 32, based on the output subtraction reference signal, the subtraction solenoid 32a is energized to move the movable piece 45 (see FIG. 19) to send the game ball to the shooting mechanism 30, and the game ball is sent to the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor. The number of game balls is subtracted by passing through 32b.

Of the game balls hit into the game area 27, the out balls that have entered the out port 154 (see FIG. 45) are guided to the back side of the game board 26 and then provided on the lower back side of the gaming machine frame 5. The ball falls into an out-ball receiving portion 1311A formed in the upper portion of the out-ball flow-down path 1311 (see FIG. 49). Then, it flows rightward through an out-ball flow-down path 1311 and is detected by an out-ball detection switch 701 provided on the way.

In addition, all the safe balls (winning balls) that have entered the winning opening or the variable winning ball device are guided to the back side of the game board 26, and then are guided to the back side of the game board 26. 49), and falls into a safe ball receiving portion 1312A formed above a safe ball flow-down path 1312 provided on the lower back surface of the gaming machine frame 5. Then, it flows rightward through the safe ball flow-down path 1312 and is detected by the safe ball detection switch 702 provided on the way.

The game balls flowing down each of the out ball flow path 1311 and the safe ball flow path 1312 are guided downward on the right side of the lower back surface of the game machine frame 5, and then are guided leftward and immediately join together to flow down the collected balls. The path 1313 guides it to the left. The game ball guided by the collected ball flow-down path 1313 is guided backward and leftward in the ball extraction part 1314 provided at a slightly right side position of the shooting mechanism 30 and enters the lower part of the lifting device 1330 . In addition, an iron ball detection mechanism 1315 capable of detecting an iron ball that has entered the circulation path is provided in the recovered ball flow-down path 1313 .

As shown in FIGS. 63 and 64, the iron ball detection mechanism 1315 includes a ball clogging release member 1316 provided in the middle of the recovered ball flow-down path 1313 and a ball clogging release member 1316 upstream of 8 to 10 game balls. and a clogged ball detection switch 1317 provided on the side. The ball clogging release member 1316 extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the collected ball flow-down path 1313 below the collected ball flow-down path 1313, and is located at the first position shown in FIGS. It is supported by the game machine frame 5 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction between the second position shown in (B) and always maintained at the first position by a spring member (not shown).

The jammed ball release member 1316 is inserted through an opening 1318 (see FIG. 57) formed in the game machine frame 5, and an operation portion 1316A formed at the front end protrudes to the front side of the game machine frame 5 at the first position. At the same time, the magnet 1316B provided at the rear end is arranged close to the lower surface side of the bottom wall of the collected ball flow-down path 1313 .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 63(A), proper game balls p made of synthetic resin material are permitted to flow down the recovered ball flow-down path 1313, while improper game balls p are allowed to flow down as shown in FIG. 63(B). When the iron ball pt flows down, the iron ball pt is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 1316B and the flow is regulated, so that the following game balls p that flow down after the iron ball pt stay. Ball clogging occurs. Then, when the blockage detection switch 1317 continues to detect the remaining game ball p for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), the frame control unit 171 transmits illegal monitoring information to the CU3. It's becoming

As shown in FIGS. 63 and 64, a ball extraction port 1320 is formed in the ball removal portion 1314 of the collected ball flow-down path 1313 so that game balls that have flowed down the collected ball flow-down path 1313 can flow out of the path. The ball extraction port 1320 can be opened and closed by a ball extraction lever 1321 . The ball extraction lever 1321 is rotatable around a vertical rotation shaft 1322, and in the closed position shown in FIG. 64, the bottom wall and side wall on the front side of the collected ball flow-down path 1313 are removed, while the game ball flowing down toward the right side can be guided toward the rear side. , the game ball flowing down toward the right side flows out of the path.

Specifically, when the ball extraction lever 1321 rotates to the open position and retreats from the collected ball flow-down path 1313, the bottom wall on the front side of the communication port 1324 formed in the game machine frame 5 disappears, and the game ball falls downward. Therefore, the iron ball pt and the game ball p that have flowed down toward the right side can be flowed out of the path from the ball outlet 1320 without flowing into the communication port 1324 . The iron ball pt and the game ball p that have flowed out of the path from the ball extraction port 1320 are stored in the ball extraction tray 1323 provided in the front lower part of the game machine frame 5 .

Thus, when the iron ball pt is detected by the iron ball detection mechanism 1315, the iron ball pt can be discharged out of the circulation path before entering the lifting device 1330 or the launching mechanism 30 on the downstream side. In addition, the operation portion 1316A of the ball removing lever 1321 and the ball jamming release member 1316 can be operated on the lower front side of the game machine frame 5, and the iron ball pt and the game ball p discharged out of the circulation path can also be played. Since it is stored in the ball removal tray 1323 on the lower front side of the machine frame 5, the game machine frame 5 can be used to remove the iron ball pt and remove the enclosed game ball from the circulation path. This can be easily done by just opening the glass door 6 without opening it.

As shown in FIGS. 59 to 62, there is a confluence section where the game balls flowing down the foul ball guide path 1303 join between the ball extraction section 1314 and the iron ball detection mechanism 1315 in the recovered ball flow-down path 1313. 1325 is provided, and the game ball that has flowed down the foul ball guide path 1303 can be discharged from the ball extraction part 1314 and can be immediately guided to the lifting device 1330 .

<Lifting device 1330>
As shown in FIGS. 59, 60 and 65, the lifting device 1330 is provided at the lower back of the game machine frame 5, and is guided to the back side of the game machine frame 5 at the ball removal portion 1314 in the collected ball flow-down path 1313. A ball delivery mechanism portion 1331 for delivering the game ball received to the delivery portion 1332, a lifting portion 1332 extending upward from the ball delivery mechanism portion 1331, and the game ball delivered by the ball delivery mechanism portion 1331 a lifting screw body 1333 for driving the lifting screw body 1333; a lifting motor 1334 for rotating the lifting screw body 1333; A power transmission mechanism portion 1339 provided with a power transmission member, a lifting case body 1336 forming a lifting path 1335 for lifting and guiding the game ball, and a game ball lifted on the lifting path 1335 is discharged It mainly has a lifting ball outlet 1337 and a polishing device 1338 for polishing game balls moving on the lifting path 1335 .

When a predetermined lifting condition is met (for example, a launchable condition is met), the ball sending mechanism 1331 and the lifting screw body 1333 are synchronously rotated by the lifting motor 1334. , the game balls entering the ball sending mechanism 1331 are sent to the lifting path 1335 one by one, lifted upward by the rotational driving of the lifting screw body 1333, and then discharged from the lifting ball outlet 1337. It's becoming A game ball ejected from the lifting ball outlet 1337 is detected by the lifting mechanism outlet sensor 33 , flows down the lifting ball guide path 1340 and is guided to the subtraction mechanism 32 .

As shown in FIG. 65, the polishing device 1338 includes a polishing case body 1342 fitted in an opening 1341 formed along the lifting path 1335 on the side of the lifting path 1335 in the lifting case body 1336; It mainly has a polishing cassette 1343 provided in a case body 1342 and a lever member 1344 for attaching and detaching the polishing cassette 1343 .

The polishing case body 1342 is a cylindrical body formed so that the front and rear faces are open and the opening gradually widens toward the rear side. 1336. Further, as shown in FIGS. 57, 58 and 65(A), the polishing case body 1342 has its front part arranged on the front side of the game machine frame 5 via an opening formed in the game machine frame 5. , the rear portion of which is arranged on the back side of the game machine frame 5.例文帳に追加

The polishing cassette 1343 includes an elastic member 1350 for pressing an abrasive (not shown) provided to contact the game ball p moving on the lifting path 1335 against the game ball p, and a holding member 1351 for holding the elastic member 1350. and consists of The elastic member 1350 is made of an elastic member in the shape of a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped having a size capable of closing the rear opening of the polishing case body 1342. The surface of the elastic member 1350 removes dust and the like adhering to the surface of the game ball p by polishing. The holding member 1351 can hold the polishing member wound around the polishing member. Various materials can be used for the abrasive, and cloth members, paper members, synthetic resin sheet members, and the like may be used.

The holding member 1351 is provided with a boss 1352 at its lower portion that can be locked to a locking portion (not shown) formed on the bottom wall of the polishing case body 1342, and can be locked to the left and right sides of the rear end of the lever member 1344. Locking portions 1353 are provided on the left and right sides of the upper portion.

The lever member 1344 has cylindrical bosses 1356 protruding from the left and right sides of the rear end thereof, which can be locked to the locking portions 1353 . Cylindrical bosses 1357 that can be locked to locking portions 1358 are projected from the left and right sides of the front end.

Therefore, the boss 1352 at the bottom of the holding member 1351 is locked to the locking portion (not shown) formed on the polishing case body 1342, and the locking portion 1353 at the top of the holding member 1351 is locked to the boss at the rear of the lever member 1344. By locking the front boss 1357 to the locking portion 1358 of the polishing case body 1342 in a state where the lever member 1356 is locked, the lever member 1344 becomes horizontal in the front-rear direction. As a result, the lower portion of the polishing cassette 1343 is supported by the bottom wall of the polishing case body 1342 , and the upper portion of the polishing cassette 1343 is supported by the polishing case body 1342 via the lever member 1344 . By supporting the polishing cassette 1343 so as to face the rear opening of the polishing case body 1342 in this way, the polishing agent (not shown) is pressed against the game ball p moving upward in the lifting path 1335, and the game ball p moves upward. A sphere p is polished.

As shown in FIG. 65(A), when the abrasive (not shown) is dirty and needs to be replaced, the front end of the lever member 1344 exposed on the front side of the game machine frame 5 can be pressed downward. After the boss 1357 is unlocked by the locking portion 1358, as shown in FIG. 65B, the front end of the lever member 1344 is grasped and pulled forward, so that the upper portion of the polishing cassette 1343 is pulled out from the lower portion. It tilts forward with the boss 1352 as the center. When the polishing case body 1342 is further pulled forward, the locking portion (not shown) of the polishing case body 1342 releases the locking state of the lower boss 1352, so that the polishing cassette 1343 can be pulled out from the polishing case body 1342 toward the front side. .

In order to support the polishing cassette 1343, which has been replaced with new polishing agent (not shown) by removing the polishing agent wound around the elastic member 1350, so as to face the rear opening of the polishing case body 1342, the boss 1356 of the lever member 1344 is moved. While being locked by the locking portion 1353 on the upper part of the holding member 1351 , the polishing cassette 1343 is pushed rearward from the lower side through the front opening of the polishing case body 1342 , and the lower boss 1352 is locked on the polishing case body 1342 . (not shown), the lever member 1344 is pushed rearward, the front side is pushed upward, and the front boss 1357 is locked to the locking portion 1358 of the polishing case body 1342 . Thus, the polishing cassette 1343 is supported so as to face the rear opening of the polishing case body 1342 .

In this way, since the lever member 1344 connected to the polishing cassette 1343 can be operated from the front side of the game machine frame 5 , the replacement work of the polishing cassette 1343 can be performed without opening the game machine frame 5 . This can be easily done by just opening the door 6.

In addition, in the polishing device 1338, unlike the existing pachinko game machines, the game balls are enclosed in the circulation path without being paid out to the players, so that the game balls are less likely to become dirty. Although the abrasive is provided so as to be replaceable as appropriate, the abrasive cloth or the like may be appropriately wound up by a drive source such as a motor so that it can be replaced with a new abrasive cloth. Also, the polishing device 1338 may not necessarily be provided in the circulation path.

As shown in FIGS. 61 and 62, the game ball circulation path in the second embodiment includes a shooting mechanism 30, a shot ball guide path 1301, a board side shot ball guide path 1302, a foul ball guide path 1303, a game area 27, It is mainly composed of an out ball flow path 1311 , a safe ball flow path 1312 , a collected ball flow path 1313 , a ball delivery mechanism section 1331 , a lift path 1335 , a lift ball guide path 1340 and a subtraction mechanism 32 .

In the second embodiment, the shooting mechanism 30 is arranged on the lower left side of the game area 27 in the game machine frame 5, and is launched diagonally to the upper left toward the upper left part of the game area 27. Therefore, the shooting mechanism 30 The distance of the shot ball guide path 1301 and the board side shot ball guide path 1302 can be shortened compared to those arranged on the lower right side of the game area 27 in the game machine frame 5 . In addition, since the lifting device 1330 is arranged slightly closer to the shooting mechanism 30 than the center of the game machine frame 5 in the left-right direction, the foul ball guide path 1303 can also be shortened.

In addition, replacement work of the polishing cassette 1343, removal of balls from the ball removal portion 1314, release of clogged balls by the iron ball detection mechanism 1315, and the like can all be performed from the front side of the game machine frame 5, so maintenance work can be performed. can enhance sexuality.

In the circulation path, the shooting mechanism 30, the shot ball guide path 1301, the board side shot ball guide path 1302, the foul ball guide path 1303, and the game area 27 are arranged on the front side of the game machine frame 5, and the out ball A downstream path 1311, a safe ball downstream path 1312, a recovered ball downstream path 1313, a ball delivery mechanism section 1331, a lifting path 1335, a lifting ball guide path 1340, and a subtraction mechanism 32 are arranged on the back side of the game machine frame 5. Thus, only the minimum required path for hitting the game ball into the game area 27 is provided on the front side closed by the glass door 6, while other paths are provided on the back side of the game machine frame 5. Since it can be arranged, it is possible to prevent illicit game media such as iron balls from being mixed into the circulation path when the glass door 6 is opened during the operation of the game arcade.

<Modified Example 1 of Circulation Route>
Next, a circulation route as Modification 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 66 and 67. FIG. 66 is a schematic front view showing a circulation path of game balls as Modification 1. FIG. 67 is a schematic perspective view showing a circulation path of game balls as Modification 1. FIG. In the following modified example 1, differences from the circulation path explained in FIGS. 61 and 62 will be mainly explained, and detailed explanations will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the same components. do. 67, the halftone dot area indicates the wall portion of the game machine frame 5. As shown in FIG.

61 and 62, the out ball flow path 1311, the safe ball flow path 1312, and the recovery ball flow path 1313 are substantially reversed in the area to the right of the center position in the left-right direction at the bottom of the gaming machine frame 5. However, as shown in FIGS. 66 and 67, in the circulation path of Modification 1, the out ball flow path 1311 and the safe ball flow path 1312 are placed in the lower part of the game area 27. It is arranged in the up-down direction below the out port 154 provided at the substantially central position in the left-right direction. Other structures are the same as those of the circulation path described with reference to FIGS. Also, the number of enclosed balls is about 20 to 25.

By doing so, the out ball flow path 1311 and the safe ball flow path 1312 can be shortened and the entire circulation path can be made compact. This space can be used as a space for arranging other devices. In addition, since the period from collecting out balls and safe balls to returning them to the shooting mechanism 30 can be shortened, the number of game balls to be enclosed can be reduced to about 20 to 25.

<Modified Example 2 of Circulation Route>
Next, a circulation route as Modification 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 68 and 69. FIG. FIG. 68 is a schematic front view showing a circulation path of game balls as Modification 2. FIG. FIG. 69 is a schematic perspective view showing a circulation path of game balls as Modification 2. FIG. 61 and 62 will be mainly described, and the detailed description will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the same components. do. 69, the halftone dot area indicates the wall portion of the game machine frame 5. As shown in FIG.

61 and 62, the shooting mechanism 30, the subtraction mechanism 32, and the lifting device 1330 are arranged in the area left from the center position in the left-right direction in the lower part of the game machine frame 5, but FIG. And as shown in FIG. 69, in the circulation path of Modification 2, the shooting mechanism 30 and the subtraction mechanism 32 are arranged below the game area 27 and at the center position in the horizontal direction below the game machine frame 5, A lifting device 1330 is arranged near the left side of the launch mechanism 30 and the subtraction mechanism 32 . Other structures are the same as those of the circulation path described with reference to FIGS. Also, the number of enclosed balls is about 40.

According to the modified example 2, the shooting mechanism 30 is arranged at the center position in the left-right direction in the lower part of the game machine frame 5 , so that the game ball moves from the center position in the left-right direction below the game area 27 to the upper left of the game area 27 . It is fired diagonally to the upper left toward the part. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 68, the space on the left side of the center position in the left-right direction in the lower part of the gaming machine frame 5 can be used as a space for arranging other devices.

In addition, by extending the foul ball guide path 1303 provided along the launch ball guide path 1301 obliquely downward to the right on the front side of the game machine frame 5, the recovery ball can be immediately guided to the back side and the collected ball flow down path. 1313 can be merged. Therefore, since it is shorter than the foul ball guide path 1303 in the circulation path described in FIGS. 61 and 62, the structure of the circulation path can be simplified.

<Modified Example 3 of Circulation Route>
Next, a circulation route as Modification 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 70 and 71. FIG. FIG. 70 is a schematic front view showing a circulation path of game balls as Modification 3. FIG. FIG. 71 is a schematic perspective view showing a circulation path of game balls as Modification 3. FIG. 61 and 62 will be mainly described in Modified Example 3 below, and detailed description will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the same components. do. 71, the halftone dot area indicates the wall portion of the game machine frame 5. As shown in FIG.

61 and 62, the shooting mechanism 30, the subtraction mechanism 32, and the lifting device 1330 are arranged in the area left of the center position in the left-right direction in the lower part of the game machine frame 5, but FIG. And as shown in FIG. 71, in the circulation path of Modification 3, the firing mechanism 30 and the subtracting mechanism 32 are arranged at the center position in the left-right direction in the lower part of the game machine frame 5, and the lifting device 1330 is placed at the firing mechanism 30 and near the left side of the subtraction mechanism 32 . Other structures are the same as those of the circulation path described with reference to FIGS. Also, the number of enclosed balls is about 40.

According to the modification 3, the shooting mechanism 30 is arranged below the game area 27 and at the center position in the left-right direction under the game machine frame 5 , so that the game ball can be moved in the left-right direction below the game area 27 . The ball is shot from the central position toward the upper left part of the game area 27 and diagonally to the upper left. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 70, the space on the left side of the center position in the left-right direction in the lower portion of the gaming machine frame 5 can be used as a space for arranging other devices.

In addition, the foul ball guide path 1303 provided along the launched ball guide path 1301 is not merged with the recovered ball flow down path 1313 but is merged with the lifted ball guide path 1340 on the downstream side of the lifting device 1330 . Therefore, the length of the foul ball guide path 1303 in Modification 2 is even shorter, so the structure of the circulation path can be simplified.

A valve 44 is provided in the middle of the shot ball guide path 1301 , and the ball passes through the valve 44 and is shot onto the game board 26 . The valve 44 returns to its home position after the game ball has passed. Therefore, the valve 44 prevents the shot game ball from returning to the launch pad 43 . Incidentally, such a valve 44 may be provided in the middle of the shot ball guiding path 1301 of the second embodiment and the first and second modifications.

Thus, the form of the circulation path is not limited to the form of the circulation path of the second embodiment described in FIGS. A form other than these may be used, and various modifications are possible.

Further, although not shown in particular, any one of the plurality of types of game machine frames 5 having the various circulation paths described above may be used, or the various circulation paths may be unitized, By attaching these various circulation path units to the common game machine frame 5 so as to be replaceable, an optimum circulation path according to the game board 26 may be used.

In addition, in the circulation route of the second embodiment and the circulation routes described in Modifications 1 to 3, the shooting mechanism 30 is arranged at the substantially central position in the left-right direction below the game area 27 or in the left area. , may be arranged in the right area below the game area 27 .

Further, in the circulation path of the second embodiment and the circulation paths described in Modifications 1 to 3, by arranging the shooting mechanism 30 below the game area 27, the upper part of the game area 27 can be The lifting path can be made shorter than the lifting device that lifts the game balls to the shooting mechanism 30, and the collected game balls are directly supplied to the shooting mechanism 30 without being lifted by the lifting device 1330. may In addition, even if it is not necessary to lift the game ball by the lifting device 1330, when providing a conveying device for conveying (transferring) the game ball in order to provide a polishing device for polishing the game ball, the game ball A transport device or the like capable of transporting game balls in a substantially horizontal direction or downward may be used instead of the lifting device capable of transporting upward.

<Glass door structure>
Next, the structure of the glass door 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 72 to 77. FIG. FIG. 72 is a perspective view showing a state in which the glass door base and the decorative cover are viewed obliquely from the front right side. FIG. 73 is a perspective view showing a state in which the glass door base and the decorative cover are viewed obliquely from the right rear side. Figure 74 is a schematic rear view showing the locking mechanism of the glass door base; FIG. 75 is a schematic front view showing (A) the locked state of the left lock mechanism and (B) the unlocked state. FIG. 76 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing (A) the locked state of the left lock mechanism and (B) the unlocked state. FIG. 77 is an explanatory diagram showing that various decorative covers can be replaced with a glass door base.

As shown in FIGS. 72 and 73, the glass door 6 includes a glass door base 6W, an operation unit 1210 provided on the lower front surface of the glass door base 6W, and a glass window 6G on the front surface of the glass door base 6W. It is mainly composed of a plurality of attached decorative covers 1201A to 1201D and a decorative body (drawing body). The glass door base 6W is formed with an opening 6M penetrating in the front-rear direction in a portion corresponding to the game area 27 when the game machine frame 5 is closed. It is closed by the attached glass window 6G. The glass window 6G is supported at its lower end by support portions 1401 provided at the lower edge of the opening 1230 on the rear surface of the glass door base 6W. It is attached by locking the left and right sides of the upper portion with , and can be removed by releasing the locked state by the locking piece 1402 .

A plurality of decorative covers 1201A to 1201D are attached around the opening 6M on the front surface of the glass door base 6W. These decorative covers 1201A-1201D are detachable from the glass door base 6W. can be exchanged for

Around the opening 6M on the front surface of the glass door base 6W, there are a plurality of positioning bosses 1410A to 1410D for determining the mounting positions of the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D, and a boss hole 1411A having a vertically long rectangular shape when viewed from the front. 1411D and connector holes 1412A to 1412D having a horizontally long rectangular shape when viewed from the front are provided corresponding to the respective decorative covers 1201A to 1201D.

On the other hand, the rear openings of the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D are closed by metal reinforcing plates 1423A to 1423D, and the positioning bosses 1410A to 1410D of the glass door base 6W can be inserted into the reinforcing plates 1423A to 1423D. Positioning holes 1420A to 1420D facing in the vertical direction, bosses 1421A to 1421D for supporting the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D on the glass door base 6W, and an LED board provided with a plurality of performance LEDs 1202A to 1202D on the front surface. Board-side connectors 1422A to 1422D connected to 1252A to 1252D (see FIGS. 49 to 51 and 76) are provided.

The board-side connector 1422A includes not only a board-side connector to which wiring from the performance LED 1202A is connected, but also a board-side connector to which wiring from the speakers 270A and 270B is connected. Further, the board-side connector 1422C is connected not only to the board-side connector to which the wiring from the production LED 1202C is connected, but also to the wiring from a photoelectric sensor (not shown) for detecting the operation of the operation unit 1205. Includes board-side connectors.

The LED substrates 1252A-1252D are arranged on the front side of each reinforcing plate 1423A-1423D, that is, inside each decorative cover 1201A-1201D. In addition, groove-like engagement portions 1425 are formed in the lower peripheral surfaces of the respective bosses 1421A to 1421D so as to face in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

As shown in FIGS. 74 to 76, the glass door base 6W has metal support plates 1430A to 1430D for supporting the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D, and the support plates 1430A to 1430D are arranged on the back side. A lock mechanism 1435A mainly composed of slide plates 1431A to 1431D and lock operation portions 1432A to 1432D for changing between a locked state in which the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D cannot be removed and a unlocked state in which the lock is released. ~1435D are provided.

Further, on the glass door base 6W, relay board side connectors 1455A to 1455D (see FIG. 76) to which the board side connectors 1422A to 1422D of the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D can be connected are positioned below and near the connector holes 1412A to 1412D. is provided in These relay board side connectors 1455A to 1455D are electrically connected to a relay board 1456 (see FIG. 73) provided on the upper rear surface of the glass door base 6W. In addition, since the relay board 1456 is connected to the effect control board 15 on the game board 26 side via a cable (not shown), the speakers 270A and 270B, the operation section 1205, and the LED boards 1252A to 1252D are connected to the board side connectors 1422A to 1422D. By connecting 1422D and the relay board side connectors 1455A to 1455D, it is connected to the effect control board 15 via the relay board 1456. Although the speakers 270C and 270D are connected to the frame control board 17, at least one of the speakers 270C and 270D may be connected to the effect control board 15.

Each of the lock mechanisms 1435A to 1435D has upper and lower slide plates 1431A and 1431C movably provided in the horizontal direction, and left and right slide plates 1431B and 1431D movably provided in the vertical direction. Since the basic configuration is almost the same except for the differences, only the left lock mechanism 1435B will be described below, and descriptions of the upper, lower, and right lock mechanisms 1435A, 1435C, and 1435D will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 75 and 76, a plurality of positioning bosses 1410B project forward from the support plate 1430B. A support hole 1441B into which the boss 1421B can be inserted is formed at a position corresponding to the boss hole 1411B of the glass door base 6W of the support plate 1430B. The boss hole 1411B and the support hole 1441B have a vertical dimension (for example, a length approximately twice the diameter of the boss 1421B) that allows the boss 1421B to be inserted and vertically movable.

As shown in FIGS. 74 and 76, a lock hole 1451B into which the boss 1421B can be inserted is formed at a position corresponding to the support hole 1441B of the slide plate 1431B. The lock hole 1451B has a vertical dimension that allows the slide plate 1431B to slide while the boss 1421B is inserted.

A connecting hole 1452B is formed in the lower portion of the slide plate 1431B, into which a connecting shaft 1432K projecting from the front side of the lock operating portion 1432B is inserted so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The lock operation part 1432B is supported on the back surface of the glass door base 6W so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis facing the front-rear direction, and is provided so as to be operable from the back side of the glass door base 6W (glass door 6).

The slide plate 1431B is guided by a guide portion (not shown) so as to be vertically slidable between a locked position indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 75(A) and an unlocked position indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 75(B). . That is, the slide plate 1431B is vertically movable with respect to the support plate 1430B. Further, the lower end of a compression spring 1453B whose upper end is engaged with the glass door base 6W is engaged with the slide plate 1431B, so that the slide plate 1431B is always biased toward the unlocked position.

Next, an operation example of the lock mechanism 1435B will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 76(A), when the decorative cover 1201B is attached to the front surface of the glass door base 6W, and the slide plate 1431B is in the locked position of the lock mechanism 1435B, the boss 1421B of the decorative cover 1201B is attached to the glass door base 6W. When the boss 1421B is inserted into the boss hole 1411B and the support hole 1441B of the door base 6W, the locking portion 1425 of the boss 1421B is engaged with the lower side of the support hole 1441B from above to lock the decorative cover 1201B. A load is received by support plate 1430B via boss 1421B.

In addition, when the decorative cover 1201B is in contact with the glass door base 6W, the longitudinal movement of the boss 1421B is restricted by the locking action of the locking portion 1425 and the lower edge of the support hole 1441B. Movement in the forward and backward directions is restricted.

When the slide plate 1431B is at the lock position, the boss 1421B abuts or approaches the upper edge of the lock hole 1451B, while being positioned below the boss hole 1411B and the support hole 1441B. In addition, since the connecting shaft 1432K of the lock operation portion 1432B is positioned directly below the rotation center position of the lock operation portion 1432B (see FIG. 75A), upward movement of the slide plate 1431B is restricted. there is Therefore, the upward movement of the boss 1421B is restricted by the slide plate 1431B, and the locked state by the locking portion 1425 cannot be released, so that the decorative cover 1201B cannot be removed from the front surface of the glass door base 6W.

Next, to release the locked state, as shown in FIG. 76(B), the lock operation portion 1432B is rotated approximately 90 degrees clockwise in the front view (see FIG. 75(B)), thereby connecting the lock operation portion 1432B. As the shaft 1432K moves upward, the slide plate 1431B rises from the locked position to the unlocked position. As a result, the lock hole 1451B is lifted, and the upper edge of the lock hole 1451B is separated upward from the boss 1421B. The upper edges of the boss hole 1411B and the support hole 1441B are also separated upward from the boss 1421B.

Therefore, by lifting the decorative cover 1201B upward, the boss 1421B rises and the locked state by the locking portion 1425 is released. Further, by lifting up the decorative cover 1201B, the board-side connector 1422B is deviated from the relay board-side connector 1455B provided on the upper part of the glass door base 6W. The decorative cover 1201B can be removed from the front surface of the glass door base 6W by pulling out the decorative cover 1201B while being lifted upward.

When the decorative cover 1201B is attached to the front surface of the glass door base 6W, the boss 1421B is inserted into the boss hole 1411B and the support hole 1441B from the front side of the glass door base 6W while the locking mechanism 1435B is in the unlocked state. After that, by lowering the decorative cover 1201B, the locking portion 1425 of the boss 1421B is locked to the lower side of the support hole 1441B. Also, the board-side connector 1422B of the decorative cover 1201B is connected to the relay board-side connector 1455B of the glass door base 6W. Then, by rotating the lock operation portion 1432B about 90 degrees counterclockwise to lower the slide plate 1431B to the lock position, the upper edge of the lock hole 1451B contacts or approaches the upper portion of the boss 1421B. , the connecting shaft 1432K of the lock operation portion 1432B is positioned directly below the rotation center position of the lock operation portion 1432B to restrict the upward movement of the slide plate 1431B, thereby locking the lock mechanism 1435B and the glass door. The decorative cover 1201B cannot be removed from the front surface of the base 6W.

In this way, the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D operate the lock operation portions 1432A to 1432D corresponding to the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D provided on the back side of the glass door base 6W to lock the lock mechanisms 1435A to 1435D. By setting to the released state, it is possible to remove from the front side of the glass door base 6W, and lock the corresponding lock mechanisms 1435A to 1435D in a state where each decorative cover 1201A to 1201D is locked to the front surface of the glass door base 6W. Thus, it can be attached to the front side of the glass door base 6W.

Further, in the second embodiment, when removing the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D from the glass door base 6W, it is necessary to lift the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D in order to release the locked state. When removing, it is preferable to remove the upper decorative cover 1201A, the left and right decorative covers 1201B and 1201D, and the lower decorative cover 1201C in this order after unlocking the lock mechanisms 1435A to 1435D. On the other hand, when installing, it is necessary to lower the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D in order to lock them. Therefore, the lower decorative cover 1201C, the left and right decorative covers 1201B and 1201D, and the upper decorative cover 1201A should be installed in this order. is preferred.

In addition, since the lock operation portions 1432A to 1432D and the lock mechanisms 1435A to 1435D are provided corresponding to the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D, not only can all the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D be replaced at once, but also multiple It is also possible to partially replace only one of the decorative covers, so that only the minimum number of parts can be replaced in response to damage to the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D, failure of the operation unit 1205 or LEDs 1202A to 1202D for presentation. Since replacement is sufficient, the cost associated with replacement can be suppressed.

Further, since the lock operation parts 1432A to 1432D are provided on the back side of the glass door base 6W, the glass door 6 must be opened when removing the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D from the glass door base 6W. In other words, in order to open the glass door 6, it is necessary for a store clerk or the like of the game hall to insert a key (not shown) of the game hall into the keyhole 10 and perform an unlocking operation. 1201D is difficult to remove from the glass door base 6W, foreign objects such as wires can enter the game frame through boss holes 1411A-1411D exposed by removing the decorative covers 1201A-1201D. It is possible to suitably prevent fraudulent acts such as allowing

In addition, as shown in FIG. 77, the decorative body consisting of the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D is detachable from the front surface of the glass door base 6W. Decorative covers 1201A to 1201D prepared by the manufacturer of the game frame (outer frame 4, game machine frame 5, glass door 6) that can be used in common with the board 26 are also prepared by the manufacturer of the game frame. 1201X, 1201Y or the like, or can be replaced with a decoration 1201Z or the like prepared by the game board 26 manufacturer.

Therefore, when the game board 26 is replaced with a model change, a plurality of decorations 1201X and 1201Y with different designs such as the operation unit 1205 for external shape, decoration, and presentation, and a decoration 1201Z with a design according to the model can be used. Since one of them can be selected and used, not only the design of the game area 27 but also the design of the surroundings of the game area 27 can be changed according to the model. can be provided to

In the second embodiment, the decorative body detachably provided around the glass window 6G on the front surface of the glass door 6 is configured by four divided decorative covers 1201A to 1201D. may be composed of five or more decorative members, may be composed of three or two decorative members, or may be composed of a single decorative member like the decorative body 1201Z. may have been Moreover, the decorative body may not necessarily be detachable from the glass door 6 and may be fixed to the glass door 6 .

Moreover, the design including the decoration such as the outer shape, color, and pattern of the decorative bodies such as the decorative covers 1201A to 1201D is arbitrary and can be changed in various ways. Furthermore, the decorative bodies include not only sound output means such as speakers 270A and 270B, and light emitting means such as LEDs 1202A to 1202D for effects, as described above, but also movable effect means having operably provided movable bodies. Alternatively, it may have display means or the like for presentation. Further, these sound output means, light emitting means, movable effect means, display means, etc. may be provided on the side of the glass door base 6W instead of on the side of the decorative body so that they can be used commonly for various decorative bodies.

In addition, in the above-described second embodiment, the configuration in which the lock operation portions 1432A to 1432D and the lock mechanisms 1435A to 1435D corresponding to the respective decorative covers 1201A to 1201D are provided was exemplified. Only the lock operation portion and the lock mechanism corresponding to the above cover may be provided. Therefore, for example, a plurality of ornaments may be changed between a locked state and an unlocked state by one lock operating portion and lock mechanism.

Further, the structures of the lock operation portion and the lock mechanism are not limited to those of the above-described forms, and various modifications are possible. For example, the lock mechanism may be provided with a solenoid or a motor so that the lock mechanism can be changed between the locked state and the unlocked state by remote control from a remote controller or a management computer. Further, the lock mechanisms of a plurality of pachinko game machines installed in the game hall may be changed simultaneously between the locked state and the unlocked state by remote control from a remote controller, a management computer, or the like. By doing so, it is possible to easily perform the work of exchanging the decorative body when changing the model.

<Configuration of gaming machine frame 5 of P stand 1002>
FIG. 78 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the game machine frame 5 of the P stand 1002. As shown in FIG. As the shooting mechanism 30 is provided below the game board 26, the frame control board 17 includes the count button 28, the performance display monitor 40, the radio wave sensor 173, the subtraction solenoid 32a, the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b, the subtraction In addition to the mechanism exit sensor 32c, the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33, the out ball detection switch 701, the safe ball detection switch 702 for detecting the winning safe ball, the front decoration open switch 12, and the back mechanism part open switch 13, A lifting device 1330, a foul ball detection switch 703 for detecting foul balls, and a ball clogging detection switch 1317 for detecting clogging are connected. The operation of the lifting device 1330 is thus controlled by the frame control board 17 . It should be noted that the lifting control processing program relating to the operation control of the lifting device 1330 is stored as a program outside the use area of the ROM, like the game ball circulation processing shown in FIG.

Further, in the P table 1002, as described above, the polishing of the game ball p is performed by the polishing cassette 1343 which does not operate. Out-of-area processing (cassette motor drive processing, ball polishing mechanism control timer subtraction processing, ball polishing mechanism switch detection processing) based on the ball polishing processing program is also not executed.

<Subtraction Mechanism Control Processing for P Unit 1002>
FIG. 79 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the subtraction mechanism control processing in the case of the P machine 1002. FIG. The subtraction mechanism control process for bottom firing is the content of the firing control of the subtraction mechanism control process for top firing shown in FIG. . The content of the firing control is the same as the content shown in FIG. 29, so the description here is omitted.

In the foul ball control, the CPU (payout control microcomputer) first determines whether or not the game ball p is detected by the foul ball detection switch 703 . That is, it is determined whether or not the game ball p has passed through the foul ball detection switch 703 (step S311). If the game ball p has not passed through the foul ball detection switch 703 (step S311; N), the subtraction mechanism control process is terminated. S311; Y), whether or not the number of shot balls is greater than or equal to the sum of the number detected by the out ball detection switch 701, the number detected by the safe ball detection switch 702, and the number detected by the foul ball detection switch 703; It is determined whether or not the sum of the number detected by the detection switch 701, the number detected by the safe ball detection switch 702, and the number detected by the foul ball detection switch 703 is greater than the number of shot balls (step S312). If the total number of balls is less than the number of shot balls, the difference in the number of game balls will flow down the game area, the shot path, etc. after being shot. This is due to being in the state before being detected by the detection switch 702 and the foul ball detection switch 703 .

As described above, in the foul ball control shown in FIG. 79, the number of safe balls detected by the safe ball detection switch 702 (the number of safe balls) is included in the total number and compared with the number of balls fired. , the number of fouls can be detected more accurately, but the present invention is not limited to this. 701 detection number (out ball number), the total number does not include the detection number (safe ball number) of the safe ball detection switch 702, and the detection number of the out ball detection switch 701 and foul ball detection are calculated. By comparing the total number of detections of the switch 703 and the number of shot balls, the processing load associated with the determination of the abnormal number of fouls may be reduced.

The information on the number of foul balls detected by the foul ball detection switch 703 used to calculate the total number in step S312 is transmitted as a signal related to the gaming machine information transmitted from the P stand 1002 to the CU, as described above. In addition, in the signals related to these gaming machine information, as described above, the number of game balls and the serial number of the number of game balls are sent to the CU3 and notified, but the foul balls are not notified even though the number of game balls does not exist. When the number of game balls is added by the detection switch 703, a negative number of shot balls may be notified as the number of shot balls. , an abnormality can be determined and an error notification can be executed, and the occurrence of the error (abnormality) can be notified to an external management device such as a hall computer.

In step S312, if the number of shot balls is not equal to or greater than the total number (step S312; N), foul number abnormality processing is executed (step S314). In this foul count abnormality processing, the operation of the count button 28 and the shooting of the game ball p are disabled, and an error code corresponding to the foul count abnormality is displayed on the game ball count indicator 29, and the game machine frame is displayed. Error notification is performed from the side speakers 270C and 270D. It should be noted that this error notification, like the error notification of the game ball circulation device abnormality described above, should not overlap with the error notification performed by the main control board 16 side audio output (for example, the game board side speakers 270A and 270B). , the priority of errors is determined so as to limit error reporting of an abnormal number of fouls.

On the other hand, if the number of shot balls is equal to or greater than the total number (step S312; Y), after displaying the value obtained by adding 1 to the number of game balls on the game ball number display 29 (step S313), the subtraction mechanism control process is executed. finish.

FIG. 80 is a timing chart showing a situation in which 1 is added to the number of game balls when the game ball p (foul ball) is detected by the foul ball detection switch 703 as described above. The states (i) to (iv) in FIG. 80 are the same as the states (i) to (iv) shown in FIG. It is the same as the state of iv). In (i) and (v), the game ball p is shot by turning on the shooting solenoid 31a, and after the shooting, the subtraction reference signal is input and the subtraction solenoid 32a is turned on. According to the detection of the game ball p by the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b based on the state, the number of game balls X is subtracted and updated to X-1 and X-2.

Here, in the state (i), the game ball p shot by turning on the shooting solenoid 31a does not reach the game area due to, for example, insufficient shooting strength, and the shooting ball When the ball flows backward along the guidance path 1301 and passes through the foul ball detection switch 703, a foul ball detection signal is input from the foul ball detection switch 703 to the frame control board 17 (state (ix)).

In response to the input of this foul ball detection signal, the CPU (payout control microcomputer) of the frame control board 17 displays the number of game balls displayed on the game ball number display 29 from the X-2 number of game balls. After addition, the display is updated to show the number of game balls X-1 (state (x)).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 30, the firing mechanism 30 on the P platform 1002 also has the firing mechanism 30 if the states (i) to (iv) are not satisfied 562.5 ms after the firing solenoid 31a is turned on. In order to prevent ball clogging in the ball passage, a specific shooting operation is performed in which only the shooting solenoid 31a is turned on. is detected by the foul ball detection switch 703, as described above, the number of game balls is not subtracted because the subtraction reference signal is not output for the shots by the specific shooting operation. If the game ball p becomes a foul ball and the number of game balls is added, the number of game balls will be added inappropriately. From the end of , to the maximum period during which foul balls can be detected, the detection of foul balls may be prohibited from being added to the number of game balls, and the shooting of new game balls may also be prohibited.

<Configuration of Embodiment>
(1) A gaming device ( unit) is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-042799). In the gaming system disclosed in Patent Document 1, information such as the number of game balls for playing a game in the gaming machine is transmitted by two-way communication between the gaming machine and the gaming device (unit). doing. However, in the gaming system of Patent Literature 1, there is room for improvement in terms of stability and safety in the transmission method of information exchanged between the gaming machine and the gaming device (unit). The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and its object is to provide a game machine and a game system capable of stably and safely transmitting information communicated between the game machine and the game device. It is to be.

(1-1) A gaming machine (eg, P-machine 2) communicable with a gaming device (eg, CU3), and game information (eg, a signal relating to gaming machine information) relating to a game performed in the gaming machine to the game device every predetermined period (for example, specified period A) (for example, a communication control IC 325 for communicating between the CU 3 and the P stand 2), and the transmission means transmits the game information. After that, at a timing corresponding to a specific period shorter than the predetermined period (for example, specified period B or specified period C), the gaming device for specific information regarding the game value (for example, a signal related to counting or a signal related to lending) and communication means (for example, communication control IC 325) for communicating with. According to such a configuration, information transmission can be optimized, and since the game information and the specific information are transmitted at different timings, information congestion can be avoided.

(1-2) A game system comprising a game device (for example, CU3) and a game machine (for example, P machine 2) capable of communicating with the game device, and relates to a game performed by the game machine Transmitting means (eg, communication control IC 325 for communicating between CU 3 and P stand 2) for transmitting gaming information (eg, signal related to gaming machine information) to the gaming device at predetermined intervals (eg, specified interval A) Then, 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, the specific information regarding the game value (for example, a signal related to counting) is transmitted as described above. A communication means (for example, communication control IC 325) for communicating with the gaming device is provided. According to such a configuration, information transmission can be optimized, and since the game information and the specific information are transmitted at different timings, information congestion can be avoided.

(1-3) In the gaming machine of (1-1) above, the communication means transmits the game information at a timing corresponding to the specific period (for example, a specified period B) after the transmitting means transmits the game information. Among the specific information, counting information (e.g., a signal related to counting) relating to the size of the game value managed in the gaming machine can be transmitted to the gaming device, and after the transmitting means transmits the gaming information, Within the predetermined period (e.g., specified period A), at a timing corresponding to a special period (e.g., specified period C) different from the specific period, the specified information is lent out for playing in the gaming machine. It is possible to communicate lending information (e.g., a signal about lending) regarding the size of the game value with the gaming device. 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, data collision in two-way communication can be avoided and information transmission can be optimized. be able to.

(1-4) In the gaming machine of (1-3) above, the transmission path (for example, an asynchronous serial communication port) through which the transmission means transmits the game information is such that the communication means transmits the count information and the rental information. It is common with the transmission line for transmission (eg, FIG. 6). According to such a configuration, it is possible to simplify the wiring that constitutes the transmission line, and it is possible to optimize the information transmission in the configuration in which the transmission line is shared.

(1-5) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1-1), (1-3) to (1-4) above, the transmitting means transmits installation information (for example, a signal relating to gaming machine information) after the power is turned on. gaming machine installation information) is transmitted to the gaming device, and then the gaming information (for example, among the signals related to gaming machine information, gaming machine performance information, hall control information, etc.) is transmitted to the gaming device. It is transmitted every predetermined period. According to such a configuration, the game machine can output the game information without going through the authentication process, so that the processing load can be reduced.

(1-6) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1-1), (1-3) to (1-5) above, the transmission means is configured to transmit information regardless of the reception status of the gaming information at the gaming device. First, the game information is transmitted to the gaming device every predetermined period (for example, the game information is transmitted to CU3 every prescribed period A regardless of the reception status of the game information at CU3). According to such a configuration, the game machine does not need to resend the game information, and the past game machine information does not need to be stored, so that the processing load can be reduced.

(2) A patented game machine that subtracts game points (the number of game balls) based on the detection of balls accompanying the ball feeding operation in the ball feeding mechanism in the preceding stage of the launching device in the enclosed type game machine in which game balls are enclosed. It is disclosed in Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-164318). However, in the gaming machine of Patent Document 2, the timing for subtracting the game points (the number of game balls) electromagnetically managed does not correspond to the actual shooting operation of the shooting device, and there is a risk of inappropriate processing. there were. The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and its object is to provide a gaming machine and a game frame that perform subtraction processing of appropriate game points (number of game balls) corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting device. That is.

(2-1) A game machine (for example, P-machine 2) capable of playing a game by shooting game media corresponding to game points (for example, the number of game balls), and a shooting device for shooting game media ( For example, a shooting mechanism 30), transport means for transporting a game medium to the shooting device (for example, a subtraction solenoid 32a, a movable piece 45, etc.), and a special signal corresponding to the shooting operation of the game medium in the shooting device (for example, a signal generating means (for example, a subtraction mechanism 32) for generating a subtraction reference signal), game points are managed, and based on the special signal, the transport means is caused to carry out a game medium transport operation, and based on the special signal, and control means for subtracting the game points (for example, processing by the game ball number management program of the frame control board 17). According to such a configuration, since the game points are subtracted by carrying out the game medium carrying operation by the carrying means based on the special signal, appropriate game point subtraction processing can be performed corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting device. realizable.

(2-2) A game frame (eg, gaming machine frame 5) of a gaming machine (eg, P machine 2) capable of playing by shooting game media corresponding to game points (eg, number of game balls) A shooting device (e.g., shooting mechanism 30) that shoots game media; transport means (e.g., subtraction solenoid 32a, movable piece 45, etc.) that transports game media to the shooting device; A signal generating means (for example, a subtraction mechanism 32) for generating a special signal (for example, a subtraction reference signal) corresponding to the shooting operation, and an operation for transporting the game medium to the transport means based on the special signal for managing game points. and control means for subtracting game points based on the special signal (for example, processed by the game ball number management program of the frame control board 17). According to such a configuration, since the game points are subtracted by carrying out the game medium carrying operation by the carrying means based on the special signal, appropriate game point subtraction processing can be performed corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting device. realizable.

(2-3) In the game machine described in (2-1) above, a launch control means (for example, a launch control board 31) for controlling the operation of the launch device, and a frame control means (for example, frame control) as the control means board 17), and the frame control means executes subtraction processing of the managed game points based on the reception of the special signal from the firing control means (for example, the frame control board 17). (1) subtracts 1 from the number of X number of game balls and displays the number of game balls as X-1 on the number of game balls display 29 based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal). According to such a configuration, the frame control means can implement appropriate game point subtraction processing in response to the shooting operation of the shooting device.

(2-4) In the gaming machine of (2-3) above, the frame control means executes a game medium transport operation by the transport means based on the reception of the special signal from the launch control means. (For example, based on the reception of the subtraction reference signal, the subtraction solenoid 32a is controlled to drive the movable piece 45 and convey the game ball p.). According to such a configuration, the frame control means can realize appropriate transportation of game balls in response to the shooting operation of the shooting device.

(2-5) In the gaming machine of (2-3) or (2-4) above, the conveying means includes an entrance sensor (for example, the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b) for detecting the entrance of the game medium, After receiving the special signal from the firing control means, the frame control means executes subtraction processing of the managed game points based on the detection of the game medium by the entry 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 and the number of game balls X-1 is displayed on the game ball number display 29). According to such a configuration, the frame control means can realize subtraction processing of game points corresponding to the shooting operation of the shooting device and the operation of the transport mechanism.

(2-6) In the gaming machine of (2-3) to (2-5) above, the conveying means includes an ejection sensor (for example, a subtraction mechanism exit sensor 32c) for detecting ejection 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 discharge control means (for example, if the subtraction reference signal is If the subtraction mechanism outlet sensor 32c is in the ON state 16 ms after being in the ON state, it is determined that ball clogging has occurred). According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect an operation failure of the conveying mechanism, such as occurrence of ball jamming.

(2-7) In the gaming machine according to any one of (2-3) to (2-6) above, the frame control means is capable of communicating with the game control means (for example, the main control board 16), and the special event Based on the occurrence of an error (for example, an error), a predetermined signal (for example, an error signal) for notifying the occurrence of the special event is transmitted to the game control means, and the game control means receives the predetermined signal. Based on what has been done, firing stop processing is executed (for example, output of the firing enable signal is stopped). According to such a configuration, the shooting operation can be stopped in response to the occurrence of the special event detected by the frame control means.

(3) An enclosed type game machine in which game balls are enclosed is composed of a game board and a game machine frame, and has a main control board on the game board and a frame control board on the side of the game machine frame. Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-158716) discloses a game machine capable of notifying an error detected on the frame control board side on the game board side in addition to notifying on the gaming machine frame side. However, in a configuration in which an error detected on the frame control board side can be notified by voice output, as in the game machine of Patent Document 3, in addition to notifying the detected error on the game machine frame side, the game board side If it is possible to notify, the notification of the error detected by the game machine frame side and the notification of the error detected by the main control board side of the game board may overlap, and on the contrary it becomes difficult to recognize the error. there is a possibility. Furthermore, when it is possible to mount game boards of different manufacturers in a common game machine frame, if the priority of the error to be notified is not defined, when a game board of a certain manufacturer is mounted in the game machine frame Errors detected on the frame control board side are notified preferentially, and when a game board made by a different manufacturer is mounted in the game machine frame, errors detected on the main control board side are notified preferentially and unified error notification is performed. I can't. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and its object is to prevent error notifications from overlapping even if it is possible to notify an error on the game machine frame side and the game board side. To provide a game machine and a game frame capable of avoiding errors and performing unified error reporting.

(3-1) A game machine (for example, P machine 2) comprising a game board (for example, game board 26) and a game frame (for example, game machine frame 5) to which the game board can be attached, The game board includes first control means (for example, the main control board 16) for controlling the progress of the game, and first sound output means (for example, sound output controlled by the effect control board 15 (game board side speaker 270Z)). The game frame includes second control means (for example, the frame control board 17) that manages information about the game value, and second audio output means (for example, the frame side effect control board 15A Controlled audio output (gaming machine frame side speaker 270W)), and the first control means can detect the occurrence of a predetermined event (for example, an error detected by the main control board 16), and the first control means can detect the predetermined A predetermined notification (for example, an error notification) based on the detection of an event is performed by the first audio output means, and the second control means outputs a specific event (for example, by the frame control board 17) different from the predetermined event. and a specific notification based on the detection of the specific event by the second control means when the predetermined notification is not performed by the first audio output means. The specific notification is not performed by the second audio output means when the predetermined notification is performed by the first audio output means (for example, frame control). When the game ball circulation device abnormality (error code = F17) is detected on the board 17 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is notified when the error is not notified on the main control board 16 side, and the main control When the error is reported on the board 16 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is not reported). According to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid duplication of notifications based on events on the game board side and the game machine frame side, and perform unified error notification.

(3-2) includes first control means (eg, main control board 16) for controlling progress of the game, and first sound output means (eg, sound output controlled by effect control board 15); 1. A game board (e.g., game A game frame (eg, gaming machine frame 5) of a gaming machine (eg, P table 2) to which a board 26) can be attached, and second control means (eg, frame control board 17) for managing information on game value and second audio output means (for example, audio output controlled by the frame-side effect control board 15A), and the second control means detects a specific event different from the predetermined event (for example, detected by the frame control board 17 and the specific notification based on the detection of the specific event by the second control means when the predetermined notification is not performed by the first audio output means. The specific notification is not performed by the second audio output means while the predetermined notification is performed by the first audio output means (for example, the frame control board When the game ball circulation device abnormality (error code = F17) is detected on the 17 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is notified when the main control board 16 side does not notify the error, and the main control board When the error is reported on the 16 side, the game ball circulation device abnormality is not reported). According to such a configuration, it is possible to avoid duplication of notifications based on events on the game board side and the game machine frame side, and perform unified error notification.

(3-3) In the gaming machine of (3-1) above, the second control means can detect the occurrence of a special event different from the specific event (for example, an error that is also reported on the main control board 16 side). Yes, when the occurrence of the special event is detected, the information regarding the detection of the special event is transmitted to the first control means (for example, the detection of the error (special event) is sent to the main control board 16). information about the detection of the special event), and the first control means can notify the first audio output means based on the reception of the information about the detection of the special event (for example, the error (special event ) based on the reception of information on the detection of ), the error is notified by the sound output (game board side speaker 270Z) controlled by the effect control board 15). According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately notify the occurrence of the special event detected by the second control means.

(3-4) In the gaming machine described in (3-3) above, the second control means includes a program (see FIG. 37 Detectable events are different between the process executed within the specific area and the process executed outside the specific area (for example, outside the use area). can be sent to the first control means by executing the program (for example, an error (event) detected by a process executed within the user program's use area can be sent to the program (especially , communication processing) and can be transmitted to the main control board 16). According to such a configuration, it is possible to execute processing without straddling the inside and 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 is capable of controlling a firing operation of a firing device (eg, firing mechanism 30), and the special event The firing operation of the firing device is stopped based on the reception of information regarding the detection of the. 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 machine of (3-1) to (3-5) above, when the second control means detects occurrence of either a specific event or a special event, the Regardless of the state of detection of the predetermined event by the first control means, information capable of specifying the detected event is displayed on the display unit (for example, game ball number display 29). According to such a configuration, the detected event can be displayed so as to be identifiable regardless of the control state of the game board.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any changes or additions within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. be

For example, in the above-described embodiment, even in the P machine 2, which is an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine as shown in FIG. It has a frame control board 17 capable of executing display control for displaying on the display monitor 40, and an output terminal (connection terminal with CU3) capable of outputting a signal to the outside. The frame control board 17 can output a serial signal (FIG. 5; hall control signal) for specifying performance information to the CU3. CU3 can be output from an external output terminal 340 to a hall controller (management device).

The external output terminal 340 (see FIG. 4) may have both a serial terminal and a parallel terminal. As a result, the CU3 can be connected even to a conventional hall controller having only parallel terminals. Note that when the terminal configuration of the external output terminal 340 is a parallel terminal configuration, even in the external output terminal 340, the terminal number for outputting performance information such as the base value and the terminal number for outputting the security signal are different. It's becoming Also, although not shown, the terminal connecting the P unit 2 and the CU 3 may be configured such that the terminal for outputting the performance information and the terminal for outputting the security signal are different terminals.

In addition, even in the case of the P machine 2, which is an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine as shown in FIG. A serial signal can be output from the external output terminal 340 to the outside of the game machine, such as a hall controller (management device) or a data lamp, every time the number of out balls reaches 60,000 when a big hit occurs. Thereby, performance information (for example, a base value, etc.) can be notified to the outside each time a predetermined condition is established, and changes in performance related to the giving of game value in the gaming machine can be grasped at any time from the outside.

Furthermore, even in the case of the P machine 2, which is an enclosed circulation type pachinko game machine as shown in FIG. main chip ID") can be output to the outside together with performance information (eg, base value, etc.). As a result, identification information and performance information can be managed in association with each other in a hall controller (management device) outside the gaming machine, so that management can be performed more appropriately in the hall controller (management device).
(1) By operating the operation switch for displaying the character ratio/continuous character ratio provided on the frame control board 17, the performance display monitor 40 (display monitor P29) displays the character ratio/continuous character ratio. A ratio may be displayed. Further, by operating an operation switch (for example, an error release switch, a RAM clear switch) for displaying the role product ratio provided on the frame control board 17, the role product ratio is displayed and displayed on the frame control board 17. The continuous role 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 role ratio. At this time, the fact that the gaming machine frame 5 is open may be added as a display condition.

(2) The character product ratio u and the continuous character product ratio v may be displayed on the performance display monitor 40 (display monitor P29). In addition, it may be displayed on a part other than the performance display monitor 40 of the game machine, for example, it may be displayed on the display 312, or it may be displayed on the game ball number display 29. may Even if it is displayed in a part other than the performance display monitor 40, it may be displayed in accordance with a predetermined operation. Alternatively, the information 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 role ratio u and the continuous role ratio v are calculated by the frame control unit 171 and displayed. However, it is not limited to this, and the role ratio u and the continuous role 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 make it so.

(4) The above-described starting prize winning port 276 may be one in which the game ball cannot win a prize when the accessory is closed. A state in which a game ball can win a prize and is open even in a state in which the accessory of the starting prize-winning port 276 is closed (a state in which the accessory is not in operation) or in a state in which it is open (a state in which the accessory is in operation). It may be easier to win a prize when the door is closed than when the door is closed.

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

(6) In the management device or gaming device that receives the predetermined information, based on the predetermined information itself (for example, the result of determination of suitability of the base, character ratio, or continuous character ratio), the base, character ratio, or continuous character ratio Abnormality in the product ratio may be monitored, and if it is determined to be abnormal, an abnormality may be reported, or predetermined information (for example, base at low base, base at high base, continuous role ratio, role ratio, out Based on the number of balls + the number of safe balls, the number of out balls + the number of safe balls for each winning hole), the base, role ratio or continuous role ratio is calculated, and abnormalities are monitored and abnormalities are reported when judged to be abnormal. You may make it

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the predetermined information is specified by the frame control section 171 of the frame control board 17 . However, it 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 modified example, when predetermined information is specified in the gaming machine or gaming device, the gaming machine or gaming device may report an abnormality based on the predetermined information.

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

(10) In the above-described embodiment, the base, the role product ratio, and the continuous role product ratio are calculated, and the above-described predetermined information is transmitted for each predetermined trigger. However, without being limited to this, the predetermined information described above may be transmitted periodically (for example, every hour).

(11) In the above-described embodiment, an abnormality in the base, character ratio, and continuous character ratio is indicated by the performance display monitor 40 (see FIG. 4), which is a 7-segment LED display of the frame control board 17. It is notified by displaying on the display part of. This notification may be made according to a specific operation. Also, the value of the base, the character ratio, or the continuous character ratio may be displayed on the display section of the frame control board 17 . Also, the information may be displayed on a display section that the player can see, for example, the display device 312, which is different from the display section of the frame control board 17 that the player cannot normally see. In this case, it may be displayed according to a specific operation on the touch panel of the display 312 . Also, it may always be displayed even if there is no specific operation. In addition, even if the fact that the base, the character ratio, and the continuous character ratio are abnormal, and at least one or more of the base, the character ratio, and the continuous character ratio, are displayed. good. In addition, information suggesting any one or more of these information (for example, displaying a red icon, making the background red) or related information (for example, base, character ratio or continuous character ratio A graph display such as a bar graph or a line graph) may be displayed.

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

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

It should be noted that the gaming machine capable of playing a game is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be a slot machine or a general gaming machine as long as it is capable of playing at least a predetermined game.

2 Pachinko machine 3 Card unit 16 Main control board 17 Frame control board 26 Game board 29 Game ball number display 171 Frame control 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)

A gaming machine capable of managing game points as game values and shooting game media using the game points,
a firing operation means capable of detecting a firing operation;
a shooting device capable of shooting a game medium toward a game area when a shooting enable condition is established based on detection of a shooting operation by the shooting operation means;
special signal generating means for generating a special signal in response to the firing operation due to the establishment of the firing enable condition;
supply means capable of supplying game media to the shooting device;
a detection means capable of detecting an abnormality in the supply of game media in the supply means;
with
A game point subtraction process is executed based on the special signal,
The launch device is
A supply abnormality is detected by the detection means, and when it is detected that the supply abnormality is resolved, a special firing operation that is a multiple firing operation is performed,
performing a specific firing operation based on a change from a state in which the firing condition is satisfied to a state in which the firing condition is not satisfied in a state in which no supply abnormality is detected by the detection means ;
A gaming machine, wherein the special signal generating means does not generate the special signal when the specific shooting action is performed.

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