JP7249809B2 - game device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming device that is communicably connected to a gaming machine.

An enclosed type game machine in which game balls are enclosed (hereinafter simply referred to as a game machine) is connected to a game device in a two-way communicable manner as disclosed in Patent Document 1, and the game machine and the game device are connected. , the game points (game balls) are stored. In addition, in the game machine, processing is performed to convert game points into points (balls in possession) based on the counting operation on the gaming machine, but even if the game points cannot be converted into points based on the counting operation due to an abnormality, , recovery processing is performed using two-way communication, and points are updated.

JP 2015-110041 A

In the game device of Patent Document 1, since it is connected to the game machine so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally, for example, an abnormality occurs in which information on game points (game value) transmitted from the game machine cannot be received due to a counting operation or the like. However, it is possible to transmit information to the effect that the game point information has not been received to the gaming machine. Therefore, in the gaming device of Patent Document 1, the information on the game points is resent from the gaming machine, and recovery processing is performed to convert the unreceived game points into points (predetermined value) and update the points. is possible.

However, if a gaming device that does not communicate with a gaming machine bi-directionally cannot receive game point information transmitted from the gaming machine due to a counting operation or the like, it will notify the gaming machine that the information has not been received. I have no way to tell. Therefore, the game device cannot receive the information on the game points resent from the gaming machine, and cannot perform the recovery process of converting the unreceived game points into points and updating the points. There was a possibility that the score could not be managed properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of appropriately managing a predetermined value (points) even when an abnormality occurs. .

(1) It is possible to unidirectionally communicate information about the game value with a game machine (for example, P machine 2) that can be played using the game value (for example, game ball), and correspond to the game value. A game device (for example, CU3) capable of managing a value as a predetermined value (for example, a ball owned),
Receiving means (for example, SC board 325) capable of receiving information transmitted from a gaming machine;
a storage means (for example, a RAM provided in the CU control unit 323) capable of storing information about the game value and information about the predetermined value;
Updating means (for example, , CU control unit 323),
The storage means stores the game value based on the reception of the game machine information including the information about the game value from the game machine (for example, the latest game machine information transmitted from the P machine 2). manage the number of balls),
The updating means performs a specific process for updating the predetermined value when the receiving means does not receive the predetermined information and the gaming value included in the received gaming machine information is decreasing (for example, The difference between the number of game balls stored in the CU3 and the number of game balls newly received from the P table 2 is used for automatic correction as balls).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately manage the predetermined value without making the store clerk work.

(2) In the gaming device of (1) above,
The predetermined information is transmitted in the gaming machine at predetermined intervals regardless of whether or not a condition (for example, the power source VL is turned off) relating to an abnormality in communication with the gaming device is satisfied. is received (for example, regardless of whether or not a condition related to communication abnormality is ).

According to such a configuration, since the predetermined information is information that is periodically transmitted, it is possible to quickly detect the fact that the predetermined information has not reached the destination.

(3) In the gaming device of (1) or (2) above,
The gaming device does not transmit information regarding a response to the predetermined information to the gaming machine based on the reception of the predetermined information by the receiving means. It is impossible to recognize whether or not the predetermined information has been received (for example, since the response information corresponding to the count information is not transmitted from the CU3, the P unit 2 side cannot determine whether or not the CU3 has received the count information. not recognize).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve security by suppressing excessive signal input, and it is possible to appropriately manage the player's predetermined value by transmitting such predetermined information.

(4) In the game device of (1) to (3) above,
Communication determination means (for example, power supply VL for connection confirmation) for determining whether communication with the game machine is defective,
The updating means can execute the specific processing based on the fact that the communication determining means has determined that the communication with the gaming machine is defective (for example, a PIF disconnection prevents reception and causes a loss in counting). It judges that, and automatically corrects it as a holding ball).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately correct the game value possessed by the player when a communication failure occurs with the gaming machine.

(5) In the game device of (1) to (3) above,
A power failure determination means for determining whether or not there is a power failure state in which power is not supplied (for example, determining that a communication failure (power failure) has occurred due to a power failure based on the difference in the number of game balls),
The updating means is capable of executing the specific processing (for example, performing automatic correction as a holding ball) based on the determination by the power failure determining means that communication with the gaming machine is defective. .

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately correct the game value possessed by the player when power failure occurs in the game device.

(6) In the game device of (1) to (5) above,
Further provided is transmission means for transmitting information on the gaming value used in the gaming machine to the management device in predetermined units (for example, when 10 shot balls are detected, HC information notification is transmitted to the hall controller 810). ,
The storage means stores the accumulated game value used in the game machine (for example, the cumulative game value transmitted from the P machine 2) based on the reception of the game machine information including the information on the game value used in the game machine. Cumulative management of the number of shot balls included in game machine information notifications),
The transmission means corrects the timing of transmission to the management device for each predetermined unit based on the cumulative game value stored in the storage means (for example, when the cumulative number of shot balls being managed is 18, HC information notification is not sent to the hall controller 810 because it is not in units of 10 balls).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to implement a function of outputting pulses to the hall controller or the hall controller output BOX in consideration of the occurrence of the number of shot balls counted as negative.

(7) In the gaming devices of (1) to (5) above,
further comprising transmitting means for transmitting information about the gaming value used in the gaming machine to the management device (for example, CU3 transmits HC information notification to hall computer 810);
The transmission means returns the information on the game value used in the game machine and transmits the information on the game value to the management device (for example, the HC information notification including information on the number of shot balls = -2 balls). send).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to implement a function of outputting pulses to the hall controller or the hall controller output BOX in consideration of the occurrence of the number of shot balls counted as negative.

(8) In the gaming devices of (1) to (5) above,
It further comprises transmitting means for transmitting specific information (e.g., lending information) and a serial number (e.g., lending serial number) to the gaming machine based on a specific operation by the player (e.g., lending information including a lending notification message). is sent to P unit 2),
The receiving means receives response information including the reception result of the specific information and the serial number of the same number as the number transmitted by the transmitting means from the gaming machine (for example, a lending response message including a lending receipt result response message). receive information),
Based on the fact that the receiving means has not received the response information, the transmitting means transmits the specific information including the serial number of a number that the gaming machine does not receive (for example, a rental serial number = 0) to the gaming machine. send and
Judging the status of the specific information based on the response information from the game machine to the serial number (for example, if the lending serial number matches, it is determined that the loan has been completed, and the discrepancy (previous lending notice - 1) If , it is judged that the loan has not been completed).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent double addition of the number of lent balls lent to the gaming machine.

It is a front view showing a card unit and a pachinko game machine. It is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the card unit and the pachinko game machine. It is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the PIF wiring that connects the card unit and the pachinko game machine. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram for explaining the outline of the gaming machine information notification transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining information on the type of gaming machine; FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating gaming machine performance information. It is a figure for demonstrating gaming machine installation information. It is a figure for demonstrating whole control and fraud|fraud monitoring information. It is a figure for demonstrating whole control and fraud|fraud monitoring information. 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 information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a timing chart of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing a modification of the timing of the lending information and lending response information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing the timing of information when disconnection occurs 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 diagram showing a count notification sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing a count notification sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence during counting between the card unit and the pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the communication abnormality sequence by PIF disconnection between a card unit and a pachinko game machine. It is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence due to a power failure between the card unit and the pachinko game machine. It is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence at the time of lending between the card unit and the pachinko game machine. It is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence at the time of lending between the card unit and the pachinko game machine. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a gaming system including a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a connection sequence between a card unit and a hall controller output BOX; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a connection sequence between a card unit and a hall controller output BOX; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining communication between a card unit and a hall controller output BOX; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the contents notified to the inside of the card unit and to the hall controller output BOX; FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining information output from a hall controller output BOX to a hall controller; FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a standard port hole controller output signal; FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a hall controller output signal of an expansion port; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the process of correcting the negative number of shot balls by CU; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the process of correcting the negative number of shot balls by CU; FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a process of correcting the number of shot balls for a negative amount with a hole controller; FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a process of correcting the number of shot balls for a negative amount with a hole controller; FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing of the number of game balls remaining in the P stands when the store is closed; FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining another process for the number of game balls remaining on the P stands when the store is closed;

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 machines>
First, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present 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), 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 ball hitting operation handle 25. A shooting solenoid 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, thereby playing a game. Note that the firing mechanism 30, which is a firing device, is not limited to being provided on the upper left side of the P platform 2, and may be provided on the lower left side. Also, the number of game balls that can be shot by the shooting mechanism 30 is electromagnetically managed by the P table 2 and the CU3. 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 is driven to hit the enclosed balls into the game area 27 one by one, the subtraction mechanism 32 subtracts one ball from the number of game balls that can be played on the P table 2 accordingly. 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 (e.g., open state) that is advantageous to the player and a second state (e.g., closed state) that is disadvantageous to the player. .

The variable display device 278 has a variable display section capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (symbols), and based on the detection signals of the starting winning balls that have entered the respective starting winning openings 275, 276, and 277, Start variable display of multiple types of identification information. When the display result of the variable display device becomes a combination of specific identification information (for example, a grid), a big win state (also called a big win game state) occurs, and the big winning opening 271 opens.

In addition, when the display result of the variable display device 278 becomes a combination of predetermined special identification information (for example, a combination of definite variable symbols such as 777) among combinations of jackpot symbols (slots), a definite variable jackpot state is obtained. is generated, and after the end of the jackpot state associated therewith, a probability change state (probability change 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 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 the frame control section 171 (see FIG. 2). The game ball number display 29 displays the number of game balls, an error number of an error that has occurred, and the like. 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 counting button 28 for counting the number of game balls from the game balls to the held balls is provided to the left of the game ball number display 29 on the P table 2 . In the present embodiment, the counting operation is repeatedly executed according to the length of time the count button 28 is held down (for example, 250 balls are counted each time the count button 28 is held down for 0.3 seconds). It should be noted that, regardless of the pressing duration time, once pressed, a predetermined number (for example, 250 balls) may be counted from the game balls to the held balls, or when the count button 28 is pressed once. , regardless of the pressing time (regardless of long pressing or not), all game balls currently owned by the player may be counted. 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. . Further, the P table 2 is provided with speakers 270 at upper right and upper left positions of the game area 27 for outputting music data to be reproduced in accordance with the effects displayed on the variable display device 278 . 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 CU3 that receives these cards has the function of converting the game value owned by the player specified by the stored information of the card (for example, the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, or the number of balls stored) into "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 shot balls that can be shot. In the following description, "game ball data" is simply referred to as "game ball" in the same way as accumulated 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.

A display 54 is provided in a portion extending from the CU3 to the front side of the P table 2. - 特許庁The display 54 displays the prepaid balance stored in the inserted game storage medium (card), etc., and can display the number of game balls and other various information, and has a transparent touch panel on the surface. , and is configured such that various operations can be input by touching various display items displayed on the display section of the display unit 54 with a finger. For example, on the display 54 shown in FIG. 1, a ball rental button 321, a return button 319, and a replay button are displayed, and operation input is possible by touching these display items with a finger. Note that the display 54 may display a replay button.

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 return button 319 is operated when the player ends the game, and the inserted card receives the fixed number of possession balls at the end of the game (number of possession balls at the time of inserting the card - number of conversions to game balls + counting operation). It is a button for storing and discharging the number of balls counted by.

When a replay button (not shown) is operated and the number of balls acquired by the player is stored in the inserted card, part of the number of balls held by the player is withdrawn and converted into game balls. It is possible to play a game by the P table 2 based on the game ball. 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 turned into game balls. It is converted, and the game by the P machine 2 becomes possible. That is, when both stored balls and balls in possession are stored in association with the inserted card, the balls in possession are preferentially withdrawn. In addition to the re-play button, a dedicated ball payout button for withdrawing the owned balls may be provided, and the re-play button may be a dedicated button for withdrawing accumulated balls.

Here, the "accumulated balls" are the balls that are deposited in the hall out of the balls acquired on the previous day or earlier, and become game balls when the accumulated balls are paid out. The stored balls are game media deposited in the game hall, and are 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 when the possessed ball is paid out. 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 at a gaming facility is called "balls in possession", and the number of balls acquired by a player on or before the previous day and deposited in the gaming facility is called "stored balls". Say.

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 withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card, the balls in hand, or the accumulated balls.

It should be noted that the number of possession balls may be managed by a management device for managing the number of possession 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 deposited in the game hall after the operation of storing balls for depositing into the game hall, or the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall. It is a point whether it is the number of balls in the stage where it is not.

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 hall management computer in association with the member card number, and the corresponding stored ball is searched based on the member card number. configured to allow 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. Even in the case of the visitor card, the possession ball is directly stored in the visitor card. However, the game is not limited to this, and the 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 of storing the balls in the card (member card, visitor card) or the hall server is, for example, stored in real time each time the counting button 28 is operated and the counting process is performed, or stored at regular intervals. Alternatively, the timing may be set such that the card is stored collectively when the card is returned.

When the player finishes playing and returns the card from the CU3, the balls stored in the CU3 are temporarily stored in the hall server as accumulated balls, and the date the player receives the card is the same. When the card is inserted again in the same or another CU3 on the same day, only the possession balls for the day once stored as stored balls are again stored in the CU3, and the game balls are added within the range of the possession balls, and the game can be played. You may do so.

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 is 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.

Although not shown, the P stand 2 is provided with a frame-shaped outer frame 4, a game machine frame (hereinafter also referred to as a cell) 5 and a glass door 6 which can be opened and closed with the left edge thereof as a swing center. It is

A back mechanism opening switch 13 shown in FIG. 2 is provided in a lower part of the game machine frame 5 at a portion that contacts the outer frame 4, and the opening of the game machine frame 5 is detected. A front cover open switch 12 shown in FIG. 2 is provided at the upper portion of the game machine frame 5, which contacts the glass door 6. The front cover open switch 12 detects that the glass door 6 has been opened. be done.

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, it is possible to count the number of times the glass door 6 or the game machine frame 5 is detected to be open and transmit the counted value to the frame control section 171 (see FIG. 2). Here, the backup power supply is, for example, a capacitor or a storage battery provided in the P-table 2 .

A main control board 16 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the back surface of the game board 26 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the glass door 6). Since the back surface of the outer frame 4 is closed, the 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 shown in FIG. 2 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.

<Configuration of card unit and pachinko machine>
FIG. 2 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 management computer, a hall controller, and the like. The CU3 transmits the state of the CU3 and the gaming machine state information received from the P machine 2 (including information displayed on the performance display monitor 40) to the outside such as a management computer or a hall controller via the external output terminal 340. . The CU control unit 323 communicates with the frame control board 17 of the P table 2 via the SC board 325 . The SC board 325 and the frame control board 17 are connected, for example, by a dedicated PIF wiring 322 (see FIG. 1). Communication between the CU control unit 323 and the frame control board 17 is based on lending information (information on operation for withdrawing the balance stored in the inserted card and using it for a game on the P machine 2) and lending response information (lending information , and other counting information (information on counting processing from game balls to holding balls) and game machine information are transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the CU control unit 323 in one direction. I am doing it by communication. Therefore, the P machine 2 side does not recognize whether or not the CU 3 has received the counting information and the gaming machine information. 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 connecting portions are configured by connectors, for example. The SC board 325 is equipped with an SC microcomputer (SC) that executes various processes for ensuring security in communication between the P stand 2 and the CU 3 .

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 held by the player while the player is playing. Data such as the balance or the number of balls held is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350 and converted into display data by the display control unit 350 . The display data converted by the display control unit 350 is transmitted from the CU3 to the display device 54 extending to the front side of the P table 2 . The display 54 displays an image corresponding to the display data. Also, when the player operates the touch panel provided on the surface of the display 54 , the operation signal is input to the CU control section 323 via the display control section 350 . For example, when the player operates the ball lending button 321 or return button 319 displayed on the display 54 , the operation signal is input to the CU control section 323 via the display control section 350 . In addition, the ball rental button 321 and the return button 319 are not limited to the configuration provided on the CU 3, but may be provided on the front surface of the CU 3, or may be provided on the P table 2 and input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. There may be. When the player operates a replay button (not shown) displayed on the display 54 , the operation signal is input to the CU control section 323 via the display control section 350 . Note that the replay button is not limited to being provided on the CU 3 , and may be provided on the front surface of the CU 3 or may be provided on the P table 2 to input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323 .

The P machine 2 has a main control board 16 that controls the progress of the game on the P machine 2, a frame control board 17 that manages and stores game balls, and a firing solenoid 31a based on commands from the frame control board 17. , a variable display device 278, and an effect control board 15 for controlling display of the variable display device 278 based on commands transmitted from the main control board 16 are provided.

The main control board 16 and the effect control board 15 are provided on the game board 26 . 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 value of the 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.

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 , a front decoration open switch 12, and a back mechanism part 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 performance information, base, character ratio, and continuous character ratio related to the given game value (for example, prize balls) calculated 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 a large winning opening 271, normal winning openings 272 to 274, and start winning openings 275 to 277 provided in the game area 27 for the number of game balls hit into the game area 27 of the P table 2. 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. 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.

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 game machine manufacturers, 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 that is adopted only by a certain gaming machine maker, such as a sudden probability change (suddenly).

A gaming machine installation information notification and a gaming machine information notification are transmitted from the main control board 16 to the frame control board 17 . Conversely, a gaming machine installation information response and a gaming machine information response are transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the main control board 16 . The gaming machine installation information response and gaming machine information response are commands for indicating that the gaming machine installation information notification and gaming machine information notification have been received from the main control board 16 .

The SC board 325 of the CU3 and the frame control board 17 of the P table 2 are electrically connected via the PIF wiring 22, and various commands are transmitted from the SC board 325 to the frame control board 17 as described later. (See Figure 4). Conversely, various responses are transmitted from the frame control board 17 to the SC board 325 as will be described later (see FIG. 4).

In addition to the frame control board 17, the game machine frame 5 is provided with a launch control board 31, a launch solenoid 31a, and a game ball number 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. This point is the same for the indicator 54 as well. 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. 2, the circulation route of the game balls in the P table 2 will be 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 rebounded by the hitting ball hammer and hit into the game area 27.例文帳に追加

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 passes through the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b. Subtract the number of game balls.

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.

<Connection between CU and P unit>
The CU3 and the P table 2 connect the SC board 325 and the frame control board 17 shown in FIG. 2 by PIF wiring. The configuration of the PIF wiring will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of PIF wiring that connects the card unit and the pachinko game machine. FIG. 3(a) shows the wiring number and information name of the PIF wiring connecting the CU 3 and the P unit 2, and FIG. Illustrated.

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

The wiring number 5 has an information name of "isolation GND" and is assigned an isolation GND. The wiring number 6 has an information name of "rental response information, counting information, gaming machine information", and is used to transmit respective information from the P machine 2 to the CU3. The wiring number 7 has an information name of “rental information” and is used to transmit the rental information from the CU 3 to the P unit 2 . The wiring numbers 8 and 9 have an information name of "isolation 5V (VL)" and are assigned as signal lines of 5V for isolation (power supply VL for connection confirmation).

<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.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram outlining information transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, an outline of information (telegrams) transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Between the frame control board 17 of the P machine 2 and the SC board 325 of the CU3, there are divided into (a) rental information, (b) rental response information, (c) counting information, and (d) gaming machine information. Telegrams are communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port. The four types of information (telegrams) (a) to (d) sent and received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 have different headers, and the types of the telegrams can be distinguished by the headers. It has become.

Even if (a) lending information and (b) lending response information are communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port, (a) lending information and (c) counting information are communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port. (a) rental information and (d) gaming machine information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port. Even if (b) lending response information and (c) counting information are communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port, (b) lending response information and (d) game machine information are communicated through common asynchronous serial communication. Communication may be performed through a port, or (c) counting information and (d) gaming machine information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port.

Lending information is described in FIG. 4(a). The rental information includes information on the number of rental balls included in the rental notification telegram sent by the CU 3 to the P machine 2 and information on the rental serial number for communication management. The information on the number of rental balls is information on the number of game balls related to rental, and includes information on, for example, 125 balls as the information on the number of game balls transmitted in one piece of information. In addition, when the number of rental balls is 0 (zero), the rental information may be transmitted by including the information of 0 (zero) in the information of the number of rental balls.

FIG. 4(b) describes lending response information. The lending response information includes information on the number of lending pitches received as information included in the lending reception result response telegram sent by the P machine 2 to the CU 3 and information on the lending serial number for communication management. The information on the number of rental balls received is information that informs CU3 of the result of receiving the information on the number of rental balls transmitted from CU3.

Count information is described in FIG.4(c). As for the counting information, the P-unit 2 transmits to the CU 3 a counting notification telegram containing the number of balls counted, the cumulative number of balls counted, and a counting serial number for communication management. Note that the P unit 2 does not receive information for confirming the transmission result from the CU3. Therefore, the P-unit 2 is a one-way output that cannot ascertain whether the CU 3 has received the counting information. As a result, the P machine 2 can suppress excessive signal input to improve security, and can appropriately manage the number of balls counted by the player with such a count notification. The number of balls counted, the cumulative number of counted balls, and the counting serial number are all information for the purpose of counting game balls. Also, the number of counted balls transmitted in one piece of information is, for example, 250 balls. In addition, when the number of counted balls is 0 (zero), the count information may be transmitted by inserting the information of 0 (zero) into the information of the number of counted balls.

FIG. 4(d) describes gaming machine information. As for the game machine information, the P machine 2 transmits the game machine installation information, the game machine performance information, and the hole control/fraud monitoring information to the CU3. Note that the P unit 2 does not receive information for confirming the transmission result from the CU3. The gaming machine installation information is information for the purpose of machine history management, and is transmitted to the CU 3 as a telegram notifying the gaming machine installation information 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.

The gaming machine performance information is information for the purpose of totaling performance information, and is transmitted to the CU 3 as a telegram for notifying the gaming machine performance information. The gaming machine performance information outputs the results calculated based on the game. number (high base), total number of game balls acquired by special electric accessories, total number of game balls acquired by normal electric accessories, total number of game balls acquired by accessory continuous differential device, total number of game balls acquired by starter, normal Total number of winning game balls in the winning slot, total number of special electric role items, total number of normal electric role items, total number of special symbol display devices, total number of normal symbol display devices, role ratio, continuous Includes information such as character ratio. In addition, the conditions for the frame control board 17 to notify the gaming machine performance information to the CU 3 include, for example, (1) notification after 3 minutes have passed since the power supply of the P machine 2 was turned on, and (2) a specified number of shot balls Notified every minute (e.g., 60,000 balls) fired or specified time (e.g., 10 hours) cycle, (3) Notification given priority over game machine installation information notification, (4) Hall control/fraud monitoring information notification There are conditions such as notification in the next period (after 300 ms). These conditions are examples and other conditions may be adopted, and even if only one of the above conditions is adopted or a plurality of conditions are adopted in combination, good.

The hall control/fraud monitoring information is information for the purpose of tabulating information on the hall control/fraud monitoring by the CU3. Hole control and fraud monitoring information includes jackpots, probability fluctuations, time reduction, hole control information such as the number of winning balls in each winning hole, number of game balls (current number of balls in possession), serial number of game balls, game machine error status, Contains fraud monitoring information such as fraud detection status.

<Game machine information notification>
Next, the game machine information notification command will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an outline of gaming machine information notification transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. The gaming machine information notification command shown in FIG. 5 is a command for the P machine 2 to notify the CU 3 of gaming machine information. - Three pieces of fraud monitoring information are included. The type of gaming machine information included in the gaming machine information notification command is determined by notification conditions of each information, and is notified to the CU3.

The gaming machine information notification command includes telegram length information, command information, serial number information, gaming machine type information, gaming machine information type information, and gaming machine information. The message length information indicates the length of the message to be transmitted (from the message length to the error detection code (CRC) of the communication frame). The command information indicates the command code of the message. The serial number information indicates a sequence number. The serial number is a sequence number that the primary station side (for example, the P side) sets the initial value to "0" and counts up (+1) at the time of transmission. However, the primary station side does not count up the serial number when retransmitting, and the secondary station side (for example, the CU side) also transmits the received serial number as it is. Commands and responses used for communication commonly include message length information, command information, and serial number information, so descriptions of the commands and responses below will be omitted.

The gaming machine type information is information for indicating the gaming machine type of the P machine 2 . FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining information on the type of gaming machine. In FIG. 6, if the game machine type information is "10", it indicates that the P machine 2 connected to the CU 3 is "pachinko" of "pachinko game machine", and if it is "11", it indicates that "pachinko game It indicates that it is a "parrot" of "machine". Also, if the game machine type information is "20", it indicates that the P machine 2 connected to the CU3 is the "rotary" of the "rotary type game machine", and if it is "30", it indicates that the "arrangement If it is "40", it indicates that it is a "jankyu game machine" of a "jankyu game machine". In addition, in CU3, if the transmitted gaming machine type information is "10" or "11", the number of game balls is displayed by, for example, "ball" as the unit used in the game, and the gaming machine type information is displayed. is "20", the number of game medals is displayed, for example, the unit used in the game is "pieces".

Returning to FIG. 5, the information on the gaming machine information type is a type code indicating the type of information included in the gaming machine information. If the information of the gaming machine information type is “0x00”, it indicates that the information included in the gaming machine information is the gaming machine performance information, and if it is “0x01”, it indicates that the information included in the gaming machine information If it is "0x02", it indicates that the information included in the gaming machine information is hole control/fraud monitoring information. Incidentally, if the information of the game machine information type is a value other than the above, the notified CU3 determines that there is an abnormality.

The gaming machine information includes one of gaming machine installation information, gaming machine performance information, hall control/fraud monitoring information based on the type code set in the gaming machine information type information, and is notified to the CU3. The game machine performance information includes information such as the number of game balls acquired per minute (base), the role ratio, the continuous role ratio, etc. The game machine installation information includes the manufacturer code, model code, and chip ID of the main control CPU and frame control CPU. Information such as numbers, and hall control/fraud monitoring information includes information such as big hits, probability fluctuations, time reduction, the number of winning balls in each winning hole, and the number of game balls.

Furthermore, the gaming machine information will be explained in detail. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining gaming machine performance information. FIG. 7 shows the gaming machine performance information included in the gaming machine information when the gaming machine information type information is "0x00". For example, the gaming machine information includes the total number of game balls launched, the total number of game balls acquired, the ball output rate, . The total number of game balls fired is the accumulated information of the number of fired balls. It is the information In addition, the number of operations of the normal symbol display device is information obtained by accumulating the number of times the normal symbol is stopped, and the role ratio is information of the cumulative value of the number of prize balls operated by the role product / the cumulative value of the number of prize balls × 100, and is the information of the continuous role. The product ratio is the information of the accumulated value of the number of consecutive action prize balls/the accumulated value of the number of prize balls×100.

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

9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the hall control/fraud monitoring information. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the hole controller/fraud monitoring information included in the gaming machine information when the gaming machine information type information is "0x02". For example, the game machine information includes "number of game balls", "number of shot balls", "total number of prize balls", "main control state", "game machine error state", "fraud detection state", and "game information". ” contains.

"Number of game balls" indicates the current number of game balls. For example, if the number of game balls is 10000, it indicates "0x102700". "Number of balls fired" indicates the number of balls fired (-128 to 127). If there are back balls, the number of back balls is subtracted, and if there are multiple balls fired at the time of transmission, they are added up. indicate the number. "Total number of prize balls" indicates the sum of the number of prize balls and the number of prizes won.

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 (jackpot with reduced variation time), and information on gaming machine state signals 1-4. . The game machine state signals 1 to 4 are used to output the state from the external output terminal 340 of the CU3 to the outside such as a hall controller, and the "external terminal board state output signal terminals 1 to 4" output from the external output terminal of the CU3. 4” (see FIG. 31). "Main control state 1" includes information during big hit + time saving (variation time reduction), high probability, and time saving (variation time reduction).

The "gaming machine error state" includes information on the error code occurring in the gaming machine. Specifically, in the "game machine error state", Bits 0 to 5 represent an error code. If is "0", only the alarm is issued, and if "1", the alarm is issued plus hall control output.

The "fraud detection status" includes "fraud detection status 1" to "fraud detection status 3". "Fraud detection state 1" indicates the state of fraud detection in the main control board 16, and includes information indicating that board surface frauds 1 to 6 have been detected. "Fraud detection state 2" indicates the state of fraud detection in the frame control board 17. Bit 0 opens the front decoration, Bit 1 opens the back mechanism, Bit 2 detects fraudulent radio waves, Bit 3 detects the number of game balls cleared, and Bit 4 wins a prize. It includes information indicating that an error 1 in the number of balls has been detected and an error 2 in the number of winning balls in Bit 5 has been detected. Here, the winning ball number abnormality 1 detection is performed by detecting that the difference between the winning number detected by the main control board 16 and the winning number detected by the frame control board 17 is 100 or more, and the winning ball number abnormality 2 detection. detects that the difference between the number of launched balls and the total number of returned balls (the number of winning balls + the number of non-winning balls) is 100 or more. "Fraud detection state 3" indicates the state of fraud detection in the frame control board 17, and includes information indicating that a small ball has been detected in Bit0 and an iron ball has been detected in Bit1.

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 is set for each value of the data type (Bits 4 to 7). For example, when the data type value is 1, it is the start-up winning information. A data number (Bits 0 to 3) is set for each data type, and if the data number is 1, it indicates the starting port number such as start port 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.

Next, communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 using the messages described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the timing of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. In the sequence shown in FIG. 11, the (b) rental response information No. shown in FIG. 3 to No. 4 information, (c) counting information, and (d) gaming machine information are transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 through a common asynchronous serial communication port. Conversely, if the (a) lending information No. shown in FIG. 1 to No. 2 information is sent from CU3 to P-unit 2 over a common asynchronous serial communication port.

Note that the sequence shown in FIG. 11 is an example, and a sequence in which (c) counting information and (d) gaming machine information shown in FIG. 4 are transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 via a common asynchronous serial communication port may be used . In the case of this sequence, (a) lending information No. shown in FIG. 1 to No. 2 is transmitted from CU3 to P unit 2 through another asynchronous serial communication port, and (b) rental information No. 3 to No. 4 information is sent from P-unit 2 to CU3 on another asynchronous serial communication port. Furthermore, the No. of (a) rental information shown in FIG. 1 to No. 2 is transmitted from the CU3 to the P unit 2 through the common asynchronous serial communication port, and the (b) lending information No. 2 shown in FIG. 3 to No. 4 information and (c) counting information are transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 over a common asynchronous serial communication port. In the case of this sequence, the (d) gaming machine information shown in FIG. 4 may be transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 through another asynchronous serial communication port.

Among the information transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3, (d) gaming machine information is transmitted at regular intervals A as shown in FIG. In other words, the period from the transmission of information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 to the transmission of the next information is controlled to the specified period A (for example, 300 ms=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 this way, information is 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 pieces of information are transmitted and received during one shot of the ball.

The gaming machine information communicates with the counting information through the same asynchronous serial communication port. Therefore, if you try to send counting information at the same timing as sending game machine information, the information may become congested within the common asynchronous serial communication port, resulting in data collisions and incorrect communication. be. Therefore, when the gaming machine information is transmitted to the CU 3 every prescribed period A, the P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information for a prescribed period shorter than the prescribed period A in order to optimize the information transmission. At a timing corresponding to B (for example, 100 ms), (c) count information is transmitted to CU3. The count information is transmitted to CU3 every prescribed period B regardless of the reception status at CU3. If the player operates the counting button 28 before transmitting the game machine information, the number of balls to be counted includes, for example, 250 balls, and the player's operation of the counting button 28 corresponds to the gaming machine information. 0 (zero) ball information is included in the counting ball number if not done before sending the .

That is, in the communication between the CU3 and the P machine 2, there is a premise that the gaming machine information and the counting information (specific information) are both communicated through a common terminal as shown in FIG. On this premise, by transmitting the count information to the CU3 at a timing corresponding to a specific period (specified period B) shorter than a specified period (specified period A) after transmitting the gaming machine information, the game machine information and the count The information is transmitted at different timings, information is not mixed, and information of different properties can be more accurately distinguished outside the P stand 2.例文帳に追加In particular, since the counting information on the gaming value corresponds to the gaming value possessed by the player, in order to prevent the player from being disadvantaged, a predetermined period of time after the transmission of the gaming machine information (prescribed period of time) By having a configuration in which the count information is transmitted to the CU3 at a timing corresponding to a specific period (specified period B) shorter than A), there is an effect that the CU3 can receive various information more accurately. The transmission of the count information is not limited to being performed within the specified period B from the timing of transmitting the gaming machine information. may be up to the timing when the gaming machine information is transmitted.

In FIG. 12, after the counting information is transmitted to CU3, the lending information is received from CU3 during the valid reception time (for example, 170 ms). The rental information transmitted from the CU3 to the P machine 2 includes information on the number of rental balls and the rental serial number. If the player operates the lend ball button 321 or the replay button before transmitting the gaming machine information, the number of lending balls includes information of, for example, 125 balls, and the player presses the lend ball button 321. Alternatively, if the replay button is not operated before transmitting the gaming machine information, the number of lent balls includes information of 0 (zero) balls.

The lending response information is communicated through the same asynchronous serial communication port as the gaming machine information. Therefore, when lending response information is sent from the CU3 at the timing of sending gaming machine information, the information is congested within the common asynchronous serial communication port, data collision occurs, and communication is not performed correctly. there is a possibility.

Therefore, the CU3 transmits the rental information to the P machine 2 during the valid reception time after receiving the counting information. In other words, the P machine 2 receives the information on the number of rented balls and the serial number from the CU 3 within the effective reception time after transmitting the counting information, and returns the result of receiving the number of rented balls and the rental serial number within the response time. Send lending response information to CU3. That is, the P machine 2 transmits the game information for each specified period A, and furthermore, it is the timing corresponding to the response time shorter than the specified period A after receiving the lending information, and the timing different from the transmission timing of the CU3. , the rental information response information is sent to CU3. In addition, CU3 can receive the game information for each specified period A, and furthermore, the transmission timing of the game machine information is the timing corresponding to the response time shorter than the specified period A after transmitting the lending information. Response information of rental information can be received from the P machine 2 at different timings. In the communication between the CU 3 and the P machine 2, in particular, the rental information regarding the game value corresponds to the game value that the player has. and the rental information response information are transmitted at different timings, thereby avoiding congestion between the gaming machine information and the rental information response information.

In FIG. 12, the communication between CU3 and P machine 2 determines the timing of transmitting count information based on the timing of transmitting technical equipment information, and determines the timing of receiving rental information based on the timing of transmitting count information. However, the communication between the CU 3 and the P machine 2 may be performed at other timings such as determining the timing of transmitting and receiving the counting information and the rental information based on the timing of transmitting the gaming machine information.

CU3 explains in more detail the timing of transmitting the rental information within the valid reception time after receiving the counting information. FIG. 13 is a timing chart of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine.

First, in (i) shown in FIG. 13, the frame control board 17 transmits gaming machine information to the CU3 at a cycle of 300 ms when the game becomes possible. In (ii), the frame control board 17 transmits the counting information 100 ms after the transmission of the gaming machine information regardless of whether or not the counting button 28 is operated by the player. Also, when the count button 28 is pressed within the 300ms cycle, the count information is transmitted with the number of balls counted as 250. When the count button 28 is not operated, the count information is transmitted with 0 (zero) information entered in the number of count balls.

In (iii), CU3 transmits rental information within 170 ms (receiving valid time) after completion of reception of count information. Further, when the ball lending button 321 or the replay button is pressed within the 300 ms cycle, the lending information is transmitted with the number of lending balls set to 125. If the ball lending button 321 or the replay button is not operated, the lending information is transmitted with 0 (zero) as the number of lending balls. CU3 transmits rental information within 170 ms after completion of reception of count information, but CU3 does not transmit response information corresponding to the count information. Therefore, the P unit 2 side does not recognize whether or not the CU3 has received the count information.

In (iv), when the frame control board 17 receives the information of the number of rented balls and the lending serial number from the CU 3, the lending response information of the number of rented balls and the lending serial number is sent within 10 ms (response time) from the reception of the information. Send to CU3. (v) Thereafter, the same operation is repeated with a period of 300 ms.

At the timing shown in FIG. 13, the lending information and the lending response information are transmitted and received between the CU3 and the P table 2 even if the player does not operate the ball lending button 321 or the replay button. However, if the player does not operate the ball lending button 321 or the replay button, the lending information and the lending response information may not be transmitted and received between the CU3 and the P table 2. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the timing of lending information and lending response information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine.

First, in (i) shown in FIG. 14, the frame control board 17 transmits the game machine information to the CU3 at a cycle of 300 ms when the game becomes possible. In (ii), the frame control board 17 transmits the counting information 100 ms after the transmission of the gaming machine information regardless of whether or not the counting button 28 is operated by the player. Also, when the count button 28 is pressed within the 300ms cycle, the count information is transmitted with the number of balls counted as 250. When the count button 28 is not operated, the count information is transmitted with 0 (zero) information entered in the number of count balls. (iii) Thereafter, the same operation is repeated with a period of 300 ms.

In (iv), when the lend ball button 321 or the replay button is pressed, the CU3 transmits the lending information with the number of lending balls set to 125 within 170 ms (receiving valid time) from the completion of reception of the counting information. That is, the operation of the ball lending button 321 or the replay button by the player is performed before transmitting the counting information, and after the operation, waiting for the timing of receiving the counting information from the P table 2, within 170 ms Send lending information at (receiving valid time). On the other hand, if the ball lending button 321 or the replay button is not pressed, the CU3 does not transmit the lending information even if the reception of the counting information is completed. In (v), when the frame control board 17 receives the information of the number of rented balls and the lending serial number from the CU 3, within 10 ms (response time) from the reception of the information, the frame control board 17 returns the lending response information of the number of rented balls and the lending serial number. Send to CU3.

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

In (vi), if disconnection occurs due to the PIF wiring coming off between the CU3 and the P unit 2, the voltage of the power supply VL for checking the connection supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 changes from 5V to 0 ( zero) V (VL = change from ON to OFF). When the voltage of the connection confirmation power source VL supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 changes from 5 V to 0 V, the frame control board 17 sends a signal to the launch control board 31 to stop shooting game balls. to output In this way, by performing the process shown in FIG. 15, the P machine 2 can stop the shooting of game balls with a simple configuration and process without performing authentication with the CU3. Further, based on the change of the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation from 5V to 0V, the operation of the counting button 28 on the counting switch board is disabled. In the case that the P machine 2 is the primary station, if the player operates the counting button 28 to output the counting information to the CU3 when the PIF wiring is disconnected or the like, and the P machine is disconnected, the CU3 will output the P machine. 2, it may be difficult for CU3 to perform recovery processing using gaming machine information. In order to prevent the player from being disadvantaged by such an event, when disconnection occurs between the CU 3 and the P table 2, the operation of the counting button 28 itself is invalidated, or the output of the counting information is invalidated. there is

Even after disconnection has occurred between CU3 and P stand 2, in (vii), the frame control board 17 transmits gaming machine information to CU3 at intervals of 300 ms when the game becomes possible. In (viii), the frame control board 17 transmits the counting information 100 ms after the transmission of the gaming machine information regardless of whether or not the counting button 28 is operated by the player.

<Mode of transmission and reception between the card unit side and the pachinko machine side>
Next, FIG. 16 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. 16, 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 CU 3 side manages and stores the balls (the number of balls held by the card), the number of accumulated balls, and the prepaid balance (balance).

FIG. 16 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 while 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. The "serial number" includes three types of "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. 2) 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.

Information on these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU3 side as 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 . In CU3, for example, the number of game balls is added based on the "number of prize 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. The number of counted balls is "the number of balls converted from game balls to possession balls by a counting operation". The cumulative counted ball number counter is a counter that counts the cumulative counted number of balls. The accumulated counted number of balls is "the accumulated number of balls converted from game balls to held balls by counting operation", and is the accumulated number of balls counted from RAM clear (initialization operation), or the accumulated number counted on the day number of balls. It is assumed that the cumulative number of balls does not change even if the player changes. A 2-byte data area is assigned to the cumulative count ball number counter, and information of 0 to 65,535 balls can be stored. Therefore, when the cumulative counted ball number counter counts up to "0xFFFF (65,535 balls)", the cumulative counted ball number counter updates the next value to "0x0000 (0 ball)". In addition, when a counting operation is received while a game ball is being shot, the game points to be counted are preferentially updated, and the shooting of the game ball is stopped and the game points corresponding to the shooting are updated. stops execution. As a result, it is possible to avoid overlap of the timing of the subtraction of the game points to be counted and the subtraction of the game points corresponding to the firing, and the update process of the game points can be realized more accurately. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of update processing. Further, the subtraction of the game points to be counted and the subtraction of the game points corresponding to the shot may be performed at the same time. As a result, since the shooting of game balls is not stopped, a smooth game can be realized. 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.

When the count button 28 is pressed, the frame control unit 171 counts the number of game balls as the counted number of balls, and transmits the value of the counted ball number counter (the number of counted balls) from the P machine 2 side to the CU 3 side. In addition, the frame control unit 171 updates the value of the cumulative ball number counter each time the value of the ball number counter (the number of balls to be counted) is counted, and the value of the cumulative ball number counter (the number of balls to be counted) is updated. is transmitted from the P unit 2 side to the CU3 side.

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 according to the occurrence of winning, the shooting of a ball, and the occurrence of a counting ball (conversion from a game ball to a holding ball). 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 cumulative data storage area in the RAM stores the number of game balls, the number of balls held in the card (simply referred to as the number of balls held), the number of stored balls, the balance, and the number of balls held when the card is inserted. The number of balls on card is obtained by subtracting the number of lent balls (the number of balls converted from the number of balls on card to the number of game balls) from the number of balls held when the card is inserted, and adding the number of counted balls. In other words, the number of cards held by the player is the number of balls owned by the player at the present time.

Based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P table 2, the number of cards held balls is added, and the number of game balls is subtracted to update. In this way, the CU 3 can manage the latest information by updating the number of game balls and the number of cards held by the latest game 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 54, 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. Here, 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 count information, 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 executed. . 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. 16, CU3 has a storage area for storing the number of balls held in the card and the number of stored balls, a storage area for storing the prepaid balance of the accepted (inserted) card, and a storage area for storing the number of balls held when the card is inserted. and a storage area for storing the The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) stores stored balls in response to an input requesting the use of stored balls (for example, press input of a replay button provided in CU3 (when no balls are held)). A predetermined number of stored balls is subtracted from the area.

The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) is a storage area for storing a held ball in response to an input requesting the use of a held ball (for example, pressing input of a replay button provided on the CU 3 when the held ball is present). Subtract a given number of balls from Furthermore, the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) 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 to lend a predetermined amount of value from the player's possession value (for example, the number of balls held, the number of stored balls, or the prepaid balance) and use it in the game, the number of balls for the withdrawal is transmitted from the CU3 side to the P table 2 side for adding to the game ball counter. In response to this, the P table 2 side increments and updates the game ball number counter.

<Counting notification sequence>
Next, among the communication sequences between the CU 3 and the P table 2, the counting notification sequence for counting and subtracting part of the game balls will be described. 17 and 18 are diagrams showing the counting notification sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIGS. 17 and 18 show the case where the count button 28 is pressed without detecting the card return operation.

Also, in FIG. 17, the number of possessed balls specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is "100" balls, and the initial number of game balls is "1000" balls. .

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

First, the P machine transmits a gaming machine information notification (hereinafter simply referred to as a gaming machine information notification) including any one of hall control/fraud monitoring information, gaming machine installation information, and gaming machine performance information to CU3. . It should be noted that since the information contained is hall control/fraud monitoring information, it contains the information of the serial number=n and the number of game balls=1000. The P machine transmits the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU3 within 100 ms (within the prescribed period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU3.

If the player presses the counting button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU 3, the P machine will include the counting serial number = m, the number of balls counted = 250, and the cumulative number of balls counted = 250 in the message of the count notification. CU3 is notified of the counting information including the information. When the P machine transmits a count notification telegram containing the information of the number of game balls = 250 to CU3, the number of game balls = 750 is subtracted from the information of the number of game balls held = 1000 by subtracting the counted 250 balls. Update to information. On the other hand, if the player does not press the counting button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU 3, the P machine sends the counting serial number = m, the number of balls to be counted = 0, and the cumulative number of balls to be counted = 0 information is included to inform CU3 of no counting.

For example, if the player has not operated the count button 28, the number of counted balls included in the count notification message sent to the CU3 is the counted data of 0 (zero) balls. Further, in response to the operation of the counting button 28 by the player, for example, when a continuous operation of less than 0.5 seconds is detected, the number of counted balls included in the counting notification message sent to the CU 3 becomes the count data of one ball. . This is an operation used for adjusting the fraction of the ball held. Further, when a continuous operation of 0.5 seconds or more and less than 0.8 seconds is detected, the number of counted balls included in the counting notification message sent to CU3 is the count data of 250 balls. When continuous operation of 0.8 seconds or more is detected, the number of counted balls included in the counting notification telegram that is first transmitted to CU3 becomes the counting data of 250 balls, and thereafter the counting notification is transmitted to CU3 every 0.3 seconds. The number of counted balls included in the electronic message is the counted data of 250 balls. That is, when the player continuously operates the count button 28, the count data for 250 balls is transmitted to the CU3 every 0.3 seconds.

The CU3 receives the count information from the P table 2, adds the number of counted balls to the number of balls held, and updates the number of balls=100+250=350. CU3 receives the count information from the P machine 2 and within the reception valid period (see FIG. 12), regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not, lending information including a rental notification message to the P machine 2 Send. The lending notification telegram includes the information of the lending serial number=k and the number of lending balls=0.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits the lending response information including the lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time (see FIG. 12). The lending reception result response telegram includes the information that the lending serial number=k and the number of lending ball reception results=normal.

The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the prescribed period A (see FIG. 12) has elapsed since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3. The new game machine information notification sent to CU3 includes the updated serial number=n+1 and the subtracted number of game balls=750 in the hole controller/fraud monitoring information.

When the player continues to press the counting button 28 when transmitting a new gaming machine information notification to the CU 3, the P machine 2 updates the counting notification message with the counting serial number = m + 1, the number of counting balls = 250, and CU3 is notified of the count information including the information of the accumulated number of counted balls=500. When the P machine transmits a counting notification telegram containing the information of the number of game balls = 250 to CU3, the number of game balls = 500 is obtained by subtracting the counted 250 balls from the information of the number of game balls held = 750. Update to information. In addition, the P machine 2 updates the information of the cumulative counted number of balls = 500 by adding the information of the current number of counted balls = 250 to the information of the cumulative number of counted balls = 250 in the previous time.

The CU3 receives the counting information from the P table 2, adds the number of balls counted to the number of balls it has, and updates the number of balls=350+250=600. The CU3 transmits the rental information including the telegram of the rental notification to the P machine 2 within the valid reception period after receiving the counting information from the P machine 2 regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not. The lending notification telegram includes the updated lending serial number=k+1 and the number of lending balls=0.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits lending response information including a lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time. The lending reception result response telegram includes the updated lending serial number=k+1 and the lending ball number reception result=normal information.

In the sequence shown in FIG. 18, if the player stops pressing the count button 28 before transmitting a new gaming machine information notification to CU3, the P machine 2 will transmit the next gaming machine information notification to CU3. , do not count. Specifically, since the player has stopped pressing the count button 28 when transmitting the new game machine information notification to the CU 3, the P machine 2 updates the counting serial number in the counting notification telegram=m+2, counting CU3 is notified of count information including the information that the number of balls=0 and the number of accumulated counted balls=500.

In other words, the P machine does not perform counting and transmits a count notification telegram containing the information that the number of balls counted = 0 to the CU 3 , and leaves the information of the number of game balls held = 500 and returns the information of the number of game balls. Do not update. In addition, the P table 2 does not update the information of the cumulative number of balls counted, leaving the information of the previous cumulative number of balls counted=500.

Even if the CU3 receives the count information from the P table 2, the number of balls counted=0, so the CU3 does not update the number of balls held=600. The CU3 transmits the rental information including the telegram of the rental notification to the P machine 2 within the valid reception period after receiving the counting information from the P machine 2 regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not. The rental notification telegram includes the updated rental serial number=k+2 and the number of rental balls=0.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits lending response information including a lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time. The lending reception result response telegram includes the updated lending serial number=k+2 and the lending ball number reception result=normal information. The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the lapse of the specified period A since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3.

<Communication error sequence during counting>
Next, the communication error sequence being counted will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a communication error sequence during counting between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. The communication abnormality includes the case where the communication between the CU 3 and the P unit 2 cannot be performed normally for some reason, such as when one electronic message is lost due to noise or the like. FIG. 19 shows the case where the count button 28 is pressed without detecting the card return operation.

Also, in FIG. 19, the number of possessed balls specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is "0", and the initial number of game balls is "1000". .

Here, when the pressing of the counting button 28 is detected, a predetermined unit (for example, 250 balls) of game balls is counted, and when the pressing of the counting button 28 is no longer detected, the counting operation is performed. An example of ending will be explained. However, even if the number of game balls to be counted increases according to the length of time that the count button 28 is pressed for a long time, if the count button 28 is pressed and held for a certain period of time, all the number of game balls that are held will be counted. may be counted.

First, the P machine transmits a gaming machine information notification to the CU3. The gaming machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls=1000 balls. The P machine transmits the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU3 within 100 ms (within the prescribed period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU3.

Since the player has pressed the count button 28 before transmitting the count information to the CU 3, the P machine 2 includes the information of the number of counted balls = 250 balls and the cumulative number of counted balls = 150 balls in the counting notification telegram. CU3 is notified of the counting information. When P machine 2 transmits to CU3 a counting notification telegram containing information on the number of game balls counted = 250 balls, the number of game balls by subtracting the counted 250 balls from the information on the number of game balls held = 1000 balls = Update to the information of 750 pitches.

The CU3 receives the count information from the P table 2, converts it into a ball with the counted number of balls, adds the number of counted balls to the number of balls it has, and updates the number of balls = 0 + 250 = 250 balls. . Further, when the number of balls held is updated, CU3 updates the stored number of cumulative counted balls=0+250=250 balls.

Although not shown, the CU 3 thereafter receives the count information from the P units 2 and then, within the reception valid period, regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not, sends the rental information including the telegram of the rental notification to the P units. 2. The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits lending response information including a lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time. The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the lapse of the specified period A since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3.

When the P machine 2 detects that the player has pressed the count button 28 when transmitting a new gaming machine information notification to the CU 3, the number of balls counted = 250 balls and the number of accumulated counted balls = 250 in the telegram of the count notification. CU3 is notified of the counting information including the ball information. When the P machine transmits a counting notification telegram containing information on the number of balls counted = 250 to CU3, the counted number of balls = 750 is subtracted from the information on the number of game balls held = Update to the information of 500 balls. Further, the P table 2 updates the information of the cumulative number of balls counted = 500 balls by adding the information of the current number of counted balls = 250 balls to the information of the previous cumulative number of balls counted = 250 balls.

However, due to a communication error, the counting information sent from the P table 2 did not reach the CU3. CU3 did not receive the counting information from the P table 2. = remains at 250 balls. In other words, in the P unit 2, regardless of whether or not the condition regarding the communication abnormality with the CU 3 is satisfied, the number of counting balls is transmitted at predetermined intervals, and the number of counting balls included is different depending on whether or not the pressing of the counting button 28 is accepted. . Although not shown, the CU 3 then transmits rental information including a rental notification telegram to the P table 2 regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not. Further, the P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the prescribed period A has elapsed since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3.

When the gaming machine information notification is sent to CU3, the pressing of the counting button 28 by the player has not been detected, so the number of balls counted = 0 balls and the cumulative number of counted balls = 500 balls are included in the counting notification telegram. CU3 is notified of the counting information. However, since the previous count notification message could not be received due to a communication error, the cumulative number of counted balls stored in CU3 is still 250 balls. Therefore, CU3 determines that the previous counting notification telegram could not be received due to a communication error and the count was lost. The number of balls counted = 500 balls (cumulative number of counted balls newly received from the P stand 2), and the ball having a difference of 250 balls is automatically corrected. At this time, CU3 does not report the error. When CU3 automatically corrects the ball with the difference of 250 balls, it updates the stored cumulative number of counted balls to 500 balls.

When the CU3 automatically corrects the missing count, the error is not notified, but the hall controller or the ball control server may be notified that the automatic correction has been performed. Of course, error notification may also be performed when a counting loss occurs in CU3 and is automatically corrected.

In the case of a game device that cannot be automatically corrected, a notification is made to prompt the store clerk to take recovery measures after the occurrence of an abnormality. The clerk confirms the number of game balls in the gaming machine, confirms the number of balls in the player's possession and the reception history of counting information on the screen of the gaming device, and determines the number of game balls in the gaming machine and the number of balls in the player's possession. It is necessary to calculate the difference and operate the POS terminal of the prize counter to add the difference to the player's card. In CU3, such complicated processing is not required, and the number of balls counted when defects occur can be automatically corrected and added to the number of balls held, eliminating the correction work by the store clerk and preventing work mistakes.

Of course, as described above, instead of automatically correcting the number of counted balls due to a loss in CU3, if a loss of count occurs, CU3 is in an error state, and the previous cumulative number of counted balls and the current cumulative number of counted balls are combined. A configuration may be employed in which a missing value is calculated in advance from the difference between , and part of the correction work by the store clerk is reduced. A store clerk who confirms the deficit value calculated in advance by CU3 can add the number of balls to the number of balls to be counted by performing correction work by the management server or CU3. Even in such a case, it is possible to omit the work of confirming the number of game balls in the game machine, and confirming the number of balls held by the player and the reception history of the counting information on the screen of the game device. can be reduced.

<Communication error sequence due to PIF disconnection>
Next, a communication abnormality sequence due to PIF disconnection will be described. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence due to PIF disconnection between the card unit and the pachinko game machine. In FIG. 20, the voltage of the connection confirmation power supply VL explained in FIG. A case of detecting PIF disconnection will be described as an example. Note that PIF disconnection may be detected by a method other than that shown in FIG.

First, the P machine transmits a gaming machine information notification to the CU3. The gaming machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls=1000 balls. The P machine transmits the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU3 within 100 ms (within the prescribed period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU3.

Since the player has pressed the count button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU 3, the P machine includes the information of the number of balls counted = 250 balls and the number of accumulated counted balls = 250 balls in the message of the count notification. CU3 is notified of the counting information. When P machine 2 transmits to CU3 a counting notification telegram containing information on the number of game balls counted = 250 balls, the number of game balls by subtracting the counted 250 balls from the information on the number of game balls held = 1000 balls = Update to the information of 750 pitches.

The CU3 receives the count information from the P table 2, converts it into a ball with the counted number of balls, adds the number of counted balls to the number of balls it has, and updates the number of balls = 0 + 250 = 250 balls. . Further, when the number of balls held is updated, CU3 updates the stored number of cumulative counted balls=0+250=250 balls.

Although not shown, the CU3 then includes a rental notification telegram within the valid reception period (see FIG. 12) after receiving the count information from the P machine 2, regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed. The rental information is transmitted to the P platform 2. The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits the lending response information including the lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time (see FIG. 12). The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the prescribed period A (see FIG. 12) has elapsed since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3.

After that, when PIF disconnection occurs, the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation is changed from 5V to 0V (off state: VL=OFF), or the output of the connection confirmation signal PSI is turned off (PSI=OFF). ), the disconnection of the PIF is detected, and shooting of game balls is stopped. When the CU 3 detects the disconnection of the PIF, the CU 3 displays an error and then turns off (VL=OFF) the connection confirmation power supply VL supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 shown in FIG. In addition, in the P table 2, after the PIF disconnection occurs, the stop of shooting the game ball and the operation of the counting button 28 are invalidated.

By turning off the power supply VL for connection confirmation, the condition regarding the communication abnormality between the P table 2 and the CU 3 is established, and henceforth, the shooting stop of the game ball and the operation of the counting button 28 are invalidated. However, regardless of whether or not the condition relating to the communication abnormality is satisfied, the count notification including the count information is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 at predetermined intervals. The counting information included in the counting notification differs in the number of counted balls depending on whether or not the operation of the counting button 28 is accepted. As a result, since the count information (predetermined information) is information that is periodically transmitted, it is possible to quickly detect when the count information is not reached.

If the pressing of the counting button 28 by the player is detected before the disconnection of the PIF occurs, the P machine 2 sends a new gaming machine information notification (not shown) to the CU 3, and then inserts a counting ball into the counting notification message. CU3 is notified of count information including the information that the number of balls is 250 and the cumulative number of balls counted is 500. When the P machine transmits a counting notification telegram containing information on the number of balls counted = 250 to CU3, the counted number of balls = 750 is subtracted from the information on the number of game balls held = Update to the information of 500 balls. Further, the P table 2 updates the information of the cumulative number of balls counted = 500 balls by adding the information of the current number of counted balls = 250 balls to the information of the previous cumulative number of balls counted = 250 balls.

However, the count information sent from the P unit 2 did not reach the CU3 due to the PIF disconnection, and the CU3 did not receive the count information from the P unit 2. The number of balls remains at 250 balls.

While the PIF disconnection is occurring, the P-unit 2 transmits the SC board status notification to the CU3. Note that the SC board status notification includes information on a PIF disconnection error. When the CU 3 receives the SC board status notification including the information of the PIF disconnection error from the P unit 2, the display 54 or the like displays the PIF disconnection error.

When the clerk responds to the display of the PIF disconnection error and performs an operation to eliminate the PIF disconnection and clear the error with the remote control, the CU3 transmits an SC board status response to the P stand 2. It should be noted that the SC board state response includes information of ready (game machine communication start OK) as the CU state.

After that, the P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3. The gaming machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls=700 balls. The previous number of game balls included in the gaming machine information notification received from the P machine 2 before the PIF disconnection occurred is the number of game balls=750. Therefore, CU3 determines that the previous counting notification telegram could not be received due to PIF disconnection and the count was lost, and the previous number of game balls = 750 balls (the number of game balls stored in CU3) and the current number of game balls = 500 balls (the number of game balls newly received from the P table 2) and the difference 250 balls are regarded as the balls to be automatically corrected. At this time, CU3 does not report the error.

After that, since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 by the time the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P machine 2 sends the counting notification telegram with the number of balls counted = 0 balls, the cumulative number of counted balls = 500 balls, or CU3 is notified of count information including the information of 0 balls. When a PIF disconnection occurs, it may be necessary to turn off the power of the P base 2 in order to recover. When the power supply of the P table 2 is turned off, the cumulative counted number of balls becomes 0, so the cumulative counted number of balls cannot be used for automatic correction as shown in FIG. Therefore, when PIF disconnection occurs, CU3 automatically corrects the difference in the number of game balls. In addition, when the automatic correction is performed, the CU3 uses the cumulative number of ball counts received first after restoration as an initial value.

<Communication error sequence due to power failure>
Next, a communication abnormality sequence due to a power failure will be described. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a communication abnormality sequence due to a power failure between the card unit and the pachinko game machine. In FIG. 21, a case where a power outage occurs and the card unit and the pachinko game machine are powered off will be described as an example.

First, the P machine transmits a gaming machine information notification to the CU3. The gaming machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls=1000 balls. The P machine transmits the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU3 within 100 ms (within the prescribed period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU3.

Since the player has pressed the count button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU 3, the P machine includes the information of the number of balls counted = 250 balls and the number of accumulated counted balls = 250 balls in the message of the count notification. CU3 is notified of the counting information. When P machine 2 transmits to CU3 a counting notification telegram containing information on the number of game balls counted = 250 balls, the number of game balls by subtracting the counted 250 balls from the information on the number of game balls held = 1000 balls = Update to the information of 750 pitches.

The CU3 receives the count information from the P table 2, converts it into a ball with the counted number of balls, adds the number of counted balls to the number of balls it has, and updates the number of balls = 0 + 250 = 250 balls. . Further, when the number of balls held is updated, CU3 updates the stored number of cumulative counted balls=0+250=250 balls.

Although not shown, the CU3 then includes a rental notification telegram within the valid reception period (see FIG. 12) after receiving the count information from the P machine 2, regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed. The rental information is transmitted to the P platform 2. The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits the lending response information including the lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time (see FIG. 12). The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the prescribed period A (see FIG. 12) has elapsed since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3.

Thereafter, pressing of the counting button 28 by the player on the P table 2 is further detected. At the P machine 2, when it detects that the player presses the count button 28, the counted 250 balls are subtracted from the information of the number of game balls held = 750 balls, and the information of the number of game balls = 500 balls is updated. do.

However, if a power failure occurs after detecting that the player presses the count button 28 on the P machine 2, the P machine 2 cannot notify the CU of the counting notification message. Since the power outage cannot notify CU3 of the counting information including the information of the number of balls counted = 250 balls and the cumulative number of balls counted = 500 balls from the P machine 2, the counting information from the P machine 2 has not been received, so the number of balls counted 250 balls are missing, and the number of balls = 250 balls remains.

After that, when the power supply is restored, start-up processing is performed on the P machines 2 and CU3, and the P machines 2 and CU3 are restored, the P machines 2 transmit gaming machine information notification to the CU3. The gaming machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls=500 balls. The previous number of game balls included in the game machine information notification received from the P machine 2 before the power failure occurred is the number of game balls=750 balls. Therefore, based on the difference in the number of game balls, CU3 determines that a communication interruption (power interruption) has occurred due to the occurrence of a power failure. In addition, CU3 determines that the previous count notification telegram could not be received due to a power failure and the count was lost, and the previous number of game balls = 750 balls (the number of game balls stored in CU3) and the current number of game balls = The difference 250 balls from 500 balls (the number of game balls newly received from the P table 2) is automatically corrected as a ball. At this time, CU3 does not report the error.

After that, since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 by the time the counting information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P machine 2 sends a counting notification message indicating that the number of balls counted = 0 balls and the number of accumulated counted balls = 0 balls. CU3 is notified of the counting information including the information. When a power failure occurs, the power of the P stand 2 is always turned off. When the power supply of the P table 2 is turned off, the cumulative counted number of balls becomes 0, so the cumulative counted number of balls cannot be used for automatic correction as shown in FIG. Therefore, CU3 automatically corrects the difference in the number of game balls when a power outage occurs. In addition, when the automatic correction is performed, the CU3 uses the cumulative number of ball counts received first after restoration as an initial value.

<Communication error sequence at the time of rental>
Next, a communication abnormality sequence at the time of rental will be described. 22 and 23 are diagrams showing a communication abnormality sequence at the time of lending between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. If a communication error occurs during rental, the number of rental balls may disappear or be double added.

Specifically, if the number of lent balls is lost, the unit will notify the number of lent balls and the serial number, but there may be cases where a communication error occurs during the rental and the number of lent balls is not received by the gaming machine. be. In this case, when the gaming machine counts, the unit is notified of the previous lending serial number and the number of lending balls of 0. Therefore, the unit assumes that the response from the gaming machine is normal, and does not count the number of lending balls. Do not resend the number of rental balls even though it is received. As a result, the number of lent balls that should have been lent to the gaming machine disappears.

In addition, as a double addition of the number of rented balls, there is a communication error during renting, but the unit notifies the number of rented balls and the rented serial number, and the number of rented balls is received by the gaming machine. . In this case, when the gaming machine counts, the unit is notified of the previous lending serial number and the number of lending balls of 0, so the unit receives the number of lending balls as an abnormal response from the gaming machine. resending the number of loaned balls despite the fact that As a result, the number of lent balls lent to the gaming machine is double-added.

Therefore, the CU3 prepares a serial number for confirmation that the P unit 2 cannot be rented, and suspends the lending process. there is With this function, it is possible to prevent double addition of the number of lent balls lent to the gaming machine.

First, the P machine transmits a gaming machine information notification to the CU3. The gaming machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls=1000 balls. Thereafter, when the CU3 detects that the player has pressed the ball lending button 321, the CU3 starts the process of paying out 250 game balls to the P table 2 in divisions. However, within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to CU3, the P machine transmits the count information including the telegram of the count notification to CU3.

Since the player has not pressed the count button 28 by the time the count information is transmitted to the CU 3, the P machine includes the information of the number of counted balls = 0 balls and the cumulative number of counted balls = 0 balls in the counting notification telegram. CU3 is notified of the counting information. CU3 confirms the information of the number of counted balls=0 balls included in the count notification, in order to prioritize the reception of the count notification over the transmission of the rental notification. After confirming the information on the number of balls counted, the CU3 transmits rental information including a rental notification message to the P unit 2 within a valid reception period (for example, 170 ms) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. . Since the player has pressed the ball lending button 321, the CU3 notifies the P machine 2 of the lending by including the information of the lending serial number=1 and the number of lending balls=125 in the lending notification message. The CU3 transmits information on the number of rental balls in the range of 1 ball to 255 balls according to the rental unit price and the loan amount to the P machine 2 . Therefore, when lending 250 game balls, the 250 balls are divided into 125 balls each and paid out to the P table 2.例文帳に追加

P machine 2, which received the rental information transmitted from CU3, updates the number of game balls to 1125 balls, and transmits rental response information including a rental reception result response message to CU3 within the response time (for example, 10 ms). do. The lending reception result response telegram includes the information that the lending serial number is 1 and the lending ball number reception result is OK (normal).

The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after a specified period A (for example, 300 ms) has elapsed since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3. The new gaming machine information notification sent to CU3 includes information on the number of game balls=1125. Further, the P machine transmits counting information including a message of counting notification to CU3 within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to CU3.

CU3 confirms the information of the number of counted balls=0 balls included in the count notification, in order to prioritize the reception of the count notification over the transmission of the rental notification. After confirming the information on the number of balls counted, the CU3 transmits rental information including a rental notification message to the P unit 2 within a valid reception period (for example, 170 ms) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. . The CU3 notifies the P machine 2 of information on the remaining divided number of rental balls, including the information of the rental serial number = 2 and the number of rental balls = 125 in the telegram of the rental notification.

P machine 2, which received the rental information transmitted from CU3, updates the number of game balls to 1250 balls, and transmits rental response information including a rental reception result response message to CU3 within the response time (for example, 10 ms). do. The lending reception result response telegram includes the information that the lending serial number is 2 and the lending pitch reception result is OK (normal).

However, an error occurred in the communication between the P machine 2 and the CU3, and the rental reception result response message sent from the P machine 2 did not reach the CU3. Due to the reception, the lending response information including the telegram of the lending acceptance result response cannot be received within the response time (for example, 10 ms). In CU3, since the lending result is missing, it is determined that the lending process is incomplete.

The P machine 2 sends the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after a prescribed period A (for example, 300 ms) has elapsed since the previous gaming machine information notification was sent to the CU3, regardless of whether or not the lending reception result response has been received by the CU3. Send. The new gaming machine information notification sent to CU3 includes information on the number of game balls=1250 balls. In CU3, it is conceivable to use the information on the number of game balls included in the gaming machine information notification as a rental confirmation as to whether or not the rental process has been completed. do not judge Further, the P machine transmits counting information including a message of counting notification to CU3 within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to CU3.

CU3 confirms the information of the number of counted balls=0 balls included in the count notification, in order to prioritize the reception of the count notification over the transmission of the rental notification. After confirming the information on the number of balls counted, the CU3 transmits rental information including a rental notification message to the P unit 2 within a valid reception period (for example, 170 ms) after receiving the counting information from the P unit 2. . CU3 determines that the lending process is incomplete because the previous lending result is missing, so it uses the serial number 0, which is not received by the P unit 2, and adds the lending serial number to the lending notification message. = 0, the number of lent balls = 0, and notify the P machine 2. In other words, the CU3 prepares a serial number for confirmation that the P machine 2 does not accept lending, and suspends the lending process.

P machine 2, which received the lending information transmitted from CU3, does not perform lending processing as a serial number for confirmation that lending is not accepted because the lending serial number is 0. , 10 ms), it transmits lending response information including a lending reception result response message to CU3. The lending reception result response telegram contains the information that the previous lending serial number = 2 and the lending ball number reception result = NG (abnormal) because the lending has not been accepted.

When the CU3 receives a lending reception result response including the information that the number of lending ball reception results is NG (abnormal), the CU3 refers to the serial number in the result response to determine the lending status. Specifically, when the lending serial number included in the previous lending notification message matches the lending serial number in the received lending acceptance result response message, CU3 determines that the loan has been completed, and In the case of notification-1), it is determined that the lending has not been completed.

<Configuration of Gaming System Including Card Unit and Pachinko Machine>
The P unit 2 is connected to the CU 3 on a one-to-one basis. In the game hall (hall), there are a plurality of sets of the P table 2 and the CU 3, and each set is connected to a management computer and a hall controller to constitute a game system. A gaming system including the CU 3 and the P table 2 will be described below. FIG. 24 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a gaming system including card units and pachinko gaming machines. In the gaming system shown in FIG. 24, an example in which one set of P stand 2 and CU3 is connected to the management computer 802 and hall computer 810 is illustrated for the sake of simplicity of explanation.

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

The management computer 802 is a computer connected to the external output terminal 340 of the CU3, the card company data center 801 is the center of the card company connected to the management computer 802, and the game machine information center 800 is output from the P machine 2. It is a center that collects various information related to

Hall controller 810 is a computer that collects game information output from P stand 2, and hall controller output BOX 811 can receive information output from external output terminal 340 of CU 3 with hall controller 810, a data lamp, or the like. It is a device that converts into a signal and outputs it. Although FIG. 24 shows a configuration in which the hall controller output BOX 811 is provided outside the CU3, the hall controller output BOX 811 may be provided inside the CU3.

<Communication between hall controller output box and card unit>
The hall controller output BOX 811 is a signal conversion unit for game information, and is a device that outputs game information to the outside (for example, the hall controller 810, etc.). Also, a plurality of hall controller output BOXes 811 may be connected to the hall controller 810 via repeaters (not shown). Hall controller output BOX 811 and CU3 are connected by serial communication, and it is necessary to ensure some kind of security when connecting with CU3. Specifically, if the hall controller output BOX 811 is illegally modified and inaccurate information is output to the hall controller 810, the inaccurate information is provided to the player, resulting in an inappropriate state. In addition, if whether or not the gaming machine information can be output depends on the specifications of the card unit, the outputting of the gaming machine information itself may be wasted. Therefore, while unifying the outputs from the hall controller output BOX 811 to the outside, the hall controller output BOX 811 performs authentication processing when connecting to the CU3. The CU3 may incorporate a circuit unit corresponding to the hall controller output BOX811. CU3, which incorporates a circuit unit corresponding to the hall controller output BOX 811, is connected to the hall controller 810 by serial communication, performs authentication processing in the circuit unit corresponding to the hall controller output BOX 811, and, depending on the result, outputs game machine information. Output is disabled. Communication between the hall controller output BOX 811 and CU3 will be described in detail below.

25 and 26 are diagrams showing the connection sequence between the card unit and the hall controller output BOX. 25 shows the connection sequence when the hall controller output BOX 811 is powered on before CU3, and FIG. 26 shows the connection sequence when the hall controller output BOX 811 is powered on after CU3 It shows the connection sequence. First, in the connection sequence of FIG. 25, the hall controller output BOX 811 waits for connection with the CU control unit 323 until the CU3 is powered on and communication with the CU control unit 323 becomes possible.

When the power supply of CU3 is turned on and communication with the CU control unit 323 becomes possible, the CU control unit 323 confirms the connection destination with respect to the hall controller output BOX 811 and issues an authentication data issue request. Hall controller output BOX 811 performs a connection destination confirmation response in response to connection destination confirmation from CU control unit 323 and issues authentication data to CU control unit 323 . The issued authentication data is stored in CU control unit 323 .

On the other hand, the SC board 325 transmits a hall controller output BOX authentication notification command to the CU control unit 323 . In response to the hall controller output BOX authentication notification, the CU control unit 323 includes the stored authentication data in a hall controller output BOX authentication response command and transmits the command to the SC board 325 . The SC board 325 authenticates the hall controller output BOX 811 based on the hall controller output BOX authentication response. After authentication of the hall controller output BOX 811, communication between the hall controller output BOX 811 and CU3 is started. When the communication is started, the SC board 325 transmits the gaming machine information notification including the gaming machine information transmitted from the P machine 2, and the CU control section 323 receives the information transmitted from the SC board 325. The gaming machine information is included in the hall console information notification command and transmitted to the hall console output BOX 811 . If hall controller output BOX 811 cannot be authenticated (NG), CU3 does not communicate with hall controller output BOX 811 and does not output information.

In the connection sequence of FIG. 26, when the CU3 is powered on, the CU control unit 323 requests the hall controller output BOX 811 to issue authentication data. No issuance. The CU control unit 323 requests the issuance of authentication data until the hall controller output BOX 811 is powered on, and waits for connection with the hall controller output BOX 811 . The processing after the hall controller output BOX 811 is powered on is the same as the processing in the connection sequence of FIG. 25, so the description will not be repeated.

Next, authentication processing between the hall controller output BOX 811 and the CU control unit 323 will be described in detail. FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining communication between the card unit and the hall controller output BOX. First, the CU control unit 323 requests the hall controller output BOX 811 to issue authentication data. When issuing an authentication data issuance request, the CU control unit 323 transmits information of the current date (X month X day) and information of the SC management number to the hall computer output BOX 811 as encryption source data.

In the hall computer output box 811, information obtained by adding the pre-embedded fixed key, the received encryption source data, and the expiration date (△ days), and the pre-embedded encryption key A are encrypted by block cipher. to implement. Hall controller output BOX 811 issues the encrypted information to CU control unit 323 as authentication data. The issued authentication data is stored as authentication data in hall controller output BOX 811 in CU control unit 323 .

Authentication is performed between the CU control unit 323 and the SC board 325, and communication between the CU control unit 323 and the SC board 325 becomes possible. Thereafter, the SC board 325 transmits a hall controller output BOX authentication notification command to the CU control unit 323 in order to perform authentication with the hall controller output BOX 811 . In response to the hall controller output BOX authentication notification, the CU control unit 323 stores the stored authentication data, the information on whether the hall controller output BOX 811 is connected or not, and the current date information among the encryption source data. It is included in the command of the computer output BOX authentication response and transmitted to the SC board 325 . The SC board 325 decrypts the authentication data transmitted in the hall controller output BOX authentication response with the pre-embedded encryption key A, and adds the fixed key, the encryption source data, and the expiration date (△ days). Get tailored information.

The SC board 325 confirms the expiration date of the authentication data from the obtained information. Specifically, the SC board 325 judges that the current date is valid until XX day of the month + △ day of expiration date = XX day of the month + △ day. Therefore, the SC board 325 notifies the hall controller output BOX 811 of the game information if it is within the validity period even if the hall controller output BOX 811 is not connected. After that, the SC board 325 checks the authentication data in the hall controller output BOX 811 from the obtained information. Furthermore, after confirming the states of the SC board 325 and the CU control unit 323, the CU3 starts communication with the P stand 2. FIG. Information sent from the SC board 325 to the hall controller output BOX 811 via the CU control unit 323 is encrypted with a fixed key, for example. When the SC board 325 determines from the obtained information that the authentication of the hall controller output BOX 811 is NG, the display 54 notifies the abnormality. Of course, CU3 may output an error signal to the management computer 802 or the like when authentication of the hall controller output BOX 811 is NG.

Here, the contents notified to the CU3 and hall controller output BOX 811 will be described. FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the contents notified to the inside of the card unit and the hall controller output BOX. FIG. 28( a ) shows information notified from the SC substrate 325 to the CU control unit 323 among the information output to the Hall controller output BOX 811 . As shown in FIG. 28(a), when the validity period of the authentication data expires, the SC board 325 does not notify the CU control unit 323 of the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information. However, even if the connection of the hall controller output BOX 811 changes to no, the information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 does not change. Besides when the validity period of the authentication data expires, the SC board 325 does not notify the CU control unit 323 of the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information even when the authentication fails. Also, in FIG. 28(a), since the SC board 325 does not notify the CU control unit 323 of the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and various types of game information, these information are displayed on the CU3 side. (same as the display limitation on the data lamp side below).

FIG. 28(b) shows information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the hall controller output BOX 811. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 28(b), when the validity period of the authentication data expires, the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information are controlled by the CU as in the case of FIG. 28(a). It is not notified from the unit 323 to the hall controller output BOX 811 . Therefore, in the hall controller 810 connected to the hall controller output BOX 811, display of information on the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information is restricted. Also, when the connection of the hall controller output BOX 811 changes to no connection, the information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 remains unchanged, but the CU control unit 323 does not notify the hall controller output BOX 811 . Even if the hall controller output BOX 811 cannot be authenticated (NG), the CU3 can play a game on the P machine 2 if communication with the P machine 2 is possible. Further, even if the validity period of the authentication of the hall controller output BOX 811 expires, the CU3 can play a game on the P machine 2 if communication with the P machine 2 is possible. Furthermore, the hall controller output BOX 811 can be connected to a data lamp (call lamp), and when notification is restricted due to authentication failure, updating of the display of the data lamp is restricted. For example, on the data lamp side, updating of displays such as the number of starts, the number of big wins, and the status of big wins is restricted.

<Information output from hall controller output BOX to hall controller>
Next, information output from the hall controller output BOX 811 to the hall controller 810 will be described in detail. FIG. 29 is a block diagram for explaining information output from the hall controller output BOX 811 to the hall controller 810. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 29, gaming machine information (hall controller/fraud monitoring information) is output from the gaming board 26 (main control board 16) to the gaming machine frame 5 (frame control board 17) through serial communication.

The gaming machine information includes a pulse output for outputting information as a pulse signal and a state output for outputting information as a state signal. The pulse output includes the number of symbol determination times, the starting port, and the external terminal board pulse output signals 1-4. For example, in the "symbol fixed number of times", a signal of one pulse is output for each time the symbol is stopped. The state signals include jackpot 1, jackpot 2, and external terminal board state output signals 1-4. For example, in "jackpot 1", a state signal (ON signal) is output when all the jackpots are hit.

A pulse output and a state output are output from the gaming machine frame 5 (frame control board 17) to the hall controller output BOX 811 via the CU5. The hall controller output BOX 811 has 15 ports (terminals) for pulse output and 13 ports (terminals) for state output. By outputting pulse output and state output information from these ports (terminals), game machine information is output from the hall controller output BOX 811 to the hall controller 810 .

First, signals output from standard ports (terminals) will be described. FIG. 30 is a block diagram for explaining the hall controller output signal of the standard port. The standard port is provided with first to twentieth terminals. The first terminal is information about "number of shots", the second terminal is information about "prize ball", the third terminal is information about "number of symbol variations 1", and the fourth terminal is about "number of symbol variations 2". Each information is output as a pulse signal. In addition, the fifth terminal provides information regarding "start gate 1", the sixth terminal provides information regarding "start gate 2", the seventh terminal provides information regarding "pass gate 1", and the eighth terminal provides information regarding "pass gate 2". ” as a pulse signal. For example, in the "number of shots", a signal of one pulse is output from the first terminal for a predetermined number of shot ball data (for example, 10 balls). The ninth terminal outputs information on the "number of times of prizes", the tenth terminal outputs information on the "number of winning prizes", and the eleventh terminal outputs information on the "specific area passage" as pulse signals. For example, in the "accessory number", a 1-pulse signal is output from the ninth terminal for each opening of the large winning opening when the accessory continuous operation device is not activated.

Next, the 12th terminal provides information on "jackpot 1", the 13th terminal provides information on "jackpot 2", the 14th terminal provides information on "jackpot 3", and the 15th terminal provides information on "jackpot + time saving". Each information is output as a state signal. The 16th terminal is information about "high probability", the 17th terminal is information about "time saving", the 18th terminal is information about "door open", the 19th terminal is information about "illegal", and the Terminal 20 outputs information about "gaming machine error" as a status signal. For example, in "high probability", the state signal (ON signal) is output from the 16th terminal when the probability is high.

Next, signals output from the expansion port (terminal) will be described. FIG. 31 is a block diagram for explaining a hall controller output signal of an expansion port. The expansion port is an external output terminal prepared in advance for expansion, and is provided with 21st to 28th terminals. When the extension port is added according to the specifications of a new gaming machine, the terminal can be used to output necessary gaming machine information to the outside.

The 21st terminal outputs information on "external terminal board pulse output signal terminal 1" to the 24th terminal outputs information on "external terminal board pulse output signal terminal 4" as pulse signals, respectively. For example, in the "external terminal board pulse output signal terminal 1", a 1-pulse signal is output from the 21st terminal for each pulse output based on information newly set according to the specifications of the game machine.

The 25th terminal outputs information on "external terminal board state output signal terminal 1" to the 28th terminal outputs information on "external terminal board state output signal terminal 4" as state signals, respectively. For example, in the "external terminal board state output signal terminal 1", the state signal (ON signal) is output from the 25th terminal when the external terminal state signal 1 based on the information newly set according to the specifications of the game machine is in the ON state. be.

In the hall controller output box 811, by unifying the output to the outside as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, whether or not the game machine information can be output differs depending on the specifications of the card unit, and the output of the game machine information itself becomes useless. prevent this from happening.

<Processing when a negative number of shot balls occurs>
As shown in FIG. 29, CU3 is connected to a hall controller 810 via a hall controller output BOX 811 for serial communication. The pulse output (ON/OFF output) to the hall controller 810 is notified to the hall controller output BOX 811 as a command through serial communication (data output). Depending on the structure of the firing mechanism of the P platform 2, the number of shot balls may be negative. Specifically, when a shooting device is provided on the lower side of the game board 26 and the foul balls flow down through the foul ball return path and are detected by the foul ball detection switch provided on the way, the number of shot balls is negative. may be counted.

For example, a game ball shot by the shooting device is launched into the game area 27 along the guide path of the guide rail. A foul rail is provided for collecting the game balls (foul balls) that fall without reaching the game area 27 among the game balls bounced in the game board 26. fall into the passage leading to A foul ball detection switch for detecting a foul ball is provided in the drop-type passage, and a ring detector of the foul ball detection switch detects a game ball passing while falling. The number of foul balls detected by the foul ball detection switch is counted as a negative number of shot balls.

However, in the pulse output to hall controller 810, as shown in FIG. 30, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of shot ball data is output as a one-pulse signal, so only positive counts can be made. Therefore, an error occurs in the number of shot balls on the hall controller 810 side by the number of shot balls counted by the P stand 2 side.

Specifically, when 10 balls are shot from the game machine, the unit outputs the number of shot balls to the hall controller in pulses (1 pulse/10 balls). However, if one of the 10 balls fired by the game machine is returned as a foul ball and added to the number of game balls, the unit cannot deal with the minus amount and does not process it. Next, when 10 balls are shot from the game machine, the unit outputs the number of shot balls to the hole controller in pulses regardless of whether or not there is a minus amount. Therefore, a negative error occurs between the number of shot balls in the game machine and the number of shot balls in the hole controller.

Therefore, CU3 implements a function to correct the number of shot balls counted as a negative number when the next pulse is output. As processing for correcting the number of shot balls for a negative amount, there are processing for correcting with CU3 and processing for correcting with hall controller 810 or hall controller output BOX 811 .

First, the process of correcting the negative number of shot balls by CU3 will be described. 32 and 33 are sequence diagrams for explaining the process of correcting the negative number of shot balls by CU3. Although the sequences shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 describe the hall controller 810 , the hall controller output BOX 811 may be used in place of the hall controller 810 . The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3. Note that the game machine information notification includes information that the number of game balls=500 balls and the number of shot balls=1. When 10 balls have been fired from machine P 2, machine P 2 transmits to CU3 a gaming machine information notification including information on the number of game balls=490 balls and the number of shot balls=0.

The CU3 cumulatively manages the number of shot balls included in the gaming machine information notification transmitted from the P machine 2 every time the P machine 2 shoots a game ball. Then, CU3 detects ball launches in units of 10 balls based on the cumulatively managed number of shot balls. When 10 balls have been fired from the P table 2, the CU3 detects 10 shot balls because the cumulative number of shot balls being managed is a unit of 10 balls.

When CU3 detects that 10 balls have been fired, CU3 transmits HC information notification to hall controller 810 . Note that the HC information notification includes information on the number of balls fired=10 balls. When the hall controller 810 receives the HC information notification including the information of the number of ball shots=10 balls, it counts 1 pulse=10 balls as the ball shot information. In the case of the hall controller output BOX 811, one pulse is output to the hall controller 810 as ball launch information. Hall controller 810 counts 1 pulse=10 balls as ball launch information, and then transmits an HC information notification response to CU3.

In the P table 2, when 2 of the 10 game balls that have been shot are foul balls after 10 balls have been shot, 2 balls will be returned. When two returned balls occur, P-table 2 adds two balls to the number of game balls, and transmits to CU3 a game machine information notification including information of number of game balls=492 balls and number of shot balls=-2. CU3 changes the cumulatively managed number of shot balls to 8 balls based on the gaming machine information notification including the information that the number of shot balls=-2.

Next, when 10 balls have been fired from machine P 2, machine P 2 transmits to CU3 a gaming machine information notification including information on the number of game balls=482 balls and the number of shot balls=10. CU3 changes the cumulatively managed number of shot balls to 18 based on the gaming machine information notification including the information that the number of shot balls=10. Although 10 ball launches have been completed in P-table 2, the cumulative number of fired balls is 18 in CU3 considering two ball returns. That is, CU3 cumulatively manages the number of shot balls, so errors are corrected. However, the ball launch information data output to the hall controller 810 will be corrected in the next HC information notification.

CU3 does not detect 10 shot balls because the number of shot balls cumulatively managed is 18, which is not in units of 10 balls. When CU3 does not detect 10 shot balls, CU3 does not transmit HC information notification to hall controller 810 .

After that, when two balls have been fired from the P machine 2, the P machine 2 transmits to the CU3 a gaming machine information notification including the information of the number of game balls=480 balls and the number of shot balls=2. CU3 changes the cumulatively managed number of shot balls to 20 based on the gaming machine information notification including the information that the number of shot balls=2. CU3 detects 10 shot balls because the number of shot balls cumulatively managed is 20 balls, which is a unit of 10 balls.

When CU3 detects that 10 balls have been fired, CU3 transmits HC information notification to hall controller 810 . The HC information notification includes information on the number of shot balls = 10 balls. When the hall controller 810 receives the HC information notification including the information of the number of ball shots=10 balls, it counts 1 pulse=10 balls as the ball shot information. Hall controller 810 counts 1 pulse=10 balls as ball launch information, and then transmits an HC information notification response to CU3.

Next, the process of correcting the negative number of shot balls by the hall controller 810 will be described. 34 and 35 are sequence diagrams for explaining the process of correcting the negative number of shot balls by hall controller 810. FIG. Although the sequences shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 describe the hall controller 810, the hall controller output BOX 811 may be used in place of the hall controller 810. FIG. The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3. Note that the game machine information notification includes information that the number of game balls=500 balls and the number of shot balls=1. When 10 balls have been fired from machine P 2, machine P 2 transmits to CU3 a gaming machine information notification including information on the number of game balls=490 balls and the number of shot balls=0.

In CU3, every time a game ball is shot from the P machine 2, the number of shot balls included in the gaming machine information notification transmitted from the P machine 2 is added, and if the unit becomes 10 balls, the number of shot balls Detect 10 balls.

When CU3 detects that 10 balls have been fired, CU3 transmits HC information notification to hall controller 810 . Note that the HC information notification includes information on the number of balls fired=10 balls. The hall controller 810 cumulatively manages the number of shot balls based on the information on the number of shot balls included in the HC information notification. Therefore, when the hole controller 810 receives the HC information notification including the information of the number of shot balls=10 balls, it manages the cumulative number of shot balls shot by the P platform 2 as 10 balls. Furthermore, the hall controller 810 counts 1 pulse=10 balls as ball launch information. In the case of the hall controller output BOX 811, one pulse is output to the hall controller 810 as ball launch information. Hall controller 810 counts 1 pulse=10 balls as ball launch information, and then transmits an HC information notification response to CU3.

In the P table 2, when 2 of the 10 game balls that have been shot are foul balls after 10 balls have been shot, 2 balls will be returned. When two returned balls occur, P-table 2 adds two balls to the number of game balls, and transmits to CU3 a game machine information notification including information of number of game balls=492 balls and number of shot balls=-2. The CU3 does not count the negative number of shot balls included in the gaming machine information notification sent from the P machine 2 in units of 10 balls, and detects it as the number of shot balls -2 balls.

When CU3 detects that the number of shot balls is -2, CU3 transmits HC information notification to hall controller 810 . Note that the HC information notification includes information on the number of balls fired=-2 balls. When the hole controller 810 receives the HC information notification including the information that the number of shot balls = -2 balls, the number of shot balls shot from the P-table 2 is changed to 8 balls and managed. The hole controller 810 does not count 1 pulse=10 balls as the ball shooting information because the accumulated number of shot balls is 8 balls, which is not a unit of 10 balls. Hall controller 810 then transmits an HC information notification response to CU3.

Next, when 10 balls have been fired from machine P 2, machine P 2 transmits to CU3 a gaming machine information notification including information on the number of game balls=482 balls and the number of shot balls=10. When CU3 detects that 10 balls have been fired, CU3 transmits HC information notification to hall controller 810 . Note that the HC information notification includes information on the number of balls fired=10 balls.

When the hall controller 810 receives the HC information notification including the information of the number of shot balls=10 balls, the number of shot balls shot by the P platform 2 is changed to 18 balls and managed. Although 10 ball launches have been completed in the P-table 2, the total number of shot balls accumulated and managed in the hall controller 810 is 18 in consideration of the two returned balls. In other words, since the hall controller 810 cumulatively manages the number of shot balls, the error is corrected. However, the ball launch information data output to the hall controller 810 will be corrected in the next HC information notification. The hall controller 810 does not detect 10 ball launches because the cumulative number of balls launched is 18 balls, which is not a unit of 10 balls, and does not count 1 pulse=10 balls as ball launch information. Hall controller 810 then transmits an HC information notification response to CU3.

Next, when two balls have been fired from the P machine 2, the P machine 2 transmits to the CU3 a game machine information notification including the information that the number of game balls=480 balls and the number of the fired balls=2. CU3 transmits the HC information notification to hall controller 810 . The HC information notification includes information on the number of shot balls = 10 balls. When the hall controller 810 receives the HC information notification including the information of the number of ball shots=10 balls, it counts 1 pulse=10 balls as the ball shot information. Hall controller 810 counts 1 pulse=10 balls as ball launch information, and then transmits an HC information notification response to CU3.

<Processing when the store is closed>
A player may leave a gaming machine with the number of game balls left in the gaming machine, and after closing (end of business), there may be a gaming machine with the number of game balls remaining. After the store is closed, if the number of game balls remains in the game machine, in order to clear the number of game balls, it is necessary to count the number on the card and clear the counter, or clear the RAM of the game machine. burden increases. Furthermore, if the task of clearing the number of game balls is forgotten, the remaining number of game balls can be used during the business hours of the next day, resulting in an error in sales. Since the gaming machine has a backup function, the frame control board 17 monitors the power supply (for example, 36V DC, 5V DC) by a backup circuit (not shown), and when it detects a drop in the power supply, it outputs a power-off detection signal. to the main control board 16, and the frame control board 17 stores the game state in the RAM. When the gaming machine is to be restored, restoration processing differs depending on whether the game ball clear switch and the RAM clear switch are pressed when the power is turned on. When the game ball clear switch is pressed, the game ball number information is initialized. On the other hand, when the game ball clear switch is not pressed down, the game ball number information is returned to the state before the power supply was cut off according to the information stored in the RAM. Also, when the RAM clear switch is pressed, the game information is initialized. On the other hand, when the RAM clear switch is not depressed, the information stored in the RAM restores the game information to the state before the power was turned off. Items to be backed up in the frame control board 17 include game ball number information, game information, and performance information, for example.

Specifically, in the case of an operation in which the number of game balls remaining in the game machine is counted on a card and cleared after the store is closed, the clerk first confirms whether or not there are any game balls in the game machine, and then presses the count button on the game machine. It is necessary to press it, count it on the card and perform the clearing operation with the counter. In this case, there is a risk that the clerk may fail to confirm the number of game balls remaining in the gaming machine, and it is not possible to determine whether the number was counted by the player or by the clerk during the counting operation, and the counter clears each card. Therefore, there is a problem that the closing time is long.

When the number of game balls remaining in the game machine is cleared by clearing the RAM of the game machine after the store is closed, the clerk first confirms whether or not there are any game balls in the game machine, and then opens the frame of the game machine. It is necessary to switch the power supply from OFF to ON while pressing the game ball number clear button. In this case, there is a risk that the store clerk will fail to confirm the number of game balls remaining in the gaming machine, and it is necessary to open the door of the gaming machine and switch it from OFF to ON. .

Furthermore, there are gaming machines that perform member card ejection processing, general card ejection processing with a balance, or automatic deletion processing of the balance as closing processing after the store is closed. The above problem cannot be solved because the processing is performed after the counting and clearing processing of . As described above, the number of game balls in the gaming machine is information that should not be carried over to the next day's business, and is information that must be erased without fail for the operation of the arcade.

Therefore, CU3 implements a function that can reduce the clearing work and prevent sales errors. In order to realize this function, CU3 adds a function to notify that the number of game balls remains, and a function to clear the number of remaining game balls when the counting button 28 of P table 2 is pressed after the store is closed. is added. The function will be specifically described below using a sequence diagram. FIG. 36 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing of the number of game balls remaining on the P table 2 when the store is closed. First, the P machine 2 transmits a gaming machine information notification to the CU3. The gaming machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls=500 balls.

After that, the management computer 802 transmits a closing processing notice to CU3 because it is closing time. If game balls remain on the P table 2 when receiving the closing processing notification from the management computer 802, the CU3 displays a count prompt on the display 54 or the like to prompt the clerk to count. As a result, it is possible to prevent the clerk from forgetting to check the number of game balls remaining in the game machine and perform the counting work. CU3 suspends the closing process when game balls remain on the P table 2. - 特許庁

CU3 transmits a closing processing response to the management computer 802 as a response to the closing processing notification. It should be noted that the closing processing response includes information on the number of remaining game balls=500 balls. When the management computer 802 receives the closing processing response, it identifies the P table 2 with game balls remaining, announces the remaining number of game balls on the P table 2, and urges the store clerk to count. Furthermore, the management computer 802 transmits a closing processing response RES to the CU3 as a reply to the closing processing response.

When the count button 28 is pressed by the store clerk after the count operation is performed, the P machine 2 transmits a count notification to the CU3. Note that the count notification includes information on the number of counted balls=250 balls. Furthermore, the P machine 2 counts a total of 500 balls by transmitting a count notification to the CU3, and sets the number of game balls remaining on the P machine 2 to 0 balls.

When CU3 receives the notification of counting, it performs a clearing process of clearing the counting ball. Specifically, the clear processing deletes the number of counted balls included in the count notification without converting it into the number of balls. The number of counted balls deleted without converting to the number of balls is counted as the number of cleared balls. Clear processing is performed until the number of remaining game balls becomes zero. CU3 transmits a closing processing response RES to the management computer 802 after the clearing processing. The closing processing response RES includes information that the number of remaining game balls=0 balls and the number of cleared balls=500 balls.

When receiving the closing processing response RES, the management computer 802 confirms that the number of game balls has been cleared, and restarts the closing processing. The management computer 802 manages the number of game balls based on the remaining information on the number of game balls so as not to cause a sales error, and can be used to investigate the cause when forgetting to clear occurs. In addition, the management computer 802 can record the number of game balls left by the fans separately from the sales based on the information on the number of cleared balls.

Since the management computer 802 has restarted the closing process, it transmits a closing process notification to CU3. When the CU3 receives the closing processing notification from the management computer 802, since there are no game balls remaining on the P table 2, it transmits a closing processing response including the information that the number of game balls remaining=0 balls to the management computer 802. The management computer 802 confirms the information that the remaining number of game balls=0 balls and transmits a closing processing response RES to the CU3.

Upon receiving the closing processing response RES, the CU3 restarts and completes the closing processing because there are no game balls on the P table 2.例文帳に追加When the closing process is completed, CU3 displays a closing screen on the display 54 or the like. On the next day, the CU3 can immediately execute the opening processing because there are no game balls on the P table 2. - 特許庁

In the above-described sequence, when game balls remain on the P table 2, the closing process is interrupted and the closing process cannot be completed until there are no remaining game balls. However, even when game balls remain on the P table 2, the setting may be such that the completion of the closing process is prioritized without interrupting the closing process. Processing in the setting that prioritizes the completion of closing processing will be described below. It should be noted that CU3 may allow selection between a setting that the closing process cannot be completed and a setting that prioritizes the completion of the closing process.

FIG. 37 is a sequence diagram for explaining another processing for the number of game balls remaining on the P table 2 when the store is closed. First, the P machine 2 transmits a gaming machine information notification to the CU3. The gaming machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls=600 balls.

After that, the management computer 802 transmits a closing processing notice to CU3 because it is closing time. If game balls remain on the P table 2 when receiving the closing processing notification from the management computer 802, the CU3 displays a count prompt on the display 54 or the like to prompt the clerk to count. As a result, it is possible to prevent the clerk from forgetting to check the number of game balls remaining in the game machine and perform the counting work. The CU3 gives priority to completion of the closing process and completes the closing process regardless of the remaining number of game balls on the P table 2.例文帳に追加

CU3 transmits a closing processing response to the management computer 802 as a response to the closing processing notification. It should be noted that the closing processing response includes information on the remaining number of game balls=600 balls. When the management computer 802 receives the closing processing response, it announces the remaining number of game balls and urges the clerk to count them. Furthermore, the management computer 802 transmits a closing processing response RES to the CU3 as a reply to the closing processing response.

When the count button 28 is pressed by the store clerk after the count operation is performed, the P machine 2 transmits a count notification to the CU3. Note that the count notification includes information on the number of counted balls=250 balls. Furthermore, the P machine 2 counts a total of 500 balls by transmitting a count notification to the CU3. However, the number of game balls=100 balls remain on the P table 2 due to insufficient counting work by the clerk.

When CU3 receives the notification of counting, it performs a clearing process of clearing the counting ball. Specifically, the clear processing deletes the number of counted balls included in the count notification without converting it into the number of balls. The number of counted balls deleted without converting to the number of balls is counted as the number of cleared balls. Clear processing is performed for the number of game balls notified to CU3 by the count notification. CU3 transmits a closing processing response RES to the management computer 802 after the clearing processing. The closing processing response RES includes information that the number of remaining game balls=100 balls and the number of cleared balls=500 balls.

When the management computer 802 receives the store closing processing response RES, it manages the number of game balls based on the remaining information on the number of game balls so as not to cause a sales error, and can be used to investigate the cause when forgetting to clear occurs. . In addition, the management computer 802 can record the number of game balls left by the fans separately from the sales based on the information on the number of cleared balls.

The management computer 802 transmits a closing processing response RES to CU3 in response to the closing processing response RES from CU3. When the CU3 receives the closing processing response RES, since the number of game balls still remains on the P table 2, the CU3 displays a count prompt on the display 54 or the like to prompt the clerk to count. In this state, when the P machine 2 and the CU3 are operated on the next day, the P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the power is turned on and the start-up process is performed. Note that the game machine information notification includes information on the number of game balls=100 balls. When the CU 3 receives a gaming machine information notification including information other than the number of game balls being 0, the CU 3 detects the closing time and the opening time of the shop, and the number of game balls of the previous day remains in the P machine 2 as notified. Check that it is correct.

CU3 notifies an error when the number of game balls of the previous day remains on the P table 2. - 特許庁CU3 sends an error notification to management computer 802 . The CU3 clears the number of game balls remaining on the P table 2, thereby enabling execution of the opening processing.

<Configuration of Embodiment>
(1) In an enclosed game machine in which game balls are enclosed (hereinafter simply referred to as a game machine), as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-110041), The game machines and game devices are communicably connected and store game points (game balls). In addition, in the game machine, processing is performed to convert game points into points (balls in possession) based on the counting operation on the gaming machine, but even if the game points cannot be converted into points based on the counting operation due to an abnormality, , recovery processing is performed using two-way communication, and points are updated.

In the game device of Patent Document 1, since it is connected to the game machine so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally, for example, an abnormality occurs in which information on game points (game value) transmitted from the game machine cannot be received due to a counting operation or the like. However, it is possible to transmit information to the effect that the game point information has not been received to the gaming machine. Therefore, in the gaming device of Patent Document 1, the information on the game points is resent from the gaming machine, and recovery processing is performed to convert the unreceived game points into points (predetermined value) and update the points. is possible.

However, if a gaming device that does not communicate with a gaming machine bi-directionally cannot receive game point information transmitted from the gaming machine due to a counting operation or the like, it will notify the gaming machine that the information has not been received. I have no way to tell. Therefore, the game device cannot receive the information on the game points resent from the gaming machine, and cannot perform the recovery process of converting the unreceived game points into points and updating the points. There was a possibility that the score could not be managed properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of appropriately managing a predetermined value (points) even when an abnormality occurs. .

(1-1) It is possible to communicate with a gaming machine (eg, P machine 2) that can be played using a gaming value (eg, a game ball), and the value corresponding to the gaming value is a predetermined value (eg, a ball) A gaming device (for example, CU3) that can be managed as
Receiving means (for example, SC board 325) capable of receiving information transmitted from a gaming machine;
a storage means (for example, a RAM provided in the CU control unit 323) capable of storing information about the game value and information about the predetermined value;
Updating means (for example, , CU control unit 323),
The storage means stores the game value based on the reception of the game machine information including the information about the game value from the game machine (for example, the latest game machine information transmitted from the P machine 2). manage the number of balls),
The updating means performs a specific process for updating the predetermined value when the receiving means does not receive the predetermined information and the gaming value included in the received gaming machine information is decreasing (for example, The difference between the number of game balls stored in the CU3 and the number of game balls newly received from the P table 2 is used for automatic correction as balls).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately manage the predetermined value without making the store clerk work.

(1-2) In the gaming device of (1-1) above,
The predetermined information is transmitted in the gaming machine at predetermined intervals regardless of whether or not a condition (for example, the power source VL is turned off) relating to an abnormality in communication with the gaming device is satisfied. is received (for example, regardless of whether or not a condition related to communication abnormality is ).

According to such a configuration, since the predetermined information is information that is periodically transmitted, it is possible to quickly detect the fact that the predetermined information has not reached the destination.

(1-3) In the gaming device of (1-1) or (1-2) above,
The gaming device does not transmit information regarding a response to the predetermined information to the gaming machine based on the reception of the predetermined information by the receiving means. It is impossible to recognize whether or not the predetermined information has been received (for example, since the response information corresponding to the count information is not transmitted from the CU3, the P unit 2 side cannot determine whether or not the CU3 has received the count information. not recognize).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve security by suppressing excessive signal input, and it is possible to appropriately manage the player's predetermined value by transmitting such predetermined information.

(1-4) In the game device of (1-1) to (1-3) above,
Communication determination means (for example, power supply VL for connection confirmation) for determining whether communication with the game machine is defective,
The updating means can execute the specific processing based on the fact that the communication determining means has determined that the communication with the gaming machine is defective (for example, a PIF disconnection prevents reception and causes a loss in counting). It judges that, and automatically corrects it as a holding ball).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately correct the game value possessed by the player when a communication failure occurs with the gaming machine.

(1-5) In the game device of (1-1) to (1-3) above,
A power failure determination means for determining whether or not there is a power failure state in which power is not supplied (for example, determining that a communication failure (power failure) has occurred due to a power failure based on the difference in the number of game balls),
The updating means is capable of executing the specific processing (for example, performing automatic correction as a holding ball) based on the determination by the power failure determining means that communication with the gaming machine is defective. .

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately correct the game value possessed by the player when power failure occurs in the game device.

(1-6) In the gaming device of (1-1) to (1-5) above,
Further provided is transmission means for transmitting information on the gaming value used in the gaming machine to the management device in predetermined units (for example, when 10 shot balls are detected, HC information notification is transmitted to the hall controller 810). ,
The storage means stores the accumulated game value used in the game machine (for example, the cumulative game value transmitted from the P machine 2) based on the reception of the game machine information including the information on the game value used in the game machine. Cumulative management of the number of shot balls included in game machine information notifications),
The transmission means corrects the timing of transmission to the management device for each predetermined unit based on the cumulative game value stored in the storage means (for example, when the cumulative number of shot balls being managed is 18, HC information notification is not sent to the hall controller 810 because it is not in units of 10 balls).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to implement a function of outputting pulses to the hall controller or the hall controller output BOX in consideration of the occurrence of the number of shot balls counted as negative.

(1-7) In the game device of (1-1) to (1-5) above,
further comprising transmitting means for transmitting information about the gaming value used in the gaming machine to the management device (for example, CU3 transmits HC information notification to hall computer 810);
The transmission means returns the information on the game value used in the game machine and transmits the information on the game value to the management device (for example, the HC information notification including information on the number of shot balls = -2 balls). send).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to implement a function of outputting pulses to the hall controller or the hall controller output BOX in consideration of the occurrence of the number of shot balls counted as negative.

(1-8) In the game device of (1-1) to (1-5) above,
It further comprises transmitting means for transmitting specific information (e.g., lending information) and a serial number (e.g., lending serial number) to the gaming machine based on a specific operation by the player (e.g., lending information including a lending notification message). is sent to P unit 2),
The receiving means receives response information including the reception result of the specific information and the serial number of the same number as the number transmitted by the transmitting means from the gaming machine (for example, a lending response message including a lending receipt result response message). receive information),
Based on the fact that the receiving means has not received the response information, the transmitting means transmits the specific information including the serial number of a number that the gaming machine does not receive (for example, a rental serial number = 0) to the gaming machine. send and
Judging the status of the specific information based on the response information from the game machine to the serial number (for example, if the lending serial number matches, it is determined that the lending has been completed, and if there is a mismatch (previous lending notification - 1) If so, it is determined that the loan has not been completed).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent double addition of the number of lent balls lent to the gaming machine.

(2) In enclosed-type game machines in which game balls are enclosed (hereinafter simply referred to as game machines), as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-223101), the Since the machines are communicatively connected, when the number of game balls remains in the game machine when the store is closed, it is possible to automatically convert the number of balls to the number of balls held. In addition, even in a gaming machine in which game balls are not enclosed, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-202565), each machine automatically calculates the number of balls held at the time of closing. It could be treated or cleared.

However, in a gaming device that allows one-way communication from a gaming machine, if the number of game balls remains in the gaming machine when the store is closed, it is not possible to instruct the gaming machine to perform counting processing. cannot be converted to numbers. Therefore, in the gaming machine, there is a problem that the work of initializing the number of game balls left in the gaming machine at the time of closing cannot be made efficient. In addition, in the sealed game machine, the number of game balls in the game machine is electromagnetically managed, and the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 cannot be applied as it is.

The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and its object is to improve the efficiency of the initialization work at the time of closing when the number of game balls is electromagnetically managed without two-way communication. The object is to provide a game device that can be played.

(2-1) It is possible to communicate with a gaming machine (eg, P machine 2) that can be played using gaming value (eg, game ball), and the value corresponding to the gaming value is a predetermined value (eg, holding ball) A gaming device (for example, CU3) that can be managed as
Receiving means (for example, SC board 325) capable of receiving information transmitted from a gaming machine;
a storage means (for example, a RAM provided in the CU control unit 323) capable of storing information about the game value and information about the predetermined value;
The predetermined value stored in the storage means is updated based on the receiving means receiving the predetermined information transmitted from the game machine and capable of specifying the magnitude of the game value. updating means (for example, CU control unit 323);
The storage means stores the game value based on the reception of the game machine information including the information about the game value from the game machine (for example, the latest game machine information transmitted from the P machine 2). manage the number of balls),
If the game value of the game machine is stored in the storage means when specific information about the end of business (closure) is received from the outside, the information to the effect that the game value exists in the game machine is sent to the outside. Notification is possible (for example, CU3 transmits a closing processing response including information on the remaining number of game balls=500 balls to the management computer 802 as a response to the closing processing notification).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the work of initializing the game value of the gaming machine when the store is closed.

(2-2) A gaming machine (eg, P machine 2) that can be played using a gaming value (eg, a game ball), and a gaming machine that can communicate with the gaming machine and uses the gaming value as a predetermined value (eg, a ball) A gaming system comprising a manageable gaming device (e.g., CU3) and a management device (e.g., management computer 802) capable of communicating with the plurality of gaming devices,
The game device is
Receiving means (for example, SC board 325) capable of receiving information transmitted from a gaming machine;
a storage means (for example, a RAM provided in the CU control unit 323) capable of storing information about game values;
The predetermined value stored in the storage means is updated based on the receiving means receiving the predetermined information transmitted from the game machine and capable of specifying the magnitude of the game value. updating means (for example, CU control unit 323);
The storage means stores the game value based on the reception of the game machine information including the information about the game value from the game machine (for example, stores the game ball according to the latest game machine information transmitted from the P machine 2 one by one). number) and
If the game value of the game machine is stored in the storage means when specific information about the end of business (closure) is received from the outside, the information to the effect that the game value exists in the game machine is sent to the outside. Notification is possible (for example, CU3 transmits a closing processing response including information on the remaining number of game balls = 500 balls to the management computer 802 as a response to the closing processing notification),
The management device can identify the gaming machine with game value among the plurality of gaming machines based on the information transmitted from the plurality of gaming devices (for example, the management computer 802 can When the closing processing response is received, the P table 2 on which game balls remain is specified.).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the work of initializing the game value of the gaming machine when the store is closed.

(2-3) In the gaming device of (2-1) above,
When the specific information is received by the receiving means, it is possible to inform the outside of the game value of the gaming machine stored in the storage means (for example, the management computer 802 can Announcing the remaining number of balls and prompting the clerk to count).

According to such a configuration, in the management device, it is possible to specify a gaming machine with remaining game value and also specify the remaining game value.

(2-4) In the gaming device of (2-1) or (2-3) above,
When the specific information is received by the receiving means and the game value of the gaming machine is stored in the storage means, display means for displaying a corresponding indication that the game value exists in the gaming machine. (eg, display 54);
Different from the display means, it further comprises a light emitting means (for example, an LED lamp above the CU3) that emits light in a special manner.

According to such a configuration, it becomes easier for the clerk to specify which game machine has the game value among the plurality of game machines on the game island, and the workability of the clerk can be improved.

(2-5) In the game device of (2-1), (2-3) to (2-4) above,
The update means is a game that can be specified from the predetermined information without updating the predetermined value stored in the storage means based on the reception of the predetermined information after the reception of the specific information by the receiving means. The magnitude of the value is notified to the outside and deleted (for example, when the CU3 receives the notification of counting, it performs a clearing process to clear the counting ball).

According to such a configuration, appropriate processing can be executed without leaving game value in the gaming machine for the next day's business.

(2-6) In the game device of (2-1), (2-3) to (2-5) above,
When the predetermined information is received after the specific information is received by the receiving means, if the game value of the gaming machine is stored in the storage means, it is determined that the game value exists in the gaming machine. Information can be notified to the outside again (for example, CU3 notifies an error when the number of game balls on the previous day remains on the P table 2).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the game value of the gaming machine from remaining on the next business day in the incomplete counting state after the counting operation on the gaming machine by the clerk.

(2-7) In the gaming device of (2-1), (2-3) to (2-6) above,
When the game value of the gaming machine is stored in the storage means while the store is open, and the stored game value does not change for a predetermined time, it is possible to inform the outside (for example, CU3 , During business, when the number of game balls exists on the P machine 2, even if the number of game balls does not fluctuate for a predetermined period, the number of games remaining on the P machine 2 is transmitted to the management computer 802).

According to such a configuration, even when a few game balls remain in the gaming machine, new players may refrain from sitting in the gaming machine, and the non-operating period of the gaming machine in such a state may occur. can be prevented from prolonging, and the operation stop time can be shortened.

(2-8) In the game device of (2-1), (2-3) to (2-7) above,
Further provided is transmission means for transmitting information on the gaming value used in the gaming machine to the management device in predetermined units (for example, when 10 shot balls are detected, HC information notification is transmitted to the hall controller 810). ,
The storage means stores the accumulated game value used in the game machine (for example, the cumulative game value transmitted from the P machine 2) based on the reception of the game machine information including the information on the game value used in the game machine. Cumulative management of the number of shot balls included in game machine information notifications),
The transmission means corrects the timing of transmission to the management device for each predetermined unit based on the cumulative game value stored in the storage means (for example, when the cumulative number of shot balls being managed is 18, HC information notification is not sent to the hall controller 810 because it is not in units of 10 balls).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to implement a function of outputting pulses to the hall controller or the hall controller output BOX in consideration of the occurrence of the number of shot balls counted as negative.

(2-9) In the game device of (2-1), (2-3) to (2-7) above,
further comprising transmitting means for transmitting information about the gaming value used in the gaming machine to the management device (for example, CU3 transmits HC information notification to hall computer 810);
The transmission means returns the information on the game value used in the game machine and transmits the information on the game value to the management device (for example, the HC information notification including information on the number of shot balls = -2 balls). send).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to implement a function of outputting pulses to the hall controller or the hall controller output BOX in consideration of the occurrence of the number of shot balls counted as negative.

(2-10) In the game device of (2-1), (2-3) to (2-7) above,
It further comprises transmitting means for transmitting specific information (e.g., lending information) and a serial number (e.g., lending serial number) to the gaming machine based on a specific operation by the player (e.g., lending information including a lending notification message). is sent to P unit 2),
The receiving means receives response information including the reception result of the specific information and the serial number of the same number as the number transmitted by the transmitting means from the gaming machine (for example, a lending response message including a lending receipt result response message). receive information),
Based on the fact that the receiving means has not received the response information, the transmitting means transmits the specific information including the serial number of a number that the gaming machine does not receive (for example, a rental serial number = 0) to the gaming machine. send and
Judging the status of the specific information based on the response information from the game machine to the serial number (for example, if the lending serial number matches, it is determined that the lending has been completed, and if there is a mismatch (previous lending notification - 1) If so, it is determined that the loan has not been completed).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent double addition of the number of lent balls lent to the gaming machine.

(3) Enclosed type game machines in which game balls are enclosed perform two-way communication of information with game devices as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-248251). there is Therefore, when the counting operation is performed, the gaming machine transmits the state information response to the gaming device including information on the number of counted balls as a response to the status information request from the gaming device. A game ball (game point) is held and converted into a ball (points). However, if the state information request cannot be normally received from the gaming device after the state information response is transmitted due to, for example, a communication error, the gaming machine cannot decrement the number of game balls. Since the gaming machine of Patent Document 1 is premised on two-way communication of information with a gaming device, if a counting operation is received while a communication error is occurring, the gaming machine erroneously subtracts the number of game balls. It was possible to process it so that it would not occur. However, in a gaming machine that communicates information in one direction with a gaming device, similar processing cannot be performed, and the number of game balls is erroneously subtracted. I had a problem that I couldn't do. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of appropriately managing game values even when a communication error occurs with a gaming device. is to provide

(3-1) A gaming machine (eg, P machine 2) capable of communicating with a corresponding gaming device (eg, CU3) and capable of managing information on game value (eg, number of game balls),
a storage means (for example, a game ball number counter, etc.) capable of storing information about game values;
a receiving means (for example, a counting button 28) capable of receiving a predetermined operation by a player;
Transmission means (eg, frame control board 17) capable of transmitting predetermined information (eg, count information) capable of specifying the magnitude of game value to the gaming device based on the acceptance of the predetermined operation. )and,
Updating means (for example, subtracting the counted number of balls) for updating the game value stored in the storage means corresponding to the magnitude of the game value specified by the predetermined information when the predetermined information is transmitted and a frame control board 17) for updating the information on the number of game balls,
Based on the establishment of a predetermined condition (for example, when the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation changes from 5 V to 0 V (off state: VL=OFF)) relating to an abnormality in communication with the game device, the Acceptance of the predetermined operation is invalidated (for example, operation of the counting button 28 is invalidated).

According to such a configuration, the game value can be appropriately managed in consideration of the communication abnormality.

(3-2) In the game machine of (3-1) above,
The transmitting means transmits the predetermined information to the gaming device at predetermined intervals regardless of whether the predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, the counting information is specified regardless of the reception status at CU3). transmitted to CU3 every period B),
Depending on whether or not the receiving means has received the predetermined operation, the information regarding the size of the gaming value specified by the predetermined information differs (for example, the operation of the counting button 28 by the player is performed before the gaming machine information is transmitted). If the number of balls to be counted includes information of, for example, 250 balls, and the player has not operated the counting button 28 before transmitting the gaming machine information, the number of balls to be counted is 0 (zero). sphere information is included).

According to such a configuration, the predetermined information transmission process is continued regardless of whether or not the predetermined condition relating to the communication abnormality is satisfied with the game device, and prohibition processing of the predetermined information transmission process is unnecessary. At the same time, it is possible to appropriately manage the game value in consideration of the communication abnormality in that the predetermined operation becomes invalid.

(3-3) In the gaming machine of (3-1) or (3-2) above,
further comprising receiving means (for example, frame control board 17) capable of receiving specific information (for example, lending information) related to game value, which is information transmitted from the gaming device;
Response information corresponding to the predetermined information is not transmitted from the gaming device to the receiving means (for example, the counting information and the gaming machine information are transmitted in one direction from the frame control board 17 to the CU control unit 323). communication), the gaming machine side does not recognize whether or not the gaming device has received the predetermined information.

According to such a configuration, the predetermined information is output in one direction, it is possible to prevent the game value from fluctuating even in a situation where the predetermined information cannot be received by the gaming device, and the player's disadvantage can be prevented. can be prevented.

(3-4) In the game machines (3-1) to (3-3) above,
Special signal output means (for example, wiring number of PIF wiring) for outputting a special signal for connection confirmation (for example, PSI signal) to the game device during detection of connection with the game device (for example, VL = ON) 4) is further provided,
The special signal output means stops outputting the special signal to the gaming device (for example, PSI=OFF) when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately notify the gaming machine of the state of disconnection detection on the gaming machine side.

(3-5) In the game machines (3-1) to (3-4) above,
a shooting means (e.g., shooting mechanism 30) for shooting game media;
A firing control means (e.g., a firing control board 31) that controls the operation of the firing means,
The reception means invalidates the reception of the reception means (for example, invalidates the operation of the counting button 28) based on the establishment of the predetermined condition,
The shooting control means stops shooting by the shooting means when the predetermined condition is established (for example, outputs a signal to stop shooting the game ball to the shooting control board 31).

According to such a configuration, by stopping the game under the condition that the game device is not connected, it is possible to properly manage the game value in consideration of the communication abnormality.

(3-6) In the game machines (3-1) to (3-5) above,
The predetermined information includes first information (for example, information on the number of balls counted) capable of specifying the magnitude of the game value corresponding to the predetermined operation, and cumulatively indicating the magnitude of the game value of the first information. Identifiable second information (for example, information on the cumulative number of counted balls).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing burden of managing game values in the gaming machine, and to transmit appropriate information for performing recovery processing of predetermined information in one-way communication.

(4) In an enclosed game machine in which game balls are enclosed, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-6256), a game device is communicatively connected and managed by the game device. connected to the device. The management device is provided with information receiving means for receiving fluctuation information from the game device, and the information storage means stores the fluctuation information received by the information receiving means. In the gaming device of Patent Document 1, it is only stated that the CU control unit is provided with an external communication unit for communicating with the hall management computer, and the information output to the hall management computer is inaccurate. No consideration has been given to preventing this from happening. Therefore, in the gaming device of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to prevent the information output to the outside from becoming inaccurate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming device capable of preventing inaccuracy in information output from the gaming device to the outside. .

(4-1) A gaming device (eg, CU3) capable of receiving predetermined information (eg, hall control, fraud monitoring information, etc.) from a gaming machine (eg, P machine 2),
A reception control unit (for example, SC board 325) that performs reception processing of the predetermined information received from the gaming machine,
The reception control unit judges whether or not a specific information output unit (for example, hall computer output BOX 811) that outputs specific information corresponding to the predetermined information (for example, information to be notified to hall computer output BOX 811 shown in FIG. 28) to the outside. (for example, hall controller output BOX 811 authentication processing), and based on the result of the suitability determination, restricts the output of the specific information from the specific information output unit (for example, when hall controller output BOX 811 cannot be authenticated ( NG), CU3 does not communicate with hall controller output BOX 811 and does not output information).

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

(4-2) In the gaming machine of (4-1) above,
Regardless of the result of the propriety determination of the specific information output unit in the reception control unit, the game can be played on the gaming machine (for example, even if hall controller output BOX 811 cannot be authenticated (NG), P It is possible to play on platform 2).

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

(4-3) In the gaming machine of (4-1) or (4-2) above,
Further comprising a specific control unit (for example, a CU control unit 323, etc.) that controls communication between the reception control unit and the specific information output unit,
The specific control unit limits the display of the specific information on the display unit (for example, the display unit connected to the hall controller 810) based on the result of the suitability determination of the specific information output unit (for example, the authentication data , the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information are not notified from the CU control unit 323 to the hall controller output BOX 811).

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

(4-4) In the game machines (4-1) to (4-3) above,
The predetermined information includes game information related to the game (for example, hole control/fraud monitoring information, etc.), performance information (for example, game machine performance information, etc.) capable of specifying game performance related to the provision of game value, and the game machine including installation information (for example, game machine installation information, etc.) regarding the installation of
A special information output unit that outputs the performance information and the installation information to the outside (for example, output to the management computer 802 via the external output terminal 340, regardless of the result of the propriety determination of the specific information output unit in the reception control unit. do).

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

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

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

(4-6) In the gaming machines (4-1) to (4-5) above,
It further includes a reporting section (for example, a display 54 reporting the abnormality) that reports the abnormality when the result of the propriety determination of the specific information output section in the reception control section is abnormal.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily grasp that the result of the propriety determination of the specific information output unit is abnormal.

<Modification>

(1) 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 .

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

(3) In the above-described embodiment, when communication is disabled (offline state) when transmitting the 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.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the authentication data is a variable value including the information of the current date (X month X day) as the encryption source data and the information of the SC management number. However, the authentication data is not limited to this, and the authentication data is a variable value that includes information on the current date (month and day), information on the current time, and information on the SC management number as encryption source data. may also be fixed values. The security is improved by making the authentication data a variable value including information on the current date (0th/day), information on the current time, and information on the SC management number as encryption source data. In addition, by including current time information in the authentication data, periodical authentication can be performed at regular time intervals.

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

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the CU3 monitors the connection state of the hall controller output BOX 811, but if unconnected or unauthenticated is detected, the CU3 notifies the card company data center 801 of an alarm, You can contact the hall clerk. Further, when CU3 monitors the connection state of hall console output BOX 811 and detects unconnected or unauthenticated state, CU3 may display an error and inform the hall clerk.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, when the validity period of the authentication data expires, the SC board 325 must notify the CU control unit 323 of the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information. explained. However, not limited to this, for example, when the validity period of the authentication data expires, other information such as the number of game balls and the number of counting balls may not be notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 .

(8) The P machine 2 may be configured such that the winning probability of the big win changes according to the set value by a setting change operation using operating means such as a predetermined switch by a person on the game arcade side (game arcade clerk, etc.). good. For example, in the main control unit 161, a setting change process is executed to change the winning probability of the big hit set for the P machines 2 according to the setting change operation. As a result, in the special symbol normal process of the special symbol process process, by using the display result determination table corresponding to the set value, the setting change process that allows the probability of winning the big hit to be changed is executed. For example, the setting value consists of 6 stages (multiple stages) from 1 to 6, and the probability of winning the jackpot is in the order of setting value 1 < setting value 2 < setting value 3 < setting value 4 < setting value 5 < setting value 6. get higher That is, when setting value 1 is set as the setting value, the degree of advantage for the player is the lowest, and the degree of advantage increases stepwise in the order of setting values 2 to 6. FIG. It should be noted that the set values are not limited to six stages as long as they are provided in a plurality of stages. Since the ball output rate (the number of balls output per unit time (the number of prize balls)) changes in accordance with the possibility of changing the winning probability of the big hit in this way, changing the setting value changes the ball output rate. It can be said that

Hall controller output BOX 811 outputs a signal indicating whether the P stand 2 is in the set value display mode in which the set value is displayed in the setting change operation described above, or in the set value change mode in which the set value can be changed. may be made possible. Also, the hall controller output BOX 811 may be configured to be capable of outputting a signal indicating the set value of the P-table 2 . Of course, the CU 3 may output to the management computer 802 a signal indicating the setting value display mode or the setting value change mode and a signal indicating the setting value of the P-unit 2 .

(9) In the above-described embodiment, the condition for stopping firing is that the voltage of the connection confirmation power supply VL changes from 5V to 0V. However, it is not limited to this, and the specific information (for example, rental information) includes serial number information, and the status of the serial number information included in the specific information received by the receiving means (for example, the serial number is the same even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed) is transmitted. may be used as a condition for stopping.

(10) In the above-described embodiment, when the CU 3 receives the closing processing notification and the number of game balls remains on the corresponding P table 2, the corresponding display (for example, counting promotion display, etc.) ) is performed by the display 54. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and CU3 may perform light emission display in a special mode (for example, blinking red) using light emitting means different from display 54 (for example, an LED lamp above CU3). This makes it easier for the store clerk to specify which of the P units 2 on the game island has the number of game balls remaining, and the workability of the store clerk can be improved.

(11) In the above-described embodiment, when the CU 3 receives the notice of closing processing, and the number of game balls remains on the corresponding P table 2, the display 54 displays a corresponding message. explained. After the CU3 performs the counting operation and receives the count notification from the P machine 2, if the number of game balls still remains in the P machine 2, the display device 54 may display the corresponding fact again. As a result, the clerk is in an incomplete counting state (for example, the number of game balls = 1000, only 250 balls are counted and 750 balls remain) after the counting work on the P table 2, and the game is played on the next business day. It is possible to suppress leaving the number of balls on the P table 2.

(12) In the above-described embodiment, CU3 has explained the configuration of transmitting the number of games remaining on the P machines 2 after the store is closed to the management computer 802 . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the number of game balls is present on the P machines 2 during business, the CU3 determines the number of games remaining on the P machines 2 even if the number of game balls does not fluctuate for a predetermined period of time. may be sent to management computer 802 . Even when a small number of game balls remain on the P table 2, new players may refrain from sitting on the P table 2, and the non-operating period of the P table 2 in such a state is prolonged. can be prevented, and downtime can be shortened.

(13) In the above-described embodiment, it has been explained that the number of game balls (game value) is managed by the P machine 2, and the number of possession balls (predetermined value) is managed by the CU3. Incidentally, the number of possessed balls (predetermined value) is also a value obtained by counting the number of game balls (game value). The P machine 2 is applicable not only to the pachinko game machine but also to the slot machine, and the medals managed by the slot machine side are set to the game value, and the medals managed by the guard unit side connected to the slot machine are set to the predetermined value. It may be equivalent.

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.

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 return button, 320 IR light receiving unit , 321 ball rental button, 323 CU control unit.

Claims (1)

A gaming device capable of unidirectionally communicating information about a gaming value with a gaming machine capable of playing games using the gaming value , and capable of managing a value corresponding to the gaming value as a predetermined value,
receiving means capable of receiving information transmitted from the gaming machine;
a storage means capable of storing information on game values and information on predetermined values;
updating means for updating the predetermined value stored in the storage means based on the receiving means receiving predetermined information that is transmitted from the gaming machine and is capable of specifying the magnitude of the game value. prepared,
The storage means stores a game value based on receiving gaming machine information including information about the game value from the gaming machine;
The updating means performs specific processing for updating the predetermined value when the receiving means does not receive the predetermined information and the gaming value included in the received gaming machine information is decreasing. Device.

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