JPH07132182A - Storage medium for game and storage medium handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the possibility that unforeseen damage is given to a game customer by overlapping and storing the same information in plural information storage means, respectively. CONSTITUTION:The reverse side of a card CD consists of the magnetic surface on which a magnetic material is applied to the whole surface, and on this magnetic surface, three blocks BL1, BL2 and BL3 are provided along the card inserting direction. To each of these blocks, the same information is overlapped and recorded so that data is determined by a majority principle at the time of reproduction. Also, recording information of this magnetic surface consists of only an identification code for specifying a use area of the card, a date of issue for showing the term of validity of the card, a card number being an identification code obtained by using a suitable function from an issue serial number and a check code for detecting an error. The purchased amount of money and the number of holding balls are not recorded, and these recording informations are constituted so that it can be drawn out in a real time from a data file of a management device by the card number, by which illegality caused by copying the card can be prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique effective for use in a pachinko machine using a storage medium such as a magnetic card or an electronic card, a storage medium type game machine such as an arrange ball, a slot machine, etc. The present invention relates to a technique effectively used for a game device that handles the storage medium, a storage medium issuing device, a storage medium settlement device, or the like or a storage medium handling device provided therein.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a card-type pachinko game system has been proposed as a typical example of playing a game using a card-shaped storage medium. The card system is
Players only have to carry a card that is a storage medium,
There is an advantage that it is possible to reduce the trouble of carrying a large amount of pachinko balls that easily fall. The card-type pachinko game system that has been conventionally proposed is roughly divided into the following two systems.

In the first method, when the card is issued, the number of balls held corresponding to the purchase amount is stored in the card, and a pachinko game is performed within the range of the number of balls held, and the number of balls held is increased or decreased during the game process. The data is stored in a card (see Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 47-42227).

In the second card system, a card in which only the code number is recorded is issued when the card is purchased, the number of balls held is stored in a centralized management device, and the card is inserted into a card reading device of a pachinko machine. By doing so, the player can play the game by calling the stored number of balls. In that case, when you issue the card, all purchases will be converted into balls,
The number of balls held was stored in the management device side (Actual Kokoku Sho 61-32709, Japanese Patent Kokoku Sho 51-17106).
No.).

[0005]

Since the card used in the above-mentioned card type game device has a valuable value, if the data stored in the card is destroyed or becomes unreadable, the player who owns the card is May suffer great damage. Especially in a pachinko game machine, since the pachinko balls are easily charged, the static electricity may destroy the data.

[0006] Pachinko games are often affected by luck and luck, and if you are lucky, you can win a large amount of prize balls even with a small investment, so if you buy a large amount of cards On the other hand, it becomes useless, but when the card is purchased in small portions, the number of purchases increases, so that the game is interrupted each time the player purchases the game, which makes the game entertaining. Therefore, a player who wants to avoid such annoyance purchases a relatively expensive card. However, the higher the cost of a card, the greater the damage to the cardholder when the data stored therein is destroyed or becomes unreadable.

[0007] Therefore, if the reliability of the card is low, the player tends to purchase small cards in small portions, which increases the number of purchases and annoyance for the player, and increases a lot for the game store. Since it is necessary to issue a card, there are problems that the ordinary cost becomes high and the processing of the used card becomes troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game storage medium (card) and a storage medium handling device in which a player is not likely to suffer unexpected damage.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of the storage medium and allow the player to purchase a high-priced storage medium with peace of mind, thereby reducing the number of times the game is interrupted due to a break or the like. It is to reduce the number of storage media to be issued to reduce the burden on a game shop.

[0010]

The present invention relates to a storage medium used in a storage medium type game device in which a game can be executed by inserting a card-shaped storage medium into a storage medium reading device. A plurality of information storage means for storing information about the medium is provided.

Further, it is desirable that the same information is duplicately stored in each of the plurality of information storage means.

Further, the information stored in the plurality of information storage means includes the valid period of the storage medium.

On the other hand, a storage medium handling device is provided which constitutes a game facility including a storage medium type game device in which a game can be executed by inserting a card-shaped storage medium into the storage medium reading device. A storage area provided on the storage medium is virtually divided into a plurality of areas, and an overlapping writing means for respectively storing the same information in each divided area is provided.

[0014]

According to the present invention, since the storage medium is provided with a plurality of information storage means, even if one of the information storage means or the stored information is destroyed, it is correct based on the storage of the other information storage means. It becomes possible to obtain information.

Further, the reliability of the storage medium can be further improved by storing the same information redundantly in each of the plurality of information storage means.

Further, by including the valid period of the storage medium in the information stored in the plurality of information storage means, such storage medium can be excluded even if deterioration occurs due to frequent use. Therefore, the reliability of the storage medium can be improved.

[0017]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pachinko game system as a typical example of a card type game device to which the present invention is applied.

The pachinko gaming system of this embodiment is a pachinko machine 100 as a gaming machine and a storage medium issuing device for issuing a card CD as a storage medium having a local valuable value for starting a game in each pachinko machine. Issuing machine 200, a settlement machine 300 as a storage medium settlement device for settlement of prize balls obtained as a result of the game and purchase money remaining not used in the game, and the above various terminals are centrally managed. The management device 400 for controlling and the data transmission path 500 for organically connecting the management device 400 and each terminal are configured to form an organic combination. This organic combination can be intervened only by the card CD, and the organic combination can operate the card and convert its valuable data. Therefore, the pachinko machine 100, the issuing machine 200, the settlement machine 300, and the management device 400, which are the respective constituent elements of the organic combination, are provided with a card driver (card reader and card writer) as a storage medium reading device, respectively. At the same time, the information of the card and the information of each terminal are stored in the storage device of the management device 400 in the form of a file.

The card used in the system of this embodiment will be described below before a detailed description of the components of the above organic combination. The card CD used in the system of this embodiment is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), usable areas, that is, the game store name HALL, purchase amount AM, card insertion direction DIR, date of issue DATE, etc. information necessary for the player and the issue serial number required for recovery of the damaged card. n and the like are printed on the surface of the card CD. Further, when the purchase amount has been used up and the number of balls held has become zero, a card invalidation display INV such as an X mark is also printed.

On the other hand, the back surface of the card CD is a magnetic surface coated with a magnetic material, and the magnetic surface has three blocks BL1, BL2, B along the card insertion direction.
L3 is provided so that the same information is redundantly recorded in each of these blocks, and the data is determined by the majority rule upon reproduction. Moreover, the information recorded on the magnetic surface of the card of this embodiment is a proper function from the identification code for specifying the usage area of the card, the issue date for indicating the valid period of the card, and the issue serial number n. Alternatively, only the card number as an identification code obtained by using the conversion method and the check code for error detection are used, and the purchase amount and the number of balls held are not recorded. These are configured so that they can be extracted in real time from the data file of the management device 400 by the above card number. As a result, fraud caused by copying the card can be prevented and damage caused by fraud can be minimized. In other words, even if the card is copied, there is no more damage than the purchase amount and the number of acquired balls registered in the data file, so copying the card is a completely useless act.

Further, by making the card a disposable type, the size of the card is reduced in order to simplify the system and facilitate the management of the card by eliminating the need for a card collection facility, and to reduce the cost associated with the disposable card. Vertical 86
The standard size is 54 mm mm and paper is selected as the material for the card.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the card issuing machine 200. The card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment is for discharging a bill validator 210 for identifying bills for card purchase, a card writer 220 for printing the amount corresponding to the purchase amount and recording a card number, and a change. Balance payout device 230, various indicators 241-245, and issuing machine 2
00 is configured by a control unit 250 or the like that controls the entire system.

Corresponding to the bill validator 210, the front panel 201 is provided with a bill insertion slot 211, a purchase amount selection switch group 212 and an amount indicator 213. Therefore, the player first inserts a bill from the bill insertion slot 211 and presses the switch corresponding to the desired purchase amount from the selection switch group 212. Then, the inserted amount is displayed on the amount display 213, and the card corresponding to the desired purchase amount is displayed in the card outlet 2 of the card writer 220.
Issued from 02. Also, the above-mentioned amount selection switch group 2
12 is a switch with a built-in lamp,
When the switch is operated, the corresponding built-in lamp is turned on. Then, the inserted bills are collected in the bill storage tank 214.

The card writer 220 is a card tank 22.
Take out the blank cards stored in 1 one by one, print the purchase amount, the date of issue, and the issue serial number n given by the management device 400 on the front side, and on the magnetic side of the back side of the card. Record the card number and identification code (store code) calculated by the control unit 250, issue date code, check code,
The card is discharged from a card discharge port 202 provided on the front panel 201. The issuing serial number n is the card issuing machine 200
The management device 400, which has received the card purchase application from the above, determines the issue serial number n in the order of acceptance for purchase applications from a plurality of card issuing machines under its own control, and uses the number assigned to each card issuing machine. Therefore, in order to prevent fraud caused by copying the card, the magnetic surface of the card is subjected to a code conversion process such as an operation using a predetermined function f (n) or a rearrangement of bits with respect to the issue serial number n. The obtained code is recorded as a card number. In order to calculate the card number from the issued serial number n, the control program of the management device 400 includes
A function f (n) or a code conversion procedure is given in advance, and an inverse function or an inverse conversion procedure is prepared to confirm the match between the card number read from the card and the issue serial number n.

FIG. 4A shows an outline of the structure of the card writer 220. That is, the card writer 220 includes a card take-out device 222 that takes out cards one by one from the card tank 221, a carry motor 223, card sensors 224a and 224b that detect the position of the card, and a magnetic head for recording card numbers and the like. 225 and a printing device (marking device) 226. Also,
The card writer of the embodiment has a reproducing head 227 for performing a verify function, that is, a check of write data, and each of the driving means is controlled by a control board (controller) 228 on the basis of a detection signal of the sensor. Record, print, and eject on a card.

On the other hand, when the money is inserted from the bill insertion slot 211, the purchase amount is determined by the money amount selection switch 212, and the remaining amount is generated, the remaining amount dispensing device 2 for refunding the remaining amount.
The bank 30 is equipped with a banknote tank 231 for stocking banknotes, and is configured to discharge banknotes corresponding to the remaining money through a banknote outlet 232 provided on the front panel 201.

Further, on the front panel 201 of the card issuing machine 200, an issuing lamp 241 indicating that the card can be issued, an issuance stop lamp 242 indicating that the card cannot be issued, and a bill insertion slot 211 are inserted. Banknote pool over indicator 243 that indicates that the tank 214 is full of bills, a card shortage indicator 244 that indicates that an unissued card in the card tank 221 has emptied, and the bill tank 231 of the balance dispensing device Insufficient change indicator 24
5 are provided. Further, in order to detect the above state and turn on the corresponding indicator, the bill tanks 214, 231
And the card tank 221 has sensors 261, 262,
263 are provided respectively.

Further, the card issuing machine 200 of this embodiment is used.
There are multiple (several tens) issuing machines 2 installed in the game store.
The unit number setting device 205 is provided inside the management device 400 so that the management device 400 can identify the issuing device that issued a specific card. The unit number set by the setting device 205 is It is sent to the management device 400 and used for generation of a transmission address in data communication and creation of a data file for each issuing machine.

The setting unit 205 is not particularly limited.
The same number as the unit number set by is displayed on the nameplate 206 attached to the upper part of the front panel 201 of the issuing machine.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of a control system of the card issuing machine 200 configured as described above.
In the figure, L1 to L5 are lamps incorporated in the purchase price selection switch group 212, and the lamp corresponding to the turned-on switch is turned on to illuminate the operation button from the rear. It is supposed to do.

In this system, each component of the card writer 220 shown in FIG. 4A is controlled by a controller 228 such as a CPU (microcomputer) and the like, and various types provided in this controller 228 and the issuing machine. The sensor, the display, the bill validator 210, and the balance payout device 230 are the unit controller 251 in the control unit 250 which is also a microcomputer.
Is controlled by.

The unit controller 251 controls the above-mentioned components and receives a card number to execute a card issuing process, collects operation data, and collects the operation data from the unit memory 270 as a parallel communication means including a dual port memory. Write in the transmission data area SDA inside. The operating data written in the unit memory 270 is sent to the management device by data communication with the management device 400 via a transmission cable (network) by a transmission controller and a network control unit (NAU) described later. Further, the data sent from the management device 400 is once written in the reception data area RDA in the unit memory 270, and the unit controller 251 reads the data to receive the data. The unit memory 270 is provided with a shared data area CDA in which a command and status information for informing the other controller that transmission data and reception data are stored are stored.

Tables 1, 2 and 3 show configuration examples of the transmission data area SDA, the reception data area RDA and the shared data area CDA in the unit memory 270, respectively.

[0034]

[Table 1]

[0035]

[Table 2]

[0036]

[Table 3]

The hot code shown in Table 1 above is
When the system starts up, the management device uses the unit memory 2
In the transmission area of 70, for example, a code such as 0101101 ... 01 is written, and periodically sent to the management device to check whether RAM data is destroyed by noise such as static electricity, and promptly detect an abnormality in the transmission data. It can be detected by.

As shown in Table 4, the monitor information 1 shown in Table 1 above indicates a bit indicating that a test is being executed at system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / non-setting, and a hot code error. Bits, bits indicating an abnormality in the local network (transmission cable 500) (two bits for low layer and high layer), a bit indicating an issuer issue, and the like.

Further, as shown in Table 5, the monitor information 2 is a bit indicating an abnormality of the card writer, a bit indicating the presence / absence of a card, a bit indicating the state inside the banknote tank, a bit indicating a banknote jam, and a forced banknote. It is composed of a bit indicating withdrawal, a bit indicating a state in the bill tank of the balance dispenser, a bit indicating an abnormality of the balance dispenser, and the like.

[0040]

[Table 4]

[0041]

[Table 5]

Next, a configuration example of a pachinko machine that provides the original game will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko machine 100 of this embodiment is mounted on the game machine main body 110 and the island facility or the like above the game machine main body in a one-to-one correspondence with the game machine main body.
The control unit 160 mainly controls processing related to cards and collection of operation data during a game.

In this embodiment, the control unit 160 is constructed separately from the gaming machine main body 110, and has a card slot 161.
And an amount display 162 for displaying the amount of money the card has,
Ball holding indicator 163 for displaying the number of balls held by the player by a digital number, analog indicator 164 in which a plurality of lamps are arranged in a row, and call switch 165 for calling staff members.
Etc. are on the front side. The analog display 164 is
It is used to display the number of balls in play in an analog manner, and to display the stopped state and the free state with simultaneous blinking and moving blinking.

Further, although not particularly limited, on the front surface of the control unit 160, as shown in FIG. 7, a safe lamp 166 for displaying a winning ball, a game display lamp 167 indicating that a game is being played, a sound effect, and a sound effect are displayed. A speaker 168 for issuing a warning is provided. Furthermore, the control unit 160
A test switch 171 for enabling a game operation using a test card to be described later is also controlled at a position located inside the island facility on the side of the device in a peculiar state in which the pachinko machine 100 is separated from the management device 400. On the front of the unit is a nameplate 172 that clearly indicates the unit number given to the pachinko machine.
Are provided respectively.

Then, inside the control unit 160,
A card reader 180 corresponding to the card insertion / ejection opening 161
In addition, a unit number setting switch 173 is provided behind the unit number name plate 172, and a unit controller 190 for controlling the entire control unit 160 is provided. The unit controller 190 is connected to the control device 150 of the gaming machine main body 110 by a transmission line 191 such as an optical fiber or a coaxial cable, and to the management device 400 via a transmission controller and a local network (transmission cable) described later. . Card reader 18
0 has almost the same configuration as the card writer 220 for issuing machine shown in FIG. 4A (see FIG. 4B), the card tank 221 and the recording head 225 are omitted, and the card ejecting device 222 Instead, the forced ejection device 181 is provided.

On the other hand, the gaming machine main body 110 of the present embodiment is configured as a closed type gaming machine which circulates and uses the gaming spheres enclosed in the machine, and the circulation device 120 which circulates the enclosed spheres.
have. Further, in the lower part of the gaming machine body 110, a launching device 111 that launches the enclosed balls one by one into the game area.
And its operation dial 112 and a purchase switch 113 for enabling a game procedure using the card,
An end switch 114 and an interruption switch 115 are provided. The structure of the game area is the same as the conventional one. The purchase switch 113 is set within the range of the amount of money the card has on the assumption that the card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 161.
With the instruction switch for converting this into a game ball in units such as a circle, the converted game ball becomes the number of balls. The number of balls held is displayed on the ball holding indicator 163, and the number of balls held is decremented by one each time a game ball is shot by the ball striking device, and when a winning ball is generated, the number of balls held is added and displayed. .

The end switch 114 is used when the player wants to end the game (including the case of changing the game table).
By turning this on at any time, the card in use can be ejected from the control unit 160. At that time, the unit controller 190 registers the number of balls (sum of purchased balls and won balls) of the player at that point in the file of the management device 400, and then ejects the card from the insertion / ejection slot 161. Further, the interruption switch 115 is a switch used by the player to temporarily interrupt the game for a break, although the player does not intend to stop the game on the gaming machine currently playing the game.
When this switch is operated, the unit controller 1
The card 90 is in a standby state until the card is once ejected and the same card is inserted again, during which no other card is accepted. Of the above switches, the purchase switch 113 and the interruption switch 115 have built-in lamps. When the number of balls reaches “0”, the lamp in the purchase switch 113 blinks, and when the interruption switch 115 is pressed, interruption occurs. The built-in lamp is lit until it is released.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the back surface of the gaming machine body 110. On the back surface of the game board 101, there is a prize ball collecting gutter 122 which covers a plurality of prize ball lead-out holes 121 formed so as to penetrate the game board corresponding to the prize area provided in the game area on the front surface of the game board 101. It is installed. The bottom wall of the winning ball gathering gutter 122 is slanted downward toward the center and the guide rack 1
22a, 122b, and the first guide gutter 1 at the lower end of the flow.
23 are connected, and the winning balls that have flowed into the winning ball collecting trough 122 are collected by flowing down on the guide shelves 122a and 122b, and are detected by the safe sensor 131 while flowing down the first guiding trough 123. . Further, on the back surface of the game board corresponding to the out holes 102 provided at the bottom of the game area,
A recovery gutter 124 is provided, and the end of the recovery gutter 124 is joined to the end of the first guide gutter 123.

Further, in this embodiment, a large-sized variable winning device provided in the game area is provided with a second guide gutter 125 for collecting the game balls won, and the end of the second guide gutter 125 is the above-mentioned collection gutter 124. Is joined at the end of. The recovery gutter 124 and the second guide gutter 125 are provided with an out sensor 132 and a safe sensor 133, and detect a game ball that has flown into them. First guide trough 123 and second
By providing the guide gutter 125, it is possible to provide the player with a different number of prize balls obtained by winning the respective prize areas, and the confluence part of the respective gutters is provided with the communication port 127. Hitting ball launching device 111 for collecting game balls
It is in communication with a guide gutter 126 that guides to.

The guide trough 126 is, as shown in FIG.
A gall connected to a fal ball intake 104 provided in the middle of an arc-shaped guide rail 103 that guides a game ball launched by a hitting ball launching device 111 to the upper part of the game area. All winning balls and out balls are finally collected by the guide gutter 126 and guided to the hitting ball launching device 111. Information gutter 126
In the middle of the process, a foul sensor 134 for detecting the game balls collected from the foul ball intake 104, a ball seal 105 for arranging the game balls collected in the guide gutter, and a ball removing lever for extracting the enclosed ball to the outside. 106 is provided. The ball detected by the foul sensor 134 is subtracted from the shot ball, and the number of hit balls actually hit in the game area is accurately counted. Further, firing sensors 135 and 136 for detecting a hit ball launched by the hit ball launching device 111 are provided at the start end portion of the guide rail 103, so that a blank hit is not counted as a launch ball.
The movement of the hit ball from the launch sensor 135 side to the launch sensor 136 side is counted as the number of shots, and the movement of the hit ball in the opposite direction is counted as a foul ball. The ball pulling lever 106 blocks the rotation of the rotatable turning plate 107 provided so as to form a part of the bottom wall of the guide gutter 126 to supply the game ball to the ball hitting device side, and the ball pulling lever 106. When 106 is slid upward as shown in FIG. 10 (A), the rotating plate 107 is rotated downward by its own weight and the guide gutter 12
It is configured to discharge the game balls in 6.

On the other hand, the lower end of the guide trough 126 is shown in FIG.
A ball feed 1 having a ball receiving portion 128a as shown in FIG.
28 is swingably attached, and by swinging this, the game balls in the guide trough 126 are separated one by one and moved to the firing start end position of the guide rail 103. The ball feed 128 is rotated upwards in conjunction with the firing rod 111a of the hitting ball firing device 111. Information gutter 12
6 at the boundary between the guide rail 103 and the starting end of the guide rail 103.
09 is formed, and when the ball feed 128 is rotated upward, only one game ball engaged with the ball receiving portion 128a at the tip gets over the separation wall 109 to move the ball. Be done. A cylindrical weight 129 is built in the ball feed 128, and the rotation of the ball feed 128 is smoothly returned by the weight of the weight.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the control system of the pachinko machine 100. In this system, the card sensor 22 which is each component of the card reader 180 is used.
4, the reproducing head 227, the marking device 226, and the carrying motor 223 are controlled by the controller 188. Then, various switches 165 and 17 provided in the controller 188 and the control unit 160.
1,173 and indicators 162,163,164,166,
The 167 and the speaker 168 are controlled by a unit controller 190 which is also a microcomputer.

In addition, although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the control device 150 of the gaming machine main body 110, various sensors, a display and the like are connected to the unit controller 190. An optical multiplex data link (interface) including a parallel-serial converter that converts parallel data and serial data and an opto-electric converter that converts electrical signals and optical signals in order to enable communication via an optical fiber cable. ) 192 and 193 are provided between the unit controller 190 and the optical fiber cable 191 and between the optical fiber cable and the control device 150.

By using the optical fiber cable 191 for data communication between the unit controller 190 and the control device 150 of the pachinko machine, a large number of wirings, which are conventionally arranged complicatedly on the back side of the pachinko machine, are eliminated. Clean, easy maintenance and management, and prevent incorrect wiring connection.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of the control system for the gaming machine main body 110. The optical multiplex data link 19
Under the control of the unit controller 190 via the optical cable 3 and the optical cable 191, together with the control device 150,
The hitting ball launching device 111, a purchase enable display lamp 113a with a built-in purchase switch 113, and an interruption display lamp 115a with a built-in interruption switch 115 are installed via a driver 195. Also, the purchase switch 113 and the game end switch 1
14, the signal from the interruption switch 115 is transmitted through the optical multiplex data link 193 and the optical fiber cable 191.
It is transmitted to the unit controller 190.

The control device 150 is also composed of a microcomputer, and the control device 150 includes firing sensors 135 and 136 and safe sensors 131 and 1.
33, the foul sensor 134, and the out sensor 132 are input to the detection signals, and based on these signals, a winning ball, a foul ball, an out ball, etc. are determined and notified to the unit controller 190.

On the other hand, the unit controller 190, on the basis of the detection signals relating to these game balls, the signals from the purchase switch 113, etc., the number of balls output, the number of out balls, the number of balls held,
Unit memory 1 that consists of dual port memory that calculates operating data such as sales amount and generates operating information (game state) and monitor information related to pachinko machines
70 is written in the transmission data area SDA.

The operation data and the like written in the unit memory 170 are stored in the management device 4 by the transmission controller described later.
It is sent to the management device by data communication with 00.
Further, the data sent from the management device 400 is once written in the reception data area RDA in the unit memory 170, and the unit controller 190 reads the data to receive the data. The unit memory 170 is provided with a shared data area CDA in which a command and status information for informing the controller of the other party that transmission data and reception data are stored are stored.

Tables 6, 7, and 8 show examples of configurations of the transmission data area SDA, the reception data area RDA, and the shared data area CDA in the unit memory 170, respectively.

[0060]

[Table 6]

[0061]

[Table 7]

[0062]

[Table 8]

[0063]

[Table 9]

[0064]

[Table 10]

The monitor information 1 shown in Table 6 is, as shown in Table 9, a bit indicating that the test is being executed at the system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / not setting,
It is composed of a bit indicating a hot code error, a bit indicating an abnormality of the local network (transmission cable 500) (two bits for low layer and high layer), a bit indicating an abnormality in the gaming machine, and the like. Also, the monitor information 2 has a bit indicating an abnormality of the card reader as shown in Table 10.

Further, the operation information is, as shown in Table 11, a bit indicating a stopped state, a bit indicating that a game is being interrupted, a bit indicating a forced termination state by the management device or controller based on communication error or fraud detection, etc. It is composed of a bit indicating that a game is being played, a bit indicating that the gaming machine is in a free state with no player, and the like.

[0067]

[Table 11]

From Table 11 above, the actual state of the pachinko machine is represented by a free state, 0000000000000001 during a game, 0000000000000010 at the time of forced termination reception, 0000000000000100 at the time of interruption, and 0000000000001000 at the time of a stoppage of 00000000000010000.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of the above-mentioned settlement machine 300. The settlement machine 300 of this embodiment includes a card reader 310 for reading the card number of the inserted card CD,
A balance payout device 320 for paying back an amount corresponding to an unpurchased amount left unused for the card, a printer 330 for issuing a receipt in which the number of balls held by the game is printed, and various display devices 340 to 342, and A control unit 350 for controlling the entire settlement machine 300 and the like.

Corresponding to the card reader 310, a card insertion slot 311 on the front panel 301, a ball number display 312 for displaying the number of prize balls (the number of balls held) and an amount display for displaying the unpurchased amount. A vessel 313 is provided. When a player first inserts a card through the card insertion port 311, the card reader 310 reads the card number recorded on the magnetic surface on the back of the card, sends it to the management device 400, and receives data regarding the card. Then, the undisplayed amount of money is displayed on the amount display 313, the number of acquired balls is displayed on the number-of-balls display 312, and the inserted card is printed or punched by the marking device and then the card is stored. It is collected (confiscated) in the tank 314.

This prevents misuse of the settlement card. The configuration of the card reader 310 is the card issuing machine 20.
0 is almost the same as the card writer 220 (see FIG. 4A), the card tank 221 and the card ejecting device 222.
And the recording magnetic head 225 is unnecessary (FIG. 4).
(C)).

The printer 330 pulls out a blank sheet of paper that is stocked in a roll state, prints the date of issue, the number of balls acquired, the unused balance, and the card history on the surface of the blank sheet. It is discharged from 331.

At the same time, money corresponding to the unpurchased amount is paid out from the balance payout device 320. The balance payout device 320 includes a bill tank 321 for stocking bills and a bill outlet 322. Also, at the time of payment, 10
Since a fraction of less than 00 yen is generated, a coin dispensing device 326 including a coin tank 324 that stores coins in units of 100 yen and a coin dispensing outlet 325 is provided.

Further, the front panel 3 of the above-mentioned settlement machine 300.
Reference numeral 01 denotes a settlement-in-progress lamp 341 indicating that the card settlement is in progress, and a settlement-stop lamp 34 indicating that the card settlement is impossible.
2. A card overflow indicator L11 for notifying that the tank 313 is filled with the card inserted from the card insertion slot 311 and the bill tank 32 of the balance dispensing device 320.
Insufficient banknote indicator L12 indicating that the stock banknotes in 1 have run out, coin shortage indicator L13 notifying that the stock coins in coin tank 324 of the coin dispensing device have run out, and roll paper in printer 330 has run out A monitor display lamp group 340 including a paperless display device L14 for displaying is provided. Further, in order to detect each of the above states and light the corresponding indicator, the card tank 314, the bill tank 321, the coin tank 324, and the printer 330 have sensors 361, 362, 363.
364 are provided respectively. Further, the coin dispensing device 326 is provided with a coin withdrawal switch 327.

Further, in the settlement machine 300 of this embodiment,
A machine number setting device 305 is provided inside in order to distinguish each of the plurality of payment machines installed in the amusement store so that the management device 400 can grasp the payment machine that has adjusted a specific card. The unit number set by the setter 305 is sent to the management device 400, and is used for generation of a transmission address at the time of data communication and generation of a data file for each settlement machine. Although not particularly limited,
The same number as the unit number set by the setting device 305
Nameplate 30 attached to the top of the front panel 301 of the checkout machine
6 is displayed.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of the control system of the settlement machine 300 configured as described above. In addition, in the same figure, the lamps shown by reference numerals L11 to L14 are the lamps constituting the monitor display lamp group 340.

In this system, the card sensors 224a and 224b constituting the card reader 310, the reproducing head 227, the marking device 226 and the carrying motor 22 are used.
3 is controlled by a controller 319 composed of a CPU (microcomputer).
9 and various sensors and indicators provided in the settlement machine, bill dispenser 320, coin dispenser 326, printer 330
Is controlled by a unit controller 351 in a control unit 350 which also includes a microcomputer.

The unit controller 351 controls the above-mentioned components, checks the card number, receives the card data, displays the data, and executes the settlement process, collects the operation data, and collects the operation data from the unit including the dual port memory. Write to the transmission data area SDA in the memory 370. The operation data written in the unit memory 370 is sent to the management device by data communication with the management device 400 via the transmission cable by the transmission controller. Also, the data sent from the management device is once written in the reception data area RDA in the unit memory 370, and the unit controller 351 reads the data to receive the data. The unit memory 370 is provided with a shared data area CDA in which a command and status information for notifying the other controller that transmission data and reception data are stored in the memory are stored.

Tables 12, 13, and 14 show examples of configurations of the transmission data area SDA, the reception data area RDA, and the shared data area CDA in the unit memory 370, respectively.

[0080]

[Table 12]

[0081]

[Table 13]

As shown in Table 13, in this embodiment, the history data of the card is also received, and it is printed out on the receipt together with the time data and discharged, so that the settlement data is highly reliable for the player. Can impress. However, the history data is data up to 20 times contained in the card file.

[0083]

[Table 14]

As shown in Table 15, the monitor information 1 shown in Table 12 above indicates a bit indicating that a test is being executed at system startup, a bit indicating initial value setting / non-setting, and a hot code error. Bits, bits indicating an abnormality in the local network (transmission cable 500) (two bits for low layer and high layer), bits indicating an abnormality in the settlement machine, and the like.

[0085]

[Table 15]

Further, as shown in Table 16, the monitor information 2 indicates a bit indicating an abnormality of the printer, a bit indicating an abnormality of the card reader 310, a bit indicating the state inside the coin tank 324, and a coin jam of the coin dispenser 326. A bit indicating, a bit indicating an abnormality of the coin dispenser 326, a bill dispenser 320
Bit indicating the state in the banknote tank of the banknote dispenser 320
It is composed of a bit or the like indicating an abnormality.

[0087]

[Table 16]

Next, the pachinko machine 100, the card issuing machine 200, and the settlement machine 300 configured as described above are centrally controlled, and operation data is collected in real time, so that even if a power failure or a failure occurs, it can be recovered. A management device 400 that immediately restores the original data state and restarts the operation of each part of the system, and that enables the aggregation of data necessary for the management of a game shop will be described.

FIG. 15 shows a concrete configuration of the management device 400, and FIG. 16 shows a system configuration of the management device. The management device 400 has almost the same configuration as an office computer. That is, a control box 401 in which a main memory M-MEM including a central processing unit CPU and a semiconductor memory (RAM), a timer (including a calendar), TMR, a communication control unit SCC, etc. are stored, and an upper part of the control box 401. A floppy disk storage device 402 and a hard disk storage device 403 as auxiliary storage devices, a printer 404 for printing collected data and the like, a CRT display device 405 for displaying messages and collected data, and an operator central processing. Console 40 for giving commands and setting data to the device
The management device 400 is composed of 6 and 6.

The printer 404 has a buffer 404a for temporarily storing the data to be printed in order to improve the throughput of the management device 400. Further, in this management device 400, as a peculiar to the pachinko game system, a card writer 407 that issues a test card as a medium that causes an action from the respective terminals and a "stop" that occurs in the pachinko machine, etc. ,
The auxiliary printer 408 for printing the emergency information generated in the system in real time is the control box 401.
Is provided on the upper part of.

When a power failure occurs, the main memory M-ME
Since the operating data of all terminals volatilely held in M and the data of all issued cards can be transferred to the hard disk storage device 403 for protection, the management device can operate for at least about 10 minutes. Auxiliary power supply device 409 for
It is provided below.

In the present embodiment, a system mainly composed of a pachinko machine, a card issuing machine, a settlement machine and a management device will be described. The present invention, however, shows in-store broadcasting as shown by broken lines X, Y and Z in FIG. Equipment and prize exchange equipment,
It is possible to expand to a system in which vending machines and the like are also under the control of the management device 400. In particular, the prize exchange apparatus may easily apply a method of directly exchanging with a prize by using a card without passing through the settlement machine 300. Furthermore, the console 4 that constitutes the management device 400
06 also has a unique key configuration most suitable for the pachinko game system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows a configuration example of the console 406. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 421 denotes an opening switch for instructing the start of business for each terminal of the system, and 422, a closing switch for instructing the end of business. After the opening switch 421 is turned on, the closing switch 422 is turned on. Until that time, the card can be used in each terminal. Further, 423 is an end switch for storing the operating data of all terminals in the floppy disk storage device 402 after the end of business and for instructing the management device to stop the operation.
Reference numeral 24 is a card recovery switch for instructing recovery processing of a damaged card.

The four switches of the store opening switch 421, the store closing switch 422, the end switch 423, and the card restoration switch 424 are particularly important switches for this system, and are prevented from being easily operated during system operation. Therefore, it is interlocked with the key switch 420 provided at the rear (upper side in the figure), and the switches 421 to 424 cannot be turned on unless the key switch 420 is turned on. Has become.

Numerals 425, 426 and 427 are a numeric keypad, a return key and a delete key, which are of the same kind as those provided on a console of a normal personal computer or the like. On the other hand, 428 is a display menu switch for giving an instruction to display data related to the card, operation data of each terminal, etc. on the screen of the CRT display device 405, and 429 is a CRT.
It is a CRT clear switch for requesting deletion of data displayed on the display device. Further, reference numeral 430 is a print menu switch for giving a command to cause the printer 404 to print data regarding a card, operation data of each terminal, and the like, and reference numeral 431 is a print stop switch for requesting the printer 404 to stop printing.

Reference numeral 432 is a setting switch 433 for requesting the setting of the number of hits, the hit mode, etc. in the pachinko machine.
Is a stop release switch 434 for giving a command to release the stop state of the pachinko machine that has been stopped, that is, in a state where the game cannot be continued after the set number of stop balls are paid out.
Is a forced termination switch 435 for requesting forced termination of a specific terminal or all terminals when normal control or data collection is disabled due to an abnormality in the communication network or when a player's fraud is discovered. Is an end release switch for releasing the stop of the forcibly stopped terminal, and 439 is a date and time setting switch. Further, the console 406 of the embodiment is provided with a buzzer 440 that emits a sound that prompts the operator to be alerted when an emergency situation such as a pachinko machine stop occurs, and a buzzer stop switch 436 that instructs the sounding stop. Has been.

Among the above switches, the switches 421 to 424, 432 to 436 indicated by double frames in the figure are
These are built-in lamp switches, and these switches are turned on to turn on the built-in lamp while the corresponding process is being executed or the state is continuing. However, the buzzer stop switch 43
The lamp in 6 interlocks with the buzzer and is turned on while the buzzer sounds, and is turned off when the stop switch 436 is pressed.

Further, the console 406 of this embodiment has a test card switch 437 on its rear surface for giving a test card issuing command, an exchange rate of purchased balls when the system is introduced, a store code, the total number of terminals, Winning ball 1
A built-in switch 438 for making a setting request of a set value such as the number of prize balls per piece is provided. These switches 437 and 438, unlike other switches,
It is a switch that is rarely used in general, and is a switch that needs to be known by a specific person (manager of a game shop, etc.).

Now, the test card will be described. As is clear from the configuration described above, in the gaming system of this embodiment, all terminals (pachinko machines, card issuing machines, checkout machines) are under the control of the management device, and can be operated by exchanging card numbers, etc. However, the terminal alone cannot operate. However, since pachinko machines are frequently used, ball jams and so-called tulips and other accessories often break down, and it is necessary to adjust nails in the game area in order to adjust the payout rate. In that case, trial striking will be performed after repairs or nail adjustments, but it is very inconvenient to start up the entire system and operate the pachinko machine only with the purchase card. Therefore, in this embodiment, the test switch 171 in the control unit 160 of each pachinko machine described above is turned on, and a special test card issued by the management device is inserted from the card insertion / ejection port 161 of the control unit 160. Then, a certain number of balls are given and the pachinko machine is configured to be able to execute the game operation independently.

The card writer 407 provided in the management device 400 has substantially the same structure as the card writer 220 in the card issuing machine shown in FIG. 4A (see FIG. 4D). However, unlike the card issuing machine, it does not have a blank card inside, but uses a system in which a blank card is inserted from the outside and a predetermined code is recorded, so the card tank 22
I do not have 1 or card ejecting device 222. Further, since the test card and the resurrection card issued by the management device 400 do not necessarily need to specify the date of use, number, etc. like other general cards, the marking device 226
Is also omitted. However, the reproducing head 22 for verifying
7 has.

As described above, the terminal 10 of this embodiment
All of 0, 200, and 300 are under the control of the management device 400, and as a rule, cannot operate independently unless the management device 400 is activated. Therefore, when the system is started up, the management device 400 gives the set values to all the terminals to perform initialization. In addition, prior to this initialization, the unit number is picked up from each terminal to form a transmission address in order to enable data transmission. Then, while the system is operating, the operating data of all terminals are collected in real time to collect the main memory M-ME.
It is designed to be held at M.

As described above, in this embodiment, the management device 400
The amount of data handled by will be enormous. Therefore, in the embodiment, these data are organized by file management to facilitate handling.

Table 17 shows a file configuration example of data managed by the management device 400. These files are usually recorded in the main memory M-MEM, but all files are saved in the hard disk memory 403 in case of power failure. In addition, a data file relating to the terminal, that is, a pachinko machine file (hereinafter referred to as P machine file), an issuing machine file, and a settlement machine file are stored in the floppy disk storage device 402 at the end of business,
It is used for collecting monthly operating data.

[0104]

[Table 17]

Next, each file shown in Table 17 will be described in more detail. The set value file FL1 in the table shows the system characteristics and configuration such as the exchange rate of purchased balls, the store code, the number of terminals, the number of prizes' balls, the number of hits, etc. It is a set value that fluctuates accordingly. This set value file is a hard disk HDD when normal business starts
It is loaded into the main memory M-MEM. The set value file FL1 can be updated from the console by pressing the built-in switch 438 when the pachinko machine is replaced.

Table 18 shows a configuration example of the set value file FL1.

[0107]

[Table 18]

In the table, the purchase ball exchange rate is the number of balls lent per purchase amount unit (for example, 200 yen), that is, the number of balls initially held, and the number of NAUs is a high-layer network and a low-layer network as a data transmission system. It is the total number of network adapter units (communication control devices) provided in the connection part with. In addition, the number of prize balls from a certain pachinko machine to a certain pachinko machine is set in the table indicated by reference numeral i. 2 for each prize ball
The number of prize balls of each type can be set. Moreover, as shown by i = 1 to 16, in this embodiment, all the pachinko machines of the amusement arcade are divided into 16 groups, and two main and sub prize ball numbers can be set separately. ing. However, consecutive machine numbers are given to the pachinko machines having the same set value, and the target range is designated by the head number and the tail number.

Further, the number of hits is set in the table indicated by j, and the hitting mode is set in the table indicated by k. Here, the stop mode refers to a method (calculation formula) for calculating the number of hits, for example, a mode in which the player simply stops when the number of paid-out prize balls reaches the number of hits, or the number of paid-out prize balls. There is a mode that stops when the number of hit balls reaches the number of hits. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, j = 1 to 16 and k = 1 to 16
As shown by, the number of strikes and the strike mode can be set independently for each of 16 groups.

Table 19 shows a configuration example of the file FL2 of the transmission address used for data transmission.

[0111]

[Table 19]

In Table 19, the type flag is a flag for indicating the type of terminal, "1" is a pachinko machine, "2" is a card issuing machine, and "4" is a settlement machine, and
“0” indicates the absence of each terminal. The unit number and serial number are the terminal numbers and serial numbers made excluding "4" and "9", and the unit number is one NAU (network adapter unit) regardless of the type of terminal.
The number and the channel number of each terminal placed under
It is a number that is the address of each terminal viewed from the management device.

The NAU number and the machine number are numbers given by the setting switches (173, 205, 305, 561) as described above, and in the case of pachinko parlors, the numbers given by excluding "4" and "9" are skipped. It is a number. It is understood that not using "4" and "9" here allows octal notation. Therefore, the unit number displayed in decimal notation is expressed only by the numbers 0 to 7 using the conversion table shown in Table 20. According to this, for example, the unit number "258" is written as "247".

[0114]

[Table 20]

When this is expressed in binary code by the binary coded octal method, it becomes "010.100.111". This code indicates "167" in decimal system, and by doing so, the machine numbers of the pachinko machines, etc. from which "4" and "9" have been omitted become consecutive serial numbers. On the other hand, when the lower 6 bits of the above code are taken and regarded as the code "10.0111" expressed in the binary coded decimal system, and expressed by HEXA, it becomes "27H". In this embodiment, this is the unit number. Further, the channel number is "NAU number + unit number" in which the NAU number is added to the head of this unit number. By such a method, in the conventional practice of a pachinko gaming machine that has a serial number that does not use "4" and "9", efficient address processing that matches the characteristics of a microcomputer that processes data using only the binary system. Is possible.

The above files are created for all terminals based on the response data of the unit table request by the management device after the line test.

Table 21 shows an example of the structure of the card file FL3. The card file FL3 contains information for each card.

[0118]

[Table 21]

In the table, the card number is a number obtained from the issuing serial number n by using the function f (n), and the number of balls held and the amount of money and the card status are those of the card specified by the issuing serial number n and the card number. This is information indicating the current state, and is referred to as a card text in this embodiment. Here, the card status is, as shown in Table 22, a bit indicating a free status that is not used in a game, a bit indicating that a game is in progress, a bit indicating that a game is temporarily suspended from the gaming machine, and a settlement machine that has already been set up. A bit indicating that the card has been settled in, a bit indicating that the number of balls held in the card and the remaining balance have become zero, a bit indicating that one or more stoppages have occurred in the past, forced termination It is composed of a bit indicating that it is a card used in a pachinko machine, a bit indicating that it is a revived card, and the like.

[0120]

[Table 22]

On the other hand, returning to Table 21, the card file F
In L3, the location terminal serial number indicating the location of the terminal where the card currently exists and the location terminal number are registered. By convention, pachinko machine game stores do not use the numbers "4" and "9" as machine numbers, so two types of terminal numbers are generated: the back side and the front side.

Further, in Table 21, the i counter indicates the number of times the card has caused an action, that is, the number of times the card has been ejected from the system as an organic combination to the outside. At this time, card information such as table number, number of balls held, amount of money, time, that is, card history is recorded. Statistically, most players play less than 20 pachinko machines per day, so in this embodiment, the card history is recorded up to 20 times. However, when the number of times exceeds 20, the table indicated by i = 20 is recorded in the updated form. In the above case, the i counter does not count the game interruption. That is, each card information is recorded in a new area at the time of interruption, but when the game end switch is turned on after cancellation of interruption, the counter is not updated and the card information is recorded in the same area by overlapping i
The value of the counter is matched with the actual number of games.

Here, the status and action of the card and registration of the card information in the card file FL3 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the card issuing machine 200 issues a card, the card is ejected, and the card shifts from the unissued (blank) state SS0 to the free state SS1. Then, the desired pachinko machine 100
When the card is inserted into, the game state shifts to SS2. Here, when the number of balls and the amount of money of the card become zero by the game, the card is ejected and the state returns to the zero-reset state SS3. Also,
When the interruption switch 115 is pressed during the game, the card is ejected, and the interruption state SS4 is entered, and the same card is re-inserted to return to the gaming state SS2 again.

When the end switch 114 is pressed to end the game during the game, the card is ejected and the free state SS1 is entered. The card is also discharged by the forced termination by the CPU or the occurrence of stopping, and the game state SS2 shifts to the free state SS1. If you take the card in the free state to the settlement machine 300 and perform the settlement process, the card is collected after the invalid mark is attached and the settlement state is SS.
Go to 5. In the system of this embodiment, the suspended state SS4
Settlement machine 3 without returning to the pachinko machine with the card
It is also possible to go to 00 and perform the settlement process. In that case, the suspended state SS4 shifts to the settlement completed state SS5.

In the above state transition diagram, the arrow indicating the transition direction is circled to indicate an action that involves recording card information in the card file FL3. Further, in each block, the code indicated by XXH is a hexadecimal representation (HEXA expression) of the corresponding state using the code indicating the card state in Table 22.

Next, Table 23 shows a configuration example of the P machine file FL4. In the figure, items from the unit number to the card state are the data held in the transmission data area SDA shown in Table 6, and these are sampled by the management device 400 once a second and stored in a file. be registered. Further, the number of main prize balls, the number of sub prize balls, the number of hits, and the hit mode are based on the set value file FL1 shown in Table 18 at the time of system start-up based on the P machine file FL.
Registered in 4.

[0127]

[Table 23]

Issuer file FL is shown in Table 24 and Table 25.
5 and the settlement machine file FL6 are shown respectively. The data items shown in Table 24 are the data held in the transmission data area SDA of the issuing machine shown in Table 1, and Table 25
The items of data shown in (14) correspond to the data held in the transmission data area shown in Table 12, respectively. These are sampled by the management device once per second.

[0129]

[Table 24]

[0130]

[Table 25]

In Tables 23 to 25, data marked with a circle in the save column is data saved in the floppy disk FDD at the end of business.

Next, the card issuing machine 100, the pachinko machine 200, and the checkout machine 30 as the terminals configured as described above.
0 and management device 4 for performing centralized control of those terminals
A data transmission path (local area network) that enables the data transmission and the operation of the card by organically connecting 00 will be described. FIG. 19 shows a configuration example of a pachinko gaming system using a hierarchical data transmission line.

That is, 100 to 1000 terminals are grouped by 20 to 40 in units such as island facilities of a game shop, and the terminals of each group circulate at high speed on a ring-shaped transmission line. Token-passing low-layer network (token bus) 510 in which a node (terminal) that has acquired an access right called a token has the right to send and receive data in the form of packets.
Depending on the network adapter unit (hereinafter NAU
Referred to as) 530.

A plurality of NAUs 530 for controlling each lower layer network (token bus) 510 are CSMs.
It is connected to the management apparatus 400 via an A / CD type high-layer network 520. The lower layer network 51
0 has a transmission rate such as 2.5 Mbps (megabits per second), and the higher layer network 520 is controlled to have a transmission rate such as 10 Mbps, and the NAU 530
Acts as a buffer that absorbs the difference between the transmission rates of the two and enables smooth data transmission, thereby reducing the load on the management device 400 and enabling the collection of a large amount of operating data.

In FIG. 19, reference numeral P is a pachinko machine as a terminal, reference numeral H is a card issuing machine, and reference numeral S is a settlement machine. Each of the terminals P, H, and S is shown in FIGS.
It is connected to the branch line branched from the lower layer network 510 by a cable branch circuit 540 as shown in FIG. At the end of each branch line, the control unit 16 of each terminal
0, 250 and 350 are connected. Reference numeral U in FIG. 19 denotes a control unit of each terminal.

FIG. 20 shows a configuration example of a control unit common to each terminal. That is, a unit memory 170 (270, 370) as a parallel communication means and a unit controller 190 (251, 351) are provided between the unit controller 190 (251, 351) that controls each terminal and the lower layer network 510. Data transmission controller 551 that transmits and receives data without interfering with the operation of the above, and buffer packet memory 5 that holds the transmitted and received data in the form of packets in order to speed up data transmission.
52, and a network controller 553 for communication control that establishes a transmission / reception right in the low-layer network (token bus) 510, converts parallel data to be transmitted into serial data, and converts received serial data into parallel data. A level conversion circuit 554 for converting the level of a transmission / reception data signal, and a cable branch circuit 54 for separating and coupling a transmission signal and a reception signal.
0 and 0 are connected. The controllers 551 and 55
3 is a microcomputer, and the packet memory 552 is a dual port memory like the unit memory 170. However, the packet memory 552 does not have a shared data area in which a command is entered, and transmission / reception requests are exchanged between the data transmission controller 551 and the network controller 553 directly between the controllers.

FIG. 21 shows a circuit configuration example of the NAU (network adapter unit) 530 for buffering data transmission between the low layer network 510 and the high layer network 520. The NAU 530 of this embodiment includes a lower layer network controller 533 that establishes transmission / reception rights and serial / parallel conversion of data in the lower layer network 510, and a higher layer that establishes transmission / reception rights and serial / parallel conversion of data in a CSMA / CD high-layer network. It is provided with a network controller 537 and a data transmission controller 535 that controls data transfer between these network controllers 533 and 537. Of the above controllers, the lower layer network controller 533 is a communication L dedicated for token passing.
The high-layer network controller 537 and the data transmission controller 535 are made of SI and are configured by a general-purpose microcomputer.

Then, these controllers 533 and 5
35 and between 535 and 537, a buffer packet memory 53 for absorbing a difference in data transmission rate between the low layer network 510 and the high layer network 520.
4 and 536 are connected to each other. The packet memories 534 and 536 are composed of dual port memories and have a transmission data area and a reception data area. Further, between the low layer network controller 533 and the low layer network (talk bus) 510,
A branch circuit 531 for separating and combining the transmission signal and the reception signal and a level conversion circuit 532 for converting the level of the transmission / reception data signal are connected. Similarly, the high-layer network controller 537 and the high-layer network 5
20 between the level conversion circuit 538 and the branch circuit 53.
9 is connected.

Further, in the NAU 530 of this embodiment,
NAU number setting device 561 for setting a number for distinguishing a plurality of NAUs connected to each other, and each NAU 53.
The minimum unit number setting device 5 for setting the minimum unit number among the terminals existing on the lower layer network 510 under the control of 0.
62 and a number setting device 563 for setting the number of terminals existing on the lower layer network. The set values of the setters 561 to 563 are input to the data transmission controller 535 in the NAU 530, and the NAU number is used to form the transmission address of each NAU in the higher layer network 520. Further, the transmission address of each terminal in the low-layer network 510 is formed by the minimum unit number and the number of units.

The hierarchical local network 500 described above.
In FIG. 19, when the system starts up, the management device 4
00 performs a line test through each NAU 530 and sets a setting value for each terminal, and the NAU 530 operates from the terminals P, H and S once a second using the lower layer network 510 while the system is operating. Collects data and stores it in its own memory. Then, the accumulated data is also sent to each NAU 5 through the high-layer network 520 once per second in response to a request from the management device 400.
It is stocked in the data file in the management device 400 from 30.

As described above, the communication network is NAU.
530 is used as a buffer, and the upper layer network 520 has a lower transmission rate than the lower layer network 510.
Since it has a transmission rate four times as high as 5 Mbps, even in a system having 100 to 1000 terminals, a large amount of operating data as shown in Tables 1, 6, and 12 is sent from each terminal. It can be collected in the management device once a second. Table 26 shows the types of packets used in the data transmission system, that is, CPU to C
The type of message to the PU is shown.

[0142]

[Table 26]

In the table, the unit means a control unit of each terminal device (pachinko machine, card issuing machine, settlement machine), and for example, the management device 400 indicates to each NAU (network adapter unit) 530 "unit". When the packet of "table request" is transmitted, the NAU receives the packet and sends back the unit number or the like picked up from the terminal under its control to the management device, and the management device knows the transmission address based on this. Form and hold an address file.

In addition, the "card.
The in-packet is the control unit 1 of the pachinko machine 100.
This is a packet for requesting information “card text” regarding the card from the unit side to the management device 400 when the card is inserted into the card 60. Here, the card text is a text containing four pieces of information such as a card number, the number of balls, an amount of money (unused amount), and a card state. The packet "return to zero" is sent from the control unit 160 of the pachinko machine to the management device 40 when the number of balls and the amount of money of the card become zero during a game on a pachinko machine.
It is a packet for transmitting the card text to 0.

On the other hand, in the case of the packet "end of interruption", the player pushes the interruption switch 115 to receive the card, leaves the pachinko machine, and then returns to the pachinko machine in suspension and puts the card in the settlement machine as it is for settlement. If you do
This is a packet in which the management device issues a command for canceling the suspended state of the pachinko machine that is suspended. As a result, the game player can return to the pachinko machine that has been interrupted and perform the settlement without pressing the game end switch 114.

The packets ACK and NAK are sent to the management device 400 and the network adapter unit 5.
A packet that is used between 30 when responding to the other party when a transmission request is received and when responding that it does not respond to the request.
When returning, the requested data such as card text may be added. Further, in this embodiment, a "forced termination request" for giving an operation stop command to each terminal individually or for each type based on the judgment of the management device 400 based on the line test, monitor abnormality, token bus abnormality, etc. Along with the packet, when the control unit side of each terminal judges, for example, that the terminal under its control becomes uncontrollable, it will stop the control and notify the management device of it. An end notification “packet is prepared.

The packet codes 8OH to 8AH shown in Table 26 are represented by hexadecimal numbers.
It goes without saying that the code is an example and is not limited to this.

Next, the format of the packet used in the above data transmission system (local network) will be described by taking "timed data request" and its responses "timed data transmission" and "card-in" as examples.
FIG. 22 shows the structure of the “scheduled data request” packet for pachinko machines (common to other terminals), and FIG. 23 shows N.
The structure of the "ACK" packet which AU transmits the operation data collected from the pachinko machine is shown.

Further, in FIG. 24, "card-in" sent from the control unit 160 of the pachinko machine to the management device 400.
The packet structure is shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, and the acknowledgment packet for the message of the packet is shown in FIG. 27.

Then, in Table 27, the definition of the unique data laid out in the head portion of each packet is listed.

In FIG. 23, the HHD is the packet head used in the higher layer network 520, and the LHD is the lower layer network 510.
Is the packet head used in.

[0152]

[Table 27]

Management device 4 in high-layer network 520
00 and the NAU 530 are transmitted using the packet head HHD, and the lower layer network 510 is used.
Data transmission between the NAU 530 and each terminal in the
This is performed using the packet head LHD.

Data transmission from the management device 400 to each terminal via the NAU 530 is performed using the two packet heads HHD and LHD. In this case, the upper packet head HHD designates the network adapter to which the terminal of the transmission destination belongs, and when a packet is captured therein, the upper packet head HHD is removed, and only the lower packet head LHD is used as a head for the lower layer. The packet is sent out on the network 510, and the packet is transmitted to the designated terminal.

On the other hand, when transmitting data from each terminal to the management device 400, first, the terminal attaches only the packet head LHD for the low layer network to the head of the data and sends it to the low layer network 510. Then, the packet is taken in by the NAU 530, and the packet head LHD is further attached with the packet head HHD for the high-layer network, sent out on the high-layer network 520, and transmitted to the management device 400.

Further, the portion "PADDING" added to the end of each packet in FIGS. 22 to 27 is a dummy data field added to match the length of packet data with a predetermined length. . Further, in the response packet to the “timed data request” shown in FIG. 23, the operation data of all the pachinko machines belonging to one NAU 530 are connected under the upper packet head HHD. The heads and data shown in * 1 are for the first pachinko machine, the heads and data shown in * 2 are for the second pachinko machine, and so on.

The packets shown in FIGS. 22 to 27 are not the whole of the original packet placed on each network but only the main part, and the source address field indicating the transmission source and the transmission destination are also shown. There are a header part including a destination address and the like, and a check code part for error detection. These are automatically generated and added by the control unit of each terminal or the network controllers 553, 533, 537 (see FIGS. 20 and 21) in the network adapter unit.

Next, the operation of the pachinko gaming system by data transmission using each packet shown in Table 26 will be described. 28 and 29 show the flow of the procedure of the initialization of each terminal and the network line test by the management device 400.

When the power of the system is turned on, the management device 400 first sets all the files FL1 in the main storage device.
~ After clearing FL6 to zero, set values such as the number of terminals, the number of prize balls, and the number of hits are read from the hard disk (auxiliary storage device 1) to establish a set value file FL1 as shown in Table 17. , NAU from this setting value file FL1
After reading the number of 530 units and calculating the NAU address, the line test process is performed using this NAU address (S2501 to S2505). That is, using the high-layer network 520, "line test" is performed on each NAU 530.
At the same time as transmitting the packet, the CRT display 405 of the management apparatus displays a message "line test" (S2506, S2507). The "line test" packet is transmitted together with the date and identification code (store number) obtained from the timer together with the packet head.

On the other hand, when the power is turned on, the NAU 530 first reads the set values (NAU number, minimum number, terminal number) from the NAU number setters 561 to 563, calculates the transmission address of each terminal, and creates the unit address table. Create and recognize the transmission address of each unit (terminal) and NAU itself (S2511-12525). The NAU address recognized here based on the setting value from the setting device matches the NAU address recognized from the data of the setting value file FL1 by the management apparatus 400 in step S2504. By recognizing the same address as each other, mutual communication becomes possible.

After that, when the "line test" packet is sent from the management device 400, the NAU 530 confirms the reception of the packet and then sends the "ACK" packet as a response signal. When the communication control device SCC of the management device 400 receives this “ACK”, the corresponding NAU
It is possible to recognize that there is no line anomaly between the line and the line, and all lines are checked by repeating the above procedure (S2507 to S2510) for the number of NAUs, and then the unit table request process S2601 (FIG. 26). Move to.

On the other hand, the control units 160, 2 of each terminal
When the power of the units 50 and 350 is turned on, first, the data transmission controller 551 in the unit causes the unit memory 1
After clearing all the data areas 70, 270, 370, an interrupt command is entered in the shared area to make a start request (S2521 to S2523). Then, the unit controllers 190, 251, 351 of the respective terminals confirm the start request and set values (unit numbers) from the unit number setter.
Is read out, the lower numbers of the serial number and the channel number are calculated, and then written in the transmission data area of the unit memory, and the data transmission controller 551 reads the data to recognize the unit address on the control unit side ( S2524 to S2528). This enables data transmission between the NAU 530 and each terminal using the token bus.

After that, when the NAU 530 transmits to each unit (terminal) a "line test" packet to which the data (date and identification code) already received from the management device 400 is added, the data transmission controller 551 on the unit side. Confirms the reception of the "line test", and then receives the data together with the unit number obtained in step S2528,
NAU with serial number and channel number (lower) added
And the NAU confirms this (S2531-S2).
534). By repeating this for all units, the line test of the lower layer network 510 is completed.

Then, the NAU 530 calculates the transmission address from the received unit number and the like, creates a unit table for the unit (terminal) under its control, and then responds to the unit table request from the management device 400. The processing moves to transmission processing S2604. In this unit table, the result of reception confirmation in step S2531, that is, the monitor information 1 shown in Table 4, Table 9, and Table 15 is also stored. On the other hand, the unit side transmission controller 551 that received the "line test" packet from the NAU 530
Performs "line test" in the command register CR2 of the shared data area in the unit memories 170, 270, 370.
Is written (S2551). The unit controller 190, 251, 351 of each terminal reads this to confirm that the line is normally connected (S2552), and the process proceeds to the initial value setting process S2701.

FIG. 30 shows a procedure for creating a transmission address file in the management device 400. When creating the transmission address file, the management device 400 starts the unit table request processing, and first, the communication control device SCC sets each NA.
A "unit table request" packet (Table 26) is transmitted to U530 (S2602). Then NAU5
30 receives the packet (S2603), and FIG.
"ACK" in the PACKET $ TYPE section as shown in
Next to the head portion HHD containing (= 08H), the NAU number and NAU status (consisting of a token bus error, store opening code received, bit indicating NAU normal, etc.) and the unit table data (for each unit) An "ACK" packet formed by adding unit numbers and type flags, unit numbers, serial numbers, channel numbers and monitor information 1) to the number of units is transmitted (S2604).

When the management device 400 receives this unit table, it creates a transmission address file FL2 as shown in Table 17 and then confirms the reception of the received data from each terminal (S2534) in the line test of FIG. Check the line monitor by looking at the formed monitor information 1 (S26
07), and if there is no abnormality, initial value setting processing (S270
Go to 1). If there is something wrong with the monitor information 1 sent from each terminal, there is a CRT.
An abnormal terminal is displayed on the screen of the display device 405.

32 and 33 show the procedure of initial value setting from the management device 400 to the control units 160, 250 and 350 of each terminal after the line test is completed. When setting the initial value, the central processing unit CPU of the management device 400 first reads the setting value file FL1 created in the processing S2502 of FIG. 25 from the main storage device M-MEM and passes it to the communication control device SCC. In the data part of the "Initial value setting" packet, the initial value such as the date, identification code, exchange rate of purchased balls, number of main prize balls, number of sub prize balls, number of hits, hit mode, and hot code (unit memory) A code for later checking the reliability of the data in the packet, and attaches the high-layer network head part and the low-layer network head part to the head of the packet for transmission (S270).
1, S2702).

Then, the NAU 530 receives the packet, removes the head part for the high-layer network, sends out an "initial value setting" packet on the low-layer network, and sends a response signal "AC" to the high-layer network.
The K ”packet is transmitted (S2703, S2704).
When the management device 400 receives this "ACK", the management device 400 proceeds to S2.
The procedure returns from step 705 to step S2701 again, the transmission destination address is changed, the procedures of steps S2701 to S2705 are repeated, and the initial values are transmitted to the control units of all terminals.

On the other hand, on the low-layer network 510 side, N
The packet transmitted from the AU 530 is received by the designated control unit, and the unit memory (170, 27
0, 370) in the command register CR2, and the received initial value is written in the reception data area (S2711, S2712). Then, the unit controllers 190, 251, 351 read the commands and data in the unit memories 170, 270, 370 to confirm the reception of the initial values, and the date and identification code are provided in the terminal. It is transferred to the existing card reader (including card writer) 180, 220, 310, and the control device on the card reader side stores this (S
2713, S2714).

In addition to the above processing, the management device 40
When the initial value setting switch 432 on the console 406 of No. 0 is turned on and the setting value updating process (S2720) is executed, the setting value is displayed on the screen DSP of the CRT display device 405 and the main memory M -The setting value file FL1 in the MEM is updated, the setting values are read from this file, and new initial values are set according to the above-mentioned procedures S2701 to S2714.

FIG. 34 shows a procedure for periodically collecting operation data from each terminal after the start of business. The transmission controller 551 in the control unit 160, 250, 350 of each terminal confirms, for example, a fixed time every second by an interrupt from its own timer, and confirms the transmission data area SDA in the unit memory 170, 270, 370. It reads the operating data written in and puts it in the "Send timed data" packet and sends it to the low-layer network 51.
0 and send to NAU530 (S2801-S28
03). Upon receiving the scheduled data from each unit, the NAU 530 updates the data table that stores the operating data for each unit formed in its own memory (S2804, S2805). Note that the regular data collected by the NAU 530 is obtained by the unit controllers 190, 251, 351 of the respective terminals collecting the operating data of the terminals in real time, one after another by the unit memory 1.
70, 290 and 370 are written in advance.

On the other hand, also on the management device 400 side, the central processing unit CPU confirms the fixed time every one second by the interruption from its own timer, starts the fixed time data request process, and the communication control unit SCC sends each NAU 530. A "scheduled data request" packet is transmitted to the client (S2811-1).
S2813). Then, the designated NAU 530 receives the packet, and in the "ACK" packet, S280
The data table collected by the procedure of 1 to S2805 is inserted and transmitted (S2814, S2815). The management device 400 receives this and updates the files FL4 to FL6 of the corresponding terminal shown in Tables 23 to 25 (S2816, S).
2817).

35 and 36 show the flow of the store opening process after the initial values are set in each terminal by the management device 400. When the store opening switch 421 on the console 406 of the management device 400 is turned on, the central processing unit CPU confirms that preparation processing such as line test and initial value setting is completed, and then starts store opening processing. Communication control device S
"Opening code" packet is transmitted by CC (S2)
901, S2902). Then, the NAU 530 receives the packet, removes the head part for the high-layer network, sends out an "opening code" packet on the low-layer network, and sends a response "ACK" packet to the high-layer network 520 (S2903, S290).
4).

The management device 400 manages all NAUs 530
When "ACK" is received from the computer, the process shifts to a normal business process, and a normal display is displayed on the screen DSP of the CRT display device 405 such as a message indicating that the business is open, a switch name on the operable console, and a sentence indicating the operation method. (S2905, S2906).

On the other hand, when the data transmission controller 551 of each terminal receives the "opening code" packet transmitted from the NAU 530, each control unit 160, 25
Unit memories 170, 270, 370 in 0, 350
The "store opening code" is written in the command register CR2 of the card reader 180, 22 by reading it by the unit controllers 190, 251 and 351.
0 and 310 are allowed to accept and issue cards, the bill validator 210 of the card issuing machine is set to a bill acceptable state, and the indicators 164 and 24 outside the terminals are provided.
2, 342 is turned on to inform the player that the terminal is in operation (S2911).
~ S2914, S2921 ~ S2924, S2931 ~
S2934).

37 and 38 show the procedure of the closing process by the management device 400 after the end of the business day.
The store closing process is started by turning on the store closing switch 422 on the console 406 on the management device side, but the process is not performed even if the store closing switch is accidentally turned on when there is a pachinko machine in play (in operation). Not started. The procedure of the store closing process is almost the same as that of the store opening process, and the procedure S3 is performed.
001 to S3006 are procedures S in FIGS. 35 and 36.
Corresponding to 2901 to S2906, S3011 to S301
4 to S2911 to S2914, S3021 to S302
4 to S2921 to S2924, and S3031 to S3
034 corresponds to the procedures of S2931 to S2934, respectively. As a result, the lamps 164, 241 and 341 indicating that each terminal is in operation are turned off, and instead the lamps 242 and 342 indicating that operation is stopped are turned on, and
In the card issuing machine 200, the bill validator 210 is in an unacceptable state. In addition, the screen DSP of the CRT display device 405
The closing of business is displayed on the top.

39 and 40 show the procedure from the insertion of the card CD into the pachinko machine 100 to start the game to the start of the game. Card insertion / ejection slot 161 of the control unit 160 on the top of the pachinko machine from the outside
When the card CD is inserted, the card reader 180 reads the information recorded on the magnetic surface of the card, first confirms the date and the identification code (store number), and the date or code matches. If not, the card is discharged as it is, and if the two match, the card number is transferred to the unit controller 190 (S3101). Then, the unit controller 190 receives the card number, writes a command indicating that the card is inserted in the command register CR1 of the unit memory 170, and writes the card number in the transmission data area (S3102, S310).
3). Then, the data transmission controller 551 forms a packet as shown in FIG. 22 in which the data transmission controller 551 has a message "card in" in the head portion and the card number and address (unit number, serial number, channel number) are put in the data portion. The NAU 530 receives and receives it, with the head for the high-rise network at its head and the high-rise network 520
It is transmitted to the above (S3104, S3105).

When the management device 400 receives the card number from the NAU 530, the issue serial number n is calculated from the card number, and the card file FL3 in the main memory M-MEM is calculated.
The data of the corresponding card is read more (S3106,
S3107). If there is no corresponding card number, or the card status in the card data (Table 19)
If it is determined that it is not appropriate to start the game (in the case of a payment card, etc.), a "NAK" packet (see FIG. 24) which is a response refusal signal is transmitted (S
3108, S3111). Then, the NAU 530 receives the packet, removes the head part for the higher layer network and sends it to the lower layer network 510, and the transmission controller 551 of the designated unit receives “NAK” and the command register in the unit memory 170. CR2
Write a command indicating that the response was rejected to (S
3112-S3114). The unit controller 190 reads this and confirms that the response is rejected.
The card is ejected from 80 (S3115, S311)
6).

On the other hand, in the processing of S3108, when the card is confirmed to be proper, the card file FL3 and the P machine file FL4 (Table 21 and Table 23) are updated, that is, the card state is changed from "free state" to "game". After updating to "Medium" and writing the unit number and card number of the terminal (pachinko machine) where the card is located in the corresponding table,
An "ACK" packet which is a response signal is transmitted with a card text (amount, number of balls, etc.) attached (S3121, S31).
22).

When the designated NAU 530 receives this packet, it removes the head portion for the higher layer network and sends it to the lower layer network 510, and the designated control unit 190 receives it. Then, the message "card in" is put in the command register CR2 in the unit memory, and the card text is put in the reception data area (S3123 to S3125).

When the unit controller 190 reads the message in the unit memory 170 and confirms that there is a response, the card is held in the card reader 180 and the transmission data area SDA in the unit memory 170 is stored. The operation information is changed to "playing", and the number of balls held and the amount of money of the card are displayed on the ball display 163 and the amount display 162, and when the amount is not zero, the purchase possible display lamp 113a is turned on. The purchase possible state is displayed (S3126, S3127).

41 and 42 show the procedure of processing when the interruption switch 115 (see FIG. 6) of the pachinko machine 100 is turned on during the game. Interrupt switch 115
When is pressed, the unit controller 190 changes the card status of the card text in the transmission data area of the unit memory 170 to "suspended", and "interrupt switch on" is set in the command register CR1 of the shared data area. Message is written (S3201, S
3202). Then, the data transmission controller 551 reads this, puts the card text in the "interruption switch" packet, and transmits it to the NAU 530 (S320).
3). Upon receiving the packet, the NAU 530 attaches the head for the high-layer network to the head and sends the card text to the management device 400 (S3204).

When the management device 400 receives it, it calculates the issue serial number n from the card number in the card text using the function f (n), and stores it in the corresponding card of the card file FL3 in the main memory M-MEM. The data is updated (S3205 to S3207). Then, as a response signal, the card text is added to the "ACK" packet and transmitted, and the NAU 530 receives this and removes the high-layer network head and sends it out onto the low-layer network 510 (S3208, S3209).

Then, the control unit 160 of the transmission destination receives the "ACK" packet and receives the unit memory 170.
A message "interruption switch" is put in the command register CR2 inside and the card text is written in the reception data area (S3210, S3211). As a result, the unit controller 190 confirms the reception, ejects the card from the card reader 180, and changes the operation information in the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory to "suspended" (S3212 to S3214). Further, the lamp 113a in the purchase switch 113 provided in the pachinko machine 100 is turned off and the lamp 115a in the interruption switch 115 is turned on.

Next, FIG. 43 and FIG. 44 show the procedure of processing when the card CD is inserted into the pachinko machine 100 which is being interrupted. The procedure in this case is almost the same as the procedure in the card-in shown in FIGS. 39 and 40. That is, the processing S3301 to S3308 for notifying that the card has been inserted from the pachinko machine to the management device 400 corresponds to the processing S3101 to S3108 of FIG. 39 and FIG.
To S3327 are processing S3121 of FIGS. 39 and 40.
~ S3127, and the transmission processing S3311 to S3316 of "NAK" which is a negative response correspond to the processing S3111 to S3116 of Fig. 39 and Fig. 40, respectively.

The difference is that a "suspended card-in" packet is used instead of a "card-in" packet as a transmission packet, and that a card reader is immediately used when the card number at the time the card is inserted is different from that before interruption. 180
More points are that the card is ejected (S3302 → S3316) and that the P device file FL4 is not updated on the management device 400 side. This is because the P machine file is already updated when the card is first inserted. In addition, the card file FL3 updates the card state from "in suspension" to "in game". Also, the number of balls
Instead of displaying the amount of money, the interruption display lamp 115a is turned off.

The processing procedure (not shown) when the end switch 114 is turned on during the game is exactly the same as the processing procedure when the interruption switch is turned on shown in FIGS. 41 and 42. The difference is that the unit controller 190
Change of card status (S3201) and change of operation information (S3214) become "free" instead of "interruption", "end switch" packet is used for transmitting card text, and interruption indicator lamp is lit The only difference is that the number of balls held and the amount displayed will be zero.

45 and 46 show the procedure of processing when both the number of balls held and the unpurchased amount become zero during the game (referred to as zero return). The processing in this case is as shown in FIG.
And the procedure for the interruption switch-on shown in FIG. 42 is almost the same. That is, since the processing factor occurs on the pachinko machine 100 side, the management device 40 manages it.
The processing S3403 to S3406 of notifying 0 corresponds to the processing S3203 to S3206 of FIG. 41 and FIG. 42, and the processing S3407 to S3413 of file update and response “ACK” in the management apparatus are shown in FIGS.
Corresponding to the processing S3207 to S3214. The difference is that the unit controller 190
When it is determined that “zero return” is stored in the unit memory 170.
Message is inserted (S3401, S3402), and a "return to zero" packet is used for transmission, and the card is marked invalid after ACK confirmation to be ejected (S3412, S3413), and transmission data area SDA is set. The operating information is set to "free" instead of "suspended", and the number of balls held and the amount displayed are set to zero instead of turning on the lamp 115a during suspension.

FIGS. 47 and 48 show the processing when the unit controller 190 determines that the number of discharged prize balls or the like has reached the number of hits according to the initially set hitting mode during the game and is in the hitting state. Here are the steps: The processing in this case is almost the same as the procedure of the zero-reset processing of FIGS.

That is, the processes S3503 to S3506 for notifying the management device 400 of the fact that a processing factor has occurred on the pachinko machine 100 side are shown in FIGS. 45 and 46.
Corresponding to the processes S3403 to S3406 of step S3403, the file update and the response "ACK" transmission process S3 in the management apparatus.
507 to S3513 are processing S3 of FIG. 45 and FIG.
407 to S3414. The difference is that when the unit controller 190 determines that a stop has occurred, a message "stop" is put in the unit memory 170 (S3501, S3502), and a "stop" packet is used for transmission. After confirming the ACK, the operation information in the transmission data area SDA of the unit memory is set to “stop” instead of “free”, and the purchaseable lamp 11
3A is turned off to clear the display of the number of balls held and the amount of money to zero, and the analog display 164 is stopped (flashes).

In addition, the card reader 180 disables the acceptance of the next card after the card is ejected (S3521).
At the same time, the CRT display device 405 is caused to display the interruption message of the stop table, and the stop information is printed by the printer 408 (S3531, S3532). Further, similar to the update of the card file FL3, the fact that the state of the pachinko machine has changed to "stop" is registered in the P machine file FL4 (S3507).

49 and 50 show the procedure of the cancellation processing based on the cancellation command from the console 406 of the management apparatus 400.

Stop release switch 4 on console 406
When 33 is turned on, the screen DS of the CRT display device 405 is displayed.
A list of stopping platforms is displayed on P, and the operator inputs the platform number of the pachinko machine that the operator wants to cancel using the numeric keypad 425 on the console 406 while looking at it.
The CPU receives the command and the communication control device SCC
A "cancel cancellation" packet is transmitted (S3601 to S36).
05). In this packet, a serial number and a channel number are put together with the unit number and sent. Then, the specified NAU
530 receives the packet, removes the head part for the high-layer network and sends it out to the low-layer network 510, and the data transmission controller 551 of the control unit 160 which has received the packet “types it in the command register CR2 in the unit memory 170. A "stop cancellation" message is written (S3606 to S3608). Then, the unit controller 190 of the pachinko machine reads this and confirms that the stop cancellation command has been input, clears the stop calculation register in the transmission data area in the unit memory to zero, and Change the pachinko machine operation information of "free" and add the card reader 180
Command to permit the acceptance of the card, and scroll the analog display 164 (S
3609-S3612).

On the other hand, N which received the "cancel release" packet
The AU 530 sends the response packet “ACK” to the management device 40.
When it is transmitted to the server 0, and the management device transmits it, the operation information in the P machine file FL4 is changed to "free state" (S3621 to S3623).

51 and 52 show a processing procedure for forcibly terminating the terminal from the management device 400 side. Although the business of the amusement store ends when the store is closed, in the past, the business end notification was given by in-store broadcasting and staff. However, there is a player who buys a ball at the end of the game, or a player in the pachinko machine 100 who is in a good condition of playing a ball does not easily stop the game, and it is difficult to end the business on time. there were.

In this embodiment, if the forced termination switch 434 on the console 406 is operated and the type is selected, the operation can be stopped for each type of terminal. Therefore, first, about 30 minutes before the store is closed, the card issuing machine 200 is operated. To stop the operation of all pachinko machines at the closing time and stop the operation of the settlement machine 300 after the last player finishes the settlement, thereby smoothly closing the business. You can

In this case, when the forced termination switch 434 is turned on, the forced termination menu is displayed on the screen DSP of the CRT display device 405 (S3701). The type of terminal to be terminated according to this menu
When the selection is made by (designate end of all units), a display prompting the input of the forced termination unit number is displayed (S3702). In this embodiment, all terminals can be simultaneously terminated for each terminal type (pachinko machine, card issuing machine, settlement machine), and if batch termination for each type is specified from the console, The type forced termination process is started, and the “forced termination request (type)” packet shown in Table 25 is transmitted to the high-layer network 520 (S3703, S37).
04).

When the NAU 530 receives this packet, it removes the high-layer network head and sends a "forced termination request" packet to all corresponding terminals of the same type, and sends a response signal "ACK" to the management device 400. ", And the management device receives this and confirms the response (S37).
05-S3708).

On the other hand, the control unit 16 of each terminal receiving the "forced termination request" packet from the NAU 530
0, 250, 350 are unit memories 170, 27
The received messages are written in the command registers CR2 of 0 and 370, respectively, and the unit controller 19
0, 251, 351 read this, and shift to forced termination operation (S3711-S3713, S3721-).
S3723, S3731 to S3733).

As a result, in the pachinko machine 100, the analog display 164 is turned off, and the "end switch" packet is transmitted during the game and during the interruption to pass the card information to the management device 400, and then the card reader. The card in 180 is ejected, and thereafter the card cannot be accepted (S3714 to S3716).

On the other hand, in the card issuing machine 200, issuing of a new card by the card writer 220 is disabled (S
3724), the acceptance of the bill by the bill validator 210 is rejected, and the issuance stop lamp 242 is turned on.

In the settlement machine 300, the card reader 3
Disable card acceptance by 10 (S3734)
At the same time, the payment stop lamp 342 is turned on. In the system of this embodiment, the forced termination can be performed individually for each terminal, and the process S37 in FIG. 51 is performed.
When the user sees the CRT screen displayed in 02 and designates the unit number with the ten-key pad 425, the unit number is added to the "forced termination request (individual)" packet shown in Table 26 according to the same processing as the processing from S3703. In the terminal which is transmitted to the designated terminal and received, the same processing as described above (S3711 to S3716, S3721 to S3) is performed.
724, S3731 to S3734) are executed.

Furthermore, in the transmission system of this embodiment,
There are also two types of packets, “forcible termination cancellation”, for transmitting a command for canceling the operation stop of the terminal device which is forcibly terminated from the management device 400 side.

53 and 54 show the procedure for canceling the forced termination state for each type. The procedure in this case is almost the same as the procedure in the case of the forced termination request shown in FIGS. That is, a process of inputting a command for canceling forced termination from the console 406 while looking at the CRT display device 405 of the management device 400, and a process of transmitting a packet from the management device 400 to the NAU 530 and receiving a response "ACK" thereof S38.
01 to S3808 are processing S3701 to S37 of FIG.
08, the control units 160, 250,
At 350, "forced termination cancellation" from NAU 530
The process of receiving a packet, transmitting it from the data transmission controller 551 to the unit controllers 190, 251, 361, confirming it, and starting the corresponding operation S3811 to S3813, S3821 to S3823, and S3831 to S3833 is as shown in FIG. Processing S3711-S36613, S3721-S3723
And S3731 to S3733, respectively.

The different points are that "forced termination release" is used instead of "forced termination request" as a transmission packet, and the operation of each terminal is reversed. That is, in the pachinko machine, the card reader 1
The card acceptance by 80 is enabled (S3814), and the analog display 164 is scrolled (the lamp to be turned on is moved) to display a so-called customer waiting state. Further, in the card issuing machine 200, the bill validator 210 can accept the purchased bills and the issuing lamp 2
41 is turned on. Furthermore, in the settlement machine 300,
The card reader 310 can accept the card (S3834), and the settlement lamp 341 is turned on. Process to release termination of each terminal individually (not shown)
Is individually performed by a procedure substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 53 and 54.

55 and 56, a pachinko machine 100 is shown.
The procedure of the game end process when the game end switch 114 is pressed in is shown. When the game end switch 114 provided at the bottom of the pachinko machine 100 is pressed, the unit controller 190 detects this and rewrites the card state of the card text in the unit memory 170 from "in game" to "free", Unit memory 1
A message indicating that the end switch has been turned on is written in the command register CR1 in 70 (S3901,
S3902). Then, the data transmission controller 551
Reads this, puts the card text in the "end switch" packet, and sends N through the lower network 510.
It is transmitted to the AU 530 (S3903). NAU530
When the packet is received, the head for the high-layer network is attached to the head, and the card text is sent to the management device 400 (S3904). After that, the processing procedure when the interruption switch 115 of the pachinko machine 100 is turned on (see FIG. 41).
42) and "ACK" is returned to the control unit 160 according to the same procedure as in S3205 to S3212 in FIG.
(S3905 to S3912), the card is ejected from the card reader 180 (S3913), and the unit memory 170
The operating information about the pachinko machines inside is changed to "free state (waiting for customers)". In addition, the display of the number-of-balls indicator 163 and the amount display 162 are cleared to "0", and the lamp 113a in the purchase switch showing that the purchase is possible.
Is turned off.

On the other hand, in the system of this embodiment, the game is interrupted by the above-mentioned interruption processing (see FIG. 41 and FIG. 42), and the pachinko machine 100 in interruption, which refuses to accept other cards, interrupts the interruption. When the card released from the machine is inserted into the settlement machine 300 and the settlement process is performed, the interruption is released by a command from the management device 400.

57 and 58 show the processing procedure in that case. When the card is inserted into the checkout machine, the checkout machine 300
The settlement process (see FIG. 42) is executed by the data transmission between the management device 400 and the management device 40, and the end of the settlement process is performed by the management device 40.
When 0 is confirmed, the "interruption end" packet is transmitted to the corresponding pachinko machine 100 in suspension based on the card information (S4001, S4002). This packet is once received by the NAU 530, and is sent to the control unit 160 of the corresponding pachinko machine 100 after the head for the high-layer network is removed (S4003). When the data transmission controller 551 receives this packet, the command register CR2 in the unit memory 170 is received.
When the unit controller 190 reads the message and confirms it, the card reader 180 can accept the card, and the operation information regarding the pachinko machine in the unit memory 170 is “suspended”. From "to" free state "(S4011 to S4015). Also, while clearing the display of the number-of-balls indicator 163 and the amount display 162 on the front of the pachinko machine to "0", the lamp 115a indicating the interruption is turned off, the analog display 164 is scrolled, and the customer wait state is set. .

On the other hand, the NAU 530 transmits an "ACK" packet which is a response signal at the time of receiving the "interruption end" packet from the management apparatus 400, and when the management apparatus 400 receives this, the operation information in the P machine file FL4. Is changed from “suspended” to “free state” (S4021 to S4
023).

59 and 60, the card issuing machine 20 is shown.
The processing procedure from the insertion of the banknote to 0 to the issuance of the card CD is shown. When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 211 of the issuing machine 200, the bill validator 210 identifies the bill and informs the unit controller 251 that the lamps L1 to L5 in the purchase selection switch are lit to display a message prompting selection. While performing, the amount of money input is displayed on the amount display 213.
Is displayed on the screen (S4101). Then, when one of the purchase selection switches 212 is turned on and the purchase amount is designated, the unit controller 251 confirms the amount and purchases the command register CR1 in the unit memory 270.
Write the message "Purchase card" in the box, and write the purchase amount and the issue / receipt number of the card in the transmission data area (S
4102, S4103). Issuance acceptance number is issuing machine 2
Every 00 is given as a number indicating the order of acceptance.

Next, the data transmission controller 551 reads this and forms a "card purchase" packet, puts the purchase amount and the issue acceptance number in the packet, and sends it to the NAU 530, and the NAU 530 attaches the high-layer network head to it. Transmit to management device 400 (S4104, S41
05). When the management device 400 receives this "card purchase" packet, it determines the card issuing serial number n, calculates the card number from this issuing serial number n using, for example, a function f (n), and purchases based on this. A card file FL3 (see Table 18) including a card text such as the amount of money, an initial value, and a card history field is created, and an "ACK" packet including the card text, the issue acceptance number, and the check code is transmitted (S4106 to S410).
9).

This “ACK” packet is once NAU 53
0, the high-layer network head is removed and sent to the low-layer network 510, and is received by the data transmission controller 551 of the designated issuing machine 200 (S4110, S4111). Then, the transmission controller 551 writes the "card purchase" message in the command register CR2 of the unit memory 270, and the issue receipt number and the card text in the reception data area (S4112). Then, when the unit controller 251 confirms the returned issue acceptance number, the card writer 220 issues a card in which the purchase amount and the like are printed on the front surface and the card number is recorded on the magnetic surface, and the card is ejected ( S4113 to S4115).
At this time, if there is change, the balance is dispensed by the balance dispenser 230 and the lamp L in the purchase selection switch is used.
1 to L5 are turned off, and the display of the amount display 213 is "0"
Will be cleared.

As described above, when issuing a card, the issue acceptance number is sent from the issue machine 200 to the management apparatus 400, and it is sent back to the issue machine and the card is issued again. It is possible to prevent double issuance.

61 and 62 show the procedure of card settlement processing in the settlement machine 300. When the card CD is inserted into the card reader 310 of the settlement machine 300, the information recorded on the magnetic surface of the card is read, the date and identification code are confirmed, and if they match, the card number is sent to the unit controller 351. It is transferred (S4201). The unit controller 351 writes the message “card settlement” in the command register CR1 in the unit memory 370 and the card number in the transmission data (S420).
2, S4203). Then, the data transmission controller 5
51 reads it, forms a "card checkout request" packet, inserts the card number, and the lower network 510
It is transmitted upward (S4204). Then, the NAU 530 receives it, attaches the high-layer network head to the head of the packet, and transmits it to the management device 400 (S4505).
When the management device 400 receives the packet, the issuing serial number (n) is calculated from the card number by using an inverse function, the card file FL3 is searched based on the issued serial number (n), and the corresponding card text (card information) is read, The state is confirmed (S4206 to S4208). If the card status is not appropriate, for example, if the payment has already been completed or if the payment is zero (both the number of balls and the amount of money are zero), a “NAK” packet indicating the payment refusal is formed and transmitted. (S4211). Then, the NAU 530 receives it, removes the high-layer network head, and transmits it to the control unit 250 of the requesting settlement machine 300 (S421).
2). Then, the data transmission controller 551 receives it, writes a “response refusal” message in the command register CR2 in the unit memory 270, the unit controller 251 reads and confirms it, and ejects the card from the card reader 220 ( S4213 ~ S
2416).

On the other hand, the management device 400 causes the above processing S420.
When it is determined that the card status is appropriate in step 8, an "ACK" packet which is a response signal is formed, and the adjustment data (number of balls held and unused amount) read from the card file, card history, and payment acceptance The NAU 530 removes the high-layer network head from the packet and transmits it to the control unit 350 (S4221, S4222). Then, the data transmission controller 551 receives it and receives the unit memory 370.
Write the “card settlement” message in the command register CR2 inside and the received data such as settlement data in the reception data area RDA, confirm that the unit controller 351 has read it and received a positive response, and display the number of balls. In addition to displaying the number of balls (including winning balls) on the device 312 and the unused amount on the amount display 313, issuing a receipt (prize exchange ticket) on which details such as settlement data are printed by the printer 330 The unused balance is discharged from the bill dispenser 320 and the coin dispenser 326 (S4223 to S4225). With this,
The unit controller 351 prints an invalidation indication on the card inserted in the card reader 310, confiscates it as a settlement-completed card in the card tank 314, and sends a message indicating “completion of settlement” to the command register CR1 of the unit memory 370. The card text is written in the transmission data area (S4226, S4227). Then, the data transmission controller 551 reads this and forms and sends a “payment completion” packet, and the NAU 530 attaches the high-layer network head to the head of the packet and sends it to the management device 400 (S4228, S4229). The management device 400 that has received the “payment completed” packet back-calculates the issued serial number n again from the card number in the packet, and based on that, changes the status of the corresponding card in the card file FL3 to “paid”, After the card history is updated, when the suspended card is settled, the suspension end processing S4001 of the pachinko machine 100 shown in FIGS. 57 and 58.
~ NA of "ACK" packet after executing S4023
Send to U530 (S4230 to S423)
4).

As described above, the settlement data is sent from the management device 00 in response to the card settlement request from the settlement machine 300,
When the settlement is completed, the management device is notified again when the settlement is completed, and the first thing that is processed is the settlement at that time, so even if an accident such as a power failure occurs during the settlement at the settlement machine, the settlement will be performed. Data is F of card file
It is maintained during L3, and it will be possible to continue the settlement process immediately after the power failure is restored. As a result, the reliability of the system is improved without the possibility of giving a disadvantage to the player. Moreover, in the above embodiment, since the history data is also printed on the settlement receipt (prize voucher), the credibility of the printed settlement data (the number of balls held) is high, and the reliability of the system is enhanced. Will be available.

63 and 64, the control unit 160, 250, or 350 judges that a trouble such as a case where control by the unit controller is disabled on the terminal side or a bus abnormality is detected occurs. The procedure of the process for forcibly ending the operation of the terminal is shown.

In this case, the control unit 16 of each terminal
Unit controller 19 of 0, 250 or 350
When 0, 251 or 351 determines that the forced termination factor has occurred (S4301, S4311, S4321), the card reader 180, 220, 310 disables the acceptance or issuance of the card (S4302, S43).
12, S4322), when the pachinko machine 100 is playing a game, the card reader 180 ejects the card (S4303), and the analog display lamp 164 is turned off. In the issuing machine 200, the bill validator 210 cannot accept bills, and the issuance stop lamp 242 is turned on. Further, in the settlement machine 300, the settlement stop lamp 342 is turned on. And the unit memories 170 and 2
70, 370, the message "Forced end notification" is written in the command register CR1 and the forced end bit of the operation information (see Table 11) in the transmission data area is set to "1", and the monitor information 1 or 2 (Table 9 and refer to Table 10), "1" is set to the bit corresponding to the cause of the abnormality occurrence (S4304, S4314, S4324). Then,
The data transmission controller 551 reads it,
A "forced termination notice" packet is formed, and the operation information and the monitor information 1 and 2 in the unit memory are put in the packet and transmitted (S4305, S4315, S4325). NAU53
0 receives the packet, attaches the high-layer network head to the head of the packet, and sends the packet to the management device 400.
When 0 receives this and confirms the "forced termination notice", C
After displaying the interrupt message on the screen of the RT display device 405 and printing the details by the printer 404, a response “ACK” packet is transmitted to the NAU (S4331 to S4337).

As described above, in the system of the embodiment, since the management apparatus 400 side can forcefully terminate each terminal, each terminal can stop its operation at its own discretion. The system becomes more flexible, and since the operation information and the monitor information are added to the forced termination notification and transmitted, the cause can be easily grasped on the management device side.

65 and 66, whether the hot code in the operation data of the terminal collected by the scheduled data collection agrees with the value initially set or not
When an abnormality in the data on the unit side is found by checking, the operating data in the control unit of each terminal is discarded, and instead, the data just before the abnormality occurrence registered in the file of the management device 400 is registered. Is sent to the terminal to recover the unit data, the procedure of the data recovery process is shown.

In this case, when the CPU of the management device 400 detects an abnormality of a unit (terminal), the file related to the unit is set as the P machine file FL4, the issuing machine file FL5 or the settlement machine file in the main memory M-MEM. The unit data is read out from the FL 6 to form a “unit recovery data” packet, and the operation data read out from the file and the set value data (hereinafter referred to as recovery data) such as the date, the identification code, etc. are inserted therein and transmitted (S4401). , S44
02).

Then, the designated NAU 530 sends it, removes the high-layer network head and sends it out to the low-layer network 510, and the data transmission controller 551 of the corresponding terminal receives the packet, and the unit memory 170, The message "unit restoration data" is written in the command register CR2 in the 270 or 370, and the restoration data is written in the reception data area RDA (S4403 to S4405). The unit controller 190, 251 or 351 reads it, stops the operation of the terminal, and gives the date and identification code to the card readers 180, 220, 310 to store them (S4406 to S4408). In the pachinko machine, the card may be ejected from the card reader during the game when the operation stop command is executed.

After that, the unit controllers 190, 2
51 or 351 is the unit memory 170, 270,
A "unit recovery data" message is written in the command register CR1 in the 370, and operating data of the received recovery data is written in the transmission data area SAD, and the data transmission controller 551 reads it and "ACK".
A packet is formed, and the operating data is put in the packet and transmitted (S4409, S4410). Then, the NAU 530 that receives the packet sends it with the head for the high-layer network attached to the head, and when the management device 400 receives it, the P machine file FL4, the issuing machine file FL5, or the settlement machine file FL6 is calculated from the machine number in the operation data. To read the operation data of the corresponding terminal and compare it with the received operation data (S4411 to S443).

As a result, if the contents match, the process moves to restart processing S4501 (see FIGS. 67 and 68).

This "unit recovery data" packet is also used for data recovery to all terminals when the operating data of all terminals are destroyed due to a power failure or by accidentally turning off the power switch. Using the above process S
This is performed by repeating steps 4401 to S4413 for each unit. In this case, the CPU of the management device 400 remembers that a power failure has occurred by a flag or the like, and automatically recovers data for all units after the power is turned on according to a program.

Next, the procedure of the restart processing for instructing the unit to restart the operation after the data recovery processing of the unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 67 and 68. The restart process can be performed for each terminal individually or for each type of terminal (pachinko machine, issuing machine, settlement machine).

67 and 68 show the procedure of the restart process of each type. Data recovery processing S440 of the unit shown in FIGS. 65 and 66.
When 1 to S4413 are completed, the CPU of the management device 400
Starts the restart processing program, first forms a "type restart" packet and transmits it to the corresponding NAU 530 (S4501, S4502). In this case, when the target unit is straddling the lower layer network 510 under the different NAU 530, all the corresponding N
Send the same packet to the AU. Upon receiving this packet, the NAU 530 removes the high-layer network head, transmits the packet to the corresponding unit, and transmits a response “ACK” packet to the management device 400 (S4503 to S4506).

On the other hand, the control unit 160, 250 or 350 which has received the packet transmitted from the NAU 530.
Then, the data transfer controller 551 causes the command register CR2 in the unit memories 170, 270, and 370.
Write a message of "type restart" to (S4
511, S4512, S4521, S4522). Then, the unit controller 190, 251 or 351 in the restart waiting state reads and confirms it and restarts the operation (S4513, S4514, S45).
23, S4524). At this time, in the pachinko machine 100 and the settlement machine 300, the card readers 220 and 310 are read again with the information recorded on the card (S4).
515), and the operation is restarted after receiving the card number from the card reader.

The process (not shown) for individually restarting the unit (terminal) that has been subjected to the data restoration process is as follows:
This is almost the same as the processing shown in FIGS. 67 and 68. The only difference is that an "individual restart" packet is used as a packet transmitted from the management device 400, and a message is transmitted individually to one target unit.

FIG. 69 and FIG. 70 show a procedure of monitor abnormality processing for notifying the management device 400 when an abnormality is detected by monitoring signals of various switches and sensors on the terminal side. ing. When the unit controller 190, 251 or 351 of the terminal monitors signals such as switches and sensors or monitor information from the card readers 180, 220 and 310 and detects an abnormality thereof, a command register in the unit memory 170, 270 or 370. A message “monitor abnormality” is written in CR1, and monitor information 1 and 2 and operation information are written in the transmission data area (S4601, S4602). Then, the data transmission controller 551 reads this, forms a "monitor abnormality" packet, and sends the monitor information 1 and 2 and operation information in the packet, and the NAU 530 receives the packet and the high-level layer at its head. A network head is attached and sent to the management device 400 (S4603, S4604). When the management device 400 receives the "monitor error" packet and confirms it, it displays the interrupt message and the unit number of the unit on the screen of the CRT display 405, and the printer 4
Print a statement describing the details of the abnormality with 04 (S
4605-S4608). Along with this, the management device 40
0 updates the monitor information 1 and 2 and the operation information of the data of the corresponding file in the P machine file FL4, the issuing machine file FL5, or the settlement machine file FL6, and responds to the NAU 530 that sent the packet with " AC
The K ”packet is transmitted (S4609 to S4611).

With the above-mentioned "monitor abnormality" packet, the management device 400 can always know the state of each terminal during system operation.

71 and 72, there is an abnormality such as disconnection in the lower layer network 510 (token bus).
The procedure of the process when the NAU 530 and the data transmission controller 551 of each terminal detect that the communication between the AU 530 and each unit is disabled is shown.

In this case, when the NAU 530 detects an abnormality in the token bus, it forms a "token bus abnormality" packet, attaches a high-layer network head to it, and the data section includes operation information and monitor information 1 relating to a unit having a communication abnormality. , 2 and the unit number are transmitted to the management device 400 (S4701, S4702). Then, the management device 400 receives this packet, confirms the abnormality of the token bus, displays the interrupt message and the terminal number of the abnormal terminal on the screen of the CRT display device 405, and the printer 40
Print the statement describing the details of the abnormality in step 4 (S4
703-S4706). Along with this, the management device 400
Update the monitor information 1 and 2 and the operation information in the data of the corresponding file in the P machine file FL4, the issuing machine file FL5 or the settlement machine file FL6, and respond to the NAU 530 that sent the packet with a response “ACK ”
The packet is transmitted (S4707 to S4709).

On the other hand, the data transmission controller 551 on the terminal side, which has detected the abnormality of the token bus, transmits the command register C in the unit memory 170, 270 or 370.
Put the above-mentioned "individual forced termination request" message in R2, and enter the unit controller 190, 251 or 351.
To stop the operation of the terminal (S4711-S4713).

As described above, the data transmission system of this embodiment has a hierarchical structure of the high layer network 520 and the low layer network 510, and the low layer network is controlled by the dedicated NAU 530. Even in a system in which 1000 terminals are connected, the burden on the management device 400 does not increase so much, and moreover, a large amount of data can be transmitted at high speed.
For example, once a second, the operation data of each terminal can be collected with a sufficient margin.

Also, by preparing a large number of communication packets suitable for the pachinko gaming system and exchanging messages and data with the management device 400, the terminal device can be operated, and the terminal device alone can perform any effective operation. Since it constitutes an organic combination that cannot be executed, for example, even if one person obtains only one terminal and uses it to make a fraud (copying a card), no benefit can be obtained. For this reason, the intervention of fraud is not allowed at all, and the operation data is collected every second so that the management device 400 can back it up. Data can be restored, the system can be started up, and a highly reliable system can be obtained.

The processing of individual packets used for data transmission in the gaming system shown in FIG. 19 has been described above. Next, a flow of operation of the entire system from the opening of the store to the closing of the store when operating the system using the above-mentioned various packets will be described for each terminal.

73 and 74, the card issuing machine 2 is shown.
00 and the management apparatus 400, and FIG. 75 shows the flow of the card issuing operation in the card issuing machine 200.

As shown in FIG. 73, when the power of the system is turned on, the management unit 400, the NAU 530, the control unit 250 of the issuing machine, and the various registers, flags, counters, etc. in the controller 228 of the card writer 220 are initialized ( (See FIG. 25) is executed (S40).
1, S501, S201, S601). Then, the "line test" packet is transmitted from the management device 400, and N
It is transmitted to the control unit 250 via the AU 530 (S402, S502, S202). Then, the control unit 250 transmits its own unit number, serial number, and channel number together with the received data, and the NAU 530 receives this and creates a unit table (S503, S20).
3). On the other hand, the management device 400 transmits a “unit table request” packet, and when the NAU 530 receives this packet, it transmits the created unit table to the management device 4
00 (S403, S504, S40)
4). Subsequently, when the management device 400 transmits the initial value using the “initial value setting” packet, the initial value is transmitted to the control unit 250 and the controller 228 of the card writer via the NAU 530 (S405, S505, S20).
4, S602). Thereafter, the management device 400 transmits the "opening code" packet to the control unit 250 via the NAU 530, whereby the card issuing machine 200 completes the card issuing preparation and shifts to a bill acceptable state (S406, S506, S205).

[0240] In this state, when a bill to be purchased is inserted into the card issuing machine 200, the control unit 250 causes the NAU 53 to enter.
A "card purchase" packet is transmitted to the management apparatus 400 via 0 (S210, S510, S410). When the management device receives this, it creates a card text containing data about the card, sends it along with the issue serial number, and transmits it to the control unit of the issuing machine via NAU,
When the control unit receives this, it passes the card number to the controller of the card writer, and the card writer issues a predetermined card (S410, S510, S210, S6).
20). Further, the control unit 250 drives the balance payout device to return the change (S210).

When a situation occurs where it is desired to forcibly stop the operation of the card issuing machine 200 while the system is operating, a "forced termination" packet (individual or type) is sent from the management device to the corresponding issuing device, and the NAU 530 is sent. Is transmitted to the control unit of the issuance machine, and the card is placed in an unissueable state (S481, S581, S281). In addition, the cause of forced termination has been resolved, and the card issuing machine 200
When restarting the operation of, the "forced termination cancellation" packet is transmitted from the management device 400 to the card issuing machine (S482, S582, S282).

Further, when the operation of the system is finished at the closing time, the "closing code" packet is transmitted from the management device 400 to the card issuing machine 200 (S490, S590, S290).

Next, the processing from bill insertion to card issuance in the card issuing machine 200 (step S shown in FIG. 74).
A detailed operation procedure (corresponding to 210) will be described with reference to FIG. When a banknote is inserted into the card issuing machine 200, the unit controller 251 in the banknote insertion waiting state (S211) identifies the banknote inserted into the banknote discriminator 210, and when the banknote is determined to be an abnormal banknote, the banknote is inserted as it is. The banknote is discharged and the card issuance is refused (S212). On the other hand, when it is determined that the bill is normal, the received amount is indicated by the amount display 2
13 and the built-in lamp of the purchase selection switch 212 is displayed up to the range of purchase amount (S21).
3, S214).

Next, when the purchase amount is specified by the purchase selection switch 212, the amount is confirmed and the operation data (accepted amount, deposit amount, issued amount) concerning the issuing machine 200 in the unit memory 270 is updated. After that, the "card purchase" packet is transmitted to the management device 400 (S215 to S217).

When receiving the card text as a response signal from the management device 400, the issuing data (card number, issuing serial number n, issuing amount) is sent to the controller 228 of the card writer (S218). Then, the card writer moves to the hopper (card storage tank 22
Issued after taking out the card from 1), recording the card number, date, identification code and check code on the magnetic surface, reading the write data with the reproducing head and verifying (whether it was written normally or not) The amount, the date, the serial number are printed, the card is ejected, and the execution result is transmitted to the unit controller (S221 to S227).

When the unit controller 251 receives the card issuance end notification from the card writer, the unit controller 251 updates the number of issuances (the number of sheets) in the operation data in the unit memory 270. It is paid out (S231, S232). Then, the display of the amount display 213 is cleared to "0", the lamp with the built-in purchase selection switch is turned off, and the series of card issuing processing ends (S233, S234).

76 and 77 show the operation flow relating to the mutual relationship between the settlement machine 300 and the management apparatus 400, and FIG. 51 shows the flow of the settlement operation in the settlement machine 300. In FIG. 76, the procedure from the power-on of the system to the initialization of the checkout machine 300, the line test, the setting of the initial value, and the transmission of the store opening code to make the checkout machine ready to accept the card ( S301-
S305) is the same as the preparatory operation (S201 to S205) for the card issuing machine 200 shown in FIG. 73. However, the receipt of the store opening code enables the card issuing machine 200 to accept the bills in the bill validator, whereas the settlement machine 300 allows the card reader 310 to accept the bills (S603). Even when the store closing code is transmitted, the card cannot be accepted by the card reader instead of the inability to accept the bill (S660).

In addition, the forced termination procedure for the settlement machine during system operation (S451, S551, S351)
And its cancellation procedure (S452, S552, S35
2) is also the card issuing machine 200 shown in FIGS. 73 and 74.
Is the same as in. By this procedure, the card reader 310 disables the acceptance of the card (S65
1) Enable re-acceptance of card (S65
2).

On the other hand, when the card is inserted into the card reader 310 after the settlement machine 300 is set to the card settlement state, the card number, the date recorded on the magnetic surface,
The card reader reads the identification code and confirms the code. If it is a legitimate card, the control unit 3 displays the card number.
50 (S630). Then, the control unit 350
Sends a “card checkout” packet to the management device 400 via the NAU 530, and when the management device receives this,
Data such as card history is read from the card file FL3 and transmitted to the control unit 350 (S310, S
520, S420). Then, the control unit 350 drives the printer 330 to issue a receipt (gift voucher) on which details such as the number of balls acquired, the unused amount, and the history are printed, and the unused amount equivalent to the bill dispenser 320 and the coins. It pays out from the dispenser 326 (S310). Further, a card confiscation command is issued to the card reader 310 to confiscate the card (S630). Then, when the settlement process is completed, the settlement completion is transmitted to the management device 400, and a series of procedures is finished (S310, S520, S42).
0).

Next, the processing from the card insertion to the end of settlement in the settlement machine 300 (steps S630 and S in FIG. 77).
A detailed operation procedure (corresponding to 310) will be described with reference to FIG. 78. The settlement machine 30 in the card waiting state (S631)
When a card CD is inserted into the 0 card reader 310,
Read the code stored on the card with the playback head (S632), check the date and identification code, and if they do not match, eject the card as is (S633). If they match, the card number of the read code is displayed. The data is transferred to the unit controller 351 in the control unit 350 (S634). Then, the control unit 350 forms a "card settlement" packet, puts the card number in the packet, and transmits it to the management device 400 (S311). Then, when the response signal (ACK) is received, it is determined whether or not the card can be settled based on the card data included therein,
If not possible, the card is ejected from the card reader (S3
12, S635). Further, based on the card data, the number-of-balls indicator 312 and the amount-of-money display 313 display the number of won balls (the number of owned balls) and the unused amount (S313). Then, the printer 330 is driven to issue a receipt on which the number of acquired balls and the history of the card are printed (S314). Then, when there is an unused amount, the banknote dispenser 320 and the coin dispenser 326 discharge the banknotes and coins corresponding to the unused amount (S315), and then the coin number indicator and the amount indicator. Is cleared to "0".

After that, the control unit 350 sends a card confiscation command to the card reader, and sends a "payment completed" packet to the management device 400 (S317,
S318). In the card reader which receives the card confiscation command from the control unit 350, after the invalid display is printed by the printing device, the card is confiscated in the card tank 314 and a state of waiting for the insertion of the next card is entered (S636, S).
637).

79 to 81 show the operation flow relating to the mutual relationship between the pachinko machine 100 and the management device 400, and FIGS. 82 to 56 show the flow of game control operation in the pachinko machine.

79 to 81, after the power of the system is turned on, initialization of the pachinko machine 100, etc., line test, and setting of initial values are performed, and a store opening code is transmitted to allow the pachinko machine to play. Steps (S1
01 to S105) is the card issuing machine 20 shown in FIG.
This is the same as the preparation operation for 0 (S201 to S205). However, if the opening code is received, the card issuing machine 200
While the bill validator can accept bills, the pachinko machine 100 allows the card reader 180 to accept cards (S703). Even when the store closing code is transmitted, the card cannot be accepted by the card reader instead of the inability to accept the bill (S79).
0).

Further, the forced termination procedure for the pachinko machine 100 during system operation (S481, S581,
S181) and its cancellation procedure (S482, S58)
2, S182) is the same as the case of the card issuing machine 200 shown in FIG. Card reader 1
80 disables card acceptance (S781),
The card can be re-accepted (S782).

On the other hand, when the card is inserted into the card reader 180 after the pachinko machine 100 is in the playable state, the card reader reads the code recorded on the magnetic surface and confirms it. For example, the card number is passed to the control unit 160 (S710). The control unit 160 then sends a "card in" packet to the NAU 53.
When it is transmitted to the management device 400 via 0, and the management device receives this, the card text (card number, number of balls, amount of money and card status) is read from the card file FL3 and transmitted to the control unit 160 (S110, S5
40, S440). When the control unit 160 receives this, the card text is held in the unit memory 140 and the game is started (S110).

Then, when the interruption switch 115 is turned on during the game and the control unit 160 confirms it, the "interruption switch" packet including the card text is transmitted and the response signal (ACK) from the management device 400 is received. Then, the pachinko machine 100 is set to "during game suspension", and the card is ejected from the card reader (S120, S542, S
442, S720). Further, when the card CD is reinserted into the pachinko machine during the game suspension, the card reader reads the card number and transfers it to the control unit 160 (S730). Then, the control unit 160 forms an "interrupted card-in" packet and transmits it to the management device 400, and receives a response signal (ACK) containing the card text to restart the game (S130, S544, S44).
4).

Next, when the control unit 160 detects that both the number of balls and the amount of money of the card have become zero during the game, a "return to zero" packet is formed and transmitted to the management device 400 via the NAU 530, Receiving the response (ACK), the card is ejected from the card reader (S140, S54
6, S446, S740).

Also, when the end switch 114 is turned on during the game and the control unit 160 confirms it, it sends an "end switch" packet to the management device 400, receives the response (ACK), and takes out the card from the card reader. The card is ejected, and the next card is ready for insertion (S150, S5
48, S448, S750).

Furthermore, when the control unit 160 determines that the number of hits has been reached during the game, it sends a "hit" packet to the management device 400, and upon receipt of a response (ACK) from the pachinko machine 100, The continuation is disabled, the card is ejected from the card reader, and the acceptance of the card is refused thereafter (S160, S550, S450, S76).
0).

Then, the console 40 of the management device 400
When the stop cancellation command is issued by the input from 6, the "stop cancellation" packet is transmitted to the designated pachinko machine via the NAU 530, and the pachinko machine 100 shifts to a playable state and also to the card reader. On the other hand, the card can be accepted (S470, S570, S17).
0, S770).

When the suspended card is settled by the settlement machine 300, the management device 400 sends a "suspended end" packet to the suspended pachinko machine 100 to release the suspended state. (S475, S575, S1
75).

The interruption process S in the above operation flow
120, 130, zero-return processing S140, game end processing S1
50 and the stopping process S160, S170 are not necessarily executed in the order shown in FIGS. 80 to 81, but these processes are performed one after the other according to the progress of the game, or are not executed at all. Without closing (S1
90).

Next, the above operation flow (FIGS. 80 to 81)
Various processing of the pachinko machine 100 in the inside (S110-S
A more detailed operation procedure of (175) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 82 shows a procedure from the insertion of the card CD into the pachinko machine 100 to the start of game control.

When the card is inserted into the card reader 180 in the card waiting state (S711), the code (card number, issue date, identification code) stored on the magnetic surface is read (S712), Of these, the date of issue and the identification code are checked, and if the codes do not match, the card is ejected from the card reader as it is (S71
3), if the codes match, the card number is the control unit 1
60 is transferred (S714).

Upon receiving the card number, the control unit 160 forms a "card-in" packet, puts the card number in the packet, and transmits it to the management device 400 (S11).
1) Then, a response rejection packet (NAC) from the management device.
When K) is received, a card ejection command is given to the card reader to eject the card (S119, S71).
5).

On the other hand, when an affirmative response (ACK) is received from the management device 400 in response to the transmission of the "card-in" packet (S112), the number of coins held and the amount of money are obtained from the information of the card text transmitted by the "ACK" packet. Is confirmed and displayed on the coin number display 163 and the amount display 162 (S113). Then, the analog display 164 is driven to analogically display the number of balls held (S114), and a firing permission signal is given to the control device 150 of the pachinko machine 100 (S115). Then, after changing the operation information in the unit memory 140 to "in game" (S116),
The game process proceeds to S800.

FIG. 83 shows a procedure from the insertion of the card CD into the pachinko machine 100 being interrupted until the game control is started. When the card is inserted into the card reader 180 in the card waiting state (S731), the code recorded on the magnetic surface is read (S732), and the issuing date and the identification code are checked and the codes do not match. When,
The card is ejected from the card reader as it is (S73
3) When the codes match, the read card number is transferred to the unit controller 190 of the control unit 160 (S731).

When the control unit 160 reads the card number, it compares the card number with the card number held in the unit memory 170 (S131), and if it does not match the interrupted card number, issues a discharge command to the card reader. Giving,
The card is ejected (S139, S735), and when they match, a "suspended card in" packet is formed, the card number is inserted, and the card is transmitted to the management device 400 (S132). When "NAK" is returned from the management device 400, a card ejection command is given to the card reader (S139, S73).
5) When "ACK" comes back, the number of balls held and the amount of money are displayed, and after permitting the launch to the control device 150, the operation information is changed to "in game" (S133 to S13).
7). Then, the lamp in the interruption display switch is turned off (S138) and then the game process proceeds to S800.

The game process is, for example, a pachinko machine 100.
Based on the detection signals of various game balls (launch balls, winning balls, out balls, etc.) sent from the control device 150 of the above, the number of balls held, the difference number for stopping determination, etc. are calculated in real time, Write it in the transmission data area in the unit memory 170, purchase switch 113, interrupt switch 1
15. It is a process of executing a corresponding process when the end switch 114 is turned on, or urging the player to purchase a game ball when the number of balls held becomes zero.

FIG. 84 shows a processing procedure when the interruption switch 115 is turned on and a processing procedure when an interruption cancellation command is input from the management device 400. Control unit 1
When 60 confirms that the interruption switch 115 is turned on, the firing permission signal to the control device 150 of the pachinko machine 100 is canceled to prohibit the firing of a hit ball, and
After changing the card status in the unit memory 170 to "suspended", a "suspend switch" packet is sent to the management device 400.
(S121 to S124). Then, when the “ACK” packet is returned from the management device 400, the operation information in the unit memory 170 is changed to “suspended” and the lamp with the interruption switch is turned on, and then the card reader 1
A discharge command is given to 80, and the card held inside the card reader is discharged (S125 to S128, S
720).

On the other hand, due to the fact that the card being suspended has been settled by the settlement machine 300, a "suspended end" packet is sent from the management device 400 to the control unit 16 of the pachinko machine.
When it is sent to 0, the control unit which received it,
After clearing the display of the number of balls display 163 and the amount display 162 to "0" and changing the operation information in the unit memory 170 to the "free" state, the interruption display lamp 115a
Is turned off, the display of the amount of balls held by the analog display 164 is stopped, and the "waiting for customer" display (moving display of the lit lamp)
Is performed (S175 to S179).

FIG. 85 shows the details of the processing procedure in the control unit 160 in the case where both the number of balls held and the unused amount of cards have become zero (in the case of zero return). When the control unit 160 determines that both the number of balls in the card and the unused amount have become zero (S141), the unit memory 17
After changing the card status in 0 to "return to zero" (S142), a "return to zero" packet is formed and transmitted to the management device 400 (S143). Then, when a response (ACK) is received from the management device 400 (S144), the number-of-balls indicator 16
3 and the amount display 162 are cleared to "0" (S14
5) After that, the pachinko machine operation information in the unit memory 170 is changed to "free" (S146), and a card ejection command is issued to the card reader 180 (S147),
The card is ejected from the card reader (S740). After that, the analog display 164 is changed from the ball amount display to the "customer waiting" display (S148).

FIG. 86 shows the procedure of processing in the control unit 160 when the game end switch 114 is turned on. When the game end switch 114 is turned on and the control unit 160 confirms it (S151), the card state in the unit memory 170 is changed from "in game" to "free".
After changing to the state (S152), an "end switch" packet is formed and transmitted to the management device 400 (S15).
3). Then, the response (ACK) from the management device 400
When (S154) is received (S154), the display of the number of balls display 163 and the amount display 162 are cleared to "0" (S155), and then the pachinko machine operation information in the unit memory 170 is changed to "free" (S156). Card reader 180
A card discharge command is issued to (S157), and the card is discharged from the card reader (S750). After that,
The analog display 164 is changed from the ball amount display to the "customer waiting" display (S158).

FIG. 87 shows the procedure of stopping processing and stopping cancellation processing in the control unit 160. Control unit 1
60, for example, calculates the difference number (the number of collected balls-the number of discharged balls) based on the detection signals of various game balls from the controller 150 of the pachinko machine 100, and when it reaches the predetermined number of hits, It is determined that a stop has occurred (S161), the card status in the unit memory 170 is changed from "in game" to "free" and "stop" (S162), and a "stop" packet is formed to form a management device. It transmits to 400 (S163). Then, a response (ACK) is received from the management device 400 (S
164), the display of the number of balls display 163 and the amount display 162 are cleared to “0” (S165), and then the pachinko machine operation information in the unit memory 140 is changed to “stop” (S166), A card ejection command is issued to the card reader 180 (S167). Then, the card reader 18
In the case of 0, the card is ejected, and thereafter the card is not accepted (S761, S762). Further, the control unit 160 stops the ball holding amount display of the analog display 164, blinks the lamp, and performs a "stop" display (S1).
67).

However, after that, when the management device 400 transmits a "stop cancellation" packet to the control unit 160 of the pachinko machine 100 and the control unit receives it (S171), the pachinko machine operation in the unit memory 170 is started. Change information from "stop" to "free" (S1
72) and then gives a card acceptance permission command to the card reader 180 (S173).
Shifts to a card-acceptable state (S770). Further, the control unit changes the display of the analog display 164 from the "stop" display (blinking) to the "customer waiting" display (S174).

FIG. 88 shows a procedure of a game ball calculation process as an example of a game process (see FIG. 82) in the control unit 160 and a dice purchase process. Control unit 160
Is a firing sensor 13 provided on the pachinko machine 100.
5,136, foul sensor 134, out sensor 13
2. When the firing sensor is turned on when the detection signals from the game ball detection sensors such as the safe sensors 131 and 133 are received from the control device 150 (the firing sensors 135 to 136).
When the movement of the hit ball to the ball is detected), the number of held balls is decremented by 1, and when the foul sensor is turned on or when the returning ball is detected (when the movement of the ball to the launch sensor 136 to 135 is detected). ) Is added to the number of balls held (S81
1, S812). When the out sensor 132 is turned on, the number of out balls is incremented by 1, and the difference number (the number of collected balls-
One (the number of payouts) is added (S813). Furthermore, when the safe sensor 131 is turned on, the number of main prize balls is added to the number of coins and the number of coins (cumulative value), and the difference is calculated (S814). When the safe sensor 133 is turned on, the sub prize ball number is added to the number of coins and the number of coins output, and the difference is calculated (S815). This difference number is used for the above-described stop determination (S161).

On the other hand, when the purchase switch 113 provided in the pachinko machine 100 is turned on and the control unit 160 confirms this (S821), the unused amount of the card is read from the unit memory 170 and it is confirmed that it is not zero. Confirm (S822). Then, when it is not zero, the amount of money for a predetermined purchase unit (for example, 200 yen) is subtracted from the unused amount and the amount is displayed on the amount indicator 162 (S823). Then, the number of balls (for example, 50 pieces) corresponding to the purchase unit is added to the number of balls and the number is displayed on the number-of-balls display 163 (S824). The unused amount and the number of balls held in the unit memory 170 are also changed by the above-mentioned purchase of balls, that is, conversion processing from unused money to balls.

In the settlement machine of the above embodiment, the card is forfeited after the settlement, but the card is returned to the player and the prize is exchanged using the card and the receipt issued by the settlement machine. It may be performed. Further, in the pachinko machine of the above embodiment, the card is held in the card reader during the game, and the card is ejected to be in the free state after the game is over or when the game is interrupted. A system may be configured in which a card number or the like is read by a card reader at the start of a game by insertion, the card is ejected, then the game is started, and the game is ended by the second card insertion.
When such a system is configured, the game end switch 114 provided in each gaming machine of the above-mentioned embodiment is unnecessary.

Next, a CRT screen control method in the management device 400 suitable for the pachinko gaming system configured as described above will be described. In a system using a microcomputer, the more complicated the system is, the more diverse the control by the management device 400 becomes, and the more processing the operator should be involved in. Therefore, in order to make the processes involved by these operators easy to understand and to assist the operation of the console panel 406,
The configuration of the display screen of the RT display device 405 and the screen control procedure are important. According to the present invention, the screen control is performed as follows, so that even a staff member of a pachinko parlor who does not have much experience can back up the system easily.

FIG. 89 shows a screen control flow relating to operations before opening a store. When the management device 400 and each terminal are powered on, the program is read from the hard disk device HDD and the system starts. Then, first the line test using the network is started and the CRT
A message indicating that the line test is in progress and the date are displayed on the display screen (routine R101). And
The line test ends and it is determined that there is no abnormality (routine R
102) and the routine R103 is proceeded to, where a message indicating that the store is ready for opening, that is, a message indicating the end of the test and a message prompting the ON operation of the store opening switch 421 are displayed. At this time, a menu of switches (setting switch 432, built-in switch 438, and date setting switch 439) that can be operated at this time is also displayed on the CRT screen.

On the other hand, if an abnormality is found as a result of the line test, the routine proceeds to routine R104 to display the number of the abnormal terminal on the CRT screen. In this embodiment, however, the system can be started by turning on the opening switch 421 even if there is a line abnormality terminal, and a message to that effect is also displayed.

When the built-in switch 438 (see FIG. 17) on the rear surface of the console is turned on while the message is displayed by the routine R103 or R104, the routine R105 determines YES (switch on) and the routine R111. Proceed to, and a screen showing a menu of configurable data such as purchased ball rate, identification code, number of NAU, number of pachinko machines, number of issuing machines, number of settlement machines, number of prize balls, etc. The value changing process is executed. Moreover, in this embodiment, in order to set the number of prize balls for each of a plurality of units, as shown in FIG. 98, a column LTR1 showing the current setting state, a setting range (unit number) and a setting value (main) are set. Number of prize balls and number of sub prize balls)
A screen composed of a field LTR2 for suggesting the input of is displayed.

Further, the above routine R103 or R10
When the setting switch 432 on the console is turned on while the message is displayed by the routine 4, the routine R
In step 106, it is determined to be YES (switch on) and the routine R
In step 112, a screen for setting the number of stops and a screen for setting the stop mode are displayed, and the setting content changing process is executed according to the instructions on the screen. The screen for setting the number of hits and the hitting mode is composed of two columns like the one shown in FIG. 98, so that the setting can be changed for each of a plurality of units. There is.

On the other hand, the above routine R103 or R10
When the date and time setting switch 439 is turned on while the message is displayed by step 4, the routine R107 returns Y.
When it is determined to be ES (switch on), the routine proceeds to routine R113, the screen for setting the date and time is displayed, and the processing for changing the date and time (year, month, day and time) is executed according to the display on the screen.

Further, the above routine R103 or R1
When the store opening switch 422 is turned on while the message is displayed by 04, the routine R108 returns YE.
It is judged as S (switch-on) and the opening process flow A (see FIG. 9).
0 (see 0). Note that the communication line (network) is constantly monitored during the above processing,
When it is determined that an interrupt for notifying the emergency information such as the card-free state of the issuing machine 200 or the changeout of the settlement machine 300 has arrived (routine R109), the interrupt message is displayed at the bottom of each processing screen (line 19 in FIG. 98). It is supposed to be displayed.

FIG. 90 shows an example of the processing flow after the opening of the store. When the opening switch 421 is turned on, first, C
A work menu is displayed on the RT display screen (hereinafter referred to as normal display) (routine R121). In this case, the work menu is displayed, for example, by displaying the types of valid switches that can be accepted during this screen display. As an effective switch, CR the desired operating data
"Display menu" switch for displaying on T, "Print menu" switch for printing desired operation data by printer, "Stop canceling" switch for giving stop canceling command by input from console, desired terminal "Force termination" to forcibly stop the operation of the machine
There are a switch, an "end release" switch to restart the operation of the terminal that has been forcibly terminated, a "card recovery" switch to start the card recovery process, and a "closed" switch to issue a closing command.

The above normal display state (routine R12
In 1), when the display menu switch 428 is turned on, it is determined in routine R122 that the switch is on, the routine proceeds to routine R201, and the menu selection screen (see FIG. 99) showing the types of operation data that can be displayed is displayed first. It Here, when "1" is input as a selection branch using the ten-key pad 425, the number of the batting table (pachinko machine) and the number of battings, the number of balls delivered, the number of out balls, the number of differences (collection) A list of data such as the number of balls-the number of balls released, the number of balls held, the amount of sales, the number of players, etc. is displayed (routine R211).

On the other hand, when the selection branch "2" is input, the data display screen of the specific stand is displayed, and the operation data concerning the stand is displayed by entering the stand number (routine R212).

When the selection branch "3" is input, a list of operation data for all pachinko machines is displayed (routine R213). When the selection branch “4” is input,
If the number of the so-called "red character" whose number of paid-out balls is greater than the number of collected balls and its operation data, and the selection branch "5" are input, the so-called "black-shaped table" where the number of collected balls is greater than the number of paid-out balls And the operation data thereof are displayed (routines R214 and R215).

Further, when the selection branch “6” is entered, the machine numbers of all issuing machines and the amount of money received for each machine, the amount of deposit (total amount of issued cards), the amount of payout (total amount of change), the number of times of issuance,
A list of operating data such as monitor information is displayed (routine R216).

When the selection branch “7” is entered, a list of operating data such as the machine number of all settlement machines, the total amount of settlement, the number of settlement balls, the number of settlements, and monitor information is displayed (routine R217).

When the selection branch "8" is input, the total of the operation data for each type of terminal device (for example, for a pachinko machine, the total number of coins out, the number of out balls, the number of differences, and the number of balls held, issuance) The total amount of money deposited and the number of issued cards is displayed for machines, and the total amount of money, the number of adjustment balls, and the number of adjustment cards is displayed for adjustment machines (routine R218).

When the selection branch "9" is entered, the data display screen for the specific card is displayed, and by entering the card issue serial number n, as shown in FIG. Number, balance, ie amount of money that has not been exchanged for balls, number of balls, time)
Is displayed (routine R219).

When the selection branch "10" is input, the process shown in FIG.
A screen that displays the details of the card as shown in, that is, a list of operating data such as the issue serial number of all cards issued from the opening of the store to the present time, the balance of each card, the number of balls, a predetermined terminal number, etc. The screen changes to a screen displaying the current total of the operating data of all the cards (routine R220). Moreover, on the card detail display screen of FIG. 101, a data display column LTR3 showing the distribution of the states of all cards by the number of cards is provided at the end of the display.

When the selection branch "11" is entered, the card total display screen is displayed (routine R211), and the number of cards of all issued cards, total balance, total number of balls held, playing, interrupted, settlement, free state, return The number of cards in each state such as zero and resurrection is displayed.

When the selection branch “12” is entered, the screen changes to a screen for displaying the data regarding the interrupted card (balance, number of balls, number of interrupted terminal, interrupted time, elapsed elapsed time) for each card number (routine R222). ).

[0297] Of the above-mentioned screens, the display of the stop table (routine R
211), display of all units (routine R213), display of red characters (routine R214), display of black characters (routine R21)
5), issuing machine data display (routine R216), specific card display (routine R219), card detail display (routine R220), interrupted card data display (routine R2)
Each display screen of 22) can be scrolled.
Moreover, in the system of the present embodiment, the operation data is collected from each terminal every one second, and the corresponding data is updated every second while the screen is displayed.

Next, while displaying each screen (routine R21
1 to R222) or while the menu selection screen is displayed (routine R201), if the CRT clear switch 427 on the console is turned on, the routine returns to routine R121.

Further, during execution of each of the above processes, the issuing machine 20
When an interrupt that informs you of emergency information such as card exhaustion, change out of money, and a berth at 0 comes in from the communication line,
Routine R2 determines that there is an interrupt in routine R203
33, for example, the interrupt display column of the display screen (see FIG. 99)
Interrupt line is displayed on the 19th line).

Next, returning to the normal display (routine R121) for displaying the work menu, and when the print menu switch 430 is turned on here, the routine R1 of FIG. 91 is set.
At 23, it is determined that the switch is on, and the routine proceeds to routine R301, and the print menu selection screen is displayed. The contents of the print menu are exactly the same as the contents of the display menu. When the number of each selection branch is entered using the ten-key while looking at the screen, the corresponding operation data is printed (routines R311 to R3).
322) is executed.

If the CRT clear switch on the console is turned on while the printing of each operation data is completed or the print menu selection screen is displayed (routine R301), the normal display screen of routine R121 is returned to.

If an interrupt comes in from the communication line during the execution of each of the above processes, an interrupt display is displayed in the interrupt display column of the display screen (routines R303 and R323).

Then, the normal display is again performed (routine R12
Return to 1), and here the stop release switch 4 on the console.
It is assumed that 33 is turned on. Then, the routine R of FIG.
The routine shifts from 124 to routine R401, and the screen for canceling the stop as shown in FIG. 102 is displayed. On this screen, the table number of the stop table and its operation data are displayed, and the character "stroke" is displayed in the last column (the right end of the screen) as a code indicating that it is in the stop state.

If the machine number is entered in accordance with the message in the column below while this screen is displayed, the pachinko machine with the specified machine number is released from the stopped state, and the " The character "stroke" is rewritten to "empty" (routine R411). Then, when the next unit number is entered, or when the normal display is restored and the cancellation release screen is displayed again, the unit number with "empty" is removed from the list on the display screen. ing.

If the CRT clear switch is turned on while the above cancellation screen is displayed, the routine returns to routine R121 and the normal display is made, and an interrupt is issued from the communication line while the cancellation cancellation screen is displayed. When it comes in, an interrupt display is made in a predetermined column (the 19th line in FIG. 102) (routine R413).

On the other hand, when the forced termination switch 434 on the console is turned on after returning to the normal display, the routine proceeds from routine R125 to routine R402, and the forced termination menu screen is displayed on the CRT. The contents of this menu are pachinko machines, issuing machines, and settlement machines. When you enter the selection branch "1" according to the message on the screen, the pachinko machine forced termination screen for specifying the pachinko machine that you want to forcefully terminate is displayed. (Routine R421). here,
When the desired pachinko machine number is input using the ten-key pad of the console, the designated pachinko machine is forcibly terminated and the screen display is updated (routine R422).
In addition, in this embodiment, the forced termination can be executed for each unit, and of course, by inputting "0" as the unit number, the forced termination can be executed for all the units. This forced termination display screen may have substantially the same configuration as the batting table display in FIG. 102, and instead of the "batting" at the end of each line, a "strong" code indicating the forced termination is displayed.

If the selection branch "2" is entered while the forced termination menu screen of the routine R402 is displayed, the issuing machine forced termination screen for designating the issuing machine to be forcibly terminated is displayed (routine R431). Here, when the desired issuer machine number is entered using the ten-key pad, the specified issuer is forcibly stopped and the screen display is updated (routine R432). Also in this case, in addition to forced termination for each terminal, all terminals can be forcibly stopped collectively.

Further, when the selection branch "3" is input while the forced termination menu screen of the routine R402 is displayed, a settlement machine forced termination screen for designating the settlement machine to be forcibly terminated is displayed (routine R441). Here, if the desired machine number of the settlement machine is input using the ten keys, the designated settlement machine is forcibly stopped and the screen display is updated (routine R442). It is also possible to forcibly stop all settlement machines at once.

While the forced termination screens are being displayed (routines R421, R431, R441), when an interrupt comes in from the communication line, an interrupt is displayed in a predetermined column, and when the CRT clear switch is turned on, the routine is executed. Return to the normal display of R121.

Further, even when the forced termination menu screen is displayed (routine R402), an interrupt is displayed on the screen when an interrupt comes in (routine R451), C
When the RT clear switch is turned on, the routine R121
Return to normal display.

Then, after returning to the normal display,
When the termination cancellation switch 435 on the console is turned on, the routine proceeds from routine R126 to routine R403 as shown in FIG. 93, and a menu screen for canceling the forced termination state is displayed on the CRT. This menu is exactly the same as the forced termination menu described above, and when each selection branch is input, the routines R421 to R423 and R431 in FIG.
~ R433, R441 to R443 corresponding to the routine R
461 to R463, R471 to R473 or R481
~ R483 is executed, and the terminal which has been forcibly terminated is re-enabled. Further, on the display screen, the "strong" at the end of the line of the designated unit number is erased to become blank and then removed from the list.

Also in the case of the forced termination cancellation, it is possible to collectively cancel for each terminal type. Further, when an interrupt comes in from the communication line, an interrupt display is made on the screen (routine R491), and when the CRT clear switch is turned on, the routine R121 returns to the normal display.

When the card revive switch 424 on the console is turned on after returning to the normal display again,
The routine proceeds from routine R127 of FIG. 94 to routine R405, and a screen (initially the column LTR4 from the top to the third line) for executing card restoration as shown in FIG. 103 is displayed. Here, first enter the issue serial number n (printed on the surface of the card as shown in FIG. 2) of the card you want to revive according to the message on the screen, along with the current unused amount of the card and the number of coins. , History data of the card is displayed (routine R501). Therefore, the operator judges whether or not the card can be restored by looking at the data on this screen, and according to the message at the bottom of the screen, a blank card (the back side is a magnetic surface) is inserted in the insertion port of the card writer 407 provided in the management device. ) Is inserted and the card revival switch 424 is turned on again, a revival card in which the date, the identification code and the card number are recorded is issued.
The CPU verifies the code recorded on the magnetic surface, displays "OK" if they match, and displays "error" if they do not match (routine R50).
2). Then, when the CRT clear switch is turned on, the routine R121 returns to the normal display. Also, when an emergency information interrupt comes in from the communication line while the card recovery processing screen (routine R405) or the recovery card data display screen (routine R501) is displayed, an interrupt display field ( An interrupt message is displayed on the 19th line) (routines R503 and R504).

On the other hand, when the test card switch 437 on the rear surface of the console is turned on when the normal display of the routine R121 is returned, the routine proceeds from the routine R128 to the routine R406 in FIG. A test card issuance processing screen including a message indicating the operation is displayed. Following the instructions on this screen, first insert a blank card into the card writer 407, and then press the test card switch 437 again.
For example, a test card capable of playing a game worth 1,000 yen is issued. At this time, if the card writer verifies and no match is obtained, an error is displayed on the CRT screen (routine R601). Then, when the CRT clear switch is turned on, the routine R121 returns to the normal display.

If an emergency interrupt comes in from the communication line while the test card issuance processing screen is displayed, an interrupt display is made (routine R602).

When the normal display (routine R121) is returned to and the store closing switch 422 on the console is turned on, it is determined to be YES in routine R129, and the process shifts to the store closing process shown in FIG. Also, when an emergency interrupt comes in from the communication line while the work menu screen by the normal display (routine R121) is displayed, the interrupt display is made (routine R130,
R131).

FIG. 95 shows a screen control procedure when it is determined in the routine R129 that the store closing switch is turned on. That is, the closing switch 42
When 2 is turned on, the routine jumps from R129 to R170, and the screen of the closing menu showing the type of the effective switch is displayed. The valid switches displayed on the screen of the closing menu are three switches of "display menu", "print menu", and "end". When the display menu switch 428 is turned on while the closed menu screen is displayed, it is determined in routine R171 that the switch is on, and the process advances to routine R701 to display the menu selection screen. Here, the type of the menu displayed on the menu selection screen is the routine R12 in the process A during the opening of the store.
This is the same as when the display menu switch is turned on during the normal display of 1 (see FIG. 90). However, while the display of various data in FIG. 90 is variable data collected at regular intervals (1 second interval) during system operation,
The difference is that the display data after the closing switch is turned on is the data that has already been determined.

During menu selection screen display (routine R70
In the process of inputting the selection branch numbers "1" to "12" in 1) to display desired data (routine R711 to routine R722) and when the CRT clear switch is turned on during display (routine R702), an interrupt occurs. Since the procedure of the process (routines R703 and R723) in the case of entering is the same as that of the case of FIG.

Next, FIG. 96 shows a screen control procedure when the print menu switch 430 on the console is turned on while the closing menu of the routine R170 is displayed. When the print menu switch 430 is turned on, the routine jumps from the routine R172 to R801 to display the menu selection screen.

The type of the menu is the same as the data printing during the opening process (FIG. 91), and the process of inputting the number of the selected branch to print the desired collection data (routines R to R)
822), when the CRT clear switch is turned on during display (routine R802), and when an interrupt is received (routine R803, R823), the processing is the same as in FIG.

On the other hand, when the end switch 423 is turned on while the closing menu of the routine R170 is being displayed, the routine proceeds from the routine R173 to the routine R180 to confirm that the master computer is powered off and to turn off the power switch. Display the screen. Also,
Even if an interruption occurs during the display of the closing menu screen, the interruption is displayed in the interruption display column (the 19th line) on the screen (routines R174 and R190).

Next, FIG. 97 shows the interrupt display processing (routines R114, R223, and FIG. 89).
R323, R412, R423, R433, R443
R451, R463, R473, R483, R491
R503, R504, R602, R131, R723
A more specific control procedure of R823 and R190) will be described.

When an interrupt comes in from the communication line, first, the buzzer 440 in the console sounds (routine R90
1) After that, the cause of the interrupt is analyzed for each type of the terminal, and the corresponding interrupt display is displayed. Here, if the cause of the interruption is due to the occurrence of the stoppage in the pachinko machine, the stoppage time of the stoppage, the number of the stop, and the number of times of stoppage are displayed in an interrupt on the screen of the CRT in routine R902. . If the interrupt source is the card issuing machine, the interrupt factor is analyzed, and the time of occurrence, the machine number, and the type of interrupt factor are displayed (routine R9
03).

Interruption factors in the card issuing machine include running out of banknotes for change, running out of blank cards before issuance, and full tank of purchased banknotes. On the other hand, even when the source of the interrupt is a settlement machine, the interrupt factor is analyzed and the generation time, the machine number, and the type of the interrupt factor are displayed (routine R904). Interruption factors in the settlement machine include running out of bills and coins for refunding unused money, running out of receipt paper, and full tank for collecting cards.

Each interrupt display is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, as described above, it is performed on the 19th line of various menu display screens and data display screens. Further, these interrupt causes are immediately printed by the printer 408.

The interrupt to the CPU of the management device uses the "stop" packet for stopping the pachinko machine, and the "monitor failure" packet for the card issuing machine and the settlement machine. Will be performed.

Then, each of the above routines R902 to R90
When the buzzer stop switch 436 on the console is turned on during the interrupt display by 4, the routine R905 stops the buzzer and then returns to the original routine. Note that, as shown in FIG. 99, it is possible to display the business statistical data based on the data collected by the timer interrupt on the 20th line of the display screen.

In the above embodiment, the magnetic card is used as a storage medium, and the gaming system in which the data is managed by the identification code (card number) has been described. However, an electronic card such as an IC card or other card is used as the storage medium. It can be widely applied to game systems. Further, in the embodiment, the present invention is described as an example when applied to a gaming facility using a pachinko machine as a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an arrangement ball, a slot machine, etc. The game system can be generally used by arranging and arranging a plurality of game machines which are converted into a valuable value equivalent to a game right under a constant exchange rate to play a game.

In the above embodiment, the card restoring function is provided in the management device, but it may be provided in the card issuing machine or as a dedicated device. It is also possible to reuse a card by using a device having a card revival function and inserting a card whose data becomes zero to become invalid and writing valid data. Further, in the above embodiment, only the identification code (card number) is stored in the card, and the valuable data that the card should hold is managed by the management device. However, the valuable data should be stored in the card together with the identification code. You may

Further, in the above embodiment, the card as the storage medium is provided with the magnetic storage section as the storage means.
The present invention is not limited to this, and an electrically writable semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, or a single-chip microcomputer incorporating the same may be mounted. Alternatively, both the magnetic storage unit and the semiconductor memory can be provided in the storage medium. Further, instead of redundantly storing the same information in each of the plurality of information storage units, each information storage unit may be sequentially stored.

[0331]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the storage medium is provided with a plurality of information storage means, even if one information storage means or the stored information is destroyed, other information storage means can be used. It becomes possible to obtain correct information based on the memory, and there is no fear of causing unexpected damage to the player. As a result, the reliability of the storage medium is improved, and it becomes possible for the player to purchase a high-priced storage medium with peace of mind, which can reduce the number of game interruptions due to a ball breakage and the like. It is possible to reduce the number of storage media to be issued, reduce the cost of the storage media, reduce the labor of processing the used storage media, and reduce the burden on both the player and the amusement store. .

If the same information is redundantly stored in each of the plurality of information storage means, the reliability of the storage medium can be further improved.

Further, since the information stored in the plurality of information storage means includes the effective period of the storage medium, such storage medium should be excluded even if it deteriorates due to frequent use. Therefore, there is an effect that the reliability of the storage medium can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a pachinko gaming system to which the present invention is applied,

2 (A) and 2 (B) are a front view and a rear view showing the configuration of a card used in the system according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a configuration example of a card issuing machine used in the system according to the present invention,

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a card reader,
(A) is a issuing machine, (B) is a pachinko machine, (C) is a settlement machine, and (D) is a schematic configuration diagram of a card reader for a management device,

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the card issuing machine,

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a configuration example of a pachinko machine,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a control unit of a pachinko machine,

FIG. 8 is a rear view showing a configuration example of the back surface of the pachinko machine,

FIG. 9 is a rear view showing a configuration example of a sealed ball circulation device on the back surface of the pachinko machine,

10 (A) and 10 (B) are enlarged views showing details of a beading part of the enclosed ball circulating device and perspective views showing details of a ball feeding part of the enclosed ball circulating device;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the entire pachinko machine,

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control device of a pachinko machine,

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a configuration example of a settlement machine,

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the settlement machine,

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the entire management apparatus,

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the management device itself;

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a console of the management device,

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a state transition of a card in the game system of the present invention,

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a transmission system in the game system of the present invention,

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control unit for controlling data transmission / reception between a unit controller of each terminal and a transmission line (network),

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a NAU (network adapter unit) for controlling data transfer on a network,

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a “timed data request” packet,

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a “timed data request” response packet sent from the management device to the NAU in the high-layer network,

FIG. 24 is a “card-in” sent from the control unit to the management device in high and low layer networks.
Packet configuration diagram,

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of an acknowledgment packet for a “card-in” packet in a high-layer network,

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a positive / negative acknowledgment packet for a “card-in” packet in a lower layer network;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a negative acknowledgment packet for a “card-in” packet in high-layer and low-layer networks,

FIG. 28 is a system flow chart showing the procedure of initialization of the management device and NAU and line test of the network;

FIG. 29 is a system flowchart showing a procedure of initialization of each terminal and a network line test by the management device via the NAU,

FIG. 30 is a system flowchart showing a procedure for creating a transmission address file in the management device;

FIG. 31 is a block diagram of a response packet to a “table request” packet,

FIG. 32 is a system flowchart showing a procedure (high-layer network) of initial value setting to each terminal by the management device;

FIG. 33 is a system flowchart showing a procedure (low-layer network) of initial value setting to each terminal by the management device;

FIG. 34 is a system flowchart showing a procedure for collecting scheduled data from each terminal by the management device;

FIG. 35 is a system flow chart showing a processing procedure (high-layer network) of a store opening command to each terminal by the management device;

FIG. 36 is a system flowchart showing a store opening processing procedure (lower layer network) in each terminal,

FIG. 37 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-level network) of a closing instruction to each terminal by the management device;

FIG. 38 is a system flow chart showing a closing process procedure (lower layer network) in each terminal,

FIG. 39 is a system flowchart showing a procedure (low-layer network) from card insertion into a pachinko machine to game start,

FIG. 40 is a system flowchart showing a procedure (high-layer network) from card insertion to a pachinko machine to game start,

FIG. 41 is a system flow chart showing a processing procedure (lower layer network) when the interruption switch of the pachinko machine is turned on during the game,

FIG. 42 is a system flow chart showing a processing procedure (high-layer network) when the interruption switch of the pachinko machine is turned on during the game,

FIG. 43 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (low-layer network) when a card is inserted into a pachinko machine that is suspended.

FIG. 44 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-layer network) when a card is inserted into a pachinko machine that is suspended.

FIG. 45 is a processing procedure when both the number of balls and the amount of money of the card become zero during the game (lower layer network)
System flow chart showing

FIG. 46 is a processing procedure when both the number of balls and the amount of money of the card become zero during the game (high-rise network)
System flow chart showing

FIG. 47 is a system flow chart showing a processing procedure (lower layer network) when a stop occurs during a game,

FIG. 48 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-rise network) when a stop occurs during a game;

FIG. 49 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-layer network) when a cancellation cancellation command is input from the console of the management device;

FIG. 50 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (low-layer network) when a cancellation cancellation command is input from the management device console;

FIG. 51 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-level network) when a forced termination command is input from the console of the management device;

FIG. 52 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (lower layer network) when a forced termination command is input from the console of the management device;

FIG. 53 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-layer network) for canceling termination of a terminal in forced termination;

FIG. 54 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (lower layer network) for canceling termination of a terminal in forced termination;

FIG. 55 is a processing procedure when a game end switch of a pachinko machine is turned on during a game (low-layer network)
System flow chart showing

FIG. 56 is a processing procedure when a game end switch of a pachinko machine is turned on during a game (high-layer network)
System flow chart showing

57] FIG. 57 is an interruption end processing procedure (high-layer network) when a card in suspension is settled by a settlement machine.
System flow chart showing

FIG. 58 is an interruption end processing procedure (lower layer network) when a card in suspension is settled by a settlement machine.
System flow chart showing

FIG. 59 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (low-rise network) when a purchased banknote is inserted into the card issuing machine;

FIG. 60 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-rise network) when a purchased banknote is inserted into the card issuing machine;

FIG. 61 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (low-layer network) when a card is inserted into the settlement machine;

FIG. 62 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-layer network) when a card is inserted into the settlement machine;

FIG. 63 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (lower layer network) when a forced termination factor occurs on the terminal side;

FIG. 64 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-layer network) when a forced termination factor occurs on the terminal side;

FIG. 65 is a system flowchart showing a data recovery processing procedure (high-layer network) when the management device detects an abnormality in data of a terminal device;

FIG. 66 is a system flow chart showing a data recovery processing procedure (lower layer network) when the management device detects an abnormality in the data of the terminal;

FIG. 67 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-layer network) for restarting after data recovery processing for each terminal,

FIG. 68 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (low-layer network) when restarting after data recovery processing for each terminal;

FIG. 69 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (lower layer network) when a monitor abnormality is detected on the terminal side;

FIG. 70 is a system flowchart showing a processing procedure (high-layer network) when a monitor abnormality is detected on the terminal side;

71 is a system flowchart showing a procedure of processing when an abnormality in a low-layer network is detected, FIG.

FIG. 72 is a system flowchart showing a procedure of processing in the control unit when an abnormality in a low-layer network is detected;

FIG. 73 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to the mutual relationship between the card issuing machine and the management device during preparation;

[FIG. 74] FIG. 74 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure regarding the mutual relationship between the card issuing machine and the management device during business,

FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the card issuing machine,

[FIG. 76] FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to the mutual relationship between the settlement device and the management device during preparation,

FIG. 77 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure regarding the mutual relation between the settlement machine and the management device during business,

FIG. 78 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the settlement machine,

FIG. 79 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to the mutual relationship between the pachinko machine and the management device during preparation;

FIG. 80 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure relating to the mutual relationship between a pachinko machine and a management device during business,

FIG. 81 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure regarding a mutual relationship between a pachinko machine and a management device, which is also in business,

FIG. 82 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure for starting a game by inserting a card in a pachinko machine;

FIG. 83 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure of ending interruption by inserting a card in a pachinko machine;

FIG. 84 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure of interrupting a game on a pachinko machine and terminating the interrupt by card settlement;

FIG. 85 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the case of occurrence of zeroing in a pachinko machine;

FIG. 86 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure when the end switch is turned on in the pachinko machine,

FIG. 87 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when a pachinko machine causes a stop and when there is a stop cancellation command from the management device;

FIG. 88 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a game ball calculation process and a dice purchase process as an example of the game process in the control unit of the pachinko machine;

89 to 97 show a screen control method of the CRT display device in the management device, of which FIG. 89 is a flowchart relating to screen control before opening of the store,

FIG. 90 is a flowchart regarding screen control when the display menu switch is turned on after the store is opened;

FIG. 91 is a flowchart when the print menu switch is turned on,

FIG. 92 is a flowchart in the case where the stop release switch or the forced termination switch is turned on,

FIG. 93 is a flow chart in the case where a forced termination release switch is turned on,

FIG. 94 is a flowchart when a card recovery switch, a test card switch, or a store closing switch is turned on,

95 is a flow chart when the display menu switch is turned on after the closing switch is turned on, FIG.

FIG. 96 is a flowchart when the print menu switch is turned on after the store is closed,

FIG. 97 is a processing flowchart when an interrupt is input from the communication line during each of the above processing,

[FIG. 98] FIG. 98 is a display screen configuration diagram showing a configuration example of an initial value setting and change screen in the management device,

99 is a display screen configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a menu selection screen in the management device, FIG.

FIG. 100 is a display screen configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a data display screen of a specific card in the management device;

101 is a display screen configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a screen for displaying details of an issued card in the management device, FIG.

FIG. 102 is a display screen configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a data display screen relating to the platform in the management device;

FIG. 103 is a display screen configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a card recovery processing screen in the management device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Pachinko machine 110 Gaming machine main body 120 Enclosed ball circulation device 160 Control unit 170 Unit memory 180 Card reader 190 Unit controller 200 Card issuing machine 210 Banknote validator 220 Card writer 230 Balance payment dispenser 250 Control unit 300 Settlement machine 310 Card reader 320 Banknote Dispenser 330 Printer 350 Control unit 400 Management device 510 Low-rise network 520 High-rise network 530 NAU (network adapter unit)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage medium used in a storage medium type game device in which a game can be executed by inserting a card-shaped storage medium into a storage medium reading device, and stores information about the storage medium. A game storage medium having a plurality of information storage means. 2. The game storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the same information is stored in each of the plurality of information storage means in an overlapping manner. 3. The game storage medium according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information stored in the plurality of information storage means includes a valid period of the storage medium. 4. A storage medium handling device, which constitutes a game facility including a storage medium type game device in which a game is made executable by inserting a card-shaped storage medium into a storage medium reading device, and handles the storage medium. A storage medium, characterized in that the storage area provided in the storage medium is virtually divided into a plurality of areas, and an overlapping writing unit that stores the same information in each of the divided areas is duplicated. Handling equipment.