JP7313129B2 - game device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming device provided corresponding to a gaming machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gaming parlors lend out game media at a plurality of lending rates. In particular, in enclosed-type gaming machines, a system is known in which a player himself/herself can select a desired lending rate (game unit price) from a plurality of lending rates. In such a system, an inter-machine card processing machine connected to an enclosed gaming machine acquires a lending rate from the enclosed gaming machine capable of changing the lending rate, stores it as set rate data, and, when detecting an operation by a player to press a lending ball button, lends out the corresponding number of game media by subtracting from the prepaid value based on the lending rate shown in the set rate data (Patent Document 1).

However, if the player himself/herself can change a plurality of lending rates (game unit prices), it is necessary to prevent the gaming parlor from suffering losses due to an illegal change in the game unit price. In view of this, Patent Document 2 discloses a gaming system comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the game unit price on the gaming machine side and the game unit price on the gaming device side match when the gaming device is connected to the gaming machine;

JP 2013-111409 A JP 2017-42235 A

However, if the player himself/herself can change a plurality of lending rates (game unit price) at any time, it is conceivable that some players will perceive the internal state of the gaming machine and intentionally change the game unit price so as to benefit the player. On the other hand, when the game unit price is intentionally changed so as to benefit the player, the game store may suffer an unintended loss, and there is a problem that appropriate business cannot be carried out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game device capable of appropriately changing a game unit price.

(1) A gaming device (eg, CU3) provided corresponding to a gaming machine (eg, P machine 2) and capable of detecting connection with the gaming machine,
a game unit price changing means (for example, the CU control unit 323) for changing the game unit price based on the change operation;
a game enabling means for outputting information on a game value corresponding to the game unit price changed by the game unit price changing means to the gaming machine based on a predetermined operation of the player, and subtracting a monetary value corresponding to the output game value (for example, the CU control unit 323 subtracts 500 yen obtained by multiplying the number of lent balls = 125 by the game unit price = 4 yen from the card balance);
monitoring means for monitoring the control state of the gaming machine (for example, the CU control unit 323 recognizes the gaming state) based on game information including the gaming state of the gaming machine output from the gaming machine (for example, the gaming machine information shown in FIG. 9);
counting processing means for counting the game value of the game machine to the game value of the game device corresponding to the game unit price when counting information is received from the game machine;
The game unit price change means enables change of the game unit price based on the change operation when the control state of the gaming machine monitored by the monitoring means is not controlled to an advantageous state (for example, a jackpot state) advantageous to the player (for example, the CU control unit 323 prohibits change of the game unit price when the P machine 2 is controlled to be in an advantageous state),
The counting processing means, when receiving the counting information while the change processing is being executed by the game unit price changing means, counts with the game unit price before the change processing is executed,
The game unit price change means can limit the change of the game unit price when it detects that the game machine is not connected, and can notify the reason for limiting the change when detecting the change operation during the change limitation of the game unit price .

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately change the game unit price by the player without giving an unintended disadvantage to the game parlor.

(2) A game system comprising a game machine (for example, P machine 2) and a game device (for example, CU3) provided corresponding to the game machine,
a game unit price changing means (for example, the CU control unit 323) for changing the game unit price based on the change operation;
a game enabling means for outputting information on a game value corresponding to the game unit price changed by the game unit price changing means to the gaming machine based on a predetermined operation of the player, and subtracting a monetary value corresponding to the output game value (for example, the CU control unit 323 subtracts 500 yen obtained by multiplying the number of lent balls = 125 by the game unit price = 4 yen from the card balance);
monitoring means for monitoring the control state of the gaming machine (for example, the CU control unit 323 recognizes the gaming state) based on game information including the gaming state of the gaming machine output from the gaming machine (for example, the gaming machine information shown in FIG. 9);
The game unit price change means enables the change of the game unit price based on the change operation when the control state of the game machine monitored by the monitor means is not controlled to an advantageous state (for example, a jackpot state) advantageous to the player (for example, the CU control part 323 prohibits the change of the game unit price when the P machine 2 is controlled to be in an advantageous state).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately change the game unit price by the player without giving an unintended disadvantage to the game parlor.

(3) In the gaming device of (1) above,
The gaming information includes information about a gaming value (for example, the number of game balls) stored in the gaming machine,
The game unit price change means enables change of the game unit price based on a change operation when there is no game value stored in the gaming machine (for example, when the number of game balls is 0 (zero)).

According to such a configuration, since it is not necessary to change the game value stored in the gaming machine when the game unit price is changed, the process of changing the game unit price can be easily performed.

(4) In the gaming device of (1) or (3) above,
counting processing means (for example, the number of balls counted by the CU control unit 323 and added to the number of balls) for performing counting processing corresponding to the game unit price when counting information (for example, counting notification) related to the game value is received from the gaming machine;
When the counting information is received while the change processing is being performed by the game unit price changing means, the counting processing means executes counting processing with the game unit price before change (for example, the CU control unit 323 has the number of balls counted at the game unit price before change and adds it to the number of balls).

According to such a configuration, even if the game unit price is changed in the counting process, the game parlor is not disadvantaged.

(5) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (4) above,
The game unit price change means can set whether to change the game value based on setting information (for example, information for setting permission/prohibition of game unit price change shown in FIG. 34) from an external management device (for example, the management computer 802).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to set permission/prohibition of the game unit price change at the game parlor depending on the operation status of the game machine.

(6) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (5) above,
A detection means for detecting connection with the game machine (for example, CU3 detects by the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation),
The game unit price changing means restricts the change of the game value when the detecting means detects that the game machine is not connected (for example, when the disconnection occurs due to the disconnection of the PIF wiring between the CU3 and the P machine 2, the operation of changing the game unit price is invalidated).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the game unit price from being changed in a state in which the game state of the gaming machine cannot be determined.

(7) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (6) above,
The game unit price change means restricts the change of the game value when the control state of the game machine monitored by the monitoring means is within a predetermined period (for example, within 50 fluctuations, within 10 minutes) after being controlled to the advantageous state.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent an unintended disadvantage from being given to the game parlor due to the change in the game unit price.

(8) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (7) above,
When the game unit price change means detects a change operation while the game value change is being restricted, the display unit displays a reason for restricting the change (for example, the display 54 shown in FIG. 23(b) displays a display area 337 for displaying the reason why the game unit price change is prohibited.).

According to such a configuration, it is possible for the player to understand the reason why the game unit price cannot be changed, and to operate so that the game unit price can be changed.

(9) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (8) above,
A type determination means for determining the type of the gaming machine based on the gaming machine installation information transmitted from the gaming machine (for example, the CU3 determines the model of the P machine 2 based on the gaming machine installation information),
Display processing and game enabling processing corresponding to the type determining means can be executed (for example, game unit price is set to enable the game, and if the game unit price can be changed, a game unit price change operation is displayed on the display device 54).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to play a game at a game unit price preset according to the model.

(10) In the game device of (1), (3) to (9) above,
The game unit price change means determines whether or not the game value can be changed in response to the output information to the specific information output unit (for example, the hall controller output BOX 811) (for example, determines whether the game unit price can be changed based on the connection state with the hall controller output BOX 811).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to change the game value on condition that the output information can be output from the specific information output unit.

(11) In the game device of (1), (3) to (10) above,
The game unit price changing means stores the history of the game unit price changed based on the change operation (for example, the CU3 stores the history of the changed game unit price).

According to such a configuration, it is possible for the game parlor to check the history of changes in the game unit price by the player.

(12) In the game device of (1), (3) to (11) above,
Equipped with deposit processing means (for example, deposit processing 909) that adds a monetary value,
The payment processing means displays a two-dimensional code based on a player's payment operation, receives payment information from the player's first terminal (for example, the player's portable terminal 803) that reads the two-dimensional code, processes the payment information at an external payment server (for example, the payment center 805), and receives the result information via the store's second terminal (for example, the store's mobile terminal 804) to add the monetary value.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to divide the amount of money deposited by two-dimensional code settlement.

(13) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (12) above,
A communication unit (for example, a short-range communication unit 329) that performs short-range communication with a player's mobile terminal,
When communication between the communication unit and the mobile terminal is canceled, it is determined that the player has left the seat (for example, CU3 determines that the player has left the seat when pairing is canceled).

According to such a configuration, when leaving the seat for a meal or the like, the player can make the gaming device recognize that the player is away from the seat without operating the device.

It is a front view showing a card unit and a pachinko game machine. It is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the card unit and the pachinko game machine. It is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the PIF wiring that connects the card unit and the pachinko game machine. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram for explaining the outline of the gaming machine information notification transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining information on the type of gaming machine; FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating gaming machine performance information. It is a figure for demonstrating gaming machine installation information. It is a figure for demonstrating whole control and fraud|fraud monitoring information. It is a figure for demonstrating whole control and fraud|fraud monitoring information. It is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing the timing of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a timing chart of information transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. It is a diagram showing the timing of information when disconnection occurs between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing major data among various data stored in the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine, respectively, and transmission/reception modes thereof; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting gaming machine installation information from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit; It is a diagram showing the information of the game unit price by model preset in the management computer. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting gaming machine performance information from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit; It is a figure which shows the sequence for demonstrating the timing which a pachinko game machine transmits hall|hole control and fraud monitoring information to a card unit. It is a flow chart for explaining the processing of determining the type of gaming machine information to be transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. It is a diagram showing a game unit price change sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when the player performs a game unit price change operation. It is a diagram showing a game unit price change sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when the game unit price change operation performed by the player is prohibited. It is an example of the display of the game unit price change operation displayed on the display. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control sequence for restricting changes in game values for a predetermined period; When the number of game balls is not 0 (zero), it is a diagram showing a game unit price change sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when the player performs a game unit price change operation. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a game unit price change sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when a player performs a game unit price change operation while counting processing is being performed; 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a gaming system including a card unit and a pachinko gaming machine; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a connection sequence between a card unit and a hall controller output BOX; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a connection sequence between a card unit and a hall controller output BOX; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining communication between a card unit and a hall controller output BOX; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the contents notified to the inside of the card unit and to the hall controller output BOX; FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining information output from a hall controller output BOX to a hall controller; It is a diagram showing the information of the game unit price for each machine preset in the management computer. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing information for setting permission/prohibition of game unit price change for each time preset in the management computer; It is a figure which shows the game unit price change by area by a management computer. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence for realizing settlement using a two-dimensional code in a pachinko hall;

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

<Configuration of pachinko machines>
First, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described. A plurality of game islands (not shown) arranged in a game hall (hall) are provided with enclosed circulation type pachinko game machines (hereinafter also abbreviated as game machines, pachinko machines or P machines) 2, which are examples of game machines. At a predetermined lateral position of the P table 2, a card unit (hereinafter also abbreviated as CU) 3, which is an example of a game device, is installed in one-to-one correspondence with the P table 2. FIG. Although a card unit will be described below as an example of a gaming device according to the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a call lamp device that is connected to the P platform 2 to report a big hit or abnormality, collect game information such as the number of winnings, etc.

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

When the shooting solenoid is driven to hit the enclosed balls into the game area 27 one by one, the subtraction mechanism 32 subtracts one ball from the number of game balls that can be played on the P table 2 accordingly. The shooting intensity of the game ball (hereinafter simply referred to as shooting intensity T) can be adjusted according to the rotational operation amount of the ball hitting operation handle 25 (hereinafter also simply referred to as handle operation amount), and the shooting intensity T increases as the handle operation amount increases. Therefore, the player can adjust the launch intensity T so that the game ball passes through the target area by adjusting the handle operation amount.

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

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

In addition, when the display result of the variable display device 278 becomes a combination of predetermined special identification information (for example, a combination of probability variable patterns such as 777) among combinations of big win patterns (slots), a probability variable big win state is generated, and a probability variable state (variable probability state) in which the probability of occurrence of the big win is improved after the big win state ends is generated.

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

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

Furthermore, a counting button 28 for counting the number of game balls from the game balls to the held balls is provided on the left side of the game ball number display 29 on the P table 2 . In the present embodiment, the counting operation is repeatedly executed according to the length of time the count button 28 is held down (for example, 250 balls are counted each time the count button 28 is held down for 0.3 seconds). In addition, regardless of the pressing duration time, when the button is pressed once, a predetermined number (for example, 250 balls) of game balls may be counted from the game balls to the balls held, or when the counting button 28 is pressed once, all the game balls currently owned by the player may be counted regardless of the pressing time (regardless of whether the button is pressed for a long time or not). In addition, the counting speed is further improved when the card return operation is performed, realizing smooth card return processing.

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

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

<Configuration of card unit>
Next, still referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of CU3 according to the present embodiment will be described. The CU 3 accepts a visitor card (also called a general card) having a prepaid function, which is a game storage medium issued to a general player who is not registered as a member, and a member card, which is a game storage medium issued to a member player who is registered as a member of the game parlor. A visitor card or a membership card is composed of an IC card.

The CU3 that has received these cards has a function of converting the game value owned by the player specified by the information stored in the card (for example, the prepaid balance, the number of owned balls, or the number of accumulated balls) into "game ball data". At the P table 2, a pinball game corresponding to the number of balls specified by the game ball data is enabled. In other words, the "game ball data" is data indicating the remaining number of shot balls that can be shot. In the following description, "game ball data" is simply referred to as "game ball" in the same manner as accumulated balls and held balls.

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

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

The ball lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to game balls) for withdrawing the balance stored in the inserted card and using it for a game on the P platform 2 . The return button 319 is operated when the player ends the game, and is a button for making the inserted card memorize the fixed number of possession balls (number of possession balls at the time of inserting the card - number of conversion to game balls + number of possession balls counted by the counting operation) at the end of the game and discharge the card.

When a replay button (not shown) is operated and the number of balls acquired by the player is stored in the inserted card, part of the number of balls acquired by the player is converted into game balls, and a game can be played on the P table 2 based on the converted game balls. On the other hand, when the inserted card is a member card and the number of balls possessed is not stored and the stored balls are stored in a hall management computer or the like, part of the stored balls is withdrawn and converted into game balls, and the game can be played on the P table 2.例文帳に追加That is, when both stored balls and balls in possession are stored in association with the inserted card, the balls in possession are preferentially withdrawn. In addition to the re-play button, a dedicated ball payout button for withdrawing the owned balls may be provided, and the re-play button may be a dedicated button for withdrawing accumulated balls.

Here, the "accumulated balls" are the balls that are deposited in the hall out of the balls acquired on the previous day or earlier, and become game balls when the accumulated balls are paid out. The stored balls are game media deposited in the game hall, and are generally managed by a hall management computer or other management computer installed in the game hall.

"Possessed ball" is a ball acquired on the day, and becomes a game ball when the possessed ball is paid out. The number of balls in possession is the number of game balls owned by the player as a result of playing the game on the P machine 2, which is stored in the card, and is the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game parlor. In general, the number of balls acquired by the player on the day in the game hall is called "balls in possession", and the number of balls acquired by the player on the previous day and deposited in the game hall is called "stored balls".

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

It should be noted that the number of possession balls may be managed by a management device for managing the number of possession balls set in the game hall. In short, the difference between ``stored balls'' and ``balls in possession'' is the number of balls that have been deposited in the game hall after the operation of storing balls for depositing into the game hall, or the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall.

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

The timing of storing the balls in the card (member card, visitor card) or the hall server may be, for example, the timing of storing in real time each time the count button 28 is operated and the counting process is performed, the timing of storing at regular intervals, or the timing of storing all at once when the card is returned.

Also, when the player returns the card from the CU3 after finishing the game, the balls stored in the CU3 are temporarily stored in the hall server as stored balls, and when the player inserts the card again into the same or another CU3 on the same day as the player receives the return of the card, only the balls once stored as the stored balls for the day may be stored again in the CU3, and the game balls may be added within the range of the stored balls so that the game can be played.

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

An IR (Infrared) photosensitive unit (also referred to as an IR light receiving unit) 320 is further provided on the front side of the CU3. The IR sensitive unit 320 is an IR sensitive unit 320 that receives an infrared signal from a remote control (not shown) carried by a game hall attendant, converts it into an electronic signal, and outputs the electronic signal.

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

A back mechanism opening switch 13 shown in FIG. 2 is provided at a lower portion of the game machine frame 5 where it contacts the outer frame 4 to detect that the game machine frame 5 has been opened. A front decoration open switch 12 shown in FIG. 2 is provided at a contact portion with the glass door 6 in the upper portion of the game machine frame 5, and the opening of the glass door 6 is detected by the front decoration open switch 12.

The number of openings of the front decoration opening switch 12 and the back mechanism opening switch 13 is counted by a counting counter (not shown). The counting counter is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and can operate with a backup power source even when the power supply to the P stand 2 is cut off. Here, the backup power supply is, for example, a capacitor or a storage battery provided in the P-table 2 .

A main control board 16 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the back surface of the game board 26 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the glass door 6). Since the back surface of the outer frame 4 is closed, the main control board 16 becomes detachable from the game board 26 by first opening the game machine frame 5 and removing the game board 26 from the game machine frame 5.例文帳に追加In other words, in order to remove the main control board 16 from the game board 26 or to replace the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16, the game machine frame 5 must be opened, so the back mechanism part opening switch 13 can always detect the work. Therefore, if the main control board 16 is illegally removed from the game board 26 or if the semiconductor chip provided on the main control board 16 is illegally replaced, the back mechanism open switch 13 can always detect it.

Furthermore, a frame control board 17 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the back surface of the game machine frame 5 . The frame control board 17 also needs to be removed from the back surface of the game machine frame 5 after the game machine frame 5 is first opened. Therefore, if the frame control board 17 is illegally removed from the back surface of the game machine frame 5, or if the semiconductor chip provided on the frame control board 17 is illegally replaced, the back mechanism open switch 13 can always detect it.

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

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

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

The CU control unit 323 receives a recognition result signal after identifying the authenticity and type of the banknote by the above-described money validator. In addition, when the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives infrared rays emitted from a remote control possessed by a game arcade attendant, the received light signal is input to the CU control unit 323 . A card reader/writer reads the stored information of the inserted card and inputs the read information to the CU control part 323, and when data to be written to the inserted card is transmitted from the CU control part 323 to the card reader/writer, the card reader/writer writes the data to the inserted card. The information stored in the card includes a card ID. The CU control unit 323 stores the card ID read by the card reader/writer until the game ends. The CU control unit 323 is connected to a wireless communication unit 327 for wirelessly communicating with a player's mobile terminal and a store's mobile terminal. As the wireless communication unit 327, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used to communicate between the CU3 and the mobile terminal for the player. Also, the CU control unit 323 is connected to a short-distance communication unit 329 that performs short-distance communication with the player's portable terminal. As the short-range communication unit 329, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) is used to communicate between the CU3 and the mobile terminal for the player.

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

The CU control unit 323 can change the game unit price based on the player's change operation while the player is playing the game. A CU control part 323 can change the game unit price based on the player's change operation from among the types of game unit prices (for example, 4 yen, 2 yen, 1 yen, etc.) set by the management computer when the change of the game unit price is permitted by the management computer.

The P table 2 is provided with a main control board 16 that controls the progress of the game on the P table 2, a frame control board 17 that manages and stores game balls, a firing control board 31 that drives and controls a firing solenoid 31a based on commands from the frame control board 17, a variable display device 278, and an effect control board 15 that controls the display of the variable display device 278 based on commands sent from the main control board 16.

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

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

Commands related to variable display sent from the main control unit 161 to the effect control unit 151 include a variable start command indicating the start of variable display, a display result command (big hit/loss) indicating the result of variable display, a variable display time command capable of specifying a variable display pattern, a variable stop command indicating the timing for deriving and displaying the variable display result, and the like. Further, the commands transmitted from the main control part 161 to the performance control part 151 include a command capable of identifying the progress of the big win during the big win, a command indicating the occurrence of a new pending memory, a command indicating the occurrence of an error in the game state, and the like.

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

The frame control board 17 is provided in the game machine frame 5 . The frame control board 17 is equipped with a payout control microcomputer, which is a frame control section 171 . The frame control unit 171 is a payout control function unit of the gaming machine. The payout control microcomputer is provided with a CPU as a control center, a ROM that stores programs and control data for the CPU to operate, a RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU, and an input/output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices.

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

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

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

Here, the base is the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given according to the winning of the game balls to the winning openings such as the big winning opening 271, the normal winning openings 272 to 274, and the starting winning openings 275 to 277 provided in the game area 27 to the number of the game balls hit into the game area 27 of the P table 2. In addition, the role ratio (also referred to as role ratio) refers to the ratio of the game balls acquired by the game balls fired in 10 hours due to the operation of the role. In the present embodiment, the role ratio corresponds to the game value given by winning the game balls in the start winning hole 276 constituted by the electric tulip, which is one of the accessories, and the big winning hole 271 constituted by the variable winning ball device, which is one of the roles, out of the number of the game balls corresponding to the game value corresponding to the winning of the game balls fired in 10 hours (60,000 balls because it is possible to shoot 100 balls per minute) into all the winning holes. Refers to the ratio of the number of game balls. Furthermore, the continuous role ratio (also referred to as continuous ratio) refers to the ratio of the number of game balls obtained by the game balls fired in 10 hours due to the operation of the relevant role when the role is continuously operated. In the present embodiment, the continuous role ratio refers to the ratio of the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning the game balls to the big winning hole 271 provided with the variable winning ball device, which is one of the roles, among the number of game balls corresponding to the game value given by winning the game balls (60,000 balls because 100 balls can be shot per minute) launched in 10 hours.

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

The main control chip ID (also called main chip ID) is a chip ID stored in the main control board 16 of the P stand 2, and is information transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P stand 2 is turned on. Winning hole information is information including the types of winning holes (starting winning hole, normal winning hole, big winning hole) and the number of winning balls (the number of balls to be paid out when game balls enter the winning hole), and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P stand 2 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds when the jackpot is won, and is transmitted to the frame control board 17 when the power of the P table 2 is turned on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In addition to the frame control board 17, the game machine frame 5 is provided with a launch control board 31, a launch solenoid 31a, and a game ball number indicator 29. As shown in FIG. The game ball number display 29 may be directly attached to the game machine frame 5, but it may be provided in a manner rotatable with respect to the game machine frame 5 like an upper tray or a lower tray provided on the front side of an ordinary pachinko game machine from which balls are paid out. This point is the same for the indicator 54 as well. The frame control unit 171 of the frame control board 17 displays the number of game balls currently owned by the player on the game ball number display 29 .

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

A RAM clear switch 293 is a switch for erasing the game machine information and game information stored in the RAM of the P machine 2, and after the P machine becomes an error state, the clerk operates the switch to restore the initial state. This RAM clear switch 293 is operated by a store clerk, for example, after the card is ejected.

<Circulation path of game balls>
Here, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the circulation route of the game balls in the P table 2 will be outlined. When the player operates the hitting operation handle 25, the shooting solenoid 31a is driven. As a result, one game ball that has been supplied to the shooting position is rebounded by the hitting ball hammer and hit into the game area 27.例文帳に追加

A subtraction reference signal is output to the subtraction mechanism 32 in conjunction with the shooting solenoid 31a operating and the game ball being shot. In the subtraction mechanism 32, the subtraction solenoid 32a is energized to move the movable piece based on the output subtraction reference signal, thereby sending out the game ball to the shooting mechanism 30 and subtracting the number of game balls by passing the game ball through the subtraction mechanism entrance sensor 32b.

Of the balls hit into the game area 27, the out balls that enter the out port 154 (see FIG. 1) flow down the out ball flow path and are detected by the out ball detection switch 701a provided on the way.

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

Therefore, in this embodiment, the difference between the number detected by the lifting mechanism exit sensor 33 and the number of shots is calculated, and when the difference is not 0, it is determined that the balls hit into the game area 27 have not been collected. By making this determination, it can be determined whether or not there is a floating ball that is rolling in the game area 27 or caught between nails or the like in the game area and not falling.

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

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

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

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

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

Note that (a) lending information and (b) lending response information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port, (a) lending information and (c) count information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port, or (a) lending information and (d) gaming machine information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port. Further, (b) lending response information and (c) counting information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port, (b) lending response information and (d) gaming machine information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port, or (c) counting information and (d) gaming machine information may be communicated through a common asynchronous serial communication port.

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

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

Count information is described in FIG.4(c). In the count information, the P-unit 2 transmits to the CU 3 as a count notification telegram containing the number of counted balls, the cumulative number of counted balls, and a counting serial number for communication management. Note that the P unit 2 does not receive information for confirming the transmission result from the CU3. The number of balls counted, the number of accumulated balls counted, and the serial number counted are all information for the purpose of counting game balls. Also, the number of counted balls transmitted in one piece of information is, for example, 250 balls. In addition, when the number of counted balls is 0 (zero), the count information may be transmitted by inserting the information of 0 (zero) into the information of the number of counted balls.

FIG. 4(d) describes gaming machine information. As for the game machine information, the P machine 2 transmits the game machine installation information, the game machine performance information, and the hole control/fraud monitoring information to the CU3. Note that the P unit 2 does not receive information for confirming the transmission result from the CU3. The gaming machine installation information is information for the purpose of machine history management, and is transmitted to the CU 3 as a telegram notifying the gaming machine installation information after the power is turned on. The gaming machine installation information includes information such as the manufacturer code, model code, and chip ID number of the main/frame control CPU.

The gaming machine performance information is information for the purpose of totaling performance information, and is transmitted to the CU 3 as a telegram for notifying the gaming machine performance information. The gaming machine performance information is to output the results calculated based on the game, total number of game balls fired, total number of game balls won, ball output rate, number of game balls acquired per minute (low base), number of game balls acquired per minute (high base), total number of game balls acquired by special electric role, total number of game balls acquired by normal electric role, total number of game balls acquired by continuous differential device, total number of game balls acquired at starting gate, total number of game balls acquired at normal winning gate, special Includes information such as the total number of operations of the electric role, the total number of operations of the normal electric role, the total number of operations of the special symbol display device, the total number of operations of the normal symbol display device, the ratio of the role, the ratio of the continuous role. In addition, the conditions for the frame control board 17 to notify the gaming machine performance information to the CU 3 include, for example: (1) notification after 3 minutes have passed since the power of the P stand 2 is turned on; (2) notification at intervals of a prescribed number of shot balls (eg, 60,000 balls) or at regular intervals of a specified time (eg, 10 hours); (3) notification prior to gaming machine installation information notification; There are conditions such as Note that these conditions are only examples, and other conditions may be adopted, and only one of the above conditions may be adopted, or a combination of multiple conditions may be adopted.

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

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

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

The gaming machine type information is information for indicating the gaming machine type of the P machine 2 . FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining information on the type of gaming machine. In FIG. 6, if the game machine type information is "10", it indicates that the P machine 2 connected to the CU3 is the "pachinko" of the "pachinko game machine", and if it is "11", it indicates that it is the "parrot" of the "pachinko game machine". Further, if the game machine type information is "20", it indicates that the P machine 2 connected to the CU3 is the "pachislot" of the "pachislot game machine", if it is "30", it indicates that it is the "arrange ball" of the "arrange ball", and if it is "40", it indicates that it is the "jankyu game machine" of the "jankyu game machine". In the CU3, if the transmitted gaming machine type information is "10" or "11", for example, the unit used for the game is displayed as "ball" as the game ball number display, and if the gaming machine type information is "20", the game medal number display is displayed as the game unit used for the game, for example, "sheets".

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

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

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

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

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

"Number of game balls" indicates the current number of game balls. For example, if the number of game balls is 10000, it indicates "0x102700". "Number of shot balls" indicates the number of shot balls (-128 to 127). If there are back balls, the number of back balls is subtracted. "Total number of prize balls" indicates the sum of the number of prize balls and the number of prizes won.

"Main control state" is information on the game state of P machine 2, and includes "main control state 1" and "main control state 2". "Main control state 1" includes information on jackpot 1 (all jackpots), jackpot 2 (specific jackpot), and jackpot 3 (jackpot with reduced fluctuation time), and information on gaming machine state signals 1-4. The gaming machine state signals 1 to 4 are used to output the state from the external output terminal 340 of the CU3 to the outside such as a hall controller, and correspond to the "external terminal board state output signal terminals 1 to 4" (see FIG. 56) output from the external output terminal of the CU3. "Main control state 1" includes information during big hit + time saving (variation time reduction), high probability, and time saving (variation time reduction).

The "gaming machine error state" includes information on the error code occurring in the gaming machine. Specifically, in the "game machine error state", Bits 0 to 5 represent an error code, and if Bit 6 is "0", it is an error on the frame control side, and if it is "1", it is an error on the main control side.

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

The “game information” includes information for notifying the frame control board 17 of start-up wins, big wins, and the number of symbol determinations generated by the main control board 16 . The "game information" consists of a total of 2 bytes: type information (upper 1 byte) and count information (lower 1 byte). The type information is composed of a data type and a data number, and a data number is set for each data type.

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

As the count information, different frequency information is set for each data type. If the data type is 1 = starting entry winning, 2 = big winning entry winning, 3 = winning entry winning, 9 = starting entry winning by role product operation, 10 = large winning entry winning by continuous action of role product, 11 = winning entry winning by role product operation, the count information is composed of the number of prize balls (upper 4 bits) and the number of prizes (lower 4 bits). For example, when two balls are won in the start hole 1 of three prize balls, the data type (Bits 4 to 7) is "1 = start hole 1", the data number (Bits 0 to 3) is "1 = start hole 1", the number of prize balls (Bits 4 to 7) is "3 = 3 prize balls", and the number of prizes (Bits 0 to 3) is "1 = 1 prize".

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

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

Among the information transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3, (d) gaming machine information is transmitted at regular intervals A as shown in FIG. In other words, the period from the transmission of information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 to the transmission of the next information is controlled to the specified period A (for example, 300 ms=0.3 seconds). The P machine 2 can transmit the gaming machine information to the CU3 every prescribed period A regardless of the reception status of the gaming machine information at the CU3. Therefore, the P machine 2 does not need to resend the gaming machine information, and it does not need to store the past gaming machine information, so that the processing load can be reduced.

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

The gaming machine information communicates with the counting information through the same asynchronous serial communication port. Therefore, when trying to transmit the counting information at the timing of transmitting the game machine information, the information may be congested within the common asynchronous serial communication port, and data collision may occur, resulting in incorrect communication. Therefore, when the game machine information is transmitted to the CU3 every specified period A, the P machine 2 transmits (c) count information to the CU3 at a timing corresponding to a specified period B (for example, 100 ms) shorter than the specified period A after transmitting the game machine information in order to optimize the information transmission. The count information is transmitted to CU3 every prescribed period B regardless of the reception status at CU3. When the counting button 28 is operated by the player before transmitting the gaming machine information, the number of balls to be counted includes, for example, information of 250 balls, and when the counting button 28 is not operated by the player before transmitting the gaming machine information, the number of balls to be counted includes information of 0 (zero) balls.

The transmission of the count information is not limited to the case where it is performed within a specified period B from the timing of transmitting the game machine information, but may be any timing that does not cause congestion with the game machine information, and may be from after the specified period B to the timing when the next game machine information is transmitted.

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

The lending response information is communicated through the same asynchronous serial communication port as the gaming machine information. Therefore, when the lending response information is transmitted from the CU3 at the timing of transmitting the game machine information, the information may be congested in the common asynchronous serial communication port, and data collision may occur, resulting in incorrect communication.

Therefore, the CU3 transmits the rental information to the P machine 2 during the valid reception time after receiving the counting information. That is, the P machine 2 receives the information of the number of lent balls and the lent serial number from the CU3 at the timing within the valid reception time after transmitting the count information, and transmits the lending response information of the reception result of the number of lent balls and the lent serial number to the CU3 within the response time.

In FIG. 12, an example of communication between the CU3 and the P machine 2 is described in which the timing of transmitting the counting information is determined based on the timing of transmitting the game machine information, and the timing of receiving the rental information is determined based on the timing of transmitting the counting information.

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

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

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

In (iv), when the frame control board 17 receives the information of the number of loaned balls and the loaned serial number from CU3, it sends the rental response information of the number of loaned balls and the loaned serial number to CU3 within 10 ms (response time) from the reception of the information. (v) Thereafter, the same operation is repeated with a period of 300 ms.

At the timing shown in FIG. 13, the lending information and the lending response information are transmitted and received between the CU3 and the P table 2 even if the player does not operate the ball lending button 321 or the replay button. However, if the player does not operate the ball lending button 321 or the replay button, the lending information and the lending response information may not be transmitted and received between the CU3 and the P table 2.

Next, the processing when disconnection occurs between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when information is transmitted and received between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine at the timing shown in FIG. 13 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the timing of information when disconnection occurs between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine. Since the processing at the timings (i) to (v) shown in FIG. 14 is the same as the processing at the timings shown in FIG. 13, the processing at the timings after (vi) will be described.

In (vi), when disconnection occurs due to disconnection of the PIF wiring between the CU3 and the P unit 2, the voltage of the connection confirmation power supply VL supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 changes from 5 V to 0 (zero) V (VL = change from ON to OFF). When the voltage of the connection confirmation power supply VL supplied to the wiring numbers 8 and 9 changes from 5V to 0V, the frame control board 17 outputs a signal to the shooting control board 31 to stop shooting the game balls. In this way, by performing the process shown in FIG. 14, the P machine 2 can stop the shooting of game balls with a simple configuration and process without performing authentication with the CU3. Further, the operation of the counting button 28 is disabled based on the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation changing from 5V to 0V. When the P machine 2 is the primary station, if the player operates the counting button 28 to output the counting information to the CU3 when the PIF wiring is disconnected or the like, and the player operates the counting button 28, the recovery processing using the game machine information may be difficult in the CU3 because the CU3 does not confirm the reception of the counting information from the P machine 2.例文帳に追加In order to prevent the player from being disadvantaged by such an event, when disconnection occurs between the CU3 and the P table 2, the operation of the counting button 28 itself is invalidated, or the output of the counting information is invalidated.

Further, in (vi), when disconnection occurs due to disconnection of the PIF wiring between the CU3 and the P machine 2, the operation of changing the game unit price is invalidated. The CU3 determines whether or not the game state is controlled to an advantageous state by being connected to the P machine 2 and whether or not the number of game balls is 0 (zero). As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from illegally changing the game unit price while the P machine 2 is not connected.

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

<Mode of transmission and reception between the card unit side and the pachinko machine side>
Next, FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing major data among the various data stored on the CU 3 side and the P stand 2 side, respectively, and their transmission/reception modes. Referring to FIG. 15, major data among various data stored on the CU 3 side and the P stand 2 side, and transmission/reception mode thereof will be described.

In this embodiment, the variation in the number of game balls is calculated on the P table 2 side, and the current latest number of game balls is stored and managed. The CU3 side also calculates and stores the current number of game balls, but the number of game balls is based on the information transmitted from the P machine 2 side. On the other hand, the CU 3 side manages and stores the balls (the number of balls held by the card), the number of accumulated balls, and the prepaid balance (balance).

FIG. 15 shows data stored in the RAM provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU3 side and data stored in the RAM mounted on the frame control board 17 on the P stand 2 side. First, when the P machine 2 and the CU3 are installed in the game hall and the power is turned on in an electrically connected state for the first time, the frame control board 17 on the P machine 2 side receives the main chip ID (main control chip ID) from the main control board 16, transmits the main chip ID to the CU3 side, and transmits the frame chip ID (frame control chip ID) stored in the frame control board 17 itself to the CU3 side.

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

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

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

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

Information on these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU3 side as gaming machine information. The CU 3 grasps changes in the number of game balls from the latest game machine performance information and hall control information transmitted from the P machine 2 . In CU3, for example, the number of game balls is added based on the "number of prize balls×the number of winning balls" included in the hall control information, and the number of game balls is subtracted based on the "number of shot balls". Furthermore, the counting ball number counter is a counter that counts the number of counting balls. The number of counted balls is "the number of balls converted from game balls to possession balls by a counting operation". The cumulative ball number counter is a counter that counts the cumulative number of balls. The counted cumulative number of balls is "the cumulative number of balls converted from game balls to held balls by the counting operation", and is the cumulative number of balls counted from RAM clear (initialization operation) or the cumulative number of balls counted on the day. It is assumed that the cumulative number of balls does not change even if the player changes. A 2-byte data area is assigned to the cumulative ball number counter, and information on 0 to 65,535 balls can be stored. Therefore, when the cumulative ball number counter counts the cumulative number of balls to "0xFFFF (65,535 balls)", the next value is updated to "0x0000 (0 balls)". When a counting operation is received during shooting of the game ball, updating processing of the game points to be counted is preferentially performed, shooting of the game ball is stopped, and execution of update processing of the game points corresponding to the shooting is stopped. As a result, it is possible to avoid overlap of the timings of the subtraction of the game points to be counted and the subtraction of the game points corresponding to the shooting, more accurately realize the update processing of the game points, and prevent the occurrence of erroneous update processing. Further, the subtraction of the game points to be counted and the subtraction of the game points corresponding to the shot may be performed at the same time. As a result, since the shooting of game balls is not stopped, a smooth game can be realized. Here, the "prize ball" is a ball paid out when the ball enters the winning hole, and is a safe ball. The "shot ball" is the ball shot by the gaming machine, and if there is a back ball, the number of shot balls is the number of balls after subtracting the back ball.

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

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

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

In addition, the frame control board 17 updates the value of the game ball number counter according to the occurrence of winning, the shooting of balls, and the occurrence of counting balls (conversion from game balls to holding balls), and transmits the updated value of the game ball number counter to the CU3 side as the number of game balls.

On the CU3 side, the cumulative data storage area in the RAM stores the number of game balls, the number of balls held in the card (simply referred to as the number of balls held), the number of stored balls, the balance, and the number of balls held when the card is inserted. The number of balls on card is obtained by subtracting the number of lent balls (the number of balls converted from the number of balls on card to the number of game balls) from the number of balls held when the card is inserted, and adding the number of counted balls. In other words, the number of cards held by the player is the number of balls owned by the player at the present time.

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

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

As a result, for example, an error notification is performed by the abnormality notification lamp or the display device 54, or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the hall management computer or the hall server (in this case, the hall management computer or the hall server may notify the error). As a result, a predetermined notification is issued to prompt the attendant to take a manual action.

Instead of moving to an error state and stopping the game, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side may be replaced with the count value of the game ball number counter transmitted from the P machine 2 side. Alternatively, instead of that, the number of game balls managed by the CU3 side and the number of game balls stored by the P machine 2 side may be corrected to an average value.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the number of game balls is also stored on the CU3 side, and it is possible to determine whether or not the number of game balls matches the number of game balls managed and stored on the P table 2 side (CU3 side function). Therefore, even if the number of game balls stored on the P table 2 side does not match the number of game balls stored on the CU 3 side due to fraud or other circumstances, it can be checked. Here, the determination function is provided on the CU3 side, but for example, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P table 2 side may be received by a hall server or hall management computer connected to the CU3 side, and it may be determined whether or not they match.

When the CU3 fails to receive the count information, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the number of game balls managed and stored on the P machine 2 side do not match, so special processing is executed. As the special processing, processing for displaying the history information of the gaming machine information is performed in order to compensate the number of game balls based on the gaming machine information, compensation for the number of game balls is performed based on the history information, and error notification is performed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, CU3 further has a storage area for storing the number of balls held in the card and the number of accumulated balls, a storage area for storing the prepaid balance of the received (inserted) card, and a storage area for storing the balls held when the card is inserted. The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) subtracts a predetermined number of accumulated balls from a storage area for storing accumulated balls in response to an input requesting use of the accumulated balls (for example, press input of a replay button provided in the CU3 (when no balls are held)).

The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) subtracts a predetermined number of held balls from a storage area for storing held balls in response to an input requesting the use of a held ball (for example, press input of a replay button provided on the CU 3 when a held ball is present). Furthermore, the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 2) subtracts a predetermined value from the storage area for storing the prepaid balance in response to an input requesting use of the prepaid balance (for example, pressing the ball lending button 321).

When the player performs an operation of lending out a predetermined value from the player's possession value (for example, the number of balls, the number of stored balls, or the prepaid balance) and using it in a game, the number of lent balls for adding the number of balls for the withdrawal to the game ball number counter is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P table 2 side. In response to this, the P table 2 side increments and updates the game ball number counter.

<Communication Sequence Between CU and P Unit>
Next, the communication sequence between CU3 and P stand 2 will be described. In communication between the CU3 and the P unit 2, a command-response method is adopted in which the P unit 2 is the primary station and the CU3 is the secondary station. First, the timing of transmitting the gaming machine installation information from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting the gaming machine installation information from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. After the start-up of the P machine 2 is completed, the P machine 2 transmits a serial number=0 and a command for game machine information notification to the CU3. After 300 ms has elapsed, the P machine 2 transmits a command of serial number=1 and game machine information notification to the CU3. The P unit 2 transmits a count notification command to the CU3, receives a lending notification command from the CU3, and returns a lending reception result response command to the CU3 as a response to the command.

In the communication sequence between the CU3 and the P machine 2, after the P machine 2 is activated, telegram communication is repeated between serial number = 0 and serial number = 1, but one minute (60 s) after the completion of the P machine 2 startup, the P machine 2 transmits the serial number = 200 and the game machine installation information to the command of the game machine information notification to the CU3. After that, the P machine 2 notifies the gaming machine installation information to the CU3 in a cycle of one minute.

The CU 3 determines the model of the P machine 2 based on the gaming machine installation information that is included in the game machine information notification command and first transmitted after the startup of the P machine 2 is completed. Specifically, the CU 3 determines the model of the P machine 2 from information such as the manufacturer code, model code, and chip ID number of the main/frame control CPU included in the gaming machine installation information. A CU3 sets a game unit price at the time of opening a store set for each model based on the determined model of the P machine 2 to enable a game (game enabling process), and if the game unit price can be changed, displays a game unit price change operation on a display device 54 (display process). A game unit price at opening is set in advance by a management computer 802, and a CU3 sets a game unit price for the model of the discriminated P machine 2 at opening by inquiring the management computer 802 of the game unit price at opening or receiving setting information of the game unit price for each model from the management computer 802.例文帳に追加

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing information on the game unit price by machine model preset in the management computer 802. As shown in FIG. The information shown in FIG. 17 includes, for each model, the game unit price at the time of non-operation detection, the game unit price at the opening of the store, and the number of machines installed. For example, in the case of model A, the management computer 802 is preset with a game unit price of 4 yen when non-operating is detected, a game unit price of 4 yen when the store is opened, and 38 machines as the installed number. For the J model, the management computer 802 is preset with information of 1 yen as the game unit price when non-operating is detected, 4 yen as the game unit price when the store is opened, and 32 machines as the installed number. Here, when the non-operation is detected, it means that the state in which no game is played (for example, the number of game balls is 0 (zero)) continues for a certain period (for example, 30 minutes) at the P machine 2, and when the CU 3 determines that the non-operation is detected, the game unit price set by the player is changed to the game unit price when the non-operation is detected. If the CU 3 determines that non-operation is detected without setting the game unit price at the time of non-operation detection, the game unit price set by the player may be changed to the game unit price at the time of opening the store.

Next, the timing for transmitting the gaming machine performance information from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 will be explained. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmitting the gaming machine performance information from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. After the start-up of the P machine 2 is completed, the P machine 2 transmits a serial number=0 and a command for game machine information notification to the CU3. After 300 ms has elapsed, the P machine 2 transmits a command of serial number=1 and game machine information notification to the CU3. The P unit 2 transmits a count notification command to the CU3, receives a lending notification command from the CU3, and returns a lending reception result response command to the CU3 as a response to the command.

In the communication sequence between the CU3 and the P machine 2, after the P machine 2 is activated, telegram communication is repeated between serial number = 0 and serial number = 1, but after 3 minutes (180 s) from the completion of the P machine 2 startup, the P machine 2 transmits the serial number = 88 and the game machine performance information to the command of the game machine information notification to the CU3. After that, the P-table 2 notifies the game balls to be fired for the specified number of shot balls (eg, 60000 balls) or at regular intervals of the specified time (eg, 10 hours).

Next, the timing for transmitting hall control/fraud monitoring information from the P unit 2 to the CU 3 will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a sequence for explaining the timing of transmission of hall con/fraud monitoring information from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. After the start-up of the P machine 2 is completed, the P machine 2 transmits the game machine information notification command including the hall control/fraud monitoring information to the CU 3 with the serial number=0. After 300 ms have elapsed, the P machine 2 transmits the game machine information notification command including the hall control/fraud monitoring information to the CU3 with the serial number=1. The P unit 2 transmits a count notification command to the CU3, receives a lending notification command from the CU3, and returns a lending reception result response command to the CU3 as a response to the command.

In the communication sequence between the CU3 and the P unit 2, after the P unit 2 has been activated, telegram communication is repeated between the serial number=0 and the serial number=1. In other words, from the completion of activation of the P machine 2, the P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification command including the hall control/fraud monitoring information to the CU3 at a cycle of 300 ms (predetermined period).

The gaming machine information that can be included in the gaming machine information notification command is any one of gaming machine installation information, gaming machine performance information, hall controller/fraud monitoring information. Each piece of information is transmitted in the cycle described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19. Specifically, the type of gaming machine information included in the command for notifying gaming machine information is determined based on what kind of notification condition.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart for explaining the process of determining the type of gaming machine information to be transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine to the card unit. The processing shown in FIG. 20 is executed before the P machine 2 (particularly, the CPU of the frame control unit 171) commands the CU3 to notify the gaming machine information. While the transmission cycle of the game machine information notification command is 300 ms, the processing cycle of the timer interrupt in the CPU of the frame control unit 171 is 4 ms, so the processing shown in FIG. 20 can be sufficiently executed. First, the P table 2 determines whether or not there is a launch, prize ball, or state change (step S101). 9 and 10 (for example, the number of game balls, main control state 1, game machine error state, fraud detection state 1, etc.), the P machine 2 determines that there is a launch, prize ball, or state change.

When it is determined that there is a shot, a prize ball, or a change in state (YES in step S101), the P machine 2 selects "0x02" of hall controller/illegal monitoring information as the type of gaming machine information (step S102). When hall control/fraud monitoring information “0x02” is selected as the type of gaming machine information, the processing shown in FIG.

When it is determined that there is no launch, prize ball, or state change (NO in step S101), the P stand 2 determines whether or not the special period has passed (step S103). Here, the special period is, for example, 3 minutes (180 s) from the completion of activation of the P-table 2, shooting game balls for a specified number of shot balls (eg, 60,000 balls) or a specified time (eg, 10 hours). When determining that the special period has passed (YES in step S103), the P machine 2 selects "0x01" of the gaming machine performance information as the type of gaming machine information (step S104). When the gaming machine performance information "0x01" is selected as the gaming machine information type, the processing shown in FIG.

When it is determined that the special period has not passed (NO in step S103), the P machine 2 determines whether or not a predetermined period has passed (step S105). Here, the predetermined period is, for example, one minute (60 s) after the start-up of the P units 2 is completed, which is a shorter period than the special period. When determining that the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in step S105), the P machine 2 selects "0x00" of the gaming machine installation information as the type of gaming machine information (step S106). When the game machine installation information "0x00" is selected as the game machine information type, the processing shown in FIG.

When it is determined that the predetermined period has not passed (NO in step S105), the P machine 2 selects "0x02" of hall controller/fraud monitoring information as the type of gaming machine information (step S107). When hall control/fraud monitoring information “0x02” is selected as the type of gaming machine information, the processing shown in FIG. In addition, since the hall control/fraud monitoring information transmitted to CU3 in step S107 is information transmitted when there is no shot, prize ball, or state change, empty information is transmitted.

As can be seen from the processing shown in FIG. 20, the gaming machine information included in the gaming machine information notification command transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU 3 is any one of the gaming machine installation information, gaming machine performance information, hall control/fraud monitoring information, and the transmission priority differs for each. Specifically, the priority is highest for hall control/fraud monitoring information, and lower for gaming machine performance information and gaming machine installation information. However, the priority of hall control/fraud monitoring information is lower than that of gaming machine performance information and gaming machine installation information when there is no launch, prize ball, or state change. That is, when the timing of transmitting the game machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the game machine installation information overlap, the P machine 2 gives priority to transmission of the game machine performance information and transmits the game machine installation information at the next timing, and when the timing of transmitting the game machine performance information and the timing of transmitting the hall control/fraud monitoring information overlaps, it prioritizes the transmission of the hall controller/fraud monitoring information and transmits the game machine performance information at the next timing.

<Game unit price change sequence>
Next, the game unit price change sequence when the player changes the game unit price will be described. In addition to the player's operation, the game unit price can also be changed by using a remote controller owned by a store clerk. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a game unit price change sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when the player performs the game unit price change operation. FIG. 21 shows the processing when the ball lending button 321 is pressed before the game unit price changing operation and the processing when the ball lending button 321 is pressed after the game unit price changing operation.

Also, in FIG. 21, the card balance specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is "1000 yen" and the initial number of game balls is "50". The initial game unit price set in CU3 is 4 yen.

First, the P machine transmits to CU3 a gaming machine information notification (hereinafter simply referred to as a gaming machine information notification) including any one of hall control/fraud monitoring information, gaming machine installation information, and gaming machine performance information. It should be noted that since the information contained is hall control/fraud monitoring information, it contains the information of the serial number=n and the number of game balls=50. The P machine transmits the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU3 within 100 ms (within the prescribed period B shown in FIG. 12) after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU3.

Since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU3, the P machine notifies the CU3 of the counting information without counting, including the information of the count serial number = m, the number of counted balls = 0, and the cumulative number of counted balls = 0 in the telegram of the count notification.

CU3 transmits rental information including a rental notification telegram to P unit 2 within a valid reception period (see FIG. 12) after receiving the counting information from P unit 2 regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not. When the player presses the ball lending button 321 before transmitting the rental information to the P machine, the CU3 transmits the information of the rental serial number = k and the number of rental balls = 125 to the P machine 2 in the telegram of the rental notification. If the player has not pressed the ball lending button 321 before sending the rental information to the P machine, the CU3 sends the rental notification telegram to the P machine 2 containing the information of the rental serial number = k and the number of rental balls = 0.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits the lending response information including the lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time (see FIG. 12). The lending reception result response telegram includes the information that the lending serial number is k and the lending pitch reception result is normal. P machine 2 adds the number of rental balls sent from CU3=125 to the number of game balls=50, and updates the number of game balls to "175".

When the CU3 receives lending response information including the information that the number of lending balls is received = normal from the P machine 2 and confirms the number of lending balls, the number of lending balls = 125 is multiplied by the game unit price = 4 yen to subtract 500 yen from the card balance, and the card balance becomes 500 yen. When the CU3 cannot receive the lending response information including the information that the number of lending balls received is normal from the P machine 2, the card balance is maintained at 1000 yen.

The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the prescribed period A (see FIG. 12) has elapsed since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3. The new gaming machine information notification sent to CU3 includes the updated serial number=n+1 and the added number of game balls=175 in the hole controller/fraud monitoring information.

After that, the player plays the game and the number of game balls on the P table 2 becomes 0 (zero), and the process when the player operates the game unit price from 4 yen to 1 yen will be explained. The P machine 2 includes the information of the serial number=n+a and the number of game balls=0 when transmitting the new gaming machine information notification to the CU3. The CU3 determines whether or not the game state of the P machine 2 is controlled to be advantageous from the gaming machine information included in the gaming machine information notification. For example, if any of Bits 0 to 3 of the main control state 1 is "1" in the gaming machine information shown in FIG.

When the information included in the notification of the game machine information is only the information of serial number=n+a and the number of game balls=0, the CU3 determines that the game state of the P table 2 is not controlled to an advantageous state (not being controlled), and changes the game unit price. That is, in CU3, when the player changes the game unit price, the changeable condition is that the number of game balls is 0 (zero) and the game state is not controlled to be in an advantageous state.

When the player can change the game unit price in CU3, he/she presses a game unit price change button (not shown) from the menu displayed on the display device 54 to display the changeable game unit price buttons (see FIG. 23(a)). The player can change the game unit price by depressing a changeable game unit price button displayed on the display device 54 . For example, when the player presses the button for the game unit price of 1 yen, the game unit price is changed from 4 yen to 1 yen.

After performing the game unit price changing operation, if the player presses the ball lending button 321 before transmitting the lending information to the P machine, the CU3 transmits the information of the lending serial number = k + a and the number of lending balls = 100 to the P machine 2 in the telegram of the lending notification. In other words, CU3 notifies the P machine 2 that the renting unit price is changed to a game unit price of 1 yen and the number of rented balls is set to 100.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits lending response information including a lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time. The lending reception result response telegram includes the information that the lending serial number=k+a and the number of lending ball reception results=normal. The P machine 2 updates the number of game balls to "100" by adding the number of rented balls=100 sent from the CU3 to the number of game balls=0.

When the CU3 receives the lending response information including the information of the reception result of the number of rented balls=normal from the P machine 2 and confirms the reception result of the number of rented balls, the number of rented balls=100 is multiplied by the game unit price=1 yen to subtract 100 yen from the card balance, and the card balance becomes 400 yen. When the CU3 cannot receive the lending response information including the information that the number of lending balls received is normal from the P machine 2, the card balance is maintained at 500 yen.

The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the lapse of the specified period A since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3. The new gaming machine information notification sent to CU3 includes the updated serial number=n+a+1 in hall controller/fraud monitoring information and the added number of game balls=100.

Thus, the player can change the game unit price at any time as long as the changeable condition is satisfied. Therefore, the player can select a machine to play without worrying about the line-up of 1-yen and 4-yen game machines in the hall, thereby expanding the range of machine selection. Further, for example, the game is played at a unit price of 1 yen up to 300 spins on the P machine 2, and after that, the game is played at a unit price of 4 yen. Furthermore, until now, when a plurality of players have different desired game unit prices, they have not been able to play side by side.

Next, a case where the player is prohibited from changing the game unit price will be described. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a game unit price change sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when the game unit price change operation performed by the player is prohibited. FIG. 22 shows the processing when the game unit price changing operation is prohibited.

Also, in FIG. 22, the card balance specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is "1000 yen" and the initial number of game balls is "50". The initial game unit price set in CU3 is 4 yen.

First, the P machine transmits a gaming machine information notification to the CU3. It should be noted that since the information contained is hall control/fraud monitoring information, it contains the information of the serial number=n and the number of game balls=50. The P machine transmits the counting information including the message of the counting notification to the CU3 within 100 ms (within the prescribed period B) after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to the CU3.

Since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU3, the P machine notifies the CU3 of the counting information without counting, including the information of the count serial number = m, the number of counted balls = 0, and the cumulative number of counted balls = 0 in the telegram of the count notification.

The CU3 transmits the rental information including the telegram of the rental notification to the P machine 2 within the valid reception period after receiving the counting information from the P machine 2 regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not. When the player presses the ball lending button 321 before transmitting the rental information to the P machine, the CU3 transmits the information of the rental serial number = k and the number of rental balls = 125 to the P machine 2 in the telegram of the rental notification. If the player has not pressed the ball lending button 321 before sending the rental information to the P machine, the CU3 sends the rental notification telegram to the P machine 2 containing the information of the rental serial number = k and the number of rental balls = 0.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits lending response information including a lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time. The lending reception result response telegram includes the information that the lending serial number is k and the lending pitch reception result is normal. P machine 2 adds the number of rental balls sent from CU3=125 to the number of game balls=50, and updates the number of game balls to "175".

When the CU3 receives lending response information including the information that the number of lending balls is received = normal from the P machine 2 and confirms the number of lending balls, the number of lending balls = 125 is multiplied by the game unit price = 4 yen to subtract 500 yen from the card balance, and the card balance becomes 500 yen. When the CU3 cannot receive the lending response information including the information that the number of lending balls received is normal from the P machine 2, the card balance is maintained at 1000 yen.

The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the lapse of the specified period A since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3. The new gaming machine information notification sent to CU3 includes the updated serial number=n+1 and the added number of game balls=175 in the hole controller/fraud monitoring information.

After that, the player plays a game and the number of game balls on the P table 2 becomes 0 (zero), and the process when the player is prohibited from changing the game unit price will be described. In the P machine 2, when the shot game ball wins the starting prize winning port 276, the P machine 2 includes information of serial number=n+a, the number of game balls=0, and the number of winning prizes=1 when transmitting a new game machine information notification to the CU3. The CU3 determines that the game state of the P machine 2 is controlled to an advantageous state when it detects that the number of winning prizes (Bits 0 to 3) is "1 = 1 winning" in the count information of the start winning prize included in the "game information" of the game machine information notification received from the P machine 2. - 特許庁Therefore, although the number of game balls is 0, the CU3 determines that the game state of the P machine 2 is being controlled in an advantageous state (under control), and prohibits (impossible) to change the game unit price.

When it is impossible for a player to change the game unit price in CU3 (when the change is restricted), even if the game unit price change button (not shown) is pressed from the menu displayed on the display device 54, the changeable game unit price button is not displayed, or even if it is displayed, it is displayed so that it cannot be selected (not shown). The player can recognize from the display on the display 54 that the game unit price cannot be changed at present.

When the player presses the ball lending button 321 before sending the lending information to the P machine while the game unit price changing operation is prohibited, the CU3 transmits the information of the lending serial number = k + a and the number of lending balls = 125 to the P machine 2 in the telegram of the lending notification. That is, the CU3 notifies the P machine 2 of the lending unit price with the game unit price of 4 yen and the number of lending balls=125.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits lending response information including a lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time. The lending reception result response telegram includes the information that the lending serial number=k+a and the number of lending ball reception results=normal. The P machine 2 adds the number of rental balls sent from the CU3=125 to the number of game balls=0, and updates the number of game balls to "125".

When the CU3 receives lending response information including the information of the reception result of the number of rented balls=normal from the P machine 2 and confirms the reception result of the number of rented balls, the number of rented balls=125 is multiplied by the game unit price=4 yen to deduct 500 yen from the card balance, and the card balance becomes 0 yen. When the CU3 cannot receive the lending response information including the information that the number of lending balls received is normal from the P machine 2, the card balance is maintained at 500 yen.

The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the lapse of the specified period A since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3. The new gaming machine information notification sent to CU3 includes the updated serial number=n+a+1 and the added number of game balls=125 in hall control/fraud monitoring information.

In this way, when the game state of the P machines 2 is controlled to be advantageous, the CU3 prohibits (restricts) the change of the game unit price because the changeable condition is not satisfied. Further, even if the game state of the P table 2 is not controlled to be advantageous, the CU3 is prohibited from changing the game unit price because the changeable condition is not satisfied when the number of game balls is not 0 (zero). By prohibiting the player from changing the game unit price when the changeable condition is not satisfied, the game parlor can be prevented from suffering an unintended loss. Furthermore, the CU3 prohibits changing the game unit price during the game when either the number of game balls or the number of out balls increases or decreases other than when the winning area is won as described above.

Next, the display on the display 54 in the game unit price change operation will be described. FIG. 23 is an example of display of a game unit price change operation displayed on the display device 54 . FIG. 23(a) shows a display example for the player to select the game unit price when the changeable condition is satisfied. A display area 335 showing the current game unit price and a display area 336 showing a list of game unit prices to be changed are displayed on the display device 54 shown in FIG. 23(a). The player selects the game unit price to be changed by pressing the game unit price button displayed in the display area 336 . The display device 54 is provided with a touch panel, and it can be detected that the player presses the game unit price button displayed in the display area 336 .

FIG. 23(b) shows a display example when the changeable condition is not satisfied and the player is prohibited from changing the game unit price. The display 54 shown in FIG. 23(b) displays a display area 335 showing the current game unit price and a display area 337 showing the reason why the game unit price is prohibited to be changed. In FIG. 23(b), since the number of game balls is not 0 (zero), change of the game unit price is prohibited because the changeable condition is not satisfied. Therefore, in the display area 337, the message "Since the number of game balls remains, the game unit price cannot be changed." is displayed. Furthermore, the display area 337 also displays a method for satisfying the changeable condition. When the number of game balls is not 0 (zero), the display area 337 displays "Please change the game unit price after counting the number of game balls."

FIG. 23(c) shows a display example in which the change of the game unit price by the player is prohibited, but the change is permitted if the store clerk intervenes. The display 54 shown in FIG. 23(c) displays a display area 335 showing the current game unit price and a display area 338 for calling a clerk by pressing a call button. In FIG. 23(c), since the game unit price can be changed if a clerk intervenes, the display area 338 displays "To change the game unit price, press the call button and call the clerk."

It has been explained that the CU3 monitors whether or not the changeable condition is satisfied on the P machine 2, and prohibits (restricts) the change of the game value. However, if the CU3 controls whether or not the game unit price can be changed simply by determining whether or not the internal processing is in an advantageous state, the game unit price may be intentionally changed at a timing when the player may be advantageous, and the game parlor may be disadvantaged when the game is being played with an increase or decrease in the number of game balls or an increase or decrease in the number of out balls. Concretely, even if the CU3 prohibits the change of the game unit price based on the winning of the starting prize-winning hole 276 in the P table 2, when the change of the game unit price is canceled until the fluctuation of the variable display device 278 is started and then the fluctuation is stopped, the game unit price may be changed at that timing. After that, when the variation stops and a big win is achieved, the game balls with the changed game unit price are paid out as a big win, giving unintended disadvantages to the game parlor. Therefore, when the change of the game unit price of the monitored P machine 2 is prohibited, the CU3 restricts the cancellation of the game unit price change prohibition for a predetermined period (for example, within 50 fluctuations, within 10 minutes). If the CU3 simply controls whether or not the game unit price can be changed based on whether or not the internal processing is in an advantageous state, there is a risk that the player will recognize whether the internal processing is in an advantageous state or not.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a control sequence for restricting changes in game values for a predetermined period of time. A player starts a game on the P platform 2 and shoots a game ball (shooting game ball 601). When the game ball is shot, the number of game balls is subtracted 602 inside the P table 2. - 特許庁CU3 controls to prohibit game unit price change 603 when the number of game balls is subtracted 602 at the P table 2 . When the game ball is shot from the P table 2 and the game unit price is changed before it enters the start winning hole 276, the game ball with the changed game unit price is put out as a prize ball, giving unintended disadvantage to the game parlor.

Therefore, in CU3, even if the number of game balls is subtracted 602, the prohibition of changing the game unit price is not released immediately, but the display of the game unit price change button on the display 54 is delayed. At this time, if the player wishes to change the game unit price, the CU3 displays the display shown in FIG. When the player sees the display shown in FIG. 23(c) and presses the call button to call a store clerk, and the store clerk performs a remote control operation 604 to permit the change of the game unit price, the CU3 performs the game unit price change prohibition release 605 based on the change permission remote control operation 604 even within the period when the change permission release is restricted, and the game unit price change button display 606 on the display device 54.

If there is no remote control operation 604 to permit change, CU3 cancels the prohibition of changing the game unit price 607 after a predetermined period of time has passed since the game unit price change was prohibited, and displays a game unit price change button 608 on the display 54 .

Furthermore, when the player plays the game on the P table 2 and the game ball enters the starting prize winning port 276, a start winning prize 701 is obtained. When the starting prize winning port 276 is won, inside the P table 2, notification 702 of prize ball information is performed to the CU3. When the CU3 receives the notification 702 of the winning ball information from the P table 2, it controls the game unit price change prohibition 703 assuming that the game state is controlled to be in an advantageous state.

When the player wins the starting prize-winning opening 276, a big win lottery is held inside the P machine 2, but the information on the big win lottery result is not notified to the CU3 at this point. Since CU3 is not notified of the big win lottery result from P machine 2, it is possible to perform game unit price change prohibition release 705 assuming that the internal processing of P machine 2 is not controlled to be in an advantageous state. However, inside the P machine 2, when the big win lottery result is a big win and the CU3 detects that the Bit 0 of the main control state 1 included in the game machine information notification transmitted from the P machine 2 to the CU3 is "1" and the big win 1 is detected by the CU3 and the change of the game unit price is prohibited, if the player changes the game unit price, the big win payout is performed at the changed game unit price.

Therefore, in the CU3, the process of pattern variation 707 is started on the P table 2, and the display of the game unit price change button display 706 on the display device 54 is delayed without releasing the game unit price change prohibition 705 even while the performance of the super ready-to-win performance 708 with a high winning rate is being executed.

After that, when the P machine 2 stops the pattern 709 and the big win pattern (for example, '777') is displayed on the variable display device 278 and the game state is controlled to the big win game state, the inside of the P machine 2 notifies the CU 3 of the big win game state by notifying the game machine information. When the CU3 receives the notification 711 of the jackpot game state from the P machine 2, it controls the game unit price change prohibition 712 as the game state is controlled to be in an advantageous state.

In addition, since CU3 has already delayed the control by the game unit price change prohibition 703 at the timing of controlling to the game unit price change prohibition 712, it further delays the control of the game unit price change prohibition. Here, if the player wants to change the game unit price when the prohibition of changing the game unit price is restricted, the CU3 displays the display shown in FIG. When the player sees the display shown in FIG. 23(c) and presses the call button to call a store clerk, and the store clerk performs a remote control operation 713 for permission to change the game unit price, the CU3 performs a game unit price change prohibition release 714 based on the remote control operation 713 for permission to change even within the period when the change permission release is restricted, and displays a game unit price change button display 715 on the display 54.

In the P table 2, as the control necessary to restrict the release of the game unit price change prohibition so that the game ball wins the start winning hole 276, there is a case where the game state is controlled to the latent probability variable state, for example. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from recognizing the result of the look-ahead effect or the latent probability variable state due to the game unit price change operation. Further, in the P table 2, when a specific display result (big win pattern) is derived and displayed on the variable display device 278, and then the big win game state is entered when the game ball passes through the combination operation gate, the game parlor is disadvantaged if the game unit price is changed in the gate passage waiting state. Therefore, it is necessary to restrict the cancellation of the game unit price change prohibition even in the gate passage waiting state.

When the P machine 2 is a slot machine, as a control necessary to restrict the release of the prohibition of changing the game unit price, for example, when a bonus (BB, RB, CB, etc.) is won, a bonus winning flag is set to shift to an advantageous state, so it is necessary to restrict the release of the prohibition of the change of the game unit price so as not to give a disadvantage to the game parlor. In addition, as a control that needs to restrict the release of the prohibition of changing the game unit price, for example, when ART (assist replay time) and AT (assist time) are established internally and the navigation stock is provided, after that, a navigation effect is executed to inform the player of the operation mode (press order, operation timing) of the stop switch, which is advantageous to the player.

Furthermore, the CZ (chance zone) is a state controlled in an advantageous section for the player, and during the CZ, the degree of advantage regarding control to AT is higher than normal (during non-CZ). Specifically, during CZ, the probability of winning AT is higher than during non-CZ, and the number of navigation stocks given when AT is won is increased, so it is necessary to limit the cancellation of the game unit price change prohibition so as not to disadvantage the game parlor even during CZ or winning a small combination that triggers these.

In addition, for example, it is necessary to limit the cancellation of the game unit price change prohibition so as not to give a disadvantage to the game parlor immediately before reaching the ceiling (immediately before reaching the prescribed number of times) such that one of 1 to 4 navigation stock is given by AT lottery when the number of played games reaches 1000 games (ceiling). It should be noted that the above-mentioned contents of the control that requires the restriction of the prohibition of changing the game unit price are only examples, and if the internal state is recognized by the player or if the control is such that the game parlor is disadvantaged, the cancellation of the prohibition of the change of the game unit price is similarly restricted.

Next, the case where the player can change the game unit price when the number of game balls is not 0 (zero) will be described. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a game unit price change sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when the player performs the game unit price change operation when the number of game balls is not 0 (zero). FIG. 25 shows the processing when the ball lending button 321 is pressed before the game unit price changing operation and the processing when the ball lending button 321 is pressed after the game unit price changing operation.

Also, in FIG. 25, the card balance specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is "1000 yen" and the initial number of game balls is "50". The initial game unit price set in CU3 is 4 yen.

First, the P machine transmits to the CU3 a game machine information notification including any one of hall controller/fraud monitoring information, game machine installation information, and game machine performance information. It should be noted that since the information contained is hall control/fraud monitoring information, it contains the information of the serial number=n and the number of game balls=50. The P machine transmits counting information including a message of counting notification to CU3 within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to CU3.

Since the player has not pressed the counting button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU3, the P machine notifies the CU3 of the counting information without counting, including the information of the count serial number = m, the number of counted balls = 0, and the cumulative number of counted balls = 0 in the telegram of the count notification.

The CU3 transmits the rental information including the telegram of the rental notification to the P machine 2 within the valid reception period after receiving the counting information from the P machine 2 regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not. When the player presses the ball lending button 321 before transmitting the rental information to the P machine, the CU3 transmits the information of the rental serial number = k and the number of rental balls = 125 to the P machine 2 in the telegram of the rental notification. If the player does not press the ball lending button 321 before sending the rental information to the P machine, the CU3 sends the rental notification telegram to the P machine 2 containing the information of the rental serial number = k and the number of rental balls = 0.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits lending response information including a lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time. The lending reception result response telegram includes the information that the lending serial number is k and the lending pitch reception result is normal. P machine 2 adds the number of rental balls sent from CU3=125 to the number of game balls=50, and updates the number of game balls to "175".

When the CU3 receives lending response information including the information that the number of lending balls is received = normal from the P machine 2 and confirms the number of lending balls, the number of lending balls = 125 is multiplied by the game unit price = 4 yen to subtract 500 yen from the card balance, and the card balance becomes 500 yen. When the CU3 cannot receive the lending response information including the information that the number of lending balls received is normal from the P machine 2, the card balance is maintained at 1000 yen.

The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the lapse of the specified period A since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3. The new gaming machine information notification sent to CU3 includes the updated serial number=n+1 and the added number of game balls=175 in the hole controller/fraud monitoring information.

After that, the player plays the game and the number of game balls on the P table 2 becomes 50 instead of 0 (zero), and the process when the player operates the game unit price from 4 yen to 1 yen will be explained. When the P machine 2 transmits a new gaming machine information notification to the CU3, it includes the information of the serial number=n+a and the number of game balls=50. The CU3 determines whether or not the game state of the P machine 2 is controlled to be advantageous from the gaming machine information included in the gaming machine information notification.

When the information included in the notification of the game machine information is only the information of serial number=n+a and the number of game balls=0, the CU3 determines that the game state of the P table 2 is not controlled to an advantageous state (not being controlled), and changes the game unit price. That is, in CU3, when the player changes the game unit price, the changeable condition is that the game state is not controlled to be advantageous.

When the player can change the game unit price in CU3, he/she presses a game unit price change button (not shown) from the menu displayed on the display device 54 to display the changeable game unit price buttons (see FIG. 23(a)). The player can change the game unit price by depressing a changeable game unit price button displayed on the display device 54 . For example, when the player presses the button for the game unit price of 1 yen, the game unit price is changed from 4 yen to 1 yen.

After performing the game unit price changing operation, when the player presses the ball lending button 321 before transmitting the rental information to the P machine, the CU3 transmits the rental notification telegram to the P machine 2 including the information of the rental serial number=k+a, the number of rented balls=100, and the game unit price. That is, the CU3 notifies the P machine 2 of the information that the game unit price is 1 yen, and also informs the P machine 2 that the game unit price is changed to 1 yen and that the number of lent balls is 100.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3, converts the number of game balls having 50 balls at the current game unit price of 4 yen into the number of game balls of 200 balls at the game unit price of 1 yen, and transmits lending response information including a telegram of lending receipt result response to the CU3 within the response time. The lending reception result response telegram includes the lending serial number=k+a, the lending ball number reception result=normal, and the game unit price. The P machine 2 adds the number of rental balls sent from the CU 3=100 to the number of game balls after conversion=200, and updates the number of game balls to "300".

When the CU3 receives the lending response information including the information of the game unit price and the lending response information including the information of the game unit price from the P machine 2 and confirms the lending ball reception result, it confirms that the game unit price has been changed at the P machine 2, and subtracts 100 yen obtained by multiplying the number of lent balls = 100 by the game unit price = 1 yen from the card balance, and the card balance becomes 400 yen. When the CU3 cannot receive the lending response information including the information that the number of lending balls received is normal from the P machine 2, the card balance is maintained at 500 yen. If the information on the game unit price received from the P machine 2 is different from the information on the game unit price sent to the P machine 2, the CU3 may display an error.

The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the lapse of the specified period A since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3. The new game machine information notification sent to CU3 includes the updated serial number=n+a+1 in hall controller/fraud monitoring information and the added number of game balls=300.

Thus, even if the number of game balls is not 0 (zero), the player can change the game unit price at any time as long as the changeable condition is satisfied.

Next, a case where the player cannot change the game unit price during the counting process will be described. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a game unit price change sequence between the card unit and the pachinko gaming machine when the player performs the game unit price change operation during counting processing. FIG. 26 shows processing when the count button 28 is pressed before the game unit price change operation and processing when the count button 28 is pressed after the game unit price change operation.

In FIG. 26, the number of 4-yen balls specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or visitor card) is "100", the number of 1-yen balls is "0", and the initial number of game balls is "1000". The initial game unit price set in CU3 is 4 yen. Also, in the recording medium, an account for managing owned balls and stored balls is set for each game unit price.

First, the P machine transmits to the CU3 a game machine information notification including any one of hall controller/fraud monitoring information, game machine installation information, and game machine performance information. It should be noted that since the information contained is hall control/fraud monitoring information, it contains the information of the serial number=n and the number of game balls=1000. The P machine transmits counting information including a message of counting notification to CU3 within 100 ms after transmitting the gaming machine information notification to CU3.

Since the player presses the counting button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU3, the P machine notifies the counting information to the CU3 by including the information of the counting serial number = m, the number of balls to be counted = 250, and the cumulative number of balls to be counted = 250 in the message of the notification of counting.

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

Upon receiving the count information from the P table 2, the CU3 adds the counted number of balls to the number of balls held at 4 circles, so that the number of balls held at 4 yen = 100 + 250 = 350 balls. The CU3 transmits the rental information including the telegram of the rental notification to the P machine 2 within the valid reception period after receiving the counting information from the P machine 2 regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not. When the player does not press the ball lending button 321 before transmitting the rental information to the P machine, the CU3 transmits the information of the rental serial number = k and the number of rental balls = 0 to the P machine 2 in the telegram of the rental notification.

The P machine 2 receives the lending information from the CU3 and transmits lending response information including a lending reception result response message to the CU3 within the response time. The lending reception result response telegram includes the information that the lending serial number is k and the lending pitch reception result is normal.

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

After that, the counting process when the player operates the game unit price from 4 yen to 1 yen will be described. When the P machine 2 transmits a new gaming machine information notification to the CU3, it includes the information of the serial number=n+a and the number of game balls=250. The CU3 determines whether or not the game state of the P machine 2 is controlled to be advantageous from the gaming machine information included in the gaming machine information notification. The number of 4-yen holding balls counted up to this time is "850" balls, and the number of 1-yen holding balls is "0".

In the CU3, when the information included in the game machine information notification is only the information of the serial number=n+a and the number of game balls=250, it is determined that the game state of the P table 2 is not controlled to an advantageous state (not being controlled), and the game unit price can be changed. However, in the CU3, when the counting process is being performed, the game unit price before the change in the number of balls to be counted transmitted from the P machine 2 is notified.

Therefore, the player can change the game unit price in the CU3, and even if the player presses a game unit price change button (not shown) from the menu displayed on the display device 54 and presses the displayed changeable game unit price button to change the game unit price from 4 yen to 1 yen, the game unit price remains 4 yen in the counting process in the CU3.

Specifically, after the game unit price change operation is performed, the player presses the counting button 28 before transmitting the counting information to the CU3, so the P machine notifies the counting information to the CU3 by including the information of the counting serial number = m+a, the number of counting balls = 250, and the cumulative number of counting balls = 1000 in the telegram of the counting notification.

Upon receiving the count information from the P table 2, the CU3 adds the counted number of balls to the number of balls with 4 circles before the change, and the number of balls with 4 circles = 850 + 250 = 1100 balls. The CU3 transmits the rental information including the telegram of the rental notification to the P machine 2 within the valid reception period after receiving the counting information from the P machine 2 regardless of whether the ball rental button 321 is pressed or not. When the player does not press the ball lending button 321 before transmitting the rental information to the P machine, the CU3 transmits the information of the rental serial number = k+a and the number of rental balls = 0 to the P machine 2 in the telegram of the rental notification.

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

A CU3 confirms that the game unit price has been changed at the P machine 2 when receiving the rental response information including the information of the game unit price and the rental ball reception result=normal from the P machine 2 and confirming the rental ball reception result.

The P machine 2 transmits the gaming machine information notification to the CU3 after the lapse of the specified period A since the previous gaming machine information notification was transmitted to the CU3. The new gaming machine information notification sent to CU3 includes the updated serial number=n+a+1 and the subtracted number of game balls=0 in hall control/fraud monitoring information. The number of balls with 4 yen counted up to this time is "1100" balls, and the number of balls with 1 yen count is "0" balls.

Thus, when the number of game balls becomes 0 (zero) and counting processing is not performed, it is possible to change the game unit price to 1 yen as changed by the player.

<Configuration of Gaming System Including Card Unit and Pachinko Machine>
The P unit 2 is connected to the CU 3 on a one-to-one basis. In the game hall (hall), there are a plurality of sets of the P table 2 and the CU 3, and each set is connected to a management computer and a hall controller to constitute a game system. A gaming system including the CU 3 and the P table 2 will be described below. FIG. 27 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a gaming system including card units and pachinko gaming machines. In the gaming system shown in FIG. 27, an example in which one set of P stand 2 and CU3 is connected to the management computer 802 and hall computer 810 is illustrated for the sake of simplicity of explanation.

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

A management computer 802 is a computer connected to the external output terminal 340 of the CU3, a card company data center 801 is a card company center connected to the management computer 802, and a gaming machine information center 800 is a center for collecting various information output from the P machines 2.

The hall controller 810 is a computer that collects game information output from the P stand 2, and the hall controller output BOX 811 is a device that converts information output from the external output terminal 340 of the CU 3 into a signal that can be received by the hall controller 810 or a data lamp and outputs the signal. Although FIG. 27 shows a configuration in which the hall controller output BOX 811 is provided outside the CU3, the hall controller output BOX 811 may be provided inside the CU3.

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

28 and 29 are diagrams showing the connection sequence between the card unit and the hall controller output BOX. 28 shows the connection sequence when the hall controller output BOX 811 is powered on before CU3, and FIG. 29 shows the connection sequence when the hall controller output BOX 811 is powered on after CU3. First, in the connection sequence of FIG. 28, the hall controller output box 811 waits for connection with the CU control unit 323 until the CU3 is powered on and communication with the CU control unit 323 becomes possible.

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

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

In the connection sequence of FIG. 29, when the CU3 is powered on, the CU control unit 323 requests the hall controller output BOX 811 to issue authentication data, but the hall controller output BOX 811 is still powered off, so authentication data is not issued. The CU control unit 323 requests the issuance of authentication data until the hall controller output BOX 811 is powered on, and waits for connection with the hall controller output BOX 811 . The processing after the hall controller output BOX 811 is powered on is the same as the processing in the connection sequence of FIG. 28, so the description will not be repeated.

Next, authentication processing between the hall controller output BOX 811 and the CU control unit 323 will be described in detail. FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining communication between the card unit and the hall controller output BOX. First, the CU control unit 323 requests the hall controller output BOX 811 to issue authentication data. When issuing an authentication data issuance request, the CU control unit 323 transmits information of the current date (X month X day) and information of the SC management number to the hall computer output BOX 811 as encryption source data.

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

Authentication is performed between the CU control unit 323 and the SC board 325, and communication between the CU control unit 323 and the SC board 325 becomes possible. Thereafter, the SC board 325 transmits a hall controller output BOX authentication notification command to the CU control unit 323 in order to perform authentication with the hall controller output BOX 811 . In response to the hall controller output BOX authentication notification, the CU control unit 323 includes the stored authentication data, the information on whether the hall controller output BOX 811 is connected/not connected, and the information of the current date among the encryption source data in the hall controller output BOX authentication response command and transmits it to the SC board 325. The SC board 325 decrypts the authentication data transmitted by the Hall controller output BOX authentication response and the pre-embedded encryption key A, and obtains information obtained by adding the fixed key, the encryption source data, and the expiration date (△ days).

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

Here, the contents notified to the CU3 and hall controller output BOX 811 will be described. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the contents notified to the inside of the card unit and the hall controller output BOX. FIG. 31( a ) shows information notified from the SC substrate 325 to the CU control unit 323 among the information output to the Hall controller output BOX 811 . As shown in FIG. 31(a), when the validity period of the authentication data expires, the SC board 325 does not notify the CU control unit 323 of the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information. However, even if the connection of the hall controller output BOX 811 changes to no, the information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 does not change. Besides when the validity period of the authentication data expires, the SC board 325 does not notify the CU control unit 323 of the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information even when the authentication fails. Also, in FIG. 31(a), since the SC board 325 does not notify the CU control unit 323 of the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and various types of game information, these information are not displayed on the CU3 side (same as the display limitation on the data lamp side described below).

FIG. 31(b) shows information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the hall controller output BOX 811. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 31(b), when the authentication data expires, the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information are not notified from the CU control unit 323 to the hall controller output BOX 811 in the same manner as in FIG. 31(a). Therefore, in the hall controller 810 connected to the hall controller output BOX 811, display of information on the number of shot balls, the total number of prize balls, the main control state, and the game information is restricted. Also, when the connection of the hall controller output BOX 811 changes to no connection, the information notified from the SC board 325 to the CU control unit 323 has not changed, but the CU control unit 323 does not notify the hall controller output BOX 811 . Even if the hall controller output BOX 811 cannot be authenticated (NG), the CU3 can play a game on the P machine 2 if communication with the P machine 2 is possible. Further, even if the validity period of the authentication of the hall controller output BOX 811 expires, the CU3 can play a game on the P machine 2 if communication with the P machine 2 is possible. Furthermore, the hall controller output BOX 811 can be connected to a data lamp (call lamp), and when notification is restricted due to authentication failure, updating of the display of the data lamp is restricted. For example, on the data lamp side, updating of displays such as the number of starts, the number of big wins, and the status of big wins is restricted.

Also, in the hole control output BOX 811, information is output to the hole control 810 with the number of shot balls and the total number of prize balls set to 1 pulse per 10 balls. Therefore, the hall controller output BOX 811 cannot respond flexibly to changes in the game unit price only by outputting pulses. It is necessary to notify the hall controller 810 of the change in the game unit price. For example, in addition to the outer end pulse output, the outer end serial communication is used, and the changed game unit price information can be output, for example, replay of accumulated balls/125 balls/4 yen worth.

Depending on whether or not it is possible to output the information on the game unit price change from the hall console output BOX 811 , whether or not the game unit price can be changed may be determined based on the connection state between the CU 3 and the hall console output BOX 811 . FIG. 31(c) shows whether or not the game unit price can be changed by connecting the CU control section 323 and the hall control output BOX 811. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 31(c), when the hall control output BOX 811 is disconnected, the CU control unit 323 does not notify the hall control output BOX 811 of game unit price change information. However, CU3 can play a game on P machine 2 as long as communication with P machine 2 is possible even if the validity period of authentication of hall controller output BOX 811 expires. Therefore, even if the validity period of the authentication data expires, the CU control unit 323 notifies the hall controller output BOX 811 of the game unit price change information, so that the CU3 can change the game unit price. Of course, CU3 may disable the game unit price change in CU3 in order to prevent the hall controller output BOX 811 from being notified of illegal game unit price change information when the authentication of the hall console output BOX 811 expires.

<Information output from hall controller output BOX to hall controller>
Next, information output from the hall controller output BOX 811 to the hall controller 810 will be described in detail. FIG. 32 is a block diagram for explaining information output from the hall controller output BOX 811 to the hall controller 810. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 32, gaming machine information (hall controller/fraud monitoring information) is output from the gaming board 26 (main control board 16) to the gaming machine frame 5 (frame control board 17) through serial communication.

The gaming machine information includes a pulse output for outputting information as a pulse signal and a state output for outputting information as a state signal. The pulse output includes the number of symbol determination (start), starting port, deposit, consumption, ball replay, counting, ball replay, out (number of balls fired), safe (various prize balls), and external terminal board pulse output signals 1 to 4. For example, in the "symbol fixed number of times", a signal of one pulse is output for each time the symbol is stopped (or started). "Deposit" is output as a signal of 1 pulse per 1,000 yen deposited, "consumption" is output as a signal of 1 pulse per 100 yen spent, ball replay is output as a signal of 1 pulse per 25 balls, counting is output as a signal of 1 pulse per 100 balls, ball replay is output as a signal of 1 pulse per 25 balls, out (number of balls fired) is output as a signal of 1 pulse per 10 balls, safe (various prize balls) is output as a signal of 1 pulse per 10 balls. output as Note that "consumption" is not affected by changes in the game unit price, but when grasping the number of balls paid out for consumption for each game unit price, the information on the game unit price output by the outer end serial communication other than the outer end pulse output is considered as described above. In addition, since the amount of money for one pulse is changed according to the game unit price for "replay of stored balls", "count", "replay of owned balls", "out (number of shot balls)", and "safe (various prize balls)", the amount of money for one pulse is changed in consideration of the information of the game unit price output by the outer end serial communication other than the outer end pulse output as described above. The state signals include jackpot 1, jackpot 2, and external terminal board state output signals 1-4. For example, in "jackpot 1", a state signal (ON signal) is output when all the jackpots are hit.

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

<Setting the game unit price>
The convenience of the player is improved by allowing the player to change the game unit price with the CU3. However, in amusement arcades, it is an important matter for management to determine at what unit price a game is played on installed gaming machines. Therefore, the management computer 802 can set in advance the setting of the game unit price including whether or not the game unit price can be changed and the types of the game unit price that can be changed in the CU3 so that the game parlor can manage the game unit price. As an example of the game unit price set in advance by the management computer 802, in FIG. 17, the game unit price at non-operating detection, the game unit price at the opening of the store, and the number of installed machines are set for each model. However, the game unit price preset in the management computer 802 is not limited to each model, and may be set for each gaming machine. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing information on the game unit price for each machine preset in the management computer 802. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 33, for example, if the machine number is 1, information of 1 yen as the game unit price at the time of non-operating detection, 1 yen as the game unit price at the time of opening, and 1 yen as the game unit price at the time of the event is set in the management computer 802 in advance. In the case of the machine number 7, the management computer 802 is preset with information of 1 yen as the game unit price at the time of non-operating detection, 4 yen as the game unit price at the time of opening, and 1 yen as the game unit price at the time of the event.

In addition, the management computer 802 can distribute setting information to each CU 3 so that the permission/inhibition setting for changing the game unit price and the type of game unit price that can be optionally selected (for example, 4 yen, 2 yen, 1 yen, etc.) can be individually set. For example, the management computer 802 can set permission/prohibition of changing the game unit price by time. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing information for setting permission/prohibition of game unit price change for each time preset in the management computer.

In FIG. 34, for example, in the case of the A model, information is preset in the management computer 802 to permit change of the game unit price at 9:00, prohibit change of the game unit price from 10:00 to 17:00, and permit change of the game unit price at 18:00. In the case of the J model, the management computer 802 is preset with information permitting the game unit price change from 9:00 to 18:00.

Furthermore, the management computer 802 can distribute setting information to each CU 3 so that the permission/prohibition setting for changing the game unit price and the type of game unit price that can be optionally selected (for example, 4 yen, 2 yen, 1 yen, etc.) can be set for each area. For example, the management computer 802 can set an area where the game unit price can be arbitrarily set and an area for the 4-yen corner. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a game unit price change by area by the management computer.

In FIG. 35(a), the game unit price for each area is set so that the island on the left side of the figure has a 1-yen corner and the island on the right side of the figure has a 4-yen corner. Here, when the operation of the general table island and the variety island of the 4-yen corner is low, conventionally, the island becomes a dead island and the appearance of the hole is not good. However, as in this embodiment, if the management computer 802 can set the game unit price change for each area, as shown in FIG. Here, the management computer 802 has set the types of game unit prices that can be arbitrarily selected to 4 yen and 1 yen.

As a result, in the layout shown in FIG. 35(a), only the 1-yen corner and the 4-yen corner of the new machine are highly operable, and there are no players on the 4-yen corner's general table island and the variety island.

Conventionally, it was necessary to divide corners into 4-yen corners and 1-yen corners according to game values, and to install the same model in each corner, but in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to divide the corners according to game values, and the installation layout of the game machines is simplified. Furthermore, it leads to a reduction in the purchase cost of the game machine.

Furthermore, if the management computer 802 sets the game unit price in advance using lists such as those shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, there is a possibility that the game may be played with a game unit price not intended by the amusement arcade due to an input error by the clerk or the like. Therefore, in the management computer 802, a game unit price of 4 yen may be automatically set for a gaming machine that has been newly installed for a predetermined period (for example, 3 months), and the clerk may not be able to change it. Also, the management computer 802 may automatically set the game unit price, including whether or not the game unit price can be changed and the types of changeable game unit prices, based on the information from the hall controller such as the operating rate of the gaming machine and the number of big wins. Furthermore, a management computer connected to a management computer 802 provided in each of a plurality of game parlors may be provided, and the management computer may manage information on the game unit price at each game parlor and change the game unit price set by each management computer 802.

<2D code payment>
In recent years, payment methods using two-dimensional codes (for example, QR codes (registered trademark)) have become available at various stores. Therefore, a method of realizing settlement using a two-dimensional code as one of the deposit means in pachinko halls will be described. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a sequence for realizing payment using a two-dimensional code (hereinafter also simply referred to as two-dimensional code payment) in a pachinko hall.

First, as a preparation, an application for two-dimensional code settlement is installed in the player's mobile terminal (for example, smart phone) 803 . In the two-dimensional code payment application, a bank account for payment is registered in advance.

Next, the player operates the display device 54 of CU3 to select two-dimensional code payment. When the two-dimensional code payment is selected, CU3 displays the two-dimensional code on the display 54 (two-dimensional code display 901). The player reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the display 54 with the player's portable terminal 803 (two-dimensional code reading 902). The player confirms the content of the two-dimensional code payment read by the player's portable terminal 803 and executes the payment (execution of payment 903).

When the player's portable terminal 803 executes payment, payment information is transmitted from the player's portable terminal 803 to an external payment center 805 . When the payment center 805 receives the payment information from the player's portable terminal 803 (payment information reception 904), the amount is withdrawn from the bank account registered in advance based on the payment information (bank account withdrawal 905).

The settlement center 805 transmits the withdrawal result information to the player's portable terminal 803 and also to the store's portable terminal 804 . Therefore, the player's mobile terminal 803 receives withdrawal result information from the settlement center 805 (withdrawal result reception 906), and the store mobile terminal 804 also receives the same withdrawal result information (withdrawal result reception 907). The shop mobile terminal 804 transfers the received debit result information to CU3.

CU3 receives information on the withdrawal result from the store portable terminal 804 (withdrawal result reception 908). Here, CU3 is communicably connected to store mobile terminal 804 via wireless communication unit 327 . Note that CU3 may directly receive information on the withdrawal result from the settlement center 805 via the wireless communication unit 327 without using the mobile terminal 804 for store.

CU3 starts deposit processing with the management computer 802 based on the information on the withdrawal result from the settlement center 805 (deposit processing 909). When the deposit processing is completed, CU3 records the amount deposited by the two-dimensional code settlement as the card balance of the card (including the stock card) accepted by CU3 (deposit to card 910).

Here, if the amount deposited by the two-dimensional code settlement is not totaled, there will be a difference from the cash deposited in CU3. Therefore, by transmitting information on the withdrawal result to CU3 via the mobile terminal 804 for store, it becomes possible to count the amount of money deposited by the two-dimensional code settlement at the mobile terminal 804 for store. If the amount of money deposited by the two-dimensional code settlement at the store portable terminal 804 is known, it is possible to grasp the deposit by cash and the deposit by the two-dimensional code settlement in terms of operation.

As a result, even if two-dimensional code payment is adopted, it does not affect communication between CU3 and management computer 802, so that management computer 802 does not need to be changed for two-dimensional code payment. Therefore, it becomes easier to adopt two-dimensional code payment in pachinko halls, and introduction costs can be reduced.

In the above example, the two-dimensional code settlement is performed by reading the two-dimensional code displayed on the display device 54 with the player's portable terminal 803 (two-dimensional code reading 902), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CU3 may read the two-dimensional code displayed on the display screen of the player's portable terminal 803 and perform two-dimensional code settlement. It should be noted that, when performing the settlement, CU3 needs to be equipped with a reader (reading device) for reading the two-dimensional code displayed on the display screen of the player's portable terminal 803 .

The player operates the display screen of the player's portable terminal 803 to select two-dimensional code payment and display the two-dimensional code. Next, the player operates the display device 54 of CU3 to select two-dimensional code settlement, thereby enabling CU3 to read the two-dimensional code of the player's portable terminal 803 . The player holds the display screen of the player's portable terminal 803 over the reader of CU3 to cause CU3 to read the two-dimensional code. Since subsequent processing is the same as the above example, details will not be repeated.

<Near field communication>
In recent years, mobile terminals owned by players are equipped with a function of short-range communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)). Using this short-distance communication, it is possible to provide the player with various functions in the pachinko hall. In order to perform short-range communication with the mobile terminal, the short-range communication unit 329 must be provided in advance in the CU3.

First, there is hands-free authentication as a function that can be provided to the player. First, as a preliminary preparation, a dedicated application for hands-free authentication is installed on a player's mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone). In the dedicated application, the membership number of the player at the pachinko hall is registered in advance.

When the player takes a seat in front of the gaming machine with a portable terminal (near-field communication ON state) on which the dedicated application is installed, the near-field communication unit 329 of CU3 automatically recognizes the player's portable terminal. The player performs pairing settings so that the mobile terminal of the player and the CU 3 can communicate with each other by short-range communication. Note that CU3 may automatically perform communication with a portable terminal that has been paired once.

A player plays a game in a state in which the mobile terminal and CU3 are paired, and CU3 reads the member number from the dedicated application and authenticates the member number (hands-free authentication). By performing the hands-free authentication, CU3 can play the same game as the conventional game using the membership card. In other words, the hands-free authentication eliminates the need for the player to insert the membership card into the CU3, and allows the player to play games as a member simply by carrying a portable terminal. In addition, there is no need to forget to take out the membership card. Furthermore, when you leave your seat, you can automatically cancel the pairing, and when you return to your seat, you can automatically pair and re-authenticate. Conversely, CU3 can determine that the player has left the seat when the pairing is cancelled.

Next, hands-free settlement is available as a function that can be provided to players. First, as a preliminary preparation, a dedicated application for hands-free settlement is installed on the player's mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone). In the dedicated application, the player's bank account information is registered in advance.

The player activates the dedicated application on the mobile terminal and performs an operation of withdrawing the usage amount from the registered bank account (operation of charging the usage amount to the dedicated application). When the player takes a seat in front of the game machine while carrying a mobile terminal (near field communication ON state) in which the dedicated application is charged with the usage amount, the short field communication unit 329 of CU3 automatically recognizes the player's mobile terminal. The player performs pairing settings so that the mobile terminal of the player and the CU 3 can communicate with each other by short-range communication.

When the player selects the usage amount charged to the dedicated application while the mobile terminal and the CU3 are paired, the CU3 enables the game with the usage amount. CU3 subtracts the usage amount charged to the dedicated application each time the player performs a deposit operation, and deposits the amount to the card balance. The deposit processing is the same as the conventional method.

By performing hands-free settlement, CU3 can perform the same operations as conventional cash deposits. In other words, the hands-free settlement eliminates the need for the player to insert a card into the CU 3, and allows the player to deposit money simply by carrying a portable terminal. Also, the player can perform the deposit operation without taking out the wallet. When making an additional deposit, the user can simply withdraw the usage amount from the registered bank account using the dedicated application without withdrawing cash from the ATM of the bank.

Next, there is a hands-free game as a function that can be provided to the player. By combining at least hands-free authentication and hands-free settlement, the hands-free game enables membership authentication and payment only by a player carrying a mobile terminal, and may also combine a hands-free prize exchange function. In the hands-free prize exchange, a POS for prize exchange in a pachinko hall and a mobile terminal are communicated by short-distance communication, and a prize desired by a player (for example, contents (music/video)) is exchanged for a predetermined number of balls held and transferred to the mobile terminal.

As a result, in the hands-free game, it is possible to provide the player with a function that allows him/her to carry out all the work from entering the pachinko parlor to leaving the pachinko parlor just by carrying the portable terminal.

Note that the hands-free game may be further combined with a hands-free cash exchange function in which the conversion amount of the special prize is managed by the portable terminal and saved in a registered account. In addition, hands-free payment may be combined with another payment method such as two-dimensional code payment.

In addition, when a person carrying a mobile terminal with a pachinko hall dedicated app installed is near the pachinko hall, they can use short-range communication to notify the store of news (for example, today's replacement of new machines). Also, when a player carrying a portable terminal installed with a pachinko parlor application is wandering around the store, the flow line of the player can be grasped from the communication history with the short-distance communication unit 329 provided for each CU3.

<Configuration of Embodiment>
(1) A gaming device (eg, CU3) provided corresponding to a gaming machine (eg, P machine 2),
a game unit price changing means (for example, the CU control unit 323) for changing the game unit price based on the change operation;
a game enabling means for outputting information on a game value corresponding to the game unit price changed by the game unit price changing means to the gaming machine based on a predetermined operation of the player, and subtracting a monetary value corresponding to the output game value (for example, the CU control unit 323 subtracts 500 yen obtained by multiplying the number of lent balls = 125 by the game unit price = 4 yen from the card balance);
monitoring means for monitoring the control state of the gaming machine (for example, the CU control unit 323 recognizes the gaming state) based on game information including the gaming state of the gaming machine output from the gaming machine (for example, the gaming machine information shown in FIG. 9);
The game unit price change means enables the change of the game unit price based on the change operation when the control state of the game machine monitored by the monitor means is not controlled to an advantageous state (for example, a jackpot state) advantageous to the player (for example, the CU control part 323 prohibits the change of the game unit price when the P machine 2 is controlled to be in an advantageous state).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately change the game unit price by the player without giving an unintended disadvantage to the game parlor.

(2) A game system comprising a game machine (for example, P machine 2) and a game device (for example, CU3) provided corresponding to the game machine,
a game unit price changing means (for example, the CU control unit 323) for changing the game unit price based on the change operation;
a game enabling means for outputting information on a game value corresponding to the game unit price changed by the game unit price changing means to the gaming machine based on a predetermined operation of the player, and subtracting a monetary value corresponding to the output game value (for example, the CU control unit 323 subtracts 500 yen obtained by multiplying the number of lent balls = 125 by the game unit price = 4 yen from the card balance);
monitoring means for monitoring the control state of the gaming machine (for example, the CU control unit 323 recognizes the gaming state) based on game information including the gaming state of the gaming machine output from the gaming machine (for example, the gaming machine information shown in FIG. 9);
The game unit price change means enables the change of the game unit price based on the change operation when the control state of the game machine monitored by the monitor means is not controlled to an advantageous state (for example, a jackpot state) advantageous to the player (for example, the CU control part 323 prohibits the change of the game unit price when the P machine 2 is controlled to be in an advantageous state).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately change the game unit price by the player without giving an unintended disadvantage to the game parlor.

(3) In the gaming device of (1) above,
The gaming information includes information about a gaming value (for example, the number of game balls) stored in the gaming machine,
The game unit price change means enables change of the game unit price based on a change operation when there is no game value stored in the gaming machine (for example, when the number of game balls is 0 (zero)).

According to such a configuration, since it is not necessary to change the game value stored in the gaming machine when the game unit price is changed, the process of changing the game unit price can be easily performed.

(4) In the gaming device of (1) or (3) above,
counting processing means (for example, the number of balls counted by the CU control unit 323 and added to the number of balls) for performing counting processing corresponding to the game unit price when counting information (for example, counting notification) related to the game value is received from the gaming machine;
When the counting information is received while the change processing is being performed by the game unit price changing means, the counting processing means executes counting processing with the game unit price before change (for example, the CU control unit 323 has the number of balls counted at the game unit price before change and adds it to the number of balls).

According to such a configuration, even if the game unit price is changed in the counting process, the game parlor is not disadvantaged.

(5) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (4) above,
The game unit price change means can set whether to change the game value based on setting information (for example, information for setting permission/prohibition of game unit price change shown in FIG. 34) from an external management device (for example, the management computer 802).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to set permission/prohibition of the game unit price change at the game parlor depending on the operation status of the game machine.

(6) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (5) above,
A detection means for detecting connection with the game machine (for example, CU3 detects by the voltage of the power supply VL for connection confirmation),
The game unit price changing means restricts the change of the game value when the detecting means detects that the game machine is not connected (for example, when the disconnection occurs due to the disconnection of the PIF wiring between the CU3 and the P machine 2, the operation of changing the game unit price is invalidated).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the game unit price from being changed in a state in which the game state of the gaming machine cannot be determined.

(7) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (6) above,
The game unit price change means restricts the change of the game value when the control state of the game machine monitored by the monitoring means is within a predetermined period (for example, within 50 fluctuations, within 10 minutes) after being controlled to the advantageous state.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent an unintended disadvantage from being given to the game parlor due to the change in the game unit price.

(8) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (7) above,
When the game unit price change means detects a change operation while the game value change is being restricted, the display unit displays a reason for restricting the change (for example, the display 54 shown in FIG. 23(b) displays a display area 337 for displaying the reason why the game unit price change is prohibited.).

According to such a configuration, it is possible for the player to understand the reason why the game unit price cannot be changed, and to operate so that the game unit price can be changed.

(9) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (8) above,
A type determination means for determining the type of the gaming machine based on the gaming machine installation information transmitted from the gaming machine (for example, the CU3 determines the model of the P machine 2 based on the gaming machine installation information),
Display processing and game enabling processing corresponding to the type determining means can be executed (for example, game unit price is set to enable the game, and if the game unit price can be changed, a game unit price change operation is displayed on the display device 54).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to play a game at a game unit price preset according to the model.

(10) In the game device of (1), (3) to (9) above,
The game unit price change means determines whether or not the game value can be changed in response to the output information to the specific information output unit (for example, the hall controller output BOX 811) (for example, determines whether the game unit price can be changed based on the connection state with the hall controller output BOX 811).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to change the game value on condition that the output information can be output from the specific information output unit.

(11) In the game device of (1), (3) to (10) above,
The game unit price changing means stores the history of the game unit price changed based on the change operation (for example, the CU3 stores the history of the changed game unit price).

According to such a configuration, it is possible for the game parlor to check the history of changes in the game unit price by the player.

(12) In the game device of (1), (3) to (11) above,
Equipped with deposit processing means (for example, deposit processing 909) that adds a monetary value,
The payment processing means displays a two-dimensional code based on a player's payment operation, receives payment information from the player's first terminal (for example, the player's portable terminal 803) that reads the two-dimensional code, processes the payment information at an external payment server (for example, the payment center 805), and receives the result information via the store's second terminal (for example, the store's mobile terminal 804) to add the monetary value.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to divide the amount of money deposited by two-dimensional code settlement.

(13) In the gaming devices of (1), (3) to (12) above,
A communication unit (for example, a short-range communication unit 329) that performs short-range communication with a player's mobile terminal,
When communication between the communication unit and the mobile terminal is canceled, it is determined that the player has left the seat (for example, CU3 determines that the player has left the seat when pairing is canceled).

According to such a configuration, when leaving the seat for a meal or the like, the player can make the gaming device recognize that the player is away from the seat without operating the device.

<Modification>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that CU3 sets an account for managing the balls and accumulated balls for each game unit price, and the unit price of the owned balls and accumulated balls for each game unit price cannot be changed. For example, the number of balls with 4 yen cannot be changed to the number of balls with 1 yen. However, the unit price is not limited to this, and the unit price of the owned balls and the stored balls may be changed for each game unit price. For example, if the number of 4-yen holding balls is "125" balls, the number of 1-yen holding balls can be changed to "500" balls.

(8) In the above-described embodiment, it was explained that the game unit price can be changed in CU3, but the history of the game unit price changed based on the change operation may be stored. Of course, CU3 may transmit the changed game unit price history to the management computer 802 and store the changed game unit price history in the management computer 802 .

(9) In the above-described embodiment, when the game unit price is permitted to be changed in CU3, the player can change the game unit price by performing the game unit price change operation as long as the changeable conditions are satisfied.

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

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

Claims (1)

A gaming device provided corresponding to a gaming machine and capable of detecting connection with the gaming machine,
game unit price change means for changing the game unit price based on the change operation;
a game enabling means for outputting information about a game value to the gaming machine in accordance with the game unit price changed by the game unit price change means based on a predetermined operation of the player, and subtracting a monetary value corresponding to the output game value;
monitoring means for monitoring a control state of the gaming machine based on game information including the gaming state of the gaming machine output from the gaming machine;
counting processing means for counting the game value of the game machine to the game value of the game device corresponding to the game unit price when counting information is received from the game machine;
The game unit price change means enables change of the game unit price based on a change operation when the control state of the gaming machine monitored by the monitoring means is not controlled to an advantageous state for the player,
The counting processing means, when receiving the counting information while the change processing is being executed by the game unit price changing means, counts with the game unit price before the change processing is executed,
The game unit price change means limits the change of the game unit price when it detects that the game machine is not connected, and can inform the reason for limiting the change when the change operation is detected during the change restriction of the game unit price .

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