Hall computer, call lamp, and unit

Abstract

To disclose a technique allowing a device in a side for receiving signals to appropriately determine states of respective game machines when the signals regarding the states of the game machines are transmitted and received in serial communication between devices.SOLUTION: A hall computer comprises: a first communication section for receiving multiple kinds of signals regarding states of corresponding game machines from hall controller output boxes in serial communication performed between the hall controller output boxes; a first memory for storing a first state determination table including multiple pieces of combination information in which types of signals and states of game machines corresponding to the types of the signals are correlated for each of the multiple kinds of signals; and a first control section. The first control section includes a first change section capable of changing the correspondence between types of signals and states of game machines corresponding to the types in multiple pieces of combination information in the first state determination table within the first memory according to an external instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to hall computers, call lamps, and units used in gaming establishments. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that uses a hall computer to determine the gaming status of each gaming machine in a gaming parlor. FIG. 8(a) shows an example of a conventional gaming system 500 disclosed in Patent Document 1 and elsewhere. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the conventional gaming system 500 includes a hall computer 700, numerous gaming machines 510a and 510b installed in the gaming parlor, units 520a and 520b installed corresponding to each gaming machine 510a and 510b, and hall computer output boxes 550a and 550b installed corresponding to each unit 520a and 520b. Although omitted in the example of FIG. 8, call lamps corresponding to each gaming machine 510a and 510b may be installed on each gaming machine 510a and 510b. In FIG. 8(a), both gaming machines 510a and 510b are model A. Hereinafter, the gaming machines 510a and 510b may be referred to as gaming machines 510 without distinction. Similarly, the units 520a and 520b may be referred to as units 520 without distinction. The hall control output boxes 550a and 550b may be referred to as hall control output boxes 550 without distinction.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the hall computer 700 includes a management device 600, a plurality of island units 580, and a plurality of machine units 560. The management device 600 is communicatively connected to the plurality of island units 580. Each island unit 580 is communicatively connected to a plurality of machine units 560. Four hall computer output boxes 550 are connected to each machine unit 560. While the figure shows two hall computer output boxes 550 (550a, 550b) connected to the machine unit 560, in reality, four hall computer output boxes 550 are connected to the machine unit 560. Although the figure shows one machine unit 560 and one island unit 580, in reality, the hall computer 700 includes a plurality of machine units 560 and a plurality of island units 580.

[0004] Both the machine unit 560 and each hall control output box 550 have multiple ports (terminals). The multiple ports of the machine unit 560 are connected to the multiple ports of the hall control output box 550 by multiple wires. In the example of FIG. 8(a), for example, ports A1, B1, and C1 of the machine unit 560 are connected to ports 1, 2, and 3 of the hall control output box 550a, respectively. Ports A2, B2, and C2 of the machine unit 560 are connected to ports 1, 2, and 3 of the hall control output box 550b, respectively. For example, a gaming machine 510 of model A outputs a jackpot 1 signal in the "jackpot" state, a jackpot 2 signal in the "medium jackpot" state, and a jackpot 3 signal in the "small jackpot" state. In response to this, the hall control output box 550 outputs signals (jackpot 1, jackpot 2, jackpot 3, cheat 1, cheat 2, etc.) from different ports depending on the state of the gaming machine 510. For example, the hall control output box 550a outputs a signal from port 1 (jackpot 1) when the gaming machine 510a of model A is in a "jackpot" state, outputs a signal from port 2 (jackpot 2) when the gaming machine 510a is in a "medium hit" state, and outputs a signal from port 3 (jackpot 3) when the gaming machine 510a is in a "small hit" state.

[0005] The management device 600 can determine the state of each gaming machine 510 based on which port of the machine unit 560 a signal is input to. For example, when a signal is input to port A1 (jackpot) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines the state of the gaming machine 510a to be "jackpot." When a signal is input to port B1 (medium hit) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines the state of the gaming machine 510a to be "medium hit." When a signal is input to port C1 (small hit) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines the state of the gaming machine 510a to be "small hit." Similarly, when a signal is input to port A2 (jackpot) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines the state of the gaming machine 510b to be "jackpot." When a signal is input to port B2 (medium hit) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines that the state of the gaming machine 510b is "medium hit." When a signal is input to port C2 (small hit) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines that the state of the gaming machine 510b is "small hit."

[0006] For example, the model of the gaming machine 510a may be changed from model A to model B. Accordingly, the signals output from the gaming machine 510a are also changed for each state. For example, the gaming machine 510a of model B outputs a signal for jackpot 1 in the "jackpot" state, a signal for jackpot 3 in the "medium hit" state, and a signal for jackpot 2 in the "small hit" state. In the gaming machine 510a of model A, the signal for jackpot 2 is output in the "medium hit" state, and the signal for jackpot 3 is output in the "small hit" state. In the gaming machine 510a of model B, however, the signal output in the "medium hit" state (jackpot 3) and the signal output in the "small hit" state (jackpot 2) are reversed from those in model A. In this case, the hall control output box 550a outputs a signal from port 1 (jackpot 1) when the gaming machine 510a of model A is in a "jackpot" state, outputs a signal from port 2 (jackpot 2) when the gaming machine 510a is in a "small hit" state, and outputs a signal from port 3 (jackpot 3) when the gaming machine 510a is in a "medium hit" state.

[0007] In this way, when the model of the gaming machine 510a is changed from model A to model B, the conventional technology can change the connection destination between the port of the machine unit 560 and the port of the hall control output box 550a, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8. Specifically, the connection destination of the wiring is changed so that port B1 of the machine unit 560 is connected to port 3 of the hall control output box 550a, and port C1 of the machine unit 560 is connected to port 2 of the hall control output box 550a. As a result, as in the case of (a), the management device 600 can determine that the gaming machine 510a is in a "jackpot" state when a signal is input to port A1 (jackpot) of the machine unit 560, determine that the gaming machine 510a is in a "medium jackpot" state when a signal is input to port B1 (medium jackpot) of the machine unit 560, and determine that the gaming machine 510a is in a "small jackpot" state when a signal is input to port C1 (small jackpot) of the machine unit 560. In this way, in conventional technology, even if the signal output from the gaming machine 510 changes for each state when the model of the gaming machine 510 is changed, by changing the wiring connection relationship between the ports, it is possible to appropriately correspond the type of signal indicating the gaming state output by the hall computer output box 550 (e.g., jackpot 1, jackpot 2, etc.) to the gaming state determined by the hall computer 700 (e.g., jackpot, medium jackpot, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7101041 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The hall computer output box can communicate serially with the hall computer, just as it communicates serially with the unit. By using this serial communication, the number of wires between the hall computer output box and the machine unit can be significantly reduced. However, in this case, as with conventional technology (Figure 8), it is not possible to change the correspondence between the type of signal sent by the hall computer output box (e.g., jackpot 1, jackpot 2, etc.) and the gaming status of the gaming machine as determined by the hall computer (e.g., jackpot A, jackpot B, etc.) by changing the port connection.

[0010] This specification discloses a new technology that allows the device receiving the signal to appropriately determine the status of each gaming machine, even when signals regarding the status of gaming machines are sent and received between devices via serial communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The hall computer disclosed in this specification includes a first communication unit for executing serial communication with a hall computer output box, the first communication unit receiving from the hall computer output box via serial communication a plurality of types of signals related to the status of the gaming machine corresponding to the hall computer output box, a first memory for storing a first status determination table including a plurality of combinations of information correlating the type of signal with the corresponding status of the gaming machine for each of the plurality of types of signals, and a first control unit. The first control unit includes a first change unit for changing the correspondence between the type of signal and the corresponding status of the gaming machine in the plurality of combinations in the first status determination table in the first memory in accordance with an external instruction, and a first determination unit for determining the status of the gaming machine by referring to the first status determination table in the memory when the signal is received from the hall computer output box.

[0012] With the above configuration, for example, a manager of a gaming parlor can change the correspondence between the signal types and the corresponding gaming machine states in the multiple combination information in the first state determination table by giving external instructions in response to changes in the type (e.g., model) of gaming machine, etc. Therefore, even when signals related to the gaming machine states are transmitted and received via serial communication between the hall computer and the hall computer output box, the hall computer can appropriately determine the gaming machine states.

[0013] The call lamp disclosed in this specification includes a second communication unit for performing serial communication with a hall control output box, the second communication unit receiving multiple types of signals related to the status of the gaming machine corresponding to the hall control output box via serial communication from the hall control output box, a second memory for storing a second status determination table including multiple combinations of information correlating each type of signal with the corresponding status of the gaming machine, and a second control unit. The second control unit includes a second change unit for changing the correspondence between the type of signal and the corresponding status of the gaming machine in the multiple combinations in the second status determination table in the second memory in accordance with an external instruction, and a second determination unit for determining the status of the gaming machine by referring to the second status determination table in the memory when the signal is received from the hall control output box.

[0014] According to the above configuration, for example, a manager of a gaming parlor or the like can change the correspondence between the signal type and the gaming machine status corresponding to that type in the multiple combination information in the second status determination table by giving an external instruction in response to changes in the type of gaming machine (e.g., model), etc. Therefore, even when signals related to the gaming machine status are transmitted and received via serial communication between the call lamp and the hall control output box, the call lamp can appropriately determine the gaming machine status.

[0015] Another call lamp disclosed in this specification includes a second communication unit for performing serial communication with a hall control output box, the second communication unit receiving multiple types of signals related to the status of the gaming machine corresponding to the hall control output box through serial communication from the hall control output box, the light-emitting notification unit for notifying the status of the gaming machine by emitting light, a second memory for storing a light-up pattern table including multiple combinations of information correlating each of the multiple types of signals with a corresponding lighting pattern of the light-emitting notification unit, and a second control unit. The second control unit includes a second change unit for changing, in accordance with an external instruction, the correspondence between the signal type and the corresponding lighting pattern in the multiple combinations in the light-up pattern table stored in the second memory, and a light-emitting control unit for turning on the light-emitting notification unit by referring to the light-up pattern table stored in the memory when the signal is received from the hall control output box.

[0016] With the above configuration, for example, a gaming parlor manager or the like can change the correspondence between the signal type and the corresponding lighting pattern in the multiple combination information in the lighting pattern table by giving an external instruction in response to changes in the type of gaming machine (e.g., model), etc. Therefore, even when signals related to the status of the gaming machine are transmitted and received via serial communication between the call lamp and the hall control output box, the light-emitting notification part of the call lamp can be lit in an appropriate lighting pattern.

[0017] The unit disclosed in this specification includes a third communication unit for executing serial communication with a corresponding gaming machine, the third communication unit receiving multiple types of signals related to the status of the gaming machine from the gaming machine via serial communication, a third memory for storing a third status determination table including multiple combinations of information correlating each type of signal with a corresponding status of the gaming machine, and a third control unit. The third control unit includes a third change unit for changing, in accordance with an external instruction, the correspondence between the type of signal and the corresponding status of the gaming machine in the multiple combinations of information in the third status determination table in the third memory, and a third determination unit for determining the status of the gaming machine by referring to the third status determination table in the memory when the signal is received from the gaming machine.

[0018] According to the above configuration, for example, a manager of a gaming parlor or the like can change the correspondence between the signal types and the gaming machine states corresponding to those types in the plurality of combination information in the third state determination table by giving an external instruction in response to changes in the type (e.g., model) of the gaming machine, etc. Therefore, even when signals relating to the gaming machine states are transmitted and received via serial communication between the unit and the gaming machine, the unit can appropriately determine the gaming machine states.

[0019] The control method, computer program, and computer-readable recording medium for storing the computer program for implementing the hall computer, call lamp, and unit described above are also novel and useful. The gaming system including at least one of the hall computer, call lamp, and unit described above is also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 shows an overview of a gaming system 2 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] A block diagram of unit 20 is shown. [Figure 3]A block diagram of the Hall Con output box 50 is shown. [Figure 4] A block diagram of a call lamp 60 is shown. [Figure 5] 1 shows an example of a state determination table 130. [Figure 6] 1 shows an example of a lighting pattern table 140. [Figure 7] 2 shows an example of a state determination table 200. [Figure 8] 1 shows an overview of a conventional gaming system 500. [Figure 9] 10 shows an example of a state determination table 300 according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] (First Example) (System overview: Figure 1) The gaming system 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for managing the operating status of each gaming machine in a gaming establishment such as a pachinko parlor. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system 2 of this embodiment includes a hall computer 4 and multiple gaming machines 90A and 90B installed within the gaming establishment. Each of the gaming machines 90A and 90B includes a gaming machine 10, a unit 20, a hall computer output box 50, and a call lamp 60. Hereinafter, the gaming machines 90A and 90B may be referred to as "gaming machines 90" without distinction. Although only the gaming machines 90A and 90B are shown in FIG. 1, many other gaming machines 90 are actually installed within the gaming establishment.

[0022] The unit 20 is connected to the gaming machine 10 and the hall control output box 50 by wire, and can perform serial communication with each other. "Serial communication" here refers to a method of communication in which data is sent one bit at a time in sequence using a single line. The call lamp 60 is connected to the hall control output box 50 by wire, and can perform serial communication with each other.

[0023] The gaming machine 90A is assigned a device ID "D1" for identifying the gaming machine 90A. The gaming machine 90B is assigned a device ID "D2". In this embodiment, the device ID is stored in the call lamp 60, the unit 20, and the hall control output box 50. The device ID may be stored in one or more devices among the gaming machine 10, the unit 20, the hall control output box 50, and the call lamp 60. The device ID may also be the machine number.

[0024] The hall computer 4 comprises a management device 100, a plurality of island units 8, and a plurality of table units 6. The management device 100 is wired to the plurality of table units 8, allowing serial communication between them. Each table unit 8 is wired to a plurality of table units 6, allowing serial communication between them. Four hall computer output boxes 50 are wired to each table unit 6, allowing serial communication between them. The figure shows two hall computer output boxes 50 connected to one table unit 6, but in reality, four hall computer output boxes 50 are connected to one table unit 6. The figure shows one table unit 6 and one island unit 8, but in reality, the hall computer 4 comprises a plurality of table units 6 and one island unit 8.

[0025] (Configuration of gaming machine 10) The gaming machine 10 is a smart gaming machine, and may be a smart pachinko or smart pachislot. The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment includes a gaming board 11, a ball-hitting handle 12, a gaming ball number display unit 13, a counting button 14, and a control unit 15. The gaming board 11 is formed with a gaming area including a symbol display area and various winning slots. The ball-hitting handle 12 is an operating handle that allows a player to shoot gaming balls to play a game. When a player operates the ball-hitting handle 12, enclosed balls are shot into the gaming board 11 one by one. When enclosed balls are shot, the number of gaming balls is decremented. The gaming ball number display unit 13 is a display that displays the number of gaming balls currently stored in the gaming machine 10 in real time. The gaming ball number display unit 13 is, for example, a 7-segment display. The counting button 14 is an operating button for starting the process of converting (counting) gaming balls into held balls. The control unit 15 is built into the gaming machine 10 and controls the operation of each component of the gaming machine 10 .

[0026] An overview of the operation of the gaming machine 10 will be described. When the unit 20 performs a conversion process to convert owned or stored balls into a predetermined number of game balls, the number of game balls stored in the gaming machine 10 is increased by a predetermined number. "Owned balls" refer to balls acquired by a player that day but have not yet been deposited at the gaming parlor. "Saved balls" refer to balls acquired by a player before that day and deposited at the gaming parlor. "Game balls" refer to balls that can be inserted into the gaming machine 10. In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is a pachinko machine, so the terms "game balls," "owned balls," and "saved balls" are used. However, these terms may also be referred to as general terms such as "game medium," "owned medium," and "storage medium." During play on the gaming machine 10, the number of game balls increases or decreases depending on the game situation. The number of game balls is constantly displayed on the game ball count display unit 13. When the player operates the counting button 14, the number of game balls is transmitted to the unit 20. Hereinafter, operating the counting button 14 will be referred to as a "counting operation." When the counting operation is performed, the number of game balls stored in the gaming machine 10 becomes 0 (is settled). In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 can periodically (or as needed) transmit signals indicating the number of outs (the number of game balls fired (number of shots)), the number of safes (the number of game balls paid out (number of prize balls)), the number of game balls, etc. to the unit 20. The signals indicating the number of outs, the number of safes, the number of game balls, etc. may be referred to as "operation signals." The operation signals may be transmitted to the unit 20 periodically (or as needed).

[0027] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment can operate in multiple game states, including a normal state, a special prize state, a probability-changing state, and a time-saving state. The normal state is a state that is not advantageous to the player (e.g., no special prize, probability-changing, or time-saving state has occurred). The normal state also includes a standby state in which no game is in progress. The special prize state is a so-called jackpot state, which is advantageous to the player. During the special prize state, a relatively large number of game balls are paid out from the gaming machine 10. The special prize state may include multiple different jackpot states, such as a jackpot, a medium jackpot, and a small jackpot. Depending on the model of the gaming machine 10, multiple different special prize states (e.g., a jackpot, a medium jackpot, a small jackpot, etc.) exist. The probability-changing state is a game state that is generally transitioned to after the special prize state ends. Compared to the normal state, the probability of transitioning to the special prize state is higher, making it an advantageous state for the player. The time-saving state is advantageous for the player because, although the probability of transitioning to the special prize state is the same as the normal state, the symbol change time in the gaming machine 10 is shortened, thereby suppressing the decrease in the number of game balls held by the player. In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 can periodically (or at any time) transmit signals indicating changes (start / end) of each state to the unit 20 for multiple different types of special prize states, probability change states, and time-saving states. For example, the gaming machine 10 can transmit signals such as "Jackpot 1," "Jackpot 2," "Jackpot 3," "Jackpot + Time-saving," "High Probability," and "Time-saving" to the unit 20 in response to changes in the gaming state of the gaming machine itself. Such signals indicating changes in the gaming state may be referred to as "game state signals."

[0028] Furthermore, when the gaming machine 10 detects that fraudulent activity is being performed on the gaming machine 10, it can periodically (or at any time) transmit a signal indicating the type of fraud occurring on the gaming machine 10 to the unit 20. Examples of fraudulent activity that the gaming machine 10 can detect include fraudulent operation on the main board of the gaming machine 10, detection of unauthorized radio waves, etc. The gaming machine 10 can transmit signals such as "Fraud 1," "Fraud 2," and "Fraud 3" to the unit 20 depending on the type of fraud that has occurred on the gaming machine 10. Such a signal indicating the type of abnormality may be called a "fraud signal." Similar to the game status signal described above, the fraud signal is a signal indicating a change (start / end) in the fraudulent state.

[0029] As described above, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment can periodically (or at any time) transmit operation signals (signals indicating the number of outs, the number of safes, the number of game balls, etc.), game status signals (signals such as "Jack Hit 1," "Jack Hit 2," "Jack Hit 3," "Jack Hit + Time Reduction," "High Probability," "Time Reduction," etc.), and fraud signals (signals such as "Fraud 1," "Fraud 2," and "Fraud 3") to the unit 20 via serial communication. Of these signals, the game status signals and fraud signals may be collectively referred to as "status signals." "Status" may also be referred to as signals related to the status of the gaming machine.

[0030] (Unit 20 Composition) The unit 20 is a device provided on the side of the gaming machine 10. The unit 20 is also called a "sand unit (sand)" or a "card unit." The unit 20 is a terminal device for providing various services to players, such as accepting banknotes, lending gaming balls (for example, converting from remaining balance, converting from held balls, converting from saved balls, etc.), processing cards, and processing for securing the gaming machine 10 when play is interrupted.

[0031] 2, the unit 20 includes a touch panel 22, a bill processing unit 30, a card processing unit 32, a hall computer output box interface 34, a gaming machine interface 36, a control unit 40, a memory 42, and an audio output unit 44. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0032] The touch panel 22 functions as a display unit 24 for displaying various information and as an operation unit 26 that allows a player to input various instructions by touching the panel. In a modified example, the display unit 24 and operation unit 26 may be provided separately. The banknote processing unit 30 accepts banknotes inserted by a player and performs various processes. The card processing unit 32 performs various processes related to visitor cards and membership cards. The hall control output box I / F 34 is an I / F for performing serial communication with the corresponding hall control output box 50. The gaming machine I / F 36 is an I / F for performing serial communication with the corresponding gaming machine 10. The audio output unit 44 is a unit that can output various sounds (audio messages, melodies, etc.). The audio output unit 44 includes a speaker, etc.

[0033] The control unit 40 executes various processes in accordance with the programs stored in the memory 42. The memory 42 stores a device ID (such as "D1") that indicates the gaming machine 90 that includes the unit 20. The memory 42 also has an information storage area that stores information obtained by the control unit 40 executing various processes (for example, the number of game balls in the gaming machine 10, information recorded on the card being read by the card processing unit 32, etc.).

[0034] The control unit 40 can receive operation signals, game status signals, and fraud signals from the gaming machine 10 via serial communication. The control unit 40 can then transmit the received operation signals and signals indicating information stored by the control unit 40, such as the remaining balance, game balls, held balls, and saved balls (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "unit information signals"), to the hall control output box 50 via serial communication. The control unit 40 can also transmit status signals (game status signals and fraud signals) received from the gaming machine 10 to the hall control output box 50 via serial communication.

[0035] (Configuration of Hall Condenser Output Box 50) The hall control output box 50 shown in Fig. 1 is a device provided between the unit 20 and the call lamp 60. The hall control output box 50 is a device that mainly collects, relays, and tallys information related to games played on the gaming machine 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the hall control output box 50 includes a control unit 52, a memory 54, a call lamp I / F 55, a unit I / F 56, and an external I / F 57.

[0036] The call lamp I / F 55 is an I / F for executing serial communication with the corresponding call lamp 60. The unit I / F 56 is an I / F for executing serial communication with the corresponding unit 20. The external I / F 57 is an I / F for executing serial communication with an external device (e.g., the stand unit 6).

[0037] The control unit 52 executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in the memory 54. The memory 54 stores a device ID (such as "D1") that indicates the gaming machine 90 that includes the hall control output box 50. The memory 54 also has an information storage area that stores information obtained by the control unit 52 executing various processes (e.g., the number of safes, the number of outs, the cumulative number of safes, the cumulative number of outs, the complete design value, related information, gaming facility related information, etc.).

[0038] The control unit 52 can receive operation signals, unit information signals, game status signals, and fraud signals from the units 20 via serial communication. The control unit 52 then generates a cumulative value by editing the received operation signals and unit information signals. The cumulative value is, for example, a cumulative total (total value) of the number of outs, the number of safes, the number of game balls, etc. during a predetermined period. The control unit 52 can transmit a cumulative value signal indicating the cumulative value to the machine unit 6 (hall computer 4) via serial communication. The control unit 52 can also transmit status signals (game status signals and fraud signals) received from the units 20 to the machine unit 6 (hall computer 4) via serial communication. Similarly, the control unit 52 can also transmit a cumulative value signal to the call lamp 60 via serial communication. The control unit 52 can also transmit status signals (game status signals and fraud signals) received from the units 20 to the call lamp 60 via serial communication.

[0039] (Configuration of call lamp 60) As shown in Fig. 1, the call lamp 60 is a device provided on the top of the gaming machine 10. The call lamp 60 is a device for displaying various information related to the gaming machine 10 (for example, a slump graph, etc.) and for performing a call operation to call an attendant at the gaming parlor. As shown in Fig. 4, the call lamp 60 includes a display unit 62, an operation unit 64, a light-emitting alarm unit 66, an audio output unit 68, a hall control output box I / F 70, a control unit 72, and a memory 74.

[0040] The display unit 62 is a display for displaying various information. The operation unit 64 has a plurality of buttons. A player can input various instructions to the call lamp 60 by operating the buttons. In a modified example, the call lamp 60 may have a touch panel that functions as a display unit and an operation unit instead of the display unit 62 and the operation unit 64. The light-emitting alarm unit 66 can light up in a plurality of patterns. The light-emitting alarm unit 66 has an LED lamp. The audio output unit 68 is a unit that can output various sounds (audio messages, melodies, etc.). The audio output unit 68 includes a speaker, etc. The hall control output box I / F 70 is an I / F for performing serial communication with the corresponding hall control output box 50.

[0041] The control unit 72 executes various processes according to the programs stored in the memory 74. The control unit 72 of the call lamp 60 can receive a cumulative value signal and a status signal (a game status signal, an illegal signal) from the hall control output box 50 via serial communication.

[0042] The memory 74 stores a device ID (such as "D1") that indicates the gaming machine 90 that includes the call lamp 60. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the memory 74 stores a state determination table 130 (FIG. 5) and a lighting pattern table 140 (FIG. 6).

[0043] 5(a) shows an example of the status determination table 130. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the status determination table 130 includes a plurality of combination information 132a-132i corresponding to a plurality of types of status signals (game status signals and fraud signals) transmitted from the gaming machine 10. Each of the combination information 132a-132i is information in which a status signal transmitted from the gaming machine 10 ("status signal") is associated with content ("display content") to be displayed on the display unit 62 of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the call lamp 60 as the status of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the status signal. That is, the status determination table 130 includes the combination information 132a-132i in which a status signal is associated with display content of the display unit 62 (i.e., the status of the gaming machine 10) in the gaming machine 10.

[0044] For example, the combination information 132a associates the status signal "Jackpot 1" with the display content of the display unit 62 (the status of the gaming machine 10) "Jackpot in progress." That is, the combination information 132a indicates that when the status signal "Jackpot 1" is received, the display unit 62 is to display that the status of the gaming machine 10 is "Jackpot in progress." The combination information 132b indicates that when the status signal "Jackpot 2" is received, the display unit 62 is to display that the status of the gaming machine 10 is "Intermediate hit in progress." Similarly, for example, the combination information 132g indicates that when the status signal "Fraud 1" is received, the display unit 62 is to display that the status of the gaming machine 10 is "Anomaly detected." Note that the combination information 132i does not have a corresponding display content set when the status signal "Fraud 3" is received. This means that the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the call lamp 60 is not set to output the status signal "Fraud 3."

[0045] When the control unit 72 receives a status signal (game status signal, fraud signal) from the hall control output box 50 via serial communication, it can refer to the status determination table 130 to determine the status of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the received status signal. Then, the control unit 72 can refer to the status determination table 130 to identify the display content of the display unit 62 corresponding to the received status signal, and display the identified information on the display unit 62. For example, when the control unit 72 receives the status signal "Jack Hit 1" from the hall control output box 50, it can refer to the status determination table 130 to determine that the status of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the received status signal is "Jack Hit." Then, the control unit 72 causes the display unit 62 to display information indicating that the status of the gaming machine 10 is "Jack Hit."

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 72 can change the correspondence between the types of status signals in the multiple combination information 132a-132i of the status determination table 130 and the display content of the display unit 62 corresponding to the types (i.e., the status of the gaming machine 10) in accordance with an external instruction. The external instruction is, for example, input of a change command from the operation unit 64 or input of a change instruction from an external device (e.g., the hall computer 4). For example, when the model of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the call lamp 60 is changed, the manager of the gaming parlor can input a change command from the operation unit 64 or send a change instruction to the call lamp 60 from an external device (e.g., the hall computer 4).

[0047] 5(b) is an example of the state determination table 130 when the correspondence between some of the combination information has been changed. The underlined parts in FIG. 5(b) indicate the parts that have been changed from FIG. 5(a). As shown in FIG. 5(b), in the combination information 132b, the state signal "Jack Hit 2" has been changed to correspond to the display content of the display unit 62 (the state of the gaming machine 10) "Small Hit". In the combination information 132c, the state signal "Jack Hit 3" has been changed to correspond to the display content of the display unit 62 (the state of the gaming machine 10) "Medium Hit".

[0048] As described above, in this embodiment, for example, a manager of a gaming facility can change the correspondence between the types of status signals in the plurality of combination information 132a-132i in the status determination table 130 and the display contents corresponding to those types (status of the gaming machine 10) by giving an external instruction in response to changes in the type (e.g., model) of the gaming machine 10. Therefore, even when status signals relating to the status of the gaming machine 10 are transmitted and received via serial communication between the call lamp 60 and the hall control output box 50, the call lamp 60 can appropriately determine the status of the gaming machine 10. Furthermore, the call lamp 60 can appropriately display information indicating the status of the gaming machine 10 on the display unit 62.

[0049] 6(a) shows an example of the lighting pattern table 140. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the lighting pattern table 140 includes a plurality of combination information 142a-142i corresponding to a plurality of types of status signals (i.e., game status signals and fraud signals) transmitted from the gaming machine 10. Each of the combination information 142a-142i is information in which a status signal transmitted from the gaming machine 10 ("status signal") is associated with a lighting pattern ("lighting pattern") of the light-emitting notification unit 66 corresponding to the status signal in the gaming machine 10 that corresponds to the call lamp 60. That is, the lighting pattern table 140 includes the combination information 142a-142i in which a status signal is associated with a lighting pattern of the light-emitting notification unit 66 corresponding to the status signal in the gaming machine 10.

[0050] For example, the combination information 142a associates the status signal "Jack Hit 1" with the lighting pattern "Pattern A." That is, the combination information 142a indicates that the light-emitting alert unit 66 is to be lit in pattern A when the status signal "Jack Hit 1" is received from the gaming machine 10. The combination information 142b indicates that the light-emitting alert unit 66 is to be lit in pattern A when the status signal "Jack Hit 2" is received from the gaming machine 10. As shown in the combination information 142a to 142d, in this example, the light-emitting alert unit 66 is set to be lit in the same pattern (pattern A) when the status signals "Jack Hit 1," "Jack Hit 2," "Jack Hit 3," and "Jack Hit + Time Reduction" are all received. The combination information 142e indicates that the light-emitting alert unit 66 is to be lit in pattern B when the status signal "High Probability" is received from the gaming machine 10. The combination information 142f indicates that the light-emitting notification unit 66 is to be illuminated in pattern C when the status signal "time reduction" is received from the gaming machine 10. The combination information 142g and 142h indicate that the light-emitting notification unit 66 is to be illuminated in pattern D when the status signals "cheat 1" and "cheat 2" are received from the gaming machine 10. Note that the combination information 142i does not set a lighting pattern corresponding to when the status signal "cheat 3" is received. This means that the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the call lamp 60 is not set to output the status signal "cheat 3."

[0051] When the control unit 72 receives a status signal (game status signal, fraud signal) from the hall computer output box 50 via serial communication, it can refer to the lighting pattern table 140 and light up the light-emitting notification unit 66 in a pattern according to the status of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the received status signal. For example, when the control unit 72 receives the status signal "Jackpot 1" from the hall computer output box 50, it can refer to the lighting pattern table 140 and light up the light-emitting notification unit 66 in pattern A.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 72 can change the correspondence between the types of status signals in the multiple combination information 142a-142i of the lighting pattern table 140 and the lighting patterns corresponding to those types in accordance with an external instruction. Examples of external instructions are the same as those described above. For example, when the model of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the call lamp 60 is changed, the manager of the gaming parlor or the like can input a change command from the operation unit 64 or send a change instruction to the call lamp 60 from an external device (e.g., the hall computer 4).

[0053] FIG. 6(b) is an example of the lighting pattern table 140 when the correspondence of some of the combination information has been changed. The underlined parts in FIG. 6(b) indicate the parts that have been changed from (a). In the combination information 142a to 142d, the status signals "jackpot 1," "jackpot 2," "jackpot 3," and "jackpot + time reduction" have been changed to correspond to "pattern D." In the combination information 142g and 142h, the status signals "fraud 1," "fraud 2," and "pattern E" have been changed to correspond to each other.

[0054] In this way, in this embodiment, for example, a manager of a gaming parlor or the like can change the correspondence between the types of status signals in the plurality of combination information 142a to 142i in the lighting pattern table 140 and the lighting patterns corresponding to those types by giving an external instruction in response to changes in the type (e.g., model) of the gaming machine 10. Therefore, even when status signals relating to the status of the gaming machine 10 are transmitted and received via serial communication between the call lamp 60 and the hall control output box 50, the light-emitting notification unit 66 of the call lamp 60 can be illuminated in an appropriate lighting pattern.

[0055] (Hall Computer 4 Configuration) As described above, the hall computer 4 comprises a management device 100, a plurality of island units 8, and a plurality of machine units 6 (see FIG. 1). The management device 100 is wired to the plurality of island units 8, and they can communicate serially with each other. Each island unit 8 is wired to a plurality of machine units 6, and they can communicate serially with each other. Each machine unit 6 is wired to four hall computer output boxes 50, and they can communicate serially with each other.

[0056] (Configuration of Unit 6) The machine unit 6 is an information processing device provided for each of the four gaming machines 90. The machine unit 6 is equipped with a control unit and a memory (not shown). The control unit executes various processes according to the programs stored in the memory. The memory stores various programs. As described above, the machine unit 6 is connected by wire to the corresponding plurality of hall control output boxes 50 and the corresponding island unit 8, and can perform serial communication between them.

[0057] (Island Unit 8 Configuration) The island unit 8 is an information processing device provided for each island where the corresponding gaming machines 90 are located. The island unit 8 is equipped with a control unit and a memory (not shown). The control unit executes various processes according to the programs stored in the memory. The memory stores various programs. As described above, the island unit 8 is connected by wire to the corresponding machine unit 6 and the management device 100, and can perform serial communication between them.

[0058] (Configuration of management device 100) The management device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a management computer installed in an amusement facility. The management device 100 manages various information within the amusement facility. The management device 100 is installed in an area that cannot be seen by players, and is mainly operated by the manager of the amusement facility.

[0059] The management device 100 comprises a display unit 102, an operation unit 104, a communication I / F 106, a control unit 110, and a memory 112. The display unit 102 is a display for displaying various information. The operation unit 104 includes a mouse and a keyboard. The manager of the gaming facility can input various instructions to the management device 100 by operating the operation unit 104. The communication I / F 106 is an I / F for performing serial communication with each island unit 8.

[0060] The control unit 110 executes various processes according to the programs stored in the memory 112. The control unit 110 can receive cumulative value signals and status signals (game status signals, fraud signals) from the hall control output box 50 of each gaming machine 90 via the island unit 8 and the machine unit 6 by serial communication.

[0061] The memory 112 also has a storage area for storing information obtained by the control unit 110 executing various processes. The memory 112 also has a storage area (which may be called a database area) for storing various signals and information output by the hall control output box 50 of each gaming machine 90 for each machine ID. The memory 112 also stores a model information table (not shown) in which the machine ID of each gaming machine 10 is associated with the model of each gaming machine 10.

[0062] Furthermore, the memory 112 stores a status determination table 200 (FIG. 7). (a) of FIG. 7 shows an example of the status determination table 200. As shown in (a) of FIG. 7, the status determination table 200 includes a plurality of combination information 202a-202i corresponding to a plurality of types of status signals (i.e., game status signals and fraud signals) transmitted from each gaming machine 10 in the gaming parlor. Each of the combination information 202a-202i is information in which the status signal transmitted from each gaming machine 10 in the gaming parlor ("status signal") is associated with the status of the gaming machine 10 for each model corresponding to the status signal ("model A," "model B," "model C"). Models A-C are all different models. Although only models A-C are shown in the example of FIG. 7, gaming machines 10 of models other than models A-C may exist in the gaming parlor.

[0063] For example, the combination information 202a associates the status signal "Jack Hit 1" with "Jack Hit A" for model A, "Jack Hit A" for model B, and "Jack Hit A" for model C. That is, the combination information 202a indicates that when the status signal "Jack Hit 1" is received, the status of all gaming machines 10 of models A to C is "Jack Hit A." Similarly, the combination information 202b indicates that when the status signal "Jack Hit 2" is received, the status of all gaming machines 10 of models A to C is "Jack Hit B." Similarly, the combination information 202g indicates that when the status signal "Irregularity 1" is received, the status of all gaming machines 10 of models A to C is "Main Board Irregularity Detected." Note that the combination information 202i does not set a corresponding status when the status signal "Irregularity 3" is received. This means that the output of the status signal "Irregularity 3" is not set in any gaming machine 10 of any model.

[0064] As described above, in the state determination table 200 shown in Fig. 7(a), the state of the gaming machine 10 associated with each state signal is the same for all models. That is, in the state determination table 200 of Fig. 7(a) of this embodiment, the state of the gaming machine 10 associated with each state signal is an initial setting value (default value).

[0065] The control unit 110 receives status signals (game status signals, fraud signals) from each hall control output box 50 via serial communication. The control unit 110 can identify the device ID of the gaming machine 10 that sent the status signal based on which island unit 8 and machine unit 6 the status signal was received through. The control unit 110 can then identify the model of the gaming machine 10 that sent the status signal by referring to a model information table (not shown) in the memory 112. The control unit 110 can then determine the status of the gaming machine 10 that sent the status signal based on the received status signal and the model of the gaming machine 10 that sent the status signal by referring to the status determination table 200. The control unit 110 can manage the operating status of each gaming machine 10 based on the determination result. For example, when the control unit 110 receives the status signal "Jackpot 1," the control unit 110 identifies the gaming machine 10 (e.g., machine ID "D1") that sent the status signal based on the island unit 8 and machine unit 6 through which the status signal was received. Next, the control unit 110 can refer to the model information table in the memory 112 and identify the model (for example, model A) of the gaming machine 10 that is the source of the status signal. Then, the control unit 110 can refer to the status determination table 200 and determine that the status of the gaming machine 10 that is the source of the status signal is "Jack Hit A" based on the received status signal "Jack Hit 1" and the model (model A) of the gaming machine 10 that is the source of the status signal.

[0066] Furthermore, the control unit 110 can change the correspondence between the types of status signals in the multiple pieces of combination information 202a to 202i in the status determination table 200 and the status of each model of gaming machine 10 corresponding to the type in accordance with an external instruction. The external instruction is, for example, input of a change command from the operation unit 104 or input of a change instruction from an external device (e.g., an external server). For example, when a manager of a gaming facility changes the model of a gaming machine 10 in the gaming facility, the manager can input a change command from the operation unit 104 or receive a change instruction from an external device (e.g., a management device outside the gaming facility).

[0067] FIG. 7B shows an example of the state determination table 200 when the correspondence between some of the combination information has been changed. The underlined portions in FIG. 7B indicate the changes from FIG. 7A. As shown in FIG. 7B, in the combination information 202b, the status signal "JACK HITTING 2" has been changed to correspond to the "JACK HITTING C" of the machine type B. In the combination information 202c, the status signal "JACK HITTING 3" has been changed to correspond to the "JACK HITTING B" of the machine type B and the "JACK HITTING D" of the machine type C. That is, in the gaming machine 10 of the changed model B, the status signal "JACK HITTING 2" is a signal transmitted when the gaming machine 10 is in the "JACK HITTING C" state, and the status signal "JACK HITTING 3" is a signal transmitted when the gaming machine 10 is in the "JACK HITTING B" state. In the gaming machine 10 of the changed model C, the status signal "JACK HITTING 3" is a signal transmitted when the gaming machine 10 is in the "JACK HITTING D" state.

[0068] In the combination information 202g, the status signal "Fraud 1" is changed to correspond to the model B "Unauthorized Radio Wave Detected" and the model C "Unauthorized Radio Wave Detected." In the combination information 202h, the status signal "Fraud 2" is changed to correspond to the model C "Main Board Fraud Detected." In addition, in the combination information 202h, the status signal "Fraud 2" is changed so that the status signal is not associated with the model B. That is, in the gaming machine 10 of the changed model B, the status signal "Fraud 1" is a signal transmitted while the gaming machine 10 is in the "Unauthorized Radio Wave Detected" state, and the status signal "Fraud 2" is not output from the gaming machine 10. In the gaming machine 10 of the changed model C, the status signal "Fraud 1" is a signal transmitted while the gaming machine 10 is in the "Unauthorized Radio Wave Detected" state, and the status signal "Fraud 2" is a signal transmitted while the gaming machine 10 is in the "Main Board Fraud Detected" state.

[0069] In this way, in this embodiment, for example, a manager of a gaming facility or the like can change the correspondence between the types of status signals in the plurality of combination information 202a to 202i in the status determination table 200 and the status of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the types by giving an external instruction in response to a change in the type (e.g., model) of the gaming machine 10. Therefore, even when status signals relating to the status of the gaming machine 10 are transmitted and received by serial communication between the management device 100 and the hall control output box 50, the management device 100 can appropriately determine the status of the gaming machine 10.

[0070] (Comparative Example) As a comparative example to more clearly explain the advantages of the gaming system 2 of this embodiment, a conventional gaming system will be described with reference to FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the conventional gaming system 500 includes a hall computer 700, a number of gaming machines 510a and 510b installed in the gaming parlor, units 520a and 520b installed corresponding to each of the gaming machines 510a and 510b, and hall computer output boxes 550a and 550b installed corresponding to each of the units 520a and 520b. Although not shown in the example of FIG. 8, call lamps corresponding to each of the gaming machines 510a and 510b may be provided on each of the gaming machines. In FIG. 8(a), both the two gaming machines 510a and 510b are model A. Hereinafter, the gaming machines 510a and 510b may be referred to as the gaming machine 510 without distinction. Similarly, the units 520a and 520b may be referred to as unit 520 without distinction. The hall-con output boxes 550a and 550b may be referred to as hall-con output boxes 550 without distinction.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the hall computer 700 includes a management device 600, a plurality of island units 580, and a plurality of machine units 560. The management device 600 is communicatively connected to the plurality of island units 580. Each island unit 580 is communicatively connected to a plurality of machine units 560. Four hall computer output boxes 550 are connected to each machine unit 560. While the figure shows two hall computer output boxes 550 (550a, 550b) connected to the machine unit 560, in reality, four hall computer output boxes 550 are connected to the machine unit 560. Although the figure shows one machine unit 560 and one island unit 580, in reality, the hall computer 700 includes a plurality of machine units 560 and a plurality of island units 580.

[0072] Both the machine unit 560 and each hall control output box 550 have multiple ports (terminals). The multiple ports of the machine unit 560 are connected to the multiple ports of the hall control output box 550 by multiple wires. In the example of FIG. 8(a), for example, ports A1, B1, and C1 of the machine unit 560 are connected to ports 1, 2, and 3 of the hall control output box 550a, respectively. Ports A2, B2, and C2 of the machine unit 560 are connected to ports 1, 2, and 3 of the hall control output box 550b, respectively. For example, a gaming machine 510a of model A outputs a jackpot 1 signal in the "jackpot" state, a jackpot 2 signal in the "medium jackpot" state, and a jackpot 3 signal in the "small jackpot" state. In response to this, the hall control output box 550 outputs signals (jackpot 1, jackpot 2, jackpot 3, fraud 1, fraud 2, etc.) from different ports depending on the state of the gaming machine 510. For example, the hall control output box 550a outputs a signal from port 1 (jackpot 1) when the gaming machine 510a of model A is in a "jackpot" state, outputs a signal from port 2 (jackpot 2) when the gaming machine 510a is in a "medium hit" state, and outputs a signal from port 3 (jackpot 3) when the gaming machine 510a is in a "small hit" state.

[0073] The management device 600 can determine the state of each gaming machine 510 based on which port of the machine unit 560 a signal is input to. For example, when a signal is input to port A1 (jackpot) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines the state of the gaming machine 510a to be "jackpot." When a signal is input to port B1 (medium hit) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines the state of the gaming machine 510a to be "medium hit." When a signal is input to port C1 (small hit) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines the state of the gaming machine 510a to be "small hit." Similarly, when a signal is input to port A2 (jackpot) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines the state of the gaming machine 510b to be "jackpot." When a signal is input to port B2 (medium hit) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines that the state of the gaming machine 510b is "medium hit." When a signal is input to port C2 (small hit) of the machine unit 560, the management device 600 determines that the state of the gaming machine 510b is "small hit."

[0074] For example, the model of the gaming machine 510a may be changed from model A to model B. Accordingly, the signals output from the gaming machine 510a are also changed for each state. For example, the gaming machine 510a of model B outputs a signal for jackpot 1 in the "jackpot" state, a signal for jackpot 3 in the "medium hit" state, and a signal for jackpot 2 in the "small hit" state. In the gaming machine 510a of model A, the signal for jackpot 2 is output in the "medium hit" state, and the signal for jackpot 3 is output in the "small hit" state. In the gaming machine 510a of model B, however, the signal output in the "medium hit" state (jackpot 3) and the signal output in the "small hit" state (jackpot 2) are reversed from those in model A. In this case, the hall control output box 550a outputs a signal from port 1 (jackpot 1) when the gaming machine 510a of model A is in a "jackpot" state, outputs a signal from port 2 (jackpot 2) when the gaming machine 510a is in a "small hit" state, and outputs a signal from port 3 (jackpot 3) when the gaming machine 510a is in a "medium hit" state.

[0075] In this way, when the model of the gaming machine 510a is changed from model A to model B, the conventional technology can change the connection destination between the port of the machine unit 560 and the port of the hall control output box 550a, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8. Specifically, the wiring connection is changed so that port B1 of the machine unit 560 is connected to port 3 of the hall control output box 550a, and port C1 of the machine unit 560 is connected to port 2 of the hall control output box 550a. As a result, as in the case of (a), the management device 600 can determine that the gaming machine 510a is in a "jackpot" state when a signal is input to port A1 (jackpot) of the machine unit 560, determine that the gaming machine 510a is in a "medium hit" state when a signal is input to port B1 (medium hit) of the machine unit 560, and determine that the gaming machine 510a is in a "small hit" state when a signal is input to port C1 (small hit) of the machine unit 560. In this way, in conventional technology, even if the signal output from the gaming machine 510 changes for each state when the model of the gaming machine 510 is changed, by changing the wiring connection relationship between the ports, it is possible to appropriately correspond the type of signal indicating the gaming state output by the hall computer output box 550 (e.g., jackpot 1, jackpot 2, etc.) to the gaming state determined by the hall computer 700 (e.g., jackpot, medium jackpot, etc.).

[0076] On the other hand, in this embodiment, information is transmitted between the hall computer output box 50 and the hall computer 4 (machine unit 6) by serial communication. When the hall computer output box 50 and the hall computer 4 communicate serially, as in the comparative example (FIG. 8(b)), changing the port connection destination cannot change the correspondence between the type of status signal sent by the hall computer output box 50 (e.g., jackpot 1, jackpot 2, etc.) and the game status determined by the hall computer 4 (e.g., jackpot A, jackpot B, etc.).

[0077] In this regard, as described above, in this embodiment, the correspondence between the types of status signals in the plurality of combination information 202a to 202i in the status determination table 200 and the corresponding status of the gaming machine 10 can be changed by an external instruction. Therefore, even when status signals relating to the status of the gaming machine 10 are transmitted and received via serial communication between the hall computer 4 and the hall computer output box 50, the hall computer 4 can appropriately determine the status of the gaming machine 10.

[0078] The correspondence between this embodiment and the claims will be explained. The combination of the control unit 110, the communication I / F 106, the machine unit 6, and the island unit 8 is an example of a "first communication unit." The memory 112 and the control unit 110 are examples of a "first memory" and a "first control unit," respectively. The control unit 110 changing the state determination table 200 is an example of processing performed by a "first change unit," and the control unit 110 determining the state of the gaming machine 10 by referring to the state determination table 200 is an example of processing performed by a "first determination unit." The state determination table 200 is an example of a "first state determination table." The state signal is an example of "multiple types of signals related to the state of the gaming machine."

[0079] The combination of the control unit 52 and the hall control output box I / F 70 is an example of a "second communication unit." The memory 74 and the control unit 72 are examples of a "second memory" and a "second control unit," respectively. The control unit 52 changing the state determination table 130 and the lighting pattern table 140 is an example of a process performed by a "second change unit," and the control unit 52 determining the state of the gaming machine 10 (determining the display content) by referring to the state determination table 130 is an example of a process performed by a "second determination unit." The control unit 52 turning on the light-emitting notification unit 66 by referring to the lighting pattern table 140 is an example of a process performed by a "light-emitting control unit." The state determination table 130 is an example of a "second state determination table."

[0080] (Second Example) The gaming system 2 of the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the gaming system 2 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the memory 42 of the unit 20 stores a state determination table 300 (see Fig. 9), and the control unit 40 of the unit 20 can determine the state of the gaming machine 10.

[0081] 9(a) shows an example of the state determination table 300 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9(a), the state determination table 300 includes a plurality of combination information 302a-302i corresponding to a plurality of types of state signals (i.e., game state signals and fraud signals) transmitted from the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the unit 20. Each of the combination information 302a-302i is information in which the state signal transmitted from the gaming machine 10 ("state signal") is associated with the state of the gaming machine 10 ("state") corresponding to the state signal.

[0082] For example, the combination information 302a associates the status signal "Jackpot 1" with the status "Jackpot A." That is, the combination information 302a indicates that the status of the gaming machine 10 is "Jackpot A" when the status signal "Jackpot 1" is received. Similarly, the combination information 302b indicates that the status of the gaming machine 10 is "Jackpot B" when the status signal "Jackpot 2" is received. Similarly, the combination information 302g indicates that the status of the gaming machine 10 is "Main board fraud detected" when the status signal "Fraud 1" is received. Note that the combination information 302i does not set a status corresponding to when the status signal "Fraud 3" is received. This means that the gaming machine 10 is not set to output the status signal "Fraud 3."

[0083] The control unit 40 receives status signals (game status signals, fraud signals) from the corresponding gaming machines 10 via serial communication. The control unit 40 can determine the status of the corresponding gaming machines 10 by referring to the status determination table 300. The control unit 40 can manage the operating status of each gaming machine 10 based on the determination results. The control unit 40 can also transmit the determined status of the gaming machine 10 to the hall control output box 50. For example, when the control unit 40 receives the status signal "Jackpot 1" from the gaming machine 10, it can refer to the status determination table 300 and determine that the status of the gaming machine 10 is "Jackpot A."

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment as well, the control unit 40 can change the correspondence between the types of status signals in the multiple pieces of combination information 302a to 302i in the status determination table 300 and the statuses of the gaming machines 10 corresponding to those types in accordance with an external instruction. The external instruction is, for example, input of a change command from the operation unit 26 or input of a change instruction from an external device (e.g., the management device 100). For example, when the model of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the unit 20 is changed, the manager of the gaming facility can input a change command from the operation unit 26 or send a change instruction to the unit 20 from an external device (e.g., the management device 100).

[0085] 9(b) is an example of the state determination table 300 when the correspondence relationship of some of the combination information has been changed. The underlined parts in FIG. 9(b) indicate the parts that have been changed from FIG. 9(a). As shown in FIG. 9(b), in the combination information 302b, the state signal "Jackpot 2" has been changed to correspond to the state "Jackpot C" of the gaming machine 10. In the combination information 302c, the state signal "Jackpot 3" has been changed to correspond to the state "Jackpot B" of the gaming machine 10. Similarly, in the combination information 302g, the status signal "Fraud 1" is changed so that it corresponds to the status of the gaming machine 10, "Fraudulent Radio Wave Detected." In the combination information 302h, the status signal is changed so that it does not correspond to the status of the gaming machine 10. In other words, after the change, the status signal "Fraud 2" is not output from the gaming machine 10.

[0086] In this way, in this embodiment, for example, a manager of a gaming facility or the like can change the correspondence between the types of status signals in the plurality of combination information 302a to 302i in the status determination table 300 and the status of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the types by giving an external instruction in response to a change in the type (e.g., model) of the gaming machine 10. Therefore, even when status signals relating to the status of the gaming machine 10 are transmitted and received between the unit 20 and the gaming machine 10 via serial communication, the unit 20 can appropriately determine the status of the gaming machine 10.

[0087] As described above, in this embodiment, the unit 20 can appropriately determine the state of the gaming machine 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, the state determination table 200 in the memory 112 of the management device 100 may be omitted.

[0088] The correspondence between this embodiment and the claims will be explained. The combination of the control unit 40 and the gaming machine I / F 36 is an example of a "third communication unit." The memory 42 and the control unit 40 are examples of a "third memory" and a "third control unit," respectively. Changing the state determination table 300 by the control unit 40 is an example of processing performed by a "third change unit," and determining the state of the gaming machine 10 by the control unit 40 with reference to the state determination table 300 is an example of processing performed by a "third determination unit." The state determination table 300 is an example of a "third state determination table."

[0089] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

[0090] (Variation 1) In the above embodiments, it is mainly assumed that the gaming machine 10 is a sealed circulation type pachinko machine. However, this is not limited to this, and the gaming machine 10 may be a type of slot machine that does not pay out medals. In that case, terms such as "game balls" and "held balls" may be referred to as "game medium" and "held medium", etc.

[0091] Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives alone has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 2: Gaming system 4: Hall computer 6: Unit 8: Island Unit 10: Gaming machines 20: Unit 40: Control unit 42: Memory 50: Hole capacitor output box 60: Call lamp 72: Control unit 74: Memory 100: Management device 110: Control unit 112: Memory 130: State judgment table 140: Lighting pattern table 200: Status judgment table 300: Status judgment table

Claims

1. a first communication unit for executing serial communication with the hall control output box, the first communication unit receiving, via serial communication, from the hall control output box, a plurality of types of signals relating to the status of the gaming machine corresponding to the hall control output box; a first memory that stores a first state determination table including a plurality of combination information items that associate, for each of a plurality of types of signals, the type of the signal with the state of the gaming machine corresponding to the type of the signal; a first control unit, The first control unit a first change unit that can change the correspondence between the types of the signals and the states of the gaming machine corresponding to the types in the plurality of combination information in the first state determination table in the first memory in accordance with an external instruction; a first determination unit that, when the signal is received from the hall control output box, determines the state of the gaming machine by referring to the first state determination table in the memory; Including, Hall computer.

2. a second communication unit for executing serial communication with the hall control output box, the second communication unit receiving, via serial communication, from the hall control output box, a plurality of types of signals relating to the status of the gaming machine corresponding to the hall control output box; a second memory that stores a second state determination table including a plurality of combination information items that associate, for each of a plurality of types of signals, the type of the signal with the state of the gaming machine corresponding to the type of the signal; a second control unit; The second control unit a second change unit that can change the correspondence between the types of the signals and the states of the gaming machine corresponding to the types in the plurality of combination information in the second state determination table in the second memory in accordance with an external instruction; a second determination unit that, when the signal is received from the hall control output box, determines the state of the gaming machine by referring to the second state determination table in the memory; Including, Call lamp.

3. a second communication unit for executing serial communication with the hall control output box, the second communication unit receiving, via serial communication, from the hall control output box, a plurality of types of signals relating to the status of the gaming machine corresponding to the hall control output box; a light-emitting notification unit for notifying the state of the gaming machine by emitting light; a second memory that stores a lighting pattern table including a plurality of combination information items that associate, for each of a plurality of types of signals, the type of the signal with a lighting pattern of the light-emitting notification unit corresponding to the type of the signal; a second control unit; The second control unit a second change unit that can change the correspondence between the types of signals and the lighting patterns corresponding to the types in the plurality of pieces of combination information in the lighting pattern table in the second memory in accordance with an external instruction; a light-emitting control unit that, when the signal is received from the hall control output box, turns on the light-emitting notification unit by referring to the lighting pattern table in the memory; Including, Call lamp.

4. a third communication unit for executing serial communication with a corresponding gaming machine, the third communication unit receiving a plurality of types of signals relating to the status of the gaming machine from the gaming machine through serial communication; a third memory that stores a third state determination table including a plurality of combination information items that associate, for each of a plurality of types of signals, the type of the signal with the state of the gaming machine corresponding to the type of the signal; a third control unit, The third control unit a third change unit that can change the correspondence between the types of the signals and the states of the gaming machine corresponding to the types in the plurality of combination information in the third state determination table in the third memory in accordance with an external instruction; a third determination unit that, when the signal is received from the gaming machine, determines the state of the gaming machine by referring to the third state determination table in the memory; Including, unit.

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