JP2000308721A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the number of balls corresponding to a prize in a relatively small quantity by not supplying a part of the number of balls corresponding to the prize after a ball is put into a start prize port, and is memorized. SOLUTION: In a play area 2, a variable prize device 3 having a pair of ball receiving members 4a and 4b is provided, and start prize ports 10a, 10b, and 12 are provided under the device 3. When a ball is put into the start prize ports 10a, 10b and 12, a part of the number of bonus balls corresponding to the prize is not supplied and is memorized in a suspended number storage means. When a big prize status occurs, the number of balls corresponding to the prize is supplied based on a storage information of the suspended number storage means, and when a player ends the game without a big prize, the number as suspended is stored in a storage medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine including a ball game machine represented by, for example, a pachinko game machine and a coin game machine. A variable winning prize ball device that can be changed to a first state advantageous to the player and a second state unfavorable to the player, wherein the variable winning prize is provided on condition that a hit ball is awarded in the starting winning area. The ball device is the first device in the first mode.
And the variable winning ball device is more advantageous to the player than the first aspect on the condition that a hit ball is won in the variable winning ball device in the first state.
The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a ball game machine which can be controlled to the specific gaming state which is the first state in the first aspect.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game apparatus of this type, conventionally known ones include, for example, a start winning area in which a hit ball can be won, a first state which is advantageous to the player, and a player. A variable winning prize ball device that can be changed to a second state that is disadvantageous to the player, and a specific gaming state in which the variable winning prize ball device can be repeatedly and continuously set to the first state on the premise of starting winning. There is a game machine including a ball-and-ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine. For example, a variable winning prize ball device is formed with a special winning opening, and the special winning opening is divided into a specific area and a normal area, and a ball winning a specific area is detected by specific ball detecting means. I was Further, in the gaming machine, if a predetermined number of prizes or the like are present in the variable prize ball device, the variable prize ball device is in a second state disadvantageous to the player, and a ball is detected by the specific ball detection means. In such a case, the repetition continuation control for setting the variable winning ball device to the first state again is performed.

[0003] A pachinko gaming machine included in this type of gaming device has a "one kind" in which a variable display device, which is derived and displayed on condition of starting winning, has a specific display state when a display result is displayed in a specific display mode. The fever-type pachinko gaming machine called, or the variable winning prize ball device temporarily changes to the first state and then to the second state due to the starting prize, and the ball hitting the variable prize ball device wins in a specific area. There are known hikoki-type pachinko gaming machines called "two types" that can be brought into a specific game state.

[0004] During the specific game state, it is possible to hit a ball into the variable prize ball device. Therefore, compared to the normal game state other than the specific game state, a large number of wins occur in a short period of time. A very large number of prize balls can be paid out. In particular, in order to increase the degree of satisfaction of the player with respect to a specific game state, in this type of gaming device, one winning in the variable winning ball device is replaced by another winning such as a starting winning. More prize balls were paid out. By doing this,
In the specific game state, it is possible to receive an extremely large number of prize balls in the normal game state.

[0005]

However, for example, in the case of "two kinds" of pachinko gaming machines, at least the hit ball must win a variable prize ball device in order to attain the specific gaming state. Since the variable prize ball device is set to the first state for each prize, even if the number of prize balls to be paid out for the start prize is reduced, the number corresponding to the variable prize ball device with the prize in the variable prize ball device is reduced. Prize balls are paid out. Therefore, between the number of prize balls paid out for one starting prize and the number of prize balls paid out for one prize to the variable prize ball device, such as in a kind of pachinko gaming machine. Even if there is a large difference, it is not possible to make a very large difference in the number of prize balls to be paid out on average within a predetermined period between the specific game state and the normal game state. For this reason, in the case of "two kinds" of pachinko gaming machines, the satisfaction and expectation of the player with respect to the specific gaming state are lower than in the case of "one kind" of pachinko gaming machines, and it is difficult to improve the interest. There was a problem.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine which enters a specific game state on condition that a hit ball has won a variable prize ball device. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming device that can increase the degree of expectation and improve the interest without losing the player's satisfaction with the state.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a start winning area in which a hit ball can be won, a first state advantageous to a player, and a second state disadvantageous to a player. A variable winning ball device that can be changed to a predetermined value, and the variable winning ball device is in the first state in the first mode on condition that a ball is hit in the starting winning area, and is in the first state. The specific game in which the variable winning prize ball device is in the first state in the second mode which is more advantageous to the player than in the first mode, on condition that a ball is won in the variable prize ball device in A game device including a ball game machine that can be controlled to a state, a payout means capable of paying out prize game media according to a winning of a hit ball, and a payout is suspended during the game Reservation number storage that can store the number of premium game media Steps, recording medium processing means capable of performing predetermined processing on a recording medium owned by a player capable of recording information capable of specifying at least the number of premium game media for which payout has been suspended, and a ball Means for controlling to pay out a predetermined number of prize game media from the payout means when there is a prize, and when there is a hit ball in the starting prize area, Payout control means for performing control to store at least a part of the number of prize game media required to be paid out in connection with the prize in the reserved number storage means without paying out from the payout means, The payout control means, when the specific game state occurs, based on the storage information of the number-of-holds storage means, performs control to pay out the prize game medium for which the payout has been suspended from the payout means, When the game is completed in a state where the specific game state has not occurred, the number of the prize game media for which the payout has been suspended is specified by the recording information of the recording medium based on the storage information of the reserved number storage unit. It is characterized by performing control to save as much as possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the prize game medium for which the payout is suspended is provided on condition that a ball is hit in the start winning area. It is a prize game medium according to a prize in the variable prize ball device in the first state in the first mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the payout control means terminates the game in a state where the specific game state has not occurred. In this case, the control is performed such that the predetermined specific player saves the number of which the payout is suspended in such a manner that the storage period is more advantageous than the other players.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the payout control means determines whether the specific game state has progressed when the specific game state has occurred. Irrespective of this, the present invention is characterized in that control for executing the payout of the prize game medium based on the information stored in the reserved number storage means is further performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the payout control means is configured to store the reserved number storage means at a stage when the specific game state starts to be generated. The present invention is characterized in that control is performed to execute payout of premium game media based on stored information.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the following operation is performed. By the function of the payout means, it is possible to pay out the prize game medium in accordance with the winning of the hit ball. By the function of the number-of-reserve storage means, during the game, it is possible to store the number of premium game media for which payout is suspended.
By the operation of the recording medium processing means, it is possible to perform a predetermined process on a recording medium owned by a player capable of recording information capable of specifying at least the number of premium game media for which payout is suspended. Due to the operation of the payout control means, which is a means for controlling a predetermined number of prize game media to be paid out from the payout means when a hitting ball is won, a hitting ball wins the starting winning area. If
Control is performed such that at least a part of the number of premium game media required to be paid out in connection with the prize is not paid out from the payout means but is stored in the reserved number storage means. With the further operation of the payout control means, when a specific game state occurs, control is performed to cause the payout means to pay out the prize game medium for which the payout has been held, based on the storage information of the number-of-holds storage means. When the game is completed in a state where no state has occurred, control for saving the number of premium game media for which payout has been suspended so as to be identifiable by the recording information of the recording medium, based on the storage information of the reserved number storage means. Is performed. In this manner, when a ball is hit in the starting winning area, at least a part of the number of premium game media required to be paid out in connection with the winning is not paid out from the payout means. Will be held and remembered,
In a state other than the specific gaming state, the number of premium game media paid out in connection with winning in the starting winning area can be suppressed to a relatively small number. When the specific gaming state occurs, the premium game media for which the payout is suspended are paid out based on the storage information of the number for which the payout is suspended, so that a relatively large number of premium game media are provided. Can be paid out. Therefore, in exchange for reducing the number of prize game media paid out in connection with the winning in the start winning prize area, the reduced number is added to the payout when the specific gaming state occurs. By doing so, the profit of the player when the specific game state occurs is relatively large. For this reason, it is possible to improve the degree of expectation of the specific game state without impairing the player's satisfaction with the specific game state, and it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
The prize game medium for which the payout is suspended is a prize game medium according to a prize to the variable prize ball device which is in the first state in the first mode on condition that a hit ball has won in the starting prize area. . As described above, the prize game medium for which the payout is suspended is the prize game medium according to the winning in the variable prize ball device in a state other than the specific game state. For this reason, when considered conversely, in a state other than the specific game state, payout of the prize game medium according to the winning in the start winning area is always performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from losing the profit in the payout of the prize game medium with respect to the winning in the starting winning area. Furthermore, in a state other than the specific game state, every time there is a prize in the variable prize ball device, which is a prize that the player strives for in the game,
The number of premium game media for which the payout is suspended increases. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently increase the number of prize game media to be paid out in the specific game state as the game progresses.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, the following operation is performed. By the further action of the payout control means, when the game is ended in a state where the specific game state has not occurred,
A control is performed to save the number of which the payout has been suspended in such a manner that a predetermined specific player has a more advantageous storage period than other players. As described above, with respect to the storage of the number of premium game media for which the payout has been suspended when the game is over, the specific player becomes more advantageous in terms of the storage period than the other players. Service content for a player can be differentiated from other players. This makes it possible to promote an increase in the number of specific players, such as members of a game arcade.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the following operation is performed.
By the further operation of the payout control means, when the specific game state occurs, the control for executing the payout of the prize game medium based on the information stored in the number-of-reservation storage means is performed irrespective of the progress of the specific game state. in this way,
When the specific game state occurs, the payout of the prize game medium based on the storage information of the number-of-reservation storage means is executed regardless of the progress state of the specific game state. Directly linked to the payout of premium game media. For this reason, it is possible to further excite the joy of the player at the time of the occurrence of the big hit, as compared with the case where the condition is set for the payout of the premium game medium for which the payout is suspended.

According to the present invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the following operation is performed.
By the further operation of the payout control means, at the stage when the generation of the specific game state starts, control is performed to execute the payout of the prize game medium based on the information stored in the number-of-reserve storage means.
As described above, the payout of the prize game media for which the payout has been suspended is performed at a relatively early stage such as at the start of the occurrence of the specific game state, so that even if the game medium is small at the time of the occurrence of the big hit, the required amount of the game Since it is easy to secure the medium, it is possible to minimize the inconvenience of having to rent a game medium despite the occurrence of a big hit.

[0017]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a gaming machine including a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine including a ball game machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other gaming machines such as coin gaming machines may be used. A game device including a ball game machine may be used. That is, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises a start winning area in which a hit ball can be won, a variable winning ball apparatus capable of changing between a first state advantageous to the player and a second state unfavorable to the player. Wherein the variable winning ball device is in the first state in the first mode on condition that a ball is hit in the starting winning area,
On condition that a ball is hit in the variable winning ball device in the first state, the variable winning ball device is in the second mode, which is more advantageous to the player than the first mode, in the second mode. The present invention can be applied to all gaming devices including a ball game machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a game board of a pachinko game machine which is an example of a ball game machine included in a game device according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a game area 2 into which a pachinko ball as a game ball is driven is formed on the surface of the game board 1. An operation handle (not shown) (not shown) is provided at the lower right of the game board 1. The operation of the operation handle activates a hit ball firing device (not shown), and the pachinko balls are sequentially driven into the game area 2. .

In the game area 2, a pair of ball receiving members 4a,
The variable prize ball device 3 having 4b is provided. Below the variable prize ball device 3, a starting prize port (start port) 10 is provided.
a, 10b and 12 are provided. Winning opening 10
Each of a, 10b, and 12 includes a starting winning ball detector (starting port switch) 11 which is an example of a starting winning detecting unit.
a, 11b and 13 are provided. The start winning ball detectors 11a, 11b, 13 are formed by proximity switches that detect a ball in accordance with a magnetic change when the ball passes. The starting winning openings 10a, 10b, 12 are covered by a cover having a chucker lamp 22. An out hole 32 for collecting out balls is formed at the lowermost portion of the game area further below the cover.

A normal winning opening 29 is provided on the left and right sides of the upper portion of the variable winning ball device 3 and on both lower portions of the variable winning ball device 3.
30, 30, 31, 31 are provided. A shoulder lamp 24 is attached to the normal winning opening 30, and the normal winning opening 3 is provided.
A sleeve lamp 25 is attached to 1. Windmill lamps 23 are provided on both left and right portions of the normal winning opening 29, and side lamps 26 are provided on both left and right ends of the game area. Each of the normal winning ports 29 to 31 is provided with a winning port switch 240a to 240e, respectively, so that each winning ball can be detected.

The variable winning ball device 3 includes ball receiving members 4a, 4b
Has a winning space 7b formed as a big winning opening formed below. In the prize space, a storage mechanism 8 for temporarily storing the pachinko balls that have won the prize space, or immediately flowing down the pachinko balls to both sides thereof is formed. Decorative LEDs 20 and 21 are provided in the back of the winning space. Decorative LEDs 18 and 19 are provided on both left and right sides of the winning space, respectively, and decorative LEDs 17 are provided on the upper left and right sides of the winning space. Normally, the accessory lamp 16 is located immediately below the winning opening 29.
Is provided on the lower left side thereof, a continuation number indicator 14 for displaying the number of jackpot continuation control described later.
On the lower right, however, a winning number display 15 for displaying the winning number in the winning space at the time of the big hit is provided. The winning number detectors (count switches A, B) 6a, 6b are provided in portions of the variable winning ball device 3 that communicate with the winning spaces from the ball receiving members 4a, 4b. In the lowermost part of the winning space, a V-switch 9 as an example of a specific winning ball detecting means is provided at a portion coinciding with the axis of the storage mechanism 8. When the pachinko balls that are stored or flowed down by the storage mechanism 8 or the like win the V switch 9, a big hit state as a specific game state occurs, and the big hit control is repeatedly performed.

A specific winning area 39 and normal winning areas 38a and 38b are formed at the bottom of the winning space 7b. In the specific winning area 39, a V switch 9 as a specific winning ball detector for detecting the passage of a ball is built.

When the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are closed, pachinko balls cannot be won in the winning area. But,
When the ball receiving members 4a, 4b are opened, hit balls falling in the game area are received by the ball receiving members 4a, 4b, and the winning space 7 is formed.
b. Even when the ball receiving members 4a and 4b repeatedly open and close, the possibility that the ball hits the winning space 7b increases. That is, such a state is a first state that is advantageous to the player. When the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are upright, the pachinko ball does not win the winning area as described above, and is in the second state disadvantageous to the player. In the second state, the ball does not win at all in the second state. Instead, a certain interval is formed between the ball receiving members 4a and 4b and the other portions to simply make it difficult for the ball to win. Good.

When a player operates an operation handle (not shown), a hit ball launching device (not shown) is operated, and a pachinko ball is driven into the game area 2.

When a pachinko ball wins one of the winning ports 29, 30, and 31, a predetermined number of pachinko balls called prize balls or premium balls are paid out. When a pachinko ball wins in the winning opening ports 10a, 10b, 12 and is detected by the starting winning ball detectors 11a, 11b, 13, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out and the following operation is performed. It is. When the pachinko ball wins the starting winning openings 10a and 10b, the movable members 4a and 4b are opened for 0.4 seconds after a predetermined time after the detection of the winning, in this embodiment, 1.5 seconds later, and then closed. . When a pachinko ball wins in the starting winning opening 12, the movable members 4a and 4b are respectively provided for a predetermined time (for example, 0.45 seconds) after a predetermined time of winning detection, and in the present embodiment, after 1.5 seconds. , Is closed for a predetermined time (for example, 0.9 seconds), and is again closed for a predetermined time (for example, 0.45 seconds).
Second) Close after opening.

When the movable members 4a and 4b are opened, the pachinko balls falling from above are removed from the movable members 4a and 4b.
4b, the possibility of winning in the prize area 7b increases. At this time, the pachinko balls that win the winning area 7b pass through the winning number detectors 6a and 6b. The winning numbers detected by the winning number detectors 6a and 6b are used for game control. The pachinko balls that have passed through the winning number detectors 6a and 6b are the specific winning area 39 and the normal winning areas 38a and 38.
Guided toward b. Then, the pachinko ball that has won the specific winning area 39 is detected by the V switch 9.
Other pachinko balls will normally be awarded in the winning opening 38.

When a pachinko ball wins in the special winning opening, it depends on whether or not the winning is a big hit state.
The payout form of the prize balls according to the winning is different. In other words, when there is a prize in the special winning opening when the big hit state has not occurred, the payout of the prize balls of the number obtained by multiplying the winning number by 15 is held, and the next big hit state occurs. Until then, the number of withdrawal reservations is accumulated as the number of credits. Here, the number of credits in this case is information indicating a value corresponding to the number of prize balls in numerical values, and specifically, the number of reserved prize balls is directly indicated by numerical values. On the other hand, if there is a prize in the special winning opening when the big hit state occurs, 15 prize balls are paid out each time there is a prize.

If the V switch 9 detects a pachinko ball before a predetermined time (3.5 seconds in the present embodiment) elapses after the movable members 4a and 4b are closed, a big hit game state is established. .

In the case of the big hit state, when the big hit state occurs, the prize ball held as the credit number is paid out as described above.

In the big hit game state, the following operation is performed. Opening / closing solenoids (not shown) for opening and closing the ball receiving members 4a and 4b repeat on / off operations at short time intervals. For this reason, the ball receiving members 4a,
4b also repeats the opening and closing operation continuously. The number of repetitions is set to a maximum of 18 in the case of the present embodiment, and the process ends after the repetition of 18 times. If 10 winning balls are generated during the 18 repetitions,
At that time, the on / off operation of the open / close solenoid is also completed. Hereinafter, such an opening and closing operation is referred to as an opening and closing cycle. After the pachinko ball is detected by the V switch 9, it takes a predetermined time (1.5 seconds in the case of the present embodiment) for the storage mechanism 8 to operate, and a winning ball can be stored. After that, the storage mechanism 8 operates again at the time when seven winning balls are generated or when the fifteenth opening of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b is finished, whichever comes earlier, and the winning balls cannot be stored. . Until a predetermined time (3.5 seconds in the present embodiment) elapses from the time when ten winning pachinko balls are generated or the time when the opening of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b is completed 18 times, the specific winning opening 39 is opened. The operation of the V switch 9 is valid. If the V switch 9 detects a pachinko ball during this time, a big hit continuation operation described later is performed.

When the V switch 9 detects a pachinko ball during the jackpot operation, the jackpot continues operation. The jackpot continuation operation is performed a predetermined number of times including the first opening based on the start winning prize (16 times in the case of the present embodiment).
And the V switch 9 during the jackpot continuous operation.
If no win of a pachinko ball is detected, the process ends at that point.

In this case, at the same time as the V switch 9 detects the pachinko ball as described above, the jackpot operation or the jackpot continuation operation currently being executed is immediately stopped. Then, the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are closed for a predetermined time (3 seconds in the case of the present embodiment) after the detection of the pachinko ball by the V switch 9, and thereafter the opening and closing operation is performed up to 18 times again. Start.

In this manner, the jackpot operation and the jackpot continuation operation are terminated when the maximum jackpot continuation operation of 16 times is completed or when the pachinko ball is not detected by the V switch 9 during the jackpot operation or the jackpot continuation operation. Then return to the original state.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 200 and the card unit 50. In FIG. 2,
The front components excluding the game board 1 are shown. The pachinko gaming machine 200 has an outer frame 201 formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, and substantially all of the main components of the pachinko gaming machine 200 are pivotally supported on one side of the outer frame 201 to be freely opened and closed. A front frame 202 to be provided;
Glass plate holding frame 2 provided on the front upper portion of the device 2 so as to be freely opened and closed
03.

A card unit 50 is provided corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 200. The card unit 50 is provided with a card usable indicator lamp 161.
The player is informed that the card unit 50 is in a usable state by turning on or blinking the card usable indicator lamp 161. The card unit 50 includes a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 20 installed on the gaming machine installation island.
0, and the connection table direction indicator 163 indicates which of the left and right gaming machines is connected.
Is displayed.

A ball lending switch, a ball storage replay switch, a return switch, and a password input switch are connected in the vicinity of the hit ball supply tray 41 for supplying the hit ball to be shot to the hit ball firing device. Not shown). Here, the ball lending switch is a switch operated when the player receives a ball lending. The ball storage replay switch is a switch operated when the player performs a replay using the ball storage. Here, the term “storage” refers to an act of depositing a value owned by a player or a value of a ball or the like at a game hall (hall) side and the deposited value. In this example, the savings are allowed only to members registered by the game hall. Further, the replay means that the player plays a game by borrowing a ball using the accumulated ball. The return switch is a switch operated when the player receives a return of the gaming card inserted in the card unit 50. The PIN input switch is a switch for performing an operation of inputting a PIN for personal authentication when the member player replays the accumulated ball. This password is determined by the player when the player becomes a member, and is registered at the game hall.

When the player inserts the gaming card with the recorded card balance into the card insertion slot 165, the card information such as the remaining data as the valuable value of the player recorded on the gaming card is read. . Next, when the player operates the ball lending switch to perform a predetermined ball lending operation, the balance of the lending unit amount set in advance is deducted from the balance data and reduced, and will be described later. The ball dispensing device is operated, and the ball for the lending unit amount is lent to the ball supply tray 41 of the pachinko gaming machine 200.

Also, a member player who has a coin-saving operation inputs a password by operating a password input switch in a state where a game card is inserted into the card insertion slot 165, and the password is registered in the game hall side. If the password matches the appropriate password, the player is permitted to execute replay using the accumulated coins (called replay of accumulated coins). Then, when the player operates the ball storage replay switch in a state where the execution of the ball storage replay is permitted, the ball storage is deducted, the subtraction update is performed, and the ball lending is performed accordingly.

With the pachinko balls being dispensed into the hitting ball supply tray 41, the player operates the hitting operation handle (operation knob) 20.
By rotating the 5, pachinko balls are driven one by one into the game area 2 on the front of the game board 1.

The card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display switch 162. This fraction display switch 162
By pressing, information such as a card balance and an error code when an error occurs is displayed on an information display (not shown) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 200. In the figure, reference numeral 166 denotes a card unit lock, which is configured so that a predetermined key is inserted into the card unit lock 166 and unlocked, whereby the main body of the card unit 50 can be taken out to the front side.

When the player operates the return switch, the gaming card inserted in the card insertion slot 165 in the card unit 50 is ejected and returned to the player.
At the time of the return, the remaining number of credits will be deposited in the game hall as coins for the player of the member,
Non-member players are recorded on the gaming card as the number of credits that can be exchanged for prizes.

The prize ball lamp 2 is mounted on the glass plate holding frame 203.
51, ball out lamp 252, speaker 227, game effect LED 228a, game effect lamps 228b, 228c,
Hit ball supply tray (upper tray) 41 and surplus ball tray (lower tray) 42
Is provided. The prize ball lamp 251 is turned on or blinks during the payout of the prize ball (prize ball). Ball cut lamp 25
2 lights or blinks when the pachinko balls in the ball tank 254 run short. The speaker 227 generates a sound such as a sound effect. The game effect LED 228a and the game effect lamps 228b and 228c are for enhancing the game effect. The hit ball supply tray 41 is for receiving and storing premium balls, and for supplying balls to be fired. The surplus ball receiving tray 42 is for receiving and storing surplus balls when the hit ball supply tray 41 is full.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 200 and the card unit 50 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. On the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 200, a mechanism plate 253 is provided in a U-shape so as to be freely interposed. The mechanism plate 253 has a ball tank 254 for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the winning balls fired, and a ball in the ball tank 254 for discharging the ball in the ball payout device 2.
The ball alignment rail 255, the curve gutter 257, the passage body 258, the ball payout device 259, the prize ball collecting gutter 73 provided with the all prize ball detection switch 171 for detecting all the prize balls collectively, the main substrate 87, a payout control board box 265 containing the payout control board 237, a relay board box 76 containing the unit relay board 71, a terminal board box 287 containing the terminal board 267, a voice control board, and a lamp. A sound / lamp control board box 269 containing a control board (both not shown) is provided. A window opening 256 is opened at the center of the mechanism plate 253, and
From 56, a winning ball aggregate cover body 266 attached to the back surface of the game board 1 penetrates. The relay board 71 and the variable winning ball device 3 are provided on the winning ball collecting cover body 266. Various electrical components on the game board 1 are connected to the relay board 71, and a main board 87 is connected to the relay board 71. Further, a driving motor 94 for hitting the ball is provided below the pachinko gaming machine 200.

A game control microcomputer (see FIG. 4 and the like) for controlling a game operation of a game device such as the variable winning ball device 3 is mounted on the main board 87.

The main board box 87a is composed of a box main body that houses the main board 87 and a lid that covers the main board 87 in a housed state. The lid body and the box body are assembled to each other to be in an irreversible fixed state, so that a third party cannot open the main board box 87a for unauthorized purposes.

The payout control board 237 includes a ball payout device 25.
9 is mounted with a payout control microcomputer (not shown) capable of controlling the payout of the prize ball by driving the drive 9. Further, the payout control board 237 includes the interface relay board 2
It is connected to the card unit 50 via 44, and also drives the ball payout device 259 to control the payout of lending balls. The terminal board 267 supplies power to various electric devices provided in the pachinko gaming machine 200,
It relays signal lines inside the pachinko gaming machine 200 or relays signal lines between the pachinko gaming machine 201 and the outside. The driving motor 94 for hitting the ball is operated by the player operating the operating handle to fire the hitting ball one by one into the game area.

The above-mentioned main board box 87a is formed by assembling a box body accommodating the main board 87 therein and a lid for covering the box body. The lid has a transparent portion through which the chip mounting surface of the main substrate 87 can be seen.

On the audio control board (see FIG. 4), an audio control microcomputer capable of performing control for generating audio from the speaker 227 is mounted. Further, a lamp control microcomputer capable of performing control for operating various lamps is mounted on the lamp control board (see FIG. 4).

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 200 and components related thereto will be described. 4 and 5 are block diagrams showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 200 and components related thereto.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a main board 87a, a payout control board 237, and a lamp control board 23 as control boards.
5, a voice control board 70, a balance / ball storage display board 74, a buzzer board 75, a terminal board 267, and a launch control board 91 are shown.

A game control microcomputer 231 is mounted on the main board 87a, and is sealed in the internal space of the lid and the box body integrated in the above-described manner. Although various circuits for driving a solenoid, a motor and a lamp are mounted on the main board 87a, these circuits are omitted in the figure.

On the other hand, a payout control microcomputer 232 for performing payout control is mounted on the payout control board 237.

Discharge control microcomputer 232
Is a ROM 23 storing a payout control program.
2b, RAM 232c functioning as a work area, R
It has a CPU 232a that operates according to a program stored in the OM 232b, and an I / O port 372. Further, when a predetermined error is detected, an error display L for displaying that fact is displayed on the payout control board 237.
Various signals from the ball payout device 259 are input to the I / O port 372 via the interface relay board 244 to the payout control microcomputer 232 provided with the ED 374. In the ball payout device 259, a prize ball mechanism portion for paying out a prize ball and a ball lending mechanism portion for lending a lending ball are provided as independent mechanism portions, and each mechanism portion is for feeding out a ball. A ball feeding screw (not shown) and a motor (prize ball motor 289A, ball lending motor 289C) for driving the ball feeding screw are provided. Prize ball motor 289A and ball rental motor 289
C is supplied with a drive signal from the payout control microcomputer 232 via the interface relay board 244. The ball payout device 259 can simultaneously perform the payout of prize balls and the lending of balls in parallel.

The prize ball motor position sensor 300A is a sensor provided in a prize ball mechanism portion of the ball payout device 259,
Each time the ball feeding screw rotates 180 °, it is detected and a detection signal is output. A prize ball count switch 3 for detecting a prize ball fed by the ball feeding screw.
01A and 301B are also provided in the prize ball mechanism portion of the ball payout device 259. In the ball lending mechanism portion of the ball payout device 259, a ball lending motor position sensor 300C that outputs a detection signal every time the ball feeding screw rotates 180 °, and a ball that detects a ball lending fed by the ball feeding screw. A lending count switch 301C is provided.

Signals from the prize ball motor position sensor 300A, the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B, the ball lending count switch 301C, and the ball lending motor position sensor 300C are sent to the I / O control microcomputer 232 via the interface relay board 244. It is input to the / O port 372. Dispensing control microcomputer 232
Performs a control to output a buzzer signal to the buzzer board 75 to issue an alarm when a predetermined error such as a ball biting error is detected based on detection signals from various sensors and switches. In this state, if the reset switch 400A is operated by the staff in the game arcade, the operation signal is input to the payout control microcomputer 232, and the payout control microcomputer 232 stops the control for generating an alarm. Note that the prize ball count switches 301A, 301
01B detection signal for game control microcomputer 2
31 may be input.

Game Control Microcomputer 231
Is a ROM 231c for storing a game control (game control) program and the like, and R used as a work memory.
AM 231b, and includes a CPU 231a that performs a control operation in accordance with a game control program. The game control microcomputer 231 is reset when the power is turned on and periodically (for example, every 2 ms). Each time the game is reset, the game control program is executed again from the beginning. The game control microcomputer 231 includes start port switches 11a, 11b, 1
3, V switch 9, count switches 6a and 6b, all winning ball detection switch 171, winning opening switch 240 (24
0a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240e), a full tank switch 40 for detecting whether the excess ball tray 42 is full
2. Detection signals from the broken-out detection switch 167 and the broken-out switch 187 are input.

The ROM 231c of the game control microcomputer 231 stores a winning detection switch (240, 11a, 11b, 13, 6a, 6) among the above switches.
Prize ball number information that can specify the number of prize balls to be paid out in accordance with the detection signal of b) is stored. The game control microcomputer 231 specifies the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection signal of each switch, changes the INT signal for prize ball control from the invalid state to the valid state, and promptly changes the prize ball number signal (D0). To D3) to the payout control microcomputer 232. The INT signal has a high level (on state) in an invalid state, and has a low level (off state) in a valid state.

The input detection signal is cumulatively stored in the RAM 231b of the game control microcomputer 231 and a prize ball number signal based on the storage in the RAM 231b is output at a predetermined timing. RAM 231
In b, counters (counters A and B) that can be stored for the number of prize balls to be paid out are stored until the input detection signal can be processed. The counter A includes a count switch 6a,
6b, that is, the detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 15 are collectively stored. The counter B stores detection signals of the start-up switches 11a, 11b, 13 and the winning opening switches 240, that is, detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 5. As described above, 15 prize balls can be paid out for each winning prize ball that has won the large winning opening of the variable winning prize ball device 3, and the winning prize ball that has won a winning opening other than the large winning opening can be paid out. Can pay out five prize balls for one winning ball.

Regarding the payout of prize balls, an INT signal and a prize ball number signal are input from the game control microcomputer 231 to the payout control microcomputer 232. The payout control microcomputer 232 includes a ROM 232b that stores a prize ball payout control program and the like.
RAM 232c used as a work memory, CPU for performing a control operation in accordance with a program for controlling award ball payout
232a. Dispensing control microcomputer 23
2 outputs a drive signal to the ball payout device 259 based on the input of the winning ball number signal on condition that the INT signal is in an effective state, and pays out the number of winning balls specified by the winning ball number signal. The payout control for paying out is performed. Ball payout device 2
In 59, the drive signal drives the prize ball motor 289A to pay out a prize ball. When the prize ball is paid out in this manner, the lamp control board 237 performs control to turn on or off the prize ball lamp 251 in response to a command from the game control microcomputer 231.

As described above, the game control microcomputer 231 is provided with various winning detection switches (240, 11a, 11b, 13, 6a, 6b) provided on the game board 1.
Can be immediately output to the payout control microcomputer 232 based on the input of the detection signal of, so that the prize ball is paid out immediately after the hit ball enters various winning holes. . For this reason, the payout control of the prize ball can be performed more quickly than the conventional gaming machine that pays out the prize ball after waiting for the detection of the all prize ball detection switch 171 provided on the mechanism plate 253 on the back of the game board. . Furthermore, various winning detection switches (240, 11a, 11b, 13, 6
a, 6b) are individually provided on the gaming board 1 corresponding to the respective winning ports, so that the winning of the hit ball can be detected more quickly.
Thereby, the payout control of the prize balls can be performed more quickly.

As signals related to the payout of prize balls, the microcomputer 231 for game control includes, in addition to the above-mentioned prize ball number signal, a prize ball disable signal for prohibiting prize ball payout, and a prize ball disable signal. A prize ball possible signal for permitting the payout is provided to the payout control microcomputer 232. The payout control microcomputer 232 performs control to prohibit the payout of the prize ball when receiving the prize ball impossible signal, and thereafter releases the prohibition state of the payout of the prize ball when receiving the prize ball enable signal. Control.

Further, as signals other than the signals related to the payout of the prize balls, the microcomputer 231 for game control is used.
Is a jackpot occurrence signal indicating that a jackpot state has occurred,
A big hit end signal indicating that the big hit state has ended is given to the payout control microcomputer 232.

Game Control Microcomputer 231
Are various winning detection switches (240, 11a, 11
b, 13, 6a, 6b) based on the input of the detection signal, the payout control microcomputer 232
After outputting the prize ball number signal to all the prize ball detection switches 1
At 71, it waits for a winning ball to be detected. Then, if a winning ball is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed, a lamp control signal is output to the lamp control board 235 together with a lamp control INT signal. The lamp control board 235 controls the game effect lamp 228 based on the lamp control signal on condition that the lamp control INT signal is in the valid state.
(228a, 228b, 228c) is controlled to blink in a predetermined manner.

Since the gaming effect lamp 228 blinks in a predetermined manner, the prize ball is quickly paid out based on the winning of the ball at the winning opening, but the prize is not actually generated. A winning detection switch (240, 11a, 11b, 1) provided for each winning opening by generating radio waves.
3, 9, 6a, and 6b), it is possible to output a detection signal to check whether an act of illegally obtaining a prize ball is performed. In addition, the buzzer 75 may output a buzzer signal to the buzzer board 75 so that a warning sound is generated from the buzzer 75a instead of simply blinking the game effect lamp 228.

Game Control Microcomputer 231
Is the burnout detection switch 167 or the burnout switch 1
If the detection signal from the switch 87 indicates a broken ball, the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 indicates a full tank, or if a predetermined error state occurs, the above-described prize ball impossible signal is output. Is output.
In that case, payout of the prize ball is prohibited. If the ball is out of such a state, the lamp control board 235 receiving the instruction from the game control microcomputer 231 turns on or off the ball out lamp 252. In addition, the game control microcomputer 231 performs a process of outputting the above-mentioned prize ball possible signal when the output condition of the above-mentioned prize ball impossible signal is not satisfied. In this case, the prohibition of payout of the prize ball is released.

Game control microcomputer 231
Controls the solenoids 5a and 5b to control the variable prize ball device 3
The ball receiving members 4a and 4b are opened and closed. Further, it controls the information displays 14 and 15 (specifically, the continuous number display 14 and the winning number display 15) and the decoration lamp 16. Also, the game control microcomputer 231 indicates big hit information indicating occurrence of a big hit, start information indicating the number of start winning balls, probability change information indicating that a probability change has occurred, and the number of times the variable display result has been derived and displayed. The terminal board 26 stores information on the number of times the symbol has been determined, prize ball information on the number of prize balls paid out, and the like.
7 to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

Game Control Microcomputer 231
Outputs an audio control signal to the audio control board 70 together with the INT signal. The sound control board 70 controls the sound control microcomputer to generate a predetermined sound effect from the speaker 27 based on the sound control signal, provided that the INT signal is in an effective state.

The launch control board 91 is mounted with a control circuit for controlling the launch of a hit ball.
5. The driving motor 94 for hitting the ball,
Is connected to a touch ring 187 for detecting whether or not a game is being played by utilizing the fact that a change occurs in static electricity when touched, and a single fire switch 169. The control circuit of the launch control board 91 controls the drive of the drive motor 94 so that the hit ball is launched at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 205. In addition, the single fire switch 169
When the detection signal is present, the drive motor 94 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a predetermined interval. Further, the control circuit of the firing control board 91 is provided with a microcomputer 231 for game control or a microcomputer 23 for payout control.
The driving motor 94 for hitting the ball is stopped in response to the hitting prohibition signal input from 2 to control the hitting impossible.

The ball payout device 259 is provided with a prize ball mechanism for paying out a prize ball and a ball lending mechanism for lending a lending ball as independent mechanism portions. A ball feeding screw (not shown) for feeding the ball and a motor (a prize ball motor 28) for driving the ball feeding screw
9A, a ball rental motor 289C). A drive signal is input from the payout control microcomputer 232 to the prize ball motor 289A and the ball lending motor 289C. The ball payout device 259 can simultaneously perform payout of prize balls and lending of balls in parallel.

Further, a prize ball mechanism portion of the ball payout device 259 has a prize ball motor position sensor 30 for detecting the ball fed by the ball feeding screw on the upper side of the prize ball mechanism portion.
0A, a prize ball count switch 3 for detecting a ball which drops from the prize ball mechanism portion toward the hit ball supply tray 3 after being fed by the ball feeding screw on the lower side of the prize ball mechanism portion.
01A and 301B are provided. Similarly, in the ball lending mechanism portion of the ball payout device 259, a ball lending motor position sensor 300C for detecting the ball fed by the ball feeding screw on the upper side of the ball lending mechanism portion, and a ball feeding screw. A ball lending count switch 301C is provided for detecting a ball falling from the ball lending mechanism portion toward the hit ball supply tray after being fed out on the lower side of the ball lending mechanism portion.

The detection signals from the ball lending count switch 301C and the ball lending motor position sensor 300C are input to the I / O port 372 of the payout control board 237. Similarly, detection signals from the award ball count switches 301A and 301B are also input to the I / O port 372 of the payout control board 237. Similarly, the detection signal from the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is also transmitted to the I / O port 3 of the payout control board 237.
72.

Payment control microcomputer 232
Outputs a buzzer signal to the buzzer board 75 when a predetermined error such as a ball biting error is detected, and stops the buzzer signal on condition that a reset operation is detected by the reset switch 400A.

The dispensing control board 237 includes the I / O port 37
A ball lending number signal indicating the lending ball number is output via 2. The ball lending number signal is provided to the terminal board 267 via the interface relay board 244. When a predetermined error is detected, the buzzer signal is transmitted to the buzzer board 75 via the interface relay board 244.
And outputs an error signal to the error display LED 374. And the reset switch 400A
The buzzer signal and the error signal are stopped on the condition that the reset operation is detected.

The balance / ball storage display board 74 is connected to a ball lending switch, a ball storage replay switch, a return switch, and a password input switch, which are provided in the vicinity of the hit ball supply tray 41. A card unit control microcomputer 501 is mounted on the card unit 50. ROM 501b storing a card processing control program, RAM functioning as a work area
501c, a CPU 501a operating according to a program stored in a ROM 501b, and an I / O port (not shown) as an input / output interface.

The balance / ball storage display board 74 is provided with a ball lending switch signal, a ball storage replay switch signal, and a password input as operation signals received from the ball lending switch, the ball replay switch, and the password input switch, respectively. Switch signal is transmitted to the interface relay board 244
Microcomputer 5 for controlling a card unit
Give to 01.

The balance / ball display board 74 provides a return switch signal as an operation signal received from the return switch to the payout control microcomputer 232 of the payout control board 237 via the interface relay board 244. The payout control board 237 performs a predetermined process based on the return switch signal, and sends a return OK signal to the interface relay board 2 when the game card can be returned.
The signal is supplied to the microcomputer 501 for controlling the card unit via 44.

Further, a card balance display signal indicating the balance of the gaming card and a ball lending permission display signal are given from the card unit 50 to the balance / ball storage display board 74 via the interface relay board 244. Card unit 5
Between 0 and the payout control board 237, a unit operation signal (BRDY signal), a ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), a ball lending completion signal (EXS signal), and a pachinko machine operation signal (PRDY signal) pass through the interface relay board 244. Communicated through

The dispensing control microcomputer 232 of the dispensing control board 237 is
4 to output a PRDY signal to the card unit 50. When a gaming card is accepted in the card unit 50 and the ball lending switch 200 is operated to input a ball lending switch signal, the card unit control microcomputer 501 is controlled by the payout control microcomputer via the interface relay board 244. BRD to 232
Outputs Y signal. When a predetermined delay time elapses from this point, the microcomputer 5 for controlling the card unit 5
01 outputs a BRQ signal to the payout control microcomputer 232 via the interface relay board 244. The payout control microcomputer 232
Drives the ball lending motor 289C and pays out a predetermined number of lending balls to the player. When the payout is completed, the payout control microcomputer 232 outputs an EXS signal to the card unit 50 via the interface relay board 244.

As described above, all signals from the card unit 50 are input to the payout control board 237 and the balance / ball storage display board 74. Therefore, regarding the ball lending control, a signal is not directly input from the card unit 50 to the main board 87a, but a signal is incorrectly input from the card unit 50 side to the game control microcomputer 231 of the main board 87a. There is no room for it.

When a game card is inserted into the card unit 50, a card insertion signal indicating that is inserted from the card unit 50 to the interface relay board 24.
4 to the payout control microcomputer 232.

In the pachinko gaming machine 200, the number of credits remaining at the end of the game may be recorded on the gaming card. A credit number signal indicating the number of credits for recording the number of credits, The credit number clear signal for clearing the credit number recorded in this way and the payout control microcomputer 232 are given to the card unit 50 via the interface relay board 244 according to the situation.

Also, outside the pachinko gaming machine 200,
For the members registered at the amusement arcade, there is provided a coin savings management computer 600 for receiving the credits remaining at the end of the game at the gaming arcade side and managing the deposited credits as coins. ing.
Data indicating the number of credits to be deposited is given from the card unit control microcomputer 501 of the card unit 50 to the coin storage management computer 600.

Next, the configuration of the gaming card will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the gaming card.

Referring to FIG. 6, gaming card 700 is
A so-called contact type IC used in contact with a card processing device
It is composed of a card. The game card 700 includes a connector 701, an IC card microcomputer 70,
2 and an EEPROM 703 are provided. I
C card microcomputer 702 and EEPROM
M703 is built in the card, and the connector 7
01 is exposed on the card surface.

Next, the configuration of the circuit provided on the gaming card 700 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit provided in the gaming card 700 shown in FIG.

The connector 701 is provided for inputting and outputting signals to and from a card processing device such as the above-described card unit. The IC card microcomputer 702 includes a CPU 702a, a ROM 702b, and a RAM 702c.

The CPU 702a executes control operations in a predetermined order based on a control program stored in the ROM 702b. The CPU 702 is provided in the RAM 702c.
Various operation counters used for the operation of “a” are stored. The EEPROM 703 is a memory in which various types of information can be rewritten. In the EEPROM 703, a card type number for recognizing the type of the IC card, a security code, and various other information according to the type of the card are recorded.

In addition to the CPU 702a, ROM 702b, and RAM 702c, the IC card microcomputer 702 receives input signals input through the connector 701 and provides input data to the CPU 702a and outputs output information from the CPU 702a. An input / output interface for receiving and outputting to the connector 701, a power-on reset circuit, a clock generation circuit, a pulse dividing circuit, an address decoding circuit, and the like are provided.
Information unique to each card is stored in the EEPROM 703. An example of the stored information will be described later with reference to FIG.

When such a gaming card 700 is inserted into a card processing device such as the card unit 50, the connector of the reader / writer in the card unit 50 makes electrical contact with the connector 701 of the gaming card 700, and The information stored in the application card 700 can be read, and the information can be updated (including erasure).

Next, the EEPROM of the gaming card 700
The information stored (recorded) in 703 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining information stored (recorded) in the EEPROM 703 of the gaming card 700.

The card number 721 is information used to identify and identify one game card from among a plurality of game cards. A duplicate card number is assigned to a game card issued from a game hall. It will not be attached. The issue date 722 is information indicating the date when the gaming card was issued. The issuing store code 723 is information for specifying the hall (game hall) that issued the gaming card. With this issue store code 723, it is possible to specify in which of the halls the game arcade card has been issued.

The security code 724 is information for maintaining the security of the gaming card. The security code 724 is information that is read first when a card processing device such as the card unit 50 reads recorded information of the gaming card 700. If the security code 724 does not match the code registered in advance, the reading process of other recorded information is not executed.

The balance data 725 is the balance (balance) of the deposit amount (prepaid amount) of the gaming card, and is subtracted and updated by the player performing the ball lending operation as described above, and the player performs the deposit operation. By doing so, the addition is updated. The credit (prize exchange ball) number information 726 is information on the number of credits obtained by the player, and is a value that can be exchanged for a prize.

Credit (prize exchange) expiration date 727
Is the expiration date of the number of credits recorded in 726, and is determined, for example, only on the day (one day). The member number 728 is a number given to a player who has become a member of the playground, and is for identifying the member.
The data of the member number is written on the gaming card when the player is registered as a member of the game arcade. Members will not be given duplicate membership numbers.

In this example, an example in which a contact type IC card is used as a game card has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a non-contact type IC card may be used as the game card. Also, as a game card, IC
In addition to the card, another recording medium such as a so-called magnetic card for recording information on a magnetic stripe may be used. Since an IC card has a larger information storage capacity than a magnetic card, it is preferable to use an IC card as a game card. Further, in this example, the case where the gaming card has a rectangular plate shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming card may have another shape such as a coin shape.

Next, the control relating to the payout of the prize balls and the provision of the number of credits in the pachinko gaming machine 200 will be described.

First, control executed by the game control microcomputer 231 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In the game control microcomputer 231, various subroutine programs are executed along with execution of a main routine program for game control. In the following, the control related to the payout of winning balls and the provision of the number of credits in the subroutine program for game control will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the jackpot occurrence signal output processing. First, step SA
Based on (hereinafter simply referred to as SA) 1, it is determined whether or not a big hit state has occurred.

When it is determined by SA1 that a big hit state has occurred, the process proceeds to SA2, and the above-described process of outputting the big hit occurrence signal is performed. Thereafter, the jackpot occurrence signal output processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SA1 that it is not the time of occurrence of the big hit state, the process proceeds to SA3, and it is determined whether or not the big hit state is ended.

If it is determined by SA3 that it is not the end of the big hit state, the big hit occurrence signal output processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined by SA3 that the big hit state has ended, the process proceeds to SA4, and the above-described process of outputting the big hit end signal is performed. Thereafter, the jackpot occurrence signal output processing ends.

According to the above jackpot occurrence signal output processing,
When a big hit occurs, a big hit occurrence signal is output, and when the big hit ends, a big hit end signal is output.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the prize ball number signal output processing. First, step SB
Based on (hereinafter simply referred to as SB) 1, it is determined whether or not a winning has occurred. Here, specifically, it is determined whether or not a detection signal corresponding to the detection of a winning ball by the count switches 6a, 6b or the like has been received.

If it is determined by SB1 that no winning has occurred, the award ball number signal output processing ends.
On the other hand, if it is determined by SB1 that a prize has occurred, the process proceeds to SB2, and it is determined whether or not the prize determined by SB1 is a prize in the special winning opening. Here, specifically, it is determined whether or not a winning ball is detected by the count switches 6a, 6b based on the levels of the detection signals of the count switches 6a, 6b.

If it is determined in SB2 that the winning is to the big winning opening, the process proceeds to SB3, and a prize ball number signal designating the number of 15 prize balls is output in order to pay out 15 prize balls. Is performed. Thereafter, the prize ball number signal output processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in SB2 that the winning is not in the special winning opening, the process proceeds to SB4,
In order to pay out five prize balls, a process of outputting a prize ball number signal designating the number of five prize balls is performed. Thereafter, the prize ball number signal output processing ends.

As described above, according to the prize ball number signal output processing, a prize ball number signal designating the payout of 15 prize balls is output for a prize in the grand prize mouth, and a prize ball other than the grand prize mouth is output. For winning in the area, a prize ball number signal designating payout of five prize balls is output.

Next, the control related to the processing of the number of credits executed by the payout control microcomputer 232 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the payout control microcomputer 232, various subroutine programs are executed along with the execution of the main routine program for payout control. In the following, the control related to the payout of prize balls and the provision of the credit number in the subroutine program for payout control will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the jackpot signal processing. First, step SC (hereinafter, referred to as step SC)
It is determined whether or not the big hit flag is set according to 1). Here, the big hit flag is a flag for indicating that a big hit state is currently occurring.

If it is determined by SC1 that the big hit flag is set, the process proceeds to SC6 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined by SC1 that the big hit flag is not set, the process proceeds to SC2, and it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned big hit occurrence signal is received. When it is determined by SC2 that the jackpot occurrence signal has not been received, the jackpot signal processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SC2 that the jackpot occurrence signal has been received, SC3
The processing for setting the big hit flag described above is performed. Thereby, according to the reception of the jackpot occurrence signal,
The fact that the big hit state has occurred is indicated by the big hit flag.

Next, the process proceeds to SC4, in which the above-described process of converting the number of credits into the number of unpaid prize balls is performed. here,
The prize ball unpaid number is the number of balls determined to be paid out as prize balls that have not been paid out, and the number of balls set as the unpaid number is paid out as prize balls. The number of credits is determined by a credit counter on the gaming machine provided in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 232c of the payout control microcomputer 232 and a RAM of the card unit control microcomputer 501.
The credit is counted by a credit counter on the unit side provided in a predetermined storage area 501c. These counters add and store the number of credits each time there is a winning in the special winning opening in a state where no big hit state has occurred. Specifically, in SC4, in order to pay out the credits thus added and stored as prize balls, the number of credits becomes the set value of the number of prize balls to be paid out from the ball payout device 259, and the number of prize balls not paid out. It is converted to When this conversion is performed, the counter value of the credit counter on the gaming machine side is set to “0”. Thereby, the pachinko gaming machine 200
The number of credits during the game stored on the side is deleted in exchange for payout of the prize ball. As described above, when the big hit state occurs, the number of credits is converted to the number of unpaid at the start of the occurrence of the big hit (at the beginning of occurrence), where it is determined that the big hit has occurred by the reception of the big hit signal, and the number of credits is reduced. Of the prize ball is performed.

Next, the process proceeds to SC5, where the above-described process of outputting the credit number clear signal to the card unit 50 is performed. When the credit unit clear signal is received by the card unit 50, the credit counter of the unit is cleared by the card unit control microcomputer 501, as described later. As a result, the credit number counter on the gaming machine and the credit number counter on the unit side are aligned with the same data. After SC5, the jackpot signal processing ends.

When it is determined that the big hit flag is set by SC1 and the process proceeds to SC6, it is determined whether or not the big hit end signal is received. If it is determined by SC6 that the jackpot end signal has not been received, the jackpot signal processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SC6 that the big hit end signal has been received, the above-described big hit flag is cleared. This indicates that a big hit state is not in progress. After SC6, the jackpot signal processing ends.

As described above, when the big hit state occurs, the number of credits accumulated so far at the start of the big hit state (at the beginning of the occurrence) regardless of the progress state of the big hit state. The converted prize balls are paid out according to the credit amount.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the award ball number signal processing. First, in step SD (hereinafter simply referred to as SD) 1, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned prize ball number signal has been received. When it is determined by SD1 that the prize ball number signal has not been received, the prize ball number signal processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SD1 that the prize ball number signal has been received, the process proceeds to SD2, and it is determined whether or not the above-described big hit flag is set.

If it is determined in SD2 that the big hit flag is not set, the process proceeds to SD8 described later.
On the other hand, if it is determined in SD2 that the big hit flag is set, the process proceeds to SD3, and it is determined whether the above-described card insertion flag is set.
Here, the card insertion flag is a flag for indicating that the gaming card 700 has been inserted into the card unit when it is set, and is used in SH2 of a card insertion determination process (see FIG. 16) described later. Can be set by

If it is determined in SD3 that the card insertion flag is not set, the process proceeds to SD8 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined by SD3 that the card insertion flag is set, the process proceeds to SD4, and the number of prize balls to be paid out indicated by the received prize ball number signal is 15
A determination is made as to whether the item is an individual.

If it is determined by SD4 that the number of prize balls is not 15 (that is, the number of prize balls corresponding to winning in the special winning opening), the process proceeds to SD5, and the number of prize balls received (in this case, (5 pieces corresponding to winnings other than winning openings)
Is added and updated and stored as the number of unpaid prize balls. As a result, when the jackpot state does not occur, the winning prize in the prize area other than the special winning opening is determined by the prize ball 1
Five prize balls are paid out per piece. Thereafter, the prize ball number signal processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined by SD4 that the number of prize balls is 15, that is, if it is determined that the winning prize is to the special winning opening, the process proceeds to SD6 and the number of received prize balls (this In the case, 15 pieces corresponding to winning in the big winning opening)
Is added and updated in the credit counter on the gaming machine side as the number of credits. As a result, the winning in the special winning opening when the jackpot state has not occurred does not count as the number of unpaid prize balls directly leading to the payout of the prize balls, but one per prize ball.
Five prize balls are added and stored as the number of credits and accumulated.

Then, the flow advances to SD7, where the above-described process of outputting the credit number signal (for +15) to the card unit 50 is performed. When this credit number signal is received by the card unit 50, the credit number counter on the unit side is added and updated by the credit number indicated by the credit number signal by the card unit control microcomputer 501 as described later. As a result, the value of the credit counter of the gaming machine and the value of the credit counter of the unit are aligned with the same data. After SD7, the award ball number signal processing ends.

Further, SD2 or SD3 described above
When the process proceeds to D8, a process of adding and storing the received prize ball number as the prize ball unpaid number is performed. Thereby, when the big hit state occurs and when the gaming card 700 is not inserted, the prize ball determined according to the type of the prize area in which the prize has been won is directly paid out. You. As a result, for winning in the big winning opening,
When the big hit state occurs, the credit number is not stored and the prize ball is directly paid out. Thereafter, the prize ball number signal processing ends.

When the gaming card 700 is not inserted, the ball is not fired and the game cannot be played. Under such circumstances, for example, when a clerk wins a prize by inspection or the like, all prizes are won. In other words, at the time of inspection, it can be confirmed that the ball is paid out,
In order to prevent such a problem that the credit amount cannot be stored corresponding to the card due to playing without the card being inserted, such control is performed. The winning ball may not be won.

As described above, in the prize ball number signal processing, the prize ball number is added to the credit number for the winning in the special winning opening when the big hit state does not occur, and the big hit state occurs. In the case of winning in the special winning opening when there is a prize ball, it is directly paid out. Regarding a prize in a prize area other than the grand prize mouth, the number of prize balls is added to the number of prize balls unpaid regardless of whether a big hit state occurs. As a result, the payout of the winning prize balls for the winning in the special winning opening is held until the big hit state occurs, and the prize balls for the number of holdings are paid out when the big hit state occurs. Further, when a big hit state occurs, a prize ball is paid out according to a prize in the big winning port. In the case of a prize in a prize area other than the big prize mouth, prize balls are directly paid out regardless of whether or not a big hit state occurs.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the prize-ball possible determination process. First, in step SE (hereinafter simply referred to as SE) 1, it is determined whether or not a winning ball impossible flag is set. Here, the prize ball impossible flag is a flag for indicating that payout of a prize ball is impossible. If it is determined in SE1 that the prize ball impossible flag has been set, the process proceeds to SE5 described later.
Proceed to. On the other hand, if it is determined by SE1 that the prize-ball impossible flag is not set, the process proceeds to SE2, and it is determined whether or not the prize-ball impossible signal output from the game control microcomputer 231 has been received as described above. Is made.

If it is determined in SE2 that the prize-ball impossible signal has not been received, the prize-ball possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in SE2 that the prize-ball impossible signal has been received, the process proceeds to SE3, and a process of setting a prize-ball impossible flag is performed. When the prize ball impossible flag is set in this way, payout of prize balls is prohibited in the prize ball motion determination process of FIG. 14 described later. Then, proceed to SE4,
A process for setting the hit ball launch prohibition state is performed. Specifically, S
At E4, a hitting prohibition signal is sent to the firing control board 91, and the hitting drive motor 94 is made inactive. in this way,
When the prize ball impossible signal is received, the payout of the prize ball and the firing of the hit ball are prohibited by the setting of the prize ball impossible flag. After SE4, this prize ball possible determination processing ends.

If it is determined in SE1 that the prize ball impossible flag has been set and the process proceeds to SE5, as described above, the game control microcomputer 2
A determination is made as to whether a prize ball possible signal that can be output from 31 has been received. If it is determined in SE5 that the prize ball possible signal has not been received, the prize ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in SE5 that the prize ball possible signal has been received, the process proceeds to SE6, and a process of clearing the prize ball impossible flag is performed. Then, the process proceeds to SE7, where a process of canceling the hit ball launch prohibition state is performed. Specifically, S
At E7, the transmission of the hitting prohibition signal to the launch control board 91 is stopped, and the driving motor 94 for hitting is activated. Thus, when the prize ball possible signal is received, the prize ball payout prohibition state is released and the hit ball launch prohibition state is released. After SE7, the prize ball possible determination processing ends.

As described above, according to the prize ball possible determination processing, the payout of the prize ball and the firing of the hit ball are prohibited in response to the reception of the prize ball impossible signal, and the prize ball is released in response to the reception of the prize ball possible signal. The payout prohibition state and the hit ball firing prohibition state are released.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the prize ball motion determination processing. First, in step SF (hereinafter simply referred to as SF) 1, it is determined whether or not there is data on the number of unpaid balls (whether prize balls need to be paid out). When it is determined by SF1 that there is no data on the number of unpaid items, there is no need to perform the prize ball operation, and the prize ball operation determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SF1 that there is data on the number of unpaid
Proceeding to step 2, it is determined whether or not the prize-ball impossible flag is set.

If it is determined by SF2 that the prize-ball impossible flag has been set, the prize-ball operation determination processing ends. As a result, when the prize ball impossible flag is set, the prize balls are not paid out even if the number of prize balls to be paid out exists. On the other hand, SF
If it is determined that the prize ball impossible flag is not set in 2, the process proceeds to SF 3, and a prize ball payout process is executed. By executing the prize ball payout process, a control process is performed to cause the ball payout device 259 to pay out the prize balls of the unpaid number that can be set by SC4, SD5, and SD8 described above. Thereby, when the big hit state occurs, the prize balls of the unpaid number set in SC4 are paid out, and when another prize occurs, the prize balls of the unpaid number set in SD5 and SD8 are obtained. Prize balls are paid out. SF
After 3, the prize ball motion determination processing ends.

As described above, according to the prize ball motion determination processing, the prize ball is paid out according to the winning or the occurrence of the big hit, provided that the payout of the prize ball is not prohibited.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the return switch signal receiving process. First, step S
G (hereinafter simply referred to as SG) 1 determines whether or not the above-described return switch signal has been input.

If it is determined by SG1 that the return switch signal has not been input, the process proceeds to SG8a to be described later. On the other hand, when it is determined by SG1 that the return switch signal has been input, the process proceeds to SG2, and it is determined whether or not the above-described big hit flag is set.

When it is determined by SG2 that the big hit flag is set, the return switch signal receiving process ends. This invalidates the operation of the return switch. On the other hand, when it is determined by SG2 that the big hit flag is not set, the process proceeds to SG3, and it is determined whether the return waiting flag is set. Here, the return waiting flag is used to return the gaming card 700 after the return switch is operated and the pachinko balls still remaining on the game board are awarded or collected in the out hole 32. Is a flag for generating a state of waiting for the return of the gaming card 700 after the operation of the return switch.

If it is determined by SG3 that the return waiting flag is set, the process proceeds to SG7 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined by SG3 that the return waiting flag is not set, the process proceeds to SG4, and the above-described processing of setting the return waiting flag is performed. Then, the process proceeds to SG5, in which a process of setting a return waiting timer (setting an initial value of the timer) and starting time measurement of a return waiting state is performed. Here, the return wait timer is a timer for measuring a time in a return wait state after the return switch is operated. The predetermined value set by SG5 is used as an initial value, and the value is used as a time. The timer counts down as the time elapses, and the time is up when the timer value becomes “0”.

Next, the routine proceeds to SG6, in which a process for making the hit ball firing prohibited state is performed. Specifically, in SG6, a hitting inhibition signal is sent to the launch control board 91, and the hitting drive motor 94
Inactive. As described above, when the player is in a state of waiting for return, the firing of a hit ball is prohibited in order to prevent a new pachinko ball from being hit. After SG6, the return switch signal receiving process ends.

If it is determined in SG3 that the return waiting flag is set and the process proceeds to SG7, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the return waiting timer has become "0". . If it is determined by SG7 that the timer value has not become "0", the process proceeds to SG8, and a process of subtracting and updating the timer value of the return waiting timer by "1" is performed. Thereafter, the return switch signal receiving process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined by SG7 that the timer value has become "0", the process proceeds to SG9, and the above-described process of outputting the return OK signal to the card unit 50 is performed. Thereby, the return of the gaming card 700 inserted in the card unit 50 is permitted. Next, the process proceeds to SG10, and a process of clearing the value of the credit counter on the gaming machine side to "0" is performed. This is because, when the gaming card 700 is returned, the data of the credit counter of the card unit 50 is recorded on the gaming card 700, so that it is necessary to hold the data of the credit counter of the gaming machine. Because it is gone.

Next, the flow advances to SG11, where the gaming card 70
In response to the return of 0, a process of clearing the above-described card insertion flag is performed. Next, the process proceeds to SG12, and in response to the expiration of the return wait timer, a process of clearing the return wait flag described above is performed. Thereafter, the return switch signal receiving process ends.

In the return switch signal receiving process described above, when a return operation is performed, the game card is left on the game board surface at the time of the return operation in order to immediately return the game card without returning the game card for a predetermined period of time. The result of the presence or absence of the winning pachinko ball can be reflected in the number of credits recorded on the gaming card 700. In other words, when the gaming card is returned to the player, the hit ball which still remains in the game area 2 and has a possibility of winning can be saved as a credit without being invalidated. it can. In addition, by prohibiting the driving of a ball at the time of waiting for return, it is possible to prevent the control for waiting for the return of the game card from being performed unnecessarily for a long time.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the card insertion determination processing. First, in step SH (hereinafter simply referred to as SH) 1, it is determined whether or not the above-described card insertion signal has been received. If SH1 determines that the card insertion signal has not been received, the card insertion determination processing ends. On the other hand, if SH1 determines that the card insertion signal has been received, SH2
The processing for setting the card insertion flag is performed. Next, the process proceeds to SH3, and a process of releasing the hit ball launch prohibition state set according to the return of the gaming card 700 as described above is performed. After SH3, the card insertion determination processing ends. When a card is not inserted, control is performed such that a hit ball firing prohibition state is set. Specifically, when the in-card insertion flag is set, a hitting prohibition signal is sent from the payout control microcomputer 232 to the firing control board 91, and the driving motor 94 for hitting is set in an inactive state. The hit ball firing is prohibited.

Next, control related to the processing of the number of credits executed by the card unit control microcomputer 501 of the card unit 50 will be described.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of the credit amount process. First, in step SJ (hereinafter simply referred to as SJ) 1, it is determined whether or not the input of the above-mentioned credit number signal has been received from the payout control microcomputer 232.

If it is determined by SJ1 that the credit number signal has been received, the process proceeds to SJ2, in which the credit number indicated by the received credit number signal is added and stored in the credit counter of the unit described above. Then, the process proceeds to SJ3. On the other hand, if it is determined by SJ1 that the input of the credit number signal has not been received, the process proceeds to SJ12, and it is determined whether or not the input of the aforementioned credit number clear signal has been received from the payout control microcomputer 232. .

If it is determined in SJ12 that the credit number clear signal has not been received, the process proceeds to SJ3. On the other hand, if it is determined by SJ12 that the credit number clear signal has been received, the process proceeds to SJ13, and a process of clearing the credit counter on the unit side so that the counter value becomes “0” is performed. After that, it proceeds to SJ3.

If the process proceeds to SJ3, return OK
A determination is made whether a signal input has been received. SJ3
If it is determined that the return OK signal has not been received, the credit number process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined by SJ3 that the return OK signal has been received,
Proceeding to 4, it is determined whether or not the membership card data is recorded on the currently inserted gaming card 700. That is, in SJ4, it is determined whether or not the owner of the currently inserted gaming card 700 is a member based on whether or not the member number is recorded.

If it is determined by SJ4 that the member number has been recorded, that is, if it is determined that the member is a member, the process proceeds to SJ9, where the data of the counter value of the credit number counter on the unit side is stored in the ball storage management computer. 60
Processing for outputting to 0 is performed. The data of the counter value of the credit counter output in this way is stored and managed in the memory of the coin storage management computer 600 in association with the member number. In this way, the number of credits stored in the coin storage management computer 600 can be used as a coin storage. The deposits deposited in this way are, for example, information that is valid for a long period of time, such as several months, one year, indefinitely, or discarded if not used for one year. For this reason, it is more advantageous in terms of the expiration date that the number of credits at the end of the game is deposited as coins than when recorded on the gaming card 700.
After SJ9, the process proceeds to SJ7 described below.

On the other hand, if it is determined by SJ4 that the member number is not recorded, that is, if it is determined that the user is not a member, the process proceeds to SJ5, and the credit expiration date 727 recorded on the gaming card 700 is reached. Is checked to determine whether there is data on the number of credits whose credit has expired.

If it is determined in SJ5 that there is no data on the number of expired credits, the process proceeds to SJ described later.
Go to J10. On the other hand, if it is determined by SJ5 that there is data on the number of expired credits,
Proceeding to J6, the previous credit number data (credit number information) is cleared to "0", and the counter value of the current unit-side credit number counter is newly stored as the credit number information of the gaming card 700, A process of updating and recording the data of the credit expiration date 727 to a new expiration date (expiration date during the day) is performed. That is,
When data related to the number of expired credits is recorded on the gaming card 700, the data related to the number of credits is invalidated, and data related to the newly obtained number of credits is recorded. . SJ6
After that, proceed to SJ7.

If it is determined in SJ5 that there is no data on the number of expired credits and the process proceeds to SJ10, the data of the credit expiration date 727 recorded on the gaming card 700 is checked, and the credit is not yet expired. A determination is made as to whether there is data on the number of credits that have not expired.

If it is determined by SJ10 that there is no data on the number of credits that have not expired, the process proceeds to SJ6, and the processing of SJ6 is performed in response to the absence of data on the number of credits and the credit expiration date. That is, the credit number data (credit number information) is cleared to “0”, and the current counter value of the credit number counter on the unit side is changed to the credit number information 72 of the gaming card 700.
6, and a process of newly recording data of the credit expiration date 727 is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined by SJ10 that there is data on the number of credits within the time limit,
Then, the process proceeds to step S11 in which the current counter value of the credit number counter of the unit is added to the credit number indicated in the credit number information 726 recorded on the gaming card 700 to update and record the credit number information 726. You. That is, when the number of credits within the expiration date is recorded on the gaming card 700, the number of credits remaining by the current game is added to the number of credits. In this case, the original data of the credit expiration date is within the time limit, and thus is used without being updated. After SJ11, the process proceeds to SJ7.

If the processing has proceeded to SJ7, the processing of clearing the counter value of the credit counter of the unit to "0" is performed. This is because the data of the counter value of the credit counter on the unit side is stored in the ball storage management computer 6.
This is because it is no longer necessary to store the data because the data is stored in the game card 700 or the game card 700. Next, the process proceeds to SJ8, in which processing is performed for driving the card ejection mechanism to eject the inserted gaming card 700 from the card insertion slot 165. After SJ8, the credit number process ends.

According to the credit number processing described above,
The number of credits remaining at the end of the game will be re-playable for members, and will
The non-member is recorded on the gaming card 700 as the number of credits that can be exchanged for prizes. As described above, since the number of credits is stored as information advantageous to the player that the member can be reused in the game as compared with the non-member, the service content for the member is differentiated from the non-member player. can do. As a result, it is possible to promote an increase in the members of the game arcade. In addition, since the expiration date of the stored credit number is limited, early use of the information of the stored credit number (prize exchange and the like) can be promoted.

Next, effects obtained by the above-described embodiment will be described. If there is a start prize, the prize balls for the prize ball to the big winning opening out of the number of prize balls that need to be paid out in connection with the start prize are not paid out and stored as a credit number. You. Therefore, the number of prize balls to be paid out in connection with the starting prize in the normal game state other than the big hit state can be suppressed to a relatively small number. When the big hit state occurs, the prize balls for which the payout has been suspended are paid out based on the stored information on the number of credits, so that a relatively large number of prize balls can be paid out. Therefore, in exchange for the number of prize balls paid out in connection with the start winning prize being reduced, the number of the suppressed prize balls is added to the payout in the event of a big hit state, thereby giving a big hit state. The profit of the player in the event of the occurrence becomes relatively large. For this reason, the degree of expectation for the big hit state can be improved without deteriorating the player's satisfaction with the big hit state, and the interest of the game can be improved. Further, even when the jackpot state does not occur, the player can give the player the credit card 700 using the gaming card 700 without forfeiting the held credits, so that the player is dissatisfied with the loss. I can't save.

The prize ball for which the payout is suspended is the prize ball for winning the big winning opening in the normal game state. For this reason, in the normal game state, payout of the prize ball according to the start winning is always performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the profit received by the player on the payout surface of the prize ball from being started. Further, in the normal gaming state, each time there is a prize in the special winning opening, which is a prize the player strives for in the game, the number of prize balls for which the payout is suspended increases. Therefore, the number of prize balls to be paid out in the big hit state can be efficiently increased with the progress of the game.

[0154] Regarding the preservation of the number of credits whose payout has been suspended when the game is over, the number of credits is saved for members and the number of non-members is stored in the game card as a value that can be exchanged for prizes. It is recorded, but the member player has an advantage over the non-member player in terms of the retention period, so that the service content for the member player can be differentiated from other non-member players . As a result, it is possible to promote the increase in the number of players as members of the game hall.

Further, in the case where the big hit state occurs, regardless of the progress state of the big hit state, when the big hit state occurs, the prize balls are unconditionally paid out based on the number of credits. However, this is directly linked to the payout of the prize balls for which the payout has been suspended as the number of credits. Therefore, the pleasure of the player when a big hit occurs can be further excitement as compared with the case where a condition is set for the payout of the prize balls for the number of credits for which the payout is suspended.

In addition, since the payout of the prize balls, which have been converted into the number of credits and the payout of which has been suspended, is performed at a relatively early stage at the start of the occurrence of the big hit state, the player's possessed balls (pachinko balls) at the time of the big hit occurrence Even when the number of pachinko balls is small, it is easy to secure the required number of pachinko balls for the game, so that the inconvenience of having to borrow pachinko balls despite occurrence of a big hit can be prevented as much as possible.

In general, in a game hall, a ball lending rate (for example, lending a ball at 4 yen per ball) and a prize exchange rate (a so-called cash exchange rate when considered with cash, for example, 1 ball = 2 balls) (Exchanged as .5 yen) (that is, for the same number of balls, the amount required for lending a ball is higher than the amount obtained as a result of cashing). Such effects can also be obtained. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out in connection with the starting prize is relatively reduced by holding the payout of the winning prize to the special winning opening in the normal gaming state as the number of credits, and the big hit state is reduced. If a big hit condition occurs, the number of prize balls to be paid out is controlled by paying out the number of prize balls reserved for the occurrence, but the player wins a prize until the big hit condition occurs. The number of prize balls that can be obtained according to is kept relatively small, so by the time the big hit condition occurs, the player has to make a relatively large amount of money for lending balls compared to the investment amount of the conventional pachinko machine. I have to throw it. That is, in the case of a conventional pachinko gaming machine, since there is no prize ball to be held, all balls to be awarded can be used for the game. On the other hand, if there is a prize ball to be suspended, it is not possible to play a game equivalent to a conventional pachinko game machine unless the ball is lent. Furthermore, if the ball lending rate and the prize exchange rate (cash exchange rate) are the same, even if the prize balls (the number of credits) reserved without a big hit are exchanged for a prize, the game hall will not be profitable, As described above, if the ball lending rate is different from the prize exchange rate (cash exchange rate), the game arcade has a profit. Therefore, the playground should return its profits, for example,
The starting winning rate can be increased by adjusting the nails, etc.
As a result, the interest of the game can be improved.

Next, modified examples and features of the above-described embodiment will be enumerated below. (1) In the variable prize ball apparatus 3, a specific prize area 39 and normal prize areas 38a and 38b are provided at predetermined positions in advance. The position of the winning area may be changed. For example, a plurality of prize areas A, B, C,... Are provided at predetermined positions in the variable prize ball device, and one of the prize areas A, B, C,. Configure to change. Also, as time passes, any one of the prize areas A, B, C,... May be changed from the normal prize area to the specific prize area, and the specific prize area may always be one. ,
Alternatively, there may be a case where there are a plurality of specific winning regions. In addition, the specific prize area may be configured to be one or a plurality of specific prize areas.
There may be situations where there is no specific winning area (ie,
All the winning areas A, B, C... Function as normal winning areas). .. May be changed to specific winning areas depending on time.

(2) A plurality of (or one) normal prize areas are provided in the variable prize ball apparatus without providing a specific prize area, and the normal prize area functions as a specific prize area as time passes. May be configured. In such a case, the winning ball detector corresponding to the normal winning area also has the function of the specific ball detector, so that it is not particularly necessary to provide the specific ball detector.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, a large hit state occurs when a ball that has entered the variable prize ball device that has become ready to win according to the starting prize wins the specific prize area 39. Although a pachinko gaming machine is described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the game content of the pachinko gaming machine may be as follows. That is, the variable display performs variable display in response to the winning of the ball into the variable winning ball device, and a large hit occurs when a specific display result is derived as a result of the variable display (that is, as described above). There is no specific ball detector such as the V switch 9). In addition, a variable display device that performs variable display in response to a ball that has won the variable prize ball device passing through a specific area is provided. As a result of the variable display, a specific display result is derived to the variable display device, and a big hit occurs. Others may be used, such as those in which

(4) Various detectors 240, 11a, 11
b, 13, 6a, and 6b, a power failure detection circuit for detecting that a power failure has occurred and a backup power supply in case a power failure occurs while payout control is being sequentially performed based on the input of the detection signals. The circuit may be provided at a predetermined location such as the payout control board 237, the card unit 50, or the like. In this case, at the time of a power failure, the following backup control is performed.

When a power failure is detected by the power failure detection circuit, the backup power supply circuit supplies backup power to the card unit 50 based on the detection. Then, the card unit control microcomputer 501 operates by receiving the backup power, and in addition to the number of credits recorded on the gaming card 700 so far, the number of credits at the time of the occurrence of the power failure (the unit side). A backup control for backing up the credit card (based on the counter value of the credit number counter) in the gaming card 700 is performed. By doing so, when the power outage is restored, the game can be restarted based on the credit number recorded on the gaming card 700.

When a power failure is detected by the power failure detection circuit, the backup power supply circuit supplies backup power to the payout control board 237 and the card unit 50 based on the detection. In response to the backup power, the payout control microcomputer 232 operates, and controls the card unit 50 to send command data for recording the number of credits at the time of the power failure to the gaming card 700. And the card unit 5
On the 0 side, according to the command data, in addition to the number of credits recorded on the gaming card 700 so far,
The operation of recording the number of credits at the time of the power failure (based on the counter value of the credit number counter on the unit side) on the gaming card 700 is performed. In this case, in addition to the command data described above, the data of the number of unpaid items at the time of the occurrence of the power outage is sent from the payout control microcomputer 232, and the data of the unpaid number is also sent to the card unit 50 along with the number of credits. The backup recording may be performed on the card 700. In this way, when the power outage is restored, the game can be restarted based on the credit amount recorded on the gaming card 700. Further, as described above, when the unpaid number is recorded on the gaming card 700, when the power outage is restored, the game is performed based on the credit number and the unpaid number recorded on the gaming card 700. Can be resumed.

If the above-described backup control is performed, the data of the number of credits is not lost at the time of power failure, and the game can be resumed at the time of restoration based on the backed up information.
Further, the gaming card can be effectively used without providing a backup dedicated memory.

(5) The game control and the payout control of the prize ball and the lending may be executed by one microcomputer. Further, the game control and the prize ball control may be executed by one microcomputer, and only the lending control may be executed by another microcomputer. Further, a microcomputer for game control and a microcomputer for prize ball control may be mounted on the main board 87. That is, the game control board and the payout control board (including ball lending) may be combined into one board. However, since the ball lending control is performed in two-way communication with the card unit, it is preferable that the ball lending control portion be formed on a separate board from the game control portion from the viewpoint of fraud prevention.

(6) Instead of paying out the prize balls (prize balls), coins may be paid out. In other words, the prize game medium (game result value) in the present invention is a concept including not only prize balls but also coins. Also, the example of paying out a prize ball (prize ball) as an example of (gaming result) value assignment is shown, but instead, the score is added and updated, and the score is recorded on a recording medium at the end of the game and discharged. It may be.
Specifically, for example, a pachinko game machine of an enclosed circulation type in which a ball shot inside a pachinko game machine is bullet-fired, the ball is shot into a game area, and then collected and the ball is circulated. And a score is added and updated when a prize is generated, and the recording medium on which the score is recorded is discharged according to the game end operation.

(7) Start winning port switches 11a, 11
b, 13, the count switches 6a, 6b, the general winning ball detector 240 (240a, 240b, 240c, 240
d, 240e), when a prize occurs in any of the plurality of types of prize areas, a plurality of prize detection means for outputting a detection signal in a manner capable of specifying the type of the prize area in which the prize has occurred. It is configured.

(8) The variable winning prize ball device 3 may simply extend the opening time only by opening and closing once instead of performing the opening and closing operations plural times when a big hit occurs. The operation of the variable prize ball device 3 in the event of a big hit occurs when the opening / closing operation of 18 times is set as one set (one round) and the continuation right is obtained, and the set (round) is obtained.
Is performed a plurality of times, and includes only one set. That is, the specific game state may be such that only one set is performed.

(9) After the variable winning ball device is controlled to the first state by the occurrence of the specific game state by the game controlling microcomputer 231, a predetermined number of hit balls are won in the variable winning ball device. In this case, the variable prize ball device is set to the second state, and it is possible to execute a repetitive continuation control for setting the variable prize ball device to the first state again on condition that there is a detection output of the specific ball detecting means. Game control means is configured.

(10) The "winning" in the present invention is a broad concept including the so-called "passing" in which a pachinko ball in a game area enters a predetermined winning area and is released again on the game board surface. It is.

(11) The payout control microcomputer 232 shown in FIG. 5 provides a predetermined number of prize game media (pachinko balls) from payout means (ball payout device 259) when a hit ball is won. ) Is a means for controlling the payout, and when there is a winning ball in the starting winning area (starting winning opening 10a, 10b, 12), it is necessary to pay out in connection with the winning. A payout control unit is configured to perform control for storing at least a part of the number of the generated premium game media in the reserved number storage unit without paying out the payout unit from the payout unit. In this case, at least a part includes a part or all of the number of premium game media that need to be paid out in connection with the prize. The premium game media that need to be paid out in connection with the prize in this case include premium game media having the following meaning. Start winning area (start winning port 10a,
10b, 12), a variable winning prize ball device 3 (large winning prize), only a part or all of the number of prize game media according to the winning in the prize.
A part (for example, half) of the prize game medium according to the prize of the starting prize area and the variable prize ball device 3 (large prize mouth), only a part or all of the number of the prize game medium according to the prize.

(12) In the pachinko gaming machine 200, a credit number display section for displaying the current credit value at a predetermined place visible to the player (the number of credits stored in the number of May be provided in a form that also serves as another display (display means), or in a form independent of the other displays. In this case, the number of credits (the number of reservations) is displayed so that the increase according to the winning and the decrease according to the payout due to the occurrence of the big hit become clear. Specifically, the payout control microcomputer 232 may control the display of the credit amount display unit. By doing so, the player can know the current number of credits (the number of prize game media for which payout has been suspended, that is, the number of suspensions) during the game, so that the player has no distrust of the processing of the number of credits. Can be eliminated. Further, when the number of credits becomes relatively large, the sense of expectation of the player can be increased according to the display of the number of credits, and the interest of the game can be improved.

(13) In the pachinko gaming machine 200, the detection signal of the award ball count switch described above is input to the game control microcomputer 231 and the game control microcomputer 231 is input based on the input.
However, control may be performed to grasp the number of prize balls actually paid out and to monitor whether or not balls whose payout should be suspended as credits are erroneously paid out.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and information necessary for monitoring whether or not a ball whose payout should be held as the number of credits is erroneously paid out is provided from the game control microcomputer 231 to the payout control microcomputer. 232 and the payout control microcomputer 232 may perform the above-described monitoring based on the information. In this way, by monitoring the payout of the prize balls, it can be easily grasped that the balls reserved as the number of credits were erroneously paid out. Thus, when a malfunction of payout control of the payout control microcomputer 232 and the ball payout device 259 due to a failure or the like occurs, the malfunction can be easily found, and the malfunction can be prevented from continuing. The treatment can be performed early.

(14) In the above-described embodiment, the number of credits can be accumulated only for members. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of credits may be accumulated for non-members. That is, the number of credits remaining at the end of the game may be accumulated for all players. In that case, it is desirable to be able to perform the ball replay.

(15) In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described where the number of credits is deposited in the game hall and can be replayed as a savings ball. However, when the player performs the replay, a fee is charged. It may be taken (collection of the number of savings for the commission) or not taken.

(16) In the embodiment described above, an example is shown in which the number of credits remaining without being paid out as prize balls at the end of the game is recorded on the game card 700. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The game card 700 may record data obtained by adding the number of prize balls paid out by the player to the number of remaining credits, so that the data can be used for prize exchange. Specifically, at the end of the game, the number of remaining credits is recorded on the gaming card 700, and the player is caused to count the paid-out balls by a ball counter such as a jet counter. In addition, the number of balls counted by the ball counter is added to the number of credits previously recorded at the end of the game by a card processing device provided separately from the ball counter, and the total value is used as a game card. To record. In this way, the data of the paid prize balls and the data of the number of remaining credits can be collectively owned and managed by the player on one recording medium. The management of the game result value by the player can be facilitated, for example, the prize can be exchanged at a time with the number.

(17) In the return switch signal receiving process described above, the return wait state is generated by using the return wait timer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. , The game card 700 may be returned until the numbers of the balls match.
Specifically, a detector for detecting a driven ball and a detector for detecting a collected ball are provided, and the number of balls detected by these detectors is counted and stored in the RAM. Then, the microcomputer may perform a process of comparing and determining whether or not the number of driven balls and the number of collected balls match. The microcomputer used for the processing may be either the game control microcomputer 231 or the payout control microcomputer 232.

(18) In the return switch signal receiving process described above, an example has been shown in which the gaming card 700 cannot be ejected during the big hit state. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the gaming card 700 may be ejected even during the big hit state. In this case, it is preferable that the hit ball firing prohibition is not executed during the big hit state as described above, but is executed when the big hit state ends.

(19) In the card unit 50 described above, even if the gaming card 700 is inserted, the remaining data cannot be added, that is, payment by cash cannot be made. However, in the card unit 50, the gaming card 700 is inserted. In such a state, a configuration in which the remaining amount of the remaining amount data can be additionally added by depositing with cash (adding a cash slot and a cash processing device) may be employed, and this is more preferable.

(20) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which both the number of credits and the balance data are recorded on one type of card (gaming card 700) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A card (recording medium) for recording the number of credits and a so-called prepaid card for recording the balance data are issued as separate cards, and these two types of cards (recording medium) are used. May be used to perform the above-described processing such as withdrawal and recording of the number of credits.

(21) In the above-described embodiment, in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 200, when a winning is made to the special winning opening in a state where no big hit occurs, the number of prize balls to be paid out according to the winning. Has been shown as the number of credits, and the payout control of the credit system for paying out at the time of the big hit is always performed. However, such a credit-type payout control may be selectively performed according to the selection of the game arcade. That is, selection (switching) of executing the payout control of the credit system or executing the normal payout control of paying out the prize balls immediately according to the winning without performing the payout control of the credit system is performed. May be provided.
Such a selection switch may be arranged in a place where the player cannot operate, for example, on the back side of a pachinko game machine, and may be provided so that a staff member of the game hall can operate. A signal indicating the operation state of the selection switch is input to the payout control microcomputer 232. The payout control microcomputer 232 recognizes the operation state of the selection switch based on the signal indicating the operation state received from the selection switch. When the payout control microcomputer 232 determines that the operating state of the selection switch has selected the credit payout control, the control for enabling the execution of the credit payout control as described above is performed. When it is determined that the operation state of the selection switch has selected the normal payout control described above, the execution of the credit payout control as described above is deactivated, and the normal payout control as described above is performed. Control for enabling execution of the payout control is performed. With this configuration, it is possible to select whether or not to execute the control relating to the suspension of the payout of the prize balls on the gaming side, so that the payout control method is set in accordance with the operation of the pachinko gaming machine on the gaming side. You can choose.

(22) The invention described in the above embodiments may be configured as a ball-and-ball game machine (pachinko game machine), for example, as follows.

A starting winning area in which a ball can be won, and a variable winning ball device that can be changed to a first state advantageous to the player and a second state unfavorable to the player; The variable winning ball device is in the first state in the first mode on condition that a ball is hit in the area,
On condition that a ball is hit in the variable winning ball device in the first state, the variable winning ball device is in the second mode, which is more advantageous to the player than the first mode, in the second mode. A ball game machine that can be controlled to a specific game state that is a state, a payout means capable of paying out prize game media in accordance with a winning of a hit ball, and a payout is suspended during the game Means for storing the number of prize game media which can store the number of prize game media, and means for controlling to pay out a predetermined number of prize game media from the payout unit when a hit ball is won. In the case where a ball is hit in the start winning area, at least a part of the number of premium game media required to be paid out in connection with the winning is paid out from the payout means. Without being stored in the holding number storage means. Payout control means for controlling the payout control means for controlling the prize game medium for which the payout has been suspended based on the storage information of the reserved number storage means when the specific game state occurs. When the game is ended in a state where the specific gaming state has not occurred and the number of premium game media for which the payout has been suspended is controlled based on the storage information of the number-of-reserved-number storage unit, by performing a control for paying out from the payout unit. Characterized by performing control (see FIG. 17) for storing in a mode that can be used by a player (for example, prize exchange is possible, and coins can be replayed).

The prize game media for which the payout is suspended are:
The prize game medium according to a prize in the variable prize ball device which has been in the first state in the first mode on condition that a hit ball has won in the start winning prize area, The ball game machine according to the above.

[0185] The payout control means controls the execution of the payout of the prize game medium based on the storage information of the reserved number storage means, regardless of the progress of the specific game state, when the specific game state occurs. The ball game machine according to the above, further comprising:

[0186] The payout control means performs a control to execute payout of a prize game medium based on information stored in the reserved number storage means at a stage when the occurrence of the specific game state starts. The ball game machine described.

[0187] Regarding the items (1) to (4) described above, the same effects can be obtained as when each is configured as a game device.

(23) The invention described in the above embodiment may be considered as a technical idea in which the following constitutions are added to the constitutions which are the main constitutions of the present invention, for example. Note that the configurations described below may be regarded as technical ideas added to the above-described technical idea of the ball game machine as long as the ball game machine can be configured.

A start winning area in which a hit ball can be won, and a variable winning ball device that can be changed to a first state advantageous to the player and a second state unfavorable to the player; The variable winning ball device is in the first state in the first mode on condition that a ball is hit in the area,
On condition that a ball is hit in the variable winning ball device in the first state, the variable winning ball device is in the second mode, which is more advantageous to the player than the first mode, in the second mode. A game device including a ball game machine that can be controlled to a specific game state that is a state, a payout means capable of paying out a prize game medium according to a winning of a hit ball, and a payout during a game Number storage means capable of storing the number of prize game media that have been suspended, and a recording medium owned by a player capable of recording at least information capable of specifying the number of prize game media for which the payout has been suspended And a means for controlling the payout means to pay out a predetermined number of prize game media when a hit ball is won. Ah, the starting When a hit ball is won in the prize area, at least a part of the number of the prize game media required to be paid out in connection with the winning is not paid out from the payout means, and the holding number is not paid out. Payout control means for performing control for storing in the storage means, wherein the payout control means, when the specific game state occurs, based on the storage information of the number-of-holds storage means, the prize for which the payout has been suspended. A prize for which the payout has been suspended based on the storage information of the number-of-reservation storage means when a control for paying out the game medium from the payout means is performed and the game is completed in a state where the specific gaming state has not occurred. A game device, characterized by performing control for storing the number of game media so as to be identifiable by the recording information of the recording medium.

The ball game machine operates by receiving supply of electric power, and the game device operates as a backup for the ball game machine when power supply to the ball game machine is cut off. Backup power supply means (power supply circuit for backup) for supplying power for the power supply, and operates upon receiving power from the backup power supply means when power supply to the ball game machine is cut off, The number-of-retention storage means (a credit counter on the gaming machine or unit)
Backup control means (a payout control microcomputer 232 or a card unit control microcomputer 501) for writing information on the number of premium game media for which payouts are stored in the storage medium as backup information. 3. The gaming device according to claim 1, further comprising:

With this configuration, the number of holds is not lost at the time of a power failure, and the game can be resumed at the time of recovery based on the number of holds recorded on the recording medium as backup information. In addition, since the recording medium is used as a backup memory, there is no need to provide a dedicated backup memory, and the recording medium can be used effectively.

The start winning area and the variable winning ball apparatus are provided in a game area (game area 2) into which the hit ball is hit for a game, and the game device includes:
When the recording medium to be processed by the recording medium processing means is returned to the player, the game is executed until the ball hit in the game area is not involved in paying out the premium game medium. Return waiting control means (SG1 to SG1 in FIG. 15) for performing control to wait for the return of the recording medium to the user.
The gaming device according to the above, further comprising 2).

According to this structure, when the recording medium is returned to the player, the recording medium still remains in the game area, and the hitting ball which has a possibility of winning can be saved as a holding number without being invalidated. You can do so.

The return waiting control means controls the prohibition of hitting a ball into the game area (SG in FIG. 15) when performing control to wait for the return of the recording medium to the player.
6)), the gaming device according to the above, wherein

According to this structure, the prohibition of hitting the ball can prevent the control for waiting for the return of the recording medium from being performed unnecessarily for a long period of time.

[0196] The payout control means can specify the number of premium game media for which the payout has been suspended based on the recording information of the recording medium, in response to the end of the game in a state where the specific gaming state has not occurred. In the case of performing control to save the information, a predetermined specific player (member) is stored at least as reusable information (ball coins) for the game, and a player (non-member) other than the specific player is stored. Information that cannot be used for games but can be exchanged for prizes (credit (prize exchange ball) number information 726)
The gaming device according to the above, wherein the game device is controlled to be stored as a game.

With this configuration, the reserved number is stored as information that is advantageous to the player that the specific player can be reused in the game as compared with players other than the specific player. Therefore, the service content for a specific player can be differentiated from other players. As a result, it is possible to promote an increase in the number of specific players such as members of the game hall.

The information on the number of premium game media for which the payouts have been held identifiably stored by the recording information of the recording medium can set the expiration date of the preservation, and the recording medium processing means includes: If the information on the number of premium game media for which the payouts are stored so as to be identifiable by the recording information of the processing target recording medium have passed the expiration date of the storage, the information on the number of the premium game media is stored The gaming machine according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a step of invalidating (SJ5, SJ6).

With such a configuration, since the storage period is limited, early use of the information on the number of the stored premium game media (prize exchange, etc.) can be promoted.

[0200] The gaming device according to the above, further comprising a hold number display unit (credit number display unit) for displaying the hold number stored in the hold number storage unit.

With this configuration, the number of holds is displayed, so that the player can know the current number of holds during the game. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the player's distrust of the processing of the number of holds. it can. Further, when the number of reservations becomes relatively large, the sense of expectation of the player can be increased in accordance with the display of the number of reservations, and the interest of the game can be improved.

A payout detecting means (prize ball count switch) for detecting the payout of the premium game medium by the payout means.
Payout monitoring means (game control means) for monitoring whether or not the premium game media stored in the number-of-holds storage means has been paid out by mistake based on the detection output of the payout detection means. Microcomputer 23
The gaming device according to the above, further comprising 1).

With this configuration, by monitoring the payout of the prize game media, it is possible to easily grasp that the prize game media for which the payout has been suspended is erroneously paid out. Thereby, when a malfunction of payout of the prize game medium by the payout control means and the payout means occurs due to a failure or the like, the malfunction can be easily detected, and a measure for preventing the malfunction from being continuously performed can be taken at an early stage. Can do it.

[0204] The apparatus further includes selection operation means (selection switch) capable of selectively performing whether or not to execute control (payment control of a credit method) relating to suspension of prize game medium payout by the payout control means. The payout control means performs the payout control of the ball (credit type payout control) by executing the control when the selection operation means selects the execution of the control relating to the hold of the premium game medium, When the selection operation means selects not to execute the control relating to the suspension of the payout of the prize game medium, the control for paying out the prize game medium at a timing corresponding to the winning without performing the control (normal payout control) 3. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein

With this configuration, it is possible to select whether or not to execute the control relating to the suspension of the payout of the prize game media at the amusement arcade side. To select a payout control method.

(24) The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0207]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems (1) A starting winning area (starting winning ports 10a, 10b, 12) in which a ball can be won by the pachinko gaming machine 200 shown in FIG.
And the first state (the ball receiving members 4a,
A variable winning ball device (variable winning ball including the ball receiving members 4a and 4b) which can be changed between a state where the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are opened and a second state which is disadvantageous for the player (a state where the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are closed). Device 3), and the variable winning ball device is in a first mode (ball receiving members 4a and 4b are opened and closed once or twice) on condition that a ball is hit in the starting winning area.
In the first state, on the condition that a hit ball has won the variable winning ball device in the first state, the variable winning ball device is more advantageous for the player than in the first aspect. Mode 2 (ball receiving member 4 with a maximum of 18 times)
The ball game machine is configured to be controllable to the specific game state (big hit state) in the first state in a manner in which the a and b open and close. The payout device 259 shown in FIG. 3 constitutes a payout means capable of paying out prize game media (pachinko balls on prize balls) in accordance with the winning of a hit ball. The RAM 232c of the payout control microcomputer 232 shown in FIG. 5 constitutes a holding number storage means capable of storing the number of premium game media (payment number) for which payout is held during the game. (See SD6 in FIG. 12). The card unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 or the like can record at least the information that can specify the number of premium game media for which the payout is suspended (the gaming card shown in FIG. 6 and the like). 700), a recording medium processing means capable of performing a predetermined process. Means for controlling the payout control microcomputer 232 shown in FIG. 5 to pay out a predetermined number of premium game media from the payout means when a hit ball is won, If a ball is hit in the start winning area, at least a part of the number of prize game media required to be paid out in connection with the prize is not paid out from the payout means and the holding is performed. Payout control means for performing control to store the number in the number storage means is provided. As shown in SC4 of FIG. 11 and SF1 to SF3 of FIG. 14, when the specific game state occurs, the payout control unit is configured to suspend the payout based on the storage information of the reserved number storage unit. 17 is executed by the payout means, and as shown in SJ3 to SJ11 in FIG. 17, when the game is completed in a state where the specific game state has not occurred, the holding number storage means Based on the stored information, the control of storing the number of the prize game media for which the payout is suspended so as to be specified by the recording information of the recording medium (the number of the prize game media is directly stored in the gaming card 700 as the number of credits) The control of recording and the number of prize game media can be specified as the number of balls stored in the ball management computer 600 by the member number recorded in the game card 700 and recorded in the game card 700. To include both control) is performed.

(2) As shown in SD6 of FIG. 12, the prize game medium for which the payout is suspended is replaced with the first game in the first mode on condition that a ball is won in the starting winning area. It is a prize game medium (winning prize ball to the special winning opening) according to the winning in the variable winning prize ball device in the state.

(3) As shown in FIG. 17, SJ4
It is determined whether or not the member is a member. If the member is a member, it is recorded as a savings account, and if the member is a non-member, the credit number information is recorded. ) Is, for example, limited to the day, and as described above, the ball management computer 6
The payout control means sets a predetermined value when the game is terminated in a state in which the specific game state has not occurred so that the number of stored coins stored in 00 is deposited for a period longer than two days. A control is performed so that a specific player (member) saves the number of which the payout is suspended in such a manner that the storage period (expiration date of data relating to the number of credits) is more advantageous than other players (non-members).

(4) As shown in SC1 to SC4 in FIG. 17, when the specific game state occurs, the payout control means does not depend on the progress of the specific game state (when the big hit state occurs). Immediately), further controls to execute payout of the prize game medium based on the storage information (the number of credits) of the reserved number storage means.

(5) As shown in SC1 to SC4 in FIG. 17, the payout control means performs the hold number storage means at the stage when the specific game state starts to occur (at the beginning of the occurrence of the big hit state). Is performed to execute payout of premium game media based on the stored information (the number of credits).

[0212]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, the following effects can be obtained. When a ball is hit in the starting winning area, at least a part of the number of premium game media required to be paid out in connection with the winning is reserved without being paid out from the payout means. Since it is stored, the number of prize game media to be paid out in connection with winning in the start winning prize area in a state other than the specific game state can be suppressed to a relatively small number. When the specific gaming state occurs, the premium game media for which the payout is suspended are paid out based on the storage information of the number for which the payout is suspended, so that a relatively large number of premium game media are provided. Can be paid out. Therefore, in exchange for the small number of premium game media paid out in connection with the winning in the starting winning area,
By adding the reduced number to the payout when the specific game state occurs, the profit of the player when the specific game state occurs is relatively large. Therefore, the degree of expectation for the specific game state can be improved without impairing the player's satisfaction with the specific game state, and the interest of the game can be improved. Furthermore, even when the specific gaming state does not occur, the player can use the recording medium without giving up the reserved prize gaming medium without confiscating the prize gaming medium. I can't save.

Regarding claim 2, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. The prize game medium for which the payout is suspended is a prize game medium according to winning in the variable prize ball device in a state other than the specific gaming state. For this reason, when considered conversely, in a state other than the specific game state, payout of the prize game medium according to the winning in the start winning area is always performed. This allows
It is possible to prevent the player from losing a profit in the payout side of the prize game medium with respect to the winning in the start winning area. Further, in a state other than the specific game state, every time there is a prize in the variable prize ball device, which is a prize which the player strives for in the game, the number of premium game media for which the payout is suspended increases. For this reason, the number of payouts of premium game media in the specific game state can be efficiently increased with the progress of the game.

Regarding claim 3, in addition to the effect according to claim 1 or 2, the following effect can be obtained. Regarding the preservation of the number of prize game media for which the payout has been suspended when the game is over, certain players will have an advantage over other players in terms of the preservation period, so the service content for specific players Can be differentiated from other players. As a result, it is possible to promote an increase in the number of specific players such as members of the game hall.

Regarding claim 4, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. When the specific game state occurs, the payout of the prize game medium based on the storage information of the number-of-reservation storage means is executed regardless of the progress state of the specific game state. Directly linked to the payout of premium game media. For this reason, the joy of the player at the time of the occurrence of the big hit can be further excitement as compared with the case where the condition is set for the payout of the premium game medium for which the payout is suspended.

Regarding claim 5, in addition to the effect according to claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. Since the payout of the prize game media for which the payout has been suspended is performed relatively early, such as at the start of the occurrence of the specific game state, even if the game media is small at the time of the occurrence of the big hit, the required amount of game media for the game is secured. As a result, it is possible to minimize the inconvenience of having to rent a game medium despite the occurrence of a big hit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a game board surface of a pachinko game machine which is an example of a ball game machine.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine and a card unit.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine and components related thereto.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine and components related thereto.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the gaming card.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a circuit provided in the gaming card.

FIG. 8 is stored (recorded) in an EEPROM of a game card.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining information that is displayed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a jackpot occurrence signal output processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the content of award ball number signal output processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the jackpot signal processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing contents of award signal processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the winning ball possible determination processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the prize ball motion determination processing.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of a return switch signal receiving process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of a card insertion determination process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of a credit number process.

[Explanation of symbols]

200 is a pachinko game machine (ball game machine), 10a, 10
b, 12 are starting winning openings, 4a, 4b are ball receiving members (variable winning ball devices), 3 are variable winning ball devices (variable winning ball devices),
259 is a ball payout device (payout means), 232 is a payout control microcomputer (payout control means), and 232c is R
AM (holding number storage means), 50 is a card unit (recording medium processing means), 700 is a gaming card (recording medium),
Reference numeral 600 denotes a computer for managing accumulated coins, and 726 denotes credit number information.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C088 AA36 AA43 BA13 BA35 EB24 EB68

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A starting prize winning area in which a hit ball can win, and a variable prize ball device that can be changed to a first state advantageous to the player and a second state unfavorable to the player, The condition that the variable winning ball device is in the first state in the first mode on condition that a ball is won in the starting winning area, and that the ball is won in the variable winning ball device in the first state. The condition is that the variable winning ball device is in the second mode, which is more advantageous to the player than the first mode, in the first mode.
A game machine including a ball game machine that can be controlled to a specific game state of a state, wherein a payout means capable of paying out a prize game medium in accordance with a winning of a hit ball, Reservation number storage means capable of storing the number of premium game media for which the payout is suspended, and a record owned by the player capable of recording at least information capable of specifying the number of premium game media for which the payout is suspended Recording medium processing means capable of performing predetermined processing on the medium, and means for performing control for paying out a predetermined number of prize game media from the payout means when a hit ball is won. In the case where a ball is hit in the starting winning area, at least a part of the number of premium game media required to be paid out in connection with the winning is paid out from the payout means. Without that Payout control means for performing control to store the number in the reserved number storage means, wherein the payout control means is configured to suspend the payout based on information stored in the reserved number storage means when the specific game state occurs. Control for paying out the prize game media from the payout means, and when the game is completed in a state where the specific game state has not occurred, the payout is suspended based on the storage information of the reserved number storage means. A game device for performing control to save the number of prize game media specified so as to be able to be specified by recording information of the recording medium. 2. The prize game medium for which the payout is suspended is transferred to the variable winning ball device in the first state in the first state on condition that a ball is won in the starting winning area. 2. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the gaming device is a prize game medium according to a winning. 3. The payout control means, wherein when a game is ended in a state in which the specific game state has not occurred, a predetermined specific player has a longer storage period than other players. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to save the number of which the payout is suspended. 4. The payout control means, when the specific game state occurs, executes payout of a prize game medium based on information stored in the number-of-reservation storage means, regardless of a progress state of the specific game state. The gaming device according to claim 1, further comprising a control. 5. The payout control means performs control to execute payout of a prize game medium based on information stored in the number-of-holds storage means at a stage when the occurrence of the specific game state starts. The gaming device according to claim 1.