JP2001070622A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinball game machine which can naturally and securely lens a game medium under the condition that lending preparation is ready by returning a lending preparation signal to a processing unit and performing a preparation action necessary for lending a unit of game medium, when a lending requiring signal is received from a recording medium processing unit. SOLUTION: In a control unit 300 of a card processor attached to a game machine, a lending requiring signal is received from a card processor, a lending preparation signal is returned to the card processor to make a preparation action necessary for lending a unit of game medium under the condition that the game medium existence is detected by a game medium detecting means. A required quantity of game medium is lent by performing such one-unit lending control plural times. When a lending direction signal is not received within a predetermined period after at the lending preparation signal is returned, the preparation for lending is stopped. The balance of a playable value specified by the recorded information of a recording medium is displayed on a card balance display 50.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine and the like. More specifically, a signal is sent to a recording medium processing device that receives a recording medium and issues a command to lend a game medium using a value specified by recording information of the recording medium so that the game medium can be used for a game. The present invention relates to a ball and ball game machine configured to be able to perform communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of ball-and-ball game machine, for example, a prize game medium is paid out or a point is given when a prize is generated during a game. In some cases, the game result value is provided to the player.

On the other hand, in a game arcade, a recording medium processing device is installed, for example, adjacent to a ball game machine, and a recording medium purchased by a player is inserted into the recording medium processing device, and A command for renting a game medium using the value specified by the recorded information so that the medium can be used for the game is output from the recording medium processing device,
The ball game machine receiving the output is configured to lend game media.

[0004]

In such a conventional ball-and-ball game machine, the ball-and-ball game machine lends a game medium in response to an instruction from the recording-medium processing device. It is necessary to rent out the game media with ease and accuracy while reliably communicating between the game machine side and the ball game machine side.

[0005] Further, the game medium paying means used in the conventional ball game machine pays out the game medium in the game medium passage when a predetermined game medium paying condition is satisfied. Since the conductive piece provided on the wall is brought into contact with the game medium to detect whether or not the game medium to be paid out is insufficient, there is a disadvantage that the conductive piece is significantly worn by contact with the game medium. In addition, since the conducting piece is provided on the passage wall of the game medium passage, it cannot be easily implemented by using commercially available switches, and even if the conducting piece is worn for a short time, the conducting piece can be easily replaced. There is a disadvantage that cannot be replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to control the lending of game media on a ball-and-ball game machine without difficulty and without difficulty, and for a player. The object of the present invention is to provide a ball-and-ball game machine in which the convenience of the game is improved and the presence or absence of a game medium in the game medium passage can be reliably detected.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a recording medium is accepted, and a game medium is lent out using a value specified by recording information of the recording medium and can be used for a game. A ball-and-ball game machine configured to be able to communicate signals to a recording medium processing device that issues a command to make the game medium flow through the game medium, Game medium payout means for paying out the flowing game medium, game medium detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a game medium in the game medium passage, and controlling the game medium payout means to pay out prize game media to give value. Value providing control means for performing control, and balance display means for controlling the recording medium processing device and displaying a balance of a value specified by the recording information of the recording medium, and the value providing control means includes: Receiving a lending request signal to request lending from the recording medium processing device, and indicating that lending is ready on condition that the presence of game media is detected by the game medium detection means. A loan preparation signal is returned to the recording medium processing device, and a preparatory operation necessary for lending a predetermined unit of game medium is performed, from reception of the lending request signal to lending of the one unit game medium. It is possible to execute lending of the required amount of game media by performing the lending control of a plurality of times a plurality of times, and does not receive the lending command signal within a predetermined period after returning the lending preparation signal. In this case, the preparation of the lending is stopped, and lending information output means for outputting lunit lending information from the ball game machine every time the lending control is performed, the lending display means Each time the value is used for renting a game medium and the value is reduced, the display is updated to display the current value that has been reduced and updated, and power is supplied from the ball game machine to the recording medium processing device. Is provided, and the game medium detecting means arranges a sensing member elongated in the direction of the game medium passage on the upper side of the game medium passage, and the sensing member is provided with a game medium in the game medium passage. The sensing member is pivotally supported on the upper side in the passage direction so as to swing in the direction of movement with respect to the game medium passage depending on the presence or absence of the game medium passage. It is characterized in that it is provided with a game medium deficiency confirmation sensor for detecting a deficiency of the game medium in the passage.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a resistor for setting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the balance display means to a desired value is further included. It is characterized by.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, a signal communicated with the recording medium processing device is once converted into an optical signal and then converted into an electric signal again. It is characterized by further including a photocoupler for converting into a signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, it is determined whether or not the connection with the recording medium processing device is established. And connection abnormality determining means for determining abnormality when the connection is not established.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the game state of the ball game machine is controlled, and the game state is controlled according to the game result. Game control means for outputting prize ball data for instructing the number of game media to be paid out to the value provision control means, and a prize ball detection means for detecting a prize ball hit in the game area and winning. The detection signal of the winning ball detection means is input to the game control means without passing through the value provision control means, and the game control means outputs the prize ball data to the value provision control means according to the input signal. It is characterized by doing.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, a gently inclined passage portion in which the game medium passage is gently inclined is provided at an upper end side. And a sensing member is disposed in the gentle inclined passage portion.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the game medium passage has two passages through which the game medium flows. The sensing member and the game medium shortage confirmation sensor are provided in each of the two passages.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the game medium passage has a gentle inclined passage portion and a vertical passage portion following the gentle inclined passage portion. An S-shaped passage having a gentle inclined passage, a vertical passage, and a gentle inclined passage.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game medium flowing down the game medium passage is paid out by the game medium paying means. By the function of the game medium detecting means, the presence or absence of the game medium in the game medium passage is detected. By the function of the value provision control means, the game medium payout means is controlled, and the prize game medium is paid out, and the value provision control is performed. A lending request signal that a lending request is received from the recording medium processing device and that the lending is ready on condition that the presence of the game medium is detected by the game medium detection means; A preparation signal is returned to the recording medium processing device, and a preparation operation necessary for lending one unit of the game medium is performed. Then, the lending of the required amount of game media can be executed by performing the lending control of one unit from the reception of the lending request signal to the lending of the one unit of gaming medium a plurality of times. If the lending command signal is not received within a predetermined period after the lending preparation signal is returned, the preparation for lending is stopped. By the operation of the lending information output means, one-unit lending information is output from the ball game machine every time the one-unit lending control is executed. By the function of the balance display means controlled by the recording medium processing device, the balance of the value specified by the recording information of the recording medium is displayed. The balance display means updates the display each time the value is used for renting a game medium and the value is reduced, and the current value that has been reduced is displayed.
Then, electric power is supplied from the ball game machine to the recording medium processing device.

Normally, the game medium passage is in a storage state in which the game medium is filled therein, and the sensing member on the upper side of the game medium passage is pressed against the game medium. When the game medium in the game medium passage on the game medium payout side is exhausted from the sensing member, the sensing member does not press against the game medium, and the sensing member swings around the game medium upper side as the swing center. In conjunction with the sensing member, the game medium deficiency confirmation sensor detects a deficiency of the game medium in the game medium passage. Since the sensing member is long in the passage direction of the game medium passage, and is pivotally supported on the upper side so as to be swingable about the swing center, the sensing member smoothly swings according to the presence or absence of the game medium in the game medium passage.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the first aspect, a resistor is provided for setting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the balance display means to a desired value. ing.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the operation of the photocoupler allows the communication between the recording medium processing device and the ball game machine. Is converted once into light and then converted again into electrical signals.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to third aspects,
When the recording medium processing device and the ball-and-ball game machine are not connected, an abnormality is determined by the operation of the connection abnormality determining means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to fourth aspects,
A detection signal of a prize ball by the prize ball detection means is input to the game control means without passing through the value provision control means, and prize ball data is output to the value provision control means by the game control means according to the input signal.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention,
A moderately inclined passage portion is provided on the upper end side of the game medium passage, and a sensing member is disposed in the slowly inclined passage portion.

According to the present invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effects of the invention described in any of claims 1 to 6,
The game medium passage of the game medium passage has two passages, and each of the two passages is provided with a sensing member and a game medium deficiency confirmation sensor.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to seventh aspects,
The game medium passage includes an S-shaped passage portion having a gentle inclined passage portion, a vertical passage portion subsequent thereto, a gentle inclined passage portion subsequent thereto, a vertical passage portion subsequent thereto, and a gentle inclined passage portion subsequent thereto.

[0024]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a pachinko game machine is shown as an example of a ball game machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a coin game machine or the like may be used.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko gaming machine 60 and a card processing machine 62 as an example of a ball game apparatus according to the present invention.

A card processor 62 is provided on one side (left side in the drawing) of the pachinko gaming machine 60 in the left-right direction.
0 is provided in a separable state. 130 in the figure
Is a processor usable indicator for lighting up and displaying that the card processor 62 is operating and usable. Further, the processor usable indicator 130 displays various error states described later. Card processing machine 62
Is provided with a card reader / writer control section 134 provided with a card reader / writer. When a card is inserted from the card insertion / ejection port 133, the recording information recorded on the card is read by the card reader / writer. . The card balance at the time of insertion, which is included in the read card information, is displayed by the balance display (card balance display) 50. The card processor 62 includes a CPU, R
Card processing machine control unit 135 incorporating OM, RAM, etc.
Is provided, and the card processor 62 is entirely controlled by the card processor controller 135.

If the player inserts a card into the card insertion / ejection slot 133 and the inserted card is appropriate and the remaining amount of the card remains, and the ball lending operation is possible, the card processing machine control unit 135 , A control signal for turning on the ball lending LED is output to the pachinko gaming machine 60, and the ball lending LED (ball lending display) 48d provided on the ball storage plate 59 as an example of the ball hitting standby unit is turned on. You. The ball lending LED (ball lending display) 48d lights and displays that a ball lending operation can be performed. When the player confirms that the ball lending LED (ball lending indicator) 48d is lit, the ball lending button 4
4c is pressed.

Then, the payout control microcomputer 350 from the card processing machine 62 to the pachinko gaming machine 60 side
A ball payout command signal is output to the switch 137 (see FIG. 2).
), Game balls (pachinko balls) corresponding to a lending ball amount (hereinafter simply referred to as “lending ball amount”) to be paid out by one ball lending operation set in advance are paid out into the hit ball supply plate 59.
The ball lending LED (ball lending indicator) 48d is turned off until the payout of the lending amount is completed. Then, when the payout of the pachinko balls for the ball lending is completed, the remaining card amount of the card inserted into the card processing machine 62 is updated to be reduced by the ball lending. The card processor 62 inputs recording information of a recording medium in which information that can specify the value of the player is recorded, and uses the value specified by the input recording information to play a ball. A ball payout command means for deriving a ball payout command signal for paying out is constituted.

In the figure, reference numeral 42c denotes a return button, and a lendable ball L
The operation is effective while the ED (ball lending indicator) 48d is on. When the return button 42c is pressed by the player, the card inserted in the card processor 62 is returned to the player from the card insertion / ejection port 133. This card insertion / ejection port 13
3 is provided with a ridge on the outer periphery of the groove portion into which the card is inserted and ejected, and the ridge 133b on the left side is larger than the ridge 133a on the right side in the drawing, and is configured as a ridge having a larger protrusion amount. The inconvenience of a player who wishes to play a game with a pachinko gaming machine (not shown) installed on the left side of the card processing machine 62 by mistake inserts a card into the card insertion / ejection port 133 of the card processing machine 62. We try to prevent it as much as possible. In the drawing, reference numeral 132 denotes a card insertion lamp, which is lit when a card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 133 and held at a predetermined position.

The remaining amount of the card when the card is inserted and the remaining amount of the card after the ball lending is performed and the amount is updated are reduced by a remaining amount indicator (card balance indicator) 50 provided on the hitting ball supply plate 59. Is displayed. In a state where the pachinko ball has been paid out into the hitting ball supply tray 59, the player operates the hitting ball operation handle 12
By operating 1, the pachinko balls are driven one by one into the game area 120 formed on the front of the game board 967. In the game area 120, starting winning prize ports 125a, 125b, 12
5c, and the starting winning prize ports 125a to 125c are provided.
5c is a variable display device 1 when a pachinko ball is won.
23 is variably started. Then, when the display result at the time of stop is a combination of specific identification information (777), a big hit state as a predetermined game state is established, and the variable winning prize ball device 124 is opened, so that a first state in which pachinko balls are easy to win is established.

When the display result when the variable display device 123 is stopped becomes specific identification information, a prize ball may be directly paid out or a score may be given to directly give a game value. When a pachinko ball wins in the start winning opening 125a, n (for example, 7) prize balls are paid out to the hit ball supply plate 59 for each winning. Starting winning opening 125b, 125
When a pachinko ball wins in c, m (for example, 10) prize balls are paid out into the hit ball supply plate 59 for each win. Further, when a pachinko ball wins in a normal winning opening or the variable winning ball device 124 provided in the game area 120, K (for example, 15) prize balls are placed in the hitting ball supply tray 59 for each winning. Will be paid out. The payout lamp 126 is turned on or blinks during the payout of these premium balls.

The prize balls to be dispensed into the hitting ball supply tray 59 are stored in a ball tank 151 (see FIG. 2) which will be described later. If the stored balls in the ball tank 151 are exhausted, the tank ball sensor 150 is used. Stops detecting the ball, and at that time, the ball-out indicator 127 is lit or blinks to indicate that the stored ball has run out. The surplus balls that have been filled with prize balls and cannot be stored anymore are discharged into the surplus ball storage plate 122. When the surplus ball storage tray 122 is also full, when a prize ball to be paid out thereafter is generated, a credit score indicator for storing and displaying the number of the prize ball or the amount corresponding to the prize ball, and the like. May be provided on the hit ball supply tray 59.

That is, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, after the payout control of a prize ball based on one prize ball is completed, the control of paying out a prize ball based on the next prize ball is performed. After the surplus ball storage tray 122 is full, if there is a prize ball to be paid out based on the winning prize ball, the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the winning prize ball and the It is also possible to add and store the amount of money corresponding to the prize ball, and after the addition and storage is completed, add and store based on the next winning prize ball and display the added and stored storage value on the credit score display. In that case, the ball storage dish 59 or the surplus ball storage dish 122
After the number of pachinko balls in the inside decreases, the prize balls corresponding to the points displayed on the credit point display are paid out. Although the remaining amount indicator (card balance indicator) 50 is constituted by a 7-segment indicator, a plurality of light emitting diodes may be provided in correspondence with the lending amount or the unit of 100 yen instead. In addition, the remaining amount display (card balance display) 5
The ball lending amount may be displayed by 0, or another display may be provided to display the ball lending amount or to attach a sticker on which the ball lending amount is printed. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a speaker, which emits a sound effect at the time of a big hit.

On the front side of the card processor 62, a fraction display switch 136 is provided. The fraction display switch 136 is used to display a digit when the remaining amount of the inserted card displayed by the remaining amount indicator (card balance indicator) 50 has a fraction less than a predetermined unit number (for example, 100 yen). Is switched to display a fraction less than the predetermined number of units (for example, 100 yen). That is, a predetermined number of units (for example, 100 yen) due to a change in the monetary equivalent value of a pachinko ball to be lent out due to a change in the ball lending rate.
When the fraction display switch 136 is switched when the remaining amount of the card is less than 1, first, if there is a remaining amount of 10,000 yen unit, the fraction is truncated and the remaining amount display (card balance display)
The display is blinked by 50, and when the remaining amount in the unit of 10,000 yen is exhausted, the display is automatically switched to light up to a fraction of less than 100 yen. The remaining amount display (card balance display) 50 may be provided on a curtain plate or the like.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a partial internal structure of the card processing machine and the pachinko gaming machine.

Card processing machine controller 1 of card processing machine 62
35 is connected to a relay terminal board 138 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 60 by a connector 139, and the card processing machine controller 135 and the relay terminal board 1 are connected.
38 can transmit and receive information to and from each other by wiring. The relay terminal board 138 includes a payout centralized control board 730 housed in the payout control board box 145, a game control board 148 'housed in the game control board box 148, a terminal box 149 for a gaming machine, The ball payout board 70 is connected via connectors 141, 144, 143 and 142, respectively.

Further, the above-described various indicators and switches of various operation buttons provided on the hitting ball supply tray 59 are connected to the relay terminal board 138 via the connector 140. In addition, the card processing machine control unit 135 and the hitting ball supply tray 59
Are connected to the payout centralized control board 730 in the payout control board box 145 and the payout centralized control board 730 in the payout control board box 145 without passing through the relay terminal board 138. The payout board 70 may be connected via the relay terminal board 138. Further, the card processor control unit 135 and the payout central control board 730 may be directly connected by a connector.

On the back side of the card processing machine 62, a lending amount setting switch 137 for inputting and setting in advance the lending amount to be paid out by one ball lending operation is provided. 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 400 yen,
Five kinds of amounts of 500 yen can be input and set. For example, if the ball-playing amount is set to 300 yen as shown in the figure by an attendant at the amusement arcade, the 300-yen is set as the ball-playing amount, and the microcomputer 30 of the card processor control unit 135 is used.
0 (see FIG. 6). Then, the player inserts the card into the card insertion / ejection port 133, and the ball lending button 44
c is automatically operated by pressing c.
Pachinko balls worth 0 yen) are paid out in the hitting ball supply tray 59 and are reduced from the card balance. In the figure, reference numeral 134 denotes a card reader / writer control unit including a card reader / writer and its control circuit, and 131 denotes a remaining balance indicator at the time of insertion.

The dispensing control board box 145 is provided with an error cause display 146 so that when the dispensing of the pachinko balls is abnormally performed by the ball dispenser 63, the type of the abnormal cause can be displayed. ing. Then, when the staff in the game arcade repairs the abnormality that has occurred, the reset button 147 is operated to reset the ball payout control program. Instead of providing the error cause display 146 in the payout control board box 145, the error cause is displayed by the remaining amount display (card balance display) 50 provided in the ball storage tray 59, and separately provided on the front side of the gaming machine. An error cause display may be provided, the flashing mode of the payout lamp 126 may be changed depending on the error cause, or the display may be performed by a hall management computer.

The ball lending machine 63 is detachably attached to a mechanism plate 751 of the pachinko gaming machine 60 by screwing or the like, and pachinko balls stored in the ball tank 151 pass through the tank rail 67. It is configured to be supplied. On the way of the supply of pachinko balls from the tank rail, ball confirmation sensors A (68a) and B (68
b) is provided so that it is possible to confirm whether or not pachinko balls supplied to the ball dispenser 63 exist.

The ball payout device 63 is provided with a payout motor 223, and the pachinko balls are paid out into the hit ball supply tray 59 by using the driving force of the payout motor 223. A ball counting sensor A for counting the number of payout balls in the middle of the payout path
(68c) and B (68d) are provided. Also, by rotating the payout motor 223 in the reverse direction, the ball tank 151 is rotated.
The pachinko ball inside is configured to be discharged outside the machine and can be extracted. In the drawing, reference numeral 771 denotes a motor drive display for lighting or blinking display indicating that the payout motor 223 is being driven. 1 in the figure
Reference numeral 80 denotes a ball removal switch, which detects a ball removal operation by a staff member of the game arcade and reverses the payout motor 223. The method of mounting the ball dispenser 63 on the mechanism plate 751 is not limited to screwing, but may be removably mounted by another method such as locking with a locking metal or elastic holding using an elastic holding member. Further, it may be fixedly attached so that it cannot be removed.

When the pachinko balls hit into the game area 120 win the start winning ports 125a, 125b and 125c (see FIG. 1), the winning balls are detected by the start winning ball detection switches 128a, 128b and 128c. The game control board 148 'in the game control board box 104 is controlled by the variable display device 123 (FIG. 1) based on the detection signal.
(See Reference). The detection signal of the start winning prize ball detection switch 128a is input to the game control microcomputer 370 (see FIG. 8) of the game control board 148 ', and is used for control described later. On the back side of the game board 967 forming the game area 120, there are two winning ball collecting gutters including a first winning ball collecting gutter and a second winning ball collecting gutter.
It is formed by laminating steps. And the starting winning opening 12
The winning balls that have won 5a, 125b, and 125c are guided to the second winning ball collecting gutter and detected by the winning ball sensor A (170a).

On the other hand, the pachinko ball that has won the normal winning opening or the variable winning ball device 124 is guided to the first winning ball collecting gutter and detected by the winning ball sensor B (170b). In the drawing, 171a and 171b are payout solenoids,
This is for dropping the winning prize balls for which the prize ball payout processing is completed one by one downward. If a pachinko ball wins in the center starting winning opening 125a shown in FIG. 1, n (for example, 7) prize balls are paid out for each winning prize ball, and the starting winning prize holes 120b and 120c provided on the left and right are paid out. If any of the pachinko balls wins, m (for example, 10) prize balls are paid out for each winning ball. On the other hand, if a pachinko ball wins in the normal winning opening other than the starting winning opening 125a, 125b, 125c or the variable winning ball device 124, k (for example, 15) prize balls are supplied for each winning ball. Dispensed into the plate 59. The number (n, m, k) of prize balls to be paid out per winning prize ball is set and stored as fixed information on the game control board 148 '.

The surplus balls that have been discharged from the ball dispenser 63 and the ball supply tray 59 is full and can no longer be stored are discharged into the surplus ball tray 122, and the surplus ball tray 122 is also full. Becomes full, the full tank detection switch 162 detects that the tank is full,
The payout of the ball is controlled to be stopped.

The stored balls in the ball tank 151 are discharged from the ball dispenser 63.
Ball sensor 150 in the middle of the tank rail 67 leading to
Is provided. The tank ball sensor 150 detects that the stored ball in the ball tank 151 has run out,
The detection signal is transmitted to the game control board 149, the relay terminal board 1
The payment centralized control board 730 in the payout control board box 145 is input to the payout control board box 145. This tank ball sensor 150
When the ball no longer detects the ball, the ball-out indicator 127 is illuminated and displayed, and only the pachinko ball payout operation by ball lending is deactivated as described later (S7 in FIG. 15).
4).

Pachinko balls are supplied to the ball tank 151 from a supply gutter 152 provided on the island via a supply device 153 including a supply ball detector. The supply ball supplied to the ball tank 151 is detected by the supply ball detector of the supply device 153. One pulse is detected by detecting that a predetermined number a (for example, 10) of pachinko balls have been supplied. A signal is output from the replenishment ball detector. The output signal is transmitted to connector 154. Instead of paying out the pachinko balls in the ball tank 151 to the ball supply tray 59 in response to the ball lending request signal from the card processor 62, the player lends the ball lending purchased from the ball lender into the ball supply tray 59. In the case of pachinko gaming machines that have been used in the past,
The connector 154 is connected to the connector 155 connected to the hall management computer, and a detection signal from the replenishment ball detector is transmitted to the hall management computer. The number of disadvantageous balls that are disadvantageous for the game hall is detected.

However, as in the present embodiment, the ball tank 15 based on the ball lending request signal from the card processor 62 is used.
In a pachinko game machine of the type in which a part of the stored balls in the ball 1 is paid out into the hitting ball supply tray 59, a lending ball which does not become a disadvantageous ball number for the game hall is supplied from the supply trough 152 to the ball tank 151. That is, the supplied lending ball is detected by the replenishment ball detector and is input to the hall management computer as disadvantageous ball number information,
There is a disadvantage that the number of disadvantageous balls cannot be counted accurately with the hall management computer. Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment, the connector 155 connected to the hall management computer is disconnected from the connector 154 connected to the replenishing ball detector of the replenishing device 153, and is connected to the terminal box 149 for gaming machine. Connector 156
Connect to

Every time the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the winning of pachinko balls reaches a predetermined number a (for example, 10), a predetermined pulse signal is output from the payout central control board 730, and the predetermined pulse signal is output. It is configured to be transmitted to the hall management computer via the gaming machine terminal box 149, the connector 156, and the connector 155. With such a configuration, no pulse signal as disadvantageous ball number information is input to the hall management computer with respect to pachinko ball lending,
A pulse signal is transmitted to the hall management computer only for the payout of the prize ball accompanying the winning, and the hall management computer can collect accurate information on the number of disadvantageous balls.

The winning ball driven into the game area 120 and winning in the winning opening and the out ball collected in the out opening join and drop into the driving ball tank 159, and the driven ball is detected by the driven ball detector. After being detected by the (hit ball counter) 160, the ball falls onto the collecting gutter 161 provided on the island. In this embodiment, the output of the driven ball detector 160 is configured to be directly input to the hall management computer as in the related art. It may be configured to be input to the board 730 and to be input to the hall management computer from the payout central control board 730 on condition that the ball removal processing based on the payout abnormality is not performed.

In this way, accurate profit ball count information can be totaled. In addition, you may comprise so that the pachinko ball from which the ball was removed does not fall into a driving ball tank. In the figure, reference numerals 158 and 157 denote connectors for connecting the gaming machine terminal box 149 and the hall management computer.
125 is transmitted to the hall management computer via the connectors 158 and 157. In the figure, reference numeral 966 denotes a game board holding member for holding the game board 967 against the front frame side, and is configured to be rotatable. The game board 967 can be removed by being rotated by manual operation. ing.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining the structure and operation of the winning prize processing mechanism 445. Winning ball sensor A
At the side of each of (170a) and B (170b), oscillating bodies 29a and 29b oscillated by payout solenoids A (171a) and B (171b) are provided. The rockers 29a and 29b are rotatably mounted on support shafts 31a and 31b, and have weights 33a and 3b, respectively.
3b is provided. And the dispensing solenoid B (17
1b) in a state where the excitation is released as shown in the figure,
The oscillating body 29b rotates clockwise in the figure due to the weight of the weight 33b.

In this state, the dispensing solenoid B (171)
b) Actuator 25b is the first winning ball collecting gutter 45
, And the winning ball is stopped in the winning ball sensor B (170b) by the actuator 25b. And the dispensing solenoid B (17
When 1b) is excited, the dispensing solenoid A on the left side in the figure is used.
As shown in (171a), the actuator 25a is pulled and retracted from the second winning ball collecting gutter 47, and the rocking body 29a is pushed up by the actuator 25a and rotates clockwise in the drawing. From the upper end, it enters the first winning ball collecting gutter 47. Then, the winning ball supported by the actuator 25a falls down, and the winning ball located above the winning ball 29
a is supported and held by the upper end of a. As described above, each time the payout solenoid is excited once, one prize ball is discharged into the ball ejection path 1 and discharged outside the machine.

When a winning ball guided to the first winning ball collecting gutter 47 is detected by the winning ball sensor A (170a), a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. A (171a) is excited once to release. Then, the next winning ball is the first winning ball collecting gutter 47.
Is detected again by the winning ball sensor A (170a), and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out as described above. The winning ball guided to the second winning ball collecting gutter 45 is detected by the winning ball sensor B (170b), and a predetermined number k (for example, 15) of prize balls are paid out, and the payout solenoid B (170b). Is excited, and if there is a next winning ball, a predetermined number k of prize balls are paid out again.

As described above, even if prize balls are continuously generated, the oscillating bodies 29a and 29b flow down only the prize balls for which the payout of the prize ball has been completed, and the payout of the prize ball has not yet been completed. The flow of the ball is prevented and
Since the prize balls are stored as proof balls in the second prize ball collecting gutters 47 and 45, there is an advantage that troubles regarding the number of prize balls to be paid out can be prevented. Instead of storing the proof balls, the number of winnings or the like may be stored by a microcomputer or the like, and the payout control may be performed based on the stored value. In this case, it is desirable to use a backup power supply so that the stored values are not erased due to a power failure or the like.

The dispensing solenoids A (171a), B
If (171b) breaks down and becomes non-excitable, the actuator 25a or 25b will be switched to the first winning ball collecting trough 47.
Or the second winning ball collecting gutter 45, the pachinko ball is a winning ball sensor A (170a) or a winning ball sensor B ( 170b), the state is stopped and the winning ball detection signal is continuously derived.
The continuous ON state of the prize ball sensor is detected to determine that the payout solenoid A (171a) or B (171b) is out of order and to notify the abnormal state.

The winning ball sensors A (170a), B
(170b) is a so-called proximity switch in which the output signal changes from a predetermined voltage as the pachinko ball passes, and this winning ball detection sensor A (17)
When the output signals 0a) and B (170b) are disconnected, the voltage of the output signal becomes 0V. Therefore, it is detected that the output signal has become 0V and the winning ball sensors A (170a) and B (170b) are disconnected. The notification may be made by performing the determination of. Further, when the winning ball sensors A (170a) and B (170b) are short-circuited, the output voltage becomes an abnormal voltage exceeding a normal voltage, and the abnormal voltage is detected and short-circuited. May be determined, and a notification to that effect may be made.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the ball dispenser 63. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the ball dispenser 63. The ball dispenser 63
A pair of housings 804a and 804b are combined, and a payout motor 223 is provided in the pair of housings 804a and 804b. A worm gear-shaped ball feed is provided on the rotation shaft of the payout motor 223. The member 800 is fixedly provided. A spiral convex portion 801 is formed on the outer periphery of the ball feed member 800, and the payout motor 22
By rotating the ball feeding member 800 by the rotation force of No. 3, the pachinko balls can be moved in the direction along the rotation axis of the ball feeding member 800 by the convex portion 801. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 801 has a trapezoidal shape in which both side portions 811 are formed in a tapered shape, as shown in FIG. Has become.

The two pachinko balls flowing down from the two ball guide rails 67 (see FIG. 2) are used as ball paths 64a and 64b.
(64b is not visible in the drawing) and is supplied into the ball dispenser 63. The ball passages 64a and 64b are provided with ball confirmation sensors A (68A) and B (68b) (68b is not visible in the drawing) for confirming that there is a pachinko ball supplied to the ball dispenser 63. ing. Ball passage 64a, 6
The two pachinko balls supplied through 4b are led to the ball feed passages 805a and 805b, respectively, and the payout motor 223 rotates forward to rotate the ball feed member 800 so that the pachinko balls are turned out of the payout ports 419a and 419a. It is sent to the 419b side. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the pachinko ball P1 is pushed out to the payout port 419b by the convex portion 801 of the ball feeding member 800. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the payout motor 223 has rotated forward and the ball feed member 800 has rotated halfway from this state. In this state, the pachinko ball P2 is pushed out to the payout port 419a by the projection 801. You.

A groove 81 penetrating in the radial direction of the ball feeding member 800 is provided at the right end of the ball feeding member 800 in the figure.
3 is formed, and a light projector (LED) 802 a is provided on the central axis of the ball feeding member 800 and in the groove 813. Further, a half-rotation detecting sensor 802b for receiving the light projected from the light projector 802a is provided.
The light from the projector 802a is notched 8
13, the light is received by the half-rotation detecting sensor 802b, and when it is further rotated, the light is interrupted, and the position becomes a half-turn from the position shown in FIG. One pachinko ball is alternately dispensed from each of the payout ports 419a and 419b every time the ball feeding member 800 makes a half turn. Ball detection sensors A (68c) and B (68
d) is detected.

On the other hand, when the payout motor 223 rotates in the reverse direction and the ball feed member 800 rotates in the reverse direction, the ball feed path 805a,
Each time the pachinko balls on 805b are sent to the left in the figure and rotated a half turn, one pachinko ball is discharged from the ball ejection holes 803a and 803b. These ball holes 803a, 803b
The pachinko balls that have fallen into are discharged out of the machine from the discharge path 1 (see FIG. 2). In the figure, reference numeral 806 denotes ball paths 64a and 64b.
The ball pressure receiving member receives the ball pressure due to the weight of the pachinko ball supplied from the ball path, and the ball pressure of the pachinko ball supplied from the ball passages 64a and 64b receives the ball pressure receiving member 806.
To the ball feed passages 805a, 805
There is an advantage that the ball pressure of the pachinko balls supplied on b is reduced. Reference numerals 771a and 771b in the figure denote motor drive indicators. When a drive output is given to the payout motor 223, the motor drive indicators 771a and 771b are turned on.

As a result, it is useful to find out when the payout motor 223 has failed. These motor drive indicators 771a, 771b
Are provided, one each of which is lit when the payout motor 223 rotates forward and one which is lit when the payout motor 223 rotates reversely.
In the figure, reference numeral 808 denotes a wiring hole, which includes a light projector 802a, a half-turn detection sensor 802b, and motor drive indicators 771a and 771.
The wiring 810 connected to b is connected to the payout centralized control board 730 through the wiring hole 880. Reference numeral 809 denotes a motor base for mounting the payout motor 223. The ball dispenser 63 is attached to the mechanism plate 751 by an attachment board 812. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the card processor control unit.

The card processor control unit 135 (see FIG. 2) has a card processor controller microcomputer 300 incorporated therein. The microcomputer 300 for controlling the card processor has a function of controlling the operation of various devices as described below. For this reason, the microcomputer 300 for controlling a card processor is constituted by, for example, an LSI of several chips, and stores therein a CPU 301 capable of executing a control operation in a predetermined procedure and operation program data of the CPU. A ROM 302 and a RAM 303 capable of writing and reading necessary data are included.

Further, the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 receives an input signal and provides input data to the CPU 301, receives an output data from the CPU 301 and outputs it to the outside, A power-on reset circuit 305 for giving a reset pulse, a clock generation circuit 306 for giving a clock signal to the CPU 301, and a clock signal from the clock generation circuit 306 is frequency-divided to give a reset pulse to the CPU 301 periodically (for example, every 2 msec). A pulse dividing circuit (periodic reset circuit) 307;
An address decode circuit 308 for decoding address data from the PU 301 is included.

The address decode circuit 308 is
1 is decoded and the ROM 302,
A chip select signal is given to the RAM 303 and the input / output circuit 304, respectively.

In this embodiment, the ROM 302
A programmable ROM is used so that its contents can be rewritten, that is, if necessary, program data for the CPU 301 stored therein can be changed. The CPU 301 provides control signals to various devices according to the program data stored in the ROM 302 and in response to the output of each control signal described below.

The microcomputer 300 for controlling the card processor receives the following signals as input signals.

The staff at the game hall sets the ball lending setting switch 137
By operating (see FIG. 2) to set the ball lending amount,
The setting signal is input to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 via the detection circuit 309. When the fraction display switch 136 (see FIG. 1) is operated, the switch operation signal is input to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 via the detection circuit 309. When the player presses the ball lending button 44c (see FIG. 1), the pressing operation is detected by the ball lending operation detector 44d, and the detection signal is sent to the card processing mechanism via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 309. The data is input to the control microcomputer 300. Player returns button 42c
When a pressing operation is performed (see FIG. 1), the pressing operation is detected by the return operation detector 42d, and the detection signal is input to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 309. . From the card reader / writer control unit 134 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), a card acceptance signal, a card abnormal signal, and a card processing completion signal, which will be described later, are input.

From the payout control microcomputer 350 via the relay terminal board 138 and the information input circuit 312,
A payable signal, a ball lending preparation signal, a ball lending completion signal,
A ball lending possible signal is input. The information input circuit 312 has a built-in photocoupler, and various signals described above from the payout control microcomputer 350 are transmitted to the card processing machine control microcomputer 3 via the photocoupler.
00 is input. Since the signal is input through the photocoupler in this way, the adverse effect caused by the failure generated in the payout control microcomputer 350 does not reach the card processing machine control microcomputer 300. Card processing machine control microcomputer 300 due to failure
The inconvenience of failure can be prevented as much as possible.

Next, the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 outputs a control signal to the following circuits and devices.

LED drive circuit 310, relay terminal board 13
8, ball lending display 48d, card balance display 5
0 (see FIG. 1) to output a display control signal.
Through the lamp drive circuit 311, the card insertion indicator 13
2. A display control signal is given to the processor usable indicator 130, respectively. Card reader / writer control unit 134 (FIG. 1,
2), a current balance data, a card write / discharge command signal, a balance zero data, and a card collection command signal, which will be described later, are output. A ball lending request signal to be described later is output to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the information output circuit 313 and the relay terminal board 138. Unit box 83
0. A unit sales signal to be described later is output to the ball lending card central management computer via the card processor terminal box 320.

This ball lending card centralized management computer is
It is a centralized management computer installed at a ball lending card issuing company, etc., and is connected to a card processing machine 62 installed at each amusement arcade in Japan by a communication line via a card processing machine terminal box 320. ing. A unit sales signal is transmitted to the hall management computer via the unit box 830, and a predetermined power is supplied to the card processor 62.

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a circuit for transmitting and receiving signals between the pachinko gaming machine side and the card processing machine side.

Power supply 7 provided on the pachinko machine side
24 is supplied to the power supply circuit 70 on the card processor side.
1 is input. The power supply circuit 701 is a general power supply circuit including a rectifier, and is for converting an alternating current into a direct current VC (+12 V) and applying it to various circuits and electronic devices. Each of the LED displays 50a, 5 constituting the above-mentioned card balance display 50 provided on the pachinko gaming machine side
A common electrode drive circuit 310a for applying a voltage to each of the common electrodes 0b and 50c is provided on the card processing machine side. The common electrode drive circuit 310a is for applying a voltage to the common electrode of each of the LED displays 50a to 50c based on a control signal from the microcomputer for controlling the card processor. The common electrode drive circuit 31
0a is a switch circuit 702a, 7 including a photocoupler.
02b and 702c, so that the control signal from the microcomputer for controlling the card processor is once converted into light and then converted again into an electric signal.

A segment corresponding electrode drive circuit 310b for applying a voltage to the electrodes corresponding to the seven display segments of each of the LED displays 50a to 50c is provided on the card processor side. The segment-corresponding electrode drive circuit 310b selects a desired segment-corresponding electrode based on a display control signal from the microcomputer for controlling the card processor and applies a voltage thereto.
Then, on condition that a voltage is applied to the common electrode, the segment corresponding to the applied segment corresponding electrode is switched to the display state.

This segment corresponding electrode drive circuit 310b
Switch circuits 703a to 703
The display control signal from the microcomputer for controlling the card processor is once converted into light, then converted into an electric signal again, and the segment is applied to the corresponding electrode. These switch circuits 702
Even if an abnormal state such as an abnormally high voltage of the display control signal from the card processing machine control microcomputer occurs due to a to 702c and 703a to 703g, the LED displays 50a to 50c are affected by the abnormal state. Failure can be prevented as much as possible.

The ball lending operation detector 44d and the return operation detector 42d provided on the pachinko gaming machine side are input to the card processor controlling microcomputer through the detection circuit 309 described above. This detection circuit 309
Includes a switch circuit composed of a photocoupler corresponding to each of the detectors 44d, 42d.
The detection signal from 42d is once converted into light, then converted into an electric signal again, and input to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300. Thereby, each detector 42
Even if the detection signals from d and 44d become abnormal signals having abnormally high voltages, it is possible to prevent the circuit and the electronic device on the card processing machine side from being damaged due to the influence as much as possible.

Ball lending L provided on the card processing machine side
The ED drive circuit 310c includes a switch circuit 705 composed of a photocoupler. The display control signal from the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 is once converted into light, then converted again into an electric signal, and the ball is lent by the electric signal. The display of the display 48d is controlled. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the ball lending display 48d from being damaged by the influence of the abnormality of the display control signal from the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 as much as possible.

A ball lending request signal, which will be described later, is sent from the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 to a switch circuit 706 comprising a photocoupler provided on the card processing machine side and a switch circuit 707 comprising a photocoupler provided on the pachinko gaming machine side. It is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the CPU. Also, the card is a card processing machine 6
2, a control signal is input from the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 to the switch circuit 708 comprising a photocoupler, and the control signal is once converted into light and then converted again into an electric signal, and then converted into a pachinko machine. The signal is input to a switch circuit 709 including a photocoupler provided on the gaming machine, converted into light once, converted into an electric signal again, and input to the payout control microcomputer 350.

These switch circuits 707 and 706 are
The power supply circuit 701 provided on the card processor side is connected in series, and the switch circuits 709 and 708 are also connected in series to the power supply circuit 701. And
The switch circuits 707 and 709 on the pachinko gaming machine are turned on by the switch circuits 706 and 708 on the card processor.
N and OFF are switched, and when switched to ON, the photocoupler is configured to operate by the DC voltage VC from the power supply circuit 701 on the card processor side.

The switch circuit 707 on the pachinko machine side,
709 is the DC voltage V of the power supply circuit 701 on the card processor side.
The reason why the circuit is operated by C is that the voltage applied to the switch circuits 707 and 709 of the pachinko game machine is changed to the switch circuits 706 and 708 of the card processor thereafter.
When the switch circuits 707 and 709 are configured to be operated by the DC voltage from the power supply circuit on the pachinko game machine side, the voltage from the power supply circuit on the pachinko game machine side is applied to the card processing machine. Side of the pachinko machine, as a result, there is a risk that some abnormally high voltage may enter the card processor due to a failure in the power circuit of the pachinko machine, etc. The inconvenience that the circuit and electronic equipment on the card processing machine side are damaged due to the influence of the failure of the power supply circuit, etc.
This is to eliminate such inconvenience.

As described above, the switching circuits 706, 707, 708, and 709 composed of photocouplers cause the pachinko gaming machine side and the card processing machine side to adversely affect the voltage of one device on the other device. Can be prevented as much as possible. In the present embodiment, the card insertion signal is always output from the card processing machine to the pachinko gaming machine during the period in which the card is inserted. For example, the ball lending request signal is output from the pachinko gaming machine. The card insertion signal may be output only when the card is output.

A ball lending preparation signal and a ball lending completion signal, which will be described later, are input from a payout control microcomputer 350 to a switch circuit 710 composed of a photocoupler. It is input to a switch circuit 711 composed of a photocoupler on the side, is once converted to light, is again converted to an electric signal, and is input to the microcomputer 300 for controlling a card processor.
Also, a payout enable signal from the payout control microcomputer 350 is input to a switch circuit 712 composed of a photocoupler, which is once converted into light and then converted again into an electric signal, which is then switched into a switch circuit 713 composed of a photocoupler on the card processor side. The signal is once converted into light, converted into an electric signal again, and input to the card processor controlling microcomputer 300. Since the switch circuits 710, 711, 712, and 713 composed of photocouplers are provided, the abnormal voltage of one device is prevented from adversely affecting the other device as much as described above.

The common electrode drive circuit 310a, the segment corresponding electrode drive circuit 310b, the detection circuit 309,
Ball lending LED drive circuit 310c, switch circuit 706,
The DC electrodes VC of the power supply circuit 701 are applied to 708, 711, and 713, respectively. In FIG. 7, for example, the relay board 138 shown in FIG. 6 is omitted in the drawing. In the figure, reference numerals 730a to 730g denote display units 5 of the balance display unit 50.
This is a resistor incorporated to make the magnitude of the voltage applied to Oa, 50b, 50c a desired value.

That is, each of the indicators 50a, 50b, 5
The voltage applied to 0c is a voltage generated in the power supply circuit 701 of the card processor 62, and is not necessarily a voltage suitable for the balance indicator 50 of the pachinko gaming machine 60 connected to the card processor 62. May not be. In this case, resistors 730a to 730g having a predetermined resistance value are incorporated so that a desired voltage is applied to the balance display 50. The resistors 731 and 732 are provided for the same reason, and the voltages applied to the switch circuits 707 and 709 can be set to desired values by the resistors 731 and 732. In the present embodiment, the card processing signal is always output from the card processing machine to the pachinko gaming machine during the period in which the card is inserted. The card insertion signal may be output only when output is performed.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a delivery control board box 145.
It is a block diagram which shows the payout control circuit of the payout control board 730 stored in (refer FIG. 2).

The payout control circuit is provided with a payout control microcomputer 350. The payout control microcomputer 350 has a CPU 351 and a CPU 351 similarly to the card processor control microcomputer 300 in FIG.
ROM 352, RAM 353, power-on reset circuit 355, clock generation circuit 356, pulse dividing circuit 35
7, an address decode circuit 358, and an input / output circuit 354, and the description is not repeated here. In addition,
The payout control microcomputer 350 is constituted by a whip-chip microcomputer in which the above-described various circuits are formed into whip-chips.

The payout control microcomputer 350 is given the following signals as input signals.

When a staff at the game hall presses the reset button 147 (see FIG. 2), the reset switch 147 is pressed.
Is turned on, and a reset operation detection signal is input from the detection circuit 359 to the payout control microcomputer 350. When the surplus ball tray 122 (see FIG. 1) is full and the full tank switch 162 (see FIG. 2) is turned on, the ON signal is given to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360. . When a pachinko ball exists in the ball passage opening 64a (see FIG. 4), the presence of the ball is confirmed by the ball confirmation sensor A (68a), and the confirmation signal is transmitted to the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360. It is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the CPU.

When a pachinko ball is present in the ball path 64a, the presence of the ball is confirmed by the ball confirmation sensor B (68b). Microcomputer 350. When the pachinko balls are paid out from the ball payout device 63 to the payout port 419a (see FIG. 4), the discharged pachinko balls are used as the ball counting sensor A (68c) (see FIG. 4).
, And the detection signal is output from the relay terminal board 138,
It is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the detection circuit 364. From the ball dispenser 63 to the ball dispensing exit 41
When the pachinko balls are paid out to 9b, the paid-out pachinko balls are detected by the ball counting sensor B (68d), and the detection signal is sent to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360. Will be entered. If a staff member of the game arcade performs a ball removal operation, the ball removal operation is detected by the ball removal switch 180 (see FIG. 2), and the detection signal is transmitted to the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 36.
0 is input to the payout control microcomputer 350.

The detection signal of the half-turn detection sensor 802b provided in the ball dispenser 63 is supplied to the dispensing control microcomputer 3 via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360.
50 is input. When the winning ball sensor A (170a) provided in the winning ball processing mechanism 445 detects a winning ball, the detection signal is transmitted to the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 36.
0 to the microcomputer 370 for game control. If a winning ball is detected by the winning ball sensor B (170b) provided in the winning ball processing mechanism 445,
The detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 370 via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360. This game control microcomputer 370
Includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

The ball tank 15 is detected by the tank ball sensor 150.
1 is detected (see FIG. 2), and the detection signal is sent to the terminal box 149 for the gaming machine and the relay terminal board 1
38, input to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the detection circuit 360. A pachinko ball winning signal described later is input from the game control microcomputer 370 to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the relay terminal board 138 and the information input circuit 365. A ball lending request signal is input from the card processor controlling microcomputer 300 via the relay terminal board 138 and the information input circuit 365. The information input circuit 365 is provided with a photocoupler, and the aforementioned signals input from the game control microcomputer 370 and the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 are sent to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the photocoupler. Is entered.

As a result, it is possible to prevent adverse effects, such as failures, occurring in the game control microcomputer 360 and the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 from reaching the payout control microcomputer 350. The inconvenience that the payout control microcomputer 350 also breaks down due to a fault occurring in the card processor control microcomputer 300 can be prevented as much as possible.

Next, the payout control microcomputer 3
50 outputs the following control signals to the following circuits and devices.

LED drive circuit 361, relay terminal board 13
8, a light projector 80 provided in the ball dispenser 63
The light emission control signal is output to 2a, and the motor drive display signals 771a and 772b provided in the ball dispenser 63 are each output a motor drive display control signal. In addition, LE
An error cause indicator 446 is provided via the D drive circuit 361.
A control signal for displaying the cause when the error occurs (see FIG. 2) is output. A payout motor drive control signal is output to the payout motor 223 provided in the ball payout device 63 via the motor drive circuit 400 and the relay terminal board 138. Solenoid drive circuit 362, relay terminal board 13
8, a control signal for exciting the discharge solenoid is output to each of the discharge solenoids A (170 a) and B (171 b) provided in the winning ball processing mechanism 445.

Lamp driving circuit 363, relay terminal board 13
8. A payout lamp lighting control signal is output to the payout lamp 126 via the gaming machine terminal box 149. Through the information output circuit 364, the relay terminal board 138, and the game machine terminal box 149, a unit sales signal and a prize ball payout signal, which will be described later, are output to the hall management computer. Via the information output circuit 366 and the relay terminal board 138, the microcomputer 300 for controlling the card processing machine
A ball lending preparation signal, a ball lending completion signal, a payout possible signal, and a ball lending enable signal are output. The information output circuit 364 is provided with a relay switch, and the above-described various processing signals output to the gaming machine control terminal box 149 are output via the relay switch. As a result, the adverse effect of the failure occurring in the payout control system is prevented from reaching the hall management computer, and the inconvenience of causing the failure of the hall management computer due to the failure occurring in the payout control system can be prevented as much as possible. .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a circuit for transmitting and receiving prize ball payout number data between the payout central control board 730 and the game control board 148 '.

When the pachinko game machine 60 and the card processing machine 62 are connected via the connector 139 (see FIG. 2), a voltage of VL (+18 V) is applied to the photocoupler 852 and provided on the game control board 148 '. A signal is input to the game control microcomputer 370 via the photocoupler input circuit 854. Only when a signal is input to the control microcomputer 370 via the photocoupler input circuit 854, the pachinko gaming machine 60 becomes operable. The game control microcomputer 370 of the game control board 148 'has the number of prize balls to be paid out according to the winning mode of the pachinko balls, that is, n
(7 pieces), m (10 pieces), and k (15 pieces) are stored.

Output circuit 850 of game control board 148 '
Has five output ports D0, D1, D2, D3, and D4, and four output ports D0 to D3.
It is configured to be able to output a bit prize ball number signal (prize ball payout number signal). Output circuit 850
Has a 4-bit prize ball number signal output port, so that 15 types of 1 to 15 prize ball number signals can be output. Output port D4 of output circuit 850
Is for outputting a sensor type signal, which will be described later. Is output from the output port D4.

The payout central control board 730 is provided with five photocouplers 855 to 859, and the respective photocouplers 855 to 859 are connected to the respective ports D0 of the output circuit 850 of the game control board 148 '.
To D4.

Each of these photocouplers 855 to 85
9 is provided with a coupler power supply Vp supplied from the game control board 148 'side, and a signal from each output port D0 to D4 is input to a corresponding photocoupler 855 to 859, so that the input photo A signal from the coupler is input to the input circuit 851 of the payout central control board 730.

When the pachinko ball wins the start winning opening 126a, it is detected by the start winning ball detection switch 128a, and the detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 370 of the game control board 148 ', and the start winning is achieved. The winning ball that has won the mouth 125a is further detected by the winning ball sensor A (170a), and the detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 370 via the detection switch input circuit 853. In the game control microcomputer, the detection signal from the start winning ball detection switch 128a and the winning ball sensor A (170)
Based on the detection signal from a), a signal for paying out n (7) prize balls is output to the output circuit 850, and n (7) prize balls are output from the output ports D0 to D3 of the output circuit 850. A signal (for example, 0111) for paying out a prize ball is output to the payout central control board 735. When the pachinko ball wins one of the start winning ports 125a and 125b, the winning ball is detected by the winning ball sensor A (170a), and the detection signal is sent to the game control microcomputer 370 via the detection switch input circuit 853. Is input to

Then, the game control microcomputer 370 outputs a control signal for paying out m (10) prize balls to the output circuit 850. Output circuit 8
At 50, a signal (for example, 1010) for paying out m (10) prize balls from the output ports D0 to D3 is output to the payout central control board 730 side. If a pachinko ball wins in a normal winning opening other than the starting winning opening or in the variable winning ball device, it is detected by the winning ball sensor B (170b), and the detection signal is transmitted via the detection switch input circuit 853 to the microcontroller for game control. It is input to the computer 370. In the game control microcomputer 370, k (15
The control signal for paying out the number of prize balls is output to the output circuit 850. In the output circuit 850, the output port D
A signal (for example, 1111) indicating that k (15) prize balls are to be paid out from 0 to D3 is output from the payout central control board 730.
Output to the side.

In the payout central control board 730, each of the photocouplers 855 to 858 receives the prize ball number signal output from the game control board 148 ', and receives the prize ball number signal from each of the photocouplers 855 to 858. The payout number signal is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 from the input circuit 851. Then, the payout control microcomputer 350 controls payout of the number of prize balls corresponding to the number of inputted prize balls. On the other hand, when the detection signal from the winning ball sensor A (170 a) is input to the microcomputer 370 for game control, a high level signal is output from the output port D 4 and the high level signal is input to the input circuit 851. Will be. Based on the output of the high-level signal from the output port D4, a signal indicating that the prize ball is being paid out based on the winning ball sensor A is a payout central control board 730.
Is input to

On the other hand, when the detection signal of the winning ball sensor B (170b) is input to the game control microcomputer 370, the output port D4 becomes low level,
The low level signal is input to the input circuit 851, and a signal indicating that the prize ball is being paid out based on the detection signal of the prize ball sensor B (170 b) is sent to the payout central control board 73.
Input to 0. It is to be noted that the winning ball sensors A and B are, for example, only the winning ball sensors A and the starting winning ports 125a and 125a.
The winning balls that have won 5b and 125c may be collectively detected by the winning ball sensor A. In that case, not only the starting winning opening 125a but also the starting winning opening 1
The start winning ball detection switch 128b is also provided in the start winning ball detection switch 128b, and outputs n (7) winning ball number signals based on the detection signals from the starting winning ball detection switch 128a and the winning ball sensor A. M (10) based on the detection signal of the winning ball sensor A and the detection signal of the winning ball sensor A, and k (15) based on the detection signal of only the winning ball sensor A being input. ) Is output.

FIGS. 10 to 13 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

In step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1,
The setting reading of the lending amount is performed. The “reading of the setting of the lending amount” is a process of reading the lending amount set by the lending amount setting switch 137 shown in FIG.

Then, the process proceeds to S2, where the processor usable indicator 130 is displayed.
(See FIG. 1) is lit to indicate that it can be used. Next, proceeding to S3, it is determined whether or not a card acceptance signal has been received from the card reader / writer control section. If not, the process returns to S3. If the card reader / writer accepts an appropriate card during the loop, the card reader / writer controller determines that a card acceptance signal has been received, and proceeds to S7.

On the other hand, if a card error signal is output from the card reader / writer control unit, a YES determination is made in S4, and the flow advances to S5 to display the cause of the card error on the card balance display 50 (see FIG. 1) by code. Control is performed. Specifically, a code indicating the type of the cause of the abnormality, such as an inability to read the inserted card or a security error, is displayed on the card balance display 50. Then, the process proceeds to S6, where the processor usable indicator 130 (see FIG. 1) is turned on and off. The control at the time of this abnormality will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart of a self-diagnosis process described later. If there is an abnormality in the recording data of the card, a command signal for collecting the abnormal card is output to the card reader / writer control unit 134.
On the other hand, in S7, the card insertion display 132 and the ball lending display 48d are turned on, and the card balance display 50 displays the current card balance.

Next, the flow proceeds to S8, where it is determined whether or not a ball lending operation has been performed. If not, the flow proceeds to S9, and it is determined whether or not a return operation has been performed. If not, the flow returns to S8. Then, if the player presses the return button 42c (see FIG. 1), the process proceeds to S10, the ball lending indicator 48d is turned off, and the process proceeds to S26 to perform control for returning the inserted card thereafter. On the other hand, if the player presses the ball lending button 44c (see FIG. 1), the process proceeds to S11, where the current balance of the inserted card, that is, the card balance display 50 (see FIG. 1).
Is determined to be greater than or equal to the balance set by the lending amount setting switch 137 (see FIG. 2). If the current balance is equal to or more than the set amount, the process of setting the set amount to the ball lending amount is performed in S12, and the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if the current balance is less than the set amount, the process proceeds to S14 after setting the current balance to the lending amount in S13. In other words, if the current balance of the inserted card is less than the set amount, it is not possible to set the set amount to the lending amount and pay out the pachinko ball for the set amount, so it is possible to pay out with the inserted card A process of setting the maximum amount of money, that is, the current balance of the inserted card, to the ball lending amount is performed.

Next, in S14, a process of turning off the ball lending indicator 48d (see FIG. 1) is performed. Since the ball lending operation is performed once and the ball lending operation based on the ball lending operation is completed, the next ball lending operation is not accepted.
Until the ball lending indicator is turned on by 3, the ball lending indicator 48d is turned off to display that the ball lending operation cannot be performed. Next, the process proceeds to S15, in which control for starting output of the ball lending request signal to the payout control microcomputer is performed.
Next, proceeding to S16, the timer T1 is set, and proceeding to S17, it is determined whether or not a ball lending preparation signal has been input from the payout control microcomputer.

In the payout control microcomputer, S
In response to the ball lending request signal received by No. 15, if ball lending is possible, preparation control for ball lending is performed, and then processing for outputting a ball lending preparation signal to the card processing machine control microcomputer is performed in S77. . If the microcomputer for controlling the card processor receives this ball lending preparation signal before the timer T1 set in S16 expires,
A determination of YES is made in S17, a ball lending command signal is output to the payout control microcomputer in S20, and then a process of waiting for the payout control microcomputer to transmit a signal indicating that ball lending is completed is performed. On the other hand, T1
If the ball lending preparation signal has not been input from the payout control microcomputer until the processing is completed, the process proceeds to S19,
The output of the ball lending request signal is stopped, the processing for clearing the ball lending amount is performed, and the process proceeds to S8.

If the pachinko gaming machine 60 has already paid out a lending ball, or has paid out a prize ball in accordance with a prize, S100, S101, S76, S76, which will be described later.
Since the process of 77 is not performed, the payout control microcomputer does not output the ball lending preparation signal until T1 is completed. In that case, the process of S19 is not performed. The time T1 is, for example, about 10 msec or more and about 10 sec or less.

On the other hand, after the ball lending command signal is output in S20, a process of subtracting the unit amount from the current balance and subtracting the unit amount from the lending amount is performed in S21. If the ball lending command signal in S20 is given to the payout control microcomputer, the pachinko ball corresponding to the unit amount (for example, 100 yen) is controlled by the pachinko gaming machine as will be described later. The unit amount corresponding to the pachinko ball to be lent is subtracted from the current balance of the inserted card, and the unit amount is subtracted from the lending amount set in S12 and S13. Next, in S22, a process of outputting a unit sales signal to the terminal box for the card processing machine via the unit box is performed.

The unit sales signal transmitted to the terminal box for card processing machine is output to the ball lending card central management computer, and the ball lending card use data is totaled by the ball lending card central management computer. In addition,
The sales signal output from the terminal box for a card processing machine to the ball lending card central management computer may be performed in real time, or may be performed at predetermined time intervals or collectively every day. In S23, a process of outputting a unit sales signal to the hall management computer is performed.
As a result, the hall management computer can obtain the sales information from either the card processing machine or the pachinko gaming machine, and also obtains the information from both sides, compares the sales information, and determines the abnormality if they do not match. Thus, a failure or the like can be found quickly.

Next, the flow advances to S27, where a timer T3 is set. The timer T3 is set to, for example, about 10 seconds in consideration of the time required for paying out the lending ball on the pachinko gaming machine side. If a ball lending completion signal is input from the payout control microcomputer before the timer T3 expires, the process proceeds to S31.
If the ball lending completion signal has not been input even if the processing has been completed, the process proceeds to S30, the processor usable indicator 130 (see FIG. 1) is turned off, and the process proceeds to S24. Then, the return control of the inserted card after S24 is performed. That is, although the ball lending preparation signal is input from the payout control microcomputer and the ball lending control should be performed by the payout control microcomputer, the ball lending completion signal is paid out even after the end of T3. The fact that no data is transmitted from the control microcomputer means that some kind of abnormality has occurred in the ball payout device or the like of the pachinko gaming machine, and in that case, the inserted card is returned to the player.

On the other hand, if a ball lending completion signal is input from the payout control microcomputer before the end of T3, S
Proceeding to 31, it is determined whether or not the lending amount = 0. If there is a remaining unpaid portion of the pachinko balls corresponding to the lending amount set in S12 and S13, the lending amount is not "0", and thus a NO determination is made in S31. Is made and the process proceeds to S15, where a ball lending request signal is output to the payout control microcomputer again. On the other hand, if all the pachinko balls have been paid out for the lending amount, then since the lending amount is 0, S
Proceeding to 32, it is determined whether or not the current balance = 0. If the current balance of the inserted card still remains, the process proceeds to S33, where the ball lending indicator 48d is turned on,
Proceeding to S8, the operation of accepting the ball lending operation and the return operation again is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S32 that the current balance is 0, the process proceeds to S34, and a process of outputting a balance 0 and a card write / discharge command signal to the card reader / writer control unit is performed. As a result, the card reader / writer control unit updates the card balance of the inserted card to “0” and returns the inserted card to the player.

Next, the card insertion display is turned on and off in S35, and the timer T4 is set in S36. This timer T4 is set in consideration of a time sufficient for the card reader / writer to return the inserted card after updating the balance of the inserted card to "0", and the timer T4 ends. If the card processing completion signal has not been received from the card reader / writer control unit before, S39
Then, a process of displaying a card processor abnormality by a code on the card balance display 50 is performed, and the processor available indicator 130 is controlled to blink. Specifically, for example, a code is displayed to indicate that the balance “0” cannot be written to the inserted card, an error when the written data is read and confirmed, and the like.

On the other hand, if a card processing completion signal is input from the card reader / writer control section before the timer T4 expires, the flow advances to S40 to display a card insertion display for displaying that a card is inserted. Bowl 132
(See FIG. 1) is turned off, and it is determined whether or not there is a ball lending abnormality in S41. If there is no ball lending, the process proceeds to S3, and control for accepting insertion of a new card into the card reader / writer is performed. When there is a ball lending abnormality, the process proceeds to S42, and the reception control of the payout possible signal is performed from the payout control microcomputer. As described above, every time a pachinko game machine borrows a pachinko ball (for example, 25 pieces) corresponding to a unit amount (for example, 100 yen), the ball is completely lent from the payout control microcomputer to the card processing machine control microcomputer. A signal is output, and each time the card processing machine control microcomputer inputs the output signal, it determines whether or not all the pachinko balls for the lending amount (see S12 and S13) have been lent. If there is an unlent portion that has not been lent, the lending of the unit amount (for example, 100 yen) of pachinko balls is repeated until all the unlent portion is lent.

FIG. 12 and FIG.
12 is a flowchart showing an interrupt program executed once every c. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart for self-diagnosis processing, and FIG. 13 shows a flowchart for fraction display processing.

In S43, a self-diagnosis is performed, and it is determined whether or not the result is appropriate. If determined to be appropriate, a determination is made at S44 as to whether or not a payout enable signal has been input from the payout control microcomputer 350 of the pachinko gaming machine 60 to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300. Returns to S43. If there is any abnormality as a result of the self-diagnosis, a NO determination is made in S43. The types of abnormalities are roughly classified into two types: errors that can be recovered by errors on the card processor side and errors that cannot be recovered by errors on the card processor side. An error that cannot be recovered by an error in the card processor is called a special error, and an error that can be recovered by an error in the card processor is called a normal error.

Specific examples of the normal error include, for example, when the inserted card is clogged in the card reader / writer, when an illegal card such as a forged card is inserted, or when predetermined data such as new balance data is inserted into the inserted card. If the write data is read and confirmed and the read data is not proper data, it is an error or the like due to poor communication with the card processor terminal box. Note that the unit sales signal is transmitted from the card processing machine 62 to the card processing terminal box 320. If communication failure with the card processing machine terminal box 320 occurs, the unit sales signal to be transmitted is transmitted. The amount data is stored in the card processor 62, and the error is usually generated only when the stored data reaches the limit of the storage capacity.

Specific examples of the special errors that cannot be recovered due to errors on the card processor side, such as errors that cannot be recovered without restarting the power supply, or card failure due to failure of the card processor. The error indicates that the processor 62 needs to be replaced. As a specific example of the error on the pachinko gaming machine side among the special errors, the ball lending preparation signal and the ball lending completion signal, whose signals change only when the above-described predetermined condition is satisfied, have changed from the beginning when the power is turned on. In this case, if the above-mentioned payout possible signal is not transmitted when the power is turned on, if the ball lending completion signal is not transmitted within T3 (see S29), the aforementioned payout possible signal is turned on during operation.
In the case of FF, that is, there is a power cut-off on the pachinko gaming machine side or a break in the signal line.

As a result of the self-diagnosis, when it is determined that there is any abnormality or that there is no input of a payout enable signal, the card processing control is interrupted in S45, and it is determined in S46 whether there is a special error. A decision is made. If the error that has occurred is a special error, S4
8 turns off the processor usable indicator 130 (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, if the error is not a special error, that is, if the error is a normal error, control for displaying a code indicating an abnormal location on the card balance display 50 (see FIG. 1) is performed in S47. In the case of a normal error, in addition to the display of S47, the processor usable indicator 130 is displayed.
Is controlled to blink.

Next, the fraction display processing will be described with reference to FIG. In step S49, the fraction display switch 131
It is determined whether or not (see FIG. 1) has been operated. If it has been operated, it is determined in S50 whether or not the ball lending process is being performed. If the ball lending process is not being performed, the process directly proceeds to S51. If the ball lending process is being performed, the display operation is invalidated. When the ball lending process is being performed, the process may proceed to S51 after the ball lending process ends. In S51, it is determined whether or not an error is occurring. This error includes a normal error and a special error as described above.

If it is determined in step S51 that no error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S52, and based on steps S52 to S56, the card balance display unit 50 (see FIG. 1) displays a fraction and a lending amount setting switch 137 (see FIG. 2). Display), the display of the balance set when the card is inserted, the display of the balance when the card is inserted, the card processor 62 and the unit box 8
The display of the unit number for specifying one set of 30 units and the display of the current balance of the inserted card balance that fluctuates with the game are performed. These various displays are sequentially switched and displayed at predetermined time intervals (for example, one second) in the order described above. Finally, the current balance display is performed in S56, and the current balance display is continuously displayed until the next display switching based on the operation of the fraction display switch 136 is performed.

Next, if the error determined to be in error in S51 is a special error, the flow advances to S58, and the card balance display 50 is displayed in accordance with S58 to S63.
(Refer to FIG. 1), an error code display for displaying the location of the abnormality or the content of the abnormality by a code, a fraction display, a set value display, a balance display at the time of insertion, a unit number display, and a current balance display in a predetermined time ( The display is switched at intervals of, for example, one second. Finally, the current balance is displayed, and the current balance is displayed until the next display switching based on the operation of the fraction display switch. As described above, the error code is displayed only after the fraction display operation is performed.

Next, if the error determined to be in error in S51 is a normal error, the process proceeds to S64, and the current balance is displayed on the card balance display 50 (see FIG. 1) according to S64 to S69. The display is switched at predetermined time intervals (for example, one second) in the order of display, fraction display, set value display, ball display at insertion, unit number display, and error code display. Finally, the error code is displayed, and the error code is continuously displayed until the next display is switched based on the operation of the fraction display switch.

FIGS. 14 to 19 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

While the program shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 15 to 19 is being executed, the interrupt program shown in FIG. 14 is executed, for example, once every 2 nsec. First, the interrupt program will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 14 shows an interrupt program for outputting a payout enable signal from the payout control microcomputer 350 to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300. Payout of balls to the pachinko gaming machine by S158. A determination is made as to whether there is an abnormality. A specific example of the payout abnormality will be described as a cause of the display of the payout abnormality code in FIGS. 15 to 19 described later. If there is an abnormality in payout, S
The output of the payout enable signal is stopped by 160, and if there is no abnormality in the payout, the payout enable signal is output in S159.

Next, the control operation for paying out balls will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in S70, it is determined whether or not both of the ball confirmation sensors A and B detect the presence of a ball. Then, when the pachinko ball is not present at both the detection positions of the ball confirmation sensor A (68a) and the ball confirmation sensor B (68b), the process proceeds to S91, and the ball counting sensors A (68c) and B (68d). It is determined whether or not any one of the pachinko balls has flowed down (see FIG. 4). If not, the ball confirmation sensor A (68a),
It is determined whether or not any of B (68b) (see FIG. 4) has detected the flow of the ball.
Then, it is determined whether the payout motor 223 (see FIG. 4) is rotating or not.
Return to 0.

If the payout motor 223 (see FIG. 4) is rotating during the circulation of the loop consisting of S70, S91 to S94, the flow proceeds to S95, and the payout abnormality is indicated by the error cause display 146 (see FIG. 2). Display with
After performing the ball removal process in S96, the process proceeds to S141.
The determination as to whether or not the payout motor is rotating in S94 is specifically made by detecting the light emission from the light projector 802a by the half-rotation detection sensor 802b (see FIG. 4). This is performed based on the detection of rotation.

The determination of YES in S94 means that the payout motor 223 has rotated even though the pachinko ball payout control has not been performed. (See FIG. 8). In such a case, it is notified that the motor drive circuit has failed. In addition, the ball driving process is performed to remove the ball in the ball tank 151 and the tank rail 67 (see FIG. 2). The pachinko balls are taken out of the machine to prevent a large amount of pachinko balls from being accidentally paid out to the hitting ball supply tray 59 (see FIG. 1). Next, ball counting sensors A and B
Alternatively, when either of the ball confirmation sensors A and B detects the flow of the ball, the process proceeds to S93, and an abnormality notification that the pachinko ball has been paid out even though the pachinko ball payout control is not performed. At the same time, a ball removal process is performed in S97.

Next, if a pachinko ball is present at the detection positions of the ball confirmation sensor A (68a) and the ball confirmation sensor B (68b), the flow advances to S71 to determine whether or not the full tank detection is performed. Is performed. Premium ball storage tray 122 (FIG. 1)
If the surplus ball storage tray 122 is not yet full, the process proceeds to S83, and if the surplus ball storage tray 122 is not yet full, the process proceeds to S83.
A determination is made as to whether it is zero. This "number of unpaid"
Means the number of pachinko balls that have not been paid out of the pachinko balls to be paid out, and S76 and S101.
Are set to the respective values, the count value of the payout counter is subtracted in S119, and the count value is cleared in S81.

If the number of unpaid items is “0”, S
Proceeding to 73, it is determined whether a ball lending request signal has been received from the card processing machine control microcomputer.
The determination in S73 is repeated until the timer T7 expires. If there is no ball lending request signal from the card processor controlling microcomputer until the timer T7 ends, the flow proceeds to S100. This timer T7 is provided for giving priority to the reception of the ball lending request over the reception of the winning prize ball only for a certain period of time.
Is set by On the other hand, before the timer T7 expires, if a ball lending request signal is sent from the card processing machine control microcomputer to the payout control microcomputer, the process proceeds to S74, and whether the tank ball sensor has detected a ball. A determination is made as to whether or not it is.

If there is no pachinko ball in the ball storage tank 151, the ball payout control cannot be performed based on the ball lending request signal.
When the pachinko ball is detected to be present in the ball storage tank 151 by (see FIG. 2), the process proceeds to S76, the unpaid number I is set to p, and the payout state is set to “ball lending”. Control for the ball lending operation is performed. Until the end of T7, the control for the ball lending operation is prioritized.
Is completed, the payout control of the prize ball based on the winning prize ball after S100 is performed.
2, S13) is 200 yen or more, the control for the ball lending operation is given priority over the payout control of the prize ball. Note that p in S76 is the number of pachinko balls corresponding to a unit amount (see S21), for example, 25.
It is determined individually.

Then, the flow advances to S77 for performing processing of outputting a ball lending preparation signal to the microcomputer 300 for controlling the card processor. The flow then advances to S78. After the timer T9 is set in S78, the process proceeds to S79, in which it is determined whether or not there is a ball lending command signal from the card processor.
Control is performed by 80 so that the determination in S79 is repeated until the timer T9 times out. During,
If the ball lending command signal is transmitted by S20, S82
The control proceeds to step S105 to start blinking of the ball lending indicator. The process proceeds to step S105.
After the number of unpaid items is cleared by 1, the process returns to S72.

In S100, it is determined whether or not the prize ball payout number data has been input from the game control microcomputer 370 to the payout control microcomputer 350. Game control microcomputer 37
There are three types of prize ball payout number data sent from 0: m payout command signal at S155, n payout command signal at S165, and k payout command signal at S164.
If none of them has been input, the process returns to S72, but if any of them has been input, the process proceeds to S101, and the number of unpaid prizes I (m or n or k) Is set. Next, the process proceeds to S102, and after turning on the payout display lamp, the process proceeds to S102.
The process proceeds to the payout control of balls 105 and thereafter.

At S105, the rotation of the payout motor 223 is controlled, and the routine proceeds to S106, where the half-turn detection sensor 80
It is determined whether or not 2b (see FIG. 4) has been turned on. If it has not been turned on yet, the process returns to S70.
Then, the determinations in S72, S71, and S83 are performed. At this stage, since the number of unpaid items is p, n, m, or k, a NO determination is made in S83, and S is performed again.
Proceed to 105. When the ball feed member 800 makes a half turn and the half turn detection sensor 802b is turned on, the process proceeds to S107, and the rotation counter is incremented by "1". As described above, the rotation counter is incremented by “1” each time the ball feeding member 800 makes a half turn, and is cleared in S117 described later.

Next, proceeding to S108, the payout ball counting sensor 6
It is determined whether or not 8c and 68d are turned on.
If not N, the process proceeds to S115. On the other hand, as described above, the pachinko balls are paid out to the payout ports 419a and 419b every time the ball feeding member 800 makes a half turn. And the payout counter is incremented by "1". Next, the process proceeds to S110, in which it is determined whether or not the payout state is “ball lending”. If the payout state is “ball lending”, the process proceeds to S115. If the prize ball is in the payout state, the process proceeds to S111, and a process of increasing the number of prize balls by "1" is performed.

That is, every time one prize ball is paid out based on the winning prize ball, the number of prize balls paid out is set to “1” in S111.
That is, a process of adding each is performed. Next, S11
According to 2, it is determined whether or not the number of prize balls has been paid out is "a", and if not, the process proceeds to S115.
If so, the process proceeds to S113, and a prize ball payout signal is output to the hall management computer via the gaming machine terminal box 149, the connectors 156, and 155. The hall management computer detects the number of disadvantageous balls that are disadvantageous for the game arcade based on the premium ball payout signal. As described above, every time a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out, a prize ball payout signal is output to the hall management computer by one pulse, and the prize required to output the one pulse prize ball payout signal is output. The number of balls to be paid out is “a”, and is set to, for example, ten. This “a” is the same value as the number of output units of the supply ball detector of the supply device 153. When the prize ball payout signal is output, the number of prize ball payouts is cleared in S114 and S115.
Proceed to.

In S115, it is determined whether or not the rotation counter (see S17) has reached the unpaid number I. If not, the flow returns to S70. As described above, this rotation counter is incremented by "1" each time the ball feeding member 800 makes a half rotation and one pachinko ball is paid out to the payout side, so that this rotation counter is used. Should be the same as the number of pachinko balls paid out as long as the normal payout is performed. When the rotation counter matches the unpaid number I, the flow proceeds to S116, the payout motor is stopped, the rotation counter is cleared in S117, and the flow proceeds to S118.

In S118, a magnitude relationship between the value of the payout counter and the number of unpaid items I is determined. If the ball dispenser 63 is operating normally, the value of the payout counter should be equal to the number of unpaid I when the rotation counter reaches the number of unpaid I, and in that case, the process proceeds to S121. After clearing the unpaid number I and the payout counter, the process proceeds to S122. on the other hand,
If the value of the payout counter is smaller than the unpaid number I due to malfunction of the ball payout device 63 or clogging of the pachinko balls to be paid out, the process proceeds to S119, and “the unpaid number I−the payout counter The calculation result of the “value” is updated to the new unpaid number I, the payout counter is cleared in S120, and the process returns to S105.

That is, if the number of pachinko balls actually paid out is less than the number of pachinko balls to be paid out, the shortage pachinko ball is calculated in S119, and the shortage is calculated. Set to new unpaid number and S1
The payout control of the shortage of the pachinko balls is performed by the processing after 05. On the other hand, if the value of the payout counter exceeds the unpaid number I due to a malfunction of the ball payout device 63 or the like, the process proceeds to S127, and the fact that a payout abnormality has occurred is displayed by a code on the error cause display 146. Is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S128, and after the ball removing process is performed, the process proceeds to S149.

In S122, it is determined whether or not the payout state is "ball lending".
The process proceeds to S30, but if it is "ball lending", the process proceeds to S123, in which a process of outputting a ball lending completion signal to the microcomputer for controlling the card processor is performed. The process proceeds to output a unit sales signal to the hall management computer via the gaming terminal box 149 and the connectors 158 and 157. The “unit amount sales signal” is a sales signal of a unit amount of pachinko balls due to a unit amount (see S12 and S13) of pachinko balls being lent using a card, and this signal is received. The management computer for the hall calculates the sales amount using the card. Then S1
26 sets the timer T7 and returns to S70.

In the case where the payout state is the payout of the prize ball based on the winning of the hit ball, when the payout of the prize ball is completed, the determination of NO is made in S122 and the step of S1 is performed.
From 30 onward, control is performed to discharge one prize ball for which the prize ball payout control has been completed to the outside of the machine. First, S
At 130, the timer T8 is set. This timer T8 is for measuring the time required for checking the payout ball discharging process. Next, in S131, the payout display lamp 126 (see FIG. 1) is turned off, and in S132, it is determined whether or not there is prize ball payout number data. As described above, the prize ball payout number data is transmitted from the game control microcomputer 370 to the payout control microcomputer 350 (S130), and the winning ball sensors A (170a) and B (17).
As long as the detection signal from 0b) (see FIG. 3) is input to the game control microcomputer 372, the prize ball payout number data is continuously transmitted from the game control microcomputer 370 to the payout control microcomputer 350.

During the prize ball payout control based on the prize ball, an abnormality occurs and the prize ball sensor 170
When the detection signals from the a and 170b are no longer input to the game control microcomputer 370, the prize ball payout number data is also sent from the game control microcomputer 370 to the payout control microcomputer 350.
Will not be entered in that case, and in that case, the process will proceed to S133, and the occurrence of a payout abnormality will be indicated by the error cause indicator 146
In addition, the display is performed by a code, and a ball removal process is performed from S134, and the process proceeds to S141. On the other hand, if there is prize ball payout number data input, the process proceeds to S135,
It is determined whether or not the sensor identification data is “sensor A”.

This judgment is made based on the output circuit 85 shown in FIG.
This is performed based on whether the 0 output port D4 is at a high level or a low level. When the prize ball payout control described above is performed based on the detection output from the winning ball sensor A (170a), the output port D
4 outputs a high-level signal. As a result, YES is determined in S135, and the process proceeds to S143. On the other hand, the prize ball payout control described above
If it is performed based on the detection output of the winning ball sensor B (170b), a low level signal will be output from the output port D4, in which case S135
Is determined as NO, and the process proceeds to S136.

In step S143, the discharge solenoid A (171)
a) is turned on to retract the actuator 25a, which is located at the detecting portion of the winning ball sensor A (170a) and prevents the slingshot ball from falling, so that the winning ball can be dropped downward. Next, the process proceeds to S144, where it is determined whether or not there is prize ball payout number data. At the stage where the actuator 25a is retracted backward, the winning ball sensor A (170a)
The pachinko ball located at the detecting portion of the prize starts to fall downward, and after the fall starts, the winning ball detection sensor A
Until the pachinko ball falls out of the detection section (170a), the detection output from the winning ball detection sensor A (170a) is continuously input to the game control microcomputer 370, and as a result, the game control microcomputer 374 Control microcomputer 350
Prize ball payout number data is continuously output.

In the meantime, a determination of YES is made in S144, the flow advances to S145, and it is determined whether or not the timer T8 has expired.
Step 4 is repeatedly executed. Then, until the timer T8 expires, the pachinko ball is a winning ball detection sensor A
If it falls outside the detection unit of (170a), the determination of NO is made in S144, the process proceeds to S146, the discharge solenoid A (170a) is turned off, and the process returns to S70. However, clogging and discharge solenoid A (170
a), the discharge solenoid A (171)
Even if the control for turning on a) is performed, the timer T8
If the input of the prize ball payout number data is not stopped before the end of the process, the process proceeds to S139, and such an error cause is displayed by a code on the error cause display 146. Next, the process proceeds to S140, in which ball removal processing is performed, and in S141, it is determined whether or not a reset operation has been performed, and the process waits until a reset operation is performed.
If the reset button 147 (see FIG. 2) is operated, the process returns to S72.

If the sensor identification data is not “Sensor A”, one prize ball located at the detection unit of the prize ball sensor B (170b) is dropped by one according to the steps of S136 to S138 and S142. Is performed, and this control is performed in steps S143 to S146 described above.
Since the control is the same as that described above, the description is not repeated here.

Next, S84, S97, S96, S13
FIG. 19 shows the specific contents of the ball dropping process shown in FIG.
It will be described based on. First, at S170, the timer T
11 is set. This timer T11 is used for the ball tank 1
This is for measuring a sufficient time required to discharge all the pachinko balls 51 and the pachinko balls in the tank rail 67 outside the machine. Next, in steps S171 and S172, the payout motor 223 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) until the timer T11 expires.
) To reverse the pachinko balls and remove the holes 803a, 803
03b and discharged outside the machine. Next, in S173, the payout motor is stopped, and the ball ejection processing ends. As a condition for stopping the payout motor, the payout motor may be stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed since the ball confirmation sensor stopped detecting the ball.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a control operation by the game control microcomputer 370.

First, in S150, it is determined whether or not a card processor connection signal has been input. If not, the flow advances to S151 to set an error flag. This card processor connection signal is transmitted to the photocoupler 85 described with reference to FIG.
2 is a signal input to the game control microcomputer 370 via the photocoupler input circuit 854. The card processing is performed by electrically connecting the card processor 62 and the pachinko gaming machine 60. The device connection signal is input. On the other hand, when the error flag is set in S151, the power flag of the pachinko gaming machine 60 is turned on again to clear the error flag and the pachinko gaming machine 60 becomes operable.

If YES is determined in S150, it is determined in S152 whether or not the winning ball sensor A (170a) detects the presence of a ball. If the presence of a ball is detected, the process proceeds to S153, and the process proceeds to S153. The A detection flag is set, and the sensor identification data is set to “sensor A”. Next, the process proceeds to S154, and it is determined whether or not the winning memory is "0". This winning memory is incremented by "1" at S157 when a pachinko ball wins in the starting winning opening 125a, and when the payout control of the prize ball based on the winning ball in the starting winning opening 125a ends, S1 is reached.
61 is subtracted by “1” at a time. If the winning memory is not "0", that is, if the pachinko ball has won the starting winning opening 125a and the prize ball payout control based on the winning ball has not been completed, the process proceeds to S165, and n
Dispensing control signal microcomputer 350 for dispensing command signal
Is performed, and the process proceeds to S156.

As a result, the pachinko ball is turned into the starting winning opening 12
When the player wins 5a, payout control of n (seven) prize balls is performed. On the other hand, when the winning memory is “0”, that is, when the pachinko ball has won one of the start winning ports 125b and 125c, an m-payout command signal is transmitted to the payout control microcomputer in S155. As a result, the pachinko ball is the starting winning opening 125
If either b or 125c is won, m
Payout control of (10) prize balls is performed. Then S1
The process proceeds to 56, where it is determined whether or not a detection signal has been input from the start winning ball detection switch 128a. If not, the process returns to S150. S
Return to 150.

The payout control microcomputer 130 based on the m payout command signal or the n payout command signal described above.
The payout control of the prize ball is performed by this, and at the stage when the payout control is finished, as described above, the winning ball sensor A (170)
The control for dropping one winning ball located in the detecting portion of a) below is performed. When the winning ball falls downward, the winning ball sensor A stops detecting the presence of the ball, A NO determination is made based on the result S152, and S
Proceed to 158. In S158, it is determined whether or not the sensor A detection flag is set. If the flag is set, the process proceeds to S159, where the sensor A detection flag is cleared. A determination is made as to whether there is any data.
After subtracting “1” from the winning memory from 1, the process proceeds to S162,
If the winning memory is "0", the process proceeds directly to S162.

In S162, the winning ball sensor B (170)
It is determined whether or not b) detects the presence of a ball.
If it has not been detected, the process proceeds to S156, but if it has been detected, the process proceeds to S163, where the sensor identification data is set to "sensor B", and after the k payout command signal has been transmitted to the payout control microcomputer in S164, the process proceeds to S156. Proceed to. As a result, the pachinko balls are activated starting winning ports 125a, 12
When a prize ball other than 5b and 125c is won and a prize ball is detected by the prize ball sensor B (170b) and a prize ball is detected by the prize ball sensor B (170b), a payout command signal of k (15) prize balls is paid out. Sent to the microcomputer.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart illustrating the operation timing of the card processor and the pachinko gaming machine.

First, the power is turned on (power on), and at the time point A, the ball lending preparation signal line is turned on, and a payout enable signal on the pachinko gaming machine side is output. Next, at the time point B when the card is accepted, the card insertion indicator 132 and the ball lending indicator 4
8d turns ON. Next, the ball lending operation detector 44d
It becomes N, and the ball lending operation of the player is detected, and at the time of C, the detection of the ball lending operation is performed. At this point, the ball lending indicator 48d is turned off and turned off, the ball lending signal line is turned on, and the card processor 62 enters the ball lending enabled state. At a time point D at which a predetermined delay time a (for example, 20 msec) has elapsed from the time point C, the ball lending request signal line is turned on, and the ball lending request signal is output from the card processor 62 to the pachinko gaming machine 60 side. . The reason why the predetermined delay time a is provided is to provide a sufficient time for the pachinko gaming machine to determine that the ball lending possible signal line has been turned on, thereby preventing a malfunction due to noise.

From the time point D, the ball lending preparation signal confirmation time b (b ≦ T) measured by the timer T1 shown in S18.
At the time point E at which 1) has elapsed, the payout state signal line is turned ON, and a ball lending preparation signal is output from the pachinko gaming machine 60 to the card processing machine 62. From this point, the ball lending command signal confirmation time c (c ≦ T) measured by the timer T9 shown in S80.
At the time point F when 9) has elapsed, the ball lending request signal line is turned off, and as a result, a ball lending command signal is output from the card processor 62 to the pachinko gaming machine 60. At the time point G at which the ball lending completion signal confirmation time d (d ≦ T3) measured by the timer T3 shown in S29 has elapsed from this point, the payout state signal line is turned off, and accordingly, the ball lending completion signal Is the card processing machine 6 from the pachinko gaming machine 60 side.
It is output to the second side.

Further, from this point, the timer T in S75
Next ball lending request signal confirmation time e measured at 7 (e ≦ T7)
The ball lending request signal line is turned ON at the point of time D which has elapsed, and the next ball lending request signal is output from the card processing machine 62 to the pachinko gaming machine 60, and the ball lending preparation signal is output in the same manner as described above. The output of the ball lending command signal and the output of the ball lending completion signal are repeated. In FIG. 21, the output of the ball lending request signal, the output of the ball lending preparation signal, the output of the ball lending command signal, and the output of the ball lending completion signal are repeated three times in total, and the time when the last ball lending completion signal is output When the ball lending request signal is not output during the next ball lending request signal confirmation time e, the ball lending enable signal line is turned off.
Switch to. Next, the return operation detector 42d is turned ON and H
At this point, the player's return operation is detected, and at that point, the card insertion indicator 132 flashes and the ball lending indicator 48d turns off and goes off. Then, at the time of I, the card is returned to the player.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining a ball dispenser 63 and its peripheral devices according to the second embodiment. The ball dispenser 63 is mounted on the mechanism plate 7 by the mounting holes 904.
The ball guide rail 6 is provided with a screw on the 51 side.
The pachinko balls sent in a line from 7 to 2 are supplied into the ball dispenser 63 from the ball passages 64a and 64b. The ball payout device 63 includes a payout motor 223, a ball feed member 800 rotated by the payout motor 223, and a notch 813 formed at the left end of the ball feed member 800 in the drawing.
Projector 802a, ball feed member 800 provided inside
Is provided with a half-turn detection sensor 802b that receives light emitted from the light emitter 802a every time the. further,
Each wiring 810 connected to the light emitter 102a, the half-rotation detection sensor 802b, and the payout motor 223 has a wiring hole 808.
And is connected to the payout central control board 730. The structure of the ball dispenser 63 provided with such various components is similar to that of the above-described first embodiment.

At the bent portion of the ball guiding rail 67, a ball removing member 881 is provided to be swingable. The ball removing member 881 normally has a posture of closing a bent portion of the ball guiding rail 67 as shown by a solid line in the drawing. Then, a staff member of the game arcade operates a control rod (not shown) from the front of the front frame.
When the operation of opening the ball-dropping member 881 is performed by the above operation, the ball-dropping member 881 swings in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing and assumes the posture shown by the broken line in the drawing. Then, the ball guide rail 67
The pachinko ball in the ball tank 151 (see FIG. 2) is released from the bent portion of the ball through the ball guide rail 67 and the discharge path 1 and discharged out of the machine. Further, when a staff member of the game arcade operates the operation rod again, the ball removing member 881 rotates clockwise to the closed position shown in the illustrated embodiment, and is locked in the closed position.

In each of the ball passages 64a and 64b, ball sensing members 920a and 920b are rotatably provided. In a state where the pachinko balls are not supplied from the ball guiding rail 67, the ball sensing members 920a and 920b rotate clockwise in the drawing to the posture shown by the broken line, and detect the rotation of the ball sensing members 920a and 920b. The ball confirmation sensors A (68a) and B (68b) are turned off. On the other hand, if a pachinko ball is supplied from the ball guiding rail 67, the ball sensing member 920 is generated by the weight of the supplied pachinko ball.
a, 920b rotate counterclockwise, and assume the posture shown in the illustrated embodiment. Then, the ball confirmation sensor A (68
a) and B (68b) are turned ON.

A ball guiding member 882 is provided below the ball dispenser 63.
Is provided. The ball guiding member 882 is provided with convexities 883a and 883b for guiding the flow of the balls, and the pachinko balls discharged from the payout ports 419a and 419b are guided by the convexities 883a and 883b and smoothly. It is configured to fall down. The ball dispenser 63 is provided with a ball feed member 8 as in the first embodiment.
00 is not configured to discharge the ball to the outside of the machine by reversing, so that the payout ports 419a and 419b are formed only in the feeding direction of the pachinko ball in which the ball feeding member 800 is rotated forward and sent out. Have been. In the figure, 80
Reference numerals 5a and 805b denote ball feed passages, 880a and 880b denote ball passage members, and 806 denotes a ball pressure receiving member.

FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view as seen from a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the ball feeding member 800. Ball dispenser 63
Ball passage members 880a and 880b that supply pachinko balls to the ball inlets 884a and 884b of the ball inlets 884a and 884b.
The shape is adjusted to the height position of 4b. Ball dispenser 6
In a portion slightly below the third ball inlets 884a and 884b, a ball pressure relaxing member 885 is provided, and the ball passages 64a and 6b are provided.
4b, the ball pressure of the pachinko balls supplied thereto is applied to the shape portion of the ball pressure reducing member 885, and the ball feed passage 8
The ball pressure applied to the pachinko balls 05a and 805b is reduced. A space 886 is formed in the ball pressure reducing member 885, and the light projector 802a, the half-turn detection sensor 8
The wiring of 02b is drawn out to the outside through this space 886.

At the end of the ball feeding member 800, a pair of projections 887 and cuts are provided, and the pair of projections 88 are provided.
7 is a notch 813. Then, the pair of projections 8
23, the light projector 802a is provided so as to be positioned between them. In the state shown in FIG.
2b so as not to be detected. Then, when the ball feeding member 800 rotates 45 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 23, the light emitted from the light projector 802a reaches a half rotation detection sensor 802b through a space between the pair of projections 887, As a result, each time the ball feed member 800 makes a half turn, the half-turn detection sensor 802b enters a state of receiving the light emitted from the light projector 802a.

A cover 888 made of black synthetic resin is provided below the half-turn detection sensor 802b so that light emitted from other than the projector 802a does not reach the half-turn detection sensor 802b. ing. The width of the cover 888 is configured to be substantially the same as the width of the ball pressure reducing member 885 in the drawing, so that the pachinko balls falling from both sides do not collide with the cover 888. I have. Incidentally, reference numeral 915 in the figure denotes a cover.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the structure of the ball dispenser. The ball dispenser 63 mainly includes a pair of housings 804a and 804b, a dispensing motor 223, a ball pressure relaxing member 885, and an optical detector 802.

The payout motor 223 is provided with a ball feed member 800 having a cutout 813 formed therein. The payout motor 223 is connected to the housing 80 via a motor mounting bracket 899.
4a. This motor mounting bracket 899 includes
A motor mounting hole 900 is provided, and the dispensing motor 223 is screwed into the motor mounting hole 900. Further, a mounting hole 90 formed in the motor mounting bracket 899 is provided.
1 and a motor mounting bracket 899 is attached to the housing 8
It is screwed and fixed to the mounting hole 04a. The mounting hole 9
01 is also configured so that a wiring press fitting 906 is screwed and fixed. The wiring 810 of the payout motor 223 is held by the wiring press fitting 906 so as not to be obstructed. Drawn to. A connector 907 is provided at the end of the wiring 810 of the payout motor 223.
Is connected to the relay terminal board 138 via the.

The optical detector 802 has a cover made of black synthetic resin, and includes a light projector 802a and the light projector 802a.
A half-rotation detection sensor 802b that receives the light projected from a is provided to face. The optical detector 802 has groove-shaped recesses 890 and 891 formed therein.
The convex portion 910 formed in the optical detector storage space 898 of 4a is inserted into the concave portions 890 and 891, and a pair of housings 804a and 804b are assembled, whereby the optical detector 802 is fixed. . Further, it may be formed integrally with the ball pressure relaxing member 885.

A pair of projections 894 protrude from the internal space of the ball pressure relaxing member 885, and the wiring 810 connected to the optical detector 802 passes through the internal space of the ball pressure relaxing member 885. When being pulled out of the dispenser 63, the wiring 810 is locked by the convex portion 814 so as not to hang down below the ball pressure fitting member 885. This can prevent the wiring 810 from hanging down and coming into contact with the ball feeding member 800. A connector 909 is provided at the end of the wiring 810 of the optical detector 802, and the connector 909 is connected to the relay terminal board 138. Further, a hole 892,
A pair of holes 892 are provided at symmetric positions on the left and right, respectively, and bosses 896 and 897 formed on the housings 804a and 804b (the bosses formed on the housing 804b are omitted in the drawing). , 893 to fix the ball pressure relaxing member 885.

The housing 804a is provided with a ball inlet 884a, a ball outlet 419a, a ball feed passage 805a, a ball pressure receiving portion 806, and the like. On the other hand, the method of the housing 804b also includes a ball inlet 884b, a ball outlet 819b, a ball pressure receiving portion 806, and a ball feed passage 805b. On the other hand, the housing 804b is formed with a slit hole 905 as a heat radiation hole of the payout motor, and is formed with a convex portion 902.
A concave portion 896 is formed in a portion of the housing 804a corresponding to the convex portion 902, and a pair of the housings 804a and 804 are formed.
The projection 902 is configured to fit into the recess 896 when 04b is fitted. And a pair of housings 8
The housings 804a and 804b are integrally fixed by screws with the 04a and 804b together. Also,
A screw is inserted into the hole 904 for mounting the ball dispenser 63 formed on the housing 804b, and the screw is used to dispose the ball dispenser 6 with the screw.
3 is attached to the mechanism plate side.

In the embodiment described above, an example in which a player is paid out a premium ball is given as an example of giving a player a game value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a hit ball wins. On the basis of the occurrence of a predetermined game state such as, for example, a score of a predetermined size is added, and the score obtained by the player at the end of the game is recorded on a recording medium such as a card, and A so-called card-type gaming machine configured to be discharged to a computer may be used.

The card processing machine 62 accepts a recording medium (card) and lends a game medium using a value (card balance) specified by the recording information of the recording medium so that the card can be used for a game. Media processing device for issuing a command (a ball lending request signal, a ball lending command signal) for the same. The pachinko game machine 60 constitutes a ball and ball game machine configured to be able to communicate signals to the recording medium processing device. The ball passage 64a,
The game medium passage is constituted by 64b.

The ball payout device 63 constitutes a game medium payout means for paying out the game medium flowing down the game medium passage. The ball sensing members 920a, 920b,
Game medium detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a game medium in the game medium passage by the ball confirmation sensors A (68a) and B (68b). The payout control microcomputer 350 constitutes value giving control means for controlling the game medium paying means to pay out prize game media to give value.

The value grant control means receives a lending request signal (ball lending request signal) for requesting lending from the recording medium processing device, and detects that a game medium is present by the game medium detecting means. (A condition that YES has been determined in both S73 and S74), a lending preparation signal (ball lending preparation signal) indicating that lending is ready is returned to the recording medium processing device. Then, a preparatory operation necessary for lending a predetermined unit of game medium is performed (S10).
5 to S121). Then, the lending of the required amount of game media can be executed by performing the lending control of one unit from the reception of the lending request signal to the lending of the one unit of gaming medium a plurality of times (S123, S28, S28). S31,
S15 to S28) and S73 to S7
9, S82, S105 to S126, and S70 to S73).

If the lending command signal is not received within a predetermined period after returning the lending preparation signal, the lending preparation is stopped (the ball lending command is not issued until the timer T9 expires). If the signal is not input, the determination of YES is made in S80, the unpaid number is cleared in S81, and the preparation for lending is stopped). By S125, a lending information output unit configured to output 1-unit lending information (unit-amount sales signal) from the ball game machine every time the 1-unit lending control is executed. The remaining amount display unit (card balance display unit) 50 constitutes balance display means which is controlled by the recording medium processing device and displays a balance of value specified by the recording information of the recording medium. Then, as described above, the balance display means updates the display each time the value is reduced and used to lend game media, and displays the current value that has been reduced and updated (S21, S56, S63, S64).

As described above, the value assignment control means supplies electric power to the recording medium processing device (supplies electric power from the power supply 700 on the pachinko gaming machine side to the power supply circuit 701 on the card processing machine 62 side). .

The resistors 730a to 730g constitute resistors for setting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the balance display means to a desired value. The photo coupler 85
5 to 859 constitute a photocoupler which once converts a signal communicated with the recording medium processing device into light and then converts it again into an electric signal. By the above S150,
A connection abnormality determining unit is configured to determine whether or not the recording medium processing device is connected, and to determine an abnormality when the connection is not performed.

The winning ball sensors A (170a) and B (1
70b) constitutes a winning ball detecting means for detecting a winning ball hit by being hit into the game area. As described above with reference to FIG. 9, the detection signal of the winning ball detection means is input to the game control means without passing through the value provision control means, and according to the input signal, the game control means (Award ball number signals D0 to D3) are output to the value giving control means (S152 to S164).

The ball sensing members 920a and 920b constitute a sensing member disposed above the game medium passage and formed long in the direction of the game medium passage. The sensing member is pivotally supported on the upper side in the passage direction so that the sensing member swings in the retreating direction with respect to the game medium passage depending on the presence or absence of the game medium in the game medium passage ( See FIG. 22). The ball confirmation sensor A (68
a) and B (68b) constitute a game medium deficiency confirmation sensor that detects the deficiency of the game medium in the game medium passage in conjunction with the swing of the sensing member.

A gentle inclined passage portion is formed by the gentle inclined passage portion provided on the upper end side of the ball passages 64a and 64b. The sensing member is arranged in the gentle inclined passage portion (see FIG. 22).

As described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, the game medium passage constituted by the ball passages 64a and 64b has two passages through which the game medium flows, and the two passages. Each of them is provided with the sensing members (ball sensing members 920a and 920b) and the game medium deficiency confirmation sensors (ball confirmation sensors A (68a) and B (68b)).

The game medium passage has an S-shaped passage portion having a gentle inclined passage portion, a vertical passage portion following it, a gentle inclined passage portion following it, a vertical passage portion following it, and a gentle inclined passage portion continuing therefrom. (See FIG. 22).

[0188]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a lending preparation signal is returned to the recording medium processing device on condition that the lending request signal from the recording medium processing device is received, and
Since the preparation operation necessary for lending the unit of game media is performed, it is confirmed that the lending is ready on the ball game machine side, and then the ball game machine side securely and without difficulty Lending of game media becomes possible. On the other hand, for example,
In the case where the required amount of game media is lent by a single control operation from the reception of the loan request signal to the control of renting the game media, when the requested amount of game media is changed, the requested amount of game media is changed. Although the lending control operation must be performed, in the case of the present invention, since the lending request amount is supported by the number of executions of the lending control, there is no need to change the contents of the lending control itself. Control can be simplified.

Further, if the lending command signal is not output within a predetermined period from the reply of the lending preparation signal, the lending preparation is stopped on the side of the ball game machine in order to suspend the lending preparation. It is possible to prevent the state from continuing unnecessarily. Since the power is supplied from the ball game machine to the recording medium processing device and the power supply source is made one, the power supply sources are different between the ball game machine side and the recording medium processing device side. Can be prevented as much as possible.

Since one-unit lending information is output from the ball-and-ball game machine every time one-unit lending control is executed, the lending amount of the game medium can be reduced by totalizing the number of times of the one-unit lending information output. It can be easily indexed and can be used for game center management.

The balance display means controlled by the recording medium processing apparatus is provided in the ball-and-ball game machine, and the display of the balance display means is updated and reduced each time the valuable value is used and the reduction is updated. Since the current value is displayed, the player playing the game with the ball game machine can easily recognize the current balance of the value.

Further, since the sensing member is provided on the upper side of the game medium passage and a game medium shortage confirmation sensor for detecting the lack of the game medium in the game medium passage in conjunction with the swing of the sensing member is provided. Lack of game media in the lower game media passage from the sensing member, that is, lack of game media due to clogging of game media on the upper side of the sensing member, can be detected as reliably as possible.

Further, since the sensing member is formed long in the direction of the game medium passage, the sensing member does not swing unstably due to the individual game media in the game medium passage. Malfunction can be prevented as much as possible.

Further, since the sensing member is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing around the upper side in the passage direction, when the sensing member protrudes into the game medium passage, the game is inserted into the game medium passage. Even if a medium is inserted, the sensing member can prevent the game medium from being clogged in the game medium passage as much as possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, since the magnitude of the voltage applied to the balance display means becomes a desired value by a resistor, The balance is satisfactorily displayed by the voltage of the desired value.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, a signal communicated between the recording medium processing device and the ball and ball game machine is provided. Once converted to light and then converted back to electrical signals for communication, even if an abnormally high voltage occurs due to a failure or the like in one of the recording medium processing device and the ball game machine,
Inconvenience that the abnormally high voltage is directly transmitted to the other side and adversely affected by the abnormally high voltage can be prevented as much as possible.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention,
It is possible to determine that an abnormal usage such as operating a ball game machine without being connected to the recording medium processing device is performed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention,
Since the winning ball detection signal is inputted to the game control means without passing through the value provision control means, it is sufficient to transmit the prize ball data from the game control means to the value provision control means in only one direction, and the prize game. Unauthorized operation due to input of an illegal operation signal to the game control means that may occur when information is transmitted from the value provision control means to the game control means while the game control means has a function to instruct the number of media to be paid out Can be prevented as much as possible.

According to the present invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effects of the invention described in any of claims 1 to 5,
When replenishing the game medium into the game medium passage, the sensing member is arranged in the gentle slope passage portion where the moving speed is slow, so that the sensing member comes into contact with the game medium and swings. Nevertheless, damage to the sensing member due to contact with the game medium can be reduced.

According to the present invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effects of the invention described in any of claims 1 to 6,
Since the number of the game medium passages is two, the payout speed of the game medium can be improved as compared with the case of one. In addition, since the sensing member and the game medium deficiency confirmation sensor are provided in each of the two game medium passages, the lack of the game medium due to clogging of the game medium or the like can be minimized in any of the two passages. Can be detected.

According to the present invention described in claim 8, in addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7,
Since the game medium passage has the S-shaped passage, the pressure of the game medium passing through the game medium passage in a daisy-chained manner can be reduced by the S-shaped passage. The inconvenience of applying pressure can be reduced as much as possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a pachinko game machine and a card processing machine as an example of a ball game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a partial internal structure of the card processing machine and the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a main part for explaining the structure and operation of a winning ball processing device.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the ball dispenser.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the ball dispenser.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the card processor.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit for transmitting and receiving signals between a pachinko gaming machine and a card processor.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the payout central control board.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a circuit for transmitting and receiving prize ball payout number data between a payout central control board and a game control board.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a control operation by the game control microcomputer.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart for explaining operation timings of the card processing machine and the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a ball dispenser and its peripheral devices according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a ball dispenser and its peripheral devices according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of a ball dispenser according to a second embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 63 is a ball dispenser, 730 is a dispensing central control board, 148 '
Is a game control board, 250 is a payout control microcomputer, 62 is a card processing machine, 60 is a pachinko gaming machine,
445 is a winning ball processing mechanism, 370 is a microcomputer for controlling a game, 223 is a payout motor, 800 is a ball feeding member, 802a is a light emitter, 802b is a half-turn detection sensor, 48d is a ball lending display, and 50 is a card balance display. vessel,
44d is a ball lending operation detector, 42d is a return operation detector, 7
06 to 713 are switch circuits, 700 is a power supply, and 701 is a power supply circuit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) A63F 7/02 350 A63F 7/02 350Z

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium processing device for receiving a recording medium and issuing a command for renting a game medium using a value specified by recording information of the recording medium so that the medium can be used for a game. A ball-and-ball game machine configured to be able to communicate signals, a game medium passage through which a game medium flows down, a game medium payout means for paying out a game medium flowing down the game medium passage, Game medium detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a game medium in the game medium passage; value giving control means for controlling the game medium paying means to pay out a prize game medium to perform value giving control; and the recording medium processing device. And a balance display means for displaying a balance of a value specified by the recording information of the recording medium, wherein the value giving control means lends from the recording medium processing device. The recording medium processing device receives a lending request signal indicating that the player is ready for lending on the condition that the presence of a game medium is detected by the game medium detecting means. And performs a preparatory operation necessary to lend a predetermined unit of game media, and performs a lending control from the reception of the lending request signal to the lending of the 1 unit gaming medium a plurality of times. By this means, it is possible to execute lending of the required amount of game media, and if the lending command signal is not received within a predetermined period after returning the lending preparation signal, the lending preparation is performed. Stopping, further comprising lending information output means for outputting one unit lending information from the ball game machine each time the one unit lending control is performed, wherein the balance display means is used for lending game media, Each time the value is reduced, the display is updated to display the current value that has been reduced, the power is supplied from the ball game machine side to the recording medium processing device side, and the game medium detection means On the upper side of the game medium passage, a sensing member which is formed to be long in the direction of the game medium passage is arranged, and the sensing member is positioned with respect to the game medium passage depending on the presence or absence of the game medium in the game medium passage. The sensing member is pivotally supported on the upper side in the passage direction so as to swing in the retreating direction, and detects the lack of the game medium in the game medium passage in conjunction with the swing of the sensing member. A ball game machine characterized by being provided with a game medium shortage confirmation sensor. 2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a resistor for setting a magnitude of a voltage applied to said balance display means to a desired value. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a photocoupler for once converting a signal communicated with the recording medium processing device into an optical signal and then converting the signal into an electric signal again. The ball game machine described. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection abnormality judging means for judging whether or not the connection with the recording medium processing device is established, and judging an abnormality when the connection is not established. The ball game machine according to claim 3. 5. A game control means for controlling a game state of a ball game machine and outputting prize ball data for instructing the number of game media to be paid out according to a game result to said value provision control means. And a prize ball detecting means for detecting a prize ball hit in the game area, wherein a detection signal of the prize ball detection means is inputted to the game control means without passing through the value provision control means. Wherein the game control means outputs the prize ball data to the value provision control means in accordance with the input signal.
The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The game medium passage according to claim 1, wherein said game medium passage is provided with a gentle inclination passage portion at an upper end side, wherein said sensing member is disposed in said gentle inclination passage portion. The ball game machine according to any of the above. 7. The game medium passage has two passages through which the game medium flows, and each of the two passages is provided with the sensing member and the game medium deficiency confirmation sensor. The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: 8. The game medium passage having a gentle inclined passage portion, a vertical passage portion following it, a gentle inclined passage portion following it, a vertical passage portion following it, and a gentle inclined passage portion continuing therefrom.
A passage having a U-shaped passage portion.
The ball game machine according to claim 7.