JP2001310060A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cope with both coins and paper money as cash in a game device in which values or the game can be added or updated to a recording medium. SOLUTION: A card unit 50 is provided with a card processor 82 for reading the recorded information of an IC card where at least information for specifying the size of the values for the game usable for a game is recorded, a coin processor 87 for receiving the coins, identifying the received coins and judging authenticity, a paper money processor 84 for receiving the paper money, identifying the received paper money and judging the authenticity, and a value-for-game adding and updating means for performing the processing of adding and updating the size of the values for the game pertinent to the cash identified in the paper money processor and the coin processor to the size of the values for the game specified from the IC card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a prepaid card such as a magnetic card or an IC card provided in a game arcade or corresponding to a game machine installed on a game machine installation island. The present invention relates to a gaming device capable of executing a process of reading recorded information on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This kind of CR that uses a prepaid game card (game recording medium), reads the prepaid card into a card reader, borrows a ball, and enjoys a game.
A pachinko machine is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-34390 (A63F7 / 02). A card reader is provided corresponding to each CR pachinko machine, or provided for two CR pachinko machines, and a plurality of such CR pachinko machines and card readers are arranged on the game machine installation island of the game arcade. Has been established.

[0003] When playing a game with such a CR pachinko machine, first, cash is put into a prepaid card vending machine installed in a game arcade, and a prepaid card that can be purchased with the cash is selected. As a prepaid card, a magnetic card or the like is used, and in a prepaid card vending machine, information for specifying a selected frequency (information for specifying the size of a game value) is recorded on the prepaid card and provided to a player. Is done.

[0004] A player selects a CR pachinko machine for playing a game and inserts the purchased prepaid card into a card reader corresponding to the selected machine. The card reader reads the information recorded on the inserted prepaid card, and specifies the number of possible games. Then, when the player performs the withdrawal operation, the number of hit balls (game media) is paid out from the CR pachinko machine, and the frequency of the withdrawal is subtracted from the record information of the prepaid card. Met.

[0005] If the remaining number of prepaid cards becomes zero due to such a game on a CR pachinko machine using such prepaid cards, a new prepaid card must be purchased again at the prepaid card vending machine. In addition, there has been proposed a gaming machine capable of adding and updating the remaining number of the prepaid card by adding cash to the remaining number of the prepaid card by adding cash to the remaining number of the prepaid card (game value). .

[0006]

However, since bills and coins are used as cash in this kind of amusement arcade, bills and coins are also used when adding and updating prepaid cards as described above. . Therefore, in the case of a device that can use only coins or only banknotes, it becomes extremely inconvenient in games, and leads to a decrease in interest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problem. In a gaming machine capable of adding and updating a gaming value on a recording medium, a coin and a bill are used as cash. The purpose is to be able to handle any of them.

[0008]

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus for recording a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying at least a value of a game value usable for a game is recorded. Game recording medium reading means for reading information;
Coin identification means for accepting coins, identifying the received coins and determining authenticity, bill identifying means for accepting bills, identifying the accepted bills and determining authenticity, and these coin identifying means, bill identifying means And a game value adding / updating means for adding and updating the value of the game value corresponding to the cash identified in the above to the size of the game value specified from the game recording medium. It is characterized by the following.

A gaming machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine which is provided in correspondence with a gaming machine and has at least information for specifying a value of a gaming value that can be used for a game. A game recording medium processing means for reading the recorded information and performing processing for converting a game value of a size specified from the read information into a game medium used for the game; And accept coins,
Coin identification means for performing identification and authenticity determination of the received coin, bill identification means for receiving the bill, and identifying the received bill and determining authenticity, these coin identification means, identified by the bill identification means. Gaming value adding and updating means for adding and updating the value of the game value corresponding to the cash to the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium. I do.

[0010] The gaming machine according to the third aspect of the present invention is the first aspect.
, The game recording medium reading means is provided below the bill discriminating means and the coin discriminating means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine.
, The bill discriminating means is provided on the upper part, the coin discriminating means is provided below the bill discriminating means, and the game recording medium processing means is provided below the coin discriminating means.

A game device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above inventions, at least one of the coin identifying means and the bill identifying means is capable of identifying cash of a plurality of denominations. I do.

A game device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above-mentioned inventions, at least the bill identifying means and the coin identifying means are provided adjacent to each other.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine comprises:
A game recording medium reading means for reading recording information of a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying at least a value of a game value usable for a game is recorded, a coin is received, and identification of the received coin is performed. A coin identification means for determining authenticity, a bill identification means for receiving a bill, identifying the accepted bill and determining the authenticity, and a game corresponding to cash identified by the coin identification means and the bill identification means. A game value adding / updating means for adding and updating the value of the value to the value of the value of the game specified from the recording medium for the game; By inserting the cash, the cash can be added and updated to the game value specified from the game recording medium.

[0015] Thereby, the player can continue the game by adding the game value to the game recording medium without purchasing a new game recording medium. Thus, costs can be reduced and resources can be effectively used by reducing the cost.

In particular, since both the coin discriminating means and the bill discriminating means are provided in the gaming machine, it is possible to use the cash of both coins and bills for adding and updating the game value. This greatly improves the convenience of the player.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the gaming device is provided corresponding to the gaming machine, and has a gaming recording in which information capable of specifying at least the size of the gaming value that can be used for the gaming is recorded. Provided with a game recording medium processing means for performing processing for reading recorded information of a medium and converting a game value of a size specified from the read information into a game medium used for the game Coin identification means for accepting coins, identifying the accepted coins and determining authenticity, bill identifying means for accepting bills, identifying the accepted bills and determining authenticity, and these coin identifying means , Adding and updating the value of the game value corresponding to the cash identified by the bill identifying means to the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium. Means, the cash is inserted into the gaming device provided corresponding to the gaming machine, and the cash can be added to and updated to the gaming value specified from the gaming recording medium. become able to.

Thus, the player can continue to play the game by adding the value of the game to the game recording medium while playing the game without purchasing a new game recording medium. As the occupancy rate improves, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the interest of the player, and it is possible to reduce costs and reuse resources by reusing the game recording medium.

In particular, in this case as well, since both the coin discriminating means and the bill discriminating means are provided in the gaming machine, it is possible to use both coins and bills for updating the game value. And the convenience of the player is remarkably improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, since the game recording medium reading means is provided below the bill identifying means and the coin identifying means, the bill identifying means for inserting cash is provided. And the coin discriminating means and the game recording medium reading means for inserting the game recording medium can be easily distinguished, and similarly, the player can use the game recording medium easily.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second aspect, the bill recognizing means is provided on the upper part, the coin recognizing means is provided below the bill recognizing means, and the game recording medium processing means is provided with a coin recognizing means. Since it is provided below the means, it is possible to bring the bill discriminating means for inserting cash and the coin discriminating means close to each other, and to insert the bill discriminating means and the coin discriminating means and the game recording medium. This makes it easier to distinguish the recording medium reading means from the recording medium reading means, and is similarly convenient for the player.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above inventions, at least one of the coin identifying means and the bill identifying means is capable of identifying cash of a plurality of denominations. When adding and updating the game value specified from the recording medium, not only one denomination but also many denominations of bills and coins can be used.

According to the invention of claim 6, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, at least the bill identifying means and the coin identifying means are provided adjacent to each other, so that the bill identifying means for inserting cash and the coin identifying means are close to each other. Therefore, it becomes easy for the player to use.

[0024]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine (CR machine) 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied and a card unit 50 according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention.
3 is an enlarged view showing the gaming board 6 of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a back view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50.

In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example, but the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine.
Further, the present invention can be applied to an image-type gaming machine, a sealed ball-type gaming machine, and a slot machine. Furthermore, the concept of the game medium is not limited to the pachinko ball, but also includes a score in a sealed ball game machine, a medal in a slot machine, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape.
On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2 is a hit ball supply tray 3. A surplus ball receiving tray 4 for storing storage balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle 5 for firing a hitting ball are provided below the hitting ball supply tray 3. A game board 6 is detachably mounted behind the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided on the front of the game board 6.

In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, a variable display device 8 including a special symbol variable display 9 for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols and a normal symbol variable display 10 using 7-segment LEDs is provided. I have. In addition, on both sides of the ordinary symbol variable display 10, pass-through storage indicators (ordinary symbol storage indicators) 30 each including four LEDs are provided.
In this embodiment, the special symbol variable display 9 includes:
There are three symbol display areas, "left", "middle", and "right".

On the left side of the variable display device 8, there is provided a passage gate 11 for guiding a hit ball. Passage gate 1
1 passes through the ball exit 13 and the starting winning port 14
In the direction of In a passage between the passage gate 11 and the ball outlet 13, there is a gate switch 12 for detecting a hit ball passing through the passage gate 11. The winning ball entering the starting winning port 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the starting port switch 17. In addition, a variable winning ball device 15 that performs opening and closing operations is provided below the starting winning port 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by the solenoid 16.

Below the variable winning ball device 15, there is provided an opening / closing plate 20 which is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific game state (big hit state). In this embodiment, the opening and closing plate 20 serves as a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, one of the winning balls (V zone) enters the V count switch 2.
2 is detected. A winning ball from the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. At the lower part of the variable display device 8, there is provided a starting prize storage display 18 having four display portions for displaying the number of winning balls entering the starting prize port 14. In this embodiment, the starting winning storage display unit 18 increases the number of lit display units by one each time there is a starting winning, with the upper limit being four. Then, each time the variable display of the special symbol variable display 9 is started, the number of the lit display unit is reduced by one.

The game board 6 has a plurality of winning openings 19A, 19
B, 19C, and 19D are provided, and a winning opening 19 of a game ball is provided.
Wins in A, 19B, 19C and 19D are detected by winning opening switches 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D.
At the left and right sides of the game area 7, there are provided decorative lamps 25 which are displayed blinking during the game, and at the lower part there is an out port 26 for absorbing hit balls which have not won. In addition, two sound emitting sounds are provided on the left and right upper portions of the glass door frame 2 outside the game area 7.
Two speakers 27 are provided. Further, the game area 7
A game effect LED 28A and game effect lamps 28B, 28C are provided on the glass door frame 2 on the outer periphery of the game door.

In this embodiment, one speaker 2
7 is provided with a prize ball lamp 51 which is turned on when a prize ball is paid out, and a glass cutout lamp 52 which is turned on when a supply ball is cut off in the glass door frame 2 near the other speaker 27. Is provided.

The hit ball shot from the hitting ball firing device 34 (FIG. 3) enters the game area 7 through the hitting rail, and then descends from the game area 7. When a hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passing gate 11, the display number of the ordinary symbol variable display 10 is changed continuously. When the hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start opening switch 17, if the change of the symbol can be started, the symbol in the special symbol variable display 9 starts rotating (variable start). If it is not possible to start the change of the symbol, the starting winning memory is increased by one.

The rotation of the image in the special symbol variable display 9 is as follows.
Stops after a certain period of time. If the combination of images at the time of stop is a combination of big hit symbols, the game shifts to a big hit game state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls is won. Then, while the opening / closing plate 20 is open, a hit ball wins a special winning opening, and when detected by the V count switch 22, a continuation right is generated, and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. Generation of the continuation right is permitted a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

If the combination of images displayed in the special symbol variable display 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of big hit symbols with probability fluctuation, the probability of the next big hit becomes high. In other words, a high probability state, which is more advantageous for the player, is obtained. When the stop symbol on the ordinary symbol variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol (a hit symbol “7” or the like), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time.
Further, in the high probability state, the probability that the stop symbol in the ordinary symbol variable display 10 hits the symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times the variable winning ball device 15 is opened are increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the card unit (gaming device) according to the present invention is adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1.
50 are installed. At the upper part of the front panel 92 of the card unit 50, an available indicator lamp 81 for indicating whether or not the card is in a usable state is attached. At the lower part of the front panel 92, an IC card as a game recording medium is provided. (Including a contact type and a non-contact type; a magnetic card can also be employed) (a card R / W)
(Reader / writer) 82 (game recording medium reading means; game recording medium processing means) is provided with a card insertion slot 83.

An opening 92A is formed in the front panel 92 below the usable indication lamp 81, and the opening 92A is closed by a detachable first replacement front panel 109. A bill insertion port 86 of a bill processing device 84 (a bill discriminating means) for judging authenticity of a bill as cash and performing identification processing is provided above the first exchange front panel 109, and below the bill insertion port 86. On the side, a coin insertion port 88 of a coin processing device 87 (coin identification means) for judging authenticity of coins as cash and performing identification processing is provided. That is, the first replacement front panel 109 has a through hole through which the bill insertion slot 86 passes and a through hole through which the coin insertion slot 88 passes. Further, the coin insertion slot 88 and the card insertion slot 83
Between them, a display 89 as a display means is attached.

Further, an opening 92B is formed in the front panel 92 below the card insertion slot 83, and the opening 92B is closed by a detachable second replacement front panel 111. The second exchange front panel 111 is provided with a coin return port 112 of the coin processing device 87. That is, a through hole for the coin return slot 112 is formed in the second replacement front panel 111.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. On the back side of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 3, a game ball tank 38 is provided above the mechanism plate 36, and when the pachinko game machine 1 is installed on the game machine installation island, game balls come from above. Game ball tank 3
8 is supplied. The game balls in the game ball tank 38 reach the ball payout device 46 (FIG. 5) through the guide gutter 39.

The mechanism board 36 includes a variable display control unit 29 for controlling the special symbol variable display 9, a game control board (main board) 31 covered with a board case 32 and having a game control microcomputer and the like mounted thereon, A payout control board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing payout control of prize balls and the like is mounted. Further, the mechanism plate 3
6, a ball launching device 34 that launches a ball into the game area 7 using the rotational force of a motor, and a ball controlling micro that controls the ball launching device 34 based on the operation of the ball operating handle 5. Launch control board 40 on which a computer or the like is mounted, game effect LED 28A, game effect lamp 28
B, 28C, a lamp control board 35 mounted with a microcomputer for controlling the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball cutout lamp 52, and an audio control board mounted with a microcomputer for controlling the sound output from the speaker 27. 70 are installed.

Next, the internal structure of the card unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The bill processing device 84 is detachably screwed and fixed to the uppermost part of the frame 91 in the card unit 50, and the coin processing device 8 is
7 is detachably screwed to the frame 91. And these bill insertion slot 86 and coin insertion slot 88 are the first
Of the replacement front panel 109 from the rectangular through-hole. This bill processing device 84 is 10,000 yen,
5,000 yen, 2,000 yen, and 1,000 yen of denomination banknotes can be identified and authenticated.
Coins of denominations of 0 yen and 50 yen (in some cases, 10 yen, 5 yen, and 1 yen may be included) can be identified and authenticated. It should be noted that only the banknote processing device 84 may have the function of discriminating a plurality of denominations, and conversely, only the coin processing device 87 may be provided.

If the inserted bill is a genuine bill, the bill processing device 84 operates the bill outlet 113 on the rear side.
To carry out the bill to a bill transport path (not shown) laid in the gaming machine installation island. If the inserted bill is counterfeit, it is returned from the bill insertion slot 86. The coin processing device 87 includes a coin passage 114 extending downward. A distributing device 116 is provided in the coin passage 114, and a branch passage 117 is provided from the distributing device 116 to the coin return port 112. , And another branch passage 118 is communicated with the coin outlet 119.
The coin passage 114, the sorting device 116, the branch passage 11
7, 118, coin return port 112 and coin exit 119
The card unit 50 is integrated with the coin processing device 87.
Frame 91.

When the inserted coin is a genuine coin, the coin processing device 87 switches the passage to the branch passage 118 by the sorting device 116 and the coin outlet 119
And ejects the coin to a coin transport path (not shown) laid on the gaming machine installation island. If the inserted coin is counterfeit, the passage is switched to the branch passage 117 by the sorting device 116, and the coin is dropped and returned to the coin return port 112.

Further, the frame 9 in the card unit 50
A card unit control board 93 is attached to the lowermost part of the unit 1, and the card processing device 82 is attached to an upper frame 91 of the card unit control board 93. Is facing.
When the frequency of the IC card becomes zero as described later, the card processing device 82 collects the received IC card. In this case, the card processing device 82 moves from the card outlet 121 on the rear surface to the game machine installation island. The IC card is carried out to a laid card transport path (not shown).

The frame 91 between the card processing device 82 and the coin processing device 87 has the display 8
Nine display control boards 94 are attached.

The bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 8
7. Display control board 94 and card processing device 82
Are detachably connected to the card unit control board 93 by connector cables 96A to 96D. here,
As described above, the bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87 are detachable from the frame 91. Thus, only the coin processing device 87 can be mounted in the card unit 50, or only the banknote processing device 84 can be mounted in the card unit 50 depending on the needs of the game arcade.

However, in that case, the replacement front panel 10
9 and 111 also need to be replaced with another front panel as described later. When the bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87 are changed as described above, the control address of the card unit control board 93 is also changed.

On the other hand, the display 89 has a liquid crystal display screen 97 on which a predetermined number of display pixels are arranged in a matrix.
And a character and a picture can be displayed on the display screen 97 by a control signal from the display control board 94. The display screen 97 is not limited to a liquid crystal, but may be a CRT or a plasma display, or a display using an electroluminescence (EL) element. Further, a touch switch 98 is provided on the surface of the display screen 97, whereby the display screen 9 is displayed.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a touch panel, which is configured such that a predetermined control instruction signal is input to the display control board 94 when the player touches the touch panel.

Next, FIG. 5 shows the main board 3 of the pachinko gaming machine 1.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows a payout control board 37, a lamp control board 35,
Sound control board 70, emission control board 40, and display control board 8
0 is also shown.

On the main board 31, a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 12, a starting port switch 17, a V count switch 2
2, count switch 23, full switch 4 described later
8 and winning opening switches 24A, 24B, 24C, 24
D, a ball-break detection switch 41, a ball-break switch 42, a switch circuit 58 for giving a signal from the prize-ball count switch 43 to the basic circuit 53, a solenoid 16 for opening and closing the variable prize-ball device 15, and a solenoid for opening and closing the open / close plate 20 A lamp / LED for driving the circuit 21 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53, for turning on and off the start storage display 18, and for driving the ordinary design variable display 10 and the decorative lamp 25 using a 7-segment LED.
The circuit 60 is mounted.

Also, according to data given from the basic circuit 53, jackpot information indicating occurrence of a jackpot, effective start information indicating the number of start winning prize balls used for variable start of image display of the special symbol variable display 9, and probability. It includes an information output circuit 64 that outputs probability change information indicating that a change has occurred to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 as an example of a storage means used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing a control operation according to a control program, and an I / O port unit 57. including. In this embodiment, the ROM 54, the RAM
Reference numeral 55 is built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56
Is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to include at least the RAM 55, and the ROM 54 and the I / O port unit 5
7 may be external or built-in. Also, I
The / O port section 57 is a terminal capable of inputting and outputting information in the microcomputer.

Further, the main board 31 has an initial reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on.
An address decode circuit 67 that decodes an address signal provided from the basic circuit 53 and outputs a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports in the I / O port unit 57 is provided. It should be noted that there is also switch information input to the main board 31 from the ball dispensing device 46, but these are omitted in FIG.

A hit ball firing device 34 for hitting and firing a hit ball
Is driven by a drive motor 47 controlled by a circuit on the emission control board 40. The driving force of the driving motor 47 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the hit ball operation handle 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 40 is controlled so that the ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the hit ball operation handle 5.

In this embodiment, the lamp control board 35
The lamp control means mounted on the game board 6 is provided with a start storage display 18 and a gate passage storage display 3
0 and the decoration lamp 25 are controlled via the lamp / LED circuit 60, and the display control of the game effect lamps / LEDs 28A, 28B, 28C, the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball cutout lamp 52 provided on the frame side. Do. here,
The lamp control unit is an example of the illuminant control unit.

The display control of the special symbol variable display 9 for variably displaying a special symbol and the normal symbol variable display 10 for variably displaying a normal symbol is performed by symbol control means mounted on the display control board 80. The display control of the special symbol variable display 9 is performed by the variable display control unit 29 according to a command of the symbol control means, and the display control of the normal symbol variable display 10 is controlled by a lamp and a lamp according to the command of the symbol control means.
The LED circuit 60 will do this.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing components related to payout, such as components of the payout control board 37 and the ball payout device 46. As shown in FIG.
8 from the main board 31 via the relay board 71.
Is input to the I / O port 57. Full tank switch 48
Is a switch for detecting whether the surplus ball tray 4 is full.

The detection signals from the cutout detection switch 41 and the cutout switch 42 are transmitted to the relay board 72 and the relay board 7.
1 is input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31. The out-of-ball detection switch 41 is a switch that detects the shortage of replenishment balls in the game ball tank 38, and the out-of-ball switch 42 is a switch that detects the presence or absence of a hit ball in the game ball passage.

The CPU 56 of the main board 31 indicates that the detection signal from the burnout detection switch 41 or the burnout switch 42 indicates a burnout state, or that the detection signal from the full state switch 48 indicates a full state. If there is, a payout control command instructing ball lending prohibition is transmitted. When receiving the payout control command instructing the ball lending prohibition, the payout control CPU 69 of the payout control board 37 stops the ball lending process.

Further, the detection signals from the prize ball count switch 43 and the ball lending count switch 44 are also transmitted to the relay board 7.
The signal is input to the I / O port 57 of the main board 31 through the relay board 2 and the relay board 71. The prize ball count switch 43 and the ball lending count switch 44 are provided in the payout mechanism of the ball payout device 46, and detect the actually paid out balls.

When there is a prize, a payout control command indicating the number of prize balls is input to the payout control board 37 from the output ports (ports G and H) 77 and 78 of the main board 31. Output port 77 outputs 8-bit data, and output port 78
Outputs a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal). The payout control command indicating the number of winning balls is input to the I / O port 79A via the input buffer circuit 73. The payout control CPU 69 inputs a payout control command via the I / O port 79A, and drives the ball payout device 46 in accordance with the payout control command to perform award ball payout. In this embodiment, the payout control CPU 69 is a one-chip microcomputer, and has at least a built-in RAM.

The payout control CPU 69 includes an output port 79
A ball lending number signal indicating the lending ball number is output to the terminal board 49 via G, and the buzzer driving signal is output to the buzzer board 75.
Output to A buzzer is mounted on the buzzer board 75. Further, an error display L through an output port 79E.
An error signal is output to ED76.

Further, the input port 7 of the payout control board 37
The detection signal from the winning ball count switch 43 is input to 9B via the relay board 72. Dispensing control board 37
The drive signal to the payout motor 45 from the output port 79
It is transmitted to the payout motor 45 in the payout mechanism portion of the ball payout device 46 via C and the relay board 72. The main board 31 and the payout control board 37 are provided with a solenoid and a driver circuit for driving a motor and a lamp, but those circuits are omitted in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the card unit 50. The card unit control board 93 is provided with a card unit control CPU 101 comprising a one-chip microcomputer, and the I / O port 10 of the card unit control CPU 01 is provided.
The banknote processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87 are connected to 2. In addition, I of the card unit control CPU 101
The I / O port 103 is connected to the card processing device 82, and the I / O port 104 is connected to the availability indicator lamp 81.
And a display 89 and a touch switch 98 are also connected to the I / O port 104 via a display control board 94.

A unit number which is the number of the card unit 50 is set in the card unit control board 93, and the set number is transmitted from the I / O port 108 to a host computer such as a hall management computer. Further, the card unit control board 93 has a ball lending amount (unit amount) paid out by one ball lending operation, for example, 5 units.
00 yen (can be set within the range of 100 yen to 500 yen) is input and set in advance, but this unit amount information is also transmitted to the host computer. Also, face value information (card information) of the IC card used in the card unit 50 and code information of an error generated in the card unit 50 are transmitted from the I / O port 108 to the host computer.

A balance display board 74 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 6 is connected to a frequency display LED, a ball lending switch, and a return switch provided near the ball feeding tray 3. From the balance display board 74 to the card unit 50
In response to the player's operation, a ball lending switch signal and a return switch signal are provided via the payout control board 37 and the I / O port 106. Also, the card unit 5
From 0 to the balance display board 74, a card balance display signal indicating a remaining number of IC cards and a ball lending possible display signal are I / O.
It is provided through the port 106 and the payout control board 37. Between the card unit 50 and the payout control board 37,
Unit operation signal (BRDY signal), ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), ball lending completion signal (EXS signal) and pachinko machine operation signal (PRDY signal) are I / O port 1
07 and the I / O port 79F.

The operation related to the card unit 50 with the above configuration will be described. When the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 are powered on, the payout control CPU 69 of the payout control board 37 outputs a PRDY signal to the card unit 50. The card unit control CPU 101 of the card unit 50 turns on the usable lamp 81. When playing a game with the pachinko gaming machine 1, the player first puts cash into a prepaid card vending machine installed in the game arcade, and selects a card of a number that can be purchased with the cash.
In the prepaid card issuance and dispensing machine, information for specifying the selected card frequency (information for specifying the size of the game value) is written in the memory of the IC card and provided to the player as a prepaid card.

Then, the player selects the pachinko gaming machine 1 for playing a game, and inserts the purchased IC card into the card insertion slot 83 of the card unit 50 corresponding to the game. The card processing device 82 receives the inserted IC card, reads information recorded on the IC card, specifies data of the number of possible games, and specifies the card unit control CPU 10.
Output to 1. Note that the frequency data in this case is written directly to the IC card, and the IC card has a predetermined ID.
In some cases, only the frequency data is written and the actual frequency data is managed by the host computer of the game arcade.

If the amount of money that can be played remains from the information read from the IC card, the card unit control CPU 101 sends the balance display signal to the balance display board 74 from the I / O port 106 via the payout control board 37. And a ball lending possible display signal is transmitted. The balance display board 74 uses the frequency display LED to display the remaining frequency of the IC card and allowance of balls.

Then, when the player operates the ball lending switch and the ball lending switch signal is input to the card unit 50, the card unit control CPU 101 outputs a BRDY signal to the payout control board 37. When a predetermined delay time has elapsed from this point, the card unit control CPU 101 outputs a BRQ signal to the payout control board 37. The payout control CPU 6 of the payout control board 37
When the EXS signal to the card unit 50 rises and the falling of the BRQ signal from the card unit 50 is detected, the payout motor 45 is driven to pay out a predetermined number of lending balls to the player. When the payout is completed, the payout control CPU 69 sets the card unit 50
The XS signal falls. In addition, the card unit 50
The remaining number of the C card is subtracted by one, and the balance display board 74
, A card balance display signal indicating the remaining number of IC cards is given via the I / O port 106 and the payout control board 37. This is repeated for the unit lending frequency. When the lending for the unit lending frequency is completed, the card unit 50 lowers the BRDY signal. Then, the card unit 5
If the BRDY signal from 0 is not on, the winning ball payout control is executed.

On the other hand, when the player operates the return switch and the return switch signal is input to the card unit 50, the card unit control CPU 101 subtracts the frequency reduced by the frequency withdrawn by the ball lending operation as described above. Is written into the IC card by the card processing device 82, and the I
Return the C card.

When the frequency of the IC card becomes zero due to the debit by the ball lending operation as described above, the card processing device 82 transfers the received IC card from the card outlet 121 to the card transport path as described above. Carry out and collect.
If the inserted IC card is incorrect or the data cannot be read, the card processing device 82 returns the IC card. Then, the error code information is transmitted to the host computer as described above.

As described above, all signals from the card unit 50 are input to the payout control board 37. Therefore, regarding the ball lending control, the card unit 50
No signal is input to the main board 31 from the card unit 50, and there is no room for a signal to be incorrectly input from the card unit 50 side to the basic circuit 53 of the main board 31.

Next, additional payment (additional update) processing in the card unit 50 and display / operation on the display 89 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 15 show display examples of the display screen 97 of the display 89 of the card unit 50. From the standby state, the player inserts the IC card into the card unit 5 as described above.
0, the card processing device 8
No. 2 determines whether the inserted IC card is valid.

If the card is not a regular one or if the IC card cannot read data, the card unit control CPU 101 of the card unit control board 93 sends a signal to the display control board 94 to display the display 8.
9 is displayed on the display screen 97 together with a picture of an alarm buzzer as shown in FIG. Then, the card processing device 82 returns the inserted IC card.

If the inserted IC card is valid, the card processing device 82 accepts the IC card, reads the information recorded on the IC card as described above, and specifies the data of the number of possible games. And outputs the result to the card unit control CPU 101. When the card unit control CPU 101 finds that the proper IC card has been inserted, it sends a signal to the display control board 94 and displays a signal on the display screen 97 of the display 89 together with a picture as shown by an attendant as shown in FIG. "" Is displayed.

Here, when playing a game with the frequency specified by the IC card, the frequency corresponding to, for example, 10,000 yen is set as the upper limit. This is to limit the amount of damage in the event of card fraud to a minimum (within 10,000 yen). When the remaining frequency of the frequency specified by the IC card becomes zero, the card processing device 82
Without returning the card, collect it as described above. This is for reusing the relatively expensive IC card.

Under such circumstances, the card unit control CPU 101 determines that the remaining number of IC cards specified based on the information read by the card processing device 82 is not zero and has not reached the upper limit remaining number. Sends a signal to the display control board 94, and displays a character of "can be added" on the display screen 97 of the display 89 together with a picture of the attendant as shown in FIG. 9 (addition update effective display).

Then, the player converts the bill into the bill processing device 84.
When the coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 88 of the coin processing device 87 or the coin processing device 8
4 or the coin processor 87 first sends information to the card unit control CPU 101 that cash has been inserted.
The card unit control CPU 101 sends a signal to the display control board 94, and displays a character "Shoshari" on the display screen 97 of the display 89 together with a picture of the attendant as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the bill processing device 84 or the coin processing device 87 identifies the denomination of the inserted bill or coin and judges the authenticity. If the inserted banknotes or coins are counterfeit, they are returned as described above, but if they are legitimate cash, the frequency information obtained by adding the identified denominations to the card unit control CPU 101. The bills and coins are sent to the transport path as described above.

The card unit control CPU 101 updates the data by adding the frequency entered to the frequency specified by the IC card based on the frequency information sent from the bill processing device 84 or the coin processing device 87. At the same time, the updated balance display signal is transmitted to the balance display board 74 to update the balance display of the frequency display LED.

During this time, the CPU 10 for controlling the card unit
1 sends a signal to the display control board 94 to display an IC such as shown in FIG.
Character display of "I'm just reading now" is displayed with the picture of the card and pen. Then, when the updating of the addition of the remaining number is completed, the CPU 101 for controlling the card unit sends a signal to the display control board 94 and displays the signal on the display screen 97 of the display 89 with a picture of the attendant as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

If the residual count of the IC card does not reach the upper limit residual count even after the addition update, the card unit control CPU 101 sets the display control board 94.
To return to a state in which the display screen 97 of the display 89 displays the characters "can be added" with the picture of the attendant shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the residual count of the IC card reaches the upper limit residual count as a result of the addition update (the upper limit condition which is a predetermined condition is satisfied), the card unit control CPU 101 sends a signal to the display control board 94 to display the display. On the display screen 97 of FIG. 89, a character display of “This cannot be added” is displayed together with a picture of crossed banknotes as shown in FIG. As a result, unnecessary cash input can be prevented.

If the remaining number of IC cards becomes less than the upper limit remaining number by the subsequent ball lending operation, the CPU 101 for controlling the card unit controls the display control board 9.
4 to the display screen 97 of the display 89,
Again, a character display of "can be added" is displayed together with the staff picture shown in FIG.

Here, when the remaining number of the IC card becomes zero due to the ball lending operation (the predetermined condition of the collection condition is satisfied), the IC card is collected as described above, and no further addition is required. It becomes possible. Therefore, in such a case, the card unit control CPU 101 sends a signal to the display control board 94 to display the display screen 97 of the display 89.
Next, a character display of "Card has been recovered. Cannot be added" is displayed together with the picture of the IC card and the trash box shown in FIG. 14 (additional update is invalid).

As described above, according to the present invention, the display content of the display screen 97 of the display 89 is changed in accordance with the processing status of the addition and update of the residual number of the IC card. Will be able to understand.

Here, the card unit 50 of the embodiment is also adapted to replay of the accumulated ball. That is, the card processing device 8
2 can process an IC card as a prepaid card as described above and, in addition, can process an IC card as a so-called membership card.
Cards can also be processed. In that case,
The player counts the obtained hit balls (prize balls) with a counter. Then, an IC card, which is a membership card, is inserted into a membership card processor provided near the counter, and the counted data is linked with the membership data, so that a predetermined number of hit balls (prize balls) are stored. At the game hall.
In such a case, the ball storage data is linked to the ID of the IC card, transmitted to the host computer as card information, and registered.

For replay, when the player returns to the amusement arcade, the IC card, which is a membership card, is inserted into the card processing device 82 of the card unit 50, the temporarily stored coins are withdrawn, and the pachinko game machine 1 replays. In this regard, letting a player temporarily deposit a hit ball into a game arcade is referred to as ball storage, and playing a game of the pachinko gaming machine 1 with the ball storage is referred to as replay.

This IC card as a membership card records predetermined items such as address, name, date of birth, gender, occupation, family composition, hobby, etc. in a membership card application form provided at a predetermined position in the game arcade. When you submit your ID card such as a license and one place to the game arcade, these contents are registered in the host computer, and the member number, store number, etc. exclusively for the member are also registered. Upon completion of the registration process, an IC card (member card) in which the member number is recorded (in this case, the name and address of the member may be described) is issued by requesting a card producing company or the like.

Thus, the card unit 50 can support both a so-called prepaid game and a replay in which a game is played by using the stored coins.

Here, in the above-described embodiment, the card unit 50 is provided corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 1, but the invention of claim 1 is not limited thereto, and the card unit 50 may be provided at the end of the gaming machine installation island. good. FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the card unit 50 in the case according to FIG. 16. In this figure, FIGS.
The same reference numerals have the same or similar functions, but in this case, the frame 91 has a relatively large rectangular shape, and a coin slot 88 of the coin processing device 87 and a bill processing device 84 The bill insertion openings 86 are arranged side by side, are adjacent to each other, a card insertion opening 83 of the card processing device 82 is disposed below the bill insertion openings 86, and a coin return opening 112 is disposed at a lowermost position. Further, the display 89 is disposed on the left side between the coin insertion slot 88 and the card insertion slot 83 toward the front.

The processing of the IC card (indicated by C in FIG. 16) and the addition / updating operation by each device are the same as those described above, and the description is omitted, but the card unit 5 in this case is omitted.
Since 0 also has the function of an ordinary IC card issuing machine, a well-known card issuing button 201 and a well-known stop button 202 are provided on the front surface.

Also in this case, the bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87 are removably mounted in the frame 91, and can be selectively mounted according to the demands of the game arcade as described above.

As described above, in the present invention, the pachinko gaming machine 1
A coin processing device 87 that accepts coins, identifies the accepted coins, and determines authenticity, and a bill that accepts bills, identifies the accepted bills, and determines authenticity, in a card unit 50 provided corresponding to CPU for controlling the processing unit 84 and processing for adding and updating the banknotes and coins (cash) identified by the banknote processing unit 84 and the coin processing unit 87 to the frequency specified from the IC card
Since the card 101 is provided, by inserting cash into the card unit 50 provided corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the cash can be added and updated to the frequency specified by the IC card.

Thus, the player can add the frequency to the IC card and continue the game while playing the game without purchasing a new IC card, and the operation rate of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is improved. At the same time, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the interest of the player, and it is also possible to reduce costs by reducing the number of issued IC cards and effectively use resources.

In particular, since both the coin processing device 87 and the banknote processing device 84 are provided in the card unit 50, it is possible to use both the coin and the banknote cash for adding and updating the frequency. The convenience of the player is significantly improved.

Further, the bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 8
7 is adjacent to the banknote processing device 8 for inputting cash.
4 and the coin processing device 87 come close to each other, which is convenient for the player.

Further, since the card processing device 82 is located below the bill processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87, the card processing device 84 and the coin processing device 87 for putting in cash,
This makes it easier to distinguish the IC card from the card processing device 82 into which the IC card is inserted, and also makes it easy for the player to use.

In the card unit 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the bill processing device 84 is provided on the upper part, and the coin processing device 8 is provided.
7 is provided below the card processing device 82,
Is provided below the coin processing device 87, so that the banknote processing device 84 for inputting cash and the coin processing device 87 can be brought close to each other, and the banknote processing device 8
4 and the coin processing device 87 and the card processing device 82 into which the IC card is inserted can be easily distinguished, and similarly, the player can use the device easily.

Further, the coin processing device 87 and the bill processing device 8
No. 4 is capable of identifying coins and bills of a plurality of denominations, so that when adding and updating the frequency specified from the IC card, not only one denomination but also a large number of denominations are used. Will be able to do it.

If a cash card (including a debit card) or a credit card processing device is mounted on the card unit 50 of the embodiment, it is possible to directly add and update the frequency from these cards to the IC card. . In the present embodiment, a value is used as a game value, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is a concept including a money amount, a ball count, and the like. Further, in the embodiment, the card unit is described as being arranged side by side with the pachinko gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the card unit is provided above or below the pachinko gaming machine, or the card unit is built into the pachinko gaming machine itself. What is being done may be.

[0102]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a game device is provided with a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying at least a value of a game value usable for a game is recorded. A game recording medium reading means for reading the recorded information of the game, a coin identification means for receiving the coin, identifying the received coin and determining the authenticity, and accepting a bill and identifying and authenticating the accepted bill. Processing for adding and updating the size of the game value corresponding to the cash identified by the banknote identification means, the coin identification means, and the bill identification means to the size of the game value specified from the game recording medium Is added to and updated by adding cash to the gaming device, thereby adding the cash to the gaming value specified from the game recording medium. Door will be able to.

As a result, the player can continue playing the game by adding the game value to the game recording medium without purchasing a new game recording medium, and can reuse the game recording medium. Thus, cost reduction and effective use of resources can be achieved.

In particular, since both the coin discriminating means and the bill discriminating means are provided in the gaming machine, it is possible to use the cash of both coins and bills for adding and updating the game value. This greatly improves the convenience of the player.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine is provided corresponding to the gaming machine, and has a gaming record in which information capable of specifying at least the size of the gaming valuables usable for the game is recorded. Provided with a game recording medium processing means for performing processing for reading recorded information of a medium and converting a game value of a size specified from the read information into a game medium used for the game Coin identification means for accepting coins, identifying the accepted coins and determining authenticity, bill identifying means for accepting bills, identifying the accepted bills and determining authenticity, and these coin identifying means , A game value adding / updating means for adding and updating the cash identified by the bill identifying means to the game value specified from the game recording medium. By adding cash to the gaming device provided in the game, the size of the gaming value corresponding to the cash can be added and updated to the value of the gaming value specified from the game recording medium. Become like

As a result, the player can continue playing the game by adding the game value to the game recording medium while playing the game without purchasing a new game recording medium. As the operating rate is improved, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the interest of the player, and it is also possible to reduce costs by reducing the number of issued game recording media and effectively use resources.

In particular, in this case as well, since both the coin discriminating means and the bill discriminating means are provided in the gaming machine, it is possible to use both the coins and bills for updating the game value. And the convenience of the player is remarkably improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the game recording medium reading means is provided below the bill recognizing means and the coin recognizing means. And the coin discriminating means and the game recording medium reading means for inserting the game recording medium can be easily distinguished, and similarly, the player can use the game recording medium easily.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second aspect, the bill discriminating means is provided at an upper portion, the coin discriminating means is provided below the bill discriminating means, and the game recording medium processing means is provided with a coin discriminating means. Since it is provided below the means, it is possible to bring the bill discriminating means for inserting cash and the coin discriminating means close to each other, and to insert the bill discriminating means and the coin discriminating means and the game recording medium. It becomes possible to easily distinguish the storage medium reading means from the storage medium reading means, and similarly, it becomes easy for the player to use.

According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, at least one of the coin identifying means and the bill identifying means is capable of identifying cash of a plurality of denominations. When adding and updating the game value specified from the recording medium, not only one denomination but also many denominations of bills and coins can be used.

According to the invention of claim 6, in addition to the above-mentioned inventions, at least the bill identifying means and the coin identifying means are provided adjacent to each other, so that the bill identifying means for putting in cash and the coin identifying means are close to each other. Therefore, it becomes easy for the player to use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a pachinko gaming machine (C) according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
(R machine) and a front view of the card unit of the embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine and the card unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the card unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a main board of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing components related to payout such as components of a payout control board and a ball payout device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a card unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the card unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display of the card unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the card unit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the card unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the card unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display of the card unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display of the card unit.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display of the card unit.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a card unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Pachinko gaming machine 50 Card unit (gaming device) 82 Card processing device (gaming recording medium reading means; gaming recording medium processing means) 83 Card insertion slot 84 Banknote processing device (banknote discriminating means) 86 Banknote opening 87 Coins Processing unit (coin discriminating means) 88 Coin slot 91 Frame 93 Card unit control board 101 Card unit control CPU (game value addition / update means) 121 Coin return port

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A game recording medium reading means for reading recording information of a game recording medium on which information capable of specifying at least a value of a game value usable for a game is recorded;
Coin identification means for accepting coins and identifying the accepted coins and determining authenticity, bill identifying means for accepting bills and identifying and accepting the accepted bills, and these coin identifying means and bill identifying means Game value adding / updating means for adding and updating the value of the game value corresponding to the cash identified in the above to the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium. A game device characterized by the following. 2. A record information of a game recording medium, which is provided corresponding to a gaming machine, and on which information capable of specifying at least a value of a game value usable for a game is recorded, is read. In a gaming machine having a game recording medium processing means for performing a process for converting a game value of a size specified from the information into a game medium used for the game, Coin identification means for identifying coins and judging authenticity; accepting bills, bill recognizing means for discriminating the accepted bills and judging authenticity; and coins identified by these coin identifying means and bill identifying means. A game value adding / updating unit for performing a process of adding and updating the size of the value of the game corresponding to the value of the game value specified from the game recording medium. A gaming device characterized by: 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming recording medium reading means is provided below the bill identifying means and the coin identifying means. 4. The bill discriminating means is provided at an upper portion, the coin discriminating means is provided below the bill discriminating means, and the game recording medium processing means is provided below the coin discriminating means. 3. The gaming device according to claim 2, wherein: 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said coin identifying means and bill identifying means is capable of identifying cash of a plurality of denominations. Or the game device of claim 4. 6. The game according to claim 1, wherein at least the bill discriminating means and the coin discriminating means are provided adjacent to each other. apparatus.