JP2002166038A - Slot machine and unit for game - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a game player check that the putting out of actual game mediums is performed, and increase the reliability of the game medium to a renting out process or a putting out process. SOLUTION: When the game player throws a prepaid card in an inter- machine unit 2, and operates a renting out switch 26 on this slot machine 3 side, a renting out demanding signal for a specified number of medals is transmitted from the inter-machine unit 2 to the slot machine 3. In the slot machine 3, five pieces of the medals are stored as electronic data for every renting out demanding signal. Then, when the remaining game mediums to be rented out become four pieces, one piece of the medal is put out from a medal putting out port 30 as the actual medal, and the remaining three pieces of the medals are set as betting medals for a first game.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slot machine in which a plurality of symbol displays are variably displayed according to the insertion of game media, and a winning or losing is determined by a combination of symbols stopped and displayed on each symbol display after the variability display. More particularly, the present invention relates to a slot machine in which a game medium lending device is communicably arranged at a close position, and a game unit formed by a combination of the slot machine and the game medium lending device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical conventional slot machine is provided with a medal payout machine equipped with a reel block and a hopper inside the body. The reel block is provided with three reels each having a plurality of symbols drawn on an outer peripheral surface thereof arranged in a horizontal line, and a stepping motor for rotating each reel is assembled.

[0003] Three rectangular symbol display windows are formed on the front panel on the front of the machine in accordance with the arrangement positions of the respective reels. In each symbol display window, when reels are stopped, symbols for three frames are stopped and displayed in a state of being arranged in the horizontal direction. In the formation position of the symbol display window,
In the horizontal direction, corresponding to the stop display position of each symbol, 3
Two winning lines are set in the oblique direction, and the presence or absence of a winning is determined by a combination of symbols on the winning line activated according to the number of inserted medals.

Below the front panel, there is formed an operation unit provided with a medal slot, a start lever, a stop button switch for each reel, and the like, and further below that, the medal dispenser pays out. A medal payout exit for discharging medals, a tray for receiving paid out medals, and the like are set.

In general, medals are inserted by inserting one to three medals into a medal insertion slot every time a game is played. In addition, in recent slot machines, a large number of medals are inserted at once in advance, and the number of inserted medals is stored in a memory inside the aircraft, so that the aircraft is in a state in which medals of the inserted number are stored, The game can be played by deducting the game execution medals from the stored medals. (Hereinafter, the game using the stored medals is referred to as a “credit-type game”.)

[0006] In the pachinko hall, a medal lending device called a "chamber machine" is arranged at a position adjacent to this type of slot machine. When the player inserts money into the inter-machine adjacent to the slot machine, the inter-machine pays out a number of medals according to the inserted amount. By inserting the paid-out medals into the medal slot, the player stores medals for a credit-type game or executes a game in which medals are inserted each time.

[0007] In recent years, pachinko halls have introduced a game media lending system using a card-shaped recording medium (hereinafter simply referred to as a "card") provided with a valuable value. In this lending system, when an adjacent gaming machine is electrically connected to a stand-to-stand machine and a card is received by the stand-to-stand machine, a signal for requesting lending of game media from the stand-to-stand machine to the game machine (hereinafter referred to as a “lending request signal”). ").)

[0008] JP-A-9-140922, JP-A-1
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-221353, Japanese Patent No. 2714777, and the like describe a slot machine introduced into this kind of lending system in which a predetermined number of medals are stored in response to the lending request signal and a credit-type game is executed. A slot machine is described.

[0009]

When all the medals to be paid out are stored as in the above publications, for example, all the games played using these medals become "losing", and the actual medals are never obtained. May not be paid out. In such a state, the player may have a suspicious feeling that the real medals are not set to be paid out, so it is necessary to confirm that the medals are paid out to the player. It is desirable to configure so that

[0010] In general, in a slot machine, a lottery is performed inside the machine in response to the start of a reel, and a symbol corresponding to the lottery result is drawn and stopped on the winning line. Keeps the big hit state until a special prize is established, and notifies the player of the big hit state by a predetermined method. For this reason, some players play a game about once or twice with each gaming machine while changing the gaming machine to be used in order to select a gaming machine that is likely to make a profit, and inform the degree of winning and the jackpot. For such a player, only medals for one to several games are stored, and the remaining medals are stored on another stand, rather than storing many medals. It is more convenient to pay out for input. Also, for the control unit of the slot machine, there is a problem in that if a process of paying out the medals immediately after storing the medals is performed, the control efficiency is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and performs a process of renting a game medium in a main body of a slot machine by combining a method of storing a game medium and a method of paying out a real game medium. Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to make a player confirm that a real game medium is paid out, and to improve the reliability of a game medium lending process and a payout process. In addition, the present invention variably sets the number of game media to be paid out as real game media or the number of game media stored by electronic data when lending game media,
Alternatively, by selecting from among a plurality of set values, it is possible to perform processing of lending game media according to the convenience of each player and to improve processing efficiency in the case of performing processing of lending game media with a slot machine. This is the second purpose.

[0012]

In a slot machine according to the present invention, a plurality of symbol displays for displaying symbols in a variable manner are arranged in parallel, and when the symbol display is stopped, each symbol display is displayed. A plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed on a predetermined number of winning lines crossing each other.

The "symbol display" is constituted by, for example, a symbol display window, a reel disposed behind the symbol display window, and a stepping motor as a drive source thereof. Symbols for a plurality of frames are drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the reel, and the variable display of the symbols is realized by the rotation of the stepping motor. Note that, instead of the reel, a reel in which both ends of a belt-shaped body having a large number of symbols arranged on its surface may be used.

In addition, the "symbol display" is a CRT,
It can also be constituted by a symbol sequence animated on a display device such as an LCD. In this case, the variable display of the symbols is performed by scrolling and displaying each symbol on the screen. A plurality of indicators for displaying a single symbol, such as a seven-segment display, may be combined and used as one symbol indicator. In this case, by changing the display positions of the symbol rows along the direction in which the display devices are arranged with the symbol rows in a predetermined arrangement order as display targets, variable display of symbols can be realized.

Further, a slot machine according to the present invention provides
It is assumed that the game using the symbol display is started by an operation of dropping the required number of game media for executing the game from the game media stored as electronic data or an operation of inserting the game media from outside the machine. It should be noted that a typical game medium is a medal, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to use a medium such as a pachinko ball.

The storage of game media as electronic data is performed by storing the number of game media stored in a control unit (generally constituted by a microcomputer) inside the machine. The number of stored game media is incremented by one each time one real game media is inserted, and a predetermined number can be added all at once according to a lending request signal from a game media lending device described later. it can. On the other hand, the “operation for inserting a game medium from outside the machine” means, for example, an operation for inserting a real medal from a medal insertion slot when the game medium is a medal.

A game medium lending device according to the present invention receives a recording medium to which a valuable value such as a prepaid card is inserted and outputs a game medium lending request signal. For example, it is desirable to be provided at a position adjacent to the slot machine or above the slot machine so as to be able to communicate with the slot machine.

It is desirable that the communication between the devices is performed by electrically connecting the slot machine and the game medium lending device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and wireless communication may be performed. Further, the slot machine and the game medium lending device may be integrated to form one device. In this case, for example, a control unit that performs control as a slot machine, and a control unit that performs control as a game media lending device,
Signals can be exchanged by being configured by individual computers and connecting the control units.

The "recording medium" is an electronic medium such as a magnetic card, an IC card, and a memory stick, and its information recording area has a ticket issuing code (I
Information such as a D number), a ticket issuing date, a monetary value indicating the value, or a frequency is recorded. It is not always necessary to record all information in the information recording area. For example, information other than the ID number is registered in the device that issued the recording medium, and the registration information is read from the recording medium using the ID number read from the recording medium. May be recognized.

The game media lending device withdraws a predetermined number of valuable values from the recording medium at the same time as receiving the insertion of the recording medium or at a timing according to a lending instruction operation by the player, and a number corresponding to the withdrawn amount. And outputs a lending request signal for lending the game medium. According to a preferred mode, the lending request signal is configured as a signal of one pulse for a predetermined number of game media, and signals for a plurality of pulses corresponding to the number of game media to be lent are sequentially output. In this case, the slot machine transmits a response signal to the game medium lending device when the lending process for the hourly lending request signal is completed, and the game medium lending device
It is desirable to transmit the next lending request signal in response to a response signal from the slot machine. Note that the game medium lending device may be configured to accept the insertion of money in place of the recording medium and output a lending request signal for lending a predetermined amount of game medium.

The slot machine has a communication means for communicating with the game medium lending device, and, when a lending request signal is received from the game medium lending device, a predetermined number of game media to be lent to the electronic device. Lending control means for storing the data as data and executing the lending of the remaining game media by paying out the actual game media out of the machine is provided.

The "process of paying out actual game media to the outside of the machine" can be performed by driving a mechanism (for example, a medal payout machine) for paying out game media as a reward when a prize is generated. The number of game media stored as the electronic data and the number of actual game media paid out can be set to arbitrary values.

The lending control means sets a program for performing the two types of lending processing in a computer for controlling the operation of the slot machine (or a computer for a sub-control unit separate from the game control). Can be configured.

According to the combination of the slot machine and the game medium lending device, after the game medium lending device accepts the insertion of money or a recording medium, for example, a predetermined number of games are played in response to a lending instruction operation by the player. A lending request signal for lending a medium is generated and transmitted to an adjacent slot machine. In response to the lending request signal, the slot machine stores a predetermined number of game media to be lent as electronic data, and pays out actual game media corresponding to the remaining lending number.

In the above configuration, for example, if it is set that only game media for several games are stored and the remaining game media are paid out, the player consumes the stored game media, and After checking, if you do not like this machine, you can move it to another platform with the paid-out game media, so you can easily select the machine without having to feel the hassle of paying back once-stored game media be able to. In addition, on the machine side, it is possible to avoid an inefficient process of immediately paying out after storing a large amount of game media, and it is possible to perform efficient control.

Conversely, most of the game media to be lent may be stored. In this case, the player can execute the credit-type game using the stored game media after confirming that the payout of the game media is properly performed. Further, if the number of game media to be paid out is set to a number that can be exchanged for premiums such as coffee and cigarettes, the service to the player can be improved.

According to a preferred mode, setting operation means for setting the number of actual game media to be paid out or the number of game media to be stored by electronic data is provided on the front of the body of the slot machine or the game medium lending device. You. According to such a configuration, the player himself / herself can freely set the number of storages and the number of payouts of the game media, so that the lending process of the game media according to the wish of each individual player can be performed. Can be.

The setting operation means is constituted by, for example, a plurality of switches for selecting a payout number or a storage number of the game medium from a plurality of options. The setting operation means can also be set by a variable setting switch for variably setting the number of payouts or the number of stored game media. When the setting operation means is constituted by a variable setting switch, it is desirable to provide a numerical display for confirming the number of payouts or the number of storages set near the switch.

The setting operation means may be provided in any of the slot machine and the game medium lending device, but is preferably electrically connected to the lending control means on the slot machine side in terms of control. However, if the switch that constitutes the setting operation means is configured to also perform the operation of instructing the lending of the game medium, this switch is connected to the control unit of the game medium lending device side, and the switch of the switch from the game medium lending device is performed. In response to the operation, a signal notifying the set value by the setting operation means may be transmitted together with the lending request signal. Alternatively, a switch is connected to the slot machine side, and a signal notifying that a lending instruction has been made is transmitted from the slot machine to the gaming medium lending device, and a lending request signal is transmitted from the gaming medium lending device to this signal. You may make it. In this case, when the slot machine receives the lending request signal from the gaming medium lending device,
The game medium lending process is executed based on the settings made by the setting operation means.

Further, the setting operation means may be provided inside the body of the slot machine. In this case, the number of stored and paid-out game media can be set as desired by the pachinko hall, so, for example, the settings can be changed according to the trend of the player regarding the use of the game media, or for each model or Different settings can be made for each game island.

[0031]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a gaming unit 1 to which the present invention is applied. This gaming unit 1
Is installed in a game media lending system using a prepaid card introduced in a pachinko hall, and a stand-to-machine machine 2 as a game media lending device and a slot machine 3 as a game machine are arranged adjacent to each other, Both are electrically connected.

The slot machine 3 is constructed by assembling a door 5 into an opening of a body main body 4 having a front opening. As shown in FIG. 2, a reel block 10, a medal dispensing machine 6 having a hopper 6a, a control board 9 on which a control unit 50 described later is mounted, and the like are arranged inside the machine body. The reel block 10 is formed by assembling three reels and stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c as driving sources thereof on a metal frame 7. A plurality of types of symbols are drawn on the peripheral surface of each of the reels 8a, 8b, 8c, and the display of the symbols is changed by rotation of the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c.

Returning to FIG. 1, the main body of the door portion 5 is formed of a metal frame having a predetermined thickness, and three panels 11, 12, 13 are assembled to the front opening thereof. Each of the panels 11, 12, and 13 is formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass, and the upper panel 12 and the lower panel 13 depict a model name, a game name, and the like. Have been.

The front panel 11 is for displaying the progress of the game, and each of the central reels 8a, 8b, 8c
Are respectively formed at the positions corresponding to the colorless and transparent symbol display windows 20a, 20b and 20c. Each of the symbol display windows 20a, 20b, and 20c is set to have such a size that symbols for three frames are stopped and displayed when the corresponding reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are stopped. Although not shown here, three horizontal pay lines and two pay lines extending diagonally are drawn on the surface of each symbol display window so as to connect the stop display position of each symbol. Have been.

Further, the front panel 11 has five activated line display lamps 22 for indicating activated lines among the five winning lines, and the number of medals stored for the credit type game. There are provided a credit display 23 for displaying, a payout medal number display 24 for displaying the number of medals paid out at the time of winning, a remaining frequency display 25 for displaying a remaining frequency of a card described later, and the like.

Between the front panel 11 and the lower panel 13, a start lever 14, stop button switches 15a and 15b,
15c, a medal slot 16, three bet button switches 17, 18, 19, a settlement switch 21, a lending switch 26 for instructing a medal lending process, and a return of a card inserted into the inter-chamber machine 2. Return switch 2 to instruct
7 and the like are deployed. Further, below the lower panel 13, a medal payout port 30, a medal tray 31, and the like are provided.

Each bet button switch 17, 18, 19
The switches 17 and 18 are used when a credit-type game is executed by consuming the stored medals.
By the operation of 19, 3 or 2,
One medal is withdrawn. Settlement switch 21
Is for paying out the stored medals and paying out medals corresponding to the number of stored medals from the medal payout exit 30.

On the other hand, the machine 2 has an upper door 32 and a lower door 33 provided on an opening surface of a box-shaped main body 60. Both doors 32 and 33 are locked by locks 34 and 35, and the upper door 32 has a bill receiving slot 36 for receiving a 1,000-yen bill, and the lower door 33 has a card entrance 37 for loading and unloading cards. , Respectively. Further lower door 33
Are provided with a card insertion switch 38, a plurality of display lamps 39 to 42 for notifying the player of the state of the machine, and the like.

The bill receiving port 36 also functions as a bill returning port. A transparent cover 43 is provided at the card entrance 37 so as to be openable and closable. Note that, in the example of the machine 2 shown in the drawing,
Although the bill receiving port 36 is formed long in the width direction of the machine body,
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be formed to be long in the longitudinal direction of the body.

Of the display lamps 39 to 42, the lower door 3
An indicator lamp 39 provided on the upper part of the printer 3 lights up while the card is being inserted to indicate that the card is being processed inside the machine. A display lamp 40 at the center indicates that the inter-chamber machine 2 is off-line due to a disconnection of a communication line in the game hall, which will be described later.
Indicates that the card is out of card. Further, the display lamp 42 is turned on when a card is carried out to the card entrance 37 to urge the player to remove the card.

The stand machine 2 of this embodiment accepts the insertion of a 1,000-yen bill, issues a card in which the frequency corresponding to the inserted amount is recorded, and accepts the card, and sends the card to an adjacent slot machine 3. It outputs a signal requesting a lending process (lending request signal), and a bill processing unit (not shown) is provided at a position corresponding to the money reception port 36.
A card processing unit (not shown) is provided at a position corresponding to the card entrance 37.

The card processing unit includes a card storage unit (not shown) that can store only one card in an initialized state, and writes information such as the value of money into the storage card and writes the information into the card entrance 37. Issued to
We accept the issued card and read and write information for medal lending. The card insertion switch 3
8 is operated when the issued card is immediately inserted into the machine body.

When the remaining number of cards is reduced to zero as a result of the medal lending process, and the card storage unit is empty, the used card is initialized and then taken into the card storage unit. Be stocked. Therefore, as long as the issued card is not removed, the same one card is used repeatedly. However, the machine between machines 2 of this embodiment
Can accept a card issued by another device in a state where the card is stocked in the card storage unit. In this case, when the residual number of the card accepted after the medal lending process becomes zero, the card is carried out to the card entrance 37 and returned to the player.

In the gaming unit 1 having the above structure, after accepting a card on the inter-stand machine 2 side, a lending request signal is transmitted to the adjacent slot machine 3 in response to the player's instruction to lend a medal. The number of medals is lent out. On the slot machine 3 side,
Only one of the medals to be lent (hereinafter, the number of medals to be lent is M) is paid out to the medal payout exit 30 and the remaining (M-1) medals are stored as electronic data.

FIG. 3 shows an electric configuration of the gaming unit 1. The control units 50 and 43 of the slot machine 3 and the inter-machine 2 of this embodiment are all microcomputers, and include a CPU serving as a control main body, a ROM storing programs, and a RAM functioning as a working memory.
Including.

In the slot machine 3, the control unit 50 includes various game switches 53 (the starting lever 1).
4, stop button switches 15a, 15b, 15c, bet button switches 17, 18, 19, and the like. ), Output units such as a credit display 23, a payout medal number display 24, a reel unit 10, and a medal payout machine 6 are connected. Further, two kinds of interface boards 51 and 52 are incorporated in the slot machine 3 for exchanging signals with the inter-machine 2. The first interface board 51 includes the control unit 50 and the control unit 43 of the
Are used to exchange signals for medal lending processing, such as the lending request signal and a response signal to the request.

The second interface board 52 includes the remaining number indicator 25, the lending switch 26, and the return switch 2.
7 is to be connected to the control unit 43 of the inter-machine 2 side. Therefore, these indicators 25 and switches 26, 27
Are provided on the slot machine 3 side, but are electrically controlled by the control unit 43 of the inter-machine 2.

The control unit 43 of the inter-machine 2 has input / output via the interface board 52 of the slot machine 3, the card insertion switch 38, and the display lamp 3.
9 to 42, and various components included in the bill processing unit and the card processing unit are connected.

The bill processing unit includes a bill detecting sensor 44 for detecting the insertion of a bill into the bill receiving port 36, and a bill identification for discriminating the denomination and authenticity of the inserted bill. A machine 45, a bill transport mechanism 46 for transporting the inserted bills to an external safe, and the like are connected. The card processing unit includes a card detection sensor 47 for detecting insertion of a card into the card entrance 37 and removal of the card, a card reader / writer 48 for reading and writing card record information, and a card. A card entrance 37, a card transport mechanism 49 for transporting the card to the card storage unit, and the like are connected.

Further, the control section 43 is connected to a bidirectional communication line 54 installed in the game arcade via a communication interface circuit 58. In this communication line 54,
Other vending machines 2, card vending machines 55 that are dedicated to issuing cards, card payment machines 56 for performing payment of the remaining amount of cards, and data relating to issuance and use of cards in a game arcade. For example, the information processing device 57 is connected, and the control unit 43 appropriately exchanges information with these devices.

The control unit 43 includes a bill detecting sensor 44.
When it is determined that a proper bill has been inserted based on the detection signal from the bill validator 45, the card reader / writer 48 and the card transport mechanism 49 are driven to issue a card. Further, the control unit 43 registers the information recorded on the issued card in an internal memory, and thereafter, when a card issued by the own device is received, uses the internal registration information to make sure that the recording information of the card is appropriate. Determine if there is.

When a card issued by another inter-machine 2 or a card vending machine 55 is received, the control unit 43 requests the device that issued the card to check the record information of the card. Using the response from the issuing device to the request, it is determined whether or not the record information of the card is appropriate.
In this embodiment, the card registration information is managed by the issuing device as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Information on all cards issued in the hall can be stored in a specific device. May be unified.

When the lending switch 26 is operated in a state where the recording information of the accepted card is determined to be appropriate, the lending switch 26 is sent from the control unit 43 of the inter-machine 2 to the control unit 50 of the slot machine 3. A request signal is sent. The control unit 50 of the slot machine 3 responds to the lending request signal by
By driving the medal dispensing machine 6, one medal is paid out, and M-1 is added to the number of stored medals in the internal memory, thereby performing a medal lending process.

In the medal lending process, a lending request signal is generated one pulse at a time, and the slot machine 3 lends a predetermined number (for example, five) of medals per lending request signal for one pulse. (That is, the payout number M of the medals is a multiple of 5). Also, the control unit 50 of the slot machine 3 returns a response signal indicating the completion of the process to the inter-machine 2 each time the medal lending process for one time is performed. Is transmitted.

FIG. 4 shows a processing procedure (ST1 to ST1) at the time of issuing a card and accepting a card by the control unit 43 of the stand-to-machine unit 2.
9), and FIG. 5 shows a procedure (ST31-41) of the medal lending process by the control unit 50 of the slot machine 3.
Hereinafter, along with the flow of FIGS.
A series of processes from when the player purchases a card to when the game starts will be described.

First, the player purchases a card by using the
When a 1,000-yen bill is inserted into the bill receiving port 36 of ST4, ST1 in FIG.
Is "YES" and the operation proceeds to ST2. In ST2, it is checked whether or not a card is accommodated in the card accommodation unit.
Proceeding to T5, the input bill is returned. It should be noted that, when the bill validator 45 determines that the inserted bill is not appropriate, the bill is returned in the same manner.

If a card is accommodated in the card accommodating section, the process proceeds from ST2 to ST3, in which card information indicating a ticket issuing number, an amount value, and the like set for this card is created. In the next ST4, while carrying out the accommodation card,
After the card information is written into the information recording section of the card by the card reader / writer 48, the card entrance 37
Take out to. The card information is stored in the memory of the control unit 43 as registration information of the issued card.

Next, the player operates the card insertion switch 3
When the issued card is inserted by operating No. 8, ST6
Becomes "YES" and proceeds to ST7. In this ST7,
After reading the record information of the card by the card reader / writer 48, the record information is collated with the registered information in the memory. When it is determined that the record information of the card is proper by this collation processing, the process proceeds from ST8 to ST9, and the remaining frequency indicator 25 displays the remaining frequency of the card. If it is determined that the record information of the card is improper by the collation processing, the process proceeds from ST8 to ST19, and the accepted card is returned from the card entrance 37.

When the lending switch 26 is operated in a state where the remaining number of cards is displayed, ST10 becomes "YES" and the process proceeds to ST11, where the controller 50 of the slot machine 3 is controlled.
To send a lending request signal. In response to this loan request signal,
When the slot machine 3 performs a medal payout process and returns a response signal, ST12 becomes “YES”. In the following, the number of times (N times) corresponding to the number of times of withdrawal from the card is ST
By repeating the processes of 11 and 12, the slot machine 3 is caused to perform a process of lending medals for N times. If the response signal has not been returned after a lapse of a predetermined time from the transmission of the lending request signal, ST12 becomes "NO", and the subsequent processing is stopped to perform predetermined error processing.

When the signal processing for N times is completed, ST13
Becomes "YES" and proceeds to ST14, where the frequency of the remaining frequency indicator 25 is updated to a frequency obtained by subtracting N frequencies. Further, in ST15, the remaining frequency of the card information in the memory and the recording information of the card is similarly rewritten to a value obtained by subtracting the N frequency.

If the remaining number of the card after the rewriting process is not zero, the process returns from ST16 to ST10. Then, when the lending switch 38 is operated again, the lending request signal is transmitted N times by the same procedure as described above, and the slot machine 3 executes the lending processing of medals of N times.

When the residual count of the card becomes zero,
Check for a containment card. When the card issued by the own apparatus is inserted as it is as described above, the card storage unit is empty, so that step ST17 becomes "NO" and the process proceeds to step ST18, where the card having the remaining number of zero is inserted into the card storage unit. Transported and stored.

When the insertion of a card issued by another device is accepted, in ST7, a process of collating the record information of the card accepted by communication with the issuing device is performed. In ST15, the communication with the issuing device is performed again, the card information registered in the device is rewritten, and then the recording information of the card is rewritten. When the remaining number of cards is reduced to zero by the rewriting process after the medal lending process, if a card is stored in the card storage unit, the process proceeds from ST17 to ST19, and the remaining frequency is reduced to zero. The card is returned from the card entrance 37.

Next, the slot machine 3 accepts the lending request signal from the inter-machine 2 and thereby receives the lending request signal shown in FIG.
T31 becomes "YES". When the first lending request signal is received from the inter-vehicle device 2, the next ST32 is "N
"O", the process proceeds to ST33, and the number of stored medals in the memory of the control unit 50 is added by "5", thereby storing five medals. In the next ST34, a response signal is returned to the inter-vehicle device 2. Thereafter, similarly, by executing the processing of ST32 to ST34 in response to the reception of the lending request signal until the number of times of reception of the lending request signal reaches N times, five medals are received for each lending request signal. Store or pay out.

In this embodiment, after the lending process, in order to automatically set the bet medals for the first game, when the lending request signal from the inter-machine 2 reaches the Nth time, S
The process shifts from T32 to ST35 and subsequent processes. ST35
Then, one medal is stored in response to the N-th lending request signal, and in ST36, the medal payout machine 6 is driven to pay out one medal from the medal payout exit 30.

In this manner, when medals except N out of N medals are lent in the selected mode,
In the next ST37, the remaining three medals are set to bet on the game. Then, in the subsequent ST38, after returning the last response signal to the inter-vehicle device 2, it waits for the operation of the starting lever 14. When the start lever 14 is operated, ST39 becomes "YES" and the process proceeds to ST40, where each reel 8a,
The game is started by starting 8b and 8c.

When a signal other than the lending request signal is transmitted from the inter-chamber machine 2, a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 16, or a bet operation for consuming a medal already stored is performed. Moves to ST41 and executes a process according to the received signal and the content of the operation.

According to the above procedure, the state in which three medals are bet is automatically set by operating the lending switch 26. Therefore, the player does not insert medals or operate the bet button switch. You can run the game immediately. Also, since one of the medals to be lent out is paid out as a real medal, it is possible to make the player realize that the medal is certainly paid out. Note that FIG.
In the above procedure, when the process of ST38 is completed, the end of the lending process may be notified by a method such as outputting a sound effect.

In the above embodiment, only one real medal is paid out in the medal lending process. However, the number of paid out medals is not limited to one but may be set to an arbitrary number. . Also, if you let the player set the number of medals to be paid out and pay out the number of medals as desired,
The lending process can be performed according to the convenience of the player.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which, out of the operation unit of the slot machine 3 shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the lending switch 26 is changed and three types of lending switches 26A, 26B and 26C are set. These lending switches 26A to 26C instruct the lending of medals by deducting the frequency of the card, and at the same time, the number of real medals to be paid out is 3, 6, respectively.
It has a function to set each of 10 sheets. When the number of payout medals is relatively small as in this embodiment,
If the number of medals to be paid set in each of the lending switches 26A to 26C is made to correspond to the number of exchanges for prizes such as coffee, juice, and cigarettes, even a player who does not have coins can provide services for these prizes. You can use it for coffee and smoking.

In the example of FIG. 6, the control unit 50 on the slot machine 3 side needs to know the number of medals to be paid out, so that the lending switches 26A to 26C are connected to the control unit 50 of the slot machine 3. It is desirable to do. In this case, when any one of the lending switches 26A to 26C is operated, the control unit 50 of the slot machine 3 sets the medal payout number corresponding to the switch in the memory, and sends the medal payout number to the control unit 43 of the inter-stand machine 2. A control signal for notifying the type of the operated switch is transmitted. The control unit 43 of the room machine 2
Receives this control signal, confirms that the card collation processing has been completed, and transmits a lending request signal to the slot machine 3 side. The control unit 50 of the slot machine 3 stores five medals according to the hourly lending request signal in the same manner as in the procedure of FIG. Then, when the remaining loaned number reaches the number obtained by adding the set value of the medal payout number to the three bet medals for the first game, the processing for storing the medals and the processing for paying out real medals is started. After switching and paying out the set number of medals, a state is set in which the remaining three medals are bet on the game.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, each of the lending switches 26A to 26C may be connected to the stand-to-machine unit 2 as in the first embodiment. In this case, for example, the inter-unit machine 2 generates and outputs three types of lending request signals for each switch, and the slot machine 3 side generates real medals according to the type of the lending request signal received first. After the number of payouts is set, a lending process according to the setting is executed in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the payout number of medals is variably set. In this embodiment, a lending switch 26 and a return switch 27 similar to those of the first embodiment are provided, and a number-of-payouts indicator 61 and two variable setting switches 6 are provided at positions adjacent to the switches 26 and 27.
Deploy 2,63. The number-of-payouts display 61 is for displaying the current set value of the number of real medals to be paid out. The first variable setting switch 62 is for reducing the set value, and the second variable setting switch 62 is for the second. Variable setting switch 63
Is for increasing the set value.

In this embodiment, the lending switch 26 is connected to the control unit 43 on the inter-machine unit 2 and the variable setting switches 6
2, 63 and the number-of-payouts display 61 are connected to the control unit 50 on the slot machine 3 side. Thereby, the control unit 43 of the machine 2
Transmits a loan request signal for N times to the slot machine 3 by executing the same procedure as in FIG. On the other hand, the control unit 50 on the slot machine 3 side includes the variable setting switches 62 and 63.
Is set in the memory, and five medals are stored per hour in accordance with the lending request signal from the inter-machine 2. Then, when the number of remaining loans reaches the number of medals obtained by adding the set value of the number of payouts to the three medals which are betting medals for the first game, real medals are paid out from the processing of storing the medals. Switch to processing,
After paying out the set number of medals, a state is set in which the remaining three medals are bet on the game.

According to the above configuration, the player sets the desired number of medals to be paid out by using the variable setting switches 62 and 63 before or after inserting the card into the machine 2. Next, when the player operates the lending switch 26, the medal storing process and the medal payout process are performed based on the settings of the variable setting switches 62 and 63. In this embodiment, the set value of the medal payout number is reset to set a predetermined initial value immediately after the power is turned on to the machine or when a state in which the game is not executed continues for a predetermined time. Good.

Further, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to set so that the number of stored medals is limited to several games and the remaining many medals are paid out. Further, it may be set so as to pay out all medals except three medals that are automatically bet for the first game. On the other hand, if the medal payout number can be set to zero,
All medals including the medals for the first game can be stored. According to such a configuration, 1, 2,
For the player who wants to move to another platform after playing the game twice, the credit-based game is continuously performed after the medal lending process, and the lending process that is convenient for the player is executed. And the convenience in the lending process can be greatly improved.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the lending switches 26, 26A to 26C, the return switch 27, the variable setting switches 62, 63, and the number-of-payouts display 61 are provided.
May be provided not only on the slot machine 3 side but also on the front of the machine of the inter-machine 2. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, it is desirable that the variable setting switches 62 and 63 and the number-of-payouts display 61 be connected to the control unit 50 of the slot machine 3 in view of control. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the medal lending process is performed in response to the lending instruction operation of the player after the card is inserted into the inter-chamber machine 2, but is not limited thereto, and the lending process is performed immediately after the card is inserted. May be performed.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a slot machine performs a lending process of a game medium in response to a lending request signal from an adjacent game medium lending device, a predetermined number of game media to be lent is determined. Is stored as electronic data, and the remaining rented game media are paid out as real game media. By setting so that at least one game media is paid out,
It is possible to make the player confirm that the real game medium is paid out, and it is possible to increase the reliability of the payout of the game medium. If the number of stored or paid-out game media is configured to be freely set by the player, the process of lending the game media according to each player's wish can be performed. Can be greatly improved and the service to the player can be enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a gaming unit to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration inside the body of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the gaming unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the inter-machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a medal lending process of the slot machine.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example in which the configuration of switches related to the medal lending process is changed.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example in which the configuration of switches related to the medal lending process is changed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming unit 2 Machine between machines 3 Slot machine 6 Medal payout machine 26A-26C Lending switch 43, 50 Control part 51 Interface board 62, 63 Variable setting switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A slot machine for starting a game in response to an operation of withdrawing a required number of game media for executing a game from a game medium stored as electronic data or an operation of inserting a game medium from outside the machine, A communication unit for communicating with a game medium lending device provided at a proximity position; and when the communication unit receives a lending instruction signal from the game medium lending device, the electronic device determines a predetermined number of game media to be lent out by the electronic device. A slot machine having lending control means for storing as game data and executing lending of remaining game media by paying out actual game media outside the machine. 2. A setting operation means for setting the number of actual game media to be paid out or the number of game media to be stored by electronic data is provided on the front of the body of the slot machine or the game medium lending device. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the lending control means determines the number of payouts and the number of storages of the game media according to the setting contents of the setting operation means. 3. A slot machine for starting a game in response to an operation of withdrawing a required number of game media required for executing the game from a game medium stored as electronic data or an operation of inserting a game medium from outside the machine, and The gaming machine lending device, which receives the insertion of a recording medium to which a value has been added and outputs a gaming medium lending instruction signal, is communicably arranged at a position close to the gaming medium lending device, and the slot machine comprises: When a lending instruction signal is received from the user, a predetermined number of game media to be lent is stored as the electronic data, and lending of the remaining game media is executed by paying out real game media outside the machine. A gaming unit comprising control means. 4. A setting operation means for setting the number of actual game media to be paid out or the number of game media to be stored by electronic data is provided on a front surface of the body of the slot machine or the game medium lending device. 4. The gaming unit according to claim 3, wherein the lending control means determines the number of payouts and the number of storages of the game media according to the setting contents of the setting operation means.