JP2008206639A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device allowing a player to properly operate the device using both normal tangible objects with storage parts and special tangible objects without storage parts. <P>SOLUTION: The token game machine discharges tokens according to the result of a game controlled by a control part 600. The token game machine comprises a normal token discharging part 330 for discharging normal tokens M as normal tangible objects without storage parts for storing electronic data, and an IC token discharging part 380 for discharging IC tokens M' as special tangible objects with storage parts for storing electronic data. The control part 600 controls the normal token discharging part and the IC token discharging part based on the result of the game, and discharges at least either normal tokens or IC tokens onto the play-field or to the outside of the game machine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus in which a game is progressed by receiving a game medium, and the game medium is ejected in the form of a tangible object according to the result of the game.

  As this type of game device, for example, a medal game machine installed in a game center or the like is known. In a medal game machine, when a player inserts a medal as a game medium and plays a game, depending on the result of the game, a medal (tangible object) is discharged directly to the outside of the machine or discharged into the play field. Or Patent Document 1 discloses a medal game machine that uses a medal (IC medal) provided with a storage unit for storing electronic data. In this medal game machine, all medals used are IC medals, and all the appearances are the same.

JP 2006-87900 A

  However, since an IC medal is more expensive than a normal medal that does not have a storage unit, the normal medal is used when all the medals used are IC medals as in the medal game machine described in Patent Document 1. When introducing the medal game machine to an existing game center or the like, it is necessary to newly introduce a large amount of IC medals. Therefore, there is a problem that the introduction cost increases.

Therefore, the present inventors examined the realization of a system in which an IC medal and a normal medal are mixed. If such a system can be realized, it will be introduced compared to the case where all medals are set as IC medals while providing new game characteristics (game characteristics that cannot be provided when only normal medals are used) by introducing IC medals. Cost can be kept low. However, if normal medals and IC medals are simply mixed in medals to be used, and normal medals and IC medals cannot be controlled separately, proper operation of the medal game machine becomes difficult. Actually, the problem that it was difficult to put into practical use was found.
Note that the tangible object to be discharged is not limited to a medal, and even a game machine such as a pachinko machine or pachislot machine equipped with a mechanism for discharging other tangible objects such as pachinko balls and coins has a storage unit. In the case of realizing a system in which a normal tangible object that is not present and a special tangible object having a storage unit are mixed, the above-described problem can occur in the same manner.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and the object of the present invention is to facilitate proper operation while using both a normal tangible object that does not include a storage unit and a special tangible object that includes a storage unit. Is to provide a simple game device.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a game medium receiving means for receiving a game medium, a game control means for controlling a game that is progressed by the game medium receiving means receiving the game medium, and A game apparatus comprising: a game medium discharge means for discharging a game medium in the form of a tangible object according to a game result controlled by the game control means, wherein the game medium discharge means includes a storage unit that stores electronic data. Based on the result of the game controlled by the game control means, the normal tangible material discharge mechanism that discharges the normal tangible material that is not discharged, the special tangible material discharge mechanism that discharges the special tangible material that includes a storage unit that stores electronic data, and the like. A discharge control means for controlling at least one of a normal tangible material discharge mechanism and a special tangible material discharge mechanism. It is characterized in that it is intended to discharge the at least one game contents of the Distinguished tangible.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game device of the first aspect, the special tangible material discharge mechanism discharges a special tangible object having a different appearance from the normal tangible material discharged by the normal tangible material discharge mechanism. It is what.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game device of the first aspect, the special tangible material discharge mechanism discharges a special tangible material having the same appearance as the normal tangible material discharged by the normal tangible material discharge mechanism. It is a feature.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game device of the first, second, or third aspect, at least one of the normal tangible material discharge mechanism and the special tangible material discharge mechanism is outside the game device. Is.
The invention according to claim 5 is the game apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a play field forming means for forming a play field that can be visually recognized by the player, and the normal tangible material discharge mechanism and the special tangible material. At least one discharge destination of the discharge mechanism is in the play field.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect of the present invention, the normal tangible material storage container that stores the normal tangible material and the special tangible material storage container that stores the special tangible material are provided. The normal tangible material discharge mechanism discharges the normal tangible material in the normal tangible material storage container, and the special tangible material discharge mechanism discharges the special tangible material in the special tangible material storage container.
The invention of claim 7 is the game apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, further comprising data reading means for reading electronic data stored in the storage unit of the special tangible object. It is what.
The invention according to claim 8 is the game device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, further comprising data writing means for writing predetermined electronic data to the storage unit of the special tangible object. It is a feature.
The invention of claim 9 is the game apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, and a mounting table having a mounting surface on which a large number of tangible objects as game media are mounted; An extruding member that reciprocally moves along the portion with respect to the placement surface so as to push out a tangible object existing on a portion of the placement surface to the other portion side of the placement surface; A tangible object pushed out by the extruding member has a drop groove in which the tangible object pushed out of the placement surface falls, and the game medium discharge means is provided on condition that the tangible object falls in the drop groove. Is discharged in the form of a tangible object.

  Here, the “game medium” means a tangible object such as a medal, a coin, a pachinko ball, or an intangible object such as electronic data exchanged between the player and the game device. Accordingly, the “game medium receiving means” includes means for receiving data from a recording medium on which electronic data as a game medium is recorded, as well as means for receiving a tangible object such as a medal.

In the present invention, a mechanism for discharging a normal tangible object that does not include a storage unit and a mechanism for discharging a special tangible object that includes a storage unit are individually provided, and at least one of the discharge control is possible. It becomes possible to control the discharge amount and discharge timing of at least one tangible object.
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that proper operation of a game device using both a normal tangible object and a special tangible object becomes easy.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pusher game machine which is a medal game machine as a game apparatus (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “Embodiment 1”) will be described with reference to the drawings.
Each figure only schematically shows the shape, size, and positional relationship to the extent that the contents of the present invention can be understood. Therefore, the present invention is the shape, size, and position illustrated in each figure. It is not limited to relationships only. Moreover, in each figure, a part of hatching in a cross section is abbreviate | omitted for clarification of a structure.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the appearance of the pusher game machine 1 according to the first embodiment.
The pusher game machine 1 is provided with four satellite portions SA so as to surround the center lottery device 2000. Each satellite unit SA includes four station units ST, and each player plays a game at each station unit ST. Each satellite unit SA includes one satellite lottery device 1000 as physical lottery means, and each station unit ST is arranged around the satellite lottery device 1000.

(Configuration of station unit ST)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of the station unit ST in the pusher game machine 1.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the internal structure of the station unit ST.
As shown in FIG. 3, the station unit ST includes a medal insertion mechanism (game medium receiving means) 100, a medal transport path 200, a first lift-up hopper 300, a second lift-up hopper 350, and a medal discharge path 400. A play field 500, a control unit 600, a display unit 700, and a housing 800.

  The casing 800 is a configuration that is a framework of the station unit ST. In the housing 800, the medal insertion mechanism 100 is disposed on the upper front side, the display unit 700 as display means is disposed on the upper back side, and the play field 500 is disposed on the upper center. Further, inside the housing 800, a medal transport path 200, a first lift-up hopper 300 as a normal tangible material discharge mechanism, a second lift-up hopper 350 as a special tangible material discharge mechanism, a control unit 600, and the like are housed. Here, “front side” means the side located when the player plays the game, “back side” means the side opposite to the side located when the player plays the game, and “center” means the above-mentioned side. It means the area between the “front side” and the “back side”.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 is configured to insert a normal medal (hereinafter simply referred to as “medal”) M, which is a normal tangible object as a game medium, into the pusher game machine 1 when a player plays a game. The medal M inserted from the medal insertion mechanism 100 is transported to the first lift-up hopper 300 through the medal transport path 200 and is temporarily stored in the first lift-up hopper 300. As described above, the medal transport path 200 and the first lift-up hopper 300 are disposed in the housing 800. The medal transport path 200 mechanically and physically connects the medal insertion mechanism 100 and the first lift-up hopper 300, and transports the medal M inserted from the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the first lift-up hopper 300. It has a function.

The first lift-up hopper 300 is lifted up by a normal medal storage unit 310 as a normal tangible material storage container for storing medals M, a lift up unit 320 for lifting the medals M to a predetermined height, And a normal medal discharging unit 330 for discharging the medal M at a predetermined timing. In addition, a medal discharge path 400 for guiding the discharged medal M to the play field 500 is provided at the discharge port of the normal medal discharge unit 330 so as to be able to swing left and right.
The upper end of the lift-up unit 320 is disposed above the play field 500. Accordingly, the normal medal discharge unit 330 provided at the upper end of the lift-up unit 320 is also disposed above the play field 500. Therefore, the medal M temporarily accumulated in the normal medal storage unit 310 provided under the play field 500 is lifted above the play field 500 by the lift-up unit 320 and then from the normal medal discharge unit 330 to the medal discharge route. It is injected into the play field 500 via 400.

The second lift-up hopper 350 includes an IC medal storage unit 360 as a special tangible material storage container for accumulating the IC medal M ′, a lift-up unit 370 for lifting the IC medal M ′ to a predetermined height, An IC medal discharging unit 380 for discharging the lifted up IC medal M ′ at a predetermined timing. In addition, a medal discharge path 450 for guiding the discharged IC medal M ′ to the play field 500 is provided at the discharge port of the IC medal discharge unit 380 so as to be able to swing left and right.
The upper end of the lift-up unit 370 is disposed above the play field 500. Accordingly, an IC medal discharge unit 380 provided at the upper end of the lift-up unit 370 is also disposed above the play field 500. Therefore, the IC medal M ′ temporarily accumulated in the IC medal storage unit 360 provided under the play field 500 is lifted above the play field 500 by the lift-up unit 370 and then the medal from the IC medal discharge unit 380. It is injected into the play field 500 via the discharge path 450.

  In the play field 500, a main table 501 serving as a mounting table for storing medals M and a pusher unit 510 serving as a push member mounted on the main table 501 are provided. The pusher unit 510 pushes the medal M stored in the main table 501, an upper surface for storing the medal M (this is referred to as a sub table 511), an inclined table 512 on which the medal M dropped from the sub table 511 slides. And a pushing wall 513. The pusher unit 510 is slidably provided on the main table 501 in the play field 500, and slides back and forth at a constant cycle or an arbitrary cycle under the control of the control unit 600 as a game control unit. . A part (the back side) of the pusher unit 510 is stored in a storage unit 720 described later provided below the display unit 700. The pusher unit 510 reciprocates back and forth by sliding so as to enter and exit from the storage unit 720.

  The frame member 710 of the display 701 in the display unit 700 is slidably contacted with the sub table 511. Therefore, when the pusher unit 510 moves in the direction in which the pusher unit 510 is stored in the storage unit 720, the medal M on the sub table 511 is pushed forward by the frame member 710. Due to this pushing, some medals M on the sub-table 511 fall onto the tilting table 512. A part of the medals M dropped from the sub table 511 enters openings (referred to as chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3) that serve as medal passage openings provided in the tilt table 512. Further, the remaining medals M fall as they are to the main table 501 and are stored in the main table 501.

  The medal M on the main table 501 is pushed forward by the sliding motion of the pusher unit 510, similarly to the medal M on the sub table 511. That is, since the pusher portion 510 is placed on the main table 501 with no gap, when the pusher portion 510 moves in the direction of unloading from the storage portion 720, the pusher portion 510 is moved forward by the pushing wall 513 that is the front surface of the pusher portion 510. The medal M on the table 501 is pushed forward. Due to this pushing, some medals M on the main table 501 fall. Among the dropped medals M, the medals M that have fallen into the medal drop groove from the player side end (referred to as the front end 501a (see FIG. 2)) are paid out to the player, and other medals M such as the main table 501 The medals M dropped from both sides (referred to as the side end 501b) are stocked in a predetermined storage unit in the station unit ST, for example, the normal medal storage unit 310.

  In addition to the configuration described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the station unit ST according to the first embodiment includes a medal movement simulation effect unit 900. As will be described later, the medal movement simulation effect unit 900 has a plurality of light emitting units (LEDs 920 described later) arranged from the vicinity of the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the vicinity of the normal medal discharge unit 330, and these light emitting units are used as the medal insertion mechanism. By lighting sequentially from the 100 side to the normal medal discharge unit 330, a state in which the medal M inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 moves is simulated. At this time, the route on which the medal M actually moves and the route simulated by the effect need not be the same or close to each other.

  Further, the medal M inserted from the medal insertion mechanism 100 is temporarily stored in the normal medal storage unit 310 in the first lift-up hopper 300. In the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300, the medal M stocked in the normal medal storage unit 310 is lifted up by the lift-up unit 320 and set in advance. When the medal M is inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100, the first lift-up hopper 300 uses the medal M previously set in the normal medal discharge unit 330 in the play field in accordance with the control from the control unit 600 as the discharge control means. To 500. Thus, in the first embodiment, the medal M inserted by the player and the medal M actually inserted into the play field 500 are different medals.

  In addition, when the medal insertion mechanism 100 inserts the medal M, the medal movement simulation effect unit 900 sequentially arranges the arranged LEDs 920 from the medal insertion mechanism 100 side to the normal medal discharge unit 330 according to the control from the control unit 600. Light up. At this time, the state in which the medal M inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 moves is controlled by controlling the timing at which the LED 920 in the vicinity of the normal medal discharging unit 330 is turned on and the timing at which the medal M is discharged from the normal medal discharging unit 330. Can be produced in a simulated manner by the medal movement simulation production unit 900.

  On the other hand, the IC medal M ′ stocked in the IC medal storage unit 360 is lifted up by the lift-up unit 370 and set in advance in the IC medal discharge unit 380 of the second lift-up hopper 350. The IC medal discharge unit 380 discharges the IC medal M ′ set in advance to the play field 500 in accordance with control from the control unit 600 serving as a discharge control unit. That is, in the first embodiment, the play field 500 is a special tangible object including a medal M, which is a normal tangible object that does not include a storage unit that stores electronic data, and a storage unit that stores electronic data. The IC medal M ′ is mixed.

  In the first embodiment, medal value data is stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. The medal value data is data indicating its own relative value with respect to a predetermined reference value. In the first embodiment, how many IC medals M ′ have the medal value corresponding to the IC medal M ′. It is the data shown. The “relative value of the self with respect to the predetermined reference value” is indicated by a numerical value, and means a relative value with respect to a predetermined reference value. The “medal value” here means a converted value to the normal medal M, and the IC medal M ′ whose medal value data is 10 has the medal value of 10 normal medals. In the first embodiment, the medal value data stored in the IC medal M ′ is any one of “10”, “30”, and “50”. Therefore, there are three types of IC medals: an IC medal M ′ corresponding to 10 normal medals, an IC medal M ′ corresponding to 30 normal medals, and an IC medal M ′ corresponding to 50 normal medals. However, it is not limited to this.

In the first embodiment, the IC medal M ′ has an outer dimension smaller than that of the medal M, and the pattern and color on the medal surface are different from those of the medal M, and the appearance is different from that of the medal M. ing. Therefore, the player can distinguish and recognize the medal M and the IC medal M ′ mixed in the play field 500 in appearance. However, in the first embodiment, the IC medals are all the same in appearance, so that the difference in the electronic data stored in the IC chip cannot be distinguished and recognized in appearance. It should be noted that it may be possible to recognize it by distinguishing the appearance according to the difference in electronic data stored in the IC chip.
As in the first embodiment, the medal M and the IC medal M ′ can be distinguished from each other in appearance, so that the IC medal M ′ is dropped with priority over the medal M present in the play field 500 with respect to the player. Strategic play of dropping into the groove can be promoted, and the game performance is improved. Note that the medal M and the IC medal M ′ may be the same in appearance, and the player may not recognize the medal M and the IC medal M ′ in distinction in appearance. In this case, it is possible to provide game characteristics that cannot be provided when the player can recognize the medal M and the IC medal M ′ by distinguishing them in appearance.

In addition, the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ according to the first embodiment stores a store ID unique to the store where the IC medal M ′ is used. As a result, as described later, it is possible to prevent the IC medal M ′ of another store that is prohibited from being used at the store from being used illegally.
Further, the expiration date data for specifying the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ is stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ of the first embodiment. Thereby, the expiration date management of the IC medal M ′ can be performed.
The IC chip of the IC medal M ′ may store a medal ID unique to each IC medal M ′. In this case, a data table storing various data in a form corresponding to each medal ID can be centrally managed on the game device side or the store side. Such a management method has a higher security effect in that it is easier to prevent unauthorized data tampering than when expiration date data is stored in each IC medal M ′. Further, since it is possible to change the expiration date data associated with each IC medal M ′ without accessing each IC medal M ′, it is possible to flexibly deal with the store side operation policy. That is, even after the IC medal M ′ has been delivered to the player, the expiration date data of the IC medal M ′ can be changed. Even when circumstances for changing the expiration date of the IC medal M ′ occur, it can be easily handled.
Note that the electronic data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is not limited to that exemplified in the first embodiment, and electronic data that is appropriately selected according to the method of using the IC medal M ′ or the like is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the station part ST has a ball throwing mechanism 1800 on at least one side. The ball throwing mechanism 1800 has a configuration for throwing balls B1 and B2, which are spherical objects as foreign objects described later, into the play field 500, and includes a ball throwing slope 1801 and a ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810. The balls B1 and B2 are lottery objects for executing a bingo game described later.

  The ball throwing slope 1801 is configured to guide balls B1 and B2 thrown from a ball carrier 1520 described later to the ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810 by gravity. Therefore, it is a downward slope. The ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810 is a structure for drawing lots on the play field 500 where the balls B1 and B2 are thrown. In this way, the balls B1 and B2 thrown into the station unit ST from a ball carrier 1520, which will be described later, are thrown into the play field 500 via the ball throwing slope 1801 and the ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the station unit ST has a ball transport mechanism 1900 on at least one side. The ball transport mechanism 1900 is configured to transport the balls B1 and B2 to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 when the balls B1 and B2 fall from the main table 501 in the play field 500 to the medal drop groove provided on the front side thereof. And has a ball transport path 1040, a ball transport unit 1910, and a ball transport unit traveling slope 1901, which will be described later. The ball transport path 1040 is provided below the front end 501a and guides the balls B1 and B2 dropped from the front end 501a to the ball transport unit 1910. The ball transport unit 1910 is configured to transport the balls B1 and B2 received via the ball transport path 1040 to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, and travels on the ball transport unit travel slope 1901 according to the control of the control unit 600. The balls B1 and B2 conveyed to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 are delivered to a ball carrier 1520 (see FIG. 6) described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the station unit ST has a medal payout mechanism including a third lift-up hopper 1020 and a medal payout portion 1030. By driving this medal payout mechanism, the medal drop from the front end 501a. The medal M equivalent to the medal value equal to the medal M dropped into the groove is discharged to the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100.

  In addition, a game screen of a game different from the pusher game, such as a bingo game or a digital lottery game (slot game), is displayed on the display unit 700 in the station unit ST. In the pusher game machine 1, as will be described later, in addition to the pusher game, a slot game screen as shown in FIG. A game screen is displayed on the display unit 700 and a bingo game is executed.

  The slot game is a digital lottery game that is mainly digitally drawn by the control unit 600 as a game control means in the station unit ST. The start condition of this slot game is that the medal M or the IC medal M ′ enters one of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3 provided on the inclination table 512 of the pusher unit 510. The display unit 700 displays a slot game screen as shown in FIG. 4 during a period when a bingo game described later is not in progress, and the medal M is displayed on any of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3. Alternatively, when the IC medal M ′ enters and the slot lottery start condition is satisfied, the control unit 600 performs display control for rotating the three dice-shaped slots DS. In the digital lottery in the slot game, the control unit 600 executes a predetermined lottery program, and determines whether the generated random number is won or lost in light of a predetermined winning table. Thereafter, when the winning combination is determined, the control unit 600 performs display control for stopping the rotation of the three dice slots DS so that the combination of symbols related to the winning combination is stopped and displayed on the display unit 700.

  In the first embodiment, as a combination of digital lottery, a small winning combination A for supplying three medals M to the play field 500, a small winning combination B for supplying three IC medals M ′ to the play field 500, and the play field 500. The ball supply combination for supplying the ball B1, the normal bonus combination for supplying 30 medals to the play field 500, and 30 medals for the play field 500, and the winning probability was set higher in the subsequent digital lottery. Probability bonus combinations using a winning table, a direct satellite combination that directly supplies the ball B1 to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, a direct center combination that directly supplies the ball B1 to the center lottery apparatus 2000, and the like are prepared. The winning probability of each combination is set to be lower in this order. In addition, what kind of combination is prepared and what winning probability is set for each combination is arbitrary. For example, various benefits such as paying out the medal M directly to the player may be provided to the player.

In the first embodiment, when the control unit 600 determines whether or not to win the ball supply combination, a digital lottery for determining whether or not to supply the ball B1 to the play field 500 is performed. When the ball supply combination is won by the digital lottery of the control unit 600, a ball supply command is output from the control unit 600 to a control unit (not shown) of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. Thereby, as will be described later, the control unit of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 delivers the ball B1 from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520, and passes the ball carrier 1520 along the outer periphery of the annular ball conveyance path 1500. The ball supply combination is moved to the corresponding position of the station unit ST selected. Then, the ball B1 is delivered from the ball carrier 1520 to the ball throwing mechanism 1800 of the station section ST, and the ball B1 is supplied from the ball throwing mechanism 1800 to the play field 500. In the first embodiment, the ball B2 is supplied to the play field 500 only when a bingo of a specific line is established on a bingo card of a bingo game described later. The configuration and operation related to the ball supply at this time are almost the same as those of the ball B1 except that the ball B2 is delivered from the ball supply mechanism 1400 different from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520.
In the first embodiment, the component for supplying the balls B1 and B2 to the play field 500 in this way constitutes the foreign substance supply means.

  The bingo game is a physical lottery game that progresses by physical lottery using two types of balls B1 and B2 and the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, and includes a control unit (not shown) in the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 described later and a control unit 600 in the station unit ST. And proceed by. In the bingo game, the control unit of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 mainly controls the lottery for determining the winning bingo numbers of the bingo game, and the control unit 600 of each station unit ST belonging to the satellite unit SA including the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. Is mainly in charge of the control of bingo game production and bingo establishment. In the first embodiment, a physical lottery is performed in which one winning bingo number (winning object) is selected from a plurality of different bingo numbers (lottery objects) by moving the balls B1 and B2 with the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. Do. In the physical lottery of the first embodiment, one winning bingo number is selected from the bingo numbers “1” to “9”. Then, the bingo card arrangement information in which bingo numbers of “1” to “9” are arranged in a matrix is individually obtained for each station unit ST by the control unit 600 as an arrangement information generating unit of the station unit ST, for example. To generate. Thereafter, a bingo card image BC in which images of bingo numbers “1” to “9” (lottery target images) are arranged according to the arrangement information is displayed on the display unit 700 of each station unit ST as shown in FIG. . In the first embodiment, the slot game screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 700 during a period when the bingo game is not being performed, and the physical lottery of the bingo game is started as shown in FIG. Switch to the bingo game screen. When the physical lottery of the bingo game ends, the screen returns to the slot game screen again, but the bingo card image BC is displayed small at the top of the slot game screen as shown in FIG. Therefore, the player can always check how many winning bingo numbers are available on the bingo card of the station section ST that he / she plays.

  In the first embodiment, each bingo game performed at each station is normally performed independently for each station ST. That is, when the balls B1 and B2 fall into the medal drop groove at one station part ST and the physical lottery apparatus 1000 starts, the bingo numbers won by this are won only by the one station part ST. It is treated as a bingo number and is not treated as a winning bingo number in other station units ST. However, in the first embodiment, when a predetermined event condition described later is satisfied, the bingo number to be won in the physical lottery performed when the balls B1 and B2 fall into the medal drop groove of one station unit ST is Not only one station part ST but also the winning bingo numbers of other station parts ST are handled.

Here, the other station units ST in the first embodiment are the remaining three station units ST belonging to the same satellite unit SA as the one station unit ST. That is, in the first embodiment, all the station units ST provided in the pusher game machine 1 are divided into a plurality of groups, and each group is defined as a satellite unit SA, and the above-described event is performed between the station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA. When the conditions are satisfied, it is possible to create a situation where the games of the players are related to each other. As a result, for example, a game characteristic that players who play in the station units ST belonging to the same satellite unit SA cooperate with each other and aim for medal acquisition is born.
The details of the bingo game in the first embodiment will be described later.

(Configuration of satellite lottery system)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000.
The satellite lottery apparatus 1000 includes an outer turbine stage 1100, an inner bingo stage 1200, ball supply mechanisms 1300 and 1400, a ball transport path 1500, a stage ball input mechanism 1600, and a support base 1700.

  The support base 1700 is a configuration that is a framework of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 and supports other configurations. In the support base 1700, an inner bingo stage 1200 is disposed at the upper center, and an outer bingo stage 1100 is disposed so as to surround the inner bingo stage 1200. Further, a ball transport path 1500 is disposed so as to surround the outer turbine stage 1100. Next to the ball transport path 1500, ball supply mechanisms 1300 and 1400 are provided.

  The ball supply mechanism 1300 is configured to supply a certain type of ball, for example, a non-metallic ball B1. On the other hand, the ball supply mechanism 1400 is configured to supply a seed different from the ball B1, for example, a metal ball B2. Note that the difference between the ball B1 and the ball B2 may be defined by other factors, for example, the color of the ball, regardless of whether it is a metal or a nonmetal.

  The ball supply mechanism 1300 includes a ball supply unit 1301, a lift-up unit 1302, and a ball return path 1303. The ball supply unit 1301 is configured to supply the ball B1 to a ball carrier 1520 described later. The lift-up unit 1302 is configured to lift the ball B1 to the ball supply unit 1301. The ball return path 1303 is configured to be a path for returning the ball B1 supplied to the later-described outer turbine stage 1100 to the lift-up unit 1302 in the ball supply mechanism 1300.

  Similarly, the ball supply mechanism 1400 includes a ball supply unit 1401, a lift-up unit 1402, and a ball return path (not shown). The ball supply unit 1401 is configured to supply the ball B2 to a ball carrier 1520 described later. The lift-up unit 1402 is configured to lift up the ball B2 to the ball supply unit 1401. A ball return path (not shown) is configured to be a path for returning a ball B2 supplied to an inner bingo stage 1200 (to be described later) to the lift-up unit 1402 in the second ball supply mechanism 1400.

  The ball carrier 1520 is configured to transport the balls B1 and B2 along the outer periphery of the annular ball transport path 1500. The ball carrier 1520 has a receiving portion made of two bar-shaped members bent in a V shape, and holds the balls B1 and B2. Further, the ball carrier 1520 is fixed to a ring-shaped member 1550 provided along the ball transport path 1500. Accordingly, the ball carrier 1520 moves along the ball transport path 1500 by the ring-shaped member rotating along the ball transport path 1500.

  The ball transport path 1500 has a plurality of sensor units 1510 on the outer peripheral surface. The sensor unit 1510 is configured to detect whether or not the ball carrier 1520 exists in the immediate vicinity thereof. Information detected by the sensor unit 1510 is input to a control unit (not shown), for example, appropriately or in real time. This control unit specifies the position of the ball carrier 1520 based on the information sent from the sensor unit 1510, and controls the running and stopping of the ball carrier 1520 based on this. For example, when the ball B1 is supplied to the station unit ST shown in FIG. 2, the control unit stops the ball carrier 1520 at the position of the sensor unit 1510-1 based on information from the sensor unit 1510. As a result, the ball carrier 1520 is positioned on the extension of the ball throwing slope 1801. In this state, when the V-shaped receiving portion of the ball carrier 1520 is tilted toward the ball throwing slope 1801 by a control unit (not shown), the balls B1 and B2 held on the ball carrier 1520 are thrown into the ball throwing slope 1801 (FIG. 2). )). The sensor unit 1510 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the ball transport path 1500 at a position where the ball throwing slope 1801 is arranged in each station unit ST and a position where the ball transport unit traveling slope 1901 is arranged. .

  The balls B1 and B2 thrown into the ball throwing slope 1801 are temporarily held by the stopper 1802 shown in FIG. When the player presses the button 160 and an operation signal is sent to the control unit 600, the control unit 600 controls the drive so that the stopper 1802 falls to the exit side of the ball throwing slope 1801. Thereby, the balls B1 and B2 stopped by the stopper 1802 roll down due to the inclination of the ball throwing slope 1801, and are thrown into the play field 500 via the ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810. The balls B1 and B2 thrown into the play field 500 fall from the front end 501a of the main table 501 to the medal drop groove, in the same manner as the medal M and the IC medal M ′, in the course of the pusher game. As described above, the dropped balls B1 and B2 are set in the ball transport unit 1910 via the ball transport path 1040 described later. The ball transport path 1040 includes a ball receiving portion 1041 that receives only the balls B1 and B2 and passes the medal M and the IC medal M ′. Further, the ball transport unit 1910 stands by at the ball discharge port 1043 of the ball transport path 1040 in a normal state.

  The ball transport unit 1910 has a configuration for transporting the balls B1 and B2 to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 as described above. When the balls B1 and B2 are set, the ball transport unit 1910 runs up the ball transport unit travel slope 1901 based on control from a control unit (not shown) and moves to the upper end of the ball transport unit travel slope 1901. A ball carrier 1520 is waiting in the vicinity of the upper end of the ball transporting portion traveling slope 1901. The ball transport unit 1910 moves to the upper end of the ball transport unit traveling slope 1901 and then transfers the transported balls B 1 and B 2 to the ball carrier 1520. Note that the ball carrier 1520 to which the balls B1 and B2 have been transferred is in a posture to hold it.

  Further, upon receiving the balls B1 and B2, the ball carrier 1520 moves to a position facing the stage ball insertion mechanism 1600 based on control from a control unit (not shown). The stage ball throwing mechanism 1600 includes a tray 1610 for throwing the ball B1 into the outer bingo stage 1100, and a pan 1620 for throwing the ball B2 into the inner bingo stage 1200. The ball carrier 1520 moves to a position facing the tray 1610 or 1620 according to the type of the held ball (B1, B2) based on the control from the control unit (not shown) described above. When receiving the balls from the ball carrier 1520, the trays 1610 and 1620 descend to a position facing the ball carrier 1520, and when receiving a ball from the ball carrier 1520, the trays 1610 and 1620 rise to a position facing the ball insertion paths 1110 and 1210. The ball is held until the ball is thrown in.

  For example, when the ball carrier 1520 receives the ball B1 from the ball transport unit 1910, the ball carrier 1520 passes along the ball B1 to the tray 1610 in the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600 after traveling along the ball transport path 1500. The tray 1610 that has received the ball B1 throws the held ball B1 into the ball throwing path 1110, for example, when the player presses the button 160. The thrown ball B1 is thrown into the outer turbine stage 1100 after obtaining acceleration according to the inclination and length of the ball throwing path 1110. Also, for example, when the ball carrier 1520 is received from the ball transport unit 1910, the ball carrier 1520 travels along the ball transport path 1500 and then delivers the ball B2 to the tray 1620 in the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600. The tray 1620 that has received the ball B2 throws the held ball B2 into the ball throwing path 1210, for example, when the player presses the button 160. The thrown ball B2 is thrown into the inner bingo stage 1200 after obtaining acceleration in accordance with the inclination and length of the ball throwing path 1210. Whether the type of the ball delivered to the ball carrier 1520 is B1 or B2 is provided on the ball carrier 1520 such as a metal sensor when the ball B1 is made of non-metal and the ball B2 is made of metal. Can be detected. Further, for example, when the balls B1 and B2 have different colors, the type of the delivered ball can be detected by providing a color sensor or the like on the ball carrier 1520. The detected ball type is sent to a control unit (not shown). Accordingly, the ball carrier 1520 is controlled based on the type of ball notified to the control unit.

  The outer bingo stage 1100 has two or more holes (this is called a winning spot 1101) having a diameter that allows the ball B1 to pass through, and rotates around the inner bingo stage 1200 at a predetermined cycle. In the first embodiment, a total of ten winning spots 1101 are provided to which the bingo numbers “1” to “9” used in the bingo game and the right to start the lottery in the center lottery apparatus 2000 are assigned. ing. The ball B1 thrown into the outer bingo stage 1100 goes around the outer bingo stage 1100 by the acceleration obtained in the ball throwing path 1110 and the rotation of the outer bingo stage 1100 itself, and then enters one of the winning spots 1101. Information about which winning spot 1101 has entered the ball B1 is appropriately sent to a control unit (not shown). When the ball B1 enters one of the winning spots 1101 to which a bingo number is assigned, the control unit cooperates with the control unit 600 of the station unit ST that is the transportation source of the ball B1, and the winning spot 1101 The bingo number assigned to is used as the winning bingo number, and the bingo game proceeds. Note that the ball B1 that has entered the winning spot 1101 is temporarily held at the entrance of the winning spot 1101 so that the player can check, and then thrown into the ball return path 1303 provided below the outer bingo stage 1100.

  Similarly, the inner bingo stage 1200 has one or more winning spots 1201 having a diameter that allows the ball B2 to pass therethrough, and rotates at a predetermined cycle with the center portion as a rotation center. In the first embodiment, four winning spots 1201 each assigned two bingo numbers “1” to “8” used in the bingo game and the right to start a lottery in the center lottery device 2000 are assigned. A total of five winning spots 1201 of one winning spot 1201 are provided. The ball B2 thrown into the inner bingo stage 1200 goes around the inner bingo stage 1200 by the acceleration obtained in the ball throwing path 1210 and the rotation of the inner bingo stage 1200 itself, and then enters one of the winning spots 1201. Information about which winning spot 1201 has entered the ball B2 is appropriately sent to a control unit (not shown). When the ball B2 enters one of the winning spots 1201 to which a bingo number is assigned, the control unit cooperates with the control unit 600 of the station unit ST that is the transportation source of the ball B2, and the winning spot 1201 The bingo number assigned to is used as the winning bingo number, and the bingo game proceeds. The ball B2 entering the winning spot 1201 is temporarily held at the entrance of the winning spot 1201 so that the player can check, and then thrown into a ball return path (not shown) provided below the inner bingo stage 1200. .

  When the balls B1 and B2 enter the winning spots 1101 and 1201 to which the right to start a lottery in the center lottery device 2000 is entered in the outer bingo stage 1100 or the inner bingo stage 1200, a control unit (not shown) of the satellite lottery device 1000 is shown. Outputs a jackpot lottery start command to a control unit (not shown) of the center lottery device 2000 described later. Details of the jackpot lottery in the center lottery device 2000 will be described later.

(Play field configuration)
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view in which the configurations of the play field 500 and its peripheral part are extracted.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the reciprocating motion of the pusher unit 510 in the play field 500. FIG.
As described above, the play field 500 includes the main table 501 that is a mounting table and the pusher portion 510 that is a push member that is slidably mounted on the main table 501. The pusher unit 510 slides back and forth on the main table 501 so as to enter and exit a storage unit 720 provided below the display 701 of the display unit 700. 8A is a top view when the pusher portion 510 is most retracted into the storage portion 720, and FIG. 8B is a top view when the pusher portion 510 protrudes most from the storage portion 720. It is.

  As described above, the frame member 710 of the display unit 700 is in contact with the sub-table 511 that is the upper surface of the pusher unit 510. Therefore, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ stored on the sub-table 511 that is the upper surface of the pusher unit 510 moves in a direction in which the pusher unit 510 enters the storage unit 720 ((b) → (a )), The frame member 710 pushes the sub table 511 toward the tilt table 512, and the medal M or the IC medal M ′ on the sub table 511 flows in the direction toward the tilt table 512 as a whole. As a result, some medals M or IC medals M ′ on the sub-table 511 existing in the vicinity of the tilt table 512 fall on the tilt table 512. Part of the dropped medal M or IC medal M ′ enters one of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3 provided on the tilting table 512, and the rest falls to the main table 501. To do. Further, drop prevention walls 521 are provided on both sides of the range in which the pusher portion 510 slides, and the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is prevented from dropping from the side of the sub table 511.

  Further, the pusher portion 510 is placed on the main table 501 without any gap. Here, “no gap” means that there is no gap larger than the width of the medal M and the IC medal M ′. Therefore, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ stored on the main table 501 is moved to the pusher portion when the pusher portion 510 moves in the direction of exiting the storage portion 720 (see (a) → (b) in FIG. 8). The push wall 513 on the front side of 510 is pushed in the direction of the front end 501a on the main table 501, and the medal M or the IC medal M ′ on the main table 501 flows in the direction toward the front end 501a as a whole. As a result, some medals M or IC medals M ′ on the main table 501 existing near the front end 501a fall from the front end 501a to the medal drop groove. In addition, due to the flow of medals M or IC medals M ′ at this time, some of the medals M or IC medals M ′ on the main table 501 that exist in the vicinity of both ends (side ends 501b) of the main table 501 are It may fall from the side end 501b. Note that the medal M or the IC medal M ′ dropped from the side end 501b is stored in a predetermined storage unit inside the station unit ST.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ dropped from the front end 501a is received by the medal receiver 1001 provided below the front end 501a, that is, in the medal dropping groove. The medal receiver 1001 is connected to a medal transport path 1002 including a medal sorting unit. In addition, the medal receiver 1001 is inclined toward the connection portion with the medal transport path 1002. Therefore, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ received by the medal receiver 1001 flows into the medal transport path 1002. The medal transport path 1002 is inclined toward the storage unit 1021 in the third lift-up hopper 1020 of the medal payout mechanism. Note that a separation rod 1010 for blocking balls B1 and B2, which will be described later, is provided at a connection portion between the medal receiver 1001 and the medal transport path 1002, and the balls B1 and B2 are transported on the medal transport path 1002. It is configured not to be conveyed downstream in the direction.

FIG. 9 is a top view showing a configuration of a medal sorting unit provided in the medal transport path 1002.
The medal sorting unit is configured by a sorting hole 1003 provided on the bottom surface of the medal transport path 1002. The width of the sorting hole 1003 (the length in the direction orthogonal to the medal transport direction) is smaller than the diameter of the medal M and larger than the diameter of the IC medal M ′. Therefore, when the medal M is slid and conveyed with the medal surface abutting against the bottom surface of the medal conveyance path 1002, the medal M does not fall into the sorting hole 1003 but passes through the sorting hole 1003, and the third It is conveyed to the storage part 1021 in the lift-up hopper 1020. On the other hand, the IC medal M ′ having a diameter smaller than the medal M falls into the sorting hole 1003 when it is slid and conveyed with the medal surface abutting against the bottom surface of the medal conveyance path 1002. Below the sorting hole 1003, an IC medal transport path 1004 inclined toward the IC medal storage unit 360 in the second lift-up hopper 350 is disposed. Therefore, the IC medal M ′ that has fallen into the sorting hole 1003 is transported to the IC medal storage unit 360 in the second lift-up hopper 350.

  In addition, an IC reader 1005 as data reading means is provided on the bottom surface of the IC medal transport path 1004. The IC reader 1005 reads electronic data stored in the IC chip of the passing IC medal M ′. The IC reader 1005 transmits the medal value data read from the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ to the control unit 600 in FIG. The controller 600 drives the third lift-up hopper 1020 based on the medal value indicated by the received medal value data. Accordingly, the medals M corresponding to the medal value of the IC medal M ′ dropped in the medal dropping groove are paid out from the medal payout unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100.

  On the other hand, a medal counter 1006 described later is provided at the entrance of the storage unit 1021 in the third lift-up hopper 1020. This medal counter 1006 counts the number of medals M inserted into the storage unit 1021 from the medal transport path 1002. The number of medals M counted by the medal counter 1006 is notified to the control unit 600 in FIG. The control unit 600 drives the third lift-up hopper 1020 based on the notified number of medals, thereby paying out the number of medals M from the medal paying unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100.

  The third lift-up hopper 1020 includes a hopper drive unit 1022 and a lift-up unit 1023, and the medal M to be paid out is lifted by the operation of the hopper drive unit 1022 based on the control from the control unit 600. It is paid out from a medal payout unit 1030 provided at the end of the up unit 1023. In the first embodiment, the medal payout mechanism including the third lift-up hopper 1020 and the medal payout unit 1030 is based on the condition that the medal M or the IC medal M ′ falls from the front end 501a of the main table 501 to the medal drop groove. It functions as a payout means for paying out the medal M to the player.

  On the main table 501, balls B1 and B2 supplied from the ball carrier 1520 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 are also present. The balls B1 and B2 move on the main table 501 along with the flow of the medal M or the IC medal M ′ by the reciprocating motion of the pusher portion 510, and then fall from the front end 501a to the medal dropping groove. As described above, the ball transport path 1040 is provided below the front end 501a, that is, in the medal drop groove. The ball transport path 1040 receives only the dropped balls B1 and B2 and stops the ball receiving portion 1041 through which the medal M or the IC medal M ′ passes and the ball received by the ball receiving portion 1041 until a predetermined condition is satisfied. A ball stop unit 1042 to be placed and a ball discharge port 1043 are provided. Therefore, the balls B1 and B2 received by the ball receiving portion 1041 are stopped by the ball stop portion 1042 until a predetermined timing and then discharged from the ball discharge port 1043. As a result, the balls B1 and B2 are set in the ball transport unit 1910 (see FIG. 2) that has been waiting at the ball discharge port 1043. Note that the station unit ST in FIG. 2 and the station unit ST in FIG. 3 or FIG. 7 are reversed left and right for convenience of explanation, but the configuration is the same.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the main table 501 is provided with guide portions 530R and 530L for controlling the flow of medals M and IC medals M ′ and balls B1 and B2. Further, below the main table 501, a guide part moving mechanism 540 for moving the guide parts 530R and 530L up and down with respect to the main table 501 is provided. The guide portions 530R and 530L respectively include a ball guide plate 531 for controlling the flow of the balls B1 and B2, a medal guide plate 533 for controlling the flow of the medal M or the IC medal M ′, and the ball guide plate 531. And a support portion 534 for supporting the medal guide plate 533. Further, the ball guide plate 531 and the medal guide plate 533 are supported up and down by the support portion 534 so that a predetermined shape of the passage opening 532 is formed therebetween.

  When the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position, the upper ends of the medal guide plates 533 in the guide portions 530R and 530L are located at the same level or lower than the upper surface of the main table 501. That is, when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position, the medal guide plate 533 is stored below the main table 501. However, even in this case, the entire passage opening 532 between the medal guide plate 533 and the ball guide plate 531 is not blocked. Thus, in the state where the medal guide plate 533 is retracted below the main table 501, the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ on the main table 501 is not hindered by the medal guide plate 533. Therefore, the medal M or the IC medal M 'Can flow through the passage 532 in any direction. That is, the medal M and the IC medal M ′ can flow toward the side end 501 b of the main table 501. As a result, there are more medals M or IC medals M ′ falling from the side end 501b than when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the upper limit position, for example. However, the obstruction of the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ by the support portion 534 is ignored for the sake of simplicity. Even when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position, the ball guide plate 531 protrudes on the main table 501, and the flow of the balls B1 and B2 is restricted by the ball guide plate 531. That is, the balls B1 and B2 are guided in the direction of the front end 501a so as not to fall from the side end 501b of the main table 501.

  On the other hand, when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the upper limit position, the upper end of the medal guide plate 533 in the guide portions 530R and 530L is projected by the medal guide plate 533 in such a state that protrudes above the main table 501. Since the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ on the main table 501 is hindered, the flowing direction of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ is limited to the direction of the front end 501a. As a result, the number of medals M and IC medals M ′ falling from the side end 501b can be reduced as compared with, for example, the case where the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the lower limit position. However, the obstruction of the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ by the support portion 534 is ignored for the sake of simplicity. Even when the guide portions 530R and 530L are moved to the upper limit position, the ball guide plate 531 protrudes on the main table 501, so that the flow of the balls B1 and B2 is restricted by the ball guide plate 531. That is, the balls B1 and B2 are guided in the direction of the front end 501a so as not to fall from the side end 501b of the main table 501.

  Thus, in the first embodiment, by moving the guide portions 530R and 530L to the lower limit position, in other words, by storing the medal guide plate 533 of the guide portions 530R and 530L under the main table 501, the ball B1 The flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ can be made relatively free while restricting the flow of the medal M and the IC medal M ′. As a result, it is possible to increase the ratio of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ falling from the side end 501b among the medal M and the IC medal M ′ falling from the main table 501. On the other hand, by moving the guide portions 530R and 530L to the upper limit position, in other words, by causing the medal guide plate 533 of the guide portions 530R and 530L to protrude on the main table 501, the medal M and IC along with the flow of the ball B1. The flow of the medal M ′ can be restricted in the direction of the front end 501a. As a result, the flow of medals M and IC medals M ′ can be concentrated in the direction of the front end 501a, and many medals M and IC medals M ′ can be dropped from the front end 501a and medals falling from the side end 501b. The ratio of M and IC medal M ′ can be reduced.

(Composition of medal insertion mechanism)
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the medal insertion mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a front view of the medal insertion mechanism 100.
FIG. 12 is a top view of the medal insertion mechanism 100.
FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the medal insertion mechanism 100.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 includes a horizontal region 21, a first inclined region 22 and a second inclined region 23 located on both sides of the horizontal region 21, and a first side portion located outside the first inclined region 22. A structure 117 and a second side structure 118 located outside the second inclined region 23 are included. The medal insertion mechanism 100 includes a storage surface 101 that stores a plurality of medals. The storage surface 101 constitutes the horizontal region 21 of the medal insertion mechanism 100.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 further includes a first inclined wall that extends while inclining continuously upward from the first boundary region 102 in contact with the first side portion of the storage surface 101. The first inclined wall forms a first inclined region 22. The first inclined wall includes a first inclined wall lower region 104 and a first inclined wall upper region 106. The first boundary region 102 is configured by a curved surface.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 further extends while inclining continuously upward from the second boundary region 103 in contact with the second side portion of the storage surface 101 located on the side opposite to the first side portion described above. A second inclined wall is included. The second inclined wall forms a second inclined region 23. The second inclined wall includes a second inclined wall lower region 105 and a second inclined wall upper region 107. The second boundary region 103 is configured by a curved surface.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 further includes a first medal insertion portion 108 having a first medal insertion port 108-1 at a position close to the first inclined wall, and a second position at a position adjacent to the second inclined wall. And a second medal slot 109 having a medal slot 109-1. The first boundary region 102, the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the first medal insertion unit 108 are connected to the first inclined region 22 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. Form. The second boundary region 103, the second inclined wall lower region 105, the second inclined wall upper region 107, and the second medal insertion unit 109 are connected to the second inclined region 23 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. Form.

  The first medal slot 108 further has a first mounting flange 110 that extends from a part of the first boundary region 102 to a part of the storage surface 101. . The second medal insertion portion 109 further has a second attachment flange 111, and the second attachment flange 111 extends from a part of the second boundary region 103 to a part of the storage surface 101. . As shown in FIG. 12, the first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 extending on the storage surface 101 have corners that are largely rounded. The first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 define a medal storage area for storing the medal M on the storage surface 101. The first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 are separated from each other, and the medal M is supplied from the medal supply side 119 between the two flanges 110 and 111. The supplied medal M is constrained by the rounded corners of the first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111. A first medal restraining plate 112 is provided on the side of the storage surface 101 opposite to the medal supply side 119 to prevent the medal M supplied from the storage surface 101 to the front side where the player is present from falling. It is done.

  A first guide 113 is formed at the boundary between the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106. The 1st guide part 113 is comprised so that the medal which slides down the 1st inclination wall upper area | region 106 may be latched, and it may be slid into the 1st medal insertion slot 1080-1 along a 1st guide part. The first guide portion 113 includes a first step 113 formed at the boundary between the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106. The first step 113 extends while descending linearly toward the first medal slot 108-1. The first inclined wall upper region 106 has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the medal M that slides in along the first guide portion 113. That is, the first inclined wall upper region 106 is spaced upward from the first guide portion 113 by a distance smaller than the diameter of the medal M, and extends substantially parallel to the direction in which the first guide portion 113 extends. And at least one ridge-line-shaped protrusion 115. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 115 are formed.

  A second guide portion 114 is formed at the boundary between the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. The 2nd guide part 114 is comprised so that the medal which slides down the 2nd inclined wall upper area | region 107 may be latched, and it may be slid and transferred to the 2nd medal insertion slot 109-1 along a 2nd guide part. The second guide portion 114 includes a second step 114 formed at the boundary between the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. The second step 114 extends while descending linearly toward the second medal slot 109-1. The second inclined wall upper region 107 has at least one protrusion formed so as to reduce friction with the medal M that slides in along the second guide portion 114. That is, the second inclined wall upper region 107 is spaced upward from the second guide portion 114 by a distance smaller than the diameter of the medal M, and extends substantially parallel to the direction in which the second guide portion 114 extends. And at least one ridge-shaped protrusion 116. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of ridge line-shaped protrusions 116 are formed.

  An outer upper end portion of the first inclined wall upper region 106 is coupled to the first side structure 117. The first side structure 117 has a deformed L-shaped cross section and includes a horizontal upper part, a vertical wall part, and a horizontal lower part. The horizontal upper portion continuously extends outward from the outer upper end of the first inclined wall upper region 106. The vertical wall portion extends vertically downward from the outer end portion of the horizontal upper portion. The horizontal lower portion extends inward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion. An operation handle in a control system for controlling the position and orientation of the discharge end portion of the medal discharge path 400 is attached to the horizontal upper portion. Control position and orientation. The horizontal lower part serves as an attachment flange for attaching the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the casing 800 of the station unit ST.

  The outer upper end portion of the second inclined wall upper region 107 is connected to the second side structure 118. The second side structure 118 has a deformed L-shaped cross section and includes a horizontal upper part, a vertical wall part, and a horizontal lower part. The horizontal upper portion continuously extends outward from the outer upper end portion of the second inclined wall upper region 107. The vertical wall portion extends vertically downward from the outer end portion of the horizontal upper portion. The horizontal lower portion extends inward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion. An operation handle in a control system for controlling the position and orientation of the discharge end portion of the medal discharge path 400 is attached to the horizontal upper portion. Control position and orientation. The horizontal lower part serves as an attachment flange for attaching the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the casing 800 of the station unit ST.

  Storage surface 101, first boundary region 102, second boundary region 103, first inclined wall lower region 104, second inclined wall lower region 105, first inclined wall upper region 106, and second inclined wall If the upper region 107 is formed of the same member, there is no joint in the region where the medal M is movable, and the resistance can be reduced.

  The first medal slot 108-1 of the first medal slot 108 and the second medal slot 109-1 of the second medal slot 109 can accept only one medal M. Have dimensions. When a plurality of medals M enter the first medal slot 108-1 or the second medal slot 109-1 simultaneously, the first medal slot 108 or the second medal slot 109 is jammed. This is to surely prevent this.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 described above has a generally symmetric shape and structure with respect to an intermediate position between the first and second side portions.

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of the medal insertion mechanism 100.
Since the first medal insertion unit 108 and the second medal insertion unit 109 have the same structure, the internal structure of the second medal insertion unit 109 will be described below as an example.
The second medal insertion portion 109 communicates with the second guide portion 114, that is, the second medal insertion port 109-1 adjacent to the end portion of the second step portion 114, and the end portion of the second step portion 114. The medal insertion path 109-7, the medal drop hole 109-8 communicating with the medal insertion path 109-7, and both sides of the medal insertion path 109-7 and the medal insertion path 109-7 are defined. 1 medal guide plate 109-5 and second medal guide plate 109-6. The medal insertion path 109-7 is formed to guide the medal M inserted through the second medal insertion port 109-1 to the medal dropping hole 109-8.

  Further, the second medal slot 109 has a first intermediate plate 109-3 having a first roller 109-4. The first intermediate plate 109-3 is attached to the first medal guide plate 109-5 and the second medal guide plate 109-6. The first roller 109-4 is positioned on the medal drop hole 109-8, so that when the medal M that has passed through the medal insertion path 109-7 approaches the medal drop hole 109-8, the first roller 109-4 is positioned on the medal drop hole 109-8. Abutting on the roller 109-4, the medal M is slightly pushed down and falls from the medal dropping hole 109-8. The dropped medal M is transported to the first lift-up hopper 300 through the medal transport path 200 shown in FIG. Then, the medal M is lifted up to the supply end of the medal discharge path 400 by the first lift-up hopper 300, and is supplied onto the play field 500 from the discharge end via the medal discharge path 400. The second medal slot 109 further includes a first medal slot cover 109-2. The first medal slot cover 109-2 covers the first intermediate plate 109-3. Further, the first medal slot cover 109-2 is formed integrally with the second mounting flange 111, and the second mounting flange 111 is fixed to the storage surface 101, so that the first The position of the intermediate plate 109-3 is fixed.

  The player extends the medal M stored in the storage surface 101 while continuously inclining upward from the storage surface 101, the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, and When the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are slid up and released from the medal M, the medal M is separated by gravity by the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall. The upper region 107 is slid down and is locked to the first step portion 113 constituting the first guide portion 113 and the second step portion 114 constituting the second guide portion 114. The first step 113 and the second step 114 are configured to slide the medal M into the first medal slot 108-1 and the second medal slot 109-1 by gravity. .

  That is, the player extends the first inclined wall lower region 104, the first inclined wall upper region 106, the second inclined wall lower region 105, and the first The medal M is slid up on the second inclined wall upper area 107, and when the hand is released from the medal M, the medal M moves the first inclined wall upper area 106 and the second inclined wall upper area 107 by gravity. Sliding down and being locked to the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114, and then the medal M is a first insertion portion along the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114. The first medal insertion slot 108-1 and the second medal insertion slot 109-1 are slid in by gravity. When the medal M rolls along the first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114, the medal M slides with respect to the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second inclined wall upper region 107. It will be. That is, the player moves the medal M along the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall upper region 106, and the second inclined wall lower region 105 and the second inclined wall upper region 107 from the storage surface 101. It is easy to move the player's hand compared to the conventional work of carrying the medal M by hand to the medal slot and putting it in the medal slot. For this reason, even if the player continuously inserts the medal M for a long time, the fatigue felt by the player can be greatly reduced. In addition, since almost no nerve is used to insert the medal M, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and to fully enjoy the game. Also, since the player's insertion work is facilitated without completely automating the insertion of the medal M, the player can play continuously for a long time while having a sense of playing the game.

(Configuration of center lottery equipment)
FIG. 15 is a front view showing the configuration of the center lottery apparatus 2000.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the center lottery apparatus 2000.
The center lottery device 2000 mainly includes a circular rotary transport device 2100, a device support base 2200 that supports the rotary transport device 2100 from the lower side in the vertical direction, a display device 2300, and a large ball thrower for throwing a large lottery ball 2400. The mechanism 2500 and a transport slope 2600 that transports the large lottery balls 2400 thrown from the large ball throwing mechanism 2500 to the rotary transport device 2100 are configured.

  The rotary conveyance device 2100 is rotationally driven in a counterclockwise direction in the drawing by a driving device (not shown) provided on the device support 2200. With this driving device, the rotary conveying device 2100 always rotates at a constant cycle after the pusher game machine 1 is turned on. A plurality of holding spaces F having an internal space in which only one large lottery ball 2400 can be accommodated are formed in the outer peripheral region of the rotary conveyance device 2100 along the outer peripheral direction. In the first embodiment, 20 holding spaces F are provided at equal intervals in the outer peripheral area of the rotary conveyance device 2100. Each holding space F rotates around the outer periphery of the rotary conveyance device 2100 by the rotation of the rotary conveyance device 2100. In the rotary conveyance device 2100 of the first embodiment, the rotation axis is inclined both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, each holding space F moves around along a virtual plane inclined with respect to both the vertical plane and the horizontal plane.

  A large ball throwing mechanism 2500 is provided on the left side of the rotary conveyance device 2100 in the drawing. The large ball throwing mechanism 2500 mainly includes a ball collection port 2510 that receives the large lottery ball 2400, a ball holding unit 2520 that holds the large lottery ball 2400 received from the ball collection port 2510, and a case 2530. Yes. The large lottery ball 2400 that has entered the ball collection port 2510 passes through the inside of the case 2530 and is conveyed by its own weight to the ball holding unit 2520 and is stopped by the ball stopper 2521 of the ball holding unit 2520. The ball stopper 2521 is driven between a ball holding position where the large lottery ball 2400 is stopped and a ball release position where the large lottery ball 2400 is released under the control of the control unit of the center lottery device 2000 (not shown). FIG. 16 shows a state where the ball stopper 2521 is positioned at the ball holding position and the large lottery ball 2400 is held by the ball holding unit 2520.

  When the ball stopper 2521 moves from the ball holding position to the ball release position, the large lottery ball 2400 held by the ball holding unit 2520 rolls onto the transport slope 2600 due to its own weight. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15, the large lottery ball 2400 rolls on its conveyance slope 2600 by its own weight, and moves like a pendulum around the lowest point of the conveyance slope 2600. The conveyance slope 2600 is configured such that a part of the region centering on the lowest point is adjacent to the holding space F of the rotary conveyance device 2100 and the region is inclined to the rotary conveyance device 2100 side. . Therefore, when the moving speed of the large lottery ball on the transport slope 2600 gradually decreases, any one of the holding spaces F that move around by the rotation of the rotary transport device 2100 that is adjacent to the transport slope 2600. The large lottery ball 2400 enters the holding space F. In the first embodiment, the lowest point of the conveyance slope 2600 is configured to be inclined most toward the rotary conveyance device 2100, and the larger lottery ball 2400 becomes closer to the lowest point of the conveyance slope 2600. It is easy to enter the holding space F.

  As shown in FIG. 16, a ball sensor 2101 for detecting that a large lottery ball 2400 has entered the holding space F is provided inside each holding space F of the rotary conveyance device 2100. Each ball sensor 2101 is connected to a control unit (not shown) of the center lottery apparatus 2000, and the detection signal is sent to the control unit. Thereby, the control part of the center lottery apparatus 2000 can grasp in which holding space F the large lottery ball 2400 has entered.

  Each holding space F is assigned with a prize, and among these prizes, in the first embodiment, a jackpot prize, an event prize, and a medal supply prize are included. The center lottery apparatus 2000 performs a physical lottery (jackpot lottery) as to which holding space F the large lottery ball 2400 enters. The jackpot award is a prize that is supplied to the play field 500 of the station section ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition for the number of jackpots stored (the amount of payout). The number of jackpots stored is a number corresponding to a part of the number of inserted medals (for example, 0.03) every time medals are inserted in all station units ST with respect to a predetermined initial value (for example, 500). Cumulative addition. The number of medals supplied to the play field 500 when winning the jackpot prize, that is, the number of jackpots stored, is the largest among the number of medals that can be supplied to the play field 500 at one time in the pusher game machine 1. It is set. Therefore, the player who plays with the pusher game machine 1 usually plays aiming to win the jackpot award.

  In addition, when the event award is won, the predetermined event condition described above is satisfied, and during the subsequent predetermined event period, the satellite section SA to which the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the jackpot lottery belongs is selected. The prize is that the winning bingo number won in the physical lottery performed by the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 performed in any one of the four station sections ST to which the station section ST belongs is handled as the winning bingo number in the other three station sections ST.

  The medal supply award is an award for supplying a prescribed number of medals M to the play field 500 of the station unit ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition. The number of medals supplied by winning this medal supply award is preferably smaller than the initial value of the number of jackpots stored.

  In the display device 2300 of the center lottery device 2000, during the period when the jackpot lottery is not performed, as shown in FIG. A screen showing the number of medals to be supplied is displayed. On the other hand, during the jackpot lottery period, the jackpot lottery effect screen is displayed.

  When the jackpot lottery is started, the station support ST 2200 itself is rotated around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction by a driving device (not shown), and the station unit ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition is The center lottery device 2000 is driven to face the satellite unit SA to which it belongs. Thereafter, the jackpot lottery proceeds. Details of the jackpot lottery will be described later.

(Configuration of game control system)
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the game control system of the pusher game machine 1 and the discharge control system of the medal M or the IC medal M ′. Note that this block diagram is omitted for the sake of convenience of explanation, such as a drive control system other than the discharge relationship of the medal M or the IC medal M ′, such as a drive control system for driving each part in accordance with the progress of the game. ing.
The configuration of the game control system in the first embodiment mainly includes a control unit 600 of the station unit ST, a control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, and a control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000. The control unit 600 of the station unit ST mainly controls the overall progress of the above-described slot game and bingo game. The control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 mainly controls the physical lottery and ball of the bingo game described above. The control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 is mainly responsible for the jackpot lottery control described above.

  The control unit 600 of the station unit ST mainly includes a control device 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, and a communication device 604. The control device 601 executes various programs stored in the ROM 602 and performs various controls. In particular, the control device 601 executes various programs necessary for the pusher game by executing an execution program for the pusher game stored in the ROM 602 by the internal computer, and controls the progress of the pusher game. The ROM 602 stores execution programs for various controls to be performed by the control unit 600 of the station unit ST. The RAM 603 temporarily stores various data or information. The communication device 604 is for data communication with the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery device 1000.

  The control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 mainly includes a control device 611, a ROM 612, a RAM 613, a station side communication device 614, and a center side communication device 615. The control device 611 executes various programs stored in the ROM 612 and performs various controls. The ROM 612 stores various control execution programs to be performed by the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. The RAM 613 temporarily stores various data or information. The station side communication device 614 is for performing data communication with the control unit 600 of each station unit ST belonging to the satellite unit SA. The center side communication device 615 is for performing data communication with the control unit 620 of the center lottery device 2000.

  The control unit 620 of the center lottery device 2000 mainly includes a control device 621, a ROM 622, a RAM 623, and a communication device 624. The control device 621 executes various programs stored in the ROM 622 and performs various controls. In particular, the control device 621 performs various controls necessary for jackpot lottery by executing an execution program for jackpot lottery stored in the ROM 622 by the internal computer, and controls the progress of the jackpot lottery. . The ROM 622 stores various control execution programs to be performed by the control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000. The RAM 623 temporarily stores various data or information. The communication device 624 is for performing data communication with the control unit 610 of each satellite unit SA.

  The above configuration is an example in which the control unit 600 of the station unit ST, the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, and the control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 are connected in series. , 610, 620 may be connected to each other in parallel (star type or bus type).

(Slot game flow)
Next, the flow of the slot game that proceeds in each station unit ST of the pusher game machine 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the slot game in the first embodiment.
When the player inserts the medal M on the storage surface 101 into the first medal slot 108-1 or the second medal slot 109-1 as described above, the medal is directed toward the sub-table 511 in the play field. M is sent out. Then, a part of the medal M or the IC medal M ′ on the sub-table 511 slides down the inclined table 512 and enters one of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3, and detects a medal (not shown). When detected by the means, the detection signal is sent to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 of the station unit ST, and the control device 601 puts the medal M in any of the chuckers 515-1, 515-2, and 515-3. (S1). Thereby, the control device 601 determines that the slot game start condition is satisfied, executes the lottery program stored in the ROM 602, and the generated random number plays one of the roles described above in light of a predetermined winning table. A digital lottery is performed to determine whether the player has won or lost (S2). Further, the control device 601 performs display control for rotating the three dice slots DS on the slot game screen shown in FIG. 4 displayed on the display unit 700, and when the winning combination is determined by digital lottery. Display control is performed to stop the rotation of the three dice-shaped slots DS so that the combination of symbols related to the winning combination is stopped and displayed on the display unit 700 (S3).

When it is determined in the digital lottery that no winning combination is won (S4), the control device 601 ends the slot game as it is.
On the other hand, when the small winning combination A is won (S5), the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300, which is a normal tangible material discharge mechanism, to the play field 500 with three medals M. Is supplied (S6). In the first embodiment, as a mechanism for discharging the medal M into the play field 500, the medal M is placed on the sub-table 511 in the play field 500 when the player inserts the medal M on the storage surface 101. Although the case where the first lift-up hopper 300 to be sent out is also used will be described, a mechanism different from the first lift-up hopper 300 may be used. When another mechanism is used, the same configuration as that of the first lift-up hopper 300 can be employed.

When the small winning combination B is won (S7), the control device 601 controls the IC medal discharge unit 380 of the second lift-up hopper 350, which is a special tangible material discharge mechanism, to the play field 500 with three IC medals. M ′ is supplied (S8).
Here, in the first embodiment, under the control of the control device 601 of the control unit 600, a command is given from the control device 601 of the control unit 600 to the IC chip of the IC medal set in the IC medal discharge unit 380 in advance. An IC writer 390 is provided as data writing means for writing electronic data. In the first embodiment, when the small winning combination B is won, the control device 601 uses the medal value data stored in the IC chip of each IC medal M ′ discharged to the play field 500 as a predetermined medal value determination condition. After appropriately rewriting according to the above, it is discharged to play field 500. As the predetermined medal value determination condition, for example, a condition of rewriting to medal value data determined by lottery using a random number or the like can be adopted. Further, it is possible to adopt a condition that the actual payout rate in the pusher game machine 1, the satellite unit SA or the station unit ST is rewritten with medal value data determined so as to be close to the target payout rate. When this condition is adopted, if the actual payout rate is lower than the target payout rate, the medal value data written to the IC medal M ′ to be discharged is increased, and conversely, the actual payout rate is the target payout rate. If the rate is higher than the rate, the medal value data written on the IC medal M ′ to be discharged is made smaller.
Note that the predetermined medal value determination condition is not limited to the above exemplified conditions, and other conditions may be adopted. The IC writer 390 is not necessarily provided.

When the normal bonus combination is won (S9), the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to supply 30 medals M to the play field 500 (S10-1). ). In addition, the control device 601 changes the setting so as to use a normal winning table in which the winning probability is set lower as the winning table used in the subsequent digital lottery (S10-2).
Further, when the winning bonus combination is won (S11), the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to supply 30 medals M to the play field 500 (S12-1). ). Further, the control device 601 changes the setting so as to use a high-probability winning table with a higher winning probability as the winning table used in the subsequent digital lottery (S12-2).

  When the ball supply combination is won (S13), the control device 601 outputs a ball supply command for the ball B1 to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000. As a result, the ball B1 is delivered from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520, and the ball B1 is delivered from the ball carrier 1520 to the ball throwing mechanism 1800 of the station portion ST where the ball supply combination is won. The ball B1 delivered to the ball throwing mechanism 1800 is temporarily held by the stopper 1802 of the ball throwing slope 1801. When the player presses the button 160 and the control device 601 receives the operation signal, the control device 601 releases the ball B1 from the stopper 1802, and the ball B1 rolls down on the ball throwing slope 1801 and the ball It is delivered to the input position lottery mechanism 1810. Then, the ball insertion position lottery mechanism 1810 draws the ball supply position on the play field 500, and the ball B1 is supplied to either the back side or the near side on the main table 501 (S14). The ball throwing position lottery mechanism 1810 has a configuration in which a ball receiving port through which the balls B1 and B2 can pass reciprocates between the near side and the far side with the lowest point of the ball throwing slope 1801 as the center. When the ball enters the ball receiving port, the ball is supplied to the front side on the main table 501, and when the ball does not enter the ball receiving port, the ball is supplied to the back side on the main table 501. When the ball is supplied to the front side on the main table 501, the moving distance to the medal drop groove is shorter than that supplied to the back side on the main table 501, so the ball B1 is dropped into the medal drop groove. It becomes easy to satisfy the start condition of the bingo game. Therefore, the player plays such that the ball B1 held by the stopper 1802 pushes the button 160 at a timing so that the ball B1 enters the ball receiving port of the ball insertion position lottery mechanism 1810.

  When the satellite combination is won directly (S15), the control device 601 outputs a ball supply command for the ball B1 to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000. As a result, the ball B1 is delivered from the ball supply mechanism 1300 to the ball carrier 1520. Thereafter, the ball carrier 1520 moves to a position facing the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600, and delivers the ball B1 to the tray 1610 of the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600. Then, at the timing when the player presses the button 160 and the control device 601 receives the operation signal, the control device 601 outputs a ball insertion command to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000. Thereby, the ball B1 is thrown into the outer bingo stage 1100 via the ball throwing path 1110, and physical lottery is performed. If the direct satellite combination is won, the control device 601 starts a bingo game, which will be described later, assuming that the bingo game start condition is satisfied (S20).

  When the direct center role is won (S16), the control device 601 instructs the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000 to start jackpot lottery via the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery device 1000. Is output. Thereby, the jackpot lottery is started in the center lottery apparatus 2000 described later (S40).

(Bingo game flow)
Next, the flow of the bingo game that proceeds in each station unit ST of the pusher game machine 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a bingo game flow according to the first embodiment.
In the bingo game according to the first embodiment, when the start condition of the bingo game is satisfied, the ball B1 or B2 falls into the medal drop groove or is directly elected to the satellite role in the slot game described above (S21), the station The control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the unit ST executes a bingo execution program stored in the ROM 602 and starts a bingo game. Specifically, the control device 601 first switches the slot game screen shown in FIG. 4 displayed on the display unit 700 to the bingo game screen shown in FIG. 5 and performs display control thereof (S22). . Here, the bingo card image BC displayed on the bingo game screen is based on arrangement information generated at an arbitrary past timing. The timing for generating the array information includes when the pusher game machine 1 is turned on, when a reset button (not shown) is operated, when bingo is established in a past bingo game, and the like. In the first embodiment, a case will be described as an example in which new sequence information is generated when bingo is established in a bingo game and this is replaced with past sequence information.

  In addition, when the start condition of the bingo game is satisfied, the control device 601 outputs a bingo start command to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000. Thereby, the control device 611 moves the ball carrier 1520 to a position facing the exit of the ball transport unit travel slope 1901 in the ball transport mechanism 1900 of the station unit ST that has received the command. Further, the control device 601 controls the ball transport mechanism 1900 to transport the balls B1 and B2 that have fallen into the medal drop groove from the ball transport unit travel slope 1901 to the ball carrier 1520. Thereafter, as described above, the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000 moves the ball carrier 1520 to a position opposite to the stage ball throwing mechanism 1600, and the stage ball throwing mechanism according to the type of the balls B1 and B2. By controlling 1600, the balls B1 and B2 are thrown into the outer turbine stage 1100 or the inner bingo stage 1200 (S23).

  When the balls B1 and B2 thrown into the outer bingo stage 1100 or the inner bingo stage 1200 enter one of the winning spots 1101 and 1201, the signal is sent to the controller 611 of the controller 610 in the satellite lottery apparatus 1000. Thereby, the control device 611 recognizes which winning spots 1101 and 1201 have entered the balls B1 and B2. At this time, when the winning spots 1101 and 1201 containing the balls B1 and B2 are JP winning spots to which the right to start jackpot lottery in the center lottery apparatus 2000 is assigned (Yes in S24), the control device 611 A jackpot lottery start command is output to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000. Thereby, the jackpot lottery is started in the center lottery apparatus 2000 (S40).

  On the other hand, when the winning spots 1101 and 1201 containing the balls B1 and B2 are winning spots assigned bingo numbers (No in S24), the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000 is assigned. The information indicating the bingo number is output to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the bingo game. Receiving this information, the control device 601 stores the bingo numbers related to the information as winning bingo numbers in the winning bingo number storage area in the RAM 603 serving as storage means. In this winning bingo number storage area, the winning bingo numbers after the arrangement information corresponding to the station unit ST is generated are stored cumulatively. The control device 601 functions as a determination unit, and refers to all winning bingo numbers stored in the winning bingo number storage area and the arrangement information stored in the arrangement information storage area in the RAM 603. , Whether or not all the winning bingo numbers in the card array (lottery target array) of the bingo numbers “1” to “9” on the bingo card indicated by the array information are specific arrays Bingo determination is performed (S25). In addition, the specific arrangement | sequence in this Embodiment 1 is a vertical, horizontal, and diagonal row | line on a 3x3 bingo card, and is a total of 8 rows.

  In the first embodiment, each specific array includes an IC medal payout prize for paying a predetermined number of IC medals M ′ to the play field 500, a normal ball supply prize for supplying the ball B1 to the play field 500, and a ball B2 for the play field. One of the special ball supply prizes to be supplied to 500 is assigned. In the bingo determination, when the control device 601 determines that the specific arrangement is not satisfied, that is, when it is determined that bingo is not established (No in S25), the bingo game is ended.

On the other hand, the control device 601 determines that bingo has been established (Yes in S25), and when the specific arrangement is related to a special ball supply award (Yes in S26), the control device 601 functions as a privilege granting unit, and is described above. The predetermined number of IC medals M ′ are supplied onto the play field 500 in the same manner as when the small winning combination B is won in the slot game (S27-1), and the ball supply combination is won in the slot game described above. The ball B2 is supplied onto the play field 500 by the same method as in the case (S27-2).
Further, when the specific arrangement in which the bingo is established relates to the normal ball supply award (Yes in S28), the control device 601 functions as a privilege granting unit, and the small winning combination B is won in the slot game described above. A predetermined number of IC medals M ′ are supplied onto the play field 500 in the same manner as in the above case (S29-1), and on the play field 500 in the same manner as when the ball supply combination is won in the slot game described above. The ball B1 is supplied to (S29-2).
Further, when the specific arrangement in which the bingo is established relates to the medal supply prize (No in S28), the control device 601 functions as a privilege granting unit, and the small winning combination B is won in the slot game described above. A predetermined number of IC medals M ′ are supplied onto the play field 500 in the same manner as in the case (S30).
Note that the number of IC medals M ′ supplied onto the play field 500 when the bingo is established may be different for each prize related to the establishment of the bingo, or may be the same. Further, the medal M may be supplied instead of the IC medal M ′.

  In this way, the control device 601 that has performed processing after the establishment of bingo functions as an array information generation unit, executes an array information generation program stored in the ROM 602, generates new array information, and stores data in the RAM 603. The sequence information stored in the sequence information storage area is replaced with the newly generated sequence information, and the sequence information is reset (S31).

(Jackpot lottery flow)
Next, the flow of the jackpot lottery that proceeds in the center lottery device 2000 of the pusher game machine 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of jackpot lottery in the first embodiment.
In the jackpot lottery of the first embodiment, whether the balls B1 and B2 enter the winning spot to which the right to start the jackpot lottery in the center lottery device 2000 is assigned in the physical lottery in the satellite lottery device 1000 in the bingo game described above. If any of the jackpot lottery start conditions for winning the center role directly in the slot game described above is satisfied (S41), the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000 is stored in the ROM 622. The jackpot execution program is executed and the jackpot lottery is started. Specifically, the control device 621 first rotates the device support 2200 so that the center lottery device 2000 faces the front with respect to the satellite unit SA to which the station unit ST satisfying the jackpot lottery start condition belongs. The drive is controlled as follows. Further, a jackpot lottery effect screen is displayed on the display device 2300, and this is controlled.

  Thereafter, when a player playing in the station unit ST presses the button 160 of the station unit ST (S42), the operation signal is input to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST. As a result, the control device 601 outputs a ball throwing instruction to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000 via the control unit 610 of the satellite lottery device 1000. As a result, the control device 621 outputs a ball throwing command to the large ball throwing mechanism 2500. Upon receiving the ball throwing command, the large ball throwing mechanism 2500 moves the ball stopper 2521 from the ball holding position to the ball releasing position, and throws the large lottery ball 2400 held by the ball holding portion 2520 into the transport slope 2600 (S43). ). As a result, the large lottery ball 2400 moves like a pendulum on the conveyance slope 2600 around its lowest point, and finally enters one of the holding spaces F of the rotary conveyance device 2100. When the large lottery ball 2400 enters one of the holding spaces F, the signal is sent to the control device 621 of the control unit 620 in the center lottery device 2000. Thereby, the control device 621 recognizes the holding space F in which the large lottery ball 2400 is contained.

At this time, when the holding space F containing the large lottery ball 2400 is assigned with the jackpot prize (Yes in S44), the control device 621 reads the jackpot storage number data from the RAM 623, and the data is Processing for supplying the indicated number of medals M to the play field 500 of the station section ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition is performed (S45-1). At this time, a medal supply command is output from the control device 621 to the control device 601 of the control unit 600 in the station unit ST, and the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to play the medal M. You may make it supply to the field 500. FIG. However, since the medals M supplied when winning the jackpot prize are large, the medals M may be supplied using a unique medal discharge mechanism separately from the first lift-up hopper 300 described above. In this case, it is also suitable as an effect when winning the jackpot prize. Alternatively, using the second lift-up hopper 350 described above, the IC medal M ′ is set so that the sum of the medal value data of all the IC medals M ′ to be supplied is the same as the number indicated by the jackpot stored number data. You may make it supply. The fraction generated in the sum of the medal value data of the IC medal M ′ is supplied as the medal M using the first lift-up hopper 300.
Further, the control device 621 resets the jackpot stored number data stored in the RAM 623 to the initial value (S45-2).

  On the other hand, when the holding space F containing the large lottery ball 2400 is assigned with an event award (Yes in S46), the control device 621 performs control in the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the jackpot lottery. The medal supply command is output to the control device 601 of the unit 600. Thereby, the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to supply a predetermined number (for example, 100) of medals M onto the play field 500 of the station unit ST (S47-). 1). In addition, the control device 621 outputs an event start command to the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery device 1000 of the satellite unit SA to which the station unit ST belongs. Receiving this, the control device 611 determines that a predetermined event condition is satisfied, and in a physical lottery of a bingo game to be performed for any of the four station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA during a predetermined event period thereafter. Event processing is performed so that the winning bingo numbers to be won are handled as winning bingo numbers in the other three station units ST (S47-2). Specifically, the control device 611 uses information indicating the winning bingo numbers won in the physical lottery of the satellite lottery device 1000 to be performed during a predetermined event period, to the control units 600 in all station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA. To the control device 601.

  Further, when the holding space F containing the large lottery ball 2400 is assigned with a medal supply prize (No in S46), the control device 621 in the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the jackpot lottery. A medal supply command is output to the control device 601 of the control unit 600. Accordingly, the control device 601 controls the normal medal discharge unit 330 of the first lift-up hopper 300 to supply a predetermined number of medals M onto the play field 500 of the station unit ST (S48).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, a mechanism (first lift-up hopper 300) that discharges medals M that are normal tangibles that do not have a storage unit, and a mechanism that discharges IC medals M ′ that are special tangibles that have a storage unit. (Second lift-up hopper 350) are provided separately. The discharge operation of each lift-up hopper 300, 350 is controlled by a control unit 600 as discharge control means. Therefore, the pusher game machine 1 can control which amount of the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is discharged to the play field 500 at what amount and at what timing. As a result, in a system where medals M and IC medals M ′ are mixed, proper operation of the game device is facilitated.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the discharge control of both the medal M and the IC medal M ′ is performed has been described. However, only one of them may be controlled to be discharged, and the other may not be discharged. For example, the supply of the medal M to the play field 500 may be configured such that the medal M itself inserted by the player is discharged to the play field 500 and the discharge control of the medal M may not be performed. Even when only one of them is controlled to be discharged, proper operation of the game device is facilitated.

In the first embodiment, when the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal dropping groove, the medals M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the medal value data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ are stored. The case where the medal payout unit 1030 is paid out to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100 has been described, but other controls may be performed.
For example, when the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal drop groove, the first lift-up hopper is used for the number of medals M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the medal value data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. Control of discharging to the play field 500 by 300 may be performed.
Further, for example, when the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal drop groove, the IC medal M ′ in which the medal value data that is the same as or different from the medal value data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is stored. Control of discharging to the play field 500 by the second lift-up hopper 350 may be performed.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, similarly to the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to a pusher game machine that is a medal game machine as a game apparatus (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “second embodiment”). explain.
The pusher game machine of the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the medal payout mechanism is different. Therefore, in the following description, the pusher game machine is different from the pusher game machine of the first embodiment. Only the point will be explained.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a medal payout mechanism arranged at the lower part of the play field 500.
FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing the main components of the game control system and the medal M or IC medal M ′ discharge control system in the second embodiment.
In the second embodiment, the medal payout mechanism of each station unit ST is provided with a fourth lift-up hopper 1050 in addition to the third lift-up hopper 1020 provided in the pusher game machine of the first embodiment. ing. In the second embodiment, the third lift-up hopper 1020 normally functions as a tangible material discharge mechanism, and the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 functions as a special tangible material discharge mechanism. That is, the third lift-up hopper 1020 discharges the medal M to the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100 located outside the game apparatus under the control of the control unit 600 as the discharge control unit, and the fourth lift-up hopper 1050. The IC medal M ′ is discharged onto the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100 located outside the game device under the control of the control unit 600 serving as a discharge control means.

  The basic configuration of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 is the same as the configuration of the third lift-up hopper 1020. However, the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 is an IC writer as a data writing means for writing electronic data instructed by the control unit 600 to the IC chip of the IC medal to be discharged into the lift-up unit 1053 of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050. It differs from the structure of the 3rd lift-up hopper 1020 in that 1054 is provided.

  The IC medal transport path 1004 for transporting the IC medal M ′ dropped from the sorting hole 1003 of the medal transport path 1002 shown in FIG. 9 is not the IC medal storage section 360 of the second lift-up hopper 350 in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, it is connected to a storage unit 1051 as a special tangible material storage container. Therefore, when the medal M and the IC medal M ′ fall from the front end 501a of the main table 501 to the medal drop groove, the medal M is conveyed from the medal receptacle 1001 through the medal conveyance path 1002 to the storage unit 1021 as a normal tangible material storage container. The IC medal M ′ is conveyed to the storage unit 1051 of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050.

The number of medals M dropped into the medal dropping groove is counted by a medal counter 1006 provided at the entrance of the storage unit 1021 in the third lift-up hopper 1020, and the counted number of medals M is notified to the control unit 600. . As in the case of the first embodiment, the control unit 600 drives up the hopper driving unit 1022 of the third lift-up hopper 1020 based on the notified number of medals, thereby lifting up the medals M corresponding to the number of medals. Through the unit 1023, the medal payout unit 1030 pays out to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100.
On the other hand, when the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal dropping groove, the medal value data is read and read from the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ by the IC reader 1005 as the data reading means provided in the IC medal transport path 1004. The medal value data is transmitted to the control unit 600. The controller 600 controls the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 based on the received medal value data. More specifically, the control unit 600 writes the same medal value data as the medal value data received from the IC reader 1005 to the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ in the lift-up unit 1053 using the IC writer 1054. . The written IC medal M ′ is then paid out from the medal payout unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100 through the lift-up unit 1053.

  Further, in the slot game, bingo game, and jackpot lottery in the first embodiment, the supply destination of the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is the play field 500. Needed to drop the medal M and the IC medal M ′ into the medal drop groove. However, when the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is supplied in the slot game, bingo game, or jackpot lottery, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ may be paid directly to the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. . For example, in the second embodiment, the discharge destination of medals discharged when winning a prize in the jackpot lottery may be the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100 instead of the play field 500. At this time, in particular, when paying out only with medals M when winning a jackpot prize, there is a possibility that the amount of medals M to be paid out is too large and overflows from the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. Therefore, instead of paying out a large amount of medals M at a time, it is preferable to pay out IC medals M 'equivalent to the medal value.

  Here, the IC medal M ′ that has been paid out is stored in the IC chip by handing it to a store clerk or the like at the counter of the store or by inserting it into a medal exchange machine separate from the pusher game machine 1. The medals M can be exchanged for the number of medals M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the medal value data. In the latter case, the medal exchange machine has an IC reader as data reading means for reading medal value data in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ inserted by the player from the IC medal slot, a medal payout mechanism for the medal M, A device provided with a payout control unit for controlling the medal payout mechanism to pay out the number of medals M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the medal value data read by the IC reader can be used. As these IC reader, medal payout mechanism, and payout control unit, the same configurations as the IC reader 1005, the third lift-up hopper 1020, and the control unit 600 in the pusher game machine 1 described above can be adopted, respectively.

On the other hand, the paid-out IC medal M ′ may be inserted into the pusher game machine 1 by the player. In this case, for example, the following configuration can be adopted.
That is, a medal sorting unit such as a sorting hole 1003 provided in the bottom surface of the medal transport path 1002 is provided in the medal transport path 200 through which the medal inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 is transported. The inserted medal M and the IC medal M ′ can be sorted. At this time, the medal M is transported to the normal medal storage unit 310 of the first lift-up hopper 300, and the IC medal M ′ is transported to the IC medal storage unit 360 of the second lift-up hopper 350. In addition, the electronic data in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is read until the IC medal M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 is conveyed to the IC medal storage unit 360 of the second lift-up hopper 350. An IC reader as a data reading unit is provided so that the control unit 600 can receive medal value data read by the IC reader. Then, the control unit 600 controls the first lift-up hopper 300 so that the medal M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the medal value data received from the IC reader is continuously discharged to the play field 500. With the above configuration, when the player inserts the IC medal M ′ into the medal insertion mechanism 100, the medals M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the medal value data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ are continuously provided. Then, it is discharged into the play field 500.
In addition, as a configuration in which the player can insert the IC medal M ′ into the pusher game machine 1, a configuration adopted in a third embodiment described later may be used.

According to the second embodiment, since not only the medal M but also the IC medal M ′ is paid out to the player, the player can expect to obtain an IC medal M ′ different from the medal M, and the game performance is improved.
In the second embodiment, the medal value data written on the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ to be paid out to the player is the same as the medal value data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ dropped into the medal drop groove. However, different medal value data may be used. In this case, the control unit 600 can appropriately write the medal value data determined in accordance with a predetermined medal value determination condition on the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ to be paid out. As the predetermined medal value determination condition, for example, a condition of rewriting to medal value data determined by lottery using a random number or the like can be adopted. Further, it is possible to adopt a condition that the actual payout rate in the pusher game machine 1, the satellite unit SA or the station unit ST is rewritten with medal value data determined so as to be close to the target payout rate. When this condition is adopted, if the actual payout rate is lower than the target payout rate, the medal value data written to the IC medal M ′ to be paid out is increased, and conversely, the actual payout rate is the target payout rate. If it is higher than the rate, the medal value data written in the IC medal M ′ to be paid out is made smaller. Of course, the predetermined medal value determination condition is not limited to the above exemplified conditions, and other conditions may be adopted.

  Further, in the configuration in which the IC medal M ′ is paid out to the player as in the second embodiment, when the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal dropping groove, the medal value stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. The IC medal M ′ storing medal value data that is the same as or different from the data may be controlled to be paid out from the medal payout unit 1030 to the storage surface 101 in the medal insertion mechanism 100 by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, as in the first and second embodiments, the present invention is applied to a pusher game machine that is a medal game machine as a game device (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “third embodiment”). .).
Since the basic configuration of the pusher game machine of the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, only the differences from the pusher game machine of the second embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 24 is a partially exploded view of the medal insertion mechanism 100 according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the main components of the game control system and the medal M or IC medal M ′ discharge control system in the third embodiment.
In the medal insertion mechanism 100 according to the third embodiment, the IC medal M ′ is placed in the middle of the medal insertion paths 108-7 and 109-7, specifically in a portion covered by the medal insertion unit covers 108-2 and 109-2. This differs from the medal insertion mechanism 100 of the second embodiment in that IC readers 108-9 and 109-9 are provided as data reading means for reading electronic data stored in the IC chip. Since the first medal insertion unit 108 and the second medal insertion unit 109 have the same structure, the second medal insertion unit 109 will be described below as an example.

  The medal drop hole 109-8 provided in the medal insertion path 108-7 through which the medal inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 is conveyed constitutes a sorting unit similar to the above-described sorting hole 1003 of the medal sorting unit. M is configured to pass through the medal drop hole 109-8 without dropping, and the IC medal M ′ is configured to fall into the medal drop hole 109-8. The medal M that has passed without falling into the medal dropping hole 109-8 is transported to the first lift-up hopper 300 through the medal transport path 200. On the other hand, the IC medal M ′ that has dropped into the medal dropping hole 109-8 is conveyed to the second lift-up hopper 350. Before the IC medal M ′ falls into the medal dropping hole 109-8, the electronic data stored in the IC chip is read by the IC reader 109-9. That is, for all IC medals M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100, the electronic data stored in the IC chip is read by the IC reader 109-9. Thereby, in the third embodiment, various controls can be performed using the electronic data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100. Hereinafter, a specific example of the control will be illustrated.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control when the IC medal M ′ is inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100.
When the IC reader 109-9 reads various data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 (S51), the control unit 600 first receives the data from the IC reader 109-9. It is determined whether or not the store ID is a valid store ID (S52). Specifically, the valid store ID data stored in the RAM 603 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the received store ID matches the valid store ID data. When it is determined that the store ID is not a valid store ID, an error notification is generated, or an error process is performed in which the IC medal M ′ is collected before being transported to the second lift-up hopper 350 and returned to the player. Perform (S53). On the other hand, if it is determined that the store ID is a valid store ID, it is next determined whether or not the expiration date indicated by the received expiration date data has passed (S54). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the expiration date indicated by the received expiration date data exceeds the date data, time data or date / time data by referring to the date data, time data or date / time data stored in the RAM 603. To do. If it is determined that the expiration date has been exceeded, an error notification is performed, or an error process is performed in which the IC medal M ′ is collected before being transported to the second lift-up hopper 350 and returned to the player ( S53). On the other hand, when determining that it is within the expiration date, the control unit 600 controls the first lift-up hopper 300 based on the medal value data received from the IC reader 109-9, and the medal value data indicates A process of continuously discharging the medals M corresponding to the medal value to the play field 500 is performed (S55).

  The expiration date data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is written using the IC writer 1054 of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050. Thereby, the expiration date data can be written immediately before being paid out to the player by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050. As a result, the expiration date data calculated from the time when the IC medal M ′ reaches the player can be written in the IC chip, and appropriate expiration date management is possible.

  Here, in the IC medal M 'of the third embodiment, winning flag data is stored in the IC chip. When the winning flag data read by the IC reader 109-9 is received, the control unit 600 determines whether or not a winning flag is set based on the winning flag data (S56). Specifically, when the received winning flag data is “1”, it is determined that the winning flag is set, and when it is “0”, it is determined that the winning flag is not set. If it is determined that the winning flag is not set, the processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined that the winning flag is set, special control that is not performed when the IC medal M ′ or the medal M without the winning flag is inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 is performed. As an example of this special control, in the third embodiment, when it is determined that the winning flag is set, the control unit 600 suddenly determines that the start condition of the jackpot lottery is satisfied and is shown in FIG. Control is performed so that the jackpot lottery is performed according to the flowchart (S57).

  The special control is not limited to the above example, and various controls can be employed. For example, when it is determined that the winning flag is set, the control unit 600 controls to increase the winning probability of a specific prize such as a jackpot prize or to greatly increase the number of jackpots stored for a certain period. I do. For example, when it is determined that the winning flag is set, the control unit 600 displays a dedicated game that can be played only when the IC medal M ′ with the winning flag is set in the medal insertion mechanism 100. Etc., and control so as to proceed.

As described above, according to the first to third embodiments, the appearance of the IC medal M ′ that is a special tangible object is different from the medal M that is a normal tangible object. If the appearances of the ejected medal M and the IC medal M ′ are the same, the player cannot distinguish whether the ejected tangible object is the normal medal M or the IC medal M ′. In this case, it is impossible to provide a game property that cannot be provided unless the player can identify whether the discharged tangible object is the medal M or the IC medal M ′. On the other hand, in Embodiments 1 to 3, the medals M and the IC medals M ′ to be discharged have different appearances, so whether the tangible object discharged at a glance by the player is the medals M or the IC medals M ′. Can be identified. Therefore, it is possible to provide a game property that cannot be provided unless the player can identify the discharged tangible object as the medal M or the IC medal M ′ by appearance.
On the other hand, the appearance of the IC medal M ′ that is a special tangible object may be the same as that of the medal M that is a tangible object. In this case, conversely, it is possible to provide game characteristics that cannot be provided if the player can identify whether the discharged tangible object is the medal M or the IC medal M ′.

  In the pusher game machine of the second and third embodiments, the discharge destinations of the third lift-up hopper 1020, which is a normal tangible material discharge mechanism, and the fourth lift-up hopper 1050, which is a special tangible material discharge mechanism, are external to the game device. It is. Therefore, the pusher game machine 1 can control which of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ is to be paid to the player at what amount and at what timing. As a result, in a system where medals M and IC medals M ′ are mixed, proper operation of the game device is facilitated. In the above-described second and third embodiments, the case where the discharge control of both the medal M and the IC medal M ′ is performed has been described. However, only one of them may be controlled to be discharged, and the other may not be controlled to be discharged. For example, regarding the payout for the medal M, the medal drop groove is communicated with the medal payout outlet, and the medal M itself that has dropped into the medal drop groove is paid out, so that the discharge control of the medal M is not performed. Good. Even when only one of them is controlled to be discharged, proper operation of the game device is facilitated.

  In the pusher game machine of the first to third embodiments, the first lift-up hopper that has a housing 800 as a play field forming means for forming a play field 500 that can be visually recognized by the player, and is a tangible material discharge mechanism. 300 and the discharge destination of the second lift-up hopper 350 which is a special tangible material discharge mechanism are in the play field 500. Therefore, the pusher game machine 1 can control which of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ is discharged to the play field 500 at what amount and at what timing. As a result, in a system where medals M and IC medals M ′ are mixed, proper operation of the game device is facilitated. In the first to third embodiments described above, the case where the discharge control of both the medal M and the IC medal M ′ is performed has been described. However, only one of them may be controlled to be discharged, and the other may not be discharged.

  In the pusher game machines of the first to third embodiments, the normal medals storage unit 310 or the storage unit 1021 that is a normal tangible material storage container that stores medals M, and the special tangible material storage container that stores IC medals M ′. The IC medal storage unit 360 or the storage unit 1051 is included. In this way, by providing a container for individually storing the medal M and the IC medal M ′, the medal M and the IC medal M ′ can be easily handled.

  Further, in the pusher game machines of the first to third embodiments, the IC readers 1005 and 108 as data reading means for reading electronic data such as medal value data stored in the IC chip (storage unit) of the IC medal M ′. -9, 109-9. By providing such an IC reader, various data in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ can be obtained in an external device such as the pusher game machine or another game device connected to the pusher game machine or a store management device. Data processing and control using can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a new game characteristic to the player or provide various services to the player using various data in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. Note that the type of electronic data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is appropriately determined according to the contents of data processing and control performed using the electronic data.

  Further, the pusher game machines of the first to third embodiments have IC writers 390 and 1054 as data writing means for writing electronic data such as medal value data into the IC chip (storage unit) of the IC medal M ′. ing. By providing such an IC writer, it is possible to write necessary electronic data in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ in this pusher game machine, to provide new game characteristics to players, and to provide various services. It becomes easy to provide.

  In the pusher game machines of the first to third embodiments, a main table 501 as a mounting table having a top surface as a mounting surface on which a large number of medals M and IC medals M ′ are mounted, and a part on the main table 501 A pusher portion 510 as a pushing member that reciprocally moves along the portion with respect to the upper surface of the main table 501 so as to push out the medal M and the IC medal M ′ existing in the other portion side, and the pusher portion 510. And the medal M and the IC medal M ′ pushed out of the main table 501 by the medal M and the IC medal M ′ pushed out by the drop groove. The medal M or the IC medal M ′ is placed in the drop groove. The medal M or the IC medal M ′ is discharged on condition that it falls. Therefore, in the pusher game machine, when the medal M and the IC medal M ′ are used in combination, proper operation of the pusher game machine is facilitated.

  The present invention is controlled by a game medium receiving means for receiving a game medium in the form of a tangible or intangible object, a game control means for controlling a game that progresses when the game medium receiving means receives the game medium, and a game control means. As long as the game apparatus includes a game medium discharge unit that discharges the game medium in the form of a tangible object according to the result of the played game, the present invention is applicable not only to the pusher game machine but also to any game machine.

It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the whole structure of the pusher game machine which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the station part in the pusher game machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the internal structure of the station part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for slots displayed on the display part of the station part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for bingo displayed on the display part of the station part. It is a perspective view which shows the main structures of the satellite lottery apparatus in the pusher game machine. It is the fragmentary perspective view which extracted the structure of the play field of the station part, and its peripheral part. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reciprocating motion of the pusher part in the play field. It is a top view which shows the structure of the medal sorting part provided in the medal conveyance path | route of the pusher game machine. It is a perspective view which shows the medal insertion mechanism of the station part. It is a front view of the medal insertion mechanism. It is a top view of the medal insertion mechanism. It is a front perspective view of the medal insertion mechanism. It is a partial exploded view of the medal insertion mechanism. It is a front view which shows the structure of the center lottery apparatus in the pusher game machine. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the center lottery apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display apparatus of the center lottery apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the game control system and medal | token discharge control system in the pusher game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the slot game performed in each station part of the pusher game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the bingo game performed in each station part of the pusher game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the jackpot lottery performed with the center lottery apparatus of the same pusher game machine. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the medal payout mechanism arrange | positioned at the lower part of the play field of the pusher game machine which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the game control system and medal | token discharge control system in the pusher game machine. It is a partial exploded view which shows the medal insertion mechanism of the pusher game machine which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the game control system and medal | token discharge control system in the pusher game machine. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of control when an IC medal is inserted into the medal insertion mechanism of the pusher game machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pusher game machine 100 Medal insertion mechanism 101 Storage surface 108-9, 109-9, 1005 IC reader 300 1st lift up hopper 310 Normal medal storage part 320 Lift up part 330 Normal medal discharge part 350 Lift up hopper 360 IC medal storage Part 370 lift up part 380 IC medal discharge part 390, 1054 IC writer 500 play field 501 main table 510 pusher part 600, 610, 620 control part 1000 satellite lottery device 1002 medal transport path 1003 sorting hole 1004 IC medal transport path 1020 3rd Lift-up hopper 1021 Reserving part 1022 Hopper driving part 1023 Lift-up part 1030 Medal paying part 1050 Fourth lift-up hopper 1051 Reserving part 053 lift-up part 1300 and 1400 the ball supply mechanism 2000 center drawing apparatus B1, B2 ball M medal M 'IC medal SA satellite portion ST station part

Claims (9)

Game media receiving means for receiving game media;
Game control means for controlling a game that progresses when the game medium receiving means receives the game medium;
In a game apparatus comprising: game medium discharge means for discharging a game medium in the form of a tangible object according to a game result controlled by the game control means;
The game medium discharge means includes a normal tangible material discharge mechanism that discharges a normal tangible object that does not include a storage unit that stores electronic data, and a special tangible material discharge mechanism that discharges a special tangible object including a storage unit that stores electronic data. Discharge control means for controlling at least one of the normal tangible material discharge mechanism and the special tangible material discharge mechanism based on the result of the game controlled by the game control means, and at least one of the normal tangible material and the special tangible material A game apparatus that discharges one of them as a game medium. The game device according to claim 1,
The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special tangible material discharging mechanism discharges a special tangible material having an appearance different from that of the normal tangible material discharged by the normal tangible material discharging mechanism. The game device according to claim 1,
The game machine characterized in that the special tangible material discharge mechanism discharges a special tangible material having the same appearance as the normal tangible material discharged by the normal tangible material discharge mechanism. The game device according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
At least one of the normal tangible material discharge mechanism and the special tangible material discharge mechanism is outside the game device. The game device according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
Having a play field forming means for forming a play field visible to the player,
A game apparatus, wherein at least one of the normal tangible material discharge mechanism and the special tangible material discharge mechanism is in the play field. The game device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
It has a normal tangible material storage container for storing the normal tangible material, and a special tangible material storage container for storing the special tangible material,
The game device characterized in that the normal tangible material discharge mechanism discharges a normal tangible material in the normal tangible material storage container, and the special tangible material discharge mechanism discharges the special tangible material in the special tangible material storage container. The game device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6,
A game apparatus comprising data reading means for reading electronic data stored in the storage unit for the special tangible object. The game device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
A game apparatus comprising data writing means for writing predetermined electronic data in the storage unit for the special tangible object. The game device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.
A mounting table having a mounting surface on which a large number of tangible objects as game media are mounted;
An extruding member that reciprocally moves along the portion with respect to the placement surface so as to push a tangible object existing on a portion of the placement surface to the other portion side of the placement surface;
A tangible object pushed out by the extruding member has a drop groove in which the tangible object pushed out of the mounting surface falls;
The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the game medium discharge means discharges the game medium in the form of a tangible object on condition that the tangible object falls into the drop groove.