JP2008206654A - Storage information management device, game medium reservation device, game device and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new information transmitting system for transmitting storage information stored in a game device to another device. <P>SOLUTION: Token-in information (storage information) of a station part from which an IC token is paid out is stored in the IC token paid out of the station part. When a player loads the IC token acquired from the station part into a center lottery device, the token-in information stored in the IC token is read, and after counting up jackpot reservation number data, the jackpot lottery is started. According to this system, the token-in information of the station part can be transmitted to the center lottery device without requiring a communication network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage information management device that stores storage information stored in a storage device of a game device or information based on the storage information, a game media storage device that stores game media acquired by a player, and a plurality of game devices. The present invention relates to a game device using a common game medium to be used, and a game system including the game device.

  Conventionally, stored information stored in a storage device of a game device has been used for various purposes. For example, in a game center, the number of medals inserted in a medal game machine installed in the game center (memory information), the number of medals paid out from the medal game machine (memory information), etc. The data is tabulated by a management device (stored information management device), and the operational status of the medal game machine, the actual payout rate, etc. are grasped and used for proper operation. Similarly, for example, at a pachinko parlor, the number of pachinko balls and medals inserted into the pachinko machine or pachislot machine installed in the pachinko parlor, the number of pachinko balls or medals paid out from the pachinko machine or pachislot machine, etc. Are collected by the management device (storage information management device) of the pachinko store, and the operating status of the pachinko machine and the pachislot machine, the actual payout rate, etc. are grasped and used for proper operation.

  Further, for example, also in a so-called jackpot system, stored information stored in a storage device of a game device is used. In other words, in a jackpot system, a jackpot management device (storage information management device) normally stores storage amount increase information (storage information) such as the amount of game media such as medals and pachinko balls inserted into the game device. The storage amount data is counted up based on the storage amount increase information. Then, the game medium corresponding to the payout amount corresponding to the storage amount data is paid out to the player who is won by the jackpot lottery.

  As a method for transmitting the storage information stored in the storage device of the game device to other devices such as the game facility management device or jackpot management device such as the game center or the pachinko store described above, the game device and other devices A general method is to connect a device with a communication network and transmit the stored information from the game device to another device via the communication network. With such a system, an operation such as an employee of a game facility visiting a game device, collecting stored information from the game device, and inputting the stored information to another device becomes unnecessary.

  On the other hand, a game machine using an IC medal provided with a storage unit for storing electronic data is known among game devices (Patent Document 1). In this game machine, when an IC medal is inserted, the electronic data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal is read by the game machine, and various setting processes are performed using the read electronic data. To determine the expiration date.

JP 2006-87900 A

When the above method using a communication network is adopted as a method for transmitting stored information of the game device to another device, the game device must have a communication function for transmitting the stored information to the other device. . Therefore, for a stand-alone game device that does not have such a communication function, when the stored information is to be transmitted to another device, the above-mentioned work by a game facility clerk is still required.
In addition, even in the case of a game device having a communication function, if the communication specifications are not compatible with the other device, the stored information is stored in the same manner as the stand-alone game device. If it is to be transmitted to the device, the above work by the game facility clerk is still required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the background described above, and the object of the present invention is to provide a game device without requiring a communication function for transmitting information via a communication network and a work of a game facility clerk or the like. Storage information management apparatus, game medium storage apparatus, game medium storage apparatus, game medium storage apparatus, game media storage apparatus, A game device and a game system are provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a common game medium receiving means for receiving a common game medium paid out from a plurality of game devices and having a storage unit for storing electronic data. The information storage means for storing payout source storage information stored in the storage device of the game device or information based on the payout source storage information, and the common game medium storage means received by the common game medium receiving means The payout source storage information reading means for reading the payout source storage information for the game device that has paid out the game media, the payout source storage information read by the payout source storage information reading means, or information based on the payout source storage information, the information And an information storage means for storing in the storage means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a common game medium receiving means for receiving a common game medium to be paid out from a plurality of game devices and having a storage unit for storing electronic data, and a predetermined count period. Counting means for counting the amount of common game media received by the common game medium receiving means, count number storage means for storing the number counted by the counting means in association with the receiving source specifying information, and outputting the receiving source specifying information An information storage means for storing payout source storage information stored in a storage device of the game apparatus or information based on the payout source storage information, and the common game medium The payout source storage information about the game device that has paid out the common game medium from the storage unit of the common game medium received by the receiving means. A payout source storage information reading means, and an information storage means for storing in the information storage means the payout source storage information read by the payout source storage information reading means or information based on the payout source storage information. It is a feature.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a common game medium receiving means for receiving a common game medium to be paid out from a plurality of game devices and having a storage unit for storing electronic data, and storage of other game devices. Paying out the common game medium from information storage means for storing payout source storage information stored in the device or information based on the payout source storage information, and the storage section of the common game medium received by the common game medium receiving means The payout source storage information reading means for reading out the payout source storage information for the game device, and the payout source storage information read by the payout source storage information reading means or information based on the payout source storage information is stored in the information storage means And a game control means for controlling the progress of the game based on the information stored in the information storage means. It is intended.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game device of the third aspect, the information storage means stores storage amount data as information based on the payout source storage information, and the information storage means includes the payment source. The storage amount data counted up based on the payout source storage information read by the stored information reading means is stored in the information storage means, and the game control means draws whether or not a predetermined payout condition is satisfied. The process of controlling the progress of the game determined by the method is characterized in that when the predetermined payout condition is satisfied, a process for paying out game media corresponding to the payout amount according to the storage amount data is performed. To do.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a common game medium payout means for paying out a common game medium that is provided with a storage unit for storing electronic data and can be used in other game devices to a player, and the progress of the game. A game control means for performing control to pay out a predetermined amount of common game media by the common game media payout means when a predetermined common game media payout condition is satisfied in the game, and a storage device for storing storage information And data writing means for writing the storage information stored in the storage device into the storage unit of the common game medium to be paid out by the common game medium payout means as payout source storage information. is there.
Further, the invention of claim 6 is the game device according to claim 5, wherein the game medium receiving means for receiving the game medium, the counting means for counting the amount of the game medium received by the game medium receiving means within a predetermined period, And storing means for storing the number counted by the counting means in the storage device as the storage information.
The invention according to claim 7 is the game device according to claim 5, wherein an abnormality detecting means for detecting an operation abnormality and information on the operation abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting means are stored in the storage device as the storage information. Means.
The invention of claim 8 is characterized by comprising a plurality of the game devices of claim 5, 6 or 7, and at least one storage information management device of claim 1.
The invention of claim 9 is characterized by comprising a plurality of the game devices of claim 5, 6 or 7 and at least one game medium storage device of claim 2.
The invention of claim 10 includes a plurality of the game devices of claim 5, 6 or 7, and at least one game device of claim 3 or 4.

  Here, “game media” (including common game media) means tangible objects such as medals, coins, and pachinko balls, or intangible objects such as electronic data exchanged between the player and the game device. . Therefore, the “game medium receiving means” (including the common game medium receiving means) includes not only means for receiving tangible objects such as medals, but also data processing for reducing the received amount from the recording medium on which electronic data as game media is recorded. Means for performing are also included.

In the present invention, a common game medium that is paid out from a plurality of game devices is used that includes a storage unit that stores electronic data. The storage unit stores information (payout source storage information) stored in the storage device of the game device that has paid out the common game media. Therefore, storage information (payout source storage information) of the payout source game device is stored in the storage unit of the common game medium acquired by the player who played on the payout source game device. When a player delivers a common game medium to another device such as a storage information management device, a game medium storage device, or another game device, the other device receives the payout source storage information from the storage unit of the received common game medium. The payout source storage information or information based thereon is stored in the information storage means.
In the present invention, information transmission for transmitting stored information of the payout source game device to another device is realized by using a common game medium distributed in a game system including the payout source game device and the other device. To do. The player who carries the common game medium from the payout source game device to the other device is a player who has played the payout source game device and acquired the common game medium. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to transmit the stored information of the game device to the other device without requiring a communication function for transmitting information via the communication network or a work of a game facility clerk or the like. An information transmission system can be realized.
Moreover, the distribution of the common game media responsible for information transmission is realized by the normal behavior of the player in the game system, that is, the same behavior as the behavior of the player in the general game system using the conventional common game media. Is done. Therefore, the player carrying the common game media is not aware of information transmission.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pusher game machine as a game system (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 sections SA so as to surround a center lottery apparatus 2000 which is a medal game machine as a game apparatus. Each satellite unit SA includes four station units ST which are medal game machines as game devices of payout sources, 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 100, a medal transport path 200, a first lift-up hopper 300, a second lift-up hopper 350, a medal discharge path 400, and a play field 500. , Control unit 600, display unit 700, and 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 medal discharge mechanism, a second lift-up hopper 350 as a special medal 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 with a normal medal storage unit 310 as a normal medal storage container for storing medals M, and a lift-up unit 320 for lifting up 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 has an IC medal storage unit 360 as a special medal storage container for storing IC medals M ′ (special medals) that are special tangibles as a common game medium, and an IC medal M ′ as a predetermined medals. A lift-up unit 370 for lifting up to a height and an IC medal discharge unit 380 for discharging the lifted-up IC medal M ′ at a predetermined timing are provided. 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 as a mounting table for storing medals, which are tangible objects, and a pusher unit 510 as a pushing 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. 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 medal M is detected by a medal detection sensor (not shown) and then sent to the first lift-up hopper 300. When receiving the detection signal from the medal detection sensor, the control unit 600 controls the normal medal discharging unit 330 and the like, and discharges the medal M set in the normal medal discharging unit 330 in advance to the play field 500. In the first embodiment, the control unit 600 that has received the detection signal performs a process of counting up medal IN information stored in a RAM 603 (storage device) described later. 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 discharging unit 380 discharges the IC medal M ′ that has been set in advance to the play field 500 in accordance with the control from the control unit 600. That is, in the first embodiment, the play field 500 includes a medal M that is a normal medal that does not include a storage unit that stores electronic data, and a special medal that includes 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 ′ according to the first embodiment stores medal IN information (payout source storage information) in the station unit ST that has paid out the IC medal M ′. In the first embodiment, the medal IN information is information indicating the cumulative amount of medal value inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 of the station unit ST within a predetermined period. Each time a medal M or IC medal M ′ is inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100, the medal IN information stored in the storage device of the station unit ST is counted up by the medal value. In the IC chip of the IC medal M ′, medal IN information at the time of payout is stored in a state associated with the station ID for specifying the station unit ST. The details of the specific control using the medal IN information stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ will be described later.

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 deformed 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, the station unit ST has a medal payout mechanism including a third lift-up hopper 1020 as a game medium payout unit, a fourth lift-up hopper 1050 as a common game medium payout unit, and a medal payout unit 1030. By driving the payout mechanism, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ having the same medal value as the medal M or the IC medal M ′ dropped from the front end 501a into the medal dropping groove is discharged to the storage surface 101 of the medal insertion mechanism 100. Is done.

  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. 4 is displayed on the display unit 700 to execute the slot game, and a bingo game 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 in which the control unit 600 in the station unit ST mainly draws digitally. The starting 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 tilting 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, which will be described later, is not progressing, and a 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 to stop 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 the winning table, direct satellite combination for directly supplying the ball B1 to the satellite lottery apparatus 1000, 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 deformed object 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 game screen for bingo. 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 handled as a bingo number and is not handled as a winning bingo number in other station units ST. 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 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, as appropriate 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 supplying the ball B1 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. Then, when the player presses the button 160 and the operation signal is sent to the control unit 600, the control unit 600 performs drive control 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 into the medal drop groove from the front end 501a of the main table 501 in the progress of the pusher game, like the medal M and the IC medal M ′. 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, when receiving the balls B1 and B2, the ball carrier 1520 moves to a position facing the stage ball throwing 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 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 throwing 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 lose are respectively assigned. 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. 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 it, 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 to which two bingo numbers in “1” to “8” used in the bingo game are assigned, and a bingo number of “9” used in the bingo game are assigned 1 A total of five winning spots 1201 of two winning spots 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. .

(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 storage unit 1051 in the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 is disposed. Therefore, the IC medal M ′ that has fallen into the sorting hole 1003 is conveyed to the storage unit 1051 in the fourth lift-up hopper 1050.

  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 up by operating the hopper drive unit 1022 based on control from the control unit 600. It is paid out from a medal payout unit 1030 provided at the end of 1023. In the first embodiment, the medal payout mechanism including the third lift-up hopper 1020 and the medal payout unit 1030 causes the medal M to be sent to the player on condition that the medal M falls from the front end 501a of the main table 501 to the medal drop groove. It functions as a game media payout means for paying out.
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 data writing means for writing electronic data instructed by the control unit 600 to the IC chip of the IC medal to be ejected 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 by the point which 1054 is provided.

  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 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. That is, in the first embodiment, when the common game medium payout condition that the IC medal M ′ falls in the medal drop groove is satisfied in the pusher game executed independently at each station ST, the common game medium is IC medal M ′ is paid out to the player.

  Here, the case where the IC medal M ′ is dropped from the front end 501a of the main table 501 into the medal dropping groove is a payout condition (common game medium payout condition) of the IC medal M ′. Not limited. For example, a predetermined number of medals M falling from the main table 501 within a predetermined period may be used as the IC medal M ′ payout condition (common game medium payout condition). In such a condition, the means for discharging the IC medal M ′ on the main table 501 is not necessarily required, and therefore the second lift-up hopper 350 described above is not necessary. In this case, the IC medal M 'does not exist on the main table 501, and only the normal medal M is deposited.

  In the first embodiment, the balls B1 and B2 supplied from the ball carrier 1520 of the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 are also present on the main table 501. 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 flow 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 including the medal M and the IC medal M ′. 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 is composed of 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 on the storage surface 101 a medal storage area for storing the medal M and the IC medal M ′. The first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111 are separated from each other, and the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is supplied from the medal supply side 119 between the two flanges 110 and 111. The supplied medal M or IC medal M ′ is constrained by the rounded corners of the first mounting flange 110 and the second mounting flange 111. The first medal for preventing the medal M or the IC medal M ′ supplied from the storage surface 101 to the front side where the player is present from spilling on the side opposite to the medal supply side 119 of the storage surface 101. A restraining plate 112 is provided.

  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 the friction with the medal M and the IC medal M ′ that slide into 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 or the IC medal M ′, and the direction in which the first guide portion 113 extends. At least one ridge-shaped protrusion 115 extending substantially in parallel is provided. 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 and the IC medal M ′ that slide in and move along the second guide portion 114. That is, the second inclined wall upper area 107 is spaced upward from the second guide portion 114 by a distance smaller than the diameter of the medal M or the IC medal M ′, and the direction in which the second guide portion 114 extends. It has at least one ridge-shaped protrusion 116 extending generally in parallel. 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 composed of the same member, the region where the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is movable has no joint, and the resistance can be reduced.

  Further, 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 have only one medal M and IC medal M ′. Has dimensions that allow it to enter. When a plurality of medals enter the first medal insertion slot 108-1 or the second medal insertion slot 109-1 at the same time, the first medal insertion part 108 or the second medal insertion part 109 is jammed. This is to reliably 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 the medal M or the IC medal M ′ that has passed through the medal insertion path 109-7 reaches the medal drop hole 109-8. At this time, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is slightly pushed down by the first roller 109-4, and falls from the medal dropping hole 109-8.

  The medal insertion mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment is stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ in the middle of the medal insertion path 109-7, specifically in a portion covered by the medal insertion unit cover 109-2. An IC reader 109-9 is provided as data reading means for reading electronic data. The medal dropping hole 109-8 constitutes a sorting unit similar to the sorting hole 1003 of the above-described medal sorting unit, the medal M passes without dropping into the medal dropping hole 109-8, and the IC medal M ′ falls. It is configured to fall into the 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. The medal M transported to the first lift-up hopper 300 is lifted up to the supply end of the medal discharge path 400 and is supplied onto the play field 500 from the discharge end via the medal discharge path 400.

  On the other hand, the IC medal M ′ that has fallen into the medal dropping hole 109-8 is transported to the center lottery apparatus 2000 and stored in the IC medal storage section of the IC medal receiving apparatus as a common game medium receiving means (not shown) of the center lottery apparatus 2000. Is done. This IC medal receiving device is provided with an IC reader 625 as a payout source storage information reading means at the entrance of the IC medal storage unit. The IC reader 625 reads electronic data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ conveyed from the medal insertion mechanism 100. That is, all the IC medals M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 are read by the IC reader 625 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 with the electronic data stored in the IC chip. Thereby, in the first embodiment, the center lottery device 2000 can perform various controls using the electronic data stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ inserted in the medal insertion mechanism 100. . A specific example of the control will be described later.

  The player extends the first inclined wall lower region 104 and the first inclined wall that extend the medal M or the IC medal M ′ stored in the storage surface 101 while continuously inclining upward from the storage surface 101. When the upper region 106, the second inclined wall lower region 105, and the second inclined wall upper region 107 are slid up and released from the medal M or the IC medal M ′, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is caused by gravity. Slides down the first sloped wall upper region 106 and the second sloped wall upper region 107, and the first step portion 113 constituting the first guide portion 113 and the second guide portion 114 constituting the second guide portion 114. Locked to the step 114. The first step portion 113 and the second step portion 114 slide the medal M or the IC medal M ′ into the first medal insertion port 108-1 and the second medal insertion port 109-1 by gravity. Configured to let

  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 or the IC medal M ′ is slid up on the second inclined wall upper area 107, and then the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is moved to the first by gravity when the hand is released from the medal M or the IC medal M ′ The sloping wall upper region 106 and the second sloping wall upper region 107 slide down and are locked to the first step 113 and the second step 114, and then the medal M or the IC medal M ′ is the first step. The first medal insertion slot 108-1 and the second medal insertion slot 109-1 of the first insertion section are slid into the first medal insertion section 101-1 by gravity along the first step section 113 and the second step section 114. When the medal M or the IC medal M ′ rolls along the first step 113 and the second step 114, the medal M or the IC medal M ′ includes the first inclined wall upper region 106 and the second step. It slides with respect to the inclined wall upper area 107. That is, the player receives the medal M or the IC medal M ′ from the storage surface 101, 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. It is only necessary to slide up along the upper area 107 and release the hand. Compared with the conventional work of carrying the medal M or the IC medal M ′ by hand to the medal slot and inserting it into the medal slot, To make the movement easier. For this reason, even if the player continues to insert medals for a long time, the fatigue felt by the player can be greatly reduced. In addition, since almost no nerve is used to insert medals, it is possible to concentrate on the game itself and enjoy the game sufficiently. In addition, since the player's insertion work is facilitated without fully automating the insertion of medals, the player can play continuously for a long time while having a sense of playing the game.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow in the station unit ST 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, if it is determined that it is within the expiration date, the control unit 600 first determines the medal IN information stored in the RAM 603 (to be described later) from the medal value data received from the IC reader 109-9. A process of counting up by the medal value indicated by the value data is performed (S55). Thereafter, 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 medals M corresponding to the medal value indicated by the medal value data are A process of continuously discharging to the play field 500 is performed (S56).

Note that 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 the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 pays out to the player. 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 becomes possible.
The medal IN information stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is also written using the IC writer 1054 of the fourth lift-up hopper 1050. Thereby, the medal IN information immediately before being paid out to the player by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050, that is, the latest medal IN information at the time of paying out the IC medal M ′ can be written. When storing the medal IN information in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′, the IC writer 1054 stores the medal IN information in the IC chip in a state associated with the station ID corresponding to its own station unit ST.

(Configuration of center lottery equipment)
FIG. 16 is a front view showing the configuration of the center lottery apparatus 2000.
FIG. 17 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. 17 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. 16, 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. 17, 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 a jackpot prize or a loss. The center lottery apparatus 2000 performs a physical lottery game (jackpot lottery), which is a common game for determining 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 (common game permission condition) for the number of jackpots stored (the amount of storage). As will be described later, the number of jackpots stored is such that the latest medal IN information in each station unit ST is read from the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ by the IC reader 625 with respect to a predetermined initial value (for example, 500). Each time the amount increase condition is satisfied, the number of coins (for example, 0.03) corresponding to a part of the increase in the number of inserted tokens of the station unit ST grasped from the medal IN information is cumulatively added. is there. The number of medals to be paid out when winning the jackpot award, that is, the number of jackpots stored, is set to be the largest among the number of medals to be paid at a time in the pusher game machine 1. Therefore, the player who plays with the pusher game machine 1 usually plays aiming to win the jackpot award.

  Further, in the display device 2300 of the center lottery device 2000, when the jackpot lottery is not performed, as shown in FIG. 18, if the current jackpot storage number, that is, the current jackpot prize is won, the play field 500 is entered. 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. 19 is a block diagram showing a 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. Responsible for transport control of B1 and B2. On the other hand, the control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 is responsible for controlling the jackpot lottery.

  The control unit 600 of the station unit ST mainly includes a control device 601 as game control means, 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 RAM 603 functions as a storage device that stores the above-described medal IN information (storage 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, and a communication device 614. 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 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 control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 mainly includes a control device 621 that functions as a game control unit, an information storage unit, and a count-up unit, a ROM 622, and a RAM 623 that is a storage amount data storage unit as an information storage unit. It comprises an IC reader 625 as a payout source storage information reading means. 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 is a jackpot storage number data that is storage amount data as shared data that is counted up by the IC reader 625 based on medal IN information (payout source storage information) stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. Various data or information including the information is temporarily stored. The IC reader 625 is provided at the entrance of the IC medal storage unit in the IC medal receiving device as a common game medium receiving unit, and the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ conveyed from the medal insertion mechanism 100 of each station unit ST. That is, electronic data such as medal IN information stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ inserted in the center lottery apparatus 2000 is read.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, 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 not connected via a communication network. Therefore, the information cannot be transmitted through the communication network. However, in the first embodiment, as described later, the medal IN information (stored information) stored in the RAM 603 of the station unit ST is centered through the IC medal M ′ distributed in the pusher game machine 1. Since it can be transmitted to the control unit 620 of the device 2000, the center lottery device 2000 can execute jackpot lottery using medal IN information stored in the RAM 603 of each station unit ST.

(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. 20 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 and supplies three medals M to the play field 500 (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 medal 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. Then, at the timing 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 is reciprocated between the near side and the far side around the lowest point of the ball throwing slope 1801. 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. When the satellite combination is won directly, the control device 601 starts a bingo game, which will be described later, assuming that the bingo game start condition is satisfied (S20).

(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. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the bingo game 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 the 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.

  When the winning spots 1101 and 1201 containing the balls B1 and B2 are winning spots to which bingo numbers are assigned, the control device 611 of the control unit 610 in the satellite lottery apparatus 1000 has information indicating the assigned bingo numbers. 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. 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of jackpot lottery in the first embodiment.
When a valid IC medal M ′ is conveyed from the medal insertion mechanism 100 of each station section ST and is received by an IC medal receiving device (not shown) of the center lottery device 2000 (S41-1), it is stored in the IC chip. The station ID and the medal IN information associated therewith are read by the IC reader 625 (S41-2). As described above, this station ID is information for specifying the station section ST from which the IC medal M ′ has been paid out, and the medal IN information associated with this station ID is the IC medal M ′. This is the medal IN information stored in the RAM 603 of the station unit ST at the time of payout.

  Here, the RAM 623 of the control unit 620 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 stores the control unit 620 for each station ID based on the station ID and medal IN information stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ received in the past. The latest medal IN information (existing medal IN information) ascertained in (1) is stored. When receiving the station ID and medal IN information from the IC reader 625, the control device 621 of the control unit 620 first reads the existing medal IN information corresponding to the station ID (S41-3). Then, the medal IN information (read medal IN information) received from the IC reader 625 is compared with the read existing medal IN information, and the medal value indicated by the read medal IN information is larger than the medal value indicated by the existing medal IN information. Whether or not (S42-1).

In this determination, when it is determined that the medal value indicated by the read medal IN information is not greater than the medal value indicated by the existing medal IN information, the control device 621 stores the IC medal in which the read medal IN information is stored in the IC chip. The station unit ST provided with the medal insertion mechanism 100 in which M ′ is inserted, that is, the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the jackpot lottery that the IC medal M ′ is inserted into the own medal insertion mechanism 100. The start of the jackpot lottery is permitted, and the jackpot execution program stored in the ROM 622 is executed to start the jackpot lottery. 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.
In addition, as a method for the control device 621 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 to grasp the station unit ST that satisfies the jackpot lottery start condition, for example, the IC medal M ′ inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 of each station unit ST is used. A station for detecting an IC medal is provided in the middle of each passage for transporting to the IC medal storage section of the medal receiving device of the center lottery apparatus 2000, and a station satisfying the jackpot lottery start condition from the detection result of the sensor. A method of grasping the part ST can be considered. Of course, other methods may be used.

  On the other hand, in the above determination, when it is determined that the medal value indicated by the read medal IN information is greater than the medal value indicated by the existing medal IN information, the read medal IN information is more in the existing medal IN information for the station unit ST. New medal IN information. Therefore, the control device 621 functions as a count-up unit, and based on the difference between the medal value indicated by the read medal IN information and the medal value indicated by the existing medal IN information, the jackpot stored number data stored in the RAM 623 is obtained. A process of counting up is performed (S42-2). Thereby, the IC medal M ′ storing the read medal IN information in the IC chip is paid out from the time when the IC medal M ′ storing the existing medal IN information in the IC chip is paid out. By the time, the jackpot storage number data can be cumulatively added based on the accumulated medal value of the medal M and the IC medal M ′ inserted into the station unit ST. In the first embodiment, a value obtained by multiplying the medal value corresponding to the difference between the medal value indicated by the read medal IN information and the medal value indicated by the existing medal IN information by 0.03 is counted up. Thereafter, the control device 621 performs a process of rewriting the existing medal IN information stored in the RAM 623 to the read medal IN information (S42-3), and then at the station unit ST that satisfies the start condition of the jackpot lottery. The jackpot lottery is allowed to start, and the jackpot execution program stored in the ROM 622 is executed to start the jackpot lottery.

  After the jackpot lottery is started, 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 stored number data from the RAM 623. Then, on the display device 2300 of the center lottery device 2000, a message indicating that the player of the station section ST has acquired the medals M corresponding to the number indicated by the jackpot storage number data is paid out to the player. For this, a medal payout process is performed (S45-1). When this medal payout process is performed, the store clerk of the game center where the pusher game machine 1 is installed hands over the medal M for the number of medal payouts displayed on the display device 2300 of the center lottery device 2000 to the player. Or a certificate that can lend medals for the number of medals to be paid out. Alternatively, a store clerk operates an operation panel for a store clerk (not shown) arranged in the locked space of the station unit ST, and is displayed on the display device 2300 of the center lottery apparatus 2000 in the play field of the station unit ST. The medals M corresponding to the number of medals paid out may be discharged. In this way, the player can receive payouts of medals M for the number indicated by the jackpot storage number data.
Further, after performing the medal payout process as described above, the control device 621 resets the jackpot storage number data stored in the RAM 623 to the initial value (S45-2).

  In the first embodiment, the medal payout from the center lottery device 2000 has been described in the case where the medal payout number is displayed on the display device 2300 and the clerk pays out the medal to the player. A medal payout mechanism as medium payout means may be provided. For example, a lift-up hopper having the same configuration as the lift-up hoppers 300, 350, 1020, and 1050 described above is provided in the case of the center lottery apparatus 2000, and the medal discharge port of the lift-up hopper is connected to each station unit ST. It is possible to employ a medal discharge mechanism that can be arranged in the play field and can control from which medal discharge port a medal is discharged.

As described above, the pusher game machine 1 as the game system according to the first embodiment includes the station unit ST that is a game device, and the center lottery device 2000 that is a game device that is not connected to these via a communication network. ing.
The station unit ST is provided with an IC chip as a storage unit for storing electronic data, and a common game medium payout unit that pays out an IC medal M ′ as a common game medium that can be used in other game devices to a player. The fourth lift-up hopper 1050 and the progress of a pusher game, a slot game, and the like, and when a predetermined common game medium payout condition that the IC medal M ′ falls from the medal drop groove is satisfied in the game A control device 601 serving as a game control unit that performs control for paying out a predetermined amount of IC medal M ′ by the fourth lift-up hopper 1050, a RAM 603 serving as a storage device that stores medal IN information that is storage information, and a RAM 603 IC meda that the fourth lift-up hopper 1050 pays out the medal IN information And a IC writer 1054 as a data writing means for writing a payout based memory information in the IC chip of M '.
On the other hand, the center lottery apparatus 2000 receives a medal receiving apparatus (not shown) as a common game medium receiving means for receiving an IC medal M ′ paid out from a plurality of station units ST, and medal IN information stored in the RAM 603 of the station unit ST. As payout source storage information reading means for reading out the medal IN information about the station unit ST that paid out the IC medal M ′ from the RAM 623 as information storage means to be stored and the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ received by the medal receiving device. IC reader 625, information storage means for storing medal IN information read by IC reader 625 in RAM 623, and game control means for controlling the progress of jackpot lottery based on medal IN information stored in RAM 623 Control device 621 There.
According to such a pusher game machine, information transmission for transmitting the medal IN information of the station unit ST that is the payout source of the IC medal M ′ to the center lottery device 2000 that is the recipient of the IC medal M ′ is This is realized by using an IC medal M ′ distributed in the pusher game machine 1. The player who carries the IC medal M ′ from the station unit ST to the center lottery apparatus 2000 is a player who has played the station unit ST and acquired the IC medal M ′. Therefore, according to the pusher game machine, the medal IN information of the station unit ST is sent to the center lottery device 2000 without the need for a communication function for transmitting medal IN information via the communication network or the work of a game facility clerk or the like. A new information transmission system that can communicate is established. Moreover, the distribution of the IC medal M ′, which is responsible for transmitting the medal IN information, is a general game composed of a plurality of game devices that commonly use the medal M, that is, the normal action of the player in the pusher game machine 1. Realized by actions similar to player actions in the system. Therefore, the player carrying the IC medal M ′ is not aware of information transmission.

  In the first embodiment, the payout source storage information to be transmitted is medal IN information that is a cumulative amount of medal value inserted into the payout source game device (game device storing the information to be transmitted). For this reason, the medal IN information stored in the plurality of IC medals M ′ paid out from the game device can be recognized as the latest information when the accumulated amount indicated by the medal IN information is the latest information. there were. However, in the case where it is impossible to determine which information is the latest information only with the payout source storage information, for example, the data of the data for specifying the point in time when the payout source storage information is written in the IC medal M ′ The latest information determination data for determining which payout source storage information is the latest information may be written in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ in association with the payout source storage information. In this case, the latest information determination data associated with each payout source storage information indicates which is the latest information among the payout source storage information stored in the plurality of IC medals M ′ paid out from the same game device. It can be determined from. The latest information discriminating data includes time data indicating writing time and payout time, date data indicating writing date and time and paying date, writing date data indicating writing date and payout date, etc. Is mentioned. Further, the latest information determination data may be order data indicating the order in which the payout source storage information is written or the order in which the IC medals are paid out in the payout source game device. Further, the latest information determination data may be data indicating the time (time, date / time, date, update order, etc.) when the payout source storage information is updated in the payout source game device.

Further, in the first embodiment, a case has been described in which all payout-source game devices (game devices storing information to be transmitted) are station units ST of the same model, but station units ST of other models 'May be included.
Further, in the first embodiment, a game system in which a plurality of station units ST that are payout game devices and a center lottery device 2000 that is a receiving game device are arranged close to each other is taken as an example. As described above, the same applies to a game system in which payout source game devices or payout source game devices and receiving game devices are arranged far away from each other. However, in this case, it is desirable that the player be within the normal action range, for example, within the same store.
Further, each game device as a payout source may have different game contents. For example, the game system may be such that one of the payout game devices is a horse racing game machine and the other payout game device is a slot machine.
In the first embodiment, the case where the game executed by the receiving game device is a jackpot lottery using the medal IN information in each payout game device has been described as an example. Other games may be used as long as they use the stored information of the game device.

  In the first embodiment, the medal value data written to 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 ′ that has fallen into the medal dropping groove. However, different medal value data may be used. In this case, the control unit 600 can appropriately write 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 also possible to employ 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 approach the target payout rate. When this condition is adopted, when 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.

In addition, as a configuration that allows the player to insert the IC medal M ′ that has been paid out into the pusher game machine 1, for example, the following configuration may be used.
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.

Further, as a configuration for allowing the player to insert the IC medal M ′ that has been paid out into the pusher game machine 1, the following configuration can also be employed.
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 second lift-up hopper 350. Here, the second lift-up hopper 350 is not provided with the IC medal storage unit 360, and the second lift-up hopper 350 discharges the IC medal M ′ itself inserted into the medal insertion mechanism 100 to the play field 500. To drive. With the above configuration, when the player inserts the IC medal M ′ into the medal insertion mechanism 100, the IC medal M ′ itself is discharged into the play field 500.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game system including a medal game machine that is a plurality of game devices, a medal deposit machine that is a game medium deposit device as a storage information management device, and a store management device. A form (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “embodiment 2”) will be described.
In the game system of the second embodiment, the case where all medals that are common game media are IC medals M ′ and there is no normal medal M will be described as an example, but the same as in the first embodiment. The IC medal M ′ and the normal medal M may be mixed.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a medal deposit machine 3000 according to the second embodiment.
This medal deposit machine 3000 is an apparatus for temporarily depositing an IC medal M ′, which is a game medium distributed in the game system, from a player. The medal depositing machine 3000 is provided with a medal receiving port 3010 of a medal receiving device as a common game medium receiving means for receiving an IC medal M ′ that is a common game medium at the upper part, and the player holds the IC medal M ′ to be deposited as a medal. It will be put into the receiving port 3010. The medal deposit machine 3000 is provided with a touch panel. This touch panel includes an input device 3005 that receives an operation performed by the player, and a display device 3006 for displaying an image such as an operation description. The medal deposit machine 3000 is also provided with a discharge port 3011 for discharging a deposit certificate required when the deposited IC medal M ′ is withdrawn. The player can pull out the deposited IC medal M ′ by showing the store certificate discharged from the discharge port 3011 to a store clerk such as a store counter.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the medal game machines 1A, 1B,..., The medal deposit machine 3000, and the store management device 4000.
Each of the medal game machines 1A, 1B,... Includes at least a control device 5001 as game control means, a ROM 5002, a RAM 5003, an IC writer 5004 as data writing means, and an abnormality detection mechanism as abnormality detection means. 5005 and an IC medal payout mechanism 5006 as a common game medium payout means. The control device 5001 executes various programs stored in the ROM 5002 and performs various controls. In particular, the control device 5001 executes a game execution program stored in the ROM 5002 by an internal computer, thereby performing various controls necessary for the game and controlling the progress of the game. The game content of each medal game machine 1A, 1B,... The ROM 5002 stores various control execution programs and the like. The RAM 5003 temporarily stores various data or information. Note that the RAM 5003 functions as a storage device that stores operation abnormality information (storage information) indicating various operation abnormalities detected by the abnormality detection mechanism. The IC writer 5004 is for writing operation abnormality information stored in the RAM 5003 as payout source storage information on the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ paid out by the IC medal payout mechanism under the control of the control device 5001. is there. The abnormality detection mechanism 5005 is for detecting various operational abnormalities of the medal game machine. In this embodiment, the abnormality detection mechanism 5005 includes a mechanism for detecting that the power supply voltage is an abnormal voltage. Anything that detects an abnormal operation of the medal game machine may be used. However, in the second embodiment, since a time lag occurs between the occurrence of an abnormal operation and the store side grasping this, an abnormal operation that requires an emergency stop of the operation of the medal game machine is required. It is preferable to detect an operation abnormality that has been removed. The IC medal payout mechanism 5006 is for paying out an IC medal M ′ to the player under the control of the control device 5006 when a predetermined payout condition is satisfied in a game in which the control device 5006 controls the progress. .

  The medal deposit machine 3000 mainly includes a control device 3001 as information storage means, a ROM 3002, a RAM 3003 as information storage means and count number storage means, and an IC reader 3004 as count means and payout source storage information reading means. , An input device 3005, a display device 3006, a printer 3008 as output means, and a communication device 3009. The control device 3001 executes various programs stored in the ROM 3002 and controls various hardware. The ROM 3002 stores various control execution programs and the like. The RAM 3003 temporarily stores various data or information. The RAM 3003 functions as a storage device in which the IC reader 3004 stores operation abnormality information (payout source storage information) stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′. The IC reader 3004 is provided at the entrance of the IC medal storage unit in the IC medal receiving device as a common game medium receiving means, and is stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ inserted into the medal receiving port 3010. Electronic data such as abnormality information is read. The input device 3005 is for accepting an operation performed by the player, and constitutes the touch panel. The display device 3006 is for displaying an image such as an operation explanation and constitutes the touch panel. The printer 3008 is for printing the number of IC medals M ′ inserted into the medal receiving slot 3010 under the control of the control device 3001, and the printed deposit certificate is discharged from the discharge port 3011. The communication device 3009 is for performing data communication with the store management device 4000 via a communication network.

  The store management device 4000 mainly includes a control device 4001, a ROM 4002, a RAM 4003, a communication device 4004, and a display device 4005. The control device 4001 executes various programs stored in the ROM 4002 and controls various hardware. The ROM 4002 stores various control execution programs and the like. The RAM 4003 temporarily stores various data or information. The communication device 4004 is for performing data communication with the medal deposit machine 3000 via a communication network. The display device 4005 is for displaying an image such as a warning message under the control of the control device 3001 when the communication device 4004 receives operation abnormality information from the medal deposit machine 3000.

  In the above configuration, according to the second embodiment, when an abnormality in the power supply voltage is detected by the abnormality detection mechanism 5005 in each medal game machine 1A, 1B,..., The control device 5001 causes the IC writer 5004 to operate. When a predetermined payout condition is satisfied in a game in which operation abnormality information is written on the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ in a state associated with a game machine ID for specifying its own medal game machine and progress is controlled. The IC medal M ′ is paid out from the IC medal payout mechanism 5006 to the player. When the player stops playing the game system, the player carries the IC medal M ′ acquired by the player to the medal depositing machine 3000, and inserts the IC medal M ′ into the medal receiving slot 3010 of the medal depositing machine 3000. The control device 3001 of the medal deposit machine 3000 sequentially reads the electronic data stored in the IC chips of all the IC medals M ′ inserted into the medal receiving port 3010 with the IC reader 3004, as in the case of the first embodiment described above. Similarly, the validity of each IC medal M ′ is determined from the store ID and the expiration date data. The control device 3001 counts up the count data in the RAM 3003 each time it is determined to be valid, and after processing all the inserted IC medals M ′, whether or not all the IC medals M ′ to be deposited have been inserted. And a confirmation button image are displayed on the display device 3006. When all the IC medals M ′ to be deposited are inserted, the player touches the confirmation button image. This touch operation is detected by the input device 3005, and the control device 3001 discharges the receipt certificate, in which the number of sheets indicated by the count data in the RAM 3003 is printed using the printer 3008, from the discharge port 3011.

  Here, when the control device 3001 of the medal deposit machine 3000 receives the operation abnormality information from the IC reader 3004, the control device 3001 first stores the operation abnormality information and the game machine ID associated therewith in the RAM 3003. . Then, the operation abnormality information and the game machine ID stored in the RAM 3003 are transmitted from the communication device 3009 to the store management device 4000 via the communication network. The control device 4001 of the store management device 4000 that has received this via the communication device 4004 stores the operation abnormality information and the game machine ID in the RAM 4003, and then a power supply voltage abnormality occurs in the medal game machine 1 corresponding to the game machine ID. The display device 4005 displays a warning message to the effect. Thus, the operation error can be dealt with by the store clerk who has seen the warning message.

  In the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, it is better to determine which payout source storage information (operation abnormality information) is the latest information in the payout game device. Alternatively, the latest information discriminating data may be written in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ in association with the payout source storage information.

  In the second embodiment, the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ may store a plurality of operation abnormality information respectively associated with a plurality of game machine IDs. That is, in the IC medal M ′ that has traveled across the plurality of medal game machines 1A, 1B,... Before being inserted into the medal deposit machine 3000, abnormal operation occurs in two or more of the medal game machines. In some cases, a plurality of abnormal operation information associated with a plurality of game machine IDs may be stored. Therefore, information on a plurality of medal game machines 1 can be transmitted from one IC medal M ′. This is the same for all stored information stored in each medal game machine 1 as well as not only the abnormal operation information described above.

  In the second embodiment, the payout source storage information stored in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ is operation abnormality information of the medal game machines 1A, 1B,. Although described as an example, any information may be used as long as it is stored information stored in each medal game machine 1. For example, in each medal game machine 1, medal IN information that cumulatively counts the number of inserted IC medals M ′ and medal OUT information that cumulatively counts the number of IC medals M ′ that are paid out are stored. The medal IN information and medal OUT information may be written in the IC chip of the IC medal M ′ in association with the own game machine ID. In this case, the actual payout rate of each medal game machine 1A, 1B,... Can be managed by the store management device 4000 via the medal deposit machine 3000.

  In the second embodiment, the payout source storage information is read from the IC chip of the IC medal M ′, and the payout source storage information or information based on the payout source storage information is stored in the information storage unit. The case where the stored information management apparatus is a medal deposit machine that also has a function of depositing game media from a player has been described, but the function of depositing game media from a player, that is, the printer 3008 in the medal deposit machine 3000 is not provided. May be. For example, a store clerk at a store counter receives an IC medal M 'from the player, and the store clerk gives the store certificate to the player, and the store clerk inputs the received IC medal M' into the storage information management device 3000 '. The stored information management device 3000 ′ does not require a medal deposit function such as the printer 3008 in the medal deposit machine 3000. Further, for example, such a stored information management device 3000 'may be built in any medal game machine. In this case, the medal receiving device, the IC reader 3004, the input device 3005, the display device 3006, and the like can be shared with those of the medal game machine.

  The present invention is not limited to the medal game machine as described above, but can be applied to all pachinko machines, pachislot machines, and other game machines.

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 flowchart which shows an example of the flow of control when an IC medal is inserted into 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 medal deposit machine contained in the game system which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the medal game machine, medal deposit machine, and store management apparatus which are included in the game system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pusher game machine 100 Medal insertion mechanism 101 Storage surface 108-9, 109-9, 1005, 625, 3004 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 unit 370 Lift up unit 380 IC medal discharge unit 390, 1054, 5004 IC writer 500 Play field 501 Main table 510 Pusher unit 600, 610, 620 Control unit 1000 Satellite lottery device 1002 Medal transport path 1003 Sorting hole 1004 IC Medal transport path 1020 Third lift-up hopper 1021 Storage unit 1022 Hopper drive unit 1023 Lift-up unit 1030 Medal payout unit 1050 Fourth lift Top hopper 1051 Storage unit 1053 Lifting unit 1300, 1400 Ball supply mechanism 2000 Center lottery device 3000 Medal deposit device 3005 Input device 3006, 4005 Display device 3008 Printer 4000 Store management device 5000 Medal game machine 5005 Abnormality detection mechanism 5006 IC medal payout mechanism B1 , B2 ball M medal M 'IC medal SA satellite part ST station part

Claims (10)

A common game medium receiving means for receiving a common game medium to be paid out from a plurality of game devices and having a storage unit for storing electronic data;
Information storage means for storing payout source storage information stored in the storage device of the game device or information based on the payout source storage information;
A payout source storage information reading unit that reads out payout source storage information about a game device that has paid out the common game media from the storage unit of the common game media received by the common game media receiving unit;
A storage information management apparatus comprising: information storing means for storing in the information storage means the payout source storage information read by the payout source storage information reading means or information based on the payout source storage information. A common game medium receiving means for receiving a common game medium to be paid out from a plurality of game devices and having a storage unit for storing electronic data;
Counting means for counting the amount of common game media received by the common game media receiving means within a predetermined counting period;
A count number storage means for storing the number counted by the count means in association with the recipient identification information;
A game media storage device comprising output means for outputting recipient identification information,
Information storage means for storing payout source storage information stored in the storage device of the game device or information based on the payout source storage information;
A payout source storage information reading unit that reads out payout source storage information about a game device that has paid out the common game medium from the storage unit of the common game medium received by the common game medium receiving unit;
A game medium depositing apparatus comprising: information storing means for storing payout source storage information read by the payout source storage information reading means or information based on the payout source storage information in the information storage means. A common game medium receiving means for receiving a common game medium to be paid out from a plurality of game devices and having a storage unit for storing electronic data;
Information storage means for storing payout source storage information stored in a storage device of another game device or information based on the payout source storage information;
A payout source storage information reading unit that reads out payout source storage information about a game device that has paid out the common game media from the storage unit of the common game media received by the common game media receiving unit;
Information storage means for storing the payout source storage information read by the payout source storage information reading means or information based on the payout source storage information in the information storage means;
A game apparatus comprising: game control means for controlling the progress of a game based on information stored in the information storage means. The game device according to claim 3.
The information storage means stores storage amount data as information based on the payout source storage information,
The information storage means stores the storage amount data counted up based on the payout source storage information read by the payment source storage information reading means in the information storage means,
The game control means controls the progress of the game for determining whether or not a predetermined payout condition is satisfied by lottery, and pays out according to the storage amount data when the predetermined payout condition is satisfied. A game apparatus that performs a process for paying out an amount of game media. A common game medium payout means for paying out to a player a common game medium that has a storage unit for storing electronic data and can be used in other game devices;
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game and performing control for paying out a predetermined amount of common game media by the common game media payout means when a predetermined common game media payout condition is satisfied in the game;
A storage device for storing stored information;
A game apparatus comprising: data writing means for writing storage information stored in the storage device as payout source storage information in a storage unit of a common game medium paid out by the common game medium payout means. The game device according to claim 5.
Game media receiving means for receiving game media;
Counting means for counting the amount of game media received by the game media receiving means within a predetermined period;
A game device comprising: a storage unit that stores the number counted by the counting unit in the storage device as the storage information. The game device according to claim 5.
An abnormality detection means for detecting an operation abnormality;
A game apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores information on an operation abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit in the storage device as the storage information.   A game system comprising a plurality of the game devices according to claim 5, 6 or 7, and comprising at least one storage information management device according to claim 1.   A game system comprising a plurality of the game devices according to claim 5, 6 or 7, and at least one game medium storage device according to claim 2.   A game system comprising a plurality of the game devices according to claim 5, 6 or 7, and at least one game device according to claim 3 or 4.