JP2013169231A - Enclosed type game machine and game frame - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an enclosed type game machine capable of spreading game media that have been input inside to the whole of a circulation path of the game machine in a shorter time, thus enabling a state allowing normal operation to be performed.SOLUTION: By inputting Pachinko balls from an out port for replenishing the balls, a polishing motor and a lifting motor are driven automatically by control of a payout control board (S12, S16, S19), thus spreading the Pachinko balls into a circulation path where the Pachinko balls circulate within a Pachinko machine.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sealed game machine that plays a game using a game medium sealed inside.

  What is conventionally known as this type of enclosed game machine is, for example, throwing (replenishing) game media into a circulation path for circulating game media used in the game. Some have a ball replenishing device (Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-95165 A

  The ball replenishing device of Patent Document 1 is used for replenishment when game media is insufficient in the circulation path during normal use of the gaming machine. That is, for example, when the game medium in the gaming machine is once discharged to the outside for maintenance, and then reinserted, the operation of the entire gaming machine can be started only by the ball replenishing device refilling the circulation medium. In other words, the game media does not immediately reach the entire circulation path. For this reason, it takes time until the game medium actually reaches the entire circulation path including the launch position and becomes capable of normal operation, which may cause the player who wants to start the game to wait. was there.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to allow game media inserted therein to reach the entire circulation path of the gaming machine in a shorter period of time so that normal operation is possible. It is providing the enclosure type game machine which can be made.

(1) An enclosed game machine (pachinko machine 2) that performs a game using a game medium (pachinko ball) enclosed therein,
A launching device (launching device 14) that launches the game medium at the launch position (launch position 43) into the game area;
A circulation path (circulation path including the game area 27, the polishing device 23, the ball lifting device 25, and the launching device 14) for collecting the game media launched in the game area and circulating it again to the launch position;
Circulation movement means (polishing device 23, ball lifting device 25, ball passage 44) for circulating and moving the game medium in the circulation path using the driving force of the drive source;
An insertion port (for example, the out port 61) for introducing game media into the circulation path;
An automatic operation means (S12) is provided for automatically operating the drive source when a game medium is inserted into the insertion slot in a state where no game medium exists in the circulation path.

  According to such a structure, the game medium thrown in from the slot can be automatically distributed over the entire circulation path in a shorter time automatically by the automatic operation means.

(2) Out holes are provided in the game area for collecting game media that have been launched into the game area and do not win any winning areas and return to the circulation path;
The input port is the out port.

  By setting the path through which the game medium is input from the outlet to the circulation path, it is possible to more easily input the game medium into the circulation path.

  (3) In the enclosed game machine of the above (1) or (2), the game medium is supplied up to the firing position of the launching device (the post ball feed solenoid 47 subjected to the normal ball circulation process of S12) May be energized once to supply only one ball to the launch position).

  According to such a configuration, when it is desired to start the game by launching the game medium from the launch position to the game area, there is no game medium at the launch position, and the game start is waited until the game medium reaches the launch position. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of the power situation and maintain a state where it can be fired at any time.

  (4) In the enclosed game machine of any one of (1) to (3) above, when the game media enclosed in the circulation path is in an excess state with respect to the number of game media that can be stored in the circulation path In addition, there is further provided a guide path (surplus ball path 67) through which excess game media can be discharged from the circulation path.

  According to such a configuration, surplus game media are discharged from the circulation path, so that when the game media are thrown into the circulation path, the number of game media can be inserted without counting.

  (5) In the enclosed game machine of any one of (1) to (3), the circulation path is an excess game that is further supplied to the circulation path in a state where the circulation path is filled with game media. Let the medium flow down naturally.

  According to such a configuration, since excess game media naturally flows toward the outside of the circulation path by gravity without using a driving force, it is not necessary to provide an additional driving mechanism, and the configuration of the equipment is simplified. Can be.

It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine in the state where the door of the game board was opened. It is a front view which shows a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is a rear view which shows a card unit and a pachinko machine. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a region along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a lower area of the game area of FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a grinding | polishing apparatus. It is the expansion perspective view which looked at the polish device attached to the pachinko machine from the back side. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the state where the cover for the bead holes was opened and the bead holes were exposed. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state where a cover for a ball hole is closed and a hole for the ball is closed. It is a front view which shows the structure of the ball lifting apparatus. It is a front view which shows the structure of a launcher. It is the figure which looked at the state where the game medium was filled in the ball passage of the launcher from the right side of FIG. FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 but showing the entrance of the game medium in the launching device. It is a back side perspective view showing composition of a launching device. (A) It is a flowchart which shows one structure of a circulation path. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the other structure different from Fig.15 (a) of a circulation path. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit used for a card unit and a pachinko machine. (A) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a series of ball movement control processes at the time of the drive of the pachinko machine 2 of this Embodiment. (B) It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the ball replenishment process shown to Fig.17 (a). (C) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the normal time ball | bowl circulation process shown to Fig.17 (a) in detail. (D) It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the ball | bowl feeding process shown to Fig.17 (a). It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the ball removal process shown to Fig.17 (a) in detail. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various data memorize | stored in the card unit side and the pachinko machine side, and its transmission / reception. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline of the command and response which are transmitted / received between a card unit and a pachinko machine. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with the card unit and the pachinko machine at the time of power activation. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when a card is inserted in a card unit. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when lending a ball from the prepaid balance of the inserted card. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when paying out a lot of balls and paying out a stored ball. It is a figure which shows an example of a process with a card unit and a pachinko machine when returning the inserted card | curd.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As a concept of terms used in the present embodiment, a “game machine” includes a gaming machine (pachinko machine, etc.), a card unit, a jet counter, a card issuing device, a clearing device, a hall management device, a prize exchange device, etc. This is a concept including all devices installed in the game hall, and the “game device” is a concept in which only the gaming machine is excluded from the “game device”.

  First, referring to FIG. 1, an enclosed circulating pachinko machine (hereinafter abbreviated as “pachinko machine” or “P”) 2, which is an example of a gaming machine, is attached to each gaming island (not shown) arranged in the game hall. ing. The pachinko machine 2 encloses a pachinko ball as an example of a game medium inside, and when a player operates the hitting operation handle 13, a launching solenoid 41 included in the launching device 14 (see FIGS. 11 to 13). ) To drive the encapsulated balls one by one into the game area 27 on the front surface of the game board 26 so that a game can be played. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the hitting operation handle 13, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player is operating the hitting operation handle 13, and the player's hand The firing solenoid 41 is driven by detecting the contact with the touch sensor. In this state, the hitting momentum is adjusted in accordance with the amount of rotation of the hitting operation handle 13 by the player, and the ball is shot into the game area 27.

  Pachinko balls that have been driven into the game area 27 are won at any of the winning openings or are collected at the out opening 61 without winning. The pachinko balls won in the winning opening and the pachinko balls collected in the out mouth 61 are returned again to the hitting ball launch position through the collection path (circulation path) in the pachinko machine 2. Then, when the player operates the hitting operation handle 13, the pachinko ball at the hitting position is again shot into the game area 27.

  A display 54 is provided at a position below the game area 27 in the pachinko machine 2. The display 54 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, and displays various display screens to the player.

  FIG. 2 shows a member including a part of a circulation path of game balls arranged on the front (front) side inside the pachinko machine 2 with the glass door 11 opened, that is, on the back side of the glass door 11 and the display 54. FIG. 3 shows a member that includes a part of the circulation path of the game balls arranged on the back side inside the pachinko machine 2. Referring to FIG. 2, a card unit (hereinafter also abbreviated as CU) 3, which is an example of a gaming device, has a one-to-one correspondence with the pachinko machine 2 at a side position on a predetermined side of the pachinko machine 2. is set up. This card unit 3 is issued to a visitor card having a prepaid function which is a game recording medium issued to a general player who has not registered as a member, or to a member player who has registered as a member in the game hall. A pachinko machine that accepts membership cards, which are recorded game recording media, and uses the game value (for example, card balance, number of balls, number of balls, etc.) possessed by the player specified by the record information of the cards. 2 has a function for allowing an encapsulated ball, which is an example of a game medium, to be shot and fired. The visitor card and membership card are composed of IC cards.

  The card unit 3 that has received these cards has a function of converting the game value (for example, the card balance, the number of possessed balls, or the number of stored balls) possessed by the player specified by the record information of the card into “game ball data”. Have In the pachinko machine 2, a ball game equivalent to the number of balls specified by the data of game balls is made possible. That is, “game ball data” is data indicating the number of remaining fireable shots. In the following description, “game ball data” is simply referred to as “game ball” in the same manner as a stored ball and a holding ball.

  On the front side of the card unit 3, a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting bills, a protruding portion 305 formed to project forward from the front side of the device, and a card insertion / discharge port for inserting a membership card or a visitor card 309 etc. are provided. The member card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion / discharge port 309 is received by a card reader / writer (not shown), and information recorded on the card is read.

  In the protrusion 305 described above, on the surface facing the player, the display 312 and the membership card ID recorded on the membership card (also simply referred to as the card ID) and the membership card when the membership card is received. An IR (Infrared) photosensitive unit 320 receives an infrared signal from a replay button 319 for executing a replay game using the number of stored balls specified by the ID and a remote control (not shown) possessed by an attendant of the game hall. An IR light receiving unit that converts the signal into an electronic signal and outputs it is provided.

  The display 312 displays the prepaid balance (also referred to as card balance or simply balance) recorded on the inserted game recording medium (card), but can display the number of game balls and other various information. In addition, the surface is configured with a transparent touch panel, and various operations can be input by touching various display items displayed on the display unit of the display 312 with a finger.

  When the replay button 319 is operated and the number of possessed balls acquired by the player is recorded on the inserted card, a part of the number of possessed balls is withdrawn and converted into a game ball, and the converted game ball Based on this, it becomes possible to play a game with the pachinko machine 2. On the other hand, if the inserted card is a membership card and the number of possessions is not recorded and the stored balls are recorded in the hall management computer, etc., a part of the stored balls is withdrawn and converted into game balls Thus, a game with the pachinko machine 2 becomes possible. That is, when both the stored ball and the holding point are stored in association with the inserted card, the holding ball is withdrawn preferentially. In addition to the replay button 319, a dedicated ball payout button for withdrawing the possession ball may be provided, and the replay button 319 may be a button dedicated to withdrawal of the stored ball.

  Here, the “storing ball” is a game medium deposited in a game hall, and is generally managed by a hall management computer or other management computer installed in the game hall.

  “Number of possessed balls” is the number of balls that the player possesses as a result of the player playing the game with the gaming machine on the card, and the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall That is. Generally, the number of balls that the player has acquired on the day of the game hall is called “mochidama”, and the number of balls that the player has acquired before the previous day and that has been deposited in the amusement hall is “save ball”. Say.

  The “game ball” is data on the number of balls that can be fired by the gaming machine. As described above, this data is generated in exchange for withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card, the holding ball, or the stored ball.

  Note that the number of possessed balls may be managed by a management device for managing the number of possessed balls set in the game hall. In short, the difference between “sold balls” and “mochidama” is the number of balls that have been deposited in the amusement hall as a result of a storage operation for depositing in the amusement hall, or is still deposited in the amusement hall. It is a point whether it is the number of balls of the stage which is not.

  In this embodiment, the stored ball data is not recorded directly on the member card, but is stored in association with the member card number in a hall server installed in a game hall such as a hall management computer, and the corresponding stored ball is stored based on the member card number. It is configured to be searchable. On the other hand, Mochitama records directly on the card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. In the case of a visitor card, Mochitama is recorded directly on the visitor card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. When storing in the hall server in association with the card number, data that can specify the time stored in the hall server may be written in the card (member card, visitor card) and discharged. Also, the prepaid balance is directly written on a card (member card, visitor card) and discharged.

  Note that the timing for storing the holding ball in a card (member card, visitor card) or hall server is stored in a fixed period, for example, in real time every time the counting button 28 is operated and the counting process is performed. Or when storing the card in a batch.

  The banknote inserted into the banknote insertion slot 302 is taken in by a currency discriminator (not shown), and its authenticity and banknote type are identified.

  A ball lending button (also referred to as a lending button) 321 and a return button 322 are further provided on the front side of the card unit 3. The ball lending button 321 is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to a game ball) for withdrawing the balance recorded on the inserted card and using it in a game by the pachinko machine 2. The return button 322 is operated when the player finishes the game, and the number of game balls determined at the end of the game on the inserted card (the number of balls at the time of card insertion-the number of conversions to game balls + counting operation) This is an operation button for memorizing and discharging the number of possessed balls counted by. Note that the return button 322 may be provided in the gaming machine, and the signal itself when the return button 322 is operated may be input to the card unit.

  With further reference to FIG. 2, below the game area 27 and the out port 61 on the front (front) side of the pachinko machine 2, a polishing device 23 for polishing the surface of the game ball, a surplus ball hole 66, a surplus A ball path 67, a surplus ball path outlet 68, a surplus ball stop 69, and the like are arranged. The polishing apparatus 23 is a part of the circulation path of the game balls, and the surplus ball hole 66, the surplus ball path 67, the surplus ball path outlet 68, and the surplus ball stop 69 are areas connected to the circulation path. . These will be described in detail later.

  Referring to FIG. 3, on the back side of the pachinko machine 2, a main control board 16, a payout control board 17, a power supply device 21, a conveying screw 72, a ball lifting device 25, a launching device 14, etc. Are arranged, and these are surrounded by the front frame 6. The main control board 16 is provided on the game board 26 and controls the progress of the game of the pachinko machine 2. The payout control board 17 and the power supply device 21 are arranged on the rear side (front side of the pachinko machine 2) of the door shown in the lower left of FIG. 3 and are provided so as to be fixed to the front frame 6. The payout control board 17 manages and stores game balls. As will be described later, the conveying screw 72 is a part of the polishing apparatus 23 and a part of the circulation path. The conveying screw 72 conveys a game ball to be polished while circulating. The ball lifting device 25 is a device that transports (lifts) the game balls to the upper side of the pachinko machine 2, and is a part of the circulation path. The launching device 14 is disposed above the pachinko machine 2 and is a device that launches a game ball toward the game area 27 for gaming. The launcher 14 is also part of the circulation path. In this way, the pachinko ball circulation path in the present embodiment is basically the position of the pachinko machine 2 that goes around the pachinko machine 2 so as to include the polishing device 23, the ball lifting device 25, and the launching device 14 ( For example, the path is configured to return to the launch position 43) of the launch device 14. In addition to the above members, the game area 27 may be considered as a circulation path.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view showing in detail a cross-sectional aspect of a region including the out port 61 and the surplus ball hole portion 66 and the like, and shows the flow of game balls that have come out of the game region 27. In FIG. 4, the front side of the figure (the right front side) is the front side of the pachinko machine 2. Referring to FIG. 4, the game balls (pachinko balls) 10 that have not been won among the game balls (pachinko balls) 10 that have been driven into the game area 27 for the game as described above are shown in FIG. It falls in the direction indicated by the arrow, and reaches the filling space 63 including the ball guiding path below the game area 27. The out ball collected from the out port 61 is detected by the out ball detection switch 88, and the detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171 described later.

  On the other hand, an item (referred to as a winning ball or a safe ball) that wins at any one of the winning openings falls, for example, through a winning ball path 62 in a direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing and reaches the filling space 63. If the polishing entrance ball detection switch 701 detects that the game has started and the pachinko ball 10 has started to reach the filling space 63, the polishing motor 71 of the polishing device 23 constituting the circulation path starts to drive, The pachinko ball can be transferred.

  However, the circulation path may be set so that the circulation of the pachinko balls is disclosed by starting driving by detecting that the polishing entrance ball detection switch 701 starts to insert the pachinko balls as described above. As a modification, even if the sensors (polishing entrance ball detection switch 701 and the first fullness detection sensor 75 and the second fullness detection sensor 40 described later) provided in the circulation path do not detect all the pachinko balls, It may be a specification that performs an operation of continuously circulating the pachinko balls from when the power is turned on.

  However, the number of pachinko balls (for example, pachinko balls thrown in from the out port 61) trying to enter the filling space 63 may be excessive with respect to the number of game media that can be stored in the filling space 63. For example, when the filling space 63 can store 40 pachinko balls, if 40 pachinko balls enter the filling space 63, the filling space 63 is filled with the pachinko balls up to the uppermost portion 64 of the filling space. State. After this state, the pachinko balls (forty-first and subsequent) trying to enter the filling space 63 overflow from the filling space 63 and therefore enter the surplus ball hole 66 immediately above the filling space uppermost part 64. .

  Referring to FIG. 5, the surplus (for example, the 41st and subsequent) pachinko balls that have advanced toward surplus ball hole 66 are connected from surplus ball hole 66 and provided in front of filling space 63. It passes through the surplus ball path 67, which is a flow path for pachinko balls, and is guided from the exit 68 of the surplus ball path to the surplus ball stop 69 and stored in the surplus ball stop 69. That is, the surplus ball stop 69 is disposed at a predetermined position on the front side of the pachinko machine 2.

  It should be noted that the front portion of the door covering surface 65 is covered with an opening door provided with the indicator 54, the hitting ball operating handle 13 and the like shown in FIG. 1, and the surplus ball stopping portion 69 and the like are also covered by this opening door. Covered. The opening door is normally locked with a key held by a staff member of the game hall, and cannot be unlocked by the player but can be unlocked and opened by the staff member of the game hall. For this reason, the player cannot take out the pachinko balls stored in the surplus ball stopping portion 69 by himself / herself, and can take out only the attendant at the game hall. The clerk at the game hall can take out the pachinko balls stored in the surplus ball stop 69 and discharge the pachinko balls stored in the surplus ball stop 69 to the outside of the pachinko machine 2. For example, if the surplus ball stop 69 is disposed at a position where it is exposed when the portion where the indicator 54 of FIG. 1 is installed is opened, the pachinko ball is simply opened by opening the portion where the indicator 54 of FIG. 1 is installed. Can be easily taken out. The surplus ball stop 69 may be provided on the entire surface side (player side) of the opening door.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the pachinko balls that overflow from the full filling space 63 and flow from the surplus ball hole portion 66 toward the surplus ball stop portion 69 use, for example, gravity without using a driving force or the like. It is configured to naturally flow from the surplus ball hole 66 toward the surplus ball stop 69. For this reason, it is not necessary to additionally provide a member used as a driving force for guiding the pachinko ball toward the surplus ball stop portion 69, and the configuration of the equipment can be simplified.

  In addition, since the surplus pachinko balls guided to the surplus ball stop portion 69 can be easily taken out by an attendant at the game hall, the surplus ball stop portion 69 is used not only as a place for storing surplus pachinko balls but also as a service ball. It can be shared as a place to store pachinko balls. For this reason, space saving can be achieved compared with the case where the surplus ball stop part 69 and the service ball storage location are provided as separate locations.

  Further, for example, once the pachinko balls in the pachinko machine 2 are taken out (extracted) for maintenance, the power is turned on, and the pachinko balls are put into the pachinko machine 2 again (for example, from the out port 61). In this case, the number of balls that can be stored in the entire circulation path of the pachinko machine 2 is determined to be, for example, 40, and when the pachinko balls are supplied from the out port 61 to the circulation path, just 40 balls are supplied. The pachinko balls in the filling space 63 are configured to be full. Then, the pachinko balls exceeding 40 pieces overflow from the filling space 63 and the inflow of the pachinko balls starts toward the surplus ball stopping portion 69. As a result, it can be easily confirmed that the supply of the required number (40) of pachinko balls to normally circulate the pachinko balls in the circulation path of the pachinko machine 2 is completed. In addition, since the surplus pachinko balls 2 are naturally moved toward the surplus ball stop 69, it is not necessary to accurately count the number of pachinko balls when they are put into the pachinko machine 2. Pachinko balls can be thrown into. For this reason, a predetermined number of pachinko balls can be easily put into the pachinko machine 2 (circulation path).

  In addition, since a predetermined number of pachinko balls can be easily inserted into the pachinko machine 2 as described above, even when the launcher 14 is above the pachinko machine 2 as in the present embodiment, for example, It is possible to easily supply a predetermined number (for example, 40) of pachinko balls throughout the circulation path including the.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of only the polishing apparatus in more detail. In FIG. 6, the front side of the figure (the front side on the right side) is the front side of the pachinko machine 2. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the polishing apparatus attached to the pachinko machine 2 as seen from the back side of the pachinko machine. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the polishing apparatus 23 mainly includes a polishing motor 71, a conveying screw 72, a polishing cassette 73, and a cassette motor 74. The polishing motor 71 is a motor for driving the polishing apparatus (conveying screw 72) to convey the pachinko balls in the polishing apparatus 23, and is disposed behind the conveying screw 72 and the like. As described above, the conveying screw 72 conveys pachinko balls to be polished while circulating.

  The polishing cassette 73 is a cassette in which polishing members are stored. Although the polishing member is disposed in the polishing cassette 73 in FIG. 6, that is, on the rear side, the polishing member is not shown, but polishes the surface of the pachinko ball. The polishing member has, for example, a buff main body and a surface mesh portion that covers the surface of the buff main body. The buff main body is a band-shaped member formed of a porous member such as a sponge, but is not limited to a sponge, and takes in, for example, dirt removed from the surface of the ball by polishing the surface of the ball. Any material that can be used can be used. A surface mesh part is arrange | positioned so that a mesh-like net | network may cover the outer surface of a buff main-body part, for example. That is, since the surface mesh portion has a large number of holes, for example, dirt removed from the surface of the ball by polishing the surface of the ball can be taken into the buff main body through the surface mesh portion.

  In addition, the buff main body part does not necessarily need to be covered with the surface mesh part, and may be configured to have only the buff main body part, for example. Also in this case, as an example, a buff main body portion made of a paper-like member may be used.

  The cassette motor 74 is a motor that moves a polishing member connected thereto, for example, so as to circulate in the polishing cassette 73 by rotation of a motor gear (not shown) provided on the cassette motor 74. More specifically, when the cassette motor 74 is driven by the above-described payout control board 17, the motor gear rotates and the polishing member moves.

  Here, the conveying screw 72 of FIGS. 6 and 7 is provided on the upper side of the moving lower side (the front side in the moving direction) of the pachinko ball conveyed thereby than the upper moving side (the rear side in the moving direction). It is installed in a tilted manner. Since the conveying screw 72 is installed obliquely while the polishing member is installed almost horizontally, the pachinko balls polished while flowing along the conveying screw 72 cause dirt on the polishing member (surface mesh portion). This extends over substantially the entire width in the vertical direction of FIG. For this reason, it is possible to perform polishing using a wider range of the surface mesh portion with high efficiency. If the conveying screw 72 flows along the horizontal direction in the same manner as the polishing member (surface mesh portion), the pachinko balls are also polished while flowing in the horizontal direction, so the polishing member (surface mesh portion) is in the vertical direction of FIG. Only a part of the surface mesh is soiled, and a part of the region is replaced without being soiled at all, and the utilization efficiency of the surface mesh portion is lowered. However, the conveying screw 72 may be installed horizontally with respect to the pachinko machine 2.

  The structure of the polishing member (surface mesh portion), particularly the movement of the place where polishing is performed and the switching of the surface where polishing is performed may be performed little by little at all times. However, the movement or switching may be performed at a time, for example, after a certain period of time or after a certain number of polishings.

  8 and 9 are enlarged views of the polishing apparatus attached to the pachinko machine 2 as seen from the back side of the pachinko machine, as in FIG. 7, and actually the conveying screw 72 is located on the back side as shown in FIG. Although it is covered with a cover, in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, this is omitted to make the conveying screw 72 easier to see.

  With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, a pachinko ball moved from the filling space 63 enters the polishing start end portion 78 of the conveying screw 72 through a generally known passage or the like. Here, when the pachinko ball enters the polishing start end 78 of the conveying screw 72 in a state where the polishing cassette 73 is set to face the front surface of the conveying screw 72, the pachinko ball enters the polishing start end 78 and the polishing cassette. 73 so as to be sandwiched between the polishing members in 73. The polishing motor 71 starts to be driven on condition that a pachinko ball is detected by a polishing inlet sensor (also referred to as a polishing inlet ball detection switch) 701 and a first full detection sensor 75 described later does not detect the full state of the ball. . The driving of the polishing motor 71 is controlled by the dispensing control board 17 described above. When the polishing motor 71 is driven, the motor gear provided in the polishing motor 71 rotates, so that the conveying screw 72 fixed to the gear connected to the motor gear starts to rotate. In particular, when an abrasive member that is constantly moved or the like is used, the abrasive member may start to be driven as described above.

  The surface of the pachinko ball that comes into contact with the rotation of the conveying screw 72 is polished while being conveyed toward the polishing end 79 which is the other end of the conveying screw 72 (the other of the polishing start end 78). Polishing is performed by the member to remove the dirt on the surface.

  Referring to FIG. 7 again, in the vicinity of the polishing apparatus 23 (here, the polishing end portion 79) (the back side of the pachinko machine 2), a first fullness detection sensor 75, a ball hole 76, and a ball hole A cover 77 is disposed. The first fullness detection sensor 75 detects that a pachinko ball arranged on a part of the circulation path (particularly the moving lower side of the polishing apparatus 23 where the first fullness detection sensor 75 is arranged in FIG. 7) is full. The first fullness detection sensor 75 also functions as a sensor that detects that a pachinko ball has started to be inserted into the ball lifting device 25 at the start of the game. In other words, the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects that the pachinko ball has started to enter the area of the first fullness detection sensor 75 and the second fullness detection sensor 40 does not detect the full state of the ball. A function of starting the driving of the lifting device 25 and a function of detecting that the pachinko balls are full and stopping the driving of the polishing motor 71 so that no further pachinko balls are sent to the lower movement side of the polishing device 23. And combined.

  In other words, the polishing motor 71 and the polishing screw 72 until the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects that the pachinko ball is full after the polishing motor 71 starts driving (while it is not detected). The pachinko balls are moved from the polishing start end portion 78 toward the polishing end portion 79 by this driving. That is, there is provided stop means for stopping the driving of the polishing motor 71 when the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects that the pachinko ball is full in the polishing apparatus 23. If the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects the insertion of the pachinko ball 10, the lifting motor of the ball lifting device 25 that constitutes the circulation path starts to drive, and the circulation path causes the pachinko ball to move toward the ball lifting device 25. It can be transferred to

  The combined use of the functions of the first fullness detection sensor 75 is merely an example, and separate sensors may be provided according to the respective functions.

  The ball hole 76 is a discharge port for discharging a pachinko ball arranged inside the circulation path to the outside of the pachinko machine 2, for example, during maintenance. Accordingly, the pachinko ball may be discharged from the ball hole 76 during the normal game operation, but the pachinko ball 2 is discharged from the ball hole 76 after the pachinko machine 2 is set to the maintenance mode. May be. For example, when the pachinko ball is discharged from the ball hole 76 after the maintenance mode is set, the pachinko ball is controlled to be discharged at a higher speed than when the pachinko ball is discharged from the ball hole 76 during normal game operation. Thus, the operation of discharging the balls can be speeded up. This is because by setting the maintenance mode, the payout control unit 171 drives and controls the polishing motor 71 and the lifting motor 93 at a high speed different from that during normal gaming.

  Moreover, the cover 77 for the ball hole is a cover that covers the discharge port so that the pachinko ball is not discharged from the ball hole 76 during normal use, for example. For example, when a game attendant attaches / detaches the ball hole cover 77, the ball hole 76 is opened and the ball hole 76 is opened, and the pachinko ball can be discharged (see FIG. 8). The punching hole cover 77 is closed, the ball punching hole cover 76 is closed, and it is possible to freely switch between a closed state where the pachinko balls are not discharged (see FIG. 9).

  The bead hole 76 and the bead hole cover 77 are provided in the vicinity of the polishing end portion 79 of the polishing apparatus 23. That is, the pachinko balls discharged from the bead hole 76 can have a clean surface immediately after being polished by the polishing device 23 (immediately after passing through the polishing device 23).

  By opening the cover 77 for the ball hole, the pachinko ball that is not restrained by any member within the pachinko machine 2 including the circulation path is naturally dropped by the action of gravity, for example, It can be discharged outside the pachinko machine 2. The naturally falling pachinko balls are naturally discharged without receiving any driving force, so that the pachinko balls can be discharged more easily (by a simple method).

  However, for pachinko balls that are mechanically restrained inside the pachinko machine 2, such as pachinko balls that are sandwiched between the conveying screw 72 and the polishing member of the polishing apparatus 23 and are being polished, the operation button 19 described later is pressed. By the action of the automatic operation means (S32) that operates by this, the ball is discharged from the ball hole 76.

  Here, for example, if the bead hole cover 77 is provided at the lowest point of the circulation path, when the bead hole cover 77 is opened, it will naturally fall by the action of gravity because it is not restrained by any member. Thus, the number of pachinko balls that can be discharged from the ball punching hole 76 is further increased. For this reason, the efficiency which discharges a pachinko ball can further be raised. Therefore, it is more preferable that the ball hole 76 and the ball hole cover 77 are provided below the pachinko machine 2.

  7 to 9 again, the ball lifting device 25 extends in the vertical direction on the side of the back side of the pachinko machine 2 (on the right side in the figure, that is, the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 2). Exist. The pachinko balls that have moved from the polishing end portion 79 enter the ball lifting device 25 through a generally known passage or the like.

  7 to 10, the ball lifting device 25 mainly includes a lifting ball inlet 92, a lifting motor 93, a lifting screw 94, a lifting tube 95, and a lifting ball outlet 96. Have. The pachinko balls that have entered the ball lifting device 25 from the lifting ball inlet 92 are installed so as to be sandwiched between the lifting screw 94 and the lifting tube 95. When the sensor senses, the lifting motor 93 and the lifting screw 94 start to be driven in the same manner as the polishing motor 71, the conveying screw 72, and the cassette motor 74 described above. Then, the pachinko balls coming into contact with the lifting screw 94 are transferred upward along the lifting screw 94 and go out of the ball lifting device 25 from the lifting ball outlet 96.

  11 to 14 show the configuration of only the launching device in more detail. In FIG. 11, the front of the figure is the front side of the pachinko machine 2, and in FIGS. 12 and 13, the front of the figure is the pachinko machine 2. It corresponds to the right side of In FIG. 14, the front of the figure is the back side of the pachinko machine 2.

  11 to 14, the launching device 14 includes a foul ball detection switch 33, a firing solenoid 41, a hitting hammer 42, a firing position 43, a ball passage 44, a firing ball inlet 46, and a ball feed solenoid. 47, a link 48, and a fulcrum 49. A second fullness detection sensor 40 is provided in the vicinity (back side) of the launching device 14. The second fullness detection sensor 40 is filled with a pachinko ball arranged on a part of the circulation path (particularly on the moving lower side of the ball feeding device 25 where the second fullness detection sensor 40 is arranged in FIGS. 12 to 14). The second fullness detection sensor 40 also functions as a sensor for detecting that a pachinko ball has started to be introduced into the launching device 14 at the start of the game. That is, the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that the pachinko ball has started to enter the area of the second fullness detection sensor 40 and starts to drive the launching device 14 (ball feed solenoid 47), and the pachinko ball is full. This function is also used to stop the driving of the lifting motor 93 so that no further pachinko balls are sent to the lower movement side of the ball lifting device 25.

  In other words, until the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that the pachinko ball is full in the ball lifting device 25 after the lifter motor 93 starts driving (while it is not detected), The pachinko ball is moved upward through the ball lifting device 25 by the driving of the lifting motor 93.

  The combined use of the functions of the second fullness detection sensor 40 is merely an example, and separate sensors may be provided according to the respective functions.

  Further, the drive control of the polishing motor 71 and the lifting motor 93 is performed regardless of whether or not a ball is detected by a sensor (polishing entrance ball detection switch 701, first full sensor 75) on the upper side of each ball movement. It may be controlled to start driving when the ball full state is no longer detected by the sensors on the lower side of the ball movement (the first full sensor 75 and the second full sensor 40).

  If the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that the pachinko ball is full in the ball lifting device 25, the driving of the lifting motor 93 is stopped and more pachinko balls are moved to the lower side of the movement of the ball lifting device 25. It will not be sent. That is, when the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that the pachinko ball is full in the ball lifting device 25, a stop means for stopping the driving of the lifting motor 93 is provided. If the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects the insertion of the pachinko ball 10, the circulation path is in a state where the pachinko ball can be transferred toward the launching device 14.

  The launch position 43 corresponds to an exit exiting the launching device 14 for launching a pachinko ball with respect to the launch ball inlet 46. The ball passage 44 is a pachinko ball passage that passes through the inside of the launching device 14 from the launch ball inlet 46 to the launch position 43.

  The ball feed solenoid 47 is a solenoid for conveying the pachinko balls in the ball passage 44 toward the firing position 43. The link 48 and the fulcrum 49 are members having the same function as the conveying screw 72 in the polishing apparatus 23, for example, for controlling the conveyance of the pachinko balls in the ball passage 44. Specifically, when the ball feed solenoid 47 starts to be driven by the payout control board 17, the link 48 is attracted to the ball feed solenoid 47 by excitation of the ball feed solenoid (solenoid coil) 47. As a result, the link 48 rotates around the fulcrum 49. When the link 48 is not attracted by the solenoid 47, the flow of the subsequent pachinko balls is stopped as shown in FIG. 12, but when the link 48 is attracted by the ball feed solenoid 47, the link 48 swings upward. The pachinko balls are allowed to flow down, and only one pachinko ball is conveyed toward the moving lower side of the ball passage 44. The link 48 is configured such that when a part in contact with the pachinko ball is sucked, one pachinko ball on the moving side enters the part, and by repeating excitation and de-energization of the solenoid 47, the pachinko ball one by one. Works to send out.

  A shot ball detection switch 99 is provided slightly on the lower side of the link 48. When one ball is sent out by the swing of the link 48, the shot ball detection switch 99 is momentarily in a non-detection state, and the detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171 to determine that one ball has been shot.

  The launch solenoid 41 is a solenoid that is driven to fire a pachinko ball from the launch position 43 toward the game area 27, and the hitting hammer 42 is a hammer that hits the pachinko ball to launch the pachinko ball. The hitting hammer 42 has a rotating shaft 51 and a coil suction portion 52, and is an arm-shaped member. The arm moves around the rotating shaft 51 to apply a striking force to the pachinko ball, which is used as a game area. Fire towards 27. Specifically, when the firing solenoid 41 (solenoid coil) is excited, the hitting hammer 42 is attracted to the excitation region in the solenoid coil by the coil suction portion 52 formed on the arm around the rotation shaft 51. The reciprocating motion occurs such that the solenoid coil is de-energized and returned to its original position by the restoring force of a spring (not shown), and the pachinko ball is fired using this reciprocating motion. The intensity of the pachinko ball firing is adjusted by a variable resistor whose resistance value changes depending on the amount of rotation of the hitting ball operating handle 13.

  The foul ball detection switch 33 is provided in the middle of the ball path 44 and detects a state in which pachinko balls are accumulated in the ball path 44 and stagnated. If the foul ball detection switch 33 detects that the pachinko ball in the course of the ball path 44 is not fired and is stagnating, a feeding operation in which the pachinko ball is transported toward the moving lower side of the ball path 44 is performed. The operation is stopped and the operation of firing a pachinko ball exclusively from the launch position 43 to the game area 27 is performed. Specifically, for example, while the pachinko ball firing operation is repeated three times (three pachinko balls are fired from the firing position 43), excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 is stopped and the pachinko ball ball passage 44 is stopped. The flow is prevented by the link 48, and only the ball is discharged (fired) from the ball passage 44 only. In this way, it is possible to prevent the pachinko balls present in the ball passage 44 from entering an excess state.

  Here, the hitting operation of the hitting hammer 42 and the transporting operation of the pachinko ball to the launching position 43 of the ball feed solenoid 47 are performed independently by time control. That is, the operation in which the hitting hammer 42 fires a pachinko ball and the operation in which the ball feed solenoid 47 transports the pachinko ball toward the firing position 43 are controlled so that both have the same speed (one in 0.6 seconds). ing.

  If the foul ball detection switch 33 is on, for example, a trajectory (launching trajectory) in the game area 27 of a pachinko ball fired at the firing position 43 (including the vicinity of the firing position 43), the foul ball detection switch 33 has been fired. The pachinko ball or the hitting hammer 42 may be damaged by the impact. However, as in the present embodiment, the foul ball detection switch 33 is provided at a location (ball passage 44) different from the firing trajectory of the pachinko ball fired at the firing position 43. Therefore, the occurrence of breakage due to the hitting ball of the pachinko ball can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the ball lifting device 25 as described above is arranged as a mechanism separate from the polishing device 23. For this reason, the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning of the ball lifting apparatus 25 and the grinding | polishing apparatus 23 in the inside of the pachinko machine 2 is raised compared with the case where the ball feeding apparatus 25 and the grinding | polishing apparatus 23 are formed as an integral mechanism, for example. be able to.

  For example, referring to FIG. 15A, the pachinko machine 2 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the pachinko balls collected from below the game area 27 (for example, the outlet 61) are polished by the polishing device 23. After being polished, a circulation path is transported above the pachinko machine 2 by the lifting device 25, and is again fired from the launch position 43 to the game area 27 through the ball passage 44 of the launcher 14 above the pachinko machine 2. You may have. However, referring to FIG. 15 (b), for example, the pachinko balls collected from below the game area 27 (for example, the out port 61) are first conveyed above the pachinko machine 2 by the lifting device 25 and then polished. After being polished by the device 23, it may have a circulation path in which it is fired again from the launch position 43 to the game area 27 through the ball passage 44 of the launch device 14 above the pachinko machine 2.

  In this way, the ball lifting device 25 and the polishing device 23 are separate mechanisms, so that the order in the circulation path of the ball lifting device 25, the polishing device 23, and the ball passage 44 (launching device 14), and the doffing. The degree of freedom of arrangement of the feeding device 25, the polishing device 23, and the ball passage 44 inside the pachinko machine 2 can be increased.

  In the circulation movement control of the balls in the circulation path in the present embodiment (specifically, the normal ball circulation processing in S12 described later), the movement speed of the pachinko balls is faster as the pachinko balls move better on the circulation path. . Specifically, for example, in the case of the pachinko machine 2 having the circulation path of FIG. 15A, the speed at which the pachinko balls are conveyed by the conveying screw 72 in the polishing device 23 is the fastest, and the ball lifting device 25 lifts the pachinko ball. The speed conveyed by the screw 94 is next, and the speed conveyed in the ball passage 44 is the slowest. Further, for example, in the case of the pachinko machine 2 having the circulation path of FIG. 15B, the speed of conveyance by the lifting screw 94 in the ball lifting device 25 is the fastest, and the pachinko ball is conveyed by the conveying screw 72 in the polishing device 23. Next to this, the speed conveyed in the ball passage 44 is the slowest.

  In this way, the pachinko ball on the lower moving side of the circulation path, in particular the launch standby ball whose flow is restricted by the link 48, can be caught up by the succeeding pachinko ball on the moving upper side. For example, when a situation occurs in which two balls simultaneously pass through the link 48 and are supplied to the firing position during the game, the number of waiting balls for firing is reduced by one, and the second full detection is immediately detected. Since the fullness of the ball is not detected by the sensor 40 and the lifting motor 93 is activated to move the ball at a speed faster than the normal ball feeding speed and supply the ball to the link 48, The deficiency state is eliminated, and an appropriate number of fire standby balls can be maintained. In addition, if the first full detection sensor 40 does not detect the full state of the ball due to the ball being lifted at a speed faster than the normal ball feed speed, the polishing motor 71 is activated and the normal ball feed speed is exceeded. Since the balls are polished and sent out at a faster speed, the deficiency state of the balls at the entrance of the ball feeding device 25 is eliminated.

  However, when the first fullness detection sensor 75 and the second fullness detection sensor 40 detect the full state of the pachinko balls in order to prevent the fullness of the pachinko balls on the moving lower side of the circulation path from being excessive, stop means ( In S17 and S20), the adjacent device on the moving upper side is stopped. If it does in this way, the excessive filling of the pachinko ball can be prevented.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the card unit 3 and the pachinko machine 2. With reference to FIG. 16, the outline of the control circuit of the card unit 3 and the pachinko machine 2 will be described.

  The card unit 3 is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The CU control unit 323 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a work area of the CPU. Random Access Memory) and an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices.

  The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external communication unit (not shown) for communicating with a hall management computer and a hall server (not shown) for security management, and the payout control of the pachinko machine 2 A security board 325 is provided for communication with the board 17 while ensuring security. The card unit 3 is provided with a connection part (not shown) to the pachinko machine 2 side, and the pachinko machine 2 is provided with a connection part (not shown) to the card unit 3 side. These connection parts are constituted by connectors, for example.

  The security board 325 on the CU side and the payout control board 17 on the P platform side are communicably connected via this connector and connection wiring. The security board 325 is provided with a communication control IC 325a for controlling communication between the security board 325 and the payout control board 17, and a security chip (SC) 325b for monitoring the security of the pachinko machine 2. The SC 325b further includes a fraud detection unit 1325. The fraud detection unit 1325 performs fraud detection by monitoring the game ball addition request information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the P-unit 2, and manages the key when fraud is detected. Notify server (not shown). Also, the setting value (constant) for fraud detection is notified from the key management server as board control information.

  The authenticity and type of the banknote are identified by the above-described money identifier, and the identification result signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the IR photosensitive unit 320 receives infrared rays emitted from a remote controller owned by a game attendant, the received light signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The card reader / writer reads the recorded information of the inserted card, and the read information is input to the CU control unit 323. At the same time, the data to be written to the inserted card from the CU control unit 323 to the card reader / writer. When transmitted, the card reader / writer writes the data to the inserted card.

  The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the player's possession balls when the player is playing. Data such as a balance or the number of game balls is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350 and converted into display data by the display control unit 350. The display data converted by the display control unit 350 is output to the display 312 and the display 312 displays the output display data. Further, when the player operates a touch panel provided on the surface of the display 312, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. When the player operates the ball lending button 321, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The ball lending button 321 is not limited to the configuration provided in the CU 3, and may be configured so as to be provided in the P platform 2 and input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the replay button 319, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the return button 322, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323.

  In the pachinko machine 2, the main control board 16 that controls the progress of the game of the pachinko machine 2, the payout control board 17 that manages and stores the game balls, and the drive control of the firing solenoid 41 based on the commands of the payout control board 17 And a variable display device 278 are provided.

  As described above, the main control board 16 is provided on the game board 26. The main control board 16 is equipped with a game control microcomputer as the main control unit 161. A microcomputer for gaming machine control includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, and a RAM (RAM that functions as a work area for the CPU). Random Access Memory) and an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices. The main controller 161 is connected to a winning sensor 162 and a radio wave sensor 163 provided on the game board 26. The game board 26 is further provided with a display control board (effect control board) for controlling the variable display device 278 and the like.

  The payout control board 17 is provided on the front frame 6 (game frame). The payout control board 17 is equipped with a payout control microcomputer which is a payout control unit 171.

  The payout control microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the CPU and control data, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a work area of the CPU. Random Access Memory) and an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices.

  In addition, the payout control board 17 is provided with a ball removal operation button 19 (automatic operation means). The ball removal operation button 19 is subjected to mechanical restraint from the polishing device 23 or the like when the pachinko balls are discharged from the above-described ball removal hole 76 (drilling hole cover 77) and the surplus ball retaining portion 69, for example. A drive source (specifically, a polishing motor 71, a lifting motor) for discharging pachinko balls that cannot be discharged by automatic flow down from the ball hole 76 when the ball hole cover 77 is simply opened. 93, a button for automatically operating the ball feed solenoid 47 and the firing solenoid 41).

  In addition, a firing ball detection switch (not shown), a polishing entrance ball detection switch 701, a foul ball detection switch 33, a lifting motor 93, a polishing motor 71, a ball feeding solenoid 47, and a first fullness detection sensor with respect to the dispensing control board 17. 75, the second fullness detection sensor 40, the counting button 28, and the radio wave sensor 173 are provided in an electrically connected state. The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting an illegal act of illegally transmitting radio waves.

  A detection signal of the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the payout control unit 171 via an input port (not shown) of the payout control board 17.

  However, if an illegal radio wave is generated, the number of game balls is not subtracted no matter how many balls are fired. Such radio fraud is detected by the radio wave sensor 173. Here, there is a possibility that the firing ball detection switch may be a target of fraud by radio waves. In other words, when the actually fired balls are collected and detected by the firing ball detection switch, the number of the fired balls and the collected balls (out balls) is wrinkled, and an abnormality is detected and “launch / OUT” is detected. The fraud detection information “number of inconsistent balls” is transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3. However, by sending unauthorized radio waves to the fired ball detection switch to make it undetectable, there is a problem that the fraud detection information of the “number of fired / OUT mismatched balls” is not transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3. . In the present embodiment, since the radio wave sensor 173 also detects unauthorized radio waves transmitted to such a shot ball detection switch, the above-described inconvenience can be prevented.

  Further, a shot ball detection switch 99 is provided slightly on the side of the ball moving solenoid 47 (see FIG. 12 and FIG. 13), and every time a single pachinko ball is detected by the shot ball detection switch 99, the ball feed solenoid 47 is detected. In addition, the payout control unit 171 subtracts “1” from the number of game balls. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the subtraction ball number counter is updated by adding “1”, and the game ball number is updated by subtracting “1”.

  As another modified example of subtracting and updating the number of game balls by “1”, there is a method using a foul ball detection switch 33. Originally, the foul ball detection switch 33 detects the full foul ball when the foul ball is filled in the ball passage 44, as will be described later. In this case, the foul ball detection switch 33 outputs a continuous detection signal instead of an instantaneous pulse signal, and the payout control unit 171 that has received the continuous detection signal receives a foul ball in the ball passage 44. It is determined that the battery is full, and YES is determined in S26 of FIG. On the other hand, when the ball feeding solenoid 47 is energized once, one pachinko ball flows down the ball passage 44 and when the passing ball is detected by the foul ball detection switch 33, an instantaneous pulse signal is detected as a foul ball detection. Output from the switch 33. The payout control unit 171 that has received the instantaneous pulse signal may control to update the subtraction ball number counter by “1” and update the number of game balls by “1” (see FIG. 19). .

  In this way, the foul ball detection switch 33 is configured to detect a pachinko ball passing through the ball passage 44 in order to subtract the number of game balls and detect a foul ball filling the ball passage 44 to detect both. It may be configured as a dual-purpose switch.

  From main control board 16 to payout control board 17, main control chip ID, winning opening information, round information, connection confirmation signal, winning detection signal, starting winning opening winning information, error information, number of symbols determined, jackpot information, manufacturer specific Jackpot information is sent.

  The main control chip ID (also referred to as main chip ID) is a chip ID recorded on the main control board 16 of the pachinko machine 2, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the pachinko machine 2 is turned on. Information. The winning opening information is information including the type of winning opening (start winning opening, normal winning opening, large winning opening) and the number of winning balls (the number of payout balls when a game ball enters the winning opening). It is transmitted to the dispensing control board 17 when the machine 2 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds when a big hit is made, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the pachinko machine 2 is powered on.

  The connection confirmation signal is a signal for confirming that the main control board 16 and the payout control board 17 are connected, and a signal of a predetermined voltage is constantly supplied from the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 is configured to control the operation on the condition that the payout control board 17 receives the predetermined voltage signal. The winning detection signal is a detection signal of a pachinko ball that has won a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. Upon receiving this detection signal, the payout control board 17 performs control to add the number of balls to be given to one winning ball to the number of game balls and the number of added balls. This will be described in detail later.

  The start winning award winning information is information indicating that a pachinko ball has won a winning winning opening 1 or a starting winning opening 2. The error information is information for notifying the payout control board 17 when an error occurs while the main control board 16 is performing game control.

  The symbol determination number of times is information on symbols determined as display results of the variable display device for winnings at each start winning opening.

  The jackpot information is information indicating that a jackpot has occurred. The breakdown includes common jackpot information indicating a jackpot common to each manufacturer and manufacturer-specific jackpot information indicating a manufacturer-specific jackpot. The common jackpot information is a jackpot commonly used by each gaming machine manufacturer, such as 15 round jackpots, and includes probability variation information when a probability change occurs with the jackpot. When the time-short state (control state for shortening the variable display time of the variable display device) occurs, the time-short information is included. The manufacturer-specific big hit is a big hit state that is adopted only by a certain gaming machine manufacturer, such as sudden probability change (surprise).

  A health check command and a winning ball number acceptance command are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the main control board 16. The health check command is a command for checking whether or not the main control board 16 is operating normally. The prize ball number acceptance command is a command indicating that the additional number of balls has been accepted.

  The out ball collected from the out port 61 is detected by the out ball detection switch 88 (see FIG. 4), and an out ball detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171. The out ball detection switch 88 is arranged on the upper side of the movement of the pachinko ball than the surplus ball path 67 for guiding the surplus ball from the filling space 63 to the surplus ball stop 69.

  A detection signal is input from the polishing entrance ball detection switch 701 to the dispensing control board 17. The payout control board 17 to which this detection signal is inputted subtracts and updates the number of balls in game (the number of balls of floating balls floating in the game area 27) as will be described later. A shot detection signal is input from the shot detection switch to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 to which the fired ball detection signal is input updates the number of in-game balls by subtraction.

  The security board 325 of the card unit 3 and the payout control board 17 of the pachinko machine 2 are electrically connected. As will be described later, a recovery request, a recovery detail request, and communication start from the security board 325 to the payout control board 17 Various commands such as a request, a communication end request, a status information request, a card insertion notification, a card return notification, and a communication test request are transmitted.

  The recovery request is a command that requests the pachinko machine 2 to notify the recovery information, as will be described later. The payout control board 17 receives the recovery request and notifies the card unit 3 of the recovery information of the pachinko machine 2. The recovery detail request is a command for requesting the pachinko machine 2 to notify the recovery detailed information. The payout control board 17 receives the recovery detail request and notifies the card unit 3 of the recovery detailed information of the pachinko machine 2. The communication start request is a command for requesting the pachinko machine 2 to start communication. The payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 3 with the communication start in response to the communication start request. The communication end request is a command for requesting the pachinko machine 2 to end communication. The payout control board 17 receives a communication end request and responds to the card unit 3 with a communication end.

  The status information request is a command that requests the pachinko machine 2 to notify the status information. The payout control board 17 receives the status information request and notifies the card unit 3 of the status information of the pachinko machine 2. The card insertion notification is a command for notifying the pachinko machine 2 that a card has been inserted. The payout control board 17 receives a card insertion notification and responds to the card unit 3 that a card has been inserted. The card return notification is a command for notifying the pachinko machine 2 that the card has been returned. The payout control board 17 receives a card return notification and responds to the card unit 3 that the card has been returned. The communication test request is a command for notifying the pachinko machine 2 of test data. The payout control board 17 responds with test data to the card unit 3 in response to the communication test request.

  Various responses such as a recovery response, a recovery detail response, a communication start response, a communication end response, a status information response, a card insertion response, a card return response, and a communication test response are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the security board 325.

  The front frame 6 (game frame) is provided with a firing control board 31 and a firing solenoid 41. The firing control board 31 emits a firing solenoid 41 and drives the firing solenoid 41 when an input signal of a touch ring for detecting that a player is touching the hitting ball operating handle 25 is input.

  A firing control signal and a firing permission signal are output from the dispensing control board 17 to the firing control board 31. Upon receiving this, the firing control board 31 outputs a signal for exciting the firing solenoid 41. Thereby, the pachinko ball is in a state where it is bullet-launched into the game area 27.

  A display 54 is provided in the front frame 6 (game frame). The display unit 54 receives display data from the display control unit 350 of the card unit 3 and displays a display screen. As described above, in this embodiment, the P-side display 54 is controlled on the CU side, but instead, the display 54 is controlled to be displayed on the P-side. A display control substrate may be provided. In this case, the display control board controls display of the display 54 based on a command from the payout control unit 171. Although not shown in FIG. 16, the detection signal of the out ball detection switch 88 and the detection signal of the firing ball detection switch 99 are input to the payout control unit 171.

  Next, a flow of a series of ball movement control processes when driving the pachinko machine 2 having the above-described configuration (circulation path) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. Referring to FIG. 17 (a), the processes in which the pachinko balls move (circulate) inside the pachinko machine 2 (circulation path) are the ball replenishment process (S1), the normal ball circulation process (S2), and the ball feed process. (S3) and the ball removal process (S4) are performed periodically. Here, for example, the time required to perform one from S1 to S4 is 2 msec.

  FIG. 17B is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for the ball replenishment process indicated by S1 in FIG. Referring to FIG. 17 (b), in S10, it is determined whether or not there is a storage ball in the circulation path. The storage ball here means a pachinko ball stored in, for example, the filling space 63 shown in FIG. 4 and circulating in the above-described circulation path (for example, 40 can be stored as described above). If there is no stored ball in the circulation path (YES in FIG. 10), it is determined that the operation has not yet started, and the subroutine program ends immediately without performing the ball replenishment and the ball circulation processing. Specifically, the fact that the stored balls are not in the circulation path (YES in S10) detects that neither the first fullness detection sensor 75 nor the second fullness detection sensor 40 contains any pachinko balls, for example. It can be judged.

  If a pachinko ball is inserted into the circulation path from the outlet 61 and the pachinko ball is detected by the polishing entrance ball detection switch 701, NO is determined in S10, and the control advances to S11. In other words, from the state where the stored balls are not in the circulation path at all (YES in S10), the supply of the pachinko balls in the circulation path is started by detecting the replenished pachinko balls by the polishing entrance ball detection switch 701. Is recognized, control proceeds to S12, and normal ball circulation processing is performed. The determination of YES in S11 is made when a game hall clerk throws a pachinko ball through the out port 61 to replenish the ball. On the other hand, if the polishing entrance ball detection switch 701 does not detect a pachinko ball (NO in FIG. 11), the subroutine program ends immediately without performing the normal time ball circulation processing.

  By the normal time ball circulation processing of S12, for example, the balls thrown in from the out port 61 are circulated and conveyed through the circulation path and supplied to the front of the link 48.

  The description of FIG. 17B is a program applied to the pachinko machine 2 having a specification in which the pachinko balls start to circulate in the circulation path when the polishing entrance ball detection switch 701 detects the pachinko balls. Even if both the first fullness detection sensor 75 and the second fullness detection sensor 40 do not detect the pachinko balls, as long as the power of the pachinko machine 2 is turned on, the polishing motor 71 and the lifting motor 47 are used. When the drive starts, steps S10 and S11 are not necessary.

  In addition, when performing ball replenishment, you may make it throw in a ball from the winning opening provided in the game area | region 27 instead of throwing in a ball from the above-mentioned out port 61, for example.

  In the operation of supplying the balls, as described above, the pachinko balls in the filling space 63 are filled when exactly 40 balls are supplied in the circulation path. Then, the pachinko balls exceeding 40 pieces overflow from the filling space 63 and the inflow of the pachinko balls starts toward the surplus ball stopping portion 69. As a result, it can be easily confirmed that the supply of the required number (40) of pachinko balls to circulate the pachinko balls normally in the circulation path of the pachinko machine 2 has been completed. In other words, by replenishing the balls, the ball is filled in the circulation path so that the game can be played immediately, and replenishing until extra balls are generated by continuously replenishing the balls (throwing in the balls from the out port). If it continues, since an appropriate ball quantity (40 pieces) is filled in the circulation path, there is an advantage that the replenishment work is easy and easy to understand.

  In addition, compared to the case where the pachinko balls are inserted from the winning opening and the balls are replenished, the out opening is larger than the winning opening, so there is an advantage that the pachinko balls can be easily inserted and the balls can be easily supplied.

  FIG. 17 (c) is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for the normal time ball circulation process shown in S2 of FIG. 17 (a). With reference to FIG.17 (c), it is discriminate | determined by S15 whether the 1st fullness detection sensor 75 is ON. As described above, the first fullness detection sensor 75 shown in FIG. 7 is a region in which a pachinko ball sent from the polishing device 23 toward the ball lifting device 25 bridges the polishing device 23 and the ball lifting device 25. Turns on when full in the vicinity (YES in S15). The fullness here occurs when the replenishment of pachinko balls in the circulation device is advanced by the ball replenishment process shown in FIG. 17B (S1 in FIG. 17A). Specifically, instead of the instantaneous pulse signal output from the first fullness detection sensor 75 when the passage of the pachinko ball is detected, the pachinko ball remains at the detection position of the first fullness detection sensor 75 for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). ) When the ball detection signal is continuously output, YES is determined in S15. The same is true for the determination of YES in S18 described later and the determination of YES in S26. As a result of determining YES in S15, the control proceeds to S17 and the polishing motor 71 stops. This stops the pachinko balls from being transferred to the moving lower side of the polishing apparatus 23, and the lower pachinko balls move exclusively, so that the pachinko balls are not fully filled on the moving lower side of the polishing apparatus 23. Control proceeds. However, when the first fullness detection sensor 75 has not yet detected the fullness of the pachinko ball (NO in S15), the control proceeds to S16 and the polishing motor 71 is driven (the drive is continued).

  Next, in S18, it is determined whether or not the second full sensor 40 is ON. As described above, when the second fullness detection sensor 40 is filled with a pachinko ball sent from the ball lifting device 25 toward the launching device 14 in the vicinity of a region that bridges the ball lifting device 25 and the launching device 14. Is turned on (YES in S18). The fullness here occurs when the replenishment of pachinko balls in the circulation device is advanced by the ball replenishment process shown in FIG. 17B (S1 in FIG. 17A). As a result, the control proceeds to S20 and the feed motor 93 stops. As a result, the pachinko balls are transported to the moving lower side of the ball lifting device 25, and the pachinko balls on the lower side move exclusively, so that the pachinko balls are filled on the lower moving side of the ball lifting device 25. Control proceeds in the direction of cancellation. However, when the second fullness detection sensor 40 has not yet detected the fullness of the pachinko ball (NO in S18), the control advances to S19 and the lifting motor 93 is driven (the drive is continued).

  When the pachinko ball is filled in the circulation path by the subroutine program of FIG. 17 (c), the transport from the moving upper side is temporarily stopped (by the stopping means), and the pachinko ball on the lower moving side is moved to the lower side. Dedicated to the transfer, if the pachinko ball on the lower moving side is filled, the cycle of sending the pachinko ball from the upper moving side is repeated.

  In addition, after the normal ball circulation process of S12 in the above-described ball replenishment process, the ball feed solenoid 47 may be excited once to supply only one ball to the firing position. Then, the ball is launched into the game area 27 from the moment when the player operates the hitting operation handle 13.

  In addition, as described above, the movement speed of the pachinko ball is faster on the moving upper side than the moving lower side in the circulation path, so even if the number of pachinko balls is temporarily insufficient on the lower moving side, the movement Since it is possible to ensure a state in which the player can always fire toward the game area 27 from the upper side, the state where the pachinko balls are insufficient on the lower side of the movement can be solved.

  The normal ball circulation process described above includes the ball circulation process in the normal game in which the player is hitting the ball in S2 in FIG. 17A and the ball circulation path in the ball replenishment in S12 in FIG. 17B. It is also used for processing to spread inside.

  FIG. 17D is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for the ball feeding process indicated by S3 in FIG. Referring to FIG. 17 (d), in the ball feeding process, first, in S25, it is determined whether or not a firing operation is detected. Specifically, this is a step of determining whether or not a pachinko ball is fired from the launch position 43 to the game area 27.

  As described above, when a metal plate-like sensor called a touch sensor provided around the hitting operation handle 13 shown in FIG. 1 touches the player's hand, the pachinko machine 2 detects the launch operation (YES in S25). ), The control proceeds to S26, where it is determined whether or not the foul ball detection switch 33 (see FIG. 12) has detected a ball. Normally, the foul ball does not stagnate in the ball passage 44 (see FIG. 12), and NO is determined in S26, and the ball feed solenoid 47 is driven and controlled in S27. To be supplied. The supplied pachinko balls are launched into the game area 27 by driving (exciting) the launch solenoid 41 in S28.

  On the other hand, if the pachinko machine 2 does not detect the firing operation without touching the player's hand in S25 (NO in S25), the firing program is terminated without driving the firing solenoid 41. In this case, the pachinko balls are not transferred in the ball passage 44.

  In some cases, such as when the ball firing force is extremely weak, the ball may not be fired for some reason and may remain in the ball firing position. When a predetermined number of the remaining foul balls are accumulated, The foul ball that has stagnated and is stagnated by the foul ball detection switch 33 is detected, and YES is determined in S26. Then, the driving of the ball feed solenoid 47 is stopped, and while a predetermined number (for example, three) of pachinko balls are fired from the launch position 43, an operation of firing the pachinko balls exclusively from the launch position 43 to the game area 27 is performed. (S29). However, the time when the number of pachinko balls other than three is fired from the firing position 43 may be used. In this way, control proceeds in a direction in which the pachinko ball fullness in the ball passage 44 is eliminated. After the operation of launching the pachinko ball exclusively from the launch position 43 to the game area 27 is performed, the launch solenoid 41 is again controlled to be in a drivable state (S28).

  However, in S27 and S28, the ball feed solenoid 47 and the firing solenoid 41 are controlled so as to be driven every 2 msec which is the program cycle of FIG. 17A. The launch of the pachinko ball from the launch position 43 to the game area 27 by driving is performed, for example, every about 600 msec, but it may be a longer time period or a shorter time period. That is, when the firing solenoid 41 is driven as usual, pachinko balls are fired from the launching device 14 to the game area 27 at a rate of 100 times per minute. As described above, by the joint work of S27 and S28, the launching device 14 transports the pachinko ball toward the launch position 43 and launches the pachinko ball from the launch position 43. While the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 is stopped by S29, the firing solenoid 41 is driven by S28, for example, every about 600 msec. However, a longer time period or a shorter time period may be used. It may be.

  The timing for driving (exciting) the firing solenoid 41 in S26 may actually be set at a predetermined time difference from the timing for driving (exciting) the ball feed solenoid 47 in S28. More specifically, after the ball feeding solenoid 47 is driven to send the pachinko ball, the firing solenoid 41 is driven (excited) with a delay for the time required for the pachinko ball to reach the firing position 43.

  When the pachinko ball is filled in the ball passage 44 by the subroutine program shown in FIG. 17 (d), the transport from the moving upper side is temporarily stopped and the pachinko ball on the lower moving side is fired. If the lower pachinko ball is full, the cycle of sending the pachinko ball from the moving upper side is repeated.

  As described above, the determination in S26 is determined as YES when the ball detection signal is output from the foul ball detection switch 33 continuously for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). In addition, the ball may be controlled to be detected at a timing that avoids the moment when the ball sent by the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 passes the ball detection position of the foul ball detection switch 33.

  As a specific control method, for example, the time required for the pachinko ball sent out with the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 to flow down the ball passage 44 and reach the ball detection position of the foul ball detection switch 33 (arrival time). ) Is stored in the payout control unit 171 at the manufacturing stage of the P stand 2, and the timer is started when the ball feed solenoid 47 is excited, and the timer value is a value in the vicinity of the arrival time (for example, the arrival time). Control is performed so that the ball detection operation by the foul ball inspection switch 33 is performed when the time ± 0.1 seconds is not reached. When the time value of the timer is not a value in the vicinity of the arrival time (for example, arrival time ± 0.1 second), the ball detection operation by the foul ball inspection switch 33 is performed, and the detection signal with a ball is a payout control. When input to the unit 171, the payout control unit 171 determines that a foul ball is present.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for the ball removal process shown in S4 of FIG. The beading process is a process for discharging the pachinko balls inside the pachinko machine 2 to the outside from the above-described beading holes 76 in FIG. 7 by, for example, pressing the above-described beading operation button 19 in FIG. 16.

  Referring to FIG. 18, if there is no operation of the ball removal operation button (ball removal operation button 19 in FIG. 16) (NO in S30), the subroutine program is terminated as it is, but if the ball removal operation button is operated ( The time required for the ball removal process (for example, 25 seconds) is set in the pachinko machine 2 (S31: YES). Then, the polishing motor 71, the lifting motor 93, the ball feeding solenoid 47, and the firing solenoid 41 in the circulation path are driven (S32), and the pachinko balls that are mechanically restrained by these devices are directed toward the ball hole 76. Be transported. The operation in S32 ends when the timer set in S31 times out (S33, S34), but is repeated until the timer times out.

  However, instead of setting the time for performing the ball removal operation as in S31, for example, until all the pachinko balls in the pachinko machine 2 are discharged (for example, the first full detection sensor 75 does not detect the balls for 3 seconds, for example). You may repeat operation of S32 until it will be in a state. In this way, all pachinko balls can be reliably discharged.

  Further, for example, the pachinko balls overflowing from the uppermost portion 64 of the filling space and entering the surplus ball stop portion 69 on the front side of the pachinko machine 2 may be discharged along with the ball removal process. Specifically, a ball removal passage that guides the balls of the surplus ball stopping portion 69 into the circulation path is provided, and the ball removal passage is normally closed by a shutter, and when the ball removal processing of FIG. 18 is performed. The shutter is opened and the balls of the surplus ball stop 69 are guided into the ring path and discharged.

  As a method for determining whether or not all pachinko balls in the pachinko machine 2 have been discharged, instead of detecting no balls from the first full detection sensor 75 for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), other detection sensors (detection switches) It may be determined from the detection signal. In that case, it is necessary to complete the ball removal process in consideration of a period until the polishing movement of the balls by the polishing apparatus 23 is completely completed.

  The drive control by S32 in the ball removal process of FIG. 18 is the same drive control (drive control at the same speed) as in the normal game where the player is playing. However, this speed may be increased during the ball removal process. As described above, during the normal game operation, one ball is fired every 0.6 seconds, and therefore, the circulation movement speed of the pachinko balls in the circulation path cannot be increased beyond the firing speed. However, when the game is not played, such as in the maintenance mode, it is not restricted by the firing speed of one shot per 0.6 seconds, so the pachinko ball circulating movement speed in the circulation path is controlled faster than in normal gaming. The ball removal process may be performed at high speed. Specifically, during the ball removal process of FIG. 18, the driving speeds of the polishing motor 71, the lifting motor 93, the ball feeding solenoid 47, and the firing solenoid 41 in S32 are rotated at a higher speed than during normal game operation. . Thereby, the efficiency of the ball removal process can be improved.

  Note that the beading process in FIG. 18 may be controlled to be executed on condition that no game is performed by the player. Here, as a method for the payout control unit 171 to determine that no game is being performed, specifically, for example, the firing solenoid 41 is not operating (excited) for a long time (for example, 1 minute). Alternatively, the payout control unit 171 determines based on the state where the number of game balls is zero.

  Next, FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing main data among various data stored on the card unit 3 side and the pachinko machine 2 side, and its transmission / reception mode. With reference to FIG. 19, main ones of various data stored on the card unit 3 side (CU side) and the pachinko machine 2 side (P stand side) and transmission / reception modes thereof will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the fluctuation of the number of game balls is calculated on the P stand 2 side, and the current latest game ball number is stored and managed. The current number of game balls is also calculated and stored on the CU 3 side, but the number of game balls is based on information transmitted from the P stand 2 side. On the other hand, the number of possessed balls (the number of cards possessed), the number of stored balls, and the card balance (balance) are managed and stored on the CU3 side.

  FIG. 19 shows the RAM storage data provided in the CU control unit 323 on the CU3 side and the RAM storage data mounted on the payout control board 17 on the P table 2 side. First, when the power supply is turned on for the first time when the P stand 2 (pachinko machine 2) and the CU 3 (card unit 3) are electrically connected for the first time after being installed in the game hall, the payout control board on the P stand 2 side. 17 has a main chip ID (main control chip ID) transmitted from the main control board 16, transmits the main chip ID to the CU3 side, and also issues a payout chip ID (payout) stored in the payout control board 17 itself. Control chip ID) is transmitted to the CU3 side.

  On the CU3 side, the transmitted main chip ID and payout chip ID are stored. Next, data of the connection time, that is, the time at which communication is started after the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side are connected is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P base 2 side, and the transmitted connection time is transmitted on the P base 2 side. Remember.

  In this state, three pieces of information of the main chip ID, the payout chip ID, and the connection time identified on the CU3 side are stored on the CU3 side and the P stand 2 side. When the power is turned on thereafter, the three pieces of information, that is, the main chip ID, the payout chip ID, and the previous connection time data are transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side.

  On the CU 3 side, the transmitted data is collated with the data already stored, and it is determined whether or not the same P base 2 is connected as in the previous time. As for the connection time data, every time the power is turned on, new connection time data in which communication between the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side is started is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P base 2 side. Time data is stored on the P table 2 side.

  Each time a command and response is transmitted between the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side, the serial number is incremented by “1”, and the serial number is stored on the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side. This serial number is a communication number for confirming whether or not communication is properly performed by updating the number every time data is transmitted / received between the CU 3 and the P unit 2. The last serial number is a number updated at the end of the updated communication number.

  A specific mode of serial number backup in the CU 3 and the P stand 2 in this embodiment will be described. The CU 3 backs up and stores the serial number transmitted to the P base 2 by a command, and when it receives the serial number from the P base 2 next, it rewrites the serial number stored in the backup and stores it. Then, when the next command is transmitted, the serial number stored in the backup is updated by 1 and transmitted to the P unit 2, and the transmitted serial number is stored in the backup. In CU3, such processing is repeated.

  Similarly, the serial number received from the CU3 by the command is backed up and stored in the P unit 2, and when the response is transmitted from the P unit 2 to the CU3 next time, the serial number stored in the backup is updated by 1 and transmitted. Store the sent serial number as a backup. When the next response is received, the serial number stored in the backup is rewritten and stored in the received serial number. Such processing is repeated in the P stand 2.

  For example, a command is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P base 2 side, and the serial number n at that time is transmitted, and the transmitted serial number n is stored on the P base 2 side. Then, when a response is returned from the P platform 2 side to the CU 3 side, the stored serial number n is added together (n + 1) and transmitted. On the CU3 side, since the returned serial number n + 1 is incremented by 1 from the already stored serial number n, it is determined that data communication has been performed normally, and the next time the command is sent, the serial number is incremented by 1 and n + 2. A serial number is sent to the P stand 2 side.

  The latest game machine information (game machine information being counted) is transmitted from the P machine 2 side to the CU 3 side. This latest game table information is stored in the latest game table information storage area of the RAM of the payout control unit 171 (see FIG. 16) on the P table 2 side. Specifically, information on the added ball number counter, information on the subtracted ball number counter, and information on the counted ball number counter are included. The number of game balls is not included in the latest game table information, and is transmitted from the P table 2 side to the CU 3 side as the count value of the game ball number counter as will be described later.

  Information on these counters is collectively transmitted to the CU side as a response. The added ball number counter is a counter that counts the added ball number. The added ball is the sum of “the number of winning balls × the number of winning balls” and “the number of back balls”. The back ball is a foul ball. That is, the addition ball indicates the number that the addition ball counter should add to the game ball. The subtraction ball number counter is a counter that counts the number of subtraction balls. The subtraction ball is the “number of fired balls”. That is, the number of balls detected by the output change from on to off of the ball raising switch (upper) 41a. Note that the “number of balls to be subtracted” does not include the “number of balls to be counted”. The counting ball counter is a counter that counts the counting balls. The counting ball is “the number of balls converted from game balls to holding balls by the counting operation”.

  For example, when a pachinko ball that has been placed in the game area 27 wins and the winning information is transmitted from the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17, an additional ball to which a gaming ball is added based on the winning information. The added ball number counter counts the number, and the value of the added ball number counter (added ball number) is transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side. Also, the subtraction ball counter counts the number of shot balls as the number of subtraction balls based on the output change from on to off of the ball raising switch (upper) 41a due to the pachinko ball being shot in the game area 27, The value of the subtraction ball number counter (subtraction ball number) is transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU3 side.

  Alternatively, the payout control unit 171 counts the number of gaming balls as the number of counting balls by pressing the counting button 28, and transmits the value of the counting ball number counter (counting number of balls) from the P stand 2 side to the CU3 side.

  On the P-unit 2 side, each time the values of the addition ball counter, the subtraction ball counter, and the counting ball counter are transmitted to the CU 3 side, the count values are stored in the previous gaming machine information storage area (the RAM of the payout control unit 171). Etc.) are stored (rewritten) as backup data, and the values of the added ball counter, subtracted ball counter, and counted ball counter as the latest game table information are cleared to 0 (excluding the game ball counter). In the present embodiment, “clear” has the same meaning as “initialization”.

  As a result, the game table information transmitted to the CU 3 side immediately before is added to the storage area of the previous game table information (game table information transmitted immediately before). Stored as data. When the latest game machine information is not transmitted from the P machine 2 side to the CU 3 side, the backup data includes not only the value of each counter at the time of the next transmission but also the value of each counter of the previous time that was not transmitted. It is intended to enable transmission.

  Further, the payout control board 17 updates the value of the game ball counter in response to the occurrence of a prize, the firing of a ball, the occurrence of a back ball, and the occurrence of a counting ball (conversion from a game ball to a holding ball), The updated value of the game ball counter is transmitted to the CU 3 side as the number of game balls.

  On the CU3 side, the number of game balls, the number of cards held (simply referred to as the number of balls), the number of balls, the balance, the total number of balls added (total number of balls added), and total subtraction are stored in the cumulative data storage area in the RAM. The number of balls (the total number of subtracted balls) and the number of balls at the time of card insertion are stored. The number of cards possessed is the number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of possessed balls paid out (the number of balls converted from the number of cards possessed to the number of game balls) from the number of balls possessed when the card is inserted, and adding the counted number of balls. That is, the card possession number is the number of possession possessed by the player at the present time.

  The total number of added balls is added based on the value (number of added balls) of the added ball counter transmitted from the P stand 2 side to update the number of balls. Further, the number of balls is updated by subtracting the total number of subtraction balls based on the value of the subtraction ball counter (the number of subtraction balls) transmitted from the P stand 2 side. Further, based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P stand 2, the number of card holding balls is added and updated. In this way, the CU 3 can manage the latest information by updating the total added ball number, the total subtracted ball number, and the card holding ball number with the latest game table information transmitted from the P table 2 one by one. It becomes possible.

  As shown in the figure, the CU 3 has an area for storing game balls, and also receives a count value of a game ball number counter (also referred to as game ball number or game ball total number information) from the P stand 2 side. CU3 updates the area for storing game balls in the following procedure. That is, the CU 3 stores the value based on the value of the added ball number counter (added ball number), the value of the subtracted ball number counter (subtracted ball number), and the value of the counted ball number counter transmitted from the P side. The number of game balls being updated is updated, and it is determined whether or not the count value of the game ball counter transmitted from the P platform side at the same timing matches the updated number of game balls. If they match, the game is allowed to continue, but if they do not match, control to shift to an error state is performed.

  As a result, for example, error notification is performed by the abnormality notification lamp or the indicator 312 or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the hall management computer or hall server (in this case, hall management). An error notification may be made by a computer or hall server). As a result, a predetermined notification that prompts an artificial response by a staff member is performed.

  Instead of shifting to an error state and stopping the game, the number of game balls stored on the CU 3 side is replaced with the count value of the game ball number counter transmitted from the P unit 2 side. Also good. Alternatively, it may be corrected to an average value of the number of game balls managed on the CU 3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P stand 2 side.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the number of game balls is also stored on the CU 3 side, but it is determined whether or not the number of game balls matches the number of game balls managed and stored on the P-unit 2 side. (CU3 side function). Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which the number of game balls stored on the P stand 2 side does not match the number of game balls stored on the CU 3 side due to fraud or other circumstances, it can be checked. Here, the determination function is provided on the CU3 side. However, for example, the number of game balls stored on the CU3 side and the number of game balls stored on the P unit 2 side are stored by the hall server or hall management computer connected to the CU3. The number of game balls being received may be received, and it may be determined whether or not the two match.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the CU 3 has a storage area for storing the number of cards held and the number of stored balls, a storage area for storing the card balance of the received (inserted) card, and the total number of added balls (the number of added balls). (Cumulative total), the total number of subtracted balls (total number of subtracted balls), and a storage area for storing balls when the card is inserted. The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 16) stores a stored ball in response to an input requesting the use of the stored ball (for example, pressing input of the replay button 319 provided in the CU 3 (when there is no holding ball)). Subtract a certain number of balls from the area.

  The CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 16) is an input requesting the use of the holding ball (for example, pressing input of the replay button 319 provided on the CU 3 when the holding ball is present (however, when the holding ball is present)) Accordingly, a predetermined number of balls are subtracted from the storage area for storing balls. Further, the CU control unit 323 (see FIG. 16) subtracts a predetermined value from a storage area that stores the card balance in response to an input requesting the use of the card balance (for example, pressing input of the ball lending button 321).

  When a player performs an operation to deduct the value from the player's own gaming value (for example, prepaid balance, number of balls, or number of stored balls) and use it for the game, the number of balls for the withdrawal The number of balls to be added to the number counter is transmitted from the CU 3 side to the P stand 2 side. In response to this, the P stand 2 side adds and updates the game ball counter.

  On the other hand, in the gaming system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accept a so-called wagon service order or the like in which the gaming value owned by the player is withdrawn and exchanged for a drink or the like. However, access to wagon services with game balls is restricted, and wagon services can only be received with holding balls. This is an image in which, in a conventional encapsulated pachinko machine in which each counter is provided, it is prohibited to grab a ball before counting remaining on a plate by hand and use it for a wagon service.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, when the operation for performing the wagon service is executed, if the number of balls is less than the number corresponding to the desired menu of the wagon service, the player is prompted to perform the counting operation. Has been. When the player performs a counting operation at that time, the number of counting balls based on the operation is transmitted from the P stand 2 side to the CU 3 side. In response to this, the CU3 side subtracts the number of game balls and adds and updates the number of card possessions.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 20, the outline of the command and response transmitted / received between the card unit (CU) 3 and the pachinko machine (P unit) 2 will be described.

  FIG. 20 shows the transmission direction, whether the data to be transmitted is a command or a response, the name of transmission information, and its outline.

  First, a command named recovery request is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. This recovery request command is for requesting recovery information from the P unit 2. A response named “recovery response” is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3. This response of the recovery response notifies the CU 3 of the recovery information.

  A command named “recovery detail request” is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. This recovery detail request command is for requesting recovery detail information from the P unit 2. A response named “Recovery Detail Response” is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU 3. This response of the recovery detail response notifies the CU 3 of the recovery detail information. These recovery detail request and recovery detail response are transmitted / received only when the recovery process is executed. Specifically, the CU 3 transmits a recovery detail request command to the P unit 2 only when the CU 3 that has received the above-described recovery response determines that the recovery process is to be executed based on the information of the recovery response. This will be described in detail later. The recovery process needs to be executed when a power failure occurs in the CU 3 or the P stand 2 and a communication line disconnection is detected. In this embodiment, recovery processing is executed even when the power supply is turned on at the start of business in the amusement hall, but is not executed when the power supply is turned on at the start of business operation, and a power interruption occurs in the CU3 and P stand 2 Then, it may be controlled to execute when a communication line disconnection is detected.

  A communication start request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P unit 2. This communication start request command requests the P base 2 to start communication. A response of a communication start response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. This response to the communication start response is a response to the CU 3 for communication start.

  A communication end request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P platform 2. This communication end request command requests the P unit 2 to end communication. A response of a communication end response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. This communication end response is a response to the end of communication to the CU3.

  A status information request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P platform 2. This status information request command is for requesting the status of the CU 3 to the P unit 2. The CU 3 uses this command to periodically check the status of the P base 2. Further, the status information request command includes the number of balls to be added from the CU side to the P platform side shown in FIG.

  A response of a status information response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. This response of the status information response is to notify the information / status of the P platform 2 to the CU 3. The response of the information response includes the latest game table information and the number of game balls shown in FIG.

  A card insertion notification command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P stand 2. This card insertion notification command notifies the P unit 2 of card insertion. A response of the card insertion response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. The response of this card insertion response is a response to the card insertion to the CU3.

  A card return notification command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P stand 2. This card return notification command notifies the P unit 2 of a card return. A response of a card return response is transmitted from the P stand 2 to the CU 3. The response of this card return response is a response to the card return to CU3.

  A communication test request command is transmitted from the CU 3 to the P platform 2. This communication test request command notifies the P unit 2 of test data. A response of the communication test response is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. The response of this card return response is a response of test data to CU3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 21, the processing of the connection sequence when the power is turned on will be described. The process of the connection sequence in FIG. 21 is a process that is executed when communication is resumed after the communication between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 is normally completed. More specifically, it is executed when communication is resumed after the power of the CU 3 is turned off while the card is not inserted. A typical example is a case where the power supply is turned off after one day of business at the amusement hall is finished, and the power supply is turned on at the start of business the next day.

  First, power is turned on. When the power is turned on, the P stand 2 stops the firing solenoid 41 to stop the game, and then starts communication. Thereafter, an authentication sequence is started, and information including the main chip ID and the payout chip ID is transmitted from the P base 2 to the CU3. The CU 3 transmits the received main chip ID and payout chip ID to the upper management server, asks whether the main chip ID and the payout chip ID are properly registered, and has the result returned. . If it is properly registered, an appropriate authentication result is obtained.

  After the authentication sequence, the CU 3 transmits a recovery request to the P unit 2. That is, the CU 3 requests the P unit 2 to transmit recovery information.

  In response to this, the P base 2 returns the recovery information backed up in the P base 2 (specifically, the payout control board 17) to the CU 3 as a response based on the received recovery request command (recovery response). ).

  This recovery information includes the last last transmission serial number, the last inserted card ID, and the previous card insertion time.

  Upon receiving the recovery response, the CU 3 determines whether or not the previously inserted card ID and the previous card insertion time of the recovery information match the stored card ID and the card insertion time. The CU 3 transmits a recovery detail request to the P unit 2 when the card ID and the card insertion time match. That is, the CU 3 transmits the recovery data to the P unit 2. This recovery data includes the previous last transmission serial number and the number of additional balls. At the stage where the card is not yet inserted into the CU 3 when the power is turned on, the card ID = 0 and the card insertion time = 0 on both the CU 3 side and the P base 2 side.

  In response to this, the P machine 2 executes recovery processing based on the received recovery data, and returns the recovery data backed up inside the P machine 2 (specifically, the payout control board 17) to the CU 3 as a response. (Recovery detailed response).

  This recovery data includes previous game table information, previous game information, latest game table information, and latest game information.

  The CU 3 that has received this detailed recovery response starts recovery processing from that point. This recovery process is a process for recovering the consistency of each other's data between the CU 3 and the P stand 2 and is executed not only when the power is turned on, but also when a trouble occurs and is recovered. Executed.

  The CU 3 counts up the serial number each time a command such as a recovery request is transmitted. However, it does not count up when retransmitting a command. When the P unit 2 receives a command having the same serial number as the previously received serial number, it determines that a communication failure has occurred and the CU 3 has retransmitted the command. The CU 3 backs up the serial number when the command is transmitted. Each time the P unit 2 transmits a response corresponding to the received command, it increments the serial number. However, it is not counted up when the response is retransmitted. When receiving a response with the same serial number as the previously received serial number, the CU 3 determines that a communication failure has occurred and the P base 2 has retransmitted the response. The P unit 2 backs up the serial number when the response is transmitted.

  After the authentication sequence is completed, the CU 3 transmits a recovery request command to the P unit 2 with the serial number “n”. The P base 2 counts up the serial number and returns a response of the recovery response to the CU 3 as “n + 1”. Further, the CU 3 transmits a recovery detail request command to the P unit 2 with the serial number “n + 2”. The P unit 2 counts up the serial number and returns a response of the recovery detail response to the CU 3 as “n + 3”.

  Thereafter, the CU 3 counts up the serial number to “n + 4”, and transmits a communication start request (recovery clear ON) command to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P unit 2 clears the recovery data. Then, the P platform 2 counts up the serial number to “n + 5” and returns a response to the communication start response to the CU 3. In response, CU3 clears the recovery data. Thereafter, a status information request command and a status information response response are transmitted and received between the CU 3 and the P platform 2.

  The CU 3 transmits a status information request command of serial number = n + 6 to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P table 2 backs up the number of game balls, the number of added balls, the number of subtracted balls, the number of symbol stops, the number of winning prizes, and the data of the game table state. Further, the P stand 2 clears the values of the counters of the number of added balls, the number of subtracted balls, the number of symbol stops, and the number of winning prizes to zero. Then, the P platform 2 returns a response of the status information response of serial number = n + 7 to the CU3.

  The CU 3 that has received the response backs up the data on the number of game balls, the number of added balls, the number of subtracted balls, the number of symbol stops, the number of winning prizes, and the status of the game table based on the status information response. Note that the breakdown of the number of added balls is “the number of winning balls × the number of winning balls” and “the number of back balls”. The breakdown of the number of subtraction balls is “number of fired balls”.

  Thereafter, the CU3 transmits a status information request command with a serial number = n + 8 to the P unit 2, and the P unit 2 returns a response with a status information response with a serial number = n + 9 to the CU3. Each time the P unit 2 transmits a response of the status information response, it backs up the data and clears the counter. Further, the CU 3 backs up the data every time it receives a response of the status information response.

  With reference to FIG. 22, the process of CU3 and P stand 2 when a card is inserted is demonstrated. First, before inserting a card, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a card insertion state = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P unit 2 returns a response of the status information response including serial number = n + 1 and game prohibition to the CU3.

  Thereafter, when the card is inserted, the CU 3 outputs a command signal for taking the card to the card reader / writer, and the card reader / writer reads the information recorded on the taken card and receives the read information. For example, the card insertion process is executed.

  The CU 3 is in a card information inquiry state for a predetermined period after the card is inserted. This is in the middle of verifying whether the inserted card is appropriate, whether it is a membership card registered at the game hall, or inquiring the ball server, etc. This means that the display unit 312 and the display unit 54 on the P table 2 side are in the process of executing the process.

  Since the CU 3 does not authenticate the inserted card while displaying that the inserted card is being inquired on the display 312, the status information request including the serial number = n + 2 and the card insertion state = OFF is issued. A command is transmitted to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P unit 2 returns a response of the status information response including serial number = n + 3 and game prohibition to the CU3. The display 54 on the P platform 2 side is controlled by the display control unit 350 of the CU 3 to display that the card is being inquired.

  Thereafter, when the inserted card is authenticated, the CU 3 transmits a card insertion notification command including a serial number = n + 4, a card ID, and a card insertion time to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P table 2 backs up the received card ID and card insertion time data to the RAM of the payout control unit 171 and returns a response of the card insertion response including the serial number = n + 5 to the CU3. Also in CU3, the card ID of the inserted card is stored in the RAM or the like of the CU control unit 323.

  In response to this, the CU 3 sends a status information request command including a serial number = n + 6 and a card insertion state = ON to the P unit 2 to notify the P unit 2 of the card insertion status. The P table 2 receives the notification that the card is being inserted, permits the game, and returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 7 and the game permission to the CU 3.

  While the card is being inserted, CU3 sends a status information request command including serial number = n + 8 and card insertion status = ON to P-unit 2, and P-unit 2 sends a response of status information response including serial number = n + 9 and game permission. Reply to CU3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 23, a process for lending a game ball from the prepaid balance of the inserted card will be described. That is, a process when the prepaid balance recorded on the inserted card is consumed will be described. In the process of FIG. 23, the current number of game balls is “50” balls. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a game ball addition request = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P platform 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1 and the number of game balls = 50 to the CU3.

  Thereafter, when the player performs a lending operation (ball lending operation) in which the “lending” button is pressed once, CU3 lends 500 yen, that is, 125 balls. When the ball lending button (lending button) 321 is pressed, the CU 3 confirms prepaid consumption for 500 yen, and the number of game balls = 50 (number of game balls before update) +125 (number of added balls) = 175. Back up your data. In this way, the balance consumption is determined by the CU 3 alone when the lending operation is performed. Thereafter, CU3 is in the display of addition. During this addition display, the display unit 54 is displayed that 125 balls are withdrawn from the balance and are being added to the game balls.

  Next, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including the serial number = n + 2, the game ball addition request = ON, and the number of addition balls = 125 to the P unit 2. In response, P 2 updates the number of game balls to the number of game balls = 50 (current number of game balls) +125 (number of additional balls) = 175, serial number = n + 3, number of additional balls = 175, game balls. A response of the status information response including the addition result = OK is returned to CU3.

  Thereafter, CU3 sends a status information request command including serial number = n + 4 and game ball addition request = OFF to P unit 2, and P unit 2 returns a status information response including serial number = n + 5 and the number of additional balls = 175. A response is returned to CU3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the process of replaying after paying out the balls and paying out the balls will be described. In FIG. 24, the initial number of game balls is “50” balls. In the replay process in FIG. 24, first, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n and a game ball addition request = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P platform 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1 and the number of game balls = 50 to the CU3.

  Thereafter, when the player presses the replay button 319 in a state where there is a ball or a storage ball, the CU 3 confirms the consumption of 125 balls from the ball or the storage ball, updates the number of game balls, Data of number = 50 (number of game balls before update) +125 (number of added balls) = 175 is backed up. In this way, the consumption of the holding balls or the stored balls is determined by the CU 3 alone when the operation of pressing the replay button 319 is performed. In addition, when both the holding ball and the storage ball exist, consumption of the holding ball is given priority.

  In place of the control to prioritize the holding ball, a storage ball replay button and a holding ball replay button are provided, and the player can select and operate either the storage ball consumption or the holding ball consumption by operating the selection. You may do it. In other words, the replay button is used to obtain a game ball (game point) from a stored ball (stored medal) and a game ball (game point) from a stored ball (stored medal) replay button. You may comprise two with a holding ball (pointing) replay button. In addition, a holding ball payout button may be provided in CU3, and the holding ball payout button may be pressed to convert from a holding ball (a point) to a game ball (a game point).

  Thereafter, the CU 3 displays the addition of the game balls, and transmits a status information request command including the serial number = n + 2, the game ball addition request = ON, and the number of added balls = 125 to the P unit 2. In response, P 2 updates the number of game balls to the number of game balls = 50 (current number of game balls) +125 (number of additional balls) = 175, serial number = n + 3, number of additional balls = 175, game balls. A response of the status information response including the addition result = OK is returned to CU3.

  Note that CU3 indicates that the game ball is being added by displaying on the display 54 that 125 balls are being dropped from the holding ball or the stored ball and being added to the game ball.

  Thereafter, CU3 sends a status information request command including serial number = n + 4 and game ball addition request = OFF to P unit 2, and P unit 2 returns a status information response including serial number = n + 5 and the number of additional balls = 175. A response is returned to CU3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 25, the return process of a membership card, a general balance card, and a general possession card will be described. In FIG. 25, the number of balls specified by the inserted recording medium (member card or the like) is “0” balls, and the initial number of game balls is “200” balls. First, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n and counting ball reception = OFF to the P unit 2. In response to this, the P stand 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 1, the number of game balls = 200, the number of counting balls = 0, and counting = OFF to the CU3.

  Thereafter, the player performs an operation of converting the game ball into a holding ball by long-pressing the count button 28 (an operation of pressing the button for 1 second or longer). By long-pressing the count button 28, 100 balls out of the number of game balls are counted and counted as counting balls in one command / response period (200 ms). When the initial number of game balls is “200”, the number of game balls is “100” and the counting ball is “100” in one command / response period.

  However, in the counting display performed on the display 54, the number of game balls and the number of counting balls are not instantaneously changed to such numbers, but the game balls are gradually counted and decreased. The effect is such that the ball is gradually increased. For this reason, until the counting display is completed, the number of game balls and the number of points on display on the display 54 do not match the number of game balls and points on the memory on the CU side and the P side.

  However, instead of such control, the counting status (conversion status) of the points on the display may be synchronized with the actual data conversion processing. In this case, since the data counting process (conversion process) can be completed immediately, the counting display (conversion display) synchronized therewith also ends immediately. In this case, it may not be possible to sufficiently notify the player that the data has been counted. Therefore, while displaying the count, the display may be switched from the middle to the display “Counting is completed”. In this case, the card return operation may be validated from the stage when the display of “counting has been completed” is started.

  Immediately after the operation of long-pressing the count button 28 is performed, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n + 2 and count ball reception = OFF to the P platform 2.

  In response to this, in order to notify the CU 3 that the number of gaming balls = 100 and the number of counting balls = 100, the P stand 2 has a serial number = n + 3, the number of gaming balls = 100, the number of counting balls = 100, and counting = A status information response including ON is returned to CU3. In response to the response of the state information response, CU3 adds the counted number of balls (100 balls) to the number of balls (0 ball) and updates it to the number of balls = 100, and the number of game balls = 200 (game balls before update) Number) −100 (the number of counting balls) = 100 data is backed up.

  In response to the response of the state information response, the CU 3 performs display for counting 100 game balls in succession to the display for counting the previous 100 game balls. Thereafter, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including serial number = n + 4 and counting ball reception = ON to the P base 2. The reason why the counting ball reception = ON is to notify the P stand 2 of the reception of the counting ball in response to the response of the previous status information response.

  In order to notify the CU 3 that the number of game balls = 0 and the number of count balls = 100, the P table 2 that is long-pressing the count button 28 has a serial number = n + 5, the number of game balls = 0, the number of count balls = 100, A response of a status information response including ON during counting = ON is returned to CU3. Upon receiving the response to the status information response, CU3 adds the counted number of balls (100 balls) to the number of balls (100 balls) and updates the number of balls to 200, and the number of game balls = 100 (game balls before update) Number) −100 (number of balls) = 0.

  In response to the response of the state information response, the CU 3 performs display for counting 100 game balls in succession to the display for counting the previous 100 game balls.

  As the count display progresses, the number of game balls on the display on the display 54 eventually becomes zero. The player confirms that the number of game balls has become 0 and releases the counting button 28. By releasing the count button 28, the operation of converting the game ball into a holding ball is completed.

  Thereafter, the player performs an operation of pressing the return button 322. The CU 3 transmits a card return notification command including a serial number = n + 6 to the P unit 2 by performing an operation in which the player presses the return button 322. In response to this, the P platform 2 returns a response of the card return response including the serial number = n + 7, the card ID held on the payout control board 17 and the card insertion time to the CU 3.

  In response, the CU 3 compares the returned card ID and card insertion time with the card ID and card insertion time stored at the time of card insertion, and determines whether or not they match. . On the condition that they match, the card inserted in the card insertion / discharge slot 309 is returned to the player. At that time, the CU 3 transmits the card ID of the card and the data on the number of balls to the hall server, and the hall server stores the data on the number of balls in association with the card ID of the card. If they do not match, an error is determined and error processing is executed. As the error processing, for example, control for prohibiting the return of the card in accordance with the return operation is performed to hold the card inside the CU 3, or the writing process to the holding card is prohibited. Further, an error notification by an abnormality notification lamp or the like, notification of occurrence of abnormality to the hall server, and the like are performed. When the card is returned, the hall server may control to write and record the number of balls in the card instead of storing the number of balls in association with the card ID of the card. Good.

  Thereafter, the CU 3 transmits a status information request command including a serial number = n + 8 and a card insertion state = OFF to the P unit 2. When receiving the state information response including the card insertion state = OFF, the P base 2 clears the card ID and the card insertion time data held in the payout control board 17. In response to this, the P stand 2 returns a response of the status information response including the serial number = n + 9, the number of game balls = 0, the number of balls to be counted = 0, and the counting in progress = OFF to the CU3.

  In the sequence shown in FIG. 25, the control for transmitting the number of counting balls by the status information response from the P stand 2 to the CU 3 immediately after the counting button 28 is pressed is shown. Instead, the counting button 28 In the status information response immediately after is pressed, data indicating that the counting operation has been performed without transmitting the number of counting balls (for example, counting = ON) is transmitted, and it is possible to receive the count from the CU3. You may control to transmit the status information response containing the number of balls to CU3 on condition that the status information request containing the data to show (for example, count response = ON) has been returned.

<Modifications and feature points>
Next, modifications and feature points of the present embodiment described above are listed.

  (1) In this embodiment, game points are added by consuming card power. Alternatively, game points are added by consuming stored balls (stored medals). That is, the card frequency or the stored ball is converted into game points. On the other hand, the card power and the stored balls are not converted into points (count balls, count medals). However, the card power and the stored ball may be once converted into points.

  (2) In the present embodiment, game points are converted into points by counting operation. The conversion rate in this case is 1: 1. However, the conversion rate in the case of conversion may be other than 1: 1. For example, when 100 game points are converted, 97 points obtained by subtracting three of them may be converted into points. Or you may make it convert into the number of game balls obtained by multiplying a predetermined ratio of less than 100% with respect to a point.

  (3) The recording medium for recording the holding point in an identifiable manner may use a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. In this case, the communication unit for communicating with the mobile terminal is provided in the CU, and the CU recognizes the ID stored in the mobile terminal by holding the mobile terminal over the communication unit. The game is made possible by the procedure as described. On the other hand, at the end of the game, the portable terminal is again held over the communication unit, so that the score at the end of the game is added to the player's score through the ID.

  (4) The operation means for counting game points may be provided on the CU side. In this case, the operation means may be displayed on a touch panel, or may be constituted by a physical switch.

  (5) When an uncounted game point remains when the card return operation is performed, it is desirable to display a message for prompting the counting on the P unit or the CU side display. However, instead of such a configuration, when an uncounted game point remains when the card return operation is performed, the counting display is automatically started and the display on the P table or the CU side is used. It may be notified that automatic counting has started because there are still uncounted game points, or that, in addition, the card will be returned after completion of automatic counting.

  Alternatively, when an uncounted game point remains when the card return operation is performed, it is determined that there is a possibility that the player may leave the table temporarily, and the display (CU side or P stand side) You may display the message which confirms whether it is temporary leaving. Further, the display device may be constituted by a touch panel so that the player can input a response to the message. Furthermore, if the response input is the end of the game, a message prompting the counting operation is displayed. On the other hand, if the response input is temporarily away from the desk, the card may be temporarily ejected while the ID of the card is stored on the CU side, the P platform side, or both. Thereafter, when a card with the same ID is inserted, the game is resumed from the original state.

  (6) The counting time from the start of the counting operation to the completion of the counting display is based on the game points when the game points are less than the first reference value and when the game points exceed the first reference value. The increasing rate of the counting time may be reduced. As a result, while it is possible to produce an effect of counting display as if counting a real ball, it can be prevented that it takes too much time to complete counting due to an increase in game points. Further, when the game points exceed a certain reference value, all the counting times may be the same. Alternatively, the same counting time may be adopted regardless of the number of game points without providing a reference value.

  (7) In performing ball replenishment, instead of the processing shown in S10 and S11 of FIG. 17B, the normal ball circulation processing in S12 is started by operating the ball removal operation button 19. You may control. In the case of this ball replenishment, it is necessary to operate the ball removal operation button 19 in a state in which the ball removal hole cover 77 is attached and the ball removal hole 76 is closed.

  (8) As a counting operation means for counting the game balls, one that exhibits a counting function when operated a predetermined number of times twice or more may be employed. As a result, erroneous operation can be prevented. Further, in this case, one function may be used to exhibit another function different from the counting function. For example, when there is no operation for a predetermined time (for example, within 1 second) after the operation is performed once, a function to turn on a lamp for calling a store clerk is exhibited, and within 1 second from 1 operation. When the second operation is detected, it is conceivable to perform the counting function.

  (9) When the counting operation button is operated for less than a predetermined time (short-time operation), for example, the first number of balls is counted, and when operated for a predetermined time or longer (long-time operation), the first operation is performed according to the operation time. It is desirable to control so that the number of balls larger than the number of balls of 1 is counted. For example, it is conceivable that 100 balls are counted in the short-time operation, while a predetermined number exceeding 100 balls, for example, 200 balls or 400 balls, is counted in the long-time operation. Also, the number of game points to be counted may be controlled to be different depending on the long press time of the counting operation button. For example, it is conceivable that 100 balls start to be counted by long-pressing for 1 second, and if the long-pressing continues for 5 seconds as it is, all the remaining balls are counted. Alternatively, it may be controlled such that a predetermined number is counted by one operation and all remaining balls are counted by the fifth operation.

  (10) (A) The fact that game points equal to or greater than the “predetermined number of points” are not stored does not count game points even if a counting operation is performed, and a notification to that effect is given. Also, (B) when the game points are counted until the stored game points reach the “predetermined number of points”, no further counting is possible, and control is performed so that a notification to that effect is given. Is desirable. The same number may be adopted as the predetermined number of points in these two cases (A) and (B), that is, the reference value may be different.

  (11) When the counting operation is performed during the ball firing, it is desirable to control so that the counting operation is invalidated when the number of game balls at that time is equal to or less than a reference value. However, even if the number of game balls when the counting operation is detected during the ball firing exceeds the reference value, the number of balls counted in one counting operation is set to a predetermined number. In some cases, the counting operation may be invalidated when the value obtained by subtracting the predetermined number from the number of game balls when the counting operation is detected does not satisfy the reference value.

  Further, in order to invalidate the counting operation during the game, it is desirable to determine whether or not the game is in progress based on whether or not the ball firing operation is detected. Instead of this, or in addition to this, whether or not the number of in-game balls (floating balls floating in the game area 27) is 0 (not in game) or not (in game), You may make it determine whether it is in. In addition, it is also possible to determine whether or not the game is in progress based on whether or not the variable display device is changing, whether or not it is a big hit, whether or not the attacker is open.

  Further, “in game” when S units are applied as a gaming machine and the counting operation during the game is invalidated is, for example, a period from the start of rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to the stop. . Alternatively, it is a period from when the start operation is detected until the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped.

  (12) When the number of game balls is greater than a predetermined number regardless of whether or not a big hit is being made, a display prompting a counting operation may be performed.

  In addition, if the counting operation is not detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the display for prompting the counting operation, the game ball may be forcibly stopped, and the firing is not forcibly stopped. It may be.

  (13) Referring to FIG. 19, the P platform includes a counting ball counter that temporarily stores the counted counting balls (held balls), but does not include a counter that stores the cumulative value of the counting balls. . However, a counting ball cumulative storage counter that stores the cumulative value of counting balls may be provided on the P platform side. In addition, the CU side is provided with an area for storing card holding balls (counting balls). If a holding ball is recorded on the inserted card itself, this area holds the card holding ball. The current number of players' balls, including balls, is stored. For this reason, only in this area, the number of counting balls counted by the player in the current game cannot be specified. Therefore, an area for storing the number of counting balls counted by the player in this game may be further provided on the CU side. In this case, the CU adds balls to the area based on the information on the number of balls that are sent from the P cars after the game starts, and when the balls are converted into game balls, Subtract the holding ball.

  (14) The display for prompting the counting operation may be a display of “Please play the game after the game balls remain, so please return it” or display the counting button 28 on the screen. The display may be blinking.

  (15) When the number of game balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (3,000 balls or more), control is performed so that “control that performs display prompting a counting operation on the display” is executed as “predetermined notification control”. Is desirable. Here, “prompt for counting operation” is, for example, a message indicating “Please count, because the number of game balls has reached the upper limit”, or simply “Counting operation is required”. There may be. Further, the “predetermined notification control” may be a control for outputting a notification sound for prompting a counting operation from a speaker. Further, the “notification” may not be “notification for prompting the counting operation” but simply notify that “the number of game balls has reached the upper limit” (not to prompt for the counting operation). .

  Further, when the game point is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference value (3000 balls or more), “predetermined notification control” is performed, and thereafter, the game point is set to a second reference value greater than the first reference value. It may be controlled so that the game is disabled when the game point is reached, and the game is permitted (no firing prohibited) until the game point reaches the second reference value from the first reference value. In the case where the gaming machine is a slot machine, the inoperable state can be realized by controlling the start lever to operate so that the reel does not start rotating or the betting number setting is invalidated.

  (16) When a game using game points is being performed (while the ball is being fired), control is performed so that the counting operation is not validated unless there are more than a predetermined number of game points (for example, 250 points). It is desirable to do. Here, the predetermined number of points is not limited to 250 points, and may be any number as long as it is 1 point or more. However, for example, when an excessively small number of points such as one point is set, a malfunction occurs when the timing of firing and the timing of counting occur almost simultaneously. Alternatively, if a counting operation is detected when the number of points is equal to or less than a predetermined number (for example, 10 points or less) and the counting operation is detected, 5 points are left for launching and the remaining points are counted. You may control to.

  In addition, when it is detected that a player who notices that the counting operation has been invalidated because there are no more points left than the predetermined number of points has been stopped, it is invalidated first. The counting operation may be activated to automatically start the counting operation. That is, in this case, the player who notices that the counting operation has been invalidated only needs to stop the firing operation, and does not need to perform the counting operation again.

  (17) In order to change the number of game points to be converted in one operation according to the time for which the count button is kept pressed, for example, when a long press (for example, continuous operation for 1 second or more), While all are counted, only 200 balls may be counted in a short press (for example, continuous operation for less than 1 second). However, in this case, when the remaining number of game balls is small, for example, when it is less than 200 balls, it is desirable that all game balls are counted by operating the counting button.

  (18) Depending on the remaining number of game points, when the number of points counted by one short pressing operation of the counting button is different, for example, the following may be considered. For example, when the number of game points is less than 200, all the game points are counted by one short press operation of the counting button. When the game points are 200 or more and less than 1000, 200 points are counted by one short press operation. When the game points are 1000 or more and less than 5000, 1000 points are counted by one short press operation. When the game points are 5000 or more and less than 10,000, 2000 points are counted by one short press operation. When the number of game points is 10,000 or more, 2500 points are counted by one short press operation. The above numerical values are specific examples and can be set as appropriate.

  (19) When counting game balls (game points) and converting points, not only counting display but also counting sound may be output from a speaker. In addition, when counting the game points, it is conceivable to display an image in which balls are dropped one by one from the ball storage tray to the counter.

  (20) Timing for performing conversion display (display indicating that game balls are counted and the number of balls is increased) based on the counting operation and subtracting game points on the data The timing for adding the points can be varied. The calculation may be executed after the conversion display is completed. For this purpose, count data may be transmitted from the gaming machine to the CU after the conversion display is completed. It should be noted that such a modification can be similarly applied to the case where the points are converted into game points.

  (21) In this embodiment, in the communication between the CU and the gaming machine, a command-response method is adopted in which the CU is a primary station and the gaming machine is a secondary station. The relationship between and may be reversed. Alternatively, instead of adopting such a communication system having a master-slave relationship, a system may be employed in which both send data to the other party when a request to communicate occurs.

  (22) In FIG. 19, the game balls (game points) are stored on both the gaming machine side and the CU side, but the game balls (game points) are stored only on the game machine side and stored on the CU side. You may make it not. On the other hand, the card holding balls (scoring points) are stored only on the CU side, but may also be stored on the gaming machine side. In particular, game balls (game points) are stored only on the gaming machine side, while card holding balls (points) are stored only on the CU side to clarify the division of data storage management. Good.

  (23) The counting display and various notifications performed on the display 54 may be performed on the display 312 in the same manner.

  (24) In CU3, the number of game balls stored is updated based on the value of the addition ball counter (addition ball count) and the value of the subtraction ball counter (subtraction ball count) transmitted from the P platform side. When the number of game balls stored is subtracted based on the value of the counting ball number counter transmitted from the P platform side, if the value of the number of game balls becomes negative, an error (abnormal) determination is made. Then, error processing may be performed. As a specific example of error processing, error notification is performed by an abnormality notification lamp or the like, or an error notification signal indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the hall management computer or hall server (in this case, the hall management computer). Or an error notification by the hall server may be performed).

  (25) When a lending operation or a conversion operation (lending operation) from a holding point (held ball) to a gaming point (game ball) is detected, the gaming points may be counted up one by one. In order to shorten the waiting time of the player, a display may be made so that a plurality of points (for example, 25 points equivalent to 100 yen) are counted up. Conversely, when a game point counting operation is executed, a display may be made so that the points are counted up by a plurality of points. Furthermore, the number of units for counting up and displaying game points or points may be set from a plurality of types. In the setting, it is conceivable to use a touch panel of P or S display devices.

  (26) When the counting operation is executed, the holding points may be counted up at an accelerated rate when a predetermined time has elapsed since the starting of counting up the holding points. Alternatively, a speed-up button for accelerating the count display may be displayed on the touch panel display on the CU side or the gaming machine side, and the operation may be detected to display the acceleration count display. By performing the acceleration counting display of the points in this way, it is possible to shorten the waiting time of the player when counting a large number of game points.

  (27) A touch sensor may be provided on the hitting operation handle, and the counting operation may be disabled while the touch sensor detects that the player is holding the hitting operation handle. Invalidating the counting operation means detecting the counting operation but not executing the counting operation based on the detection output, or not detecting the counting operation itself. Or, if the player does not invalidate the counting operation only by touching the hitting operation handle, and if the counting operation is disabled if the hitting operation handle is turned to such an extent that the ball firing drive pulse is output. Good.

  In these cases, when a counting operation is detected, a message “Please release handle” may be displayed on the display of the gaming machine or CU. Alternatively, when the counting operation button is displayed as an icon on the touch panel screen, the counting operation button may be grayed out to notify the player that the operation is impossible.

  (28) At least one or all of the ball lending button, the return button, the replay button, and the counting button may be provided on the gaming machine side, or may be provided on the CU side. Further, it is conceivable that the button is displayed on the display device on the gaming machine side or the CU side described as the touch panel type display device.

  (29) The sequence control shown in FIG. 21 to FIG. 25 is not limited to the transmission / reception sequence between control devices in a single gaming machine such as CU3, P stand 2, etc., particularly for processing related to security. You may apply to the transmission / reception sequence between several game machines, such as CU3, P stand 2, a jet counter, and a POS terminal.

  (30) In the above-described embodiment, the identity of the player is determined based on the card ID, but instead of or in addition to this, the identity of the player is determined based on the biomass of the player's fingerprint or retina. A determination may be made.

  (31) In the above-described embodiment, the number of game balls and game points are directly added by the occurrence of a win. Instead, the points are added by the occurrence of a win, and the added points are added. It may be controlled to withdraw and add the number of game balls or game points.

  (32) In the above-described embodiment, when the value is deducted within the range of the valuable value owned by the player (the prepaid balance, the possession ball, the accumulated ball), and the corresponding game points are deducted, the value deducted However, instead, for example, it may be controlled to add game points that are smaller by the amount equivalent to the consumption tax with respect to the value actually withdrawn.

  (33) In the above-described embodiment, authentication is performed using various authentication keys. However, authentication may be performed using, for example, an ID for authentication instead of the various authentication keys.

  (34) You may comprise the above-mentioned indicator 54,510 with a display with a touch panel. Further, the information received in the above-described S351 and S362 is not limited to the information described in the above embodiment, and what information is output from the gaming machine to the CU3 is displayed on the gaming machine. The input settings may be made by touching the touch panels of the devices 54 and 510.

  (35) In the above-described embodiment, the gaming machine determines that the gaming device (CU) is given the game points as the holding points on the condition that the conversion process for all game points is completed (game points = 0). (Processing that accepts a card with a prize exchange machine and consumes the points specified by the card and enables prize exchange, and inserts a card discharged from the CU into another CU connected to another gaming machine. A validating means for validating the recording medium processing operation (card return operation (operation of the return button 322)) for performing the processing of the CU when used in the same manner.

  Here, the enabling means is, for example, “means for confirming game point 0 on the P platform side and transmitting card discharge operation permission ON to CU” or “game when receiving card return notification from CU”. It is determined whether or not the number of balls is 0, and in the case of 0, a means for validating card return by returning a card return response to the CU ", and further," game by performing counting operation etc. " It is a concept that includes “means for establishing the condition that the number of balls = 0 and consequently the card return is valid”.

<Various configurations included in the embodiment>
(1-1) An enclosed game machine (pachinko machine 2) that performs a game using a game medium (pachinko ball) enclosed therein,
Circulation path (circulation path including polishing device 23, ball lifting device 25, and launch device 14) for collecting the game media used in the game and circulating it again to a position where it can be used for the game (launch position 43) When,
A polishing apparatus (polishing apparatus 23) for polishing a game medium that circulates in the circulation path, provided in an intermediate position of the circulation path;
A lifting device (lifting device 25) for lifting the game medium in the circulation path;
A launching device (launching device 14) for launching a game medium to the game area (game area 27) in the circulation path;
The launcher is
A game medium feeding device (ball feed solenoid 47 and ball passage 44) for sending the game medium to a launch position for launching the game medium;
A launching portion (striking hammer 42) for launching the game media sent to the launch position by the game media feeder to the game area;
The polishing device and the lifting device are separate mechanisms (FIG. 7),
The moving speed of each game medium in the polishing apparatus, the lifting apparatus, and the game medium feeding apparatus arranged in the circulation path is determined by the upper side of the movement of the game medium in the circulation path (the progress of the game medium in the circulation path). It is characterized by the faster the rear side in the direction).

  According to such a configuration, the game medium on the moving upper side in the circulation path catches up with the game medium on the lower movement side in the circulation path, so that the game medium is easily filled on the movement lower side. Therefore, when it is desired to launch a game medium from the launch position to the game area and start the game, there is no game medium at the launch position, and the occurrence of a situation where the game start should be waited until the game medium reaches the launch position is suppressed. And it is possible to maintain a state where it can be fired at any time. Moreover, since the polishing device and the lifting device are configured by separate mechanisms, it is possible to separately arrange the polishing device and the lifting device, and the enclosed game with a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of each device. Machine can be provided.

(1-2) In the enclosed game machine according to (1-1), detection means for detecting that game media disposed in each of the polishing device, the lifting device, and the game media feeding device are full ( A first fullness detection sensor 75, a second fullness detection sensor 40),
Stop means for stopping an adjacent device on the moving upper side of the device detected as being full by the detection means (region behind the second fullness detection sensor 40 in the traveling direction of the game medium in the circulation path) ( S17, S20).

  According to such a configuration, when the lower moving side of the circulation path is filled with gaming media, the gaming medium on the moving upper side of the circulation path is stopped, so that there is an excess of gaming media from the upper moving side to the lower moving side. Supplying can be suppressed.

  (1-3) In the enclosed game machine according to (1-1) or (1-2), the circulation path includes the polishing device, the lifting device, and the game medium feeding device from the moving upper side. They are arranged in order (FIG. 3).

  According to such a configuration, the polishing apparatus can be disposed at a relatively low position in order to polish the gaming medium before the gaming medium is lifted by the lifting apparatus.

  (1-4) In the enclosed game machine according to (1-1) or (1-2), the circulation path includes the lifting device, the polishing device, and the game medium feeding device from the moving upper side. They are arranged in order.

  According to such a configuration, since the game medium after being lifted upward by the lifting device is polished, the polishing device can be disposed at a relatively high position.

(2-1) A gaming machine (pachinko machine 2) that launches a gaming medium (pachinko ball) into a gaming area and plays a game,
A game medium feeding device (ball path 44) for sending game media to a launch position (launch position 43) for launching game media;
A launching portion (striking hammer 42) for launching the game media sent to the launch position by the game media feeding device to the game area;
The game medium feeder is
A path (ball path 44) for guiding the game medium to the launch position;
A detection device (foul ball detection switch 33) for detecting that game media has accumulated in the path,
The detection device is provided at a location (ball passage 44) different from the launch trajectory of the game medium launched by the launch unit (the trajectory drawn by the pachinko ball launched from the launch position 43 in the game area 27),
When the detection device detects the game medium, the game medium feeding operation is stopped (S29).

  According to such a configuration, since the detection device is arranged at a location different from the launch trajectory of the game medium launched from the launch position toward the game area, the launched game medium collides with the detection device. The possibility of damaging the detection device can be reduced.

  (2-2) In the gaming machine of (2-1), in the gaming medium feeding device, the gaming medium feeding operation is stopped in the state where the feeding operation of the gaming medium is stopped when the detection device detects. A process of firing the medium is performed (S29 and S28).

  According to such a configuration, when the detection device detects that the game medium is stagnant, the stagnated game medium can be launched in a state where the feeding operation of the game medium is stopped. For this reason, the state where the game medium is stagnant can be solved.

(3-1) An enclosed game machine (pachinko machine 2) that performs a game using a game medium (pachinko ball) enclosed therein,
A circulation path (game area 27, polishing device 23, ball lifting device 25, and launch device 14) for collecting the game media used in the game and circulating it again to a position (launch position 43) that can be used for the game. Including circulation route),
A first storage part (filling space 63) for storing game media provided in the middle of the circulation path;
When the game medium enclosed in the circulation path is in an excess state with respect to the number of game media that can be stored in the first storage unit, a second storage unit (excess ball stop) Part 69),
The second storage portion is disposed at a predetermined position on the front side of the enclosed game machine,
A guide path (surplus ball path 67) for guiding the surplus game medium to the second storage unit;
The game medium guided to the second storage portion is configured to be taken out to the outside (can be taken out by unlocking and opening the opening door).

  According to such a configuration, surplus game media are guided to the second storage unit via the guide route and stored in the second storage unit. If this second storage unit is taken out, the second storage unit can share the location for storing excess game media and the location for storing game media used as service balls. Space saving in the gaming machine can be realized. In addition, since the second storage portion is disposed at a predetermined position on the front side of the enclosed game machine, it is easy for the staff of the game hall to take out the extra game media to the outside.

  (3-2) In the enclosed game machine according to (3-1), the game medium guided to the second storage unit cannot be taken out by a player.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the game media in the enclosed game machine being stolen.

  (3-3) In the enclosed game machine according to (3-1) or (3-2), the guide path includes the first storage in a state where the first storage is full of game media. The surplus game medium further supplied to the section is allowed to flow down naturally.

  According to such a configuration, since excess game media naturally flows toward the second storage portion by gravity without using a driving force, it is not necessary to additionally provide a driving mechanism, and the configuration of the equipment is further improved. It can be simplified.

(4-1) An enclosed game machine (pachinko machine 2) that performs a game using a game medium (pachinko ball) enclosed therein,
A launching device (launching device 14) that launches the game medium at the launch position (launch position 43) into the game area;
A circulation path (circulation path including the game area 27, the polishing device 23, the ball lifting device 25, and the launching device 14) for collecting the game media launched in the game area and circulating it again to the launch position;
Circulation moving means (polishing device 23, doffing) for circulating and moving the game medium in the circulation path using the driving force of the driving source (polishing motor 71, lifting motor 47, ball feeding solenoid 47, firing solenoid 41). Feeding device 25, ball passage 44),
A discharge port (ball hole portion 76) for discharging game media in the circulation path;
A cover member that closes the discharge port (cover 77 for a holed hole),
Automatic actuating means (S32) for automatically actuating the drive source and the launching device based on operation detection for extracting the game medium;
When the drive source and the launching device are operated by the automatic operating means in a state where the cover member is not closed (see FIG. 8), the game medium is extracted from the discharge port. .

  According to such a configuration, a part of the game media in the circulation path is also automatically generated for the game media in the circulation path that is not discharged only by making the cover member that has closed the discharge port not closed. By using the operating means, all can be easily discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the enclosed game machine. Therefore, the game medium can be easily discharged from the gaming machine.

  (4-2) In the enclosed game machine according to (4-1), the cover member is provided at the lowest point of the circulation path.

  According to such a configuration, the game medium in the circulation path can be naturally dropped by gravity and discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the enclosed game machine. Therefore, the game medium can be more easily discharged from the gaming machine.

(4-3) In the enclosed game machine according to (4-1) or (4-2), the circulation moving unit includes a polishing device (polishing device 23) for polishing while moving the game medium,
The discharge port discharges the game medium immediately after passing through the polishing apparatus in the circulation path (FIGS. 8 and 9).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to discharge a game medium that is almost free from dirt and the like immediately after being polished.

(5-1) An enclosed game machine (pachinko machine 2) that performs a game using a game medium (pachinko ball) enclosed therein,
A launching device (launching device 14) that launches the game medium at the launch position (launch position 43) into the game area;
A circulation path (circulation path including the game area 27, the polishing device 23, the ball lifting device 25, and the launching device 14) for collecting the game media launched in the game area and circulating it again to the launch position;
Circulation movement means (polishing device 23, ball lifting device 25, ball passage 44) for circulating and moving the game medium in the circulation path using the driving force of the drive source;
An insertion port (for example, the out port 61) for introducing game media into the circulation path;
An automatic operation means (S12) is provided for automatically operating the drive source when a game medium is inserted into the insertion slot in a state where no game medium exists in the circulation path.

  According to such a structure, the game medium thrown in from the slot can be automatically distributed over the entire circulation path in a shorter time automatically by the automatic operation means.

(5-2) An out port is provided in the gaming area for collecting gaming media that have been launched into the gaming area and do not win any winning areas and return them to the circulation path.
The input port is the out port.

  By setting the path through which the game medium is input from the outlet to the circulation path, it is possible to more easily input the game medium into the circulation path.

  (5-3) In the enclosed game machine according to (5-1) or (5-2), the game medium is supplied up to the launch position of the launcher (the normal ball circulation process of S12 is performed). After that, the ball feed solenoid 47 may be excited once to supply only one ball to the firing position).

  According to such a configuration, when it is desired to start the game by launching the game medium from the launch position to the game area, there is no game medium at the launch position, and the game start is waited until the game medium reaches the launch position. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of the power situation and maintain a state where it can be fired at any time.

  (5-4) In the enclosed game machine of any one of (5-1) to (5-3) above, the number of game media enclosed in the circulation path can be stored in the circulation path When there is an excess state, it further has a guide path (surplus ball path 67) through which excess game media can be discharged out of the circulation path.

  According to such a configuration, surplus game media are discharged from the circulation path, so that when the game media are thrown into the circulation path, the number of game media can be inserted without counting.

  (5-5) In the enclosed game machine according to any one of (5-1) to (5-3), the circulation path is further added to the circulation path in a state where the circulation path is filled with game media. The supplied surplus game media are allowed to flow down naturally.

  According to such a configuration, since excess game media naturally flows toward the outside of the circulation path by gravity without using a driving force, it is not necessary to provide an additional driving mechanism, and the configuration of the equipment is simplified. Can be.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  2 Pachinko machine, 3 card unit, 6 front frame, 11 glass door, 13 hitting ball operation handle, 14 launching device, 16 main control board, 17 payout control board, 19 ball removal operation button, 21 power supply device, 23 polishing device, 25 Ball lifting device, 26 gaming board, 27 gaming area, 40 second fullness detection sensor, 41 firing solenoid, 42 hitting hammer, 43 firing position, 44 ball passage, 46 firing ball inlet, 47 ball feeding solenoid, 48 link, 49 Support point, 51 Rotating shaft, 52 Coil suction part, 54 Display, 61 Out port, 62 Winning ball path, 63 Filling space, 64 Filling space top, 66 Excess ball hole, 67 Surplus ball path, 68 Surplus Ball path exit, 69 Surplus ball stop, 71 Polishing motor, 72 Transfer screw, 73 Polishing cassette, 74 Cassette motor 75, first filling sensor, 76 ball hole, 77 ball hole cover, 78 polishing start end, 79 polishing end, 92 lifting ball inlet, 93 lifting motor, 94 lifting screw, 95 lifting Tube, 96 Lifting ball outlet, 701 Polishing inlet ball detection switch.

The present invention relates to an enclosed game machine and a game frame for playing a game using a game medium enclosed therein.

(1) An enclosed game machine (pachinko machine 2) that performs a game using a game medium (pachinko ball) enclosed therein,
A launching device (launching device 14) that launches the game medium at the launch position (launch position 43) into the game area;
A circulation path (circulation path including the game area 27, the polishing device 23, the ball lifting device 25, and the launching device 14) for collecting the game media launched in the game area and circulating it again to the launch position;
Circulation movement means (polishing device 23, ball lifting device 25, ball passage 44) for circulating and moving the game medium in the circulation path using the driving force of the drive source;
An insertion port (for example, the out port 61) for introducing game media into the circulation path;
Automatic operation means (S12) for automatically operating the drive source when a game medium is inserted into the insertion slot in a state where no game medium exists in the circulation path ;
The circulating movement means is
Polishing means for polishing while moving the game medium in the circulation path using the driving force of the first driving source;
Polishing detection means provided on the inlet side of the polishing means for detecting a game medium;
Using the driving force of the second drive source, a feeding means for feeding the game medium polished by the polishing means to the launching device;
A lifting detection means provided on the outlet side of the lifting means for detecting a game medium,
The automatic operating means includes
Based on the polishing detection means, the first control for automatically operating the first drive source to polish the game medium thrown into the insertion port while moving the polishing medium by the polishing means, and the lift detection means And the second control for automatically operating the second drive source and lifting the game medium thrown into the slot by the lifting means, thereby filling the circulation medium with the game medium. It is characterized by making it.

According to such a configuration, since excess game media naturally flows toward the outside of the circulation path by gravity without using a driving force, it is not necessary to provide an additional driving mechanism, and the configuration of the equipment is simplified. Can be.
(6) A game frame in which a game board including a game area where a game medium enclosed in a game machine is driven to play a game can be attached,
A launcher that launches the game medium at the launch position into the game area;
A circulation path for collecting and circulating the game medium launched in the game area to the launch position;
Circulating movement means for circulating and moving the game medium in the circulation path using the driving force of the driving source;
A slot for throwing game media into the circulation path;
Automatic operation means for automatically operating the drive source when a game medium is inserted into the insertion slot in a state where no game medium exists in the circulation path;
The circulating movement means is
Polishing means for polishing while moving the game medium in the circulation path using the driving force of the first driving source;
Polishing detection means provided on the inlet side of the polishing means for detecting a game medium;
Using the driving force of the second drive source, a feeding means for feeding the game medium polished by the polishing means to the launching device;
A lifting detection means provided on the outlet side of the lifting means for detecting a game medium,
The automatic operating means includes
A first control for automatically polishing the first drive source based on the polishing detection means and polishing the game medium input to the insertion port while moving the polishing medium by the polishing means;
Based on the lifting detection means, the second drive source is automatically operated to execute the second control for lifting the game medium thrown into the insertion port by the lifting means,
Filling the circulation path with game media;
It is characterized by that.

Claims (1)

An enclosed game machine that performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein,
A launcher that launches the game medium at the launch position into the game area;
A circulation path for collecting and circulating the game medium launched in the game area to the launch position;
Circulating movement means for circulating and moving the game medium in the circulation path using the driving force of the driving source;
A slot for throwing game media into the circulation path;
An enclosed game machine comprising: automatic operation means for automatically operating the drive source when a game medium is inserted into the insertion port in a state where no game medium exists in the circulation path. .

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