JP2015029861A - Enclosed type game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an enclosed type game machine capable of setting a credit limit for preventing from getting "maniac" and, while having single operation means relating to "ball dispensation" and "reuse", capable of notifying the player of the credit limit in the game machine side.SOLUTION: Both of a ball dispensing signal and a reuse signal are output from a CR unit 60 on the basis of an operation of a same dispensing switch 171. A putout control device 41, upon receiving the ball dispensing signal or the reuse signal, adds it to the number of shootable and game usable balls and, when receiving the ball dispensing signal, outputs a ball dispensation signal to a sub integrated control device 42. The sub integrated control device 42 includes: an application limit amount setting part capable of setting an amount of application limit, and an application limit amount arrival determination part determining whether or not reaching the amount of application limit on the basis of the ball dispensation signal. When it is determined to reach the amount of application limit by the use limit amount arrival determination part, the sub integrated control device notifies of the arrival of the amount of the application limit using a performance symbol display device 21.

Description

  The present invention relates to an enclosed game machine that plays a game by circulating a predetermined number of game balls enclosed in the game machine.

In a conventional and generally known gaming machine, a gaming ball for use in gaming is lent by the gaming machine receiving a signal from a so-called CR unit installed adjacent to the gaming machine. It is executed by paying out. Such lending in recent gaming machines can be realized only by extremely simple operations such as pressing a lending button by a player, which is very convenient for the player.
Certainly, such a gaming machine has become convenient because it can be rented easily. On the other hand, however, it is difficult for a player who has not been able to win a big hit and has become very hot to carry out the lending operation, so that it is difficult to control lending. In this way, if a player who is no longer able to control lending requests a large number of game balls to be rented, he or she will notice that the game budget, that is, the amount of money spent, will be greatly exceeded. The danger that it may end up being economically difficult.
In order to prevent the so-called “concession” in which such a player receives a loan exceeding the limit, when the player desires (requests) the loan, the expected accumulated amount that the player will pay is the upper limit amount In the case where it is determined that it exceeds the limit, a technique (for example, Patent Document 1) has been developed that prevents the ball lending means from lending the game ball.

  By the way, among the types of gaming machines, a so-called encapsulated gaming machine in which a gaming ball is enclosed in a gaming machine and the enclosed gaming ball, that is, the enclosed ball is circulated inside the gaming machine and used. There is. In such an enclosed game machine, the number of game balls allowed to be fired, that is, the number of hand-held pachinko balls on the player's side, is stored in the storage means as hand-held data, the hand-held data is reduced for each launch, and a prize is awarded. A technique (for example, Patent Document 2) that increases a predetermined number of handheld data every time is known. In such an enclosed game machine, in accordance with the operation of the lending switch (lending button), the numerical data is subtracted from the stored ball data or the amount data stored in the storage carrier (member card), and the numerical data is As long as the stored hand-held data remains, the game ball can be fired.

  In the enclosed gaming machine described in Patent Document 2, when the player has acquired a certain amount of prize balls at the table, but wants to move to another table, the stored data relating to the acquired prize balls, etc. is stored in the memory Once stored in the carrier (member card) as stored-ball data, after moving to another desired table, this stored-ball data is read again and stored as hand-held data so that it can be handled even after the table is moved It becomes possible to fire the number of game balls. In this case, the numerical data is obtained by subtracting the numerical data from the amount data stored in the membership card, i.e., the membership card, and the re-use (replay), i.e., the storage data stored in the membership card. In both cases of subtracting and hand-held data, the numerical data to be transmitted to the operation control device 9 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in steps a2 and a8 of the ball lending processing routine is the same “100”. That is, a lending operation signal “indicating the same number of balls” is transmitted.

JP-A-10-305158 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-90018

However, when a technology that can set an upper limit amount that can be used for gaming as described in Patent Document 1 is applied to such an enclosed gaming machine, the following problems arise. In other words, in the case of a conventional gaming machine, the number of lending can be grasped by the number of times of lending signal reception, but in the case of an enclosed gaming machine as in Patent Document 2, there are two types of “ball lending” and “reuse” As described above, each of them receives a lending operation signal indicating “the same number of balls” based on the operation of the operating means. The number of times related to “lending” could not be determined.
In addition, the CR unit side determines whether to “subtract” from the ball data, that is, the amount data, or “reuse”, that is, to subtract from the stored ball data, and sends the lending operation signal to the enclosed game machine side. Therefore, the limit amount can only be displayed on the CR unit side. Normally, a player plays a game while paying attention to, for example, a display unit of the enclosed game machine. Therefore, even if an important limit amount is displayed on the CR unit side, this may occur sufficiently.

  It is not difficult to predict that various troubles will occur in the game without knowing how long the limit will be reached. In other words, for example, if a player is still mistaken that he has enough room to reach the limit, and he suddenly knows that he has reached the limit because he cannot rent a ball, he will play more games. You might feel that it was supposed to be unsatisfactory, and if you hit the limit at a bad timing and you ca n’t rent a ball, you ca n’t win a prize ball in the worst case. Can be assumed to end.

  In such an enclosed game machine, in order for the player to always grasp the limit amount, the player must frequently perform a special operation of shifting the line of sight to the limit amount display performed on the CR unit side, It was very annoying.

In addition, by providing a “ball lending” button and a “reuse” button separately, it is possible to grasp whether the lending operation signal received by the enclosed game machine is a signal due to “ball lending” or a signal due to “reuse”. You can do that. When such a “ball rental” button and a “reuse” button are provided individually, a “ball rental” button is provided on the enclosed gaming machine side, and a “reuse” button is provided on the CR unit side, A configuration in which both a “ball rental” button and a “reuse” button are provided on the enclosed gaming machine side is conceivable. In the case of the former, after detecting the operation of the “ball rental” button on the enclosed game machine side, the enclosed game machine side can perform the “ball rental” operation on the basis that a ball rental signal has been received from the CR unit. I can understand. Further, in the latter case, since the enclosed game machine side detects which button is operated, it is possible to grasp whether the current lending is processing based on the “ball lending” operation or the “reuse” operation. . As a result, the limit amount can be grasped and displayed on the enclosed gaming machine side, and a situation in which the limit amount is suddenly reached can be avoided.
However, as described above, both “ball lending” and “reuse (replay)” add the same number of balls to hand-held data (data corresponding to the number of game balls that can be launched). In addition, providing different buttons individually increases the cost and may cause troubles such as wrong pressing.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention is capable of setting a limit amount in order to prevent “recession” even in an enclosed game machine, and operating means related to “ball rental” and “reuse (replay)”. An object of the present invention is to provide an enclosed game machine that can be notified about the limit amount on the gaming machine side while being single.

The enclosed game machine according to claim 1 of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems,
It is connected to a unit that reads and rewrites valuable value information recorded in the inserted storage medium so that mutual communication is possible,
The game balls launched from the launching device to the game board are collected, and the collected game balls are fired from the launching device to the game board again, and a predetermined number of game balls enclosed inside are circulated to play the game. A game ball enclosed type gaming machine,
Main control means for controlling the progress of the game;
Display control means for controlling the display means according to the progress of the game;
With a ball lending signal or a reuse signal received from the unit, a payout control means for adding to the number of game usable balls that can be launched,
The ball lending signal and the reuse signal are both output from the unit based on the operation of the same operation means,
The payout control means includes
A ball lending signal output means for outputting a ball lending signal directly or indirectly to the display control means when receiving the ball lending signal;
The display control means includes
Usage limit setting means that can set the usage limit,
Use limit arrival determination means for determining whether the use limit has been reached based on the ball lending signal,
When it is determined that the usage limit has been reached by the usage limit reaching determination means, a notification is made that the usage limit has been reached.
It is characterized by that.

According to this, the usage limit amount using the display means can be set by the usage limit setting means. In other words, the player can perform the setting of the usage limit amount relative to the display means in the same manner as playing a normal game without performing any special action.
In addition, by allowing each unit to output a ball rental signal and a reuse signal separately based on the operation of the same operation means, the usage limit set by the display means provided in the enclosed game machine is reached. It is possible to notify that it has been done. For this reason, the player can always check whether or not the usage limit can be reached without performing any special operation while performing display control as the game progresses and watching the display means. In other words, even if the player is enthusiastic about the game, the notification regarding the reaching of the usage limit amount is executed by the display means in the field of view, so that it can be surely recognized and the sinking can be effectively prevented. .

  Note that the valuable value information recorded in the storage medium includes at least money amount data that is converted into data for the player to drop into the game, and savings data that is converted into data of prize balls generated as a result of the game. . Based on the operation of the operation means, when “ball lending” is performed, numerical data is subtracted from the amount data and added to the number of available games. In addition, when “reuse” is performed based on the operation of the operation means, the numerical data is subtracted from the accumulated ball data and added to the number of playable balls.

It is a front view of the gaming machine of the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the launching apparatus used for the said gaming machine. It is a rear view of the gaming machine. It is an electric block diagram of the whole of the gaming machine. It is an electrical block diagram of the principal part relevant to this invention of the said gaming machine. It is an electric block diagram regarding the power supply structure of the gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the process 1 at the time of power-on performed at the time of power-on in the main control apparatus of the said gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the recommended ball | bowl quantity storage process performed with the payout control apparatus of the said gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the collation process 1 performed with the said payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the collation result display process performed by the display control means of the said gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the recommended ball quantity display process performed with the said display control means. It is an electrical block diagram which shows the flow of the various signals of the principal part relevant to this invention of the said game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the number-of-balls addition process performed in the payout control apparatus of the said gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the loan addition signal output process performed with the said main controller. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the use limit setting process performed with the display control means of the said gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the use limit attainment determination process performed with the display control means of the said gaming machine. It is display mode explanatory drawing explaining the example of a display in the effect symbol display apparatus at the time of the said use limit setting process. It is a display mode explanatory drawing explaining the example of a display in the production symbol display device at the time of the use limit attainment determination processing.

A pachinko machine that is a gaming machine (enclosed gaming machine) according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. This pachinko machine encloses a predetermined number of game balls in the machine base, launches the enclosed game balls from the launcher toward the game area of the game board, and wins the winning game balls (winning balls). The game balls that have been launched are collected regardless of the out-balls that have not been played, and the collected game balls are fired again from the launching device, whereby the game balls are played using the internal game balls in a circulating manner.
The enclosing ball quantity of the enclosed game ball is compared with the recommended enclosing ball quantity suitable for launching the game ball without causing the game to stagnate while circulating the game ball well. If there is a shortage, this will be notified.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 has a structure in which each part of the configuration is held by an outer frame 10 that forms a vertically long fixed outer frame holding frame. The outer frame 10 is provided with a front frame (glass frame) 11 in which a plate glass 110 is fitted and an inner frame (not shown) that can be opened and closed through a hinge 101 provided at the upper and lower positions on the left side. The front frame 11 and the inner frame are closed and locked to the outer frame 10 by a cylinder lock 18 so that a predetermined key is inserted into the cylinder lock 18 and the key is operated clockwise to open the inner frame. None, the front frame 11 is opened by a counterclockwise operation.
A game board 2 held by the inner frame is provided behind the plate glass 110 of the front frame 11.

Speakers 112 are respectively installed at the left and right sides of the lower part of the front frame 11, and game sounds are thereby output, thereby improving the game preference. In addition to the frame-side decorative lamp 113 that emits light according to the gaming state, the front frame 11 is provided with lamps and LEDs for notifying game abnormality.
A firing handle 14 is provided on the right side of the lower half of the front frame 11, and the firing device 31 provided at the upper left end of the front frame 11 is actuated by operating the firing handle 14 in the clockwise direction. A game ball is launched toward the game board 2.

In the pachinko machine 1, a card unit (CR unit) 60 that performs information processing such as reading and writing of stored contents from an inserted player's IC card is provided adjacent to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. The IC card stores, as stored information, a credit balance indicating the amount of gaming balls that can be lent, and the number of possessed balls that have been won by winning balls because the player cannot directly obtain gaming balls in the enclosed type. With the IC card, at the start of the game, gaming balls can be rented within the range of the credit balance, and the credit balance is updated according to the rental. At the end of the game, the number of balls is stored.
That is, the credit balance and the number of possessed balls stored at the end of the game are valuable value information of the present invention. The credit balance is money amount data, and the number of balls stored at the end of the game is stored ball data. That is, the credit balance is subtracted by “ball lending”, and the number of possessed balls stored at the end of the game is subtracted by “reuse”. Based on one of the subtracted numerical data, an addition process is performed on the number of available games.

In connection with the CR unit 60, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a loan SW 171, a return SW 172, and a balance display device 173 on the left side of the lower half of the front frame 11. The rental SW 171 is an operation means of the present invention.
In addition, a game button 15 that can be operated by the player is adjacent to the lending SW 171, the return SW 172, and the balance display device 173, and a jog dial 16 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery thereof.
Further, a counting SW 174 for counting up the number of balls that can be played and a ball number display device 175 for displaying the number of balls held are installed.

  A game area 20 surrounded by a rail body 201 is formed on the game board 2. A center case is attached to the game area 20 at the center thereof, and an LCD panel of an effect symbol display device 21 (not shown as a whole) is disposed in the center case. The center case is provided with a warp entrance, a warp cage (game ball passage), a stage, and the like, as is well known. The effect symbol display device 21 is a display means of the present invention.

  Passage gates 22 through which game balls can pass are respectively installed at the left and right side positions of the effect symbol display device 21. Further, at the lower position in the center of the production symbol display device 21, there is a first special symbol start port (hereinafter referred to as a first special diagram start port) 23 which is always open upward and allows a game ball to enter. A second special symbol start opening (hereinafter referred to as a second special figure start opening) 24 that can be opened and closed by a normal electric accessory (general electric accessory) and can enter only at the time of opening is provided at the position.

  The first special figure start opening 23 and the second special figure start opening 24 are start openings for performing a lottery (whether or not) of special symbols (hereinafter simply referred to as special figures). Each of the first and second special figure starting ports 23 and 24 extracts a plurality of types of random numbers when a game ball enters, and the extracted random numbers are stored as a special figure hold memory.

  The second special figure starting port 24 is won by a lottery of a normal symbol (hereinafter simply referred to as a normal figure) executed due to the passing of the game ball to the passing gate 22, thereby Open for a predetermined time.

A plurality of normal winning openings 26 are arranged at the left and right side positions of the first and second special figure starting openings 23 and 24. Also, below the second special figure starting port 24 is provided a large winning port 25 that is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate, and an out port 29 is provided at the bottom of the board surface.
A number of game nails are planted in the game area 20 of the game board 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the launching device 31 is provided with a launching table 310 in the center, and the game balls B are sent to the launching table 310 one by one through the opening 313 by the operation of the ball feeding mechanism 312. It is. Then, the game ball B is launched by the operation of the launcher 311 driven by the launch motor 314 and is launched toward the game area 20 of the game board 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the back side of the pachinko machine 1 houses an inner frame 30 to which the game board 2 is detachably attached. As with the front frame 11, the inner frame 30 is installed so that the vertical position of one side edge (the right side in FIG. 3) is hinged to the outer frame 10 and can be opened and closed.
The rear surface of the front frame 11 and the inner frame 30 are provided with a main control device 40, a payout control device 41, a sub-integrated control device 42, a production symbol control device 43, a launching device 31, and a power supply board (not shown). Yes.
The main control device 40, the sub integrated control device 42, the launching device 31 and the effect symbol control device 43 are provided on the back surface of the game board 2, and the payout control device 41 and the power supply board are provided on the inner frame 30.

  In addition, a polishing device 46 for collecting the game balls launched on the game board 2 and polishing the collected game balls is installed at the bottom of the back surface of the pachinko machine 1. The polished game balls are further collected by the pachinko machine 1. A lifting device 33 for feeding from the lower part to the upper launching device 31 is installed in the vertical direction along the right side of the back surface of the inner frame 30. Note that a ball replenishing port 460 for enclosing and replenishing a game ball in the gaming machine is provided on the upper surface portion of the polishing apparatus 46.

FIG. 4 shows the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. The payout control device 41 is centered on the main control device 40 as the main control means of the present invention for controlling the progress of the game by controlling the game. The sub-integrated control device 42 and the effect symbol control device 43 are provided as display control means. The main control device 40, the payout control device 41, the sub-integrated control device 42, and the production symbol control device 43 are all provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input port, output port, etc., all of which are controlled by the CPU. After the power-on process, a program consisting of a main routine and a subroutine mounted in the ROM is started due to an interrupt signal of 2 ms cycle or 4 ms cycle, and various controls are executed.
The sub integrated control device 42 and the effect symbol control device 43 as the display control means perform display control of the effect symbol display device 21 as the display means in accordance with the progress of the game controlled by the main control device 40. The production display of the game to be played will be developed as an interesting content.
As will be described in detail later, the payout control device 41 is a payout control means according to the present invention that adds to the number of playable balls that can be launched by a ball lending signal or a reuse signal received from the CR unit 60.

  Main controller 40 is electrically connected to front frame (glass frame) 11, glass frame open SW (switch) 501 and inner frame open SW 502 for detecting whether or not inner frame 30 is open. A first start port SW503 for detecting a ball entering the first special figure start port 23, a second start port SW504 for detecting a ball entering the second special figure start port 24 via the plate 541, a normal pass gate No. 22 normal symbol operation SW 505 to detect the entrance to the left, left winning entrance SW 506 to detect the entrance to each of the left and right ordinary winning entrance 26, right winning entrance SW 507, count SW 508 to detect the entrance to the big winning entrance 25 These are electrically connected to a magnet sensor 511, a radio wave sensor 512, and the like for detecting fraud, and detection signals from each SW and each sensor are input.

  The main control device 40 operates in accordance with the installed program, generates various commands related to the progress of the game based on the above detection signals and the like, and issues a payout control device 41, a sub-integrated control device 42, and an effect symbol control device. 43, and the display control of the special symbol display device 27, the special symbol hold number display device 271, the normal symbol display device 28, and the general symbol hold number display device 281 via the symbol display device relay terminal board 542. To do. These display devices 27, 271, 28, and 281 are provided outside the game area on the front surface of the game board.

  Further, the main control device 40 drives the special prize opening solenoid 513 via the game board version relay terminal board 541 to open the special prize opening 25, and drives the universal electrification solenoid 514 to start the second special figure. Open and close the electric utility of the mouth 24. Further, the main controller 40 is connected to a prize ball number display device 176, and performs display control of the number of prize balls.

The main control device 40 is connected to the payout control device 41 so that bidirectional communication is possible.
The payout control device 41 is communicably connected to the CR unit 60 via the CR unit terminal plate 548. Further, it is configured to accept operation signals for lending requests and return requests by lending and returning SWs 171 and 172 via the balance display device 173. The payout control device 41 communicates with the CR unit 60 based on the operation signals of the lending request and the return request, and can use the game that can be fired based on the ball lending signal or the reuse (replay) signal when lending is requested. Addition processing to the number of possible balls (number of balls held), subtraction processing from the number of available games that can be fired (number of balls held) at the time of return request, and sent the subtracted data to the CR unit, which received the CR unit Data is stored as stored data.
The CR unit 60 is connected so as to be communicable with the hall computer 500 on the game store side, and is configured to transmit game information of the pachinko machine 1 to the hall computer 500 based on communication contents with the payout control device 41.

In addition, the payout control device 41 has an operation amount detection signal for the handle volume 520 that detects the operation amount of the firing handle 14 via the launch operation unit relay terminal plate 543, and the player is in contact (operated) with the launch handle 14. A detection signal of the touch SW 521 for detecting this, a stop detection signal of the firing stop SW 522, and the like are input.
Further, an operation signal of a counting SW 174 that performs an operation of counting the number of balls held is input via the launch operation unit relay terminal plate 543 and the operation unit relay terminal plate 549, and display control of the ball holding display device 175 is performed.

  Further, the payout control device 41 includes a ball feeding sensor 523, a launch inlet sensor 524 that detects the presence or absence of a game ball at the entrance of the launch device 31, a launch motor 314, and a ball feed mechanism 312 via the launch device relay terminal plate 544. A driving ball feed solenoid 526 is connected. Then, the payout control device 41 is based on a command reflecting the gaming situation sent from the main control device 40, signals from the handle volume 520, touch SW521, firing stop SW522, ball feed sensor 523, launch entrance sensor 524, and the like. The launch motor 314 and the ball feed solenoid 526 are driven and controlled to launch and stop the game ball.

  Furthermore, the payout control device 41 receives the detection signal of the cassette switch 527 and the polishing motor sensor 528 via the polishing device relay terminal plate 545 in addition to the control regarding communication processing with the CR unit 60 and the launch of the game ball. In this configuration, the polishing motor 46 is controlled by driving the cassette motor 529 and the polishing motor 530 in accordance with the detection signal.

  In addition to the control of the polishing device 46, the dispensing control device 41 receives detection signals from the lifting inlet sensor 532 and the lifting motor monitoring sensor 533 via the lifting relay terminal plate 546, and according to these detection signals. The lifting motor 531 is driven to control the lifting device 33.

  Furthermore, the payout control device 41 receives a prize that has won a prize through the inner frame relay terminal plate 547, such as the first and second special figure starting ports 23, 24, the big winning port 25, or the normal winning port 26. A winning ball sensor 509 that detects a ball, an out ball sensor 510 that detects an out ball that is out without winning, an enclosed ball quantity sensor 534 that detects the number of game balls enclosed in a pachinko machine, and a full sensor 535, the nighttime monitoring switch 536, and the like are input as detection signals.

The winning ball sensor 509 collects winning balls that have been won at the respective winning ports such as the first and second special figure starting ports 23 and 24, the large winning port 25, the normal winning port 26, and the like, and sends them to the polishing apparatus 46. It is installed in the downstream part of the ball passage provided on the back surface of the game board for sending, and is configured to detect the winning balls to each winning opening in a lump.
The out ball sensor 510 is provided in a ball path for sending an out ball from the out port 29 to the polishing apparatus 46.

The polishing device 46 includes a tank that temporarily stores game balls to be polished, and the enclosed ball quantity sensor 534 is provided in the tank. The sensor 534 is configured to detect the height level of the game ball stored in the tank in a plurality of stages. The enclosing ball quantity sensor 534 has no game ball fired in the launching device 31 (launch stop state), and both the launch term inlet sensor 524 and the lift inlet sensor 532 are on, and the game is in the lifting device 33. The quantity of encapsulated spheres is detected considering that the sphere is full.
The full tank sensor 535 detects that the height level of the game ball in the tank is the upper limit.

A detection signal for detecting an operation of the jog dial 16 and the game button 15 is input to the sub integrated control device 42.
Then, the sub integrated control device 42 drives the speaker 112 to output sound, and controls lighting and extinguishing of various LEDs and various lamps 113. Furthermore, a command for a decorative pattern display mode provided in correspondence with a decorative effect or a special image for displaying a character or the like is transmitted to the effect symbol control device 43.

  The effect symbol control device 43 constitutes the effect symbol display device 21 together with the LCD panel unit and the accessory unit. The effect symbol control device 43 controls the display of the LCD panel of the effect symbol display device 21 in accordance with a command sent from the sub integrated control device 42.

  FIG. 5 shows the mutual relationship of a plurality of devices closely related to the present invention. The main control device 40 stores a recommended ball quantity storage unit that stores information on the recommended ball quantity of the number of game balls that are suitable for continuously launching game balls without circulating the game balls while circulating the game balls. In addition, a recommended sphere quantity storage / transmission unit that transmits the stored recommended sphere quantity information to the sub-integrated control device 42 is provided. The recommended number of balls is the number recommended by pachinko machine manufacturers, and is often different for different types of games.

  The main controller 40 is connected to the payout controller 41 so as to be able to communicate with each other. Between the two, the main controller 40 sends a payout instruction or the like according to the winning prize from the main controller 40 to the payout controller 41, and the game controller launches the number of balls and the number of balls held from the payout controller 41 to the main controller 40. It is possible to transmit a signal related to

The payout control device 41 is provided with a recommended sphere quantity storage unit that receives the recommended sphere quantity information transmitted from the recommended sphere quantity storage transmission unit of the main controller 40 and stores the recommended sphere quantity.
Further, the dispensing control device 41 is provided with an encapsulated sphere quantity grasping unit for grasping the encapsulated sphere quantity based on the detection signal of the enclosed sphere quantity sensor 534.
Further, the payout control device 41 collates the recommended sphere quantity in the recommended sphere quantity storage unit with the encapsulated sphere quantity in the encapsulated sphere quantity grasping part to determine whether or not the encapsulated sphere quantity is insufficient. Is provided.

The payout control device 41 is connected to the CR unit 60 so that they can communicate with each other. An IC card 61 is detachably inserted (connected) into the CR unit 60, and the CR unit 60 performs information processing such as reading and writing of information such as credit balance and number of balls (stored ball data) stored in the IC card 61. Do.
When a lending operation signal is received based on the operation of the lending switch 171 at the start of the game, based on information such as the credit balance and the number of balls read from the IC card 61, a reuse signal or a ball lending signal Is transmitted from the CR unit 60 to the payout control device 41.
Since the lending process is a main part of the present invention, it will be described in detail later.

  As a result, the payout control device 41 can be used to add information after the “ball lending” process or the “reuse (replay)” process, and information on the number of playable game-use balls (number of possessed balls), Information on the number of playable game-useable balls (number of possessed balls) that changes according to the number of shots and prize balls is managed (storage processing, addition / subtraction processing). At the end of the game, the information on the number of possessed balls is sent from the payout control device 41 to the CR unit 60, and the IC card information (valuable value information) is updated.

The sub-integrated control device 42 is connected to the main control device 40 so as to be able to receive signals in one direction such as special information from the device 40, its variation pattern, and information on the recommended ball quantity.
Further, the sub integrated control device 42 can transmit to the effect symbol control device 43 and the effect symbol display device 21 information about the decorative symbol corresponding to the special symbol, the recommended ball quantity information, and the like.

  FIG. 6 shows a power supply path and a signal transmission path between the power supply board 45 of the pachinko machine 1 and each part of the gaming machine including the main control device 40 and the payout control device 41. The power supply board 45 is supplied with AC 24V power provided on the game store side via a power switch 450 to the power generation circuit 452, and the main power from the power generation circuit 452 includes the main controller 40 and the payout controller 41. Power is supplied to each part of the gaming machine. The power switch 450 is of a type that maintains its state when turned on or off.

The full-wave 24V output in the power generation circuit 452 is input to the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 453, and the reset signal generation circuit 455 outputs or cancels the reset signal based on the detection result of the presence / absence of the full-wave 24V output by the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 453. . That is, the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 453 determines that the full-wave 24V output is stopped if the non-output state in which a voltage higher than the predetermined reference voltage is not output continues for a predetermined time, and the reset signal generation circuit 455 determines that the full-wave 24V output is stopped. A reset signal is output according to the determination. On the other hand, when full wave 24V output is started, the reset signal is canceled. Here, the output of the reset signal is to output a low level signal, and changes from low level to high level upon release. The reset signal is released after a predetermined delay time from the detection of the full-wave 24V output.
The reset signal output of the reset signal generation circuit 455 is transmitted to the reset terminals of the CPUs 401 and 411 of the main control device 40 and the payout control device 41, respectively.

  A power failure signal generation circuit 454 that generates a power failure signal corresponding to the output of the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 453 is provided, and when a power failure such as a power failure occurs, the power failure signal is transmitted to the NMI terminals of the CPUs 401 and 411 of each control device. ing. The power failure signal is a signal that changes from a high level to a low level when the power is cut off, and the output timing is set so that it is output before the reset signal is output.

  The power supply board 45 is configured to generate a DC5V backup power supply (VBB) by a backup power supply generation circuit 457 including a capacitor. The backup power supply (VBB) output is output from the CPUs 401 and 411 of the control devices. The data is output to the backup terminal (VBB), and the contents stored in the RAMs 404 and 414 of the CPUs 401 and 411 of the respective control devices are held in the event of a power failure, as will be described later.

The RAM clear switch 451 on the power supply board 45 clears the contents stored in the RAMs 404 and 414 of the CPUs 401 and 411 of the control devices.
The RAM clear switch 451 is a push button type that is turned on only when pressed and turned off when released. If the RAM clear switch 451 is on, the RAM clear signal generation circuit 456 is a high-level signal RAM. The clear signal is output to the input ports 402 and 412 of the main control board 40 and the payout control board 41 until a predetermined time elapses or until the RAM clear switch 451 is turned off. Here, the delay time from turning on the power switch 450 to releasing the reset signal is set to, for example, 100 ms. To generate the RAM clear signal, the power switch 450 is turned on while pressing the RAM clear switch 451. Note that the CPUs 401 and 411 of each control device monitor the presence or absence of a RAM clear signal at the input ports 402 and 412.
The sub-integrated control device 42 and the production symbol control device 43 provided with the CPU are also supplied with the main power from the power supply board 45 in the same manner as the main control device 40 and the payout control device 41, and the reset signal, stop signal, RAM clear signal. Is connected to input.

  Next, based on FIG. 7, the “power-on process 1” executed by the CPU 401 of the main control device 40 when the power is turned on will be described. First, when the power switch 450 is operated, the pachinko machine is energized, the reset signal is released, and the security check of the CPU 401 itself is completed, this processing is executed, and the power-on initial processing is executed (S100).

  Next, in step S101, it is confirmed whether or not the RAM clear signal is on. The RAM clear signal is turned on if the RAM clear switch 451 is in the on state when the reset signal is released, and it is substantially confirmed whether or not the RAM clear switch 451 is in the on state when the power is turned on.

  If the RAM clear signal is not on when the power is turned on (S101: no), the pachinko machine is restored to the power-off state (normal power-on). For this purpose, first, it is confirmed whether or not the occurrence information at the time of power-off at the time of power-off is normal (S102). If the information is normal (S102: yes), the RAM judgment value is calculated (S103). It is confirmed whether or not the determination value is normal (S104). The RAM determination value is a value stored in the RAM when the power is turned off. In the process of S104, it is confirmed whether or not the value calculated in the process of S103 matches the value stored in the RAM.

  If the determination value of the RAM is normal, that is, if the determination value matches the stored value (S104: yes), processing at the time of power recovery is performed (S105). In this process, for example, information generated when the power is turned off is cleared, and a command is transmitted to return the sub integrated control device 43 to the gaming state when the power is turned off.

  If the RAM clear signal is ON in the process of S101 (S101: yes), all the stored contents of the RAM are cleared to 0 in the process of S106, and then an initial value random number setting process is executed (S107). When the initial value random number setting process is completed, the RAM is initialized (S108).

After the process at the time of power recovery in S105 or the initial value setting process in the RAM in S108, the recommended sphere quantity stored in advance in the recommended sphere quantity storage unit is read in the process in S109.
Then, the recommended ball quantity storage read in the processing of S110 is transmitted to the payout control device 41 as information on the recommended ball quantity.
Thereafter, an interrupt is set (S111), and the main routine processing of the main control device 40 relating to game execution is started.

  It should be noted that in the process when the power is turned on, when the occurrence information at the time of power-off in the process of S102 is abnormal (S102: no), or when the RAM determination value in the process of S104 is abnormal (S104: no). Since it is impossible to recover to the power-off state, the processes of S106 to S111 are executed in the same manner as when the RAM is cleared.

  The main routine of the main control device 40 is started due to an interrupt signal having a period of 2 ms or 4 ms, and a process for updating or winning a plurality of types of random numbers such as a random number for determining whether or not a special figure is appropriate and a random number for determining a big hit symbol of a special figure Confirmation processing, validity determination processing, output processing, fraud monitoring processing, and the like are performed.

When a game is started on the pachinko machine 1, the game balls are lent out within the range of the credit balance of the IC card and can be used for the game (the number of available balls of the present invention). When a game is started, or when an IC card is inserted into the CR unit 60, if the card has a memory of the number of balls stored at the end of the past game, this is read and the game is started.
In the game of the pachinko machine 1, when there is a ball entering the first and second special figure starting ports 23 and 24, a random number value for determining whether or not the special figure is determined is extracted based on this, and based on the random value The determination is made to determine whether or not the special symbol display device 27 changes the symbol of the special symbol, and the effect symbol display device 21 starts the symbol variation of the decorative symbol corresponding to the special symbol.
If the determination result of the special figure is a big hit, the big hit symbol is determined, the big hit symbol is determined and displayed on each display device 21, and the big hit game (special game) is executed. In the jackpot game, a predetermined number of rounds are continued with one round of operations from opening the grand prize winning opening 25 until the predetermined time or number of balls reached the predetermined number and closing.

  FIG. 8 shows a “recommended ball quantity storage process” performed by the payout control apparatus 41. In this process, first, in the process of S200, whether or not the recommended ball quantity information transmitted from the main controller 40 has been received. Confirm. If the reception of the recommended ball quantity information is confirmed (S200: yes), the received recommended ball quantity is stored in the recommended ball quantity storage unit of the payout control device 41 in the process of S201.

The payout control device 41 which has received and stored the recommended ball quantity is enclosed in the pachinko machine with the recommended ball quantity in the process of a part of the main routine of the payout control apparatus 41 which is started due to interruption of a predetermined period. Checking with the number of encapsulated balls is performed.
FIG. 9 shows the “verification process 1” executed by the payout control device 41. First, in the processing of S300, it is confirmed whether or not the game ball is not being fired by the launching device 31 and the ball firing is stopped. To do. If it is stopped (S300: yes), the detection signal of the enclosed sphere quantity sensor 534 is confirmed (S301), and the quantity of enclosed spheres is grasped according to the detection of the enclosed sphere quantity sensor 534 (S302). In this case, the height level of the game balls in the tank of the polishing apparatus is detected by the enclosed ball quantity sensor 534, and the number of balls is calculated according to the level and is grasped as the quantity of enclosed balls.

In the subsequent process of S303, the recommended sphere quantity and the enclosed sphere quantity are collated.
Next, in the process of S304, it is confirmed whether the recommended sphere quantity and the enclosed sphere quantity are the same in the process of S304. If they are different (S304: no), A signal indicating that the collation result is different is transmitted to the control device 42.

  Receiving the collation result, main controller 40 transmits a command for instructing sub integrated control device 42 to notify that the collation result is different. In this case, when the enclosed ball quantity is smaller than the recommended ball quantity, an instruction is given to display that the ball is insufficient.

FIG. 10 shows a “collation processing result display process” executed by the sub-integrated control device 42. First, in the processing of S400, it is determined whether or not a command related to the shortage of balls in the collation result is received from the main control device 40. If it is confirmed and reception is confirmed (S400: yes), a display for informing the effect symbol display device 21 of the shortage of the ball via the effect symbol control device 43, a lamp indicating that the ball is insufficient, and a lighting display of the LEDs 113 are displayed. Do.
In addition, the display of the collation result is not limited to the shortage of the spheres, and a display for notifying that the encapsulated sphere quantity is larger than the recommended sphere quantity and that both quantities are the same may be performed.

According to the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the encapsulated sphere quantity is grasped, the recommended sphere quantity and the enclosed sphere quantity are collated, and if the collation result is insufficient, this is notified. When the quantity is smaller than the recommended ball quantity, it is possible to immediately take measures to eliminate this, and by replenishing the balls, the adverse effects on the game due to the shortage of balls can be reduced.
In particular, when the power to the pachinko machine is turned on, information on the recommended ball quantity is transmitted from the main control device 40 to the payout control device 41, so that the payout control device 41 can check the recommended ball quantity and the enclosed ball quantity immediately after turning on the power. It is possible to detect a shortage of balls during preparations for opening the amusement store, and replenishment of the balls improves workability in preparation for opening the store.
In addition, the payout control device 41 performs the matching process between the recommended ball quantity and the enclosed ball quantity as a part of the main routine, and is executed while the game ball is being stopped. Can be verified during a short rest, etc., so there are many opportunities for verification processing, and it is possible to quickly find a shortage of balls due to falling balls or eliminating defective balls. By eliminating the ball shortage each time, it is possible to minimize the adverse effects on the game due to the ball shortage.
It should be noted that when the filled ball quantity reaches the recommended ball quantity by replenishing the balls, the payout control device 41 notifies the main control device 40 that the recommended ball quantity has been reached, and the ball shortage notification is canceled.

  Generally, a pachinko machine is composed of a game board side component and a frame side component that supports it. Among game machines of different models, the frame side component is shared, and the game board side component provided with the main controller is changed. Further, overall management regarding the game balls is performed by the payout control device of the frame side component, but in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the recommended ball quantity is stored in the main control device 40 which is different for each model. It is suitable for management of recommended sphere quantity according to. Furthermore, it is possible to efficiently collate the recommended ball quantity with the encapsulated ball quantity by the payout control device that performs overall management regarding the game balls as described above.

In the pachinko machine 1, in the process of S110 of the “power-on process 1” executed by the main controller 40, the recommended ball quantity information is transmitted to the payout controller 41 and also to the sub-integrated controller 42. The recommended sphere quantity may be displayed on the effect symbol display device 21 when the power is turned on by the “recommended sphere quantity display process” shown in FIG.
The “recommended sphere quantity display process” executed by the sub-integrated control device 42 confirms whether or not the recommended sphere quantity information has been received from the main controller 40 (S500), and if the reception is confirmed (S500: yes), in the process of S501, a command (command) for displaying an optimal recommended ball quantity for enclosing the game balls is sent to the effect symbol display device 21 via the effect symbol control device 43.

Generally, in the pachinko machine, the machine base is powered on and the hardware and software aspects of the machine base are prepared. When these preparations are completed, a standby screen waiting for the start of the game is displayed on the effect symbol display device 21. . Therefore, according to the “recommended sphere quantity display process”, the recommended sphere quantity is displayed on the effect symbol display device 21 for a predetermined time before the standby screen. The recommended number of balls is displayed as the number of balls.
Note that the recommended sphere quantity may be stored in the sub integrated control apparatus 42 as in the case of the main control apparatus 40, and the recommended sphere quantity may be displayed based on this. In this case, transmission / reception processing of recommended ball quantity information between the main control device 40 and the sub integrated control device 42 can be omitted.
The “recommended ball quantity display process” is not limited to the sub integrated control device 42 and may be executed by the effect symbol control device 43. In this case, the effect symbol control device 43 receives the recommended ball quantity information from the main control device 40 via the sub integrated control device 42.

  In this way, the optimal recommended ball quantity is displayed when enclosing game balls before displaying the standby screen when the power is turned on, so that the game store employees enclosing the game balls can see each machine at a glance. You can recognize the recommended number of game balls to enclose. By enclosing game balls according to the recommended number of balls, there is no need to prepare game balls more than necessary, it is economical, and the shortage of game balls is solved, and the adverse effects on the game due to the shortage of balls are reduced. be able to.

Next, the flow of various signals according to the main part of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an electric block diagram showing the flow of various signals of the main part related to the present invention of the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment.
First, a schematic configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CR unit 60 into which the IC card 61 can be inserted adjacently. Further, the pachinko machine 1 includes a lending switch 171 that transmits a lending operation signal to the CR unit 60, a payout control device 41 that can receive a reuse signal or a ball lending signal from the CR unit 60, and a ball from the payout control device 41. A main control device 40 capable of receiving a lending signal, a sub-integrated control device 42 capable of receiving a ball lending addition signal from the main control device 40, a notification instruction signal from the sub-integrated control device 42, and And an effect symbol control device 43 that executes and controls notification in the effect symbol display device 21 based on the received signal.
Further, the payout control device 41 includes a number-of-balls adding unit for performing an addition process on the number of playable game-usable balls.
Further, the sub integrated control device 42 determines whether or not the usage limit has been reached based on the usage limit setting unit that allows the player to set the upper limit value of the usage amount and the ball lending addition signal from the main control device 40. A use limit attainment determination unit for performing
Next, the flow of various signals in such a configuration will be described.

First, in a state where the IC card 61 is inserted into the CR unit 60, when the lending switch 171 as the operation means of the pachinko machine 1 is operated, a lending operation signal is transmitted from the lending switch 171 to the CR unit 60.
In the present embodiment, any process of “ball lending” based on the credit balance stored in the IC card 61 and “reuse (replay)” based on the number of possessed balls (stored ball data) stored at the end of the game. Regardless of whether or not, both processes can be executed based on the operation of a single (same) lending switch 171.

The CR unit 60 of the present embodiment is configured to prioritize the subtraction processing of the stored ball data over the credit balance when receiving the lending operation signal from the lending switch 171. That is, when the credit balance and the stored ball data are stored in the IC card 61, the process of subtracting the stored ball data and transmitting the reuse signal is prioritized over the process of transmitting the ball rental signal by subtracting the credit balance. And execute. In other words, the process of subtracting the credit balance and transmitting the ball lending signal is executed only when there is no stored ball data. The CR unit 60 transmits the reuse signal and the ball lending signal to the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41.
That is, in this embodiment, the ball lending signal and the reuse signal are both output from the CR unit 60 toward the payout control device 41 based on the operation of the lending switch 171 as the same operation means. ing.

Upon receiving the reuse signal and the ball lending signal, the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 of the present embodiment performs a process of adding to the number of balls that can be used for launching games.
Further, the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 of the present embodiment outputs a ball lending signal to the main control device 40 only when the received signal is a ball lending signal.

  When receiving the ball lending signal, the main control device 40 of the present embodiment outputs a ball lending addition signal to the use limit attainment determination unit of the sub integrated control device 42. When the use limit attainment determination unit of the sub integrated control device 42 determines that the use limit has been reached based on the received ball lending addition signal, the sub integrated control device 42 uses the effect symbol control device 43 for use. A notification instruction signal for instructing execution of notification that the limit has been reached is transmitted. The effect symbol control device 43 that has received the notification instruction signal executes notification effect display by the effect symbol display device 21 based on the received signal.

In this embodiment, it is comprised so that it may become the flow of the above various signals. Next, various control processes based on the above-described configuration of the present embodiment as well as the main part of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16.
First, the number-of-balls adding process executed by the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the CR unit 60 receives the lending operation signal based on the operation of the lending switch 171 in S600, the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 receives the reuse signal or the ball lending signal from the CR unit 60. If the determination is affirmative (S600: yes), the process proceeds to S610. If the determination is negative, that is, if no signal is received (S600: no), the process ends.

  In S610, the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 executes a process of adding to the number of balls that can be launched, corresponding to the received reuse signal or ball lending signal, The process proceeds to S620.

The number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 determines whether or not the received signal is a ball lending signal in S620. If the determination is affirmative (S620: yes), the process proceeds to S630. If the determination is negative (S620: no), this process ends.
That is, whether the addition processing to the number of possessed balls executed in S610 is based on “ball lending” based on the credit balance stored in the IC card 61 or based on “reuse (replay)” based on the stored ball data, If “reuse (replay)”, the process ends. If “ball rental”, that is, the credit balance is consumed, the process proceeds to S630.

In S630, the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 executes a process of generating a ball lending signal and transmitting it to the main control apparatus 40, and ends this process.
That is, the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 executes a process of transmitting a ball lending signal only when the signal received from the CR unit 60 is a ball lending signal. The ball lending signal transmitted to the main control device 40 is later sub-integrated as a display control means indirectly in the present embodiment by the main control device 40 transmitting a ball lending addition signal to the sub-integrated control device 42 later. It is output to the control device 42. Thus, S630 of the number-of-balls adding process executed by the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 receives the ball lending signal, and directly or indirectly outputs the ball lending signal to the display control means. It is a ball lending signal output means of the present invention to output.

Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the ball lending addition signal output process executed by the main controller 40 will be described.
In S700, main controller 40 determines whether or not a ball lending signal has been received from the number-of-balls adding unit of payout controller 41. If the determination is affirmative (S700: yes), the process proceeds to S710. If the determination is negative and the determination is negative (S700: no), this process ends.

In step S710, the main control device 40 transmits a ball lending addition signal to the use limit attainment determination unit of the sub integrated control device 42, and ends this processing.
As described above, the payout control device 41 is configured to indirectly output a ball lending signal to the sub integrated control device 42 by the main control device 40 transmitting a ball lending addition signal to the sub integrated control device 42. It has become.

Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the usage limit setting process executed by the usage limit setting unit of the sub integrated control device 42 will be described.
The use limit setting unit of the sub integrated control device 42 determines whether or not a use limit selection signal has been received in S800. If the determination is affirmative (S800: yes), the process proceeds to S810 and a negative determination is made. If so (S800: no), this process ends.
The use limit selection signal to be determined in this process is determined by a predetermined operation (see FIGS. 17A and 17B) using a game button 15 described later and a jog dial 16 provided so as to surround the outer periphery thereof. This signal is generated and transmitted when the player sets an arbitrary usage limit.

In S810, the use limit setting unit of the sub integrated control device 42 sets the use limit type arbitrarily set by the player through the predetermined operation (for example, 10,000 yen, 30000 yen, and 50000 yen in the present embodiment). Correspondingly, the number of ball rentals executed until the set usage limit is exhausted is calculated, and the calculated value of the number of ball rentals is set as the count value of the ball rental number counter.
Specifically, for example, when 30000 yen is selected within the usage limit type, the credit balance is subtracted by 500 yen for each "ball rental", so 30000 yen is divided by 500 yen. A process of setting the numerical value “60”, which is the quotient, as the initial count value of the ball lending counter is executed. As a result, the count value of the ball lending counter is subtracted from 60 for each “ball lending”, and when the count value becomes 0, the player has reached the usage limit set arbitrarily by the player. .
That is, the use limit setting process S810 executed by the use limit setting unit of the sub-integrated control device 42 is the use limit setting means of the present invention capable of setting the use limit.
Next, processing for determining whether or not such a usage limit has been reached will be described.

Next, with reference to FIG. 16, the use limit reaching determination process executed by the use limit reaching determination unit of the sub integrated control device 42 will be described.
First, the use limit reaching determination unit of the sub integrated control device 42 determines whether or not the use limit has been set in S900. If the determination is affirmative (S900: yes), the process proceeds to S910. If the determination is negative (S900: no), the process is terminated.
That is, in the present embodiment, a ball lending signal is always transmitted from the payout control device 41 regardless of whether or not a use limit is set, and a ball lending addition signal is always transmitted from the main control device 40 based on this. It has a configuration. However, when the use limit is not set in the process of S900, the following process related to the use limit reaching determination is not executed.

  Next, the use limit attainment determination unit of the sub integrated control device 42 determines whether or not a ball lending addition signal has been received in S910. If the determination is affirmative (S910: yes), the process proceeds to S920. If the determination is negative (S910: no), this process ends.

  In S920, the use limit attainment determination unit of the sub integrated control device 42 executes a process of subtracting 1 from the count value of the ball lending number counter to obtain a count value, and the process proceeds to S930.

The use limit attainment determination unit of the sub integrated control device 42 determines whether or not the count value of the ball lending counter is 0 in S930. If the determination is affirmative (S930: yes), the process proceeds to S940. If the determination is negative (S930: no), the process is terminated.
That is, in S930, based on the “ball lending”, that is, a ball lending signal (converted ball lending addition signal), it is determined whether or not the player has reached a usage limit amount arbitrarily set. S930 of the use limit reaching determination process is the use limit reaching determination means of the present invention.

In S940, the use limit attainment determination unit of the sub integrated control device 42 executes the notification control process and ends this process.
In the notification control process of the present embodiment, when it is determined that the usage limit has been reached, the sub-integrated control device 42 instructs the effect symbol control device 43 to perform notification that the usage limit has been reached. This is a series of processes for transmitting a notification instruction signal and for causing the effect symbol control device 43 to display-control the notification effect display to the effect described above on the effect symbol display device 21 based on the signal.
That is, the notification control process (S940) is a control process for notifying that the usage limit has been reached when it is determined in S930 that the usage limit has been reached.

A display example of the effect symbol display device 21 as display means when the various control processes of the present invention as described above are executed will be described below with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a display mode for explaining a display example on the effect symbol display device 21 at the time of use limit setting processing. FIG. 18 is a display mode explanatory diagram illustrating a display example in the effect symbol display device 21 during the use limit reaching determination process.
First, as shown in FIG. 17A, in the present embodiment, when the IC card 61 is inserted in the CR unit 60 and the variable display stops and enters a standby state, the effect symbol display device 21 displays “ A “bear character” is displayed, and a notification that the game is moved to the limit amount setting screen by long-pressing the game button 15 is performed by the comment of the character. At the same time, in order to promote the button operation, the game button 15 and the jog dial 16 are displayed, and an arrow display that makes the user press the game button 15 is displayed. At this time, “123” is stopped and displayed as the decorative symbol corresponding to the special figure. In addition, in the upper right part of the effect symbol display device 21, a limit amount setting state display indicating that the limit amount is not yet set is performed.
In this state, when the player presses the game button 15 for a long time, the display mode of the limit amount setting screen shown in FIG.
That is, although omitted in FIG. 15 described above, before the process of S800 of the use limit setting process (FIG. 15), the game button 15 is pressed for a long time (for example, the pressed state is maintained for 3 seconds as a predetermined time). ) Is executed. If a negative determination is made, the present process is terminated. If an affirmative determination, that is, a long press is detected, the display mode is changed to the limit amount setting screen, and the process proceeds to S800. Is controlled to do.

In the limit amount setting screen shown in FIG. 17B, the decorative symbols are temporarily deleted, and the “bear character”, the game button 15 and the jog dial 16 are enlarged and displayed. In addition, on the right side of the effect symbol display device 21, a button indicating the type of use limit of the present embodiment described above and a button for canceling the setting content selected and confirmed are displayed. Specifically, from the top to the bottom, a usage limit type button of 10,000 yen, 30000 yen, and 50000 yen is displayed, and a release button is displayed immediately below. Also, the usage limit setting work procedure is indicated by the comment display of the character. In other words, in the present embodiment, the jog dial 16 is first rotated, and any of the above-described buttons is colored so that the selected state is achieved. In FIG. 17B, the usage limit of 30000 yen is being selected. Next, the selection is confirmed by pressing the game button 15.
With such a limit amount setting screen, the player can easily set an arbitrary use limit amount, and it is possible to further prevent the entrainment.

When the game button 15 is pressed with the content of the limit amount setting screen shown in FIG. 17B and the selection content is confirmed, the display mode is as shown in FIG.
By displaying the comment of the character, the setting of the limit amount is completed, and in this case, it is informed that 30000 yen has been determined as the limit amount. Furthermore, a limit amount setting state display indicating that the limit amount of 30000 yen is currently set is displayed in the upper right part of the effect symbol display device 21.
In this way, when the selection content is confirmed by pressing the game button 15, a use limit selection signal is transmitted to the sub integrated control device 42 based on this. As described above, the sub integrated control device 42 determines whether or not the usage limit selection signal can be received in S800 of the usage limit setting process (see FIG. 15). The count value setting process of the number counter is executed. In this case, since the limit amount of 30000 yen is set, the count value of the ball lending counter is set to a numerical value “60” as an initial value.

In FIG. 18A, after the limit amount is set in FIG. 17C, the “ball lending” has already been repeated several times and the 50th lending switch 171 is operated. It is in the state. According to the comment display of the character, the operation of the lending switch 171 is accepted, and accordingly, 500 yen is subtracted from the credit balance, and based on this, the corresponding number of game balls is added to the number of game usable balls that can be launched. A notification that it is in the middle is being made. In addition, as a result of “ball lending” by operating the lending switch 171, it is notified that the number of operations of the lending switch 171 until reaching the limit amount is 10 times.
The sub integrated control device 42 determines whether or not the count value of the ball lending number counter is 0 in S930 of the use limit reaching determination process (see FIG. 16). In this case, since it is still 10, it is still 0. When it is determined that there is no display, the display is performed in a manner as shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, the notification process with the contents as shown in FIG. 18 (a) is omitted.

From the state where the credit balance shown in FIG. 18A is 5000 yen, “ball lending” is further repeated, and the sub-integrated control device 42 counts the ball lending counter in S930 in the use limit reaching determination process (see FIG. 16). It is determined whether or not the count value is 0. When it is determined that the count value is 0, the notification control process of S940 is executed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18B, a notification display indicating that the usage limit has been reached is performed by displaying the comment of the character.
As described above, in this embodiment, the setting of the limit amount shown in FIG. 17, the display of the changing limit amount, the notification display that the limit amount has been reached, and the like are displayed as the game progresses. It is comprised so that it may be performed by the effect symbol display apparatus 21 which is a display means. Accordingly, the player can easily check the progress of the game while paying attention to the effect display of the effect symbol display device 21 without having to perform a special operation on the use limit set by the player. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the sinking.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can implement variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the operation unit (lending switch 171) is detected, a lending operation signal is transmitted directly from the operation unit to the unit (CR unit 60). It is not necessary to limit to. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the operation means is once transmitted to the payout control means (payout control device 41) and is sent from the payout control means to the unit via the payout control means. That is, the unit lending operation signal may be transmitted indirectly from the operation means.
With this configuration, the degree of freedom in design is improved without limiting the signal flow.
In addition, it is possible to reliably grasp that the payout control means directly receives a signal that the operation means has been operated. Therefore, when a reuse signal or a ball rental signal is received from a unit that does not involve operation of the operation means, it can be dealt with as a signal that is not based on the operation of the operation means.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the display control unit (sub-integrated control device 42) includes the usage limit setting unit is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it may be configured separately from the display control means and transmit the information on the setting contents to the display control means.
This reduces the control burden on the display control means. Further, even with such a configuration, the effects of the present invention can be obtained, so the degree of freedom in design increases.

In the above-described embodiment, the ball lending signal transmitted from the payout control means (payout control apparatus 41) to the display control means (sub-integrated control apparatus 42) is transmitted via the main control means (main control apparatus 40). That is, the configuration in which transmission is indirectly performed is illustrated. However, it is not limited to this. That is, the payout control means may be configured to transmit the ball lending signal directly to the display control means without intervening the main control means.
This reduces the control burden on the main control means. In addition, since the types of signals are reduced, the efficiency of design work can be improved. Further, even with such a configuration, the effects of the present invention can be obtained, so the degree of freedom in design increases.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the number-of-balls adding unit of the payout control device 41 receives the data in S620 regardless of whether or not the use limit is set, that is, the use limit is set. Even if it is not set, the configuration in which the ball lending signal is always transmitted in S630 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a determination process is performed between S620 and S630 to determine whether or not the use limit is set by the use limit setting unit of the sub-integrated control device 42, and the determination is affirmative, that is, the use limit is set. For example, the process may be shifted to S630, and if the negative determination, that is, the above setting is not made, this process may be terminated.
By configuring in this way, unnecessary transmission of a ball lending signal is not performed, and the burden of control processing is reduced. In addition, the determination process for determining whether or not the use limit has been set in S900 can be deleted in the use limit attainment determination process in FIG. 16, and the processing load is further reduced.

In addition, the above-described determination process for determining whether or not the use limit has been set by the use limit setting unit of the sub-integrated control device 42 is not executed in the above-mentioned number-of-balls adding process (FIG. 13), It may be executed by signal output processing. That is, the main control means determines whether or not the usage limit is set, and determines whether or not the ball lending addition signal can be transmitted based on the determination result.
With this configuration, the main control means can grasp that the “ball rental” has occurred regardless of whether or not the usage limit is set, and can monitor the game extensively. Further, the control load can be reduced by determining that the main control means does not execute unnecessary signal transmission.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the player himself / herself sets an arbitrary usage limit amount with respect to the credit balance stored in the IC card 61 is illustrated to prevent the entrainment. However, it is fully assumed that some players have a need to play a game within the range of the stored ball data and set a usage limit for the stored ball data without consuming the credit balance as it is. As a configuration corresponding to such needs, an encapsulated gaming machine having the following configuration can be assumed while assuming a configuration in which a reuse signal is processed with priority over a ball lending signal.
That is, it is connected to a unit (CR unit 60) that reads and rewrites valuable value information (at least, credit balance and stored ball data) recorded in the inserted storage medium (IC card 61). With
The game balls launched from the launching device to the game board are collected, and the collected game balls are fired from the launching device to the game board again, and a predetermined number of game balls enclosed inside are circulated to play the game. A game ball enclosed type gaming machine,
Main control means (main control device 40) for controlling the progress of the game;
Display control means (sub-integrated control device 42) for controlling display of display means (effect symbol display device 21) according to the progress of the game;
A payout control means (payout control device 41) for adding to the number of usable balls that can be launched by a ball lending signal or a reuse signal received from the unit;
The ball lending signal and the reuse signal are both output from the unit based on the operation of the same operation means (lending switch 171),
The payout control means includes
Reusable signal output means for outputting a reuse signal directly or indirectly to the display control means when receiving the reuse signal,
The display control means includes
Usage limit setting means that can set the usage limit,
Use limit reaching determination means for determining whether or not the use limit has been reached based on the reuse presence signal, and
When it is determined that the usage limit has been reached by the usage limit reaching determination means, a notification is made that the usage limit has been reached.
You may comprise as an enclosed game machine characterized by the above.
By configuring in this way, the use limit amount that can be played within the range of the stored ball data in the valuable value information recorded in the storage medium (IC card 61) is set, and the credit balance is not consumed. Furthermore, the player can leave the stored ball data and end the game. Therefore, it is possible to stop at a stage where the valuable value to be consumed is smaller, and it is possible to realize the anticipation of anticipation.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the usage limit is set only for one of the credit balance and the stored ball data, but may be configured to be set for both. This makes it possible to flexibly respond to the needs of various players, depending on which valuable value information is set for the usage limit, and “sinking”, which is a serious problem for players, It becomes possible to prevent more reliably.

[Correspondence with Claims]
The CR unit 60 corresponds to a unit, and the IC card corresponds to a storage medium.

  The lending SW 171 corresponds to an operation unit.

  The effect symbol display device 21 corresponds to a display means.

  The main control device 40 corresponds to main control means.

  The payout control device 41 corresponds to a payout control means.

  S630 in the number-of-balls adding process corresponds to a ball lending signal output unit.

  S810 of the usage limit setting process corresponds to a usage limit setting means.

  S930 of the usage limit reaching determination process corresponds to a usage limit reaching determination means.

1 Pachinko machine (enclosed game machine)
2 Game board 21 Production symbol display device (display means)
31 Launcher 40 Main controller (Main controller)
41 Dispensing control device (dispensing control means)
42 Sub-integrated control device (display control means)
43 Production design control device (display control means)
60 CR units (units)
61 IC card (storage medium)
171 Lending switch (operating means)

Claims (1)

It is connected to a unit that reads and rewrites valuable value information recorded in the inserted storage medium so that mutual communication is possible,
The game balls launched from the launching device to the game board are collected, and the collected game balls are fired from the launching device to the game board again, and a predetermined number of game balls enclosed inside are circulated to play the game. A game ball enclosed type gaming machine,
Main control means for controlling the progress of the game;
Display control means for controlling the display means according to the progress of the game;
With a ball lending signal or a reuse signal received from the unit, a payout control means for adding to the number of game usable balls that can be launched,
The ball lending signal and the reuse signal are both output from the unit based on the operation of the same operation means,
The payout control means includes
A ball lending signal output means for outputting a ball lending signal directly or indirectly to the display control means when receiving the ball lending signal;
The display control means includes
Usage limit setting means that can set the usage limit,
Use limit arrival determination means for determining whether the use limit has been reached based on the ball lending signal,
When it is determined that the usage limit has been reached by the usage limit reaching determination means, a notification is made that the usage limit has been reached.
An enclosed game machine characterized by this.

Images