JP2912704B2 - Ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a ball and ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine that fires a ball at a game area, and more specifically, records information recorded on a recording medium. The present invention relates to a ball game machine capable of playing a game by hitting a ball into a game area using a value specified by a recording medium inserted in a recording medium processing device to be read.

[Prior Art] In this type of ball game machine, for example, a predetermined number of prize balls are added to hitherto known ones, for example, when a ball hit into a game area wins a prize area. The ball dispensing device is configured to be paid out from the ball dispensing device, and the value specified by the recording medium such as a card inserted into the recording medium processing device is deducted and the lending ball is dispensed from the ball dispensing device. was there.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such a ball game machine, the payout of a lending ball and the payout of a premium ball are both performed by a ball payout device. Each time a predetermined number of replenishing balls are supplied to the ball tank arranged at the upper portion of the back surface, a signal to that effect is generated and output to the hall management computer as disadvantage information disadvantageous to the game arcade. In such a case, the ball-lending information is also included in the disadvantage information, and there is a disadvantage that the information does not become pure disadvantage information.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a ball game machine that can play a game by hitting a ball into a game area using a value specified by a recording medium. This is to output pure disadvantage information that does not include ball information.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, a ball is played using a value specified by a recording medium inserted in a recording medium processing device that reads recording information of the recording medium. A ball game machine capable of playing a game by bouncing into an area, wherein the recording medium processing device is configured to perform the operation when a player uses a value specified by the recording medium. A lending command information output unit capable of outputting command information for lending a ball corresponding to a value to be used determined by the operation to the ball game machine, wherein the ball game machine pays the ball. A ball payout device for paying out, a ball payout control means for performing a prize ball payout operation by the ball payout device when a ball hits a prize area provided in the game area, and a payout by the ball payout device Each time the number of prize balls reaches a predetermined number, Signal output means for outputting a payout signal of the predetermined number, wherein the predetermined number of payout prize balls determined so that the signal output means outputs a payout signal is a ball game machine installed on a gaming machine installation island. Each time a replenishing device for replenishing balls supplies a predetermined number of balls, the replenishment signal corresponding to the predetermined number is output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the replenishment is performed by connecting an island-side connector provided on the gaming machine installation island side to the replenishing device side. It further includes a connector connection portion to which an island-side connector for receiving and transmitting a replenishment signal output by the device can be connected, and a payout signal output by the signal output means can be output from the connector connection portion. It is characterized by.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In addition to the configuration of the invention described in Item 6, the command information from the lending command information output means is transmitted as light as a transmission medium and is input to the ball payout control means of the ball game machine.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the ball game machine and the recording medium processing device are configured to be separable. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the ball payout control means provided in the ball game machine includes a recording medium processing device. The ball payout device is operated in accordance with the command information transmitted from the lending command information output means to rent out balls.

[Operation] According to the first aspect of the present invention, by the operation of the lending command information output means provided in the recording medium processing device,
When the player performs an operation to use the value specified by the recording medium, instruction information for lending a ball corresponding to the value to be used determined by the operation is provided by a ball game. Output to the machine. The operation of the ball payout control means provided in the ball game machine causes the ball payout device to perform a prize ball payout operation when a ball hits a winning area provided in the game area. Each time the number of prize balls to be paid out by the ball payout device reaches a predetermined number, a payout signal to that effect is output by the signal output means.

The predetermined number of payout prize balls determined by the signal output means to output a payout signal is determined by a replenishing device that supplies balls to a ball game machine installed on the gaming machine installation island. Each time a number of balls are replenished, the replenishment signal is output to that effect, which matches the predetermined number of replenished balls.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, the island-side connector is replaced with the connector connection section of the ball game machine and connected to the connector connection section. Is output to the island-side connector.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, the command information from the lending command information output means is transmitted using light as a transmission medium, and the ball game is performed. Is input to the ball payout control means of the machine.

According to the present invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the ball game machine and the recording medium processing device are configured to be separable. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, according to the command information transmitted from the lending command information output means of the recording medium processing device. The ball payout device is operated by the operation of the ball payout control means provided in the ball game machine, and the lending control of the ball is performed.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an overall schematic block diagram of a centralized management equipment for games provided with a ball game machine according to the present invention.
In the figure, reference numeral 73 denotes a card sales company that sells a magnetic card as an example of a recording medium, and has a centralized management computer 74 including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. On the other hand, a centralized management center 71 is set up in each predetermined district (for example, the district A, the district B, and the district C).
Is provided with a centralized hall management computer 72 including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The centralized hall management computer 72 mainly has a function of comprehensively managing the game arcade 1 in the district (for example, the district A) to which it belongs. On the other hand, the game hall 1 has a hall management computer 70 including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc., for managing information in the game hall.
Are installed, and a card processing machine 5 and a card vending machine (ticket vending machine) 7 as an example of a recording medium processing device, a terminal box 99 managed by a card vending company 73, and the like are provided. In the figure, reference numeral 75 denotes a retail store for selling cards, on which a card vending machine 7 is installed. The general centralized management computer 74, the centralized hall management computer 72, and the terminal box 99 are connected by communication lines as shown by solid-line arrows in the drawing, and are in a state where information can be transmitted. In such a configuration, first, the card sales company 73 sells a card to each of the retail stores 75 and each of the game arcades 1 (see the arrow indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure). In exchange for this, the price is paid to the card sales company 73 from each of the retail stores 75 and the amusement arcades 1 (see arrows indicated by broken lines in the figure). Then, a user such as a player pays for the card using the card vending machine 7 of the retail store 75 or the card vending machine 7 installed in the game arcade, purchases the card, and transfers the card to the card processing machine. Insert into 5. If the inserted card is a proper card, the game can be played on a ball game machine such as the pachinko game machine 100 using the value specified by the card. The usable amount of the card (card balance) is determined by the value of the value to be used specified by the operation of the card processing machine 5.
Is subtracted and updated, and the price associated with the card usage is paid from the card sales company 73 to each of the game arcades 1. The price after the card use price and the card sales price are offset may be settled between the game arcade and the card sales company.

 FIG. 2A is an overall schematic plan view of the game hall 1. FIG.

On each of the gaming machine installation islands 2 installed in the amusement arcade, a plurality of gaming machines such as a pachinko gaming machine 100, a ball game machine such as an arrangement ball type pachinko gaming machine 11 and a coin gaming machine such as a slot machine are installed. ing. Further, a card processing machine 5 and a card processing machine 6 for coin gaming machines are also provided. A card vending machine 7 is installed at one end of the predetermined gaming machine installation island 2. The card vending machine 7, the card processing machines 5, 6 and the gaming machine are connected to the hall management computer 70 and the terminal box 99 by wiring, and are configured to be able to transmit information to each other. On the other hand, as described above, this terminal box 99
Is connected to the centralized hall management computer 72 and the integrated centralized management computer 74 via a communication line. Note that a card payment machine that can settle the amount of money used for the card may be installed in the game hall 1. In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a ball number storage repeater that stores the ball number of each pachinko gaming machine 100 installed on each island and stores the ball management computer 7.
It is for sending to 0. Reference numeral 9 denotes a prize ball counter or a coin counter for counting the number of prize balls obtained by the ball game machine 3 and the number of coins obtained by the coin game machine. Then, the counted value is transmitted to the hall management computer 70 and used as business information.

FIG. 2B is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the hall management computer 70. The hall management computer 70 is provided with a power switch 12, various function keys, a numeric keypad 11, a display 13, and the like. By turning on the power switch 12, the hall management computer 70 is turned on. The function keys include a number key 14 for specifying a number, a number of profit balls key 15 for displaying the number of profit balls that are profitable for the game hall on the display 13, and a number of disadvantage balls that are disadvantageous for the game space. Unfavorable ball number key 16 to display, difference number key 17 to display difference number, sales key 18 to display sales information, island specification key 19 to specify island, all units Key 20, a payout rate key 21 for displaying the payout rate, a ball count key 22 for displaying the ball count, and the like.

The operation of the hall management computer 70 is performed as follows. First, the desired machine number can be input by pressing the machine number key 14 and operating the desired machine number using the numeric keypad 11. Then, when it is desired to display the number of profit balls of the ball game machine of the input machine number on the display 13, the profit ball number key 15 is pressed. When it is desired to display the disadvantage ball count of the ball game machine corresponding to the input stand number on the display 13, the disadvantage ball count key 16 is pressed.
When it is desired to display the difference number of the ball and ball game machine corresponding to the input stand number, the difference number key 17 is pressed. To display the sales information of the input unit number, the sales key 18 is pressed. When it is desired to display the number of payouts of the ball game machine corresponding to the input stand number, the payout rate key 21 is pressed. When it is desired to display the number of balls held by the ball game machine corresponding to the input stand number, the ball number key 22 is pressed. Further, a desired island number can be input by the ten keys 11 by pressing the island designation key 19. If the profit ball number key 15 is pressed after inputting the desired island number, the total number of profit balls of all the ball game machines installed on the island corresponding to the designated island number is displayed on the display 13. Is done. Thus, if the disadvantageous ball number key 16 is pressed, the total number of disadvantageous balls on the specified island is displayed, and if the difference number key 17 is pressed, the total difference number of the designated island is displayed. If the sales key 18 is pressed, the total sales of the specified island is displayed.If the payout ratio key 21 is pressed, the total payout ratio of the specified island is displayed. When the key 22 is pressed, the total number of balls held on the designated island is displayed. Next, when it is desired to display information on the total of all the ball game machines installed in the amusement arcade, first, all the keys 20 are pressed and then the profit ball number key 15 and the By pressing the profit ball number key 16 or the like, the total number of profit balls or the total number of disadvantage balls can be displayed on the display unit 13 of the entire game arcade. Note that the leftmost number displayed on the display 13 indicates the number of the ball game machine, the number on the right side indicates the number of profit balls, the number on the right side indicates the number of disadvantage balls, The number on the right indicates the difference number, and the number on the right indicates sales data.

Next, an outline of a control circuit of the hall management computer 70 will be described. The hall management computer 70 includes a table-specific profit ball count storage unit 303 and a vehicle-specific disadvantage ball count storage unit 304.
A detection signal of a hit ball detector (hit ball counter) 164, which will be described later, is input to the individual profit ball count storage unit 303. The detection signal of a supply ball detector (supply ball counter) 172 described later is input to the individual disadvantage ball count storage unit 304. The hit ball detector (hit ball counter) 164 and the supply ball detector (supply ball counter) 172 are configured to output a detection signal once, for example, for every ten pachinko balls.

Further, the sales information per unit from the card processor 5 is input to the per-unit disadvantage ball storage unit 304 via the per-unit sales storage unit 342, and the ball possessed by the ball game machine is also provided. The information on the number of possessed balls by car from the number counter 312 is input via the possessed ball number by car storage unit 343. The disadvantageous ball count information from each table and the disadvantageous ball count information from the disadvantageous ball count storage unit 304 are input to the difference calculation unit 300.
The difference number is calculated, and the difference number information is input to and stored in the difference number storage unit 306 for each vehicle. On the other hand, the profit ball count storage unit 303 by unit
The information on the number of profitable balls per vehicle from the unit, the information on the number of disadvantageous balls per vehicle from the storage unit for disadvantageous number of vehicles 304 and the sales information by vehicle from the sales storage unit 342 are input to the payout rate calculation unit 310. Then, the payout rate is calculated. This calculation of the payout rate is performed when the payout rate exceeds 100%. If the payout rate is less than 100%, Is calculated by the following equation. On the other hand, the difference number information calculated by the difference number calculation unit 300 is also input to the hitting command unit 309, and when the difference number reaches a predetermined value such as 4000, the hitting control of the ball game machine is performed. Perform Instead of automatically performing the hit control, the number of the stand to be hit is displayed on the display 13 and the game room attendant looks at it and displays the ball number of the stand number displayed. You may make it stop. Further, only the prize ball paid out based on the winning ball is detected in each ball-and-ball game machine, and the detected pulse signal is frequency-divided, for example, every 10 pulses, and sent to the hall management computer 70 as one unit signal. A pulse divider may be provided, and disadvantageous sphere information may be obtained by the hall management computer 70 based on a signal from the pulse divider. The security computer 307 is provided in the hall management computer 70.
And a backup power supply 311 for measures against power failure or failure.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a pachinko gaming machine 100 as an example of a ball and ball gaming machine.

A card processor 5 is provided on one side in the left-right direction (left side in the drawing) of the pachinko gaming machine 100 so as to be separable from the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the figure, reference numeral 210 denotes an operation display lamp for lighting and displaying that the card processor 5 is operating. The card processor 5 is provided with a card reader / writer 203, and a card insertion / ejection port 202 is provided.
The card reader / writer 203 reads the record information recorded on the card inserted from the device. The card balance included in the read card information is displayed on the card balance display 204. This card balance display 204
May be provided on the pachinko gaming machine 100 side, or may be provided on another place such as a curtain plate. The player operates the selection operation buttons 206A, 206B, 206C to select and designate the amount to be used for the game within the range of the remaining card displayed on the card balance display 204. These sorting operation buttons 206A, 206B,
206C may be provided on the pachinko gaming machine 100 side. If the player selects and designates the amount to be used for the game, the number of balls held corresponding to the selected amount is determined by the pachinko machine 10
After the number is displayed by the possessed ball number indicator 142 provided on the 0 side, a predetermined number (21 in the drawing) of the pachinko balls are paid out on the ball hitting waiting gutter 102. When a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out, the number of balls held after subtracting the number of paid out pachinko balls is displayed on the held ball number display 142. In the drawing, reference numeral 106 denotes a standby gutter ball amount detector, which is constituted by a micro switch or the like, and when a predetermined number (for example, 21) of pachinko balls are paid out as shown in the figure, the switch is turned ON and the pachinko balls are detected. Hitting ball waiting gutter 102
Is controlled to be stopped. The pachinko balls are paid out to the hitting ball waiting gutter 102 by the pachinko balls supplied from the supply gutter 173 provided on the island to the ball tank 146 via the supply ball detector 172, by the ball payout device 134, and the ball supply gutter 136. Is supplied via

When the pachinko balls are paid out into the hitting ball waiting gutter 102, the game becomes possible. When the player operates the operating handle 112, the hitting device 111 including the hitting motor operates (see FIG. 4) to hit the ball. The rod 110 is intermittently oscillated and the ball hitting standby gutter 1
Pachinko balls supplied one by one from 02 to the hit ball firing position on the firing rail 108 are fired and fired. The pachinko balls that have been fired are shot into the gaming area of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In this game area, a game device such as a variable display device including a drum 154 and a variable winning ball device 999 is provided. In the drawing, reference numeral 166 denotes an out port, which is to be collected as an out port when the pachinko ball driven into the game area does not win any of the entrances or the winning ball device. In the figure, reference numeral 114 denotes a ball-pulling solenoid, and the ball-pulling valve 116 is retracted by being excited by the ball-pulling solenoid 114, so that the pachinko balls on the ball hitting waiting gutter 102 pass through the ball-drawing passage 140 onto the ball collecting gutter 170. Is discharged. The pachinko balls discharged onto the ball collecting gutter 170 are detected by a take-in ball detector A (130A), and the detection output is used for control described later.

When the player presses the end operation button 118 with a built-in switch, the ball payout device 134 is operated, and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the number of held balls displayed on the held ball number display 142 is a ball tank 146, a ball. It is paid out onto the ball tray 122 via the payout device 134 and the ball supply gutter 138 at the time of settlement. The ball receiving tray 122 is provided with a ball receiving tray ball removal lever 124, and by operating the ball receiving tray ball removal lever 124, it is possible to remove the pachinko balls accumulated on the ball receiving tray 122 into a ball box or the like. Becomes When the difference number reaches 4000 etc. and is stopped, if all the 4000 pachinko balls are dispensed on the ball tray 122, a considerably long dispensing time (about 6 minutes)
In the meantime, not only does the player need to wait, but also the inconvenience that the ball game machine does not operate during that time occurs. An upper limit M is set, and when the upper limit M is exceeded, when the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the exceeded number of balls is exceeded, the pachinko balls are paid out on the ball tray 122. In this case, the upper limit of the number of balls held may be changed and set by operating a gaming machine or a hall management computer. In the figure, reference numeral 109 denotes a foul ball guiding gutter, which is used to return the ball that did not reach the game area due to the weak hitting force of the hit ball that was shot and fired as a foul ball into the prize ball storage tray 122. is there. In the drawing, reference numeral 103 denotes a hitting ball supply device for supplying hitting balls waiting in a hitting ball supply gutter 102 to hitting ball firing positions on a hitting ball firing rail 108 one by one. A full tank detector 601 detects that the prize ball storage tray 122 is full of pachinko balls, and its detection output is used for control described later. Reference numeral 998 denotes a stop indicator, which lights or blinks to indicate that the stop has occurred.

On the left side of the premium ball storage tray 122 in the figure, a game ball loading tray 126 as an example of a throwing ball receiving unit is provided. When the player throws pachinko balls into the game ball throwing plate 126, the throwing pachinko balls are detected one by one by the catching ball detector B (130B), and a ball collecting gutter 170 provided on the rear island is provided. Released above and discharged outside the aircraft. This captured ball detector B (130B)
Is used for control as described later. In addition, a passage is formed in 135 between the prize ball storage tray 122 and the game ball input tray 126, a shutter that can open and close the passage by manual operation or the like is provided, and the prize ball storage tray 122 is opened by opening the shutter. The stored premium balls may be dropped into the game ball input tray 126 to be detected by the captured ball detector 130.

The card processor 5 may be a card that enables a game to be played even by inserting money, and may be a coin-type one. Further, one card processor 5 is installed between the two gaming machines, and a card insertion / ejection port 202 of the card processor 5 is provided.
And the operation buttons may be configured in two types, one for the right platform and one for the left platform. In addition, the pachinko balls thrown into the catching ball tray 126 may be temporarily stored in the catching ball tray 126, and the thrown-in balls may be taken in based on a player's operation of a catching operation button or the like.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine provided with a card processing machine.

The mechanical plate 144 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is provided with a ball tank 146, a tank rail 148, a ball payout device 134, and the like. Pachinko balls are supplied from a supply gutter 173 provided on the island to a ball tank 146 via a supply ball detector (supply ball counter) 172. The number of replenishment balls supplied to the ball tank 146 is detected by a replenishment ball detector (supply ball counter) 172,
The detection signal is transmitted to the hole management computer 70 via the supply ball detection signal deriving connector 884 and the connector 883. The pachinko ball in the ball tank 146 is discharged from the ball supply gutter 136 onto the ball waiting gutter 102 by the action of the ball dispenser 134 through the tank rail 148 or passes through the ball supply gutter 138 to the ball tray 122 during settlement. Or paid out. In the drawing, reference numeral 168 denotes a ball payout motor, which drives the ball payout device 134. The shot ball driven into the game area wins a winning opening, becomes a winning ball, is gathered by the winning ball collecting gutter 152, and is detected by the winning ball detector 764, and then falls into the driven ball tank 171. Based on the output of the winning ball detector 764, a predetermined number (for example, 15
Prize balls are added and displayed on the possessed ball number display 142 as possessed balls. On the other hand, the out ball collected from the out port 166 also falls into the driving ball tank 171, and after the driving ball including the winning ball and the out ball is detected by the driving ball detector (ball driving ball counter) 164. It falls on the ball collecting gutter 170 provided on the island. The detection output of the hit ball detector (hit ball counter) 164 is used for control as described later. In the figure, 156
Is a game control board, 154 is a drum, 160 is a winning opening, 162
Reference numeral 158 denotes a start winning ball detector for detecting a starting winning ball winning the starting winning port, and reference numeral 158 denotes an attacker solenoid for opening and closing the variable winning ball device 999. Based on the detection output of the starting winning ball detector 162, a predetermined number (for example, seven) of the winning balls per starting winning ball is added and displayed on the holding ball number display 142. Further, in the figure, 176 is a ball payout device control circuit board, and 106 is a standby ball amount detector. Pachinko machine side connector 174
Is provided, and this pachinko gaming machine side connector 174 is provided.
And the ball dispensing device control circuit board 176 are electrically connected. Card processing machine side connectors 175a and 175b are provided on the card processing machine 5 side, and the card processing machine 5 is installed beside the pachinko gaming machine 100, and the card processing machine side connector 175a and the pachinko gaming machine side connector 174 are provided. And are electrically connected. The card processing machine control circuit board 177 is electrically connected to the card processing machine side connector 175a. Further, the card processing machine control circuit board 177 is also connected to the card processing machine side connector 175b, and the card processing machine side connector 175b is connected to the hall management computer 70. Note that information may be exchanged between the hall management computer 70 and the card processor 5 by optical communication. Further, information may be exchanged between the card processing machine 5 and the pachinko gaming machine 100 by optical communication. In this case, the card processing machine 5 is located beside the pachinko gaming machine 100.
It is possible to exchange information between the two without installing any electrical connection just by installing the.

5A and 5B show a ball payout device used in the pachinko gaming machine 100, FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view thereof,
FIG. 5B is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

The ball payout device 134 is provided with a forward / reverse rotation stepping motor (payout motor) 168 as a driving source, and the forward / reverse rotation stepping motor 168 causes the star wheel 770 to rotate forward / reverse. The star wheel 770 has a projection 774 and a fitting recess 772 in which the pachinko ball is fitted and held, and the pachinko ball flowing down from the tank rail 148 fits in the fitting recess 772. The pachinko ball fitted in the fitting recess 772 is released into the hitting supply gutter 136 by the forward / reverse rotation stepping motor 168 rotating forward and the star wheel 770 rotating in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, and the hitting ball waiting gutter 102 Paid out on. On the other hand, when the forward / reverse rotation stepping motor 168 rotates in the reverse direction and the star wheel 770 rotates clockwise in the drawing, the pachinko balls are discharged into the ball supply trough 138 and discharged onto the ball tray 122 at the time of settlement. In the drawing, 176a and 176b are payout ball detectors A and B.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the configuration of the card reader / writer 203 used in the card processor 5. When the card 420 is inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 202 provided in the card reader / writer 203, the inserted card is detected by the card insertion detector 410. The card reader / writer 203 is provided with a motor 422 and a roller 426a rotated by the motor 422, and the conveyance belt 424 is moved by the rotation of the roller 426a. The inserted card 420 is conveyed by the conveying belt 424 in the card taking-in direction (left direction in the figure), and the card data reader 412
Thus, the card information recorded on this card is read, and the card information can be erased by the card data eraser 414. Further, new card data can be written by the card data writer 416. If the card 420 is further transported in the card loading direction, a card holding detector
418, detected position (card holding position)
Stop at It should be noted that the zero card whose value recorded on the card 420 becomes 0 is further conveyed to the left in the figure and discharged onto the card collection conveyor. The card transport motor 422 is a motor that can also rotate in the reverse direction. When the card transport motor 422 rotates in the reverse direction, the card 420 is transported in the card discharge direction (right direction in the figure) and the card insertion / ejection port 202 is inserted.
Is discharged to the player side. The recording medium of the present invention is not limited to the magnetic card 420, but may be any of various kinds such as an IC card, an optical card (using an optical disk memory), a recording medium using a barcode, and a recording medium using thermal transfer. Conceivable.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the card processor.

The microcomputer 250 for controlling the card processor has a function of controlling the operation of various devices described below. Therefore, the microcomputer 250 for controlling the card processing machine is used.
Is composed of, for example, an LSI of several chips, and includes a CPU 2 capable of executing a control operation in a predetermined procedure.
51 and ROM 252 for storing the operation program data of the CPU 251
And a RAM 253 capable of writing and reading necessary data.

Further, a microcomputer 25 for controlling the card processing machine is provided.
Reference numeral 0 denotes an input / output circuit 254 which receives an input signal and provides input data to the CPU 251 and receives output data from the CPU 251 and outputs the data to the outside; and a power-on reset circuit, a clock generation circuit (not shown) Interrupt pulse generation circuit), an address decode circuit, and the like.

The CPU 251 can execute the operation of the interrupt control routine according to the interrupt pulse periodically given from the pulse dividing circuit. The address decode circuit is CPU251
, And supplies a chip select signal to each of the ROM 252, the RAM 253, and the input / output circuit 254.

In this embodiment, the ROM 252 rewrites its contents, that is, stores the CPU 2 stored in the ROM 252 when necessary.
A programmable ROM capable of changing program data for 51 is used. Then, the CPU 251 gives control signals to various devices in response to the input of each control signal described below in accordance with the program data stored in the ROM 252.

The microcomputer 250 for controlling the card processing machine includes:
The following signals are given as input signals.

First, when a card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 202, a card insertion detection signal is input from the card insertion detector 410 via the detection circuit 255. If the card is conveyed to the card holding position, the card holding detector 418 detects the card and a detection signal is input via the detection circuit 255. Card data written on the inserted card is read by the card data reader 412, and the read data is input via the data reading circuit 256. When the player selects and operates the selection operation buttons 206A, 206B, 206C, the corresponding selection operation detectors 206A ', 206B',
206C 'detects the selection operation, and the detection signal is input via the detection circuit 260. When the return operation button 208 is operated, a return operation detection signal is given via the detection circuit 260 from the return operation detector 208 ′. From the gaming machine control microcomputer 263, a signal indicating that the game is over is input.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 250 for controlling the card processing machine
Outputs control signals to the following various devices.

A card writing control signal is applied to card data writer 416 via data writing circuit 257. Data erase circuit 25
A card data erasure control signal is supplied to the card data erasure unit 414 via 8. A card transport control signal is supplied to the card transport motor 422 via the motor drive circuit 259. Card balance display 20 via 7 segment LED drive circuit 261
4 is supplied with a card balance display control signal. An operation indicator lamp control signal is provided to the operation indicator lamp 210 via the lamp drive circuit 262. The game machine control microcomputer 263 is provided with balance update data and information on the number of used balls to be selected and used by the player. The balance update data of the card and the information on the number of used balls are supplied to the hall management computer 70. In addition, terminal box 99
The sales data of the card processing machine and the information on the number of balls in use are provided to the common card central management computers such as the central hall management computer 72 and the general central management computer 74 via the PC.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine. In the control circuit shown in FIG.
Portions common to those shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the common portions will not be repeated here.

The following signals are input to the gaming machine control microcomputer 263.

First, based on the operation of the end operation button 118, an end operation detection signal is given from the end operation detector 118 'via the detection circuit 275. A standby gutter amount detection signal is supplied from the standby gutter amount detector 106 via a detection circuit 271.
Detection circuit of captured ball detection signal from captured ball detector A (130A)
Given via 272A. A captured ball detection signal is provided from a captured ball detector B (130B) via a detection circuit 272B. A winning ball detection signal is provided from the winning ball detector 764 via the detection circuit 273. A payout ball detection signal is provided from the payout ball detectors 176a and 176b via the detection circuit 274. A full tank detection signal from the full tank detector 601 is provided via a detection circuit 609. From the card processing machine control microcomputer 250, balance update data, information on the number of used balls to be used by the player for selection and the like, and the like are input. A hitting command signal and an opening command signal are input from the hall management computer 70.

The gaming machine control microcomputer 263 provides control signals to the following devices.

A take-in solenoid control signal is given to the take-in solenoid 126 via a solenoid drive circuit 275. Motor drive circuit 27
A payout motor control signal is given to the payout motor 168 via 6. Through the 7-segment LED drive circuit 277, a control signal for displaying the number of held balls is given to the held ball number display 142. A signal to the effect that the game is over is given to the card processor controlling microcomputer 250. Information on the number of possessed balls is given to the hall management computer 70. The hall management computer 70 includes:
A hit ball detection signal and a supply ball detection signal are provided from a hit ball detector (hit ball counter) 164 and a refill ball detector (supply ball counter) 172 provided corresponding to the gaming machine.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control circuit of the card processor shown in FIG.

First, in step S (hereinafter referred to as S) 1, it is determined whether or not the card processing machine is in a usable state.
Is turned off. On the other hand, if it is in a usable state, the process proceeds to S3, in which an operation indicator lamp is lit to display that it is currently usable. Next, the process proceeds to S4, where it is determined whether or not the card insertion detector 410 has been turned ON, and the process of S3 is continued until it is turned ON. When the card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 202 and the card insertion detector 410 is turned on, the process proceeds to S5, and the transport motor 422 (see FIG. 6) is rotated forward to transport the inserted card in the card loading direction. I do. Then, the card conveyed in the loading direction is read by the card data reader 412 (see S6), and by S7,
It is determined whether or not the card data reader 412 (see FIG. 6) has been turned on. If the card data reader 412 has not been turned on, the process of S6 is continued. Then, the card holding detector is turned on while the card has been transported to the card holding position.
The process proceeds to S8, where the transport motor is stopped, and the transport of the card is stopped. Next, the process proceeds to S9, where it is determined whether or not the inserted card is a proper card. If the inserted card is an improper card such as a counterfeit card, the process proceeds to S10, the conveyance motor is reversed to convey the card in the ejection direction, and the card partially protrudes from the card insertion / ejection port 202 The card insertion detector is switched from ON to OFF by transporting to the state, at which stage the process proceeds to S12, where the transport motor is stopped, and the process returns to S1 again.

On the other hand, if the inserted card is a proper card, S1
Proceeding to 3, it is determined whether there is a card balance included in the card information read in step S6. If there is no card balance, proceed to S29, rotate the carry motor to carry the card in the card ejection direction, erase the card information in S30, and check in S31 whether the card insertion detector has been turned on. Judgment is made and S3 until turned ON
Continue the processing of 0. Then, when the card is conveyed in the card ejection direction until the card insertion detector is turned on, S3
Proceeding to 2, the transport motor is stopped to stop transporting the card, and then the transport motor is rotated forward in S33 to transport the card again in the card loading direction. Then, in S34, it is determined whether or not the card holding detector has been turned from ON to OFF, and the process waits until the card holding detector is turned OFF. Then, when the card is discharged onto the card collection conveyor, the card holding detector switches from ON to OFF, proceeds to S35, stops the transport motor, and returns to S1.

If there is a card balance on the inserted card, S14
To display the card balance on the card balance display 204 (see FIG. 3). Next, the process proceeds to S15, and it is determined whether or not the sorting operation detector C is turned on. If not, the process proceeds to S17, and the sorting operation detector B is turned on.
It is determined whether or not the sorting operation detector A has been turned ON. If the sorting operation detector A has not been turned ON, the process proceeds to S23. Then, it is determined whether or not the return operation detector is turned ON. If the player operates the sorting operation button 206C, the process proceeds to S16, and it is determined whether or not the balance of the inserted card is equal to or more than "1000" .If the balance is less than "1000", the process proceeds to S17 but "1000" If not, the process proceeds to S18. In S18, "1000" is subtracted from the card balance, and the corresponding data, for example, information on the number of used balls, is calculated by the microcomputer for controlling the gaming machine,
Processing for output to the hall management computer and terminal box is performed. The data output at 18, S20, and S22 are data indicating that the selection operation buttons 206A, 206B, and 206C have been effectively operated, and "1000", "50"
Data indicating that “0” and “100” have been subtracted, or the number of balls corresponding to “1000”, “500”, and “100” with respect to the ball number data (for example, “250”, “125”, “25”) ) May be any of the data instructing the addition, and the type of data to be output may be changed according to the output destination.
Further, the conversion process (for example, the process of converting “1000” yen to “250”) into the number of balls corresponding to the subtracted amount subtracted from the card balance may be performed on the card processing machine side, It may be performed on the gaming machine side. Next, if the player presses the selection operation button B (206B), the process proceeds to S19, where it is determined whether or not the balance of the inserted card is equal to or more than "500". If the balance is less than "500", the process proceeds to S21. Proceed but "50
If it is not less than "0", the process proceeds to S20. At S20, "500" is subtracted from the card balance, and the corresponding data (for example, information on the number of used balls) is transferred to the microcomputer for controlling the gaming machine,
Processing for outputting to the hall management computer and terminal box is performed. Next, the player operates the selection operation button 20.
If you press 6A, proceed to S22, from the card balance to "100"
And the corresponding data (for example, information on the number of used balls)
Is output to the gaming machine control microcomputer, the hall management computer, and the terminal box, and the process returns to S13. On the other hand, if the player presses the return button 208 (see FIG. 3), the process proceeds to S25, in which the transport motor is reversed to transport the inserted card in the card ejection direction. Then, the process proceeds to S26, in which a process of erasing the card information, writing the card information, and reading and confirming the written contents is performed. In S27, it is determined whether the result of the read confirmation is OK. Is subjected to error processing in S28, and if OK, proceeds to S11. On the other hand, if the return operation button has not been pressed, the process proceeds to S24, where it is determined whether or not the game has been completed (whether or not a game end operation has been performed or whether or not the game has been stopped). If the game has not been completed yet, the process returns to S15, but if the game has been completed, the process proceeds to S25.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG.

First, in S40, it is determined whether or not balance update data including the used ball count information has been input from the card processing machine control microcomputer, and if not, the process proceeds to S42, but if there is, the process proceeds to S41, After the processing for adding the value (number of used balls) corresponding to the input content to the held ball number counter is performed, the process proceeds to S42. In S42, it is determined whether or not there is a winning ball. If there is no winning ball, the process proceeds to S44. If there is, however, the process proceeds to S43, where a process of adding n to the possessed ball counter is performed, and the process proceeds to S44. This n is the number of possessed balls corresponding to a predetermined number (for example, 15) of prize balls paid out for winning one pachinko ball. As described above, in the present embodiment, when a pachinko ball is won, regardless of the number of pachinko balls on the hit ball waiting gutter 102, n is counted toward the possessed ball number counter.
However, when a pachinko ball is won, a pachinko ball is first paid out on the hit ball waiting gutter 102, and a predetermined number of pachinko balls on the hit ball waiting gutter 102 (for example, 21 pieces) are added. ), The remaining ball number to be added may be added to the ball number counter when the remaining ball number to be added still remains.

Next, it is determined whether or not a captured ball is detected in S44, and if the captured ball is not detected, the process proceeds to S46,
When the player throws in the pachinko balls into the game ball throwing tray 126 (see FIG. 3) and the balls are taken in, or when the ball hits on the waiting gutter is taken in after processing of S72 described later, the ball is taken in. The ball is detected by the catching ball detector A (130A) or the catching ball detector B (130B), and the process proceeds to S45, where "1" is added to the possessed ball number counter, and the catching ball detection signal is used for the hall. Processing for outputting to the management computer is performed. this
By S45, every time one pachinko ball is taken in, the ball number counter is incremented by "1". Next, it is determined whether or not a payout ball is detected in S46, and if not, the process proceeds to S50.If the payout ball detectors 176a and 176b detect a payout ball by operating the payout motor 150, the process proceeds to S47.
Then, the process of adding "1" to the possessed ball number counter is performed, and the process proceeds to S46.

Next, it is determined whether or not a payout ball is detected in S46, and if a payout ball is not detected, the process proceeds to S48,
When the payout motor operates, the payout ball detectors 176a, 176
If b detects a payout ball, the process proceeds to S47, where a process of subtracting "1" from the possessed ball counter is performed, and the process proceeds to S48.

In S48, it is determined whether or not the number-of-payouts counter is "0". In this payout number counter,
The number of pachinko balls remaining on 102 becomes low and the standby gutter ball amount detector 1
It is set to “25” in S64 described later on condition that 06 has been switched to OFF, and becomes “0” when the payout on the hit ball waiting gutter 102 is completed. When the payout counter is “0”, it means that the payout of the pachinko balls onto the hit ball waiting gutter 102 has been completed, or that the payout motor is reversed and the pachinko balls are paid out to the premium ball storage tray 122. And when the number-of-payouts counter is "0"
Proceeds to S50, but if it is in the stage of paying out pachinko balls on the hitting ball waiting gutter 102, a NO determination is made in S48, the process proceeds to S49, and after subtracting "1" from the number-of-payouts counter, to S50 move on. That is, in the step of paying out pachinko balls to the hitting ball waiting gutter 102, every time one pachinko ball is paid out by the ball payout device 134, the determination of YES is made in S46, and the payout number counter is set to, for example, "25" in S49. Is subtracted from the value of "1". Then, when 25 pachinko balls have been paid out, for example, YES is determined in S48, and as will be described later, the payout motor is stopped, and no more pachinko balls are paid out.

In S50, the value of the possessed ball counter is outputted to the hall management computer, and the value of the possessed ball counter is displayed on the possessed ball number display 14.
The display processing is performed by 2. At the start of the game, the number of balls to be displayed by the number-of-balls display 142 indicates that the number of balls corresponding to the amount selected by the player has been added to the number-of-balls counter at S41, as shown in S41. The number of diving balls corresponding to the selected amount is displayed, but instead, the remaining diving number after paying out a predetermined number of pachinko balls on the hit ball waiting gutter 102 is displayed as the diving ball number indicator 142. May be displayed. By using the S50 and the number-of-balls indicator 142, the value of use that displays the value of use related to the value of value to be used determined by the operation of the player to use the value of value specified by the recording medium Value display means is configured. Further, the value-in-use display means includes:
The number of balls held may be displayed as the sum of the current value of the held ball counter and the pachinko balls on the hit ball waiting gutter 102.

Next, the process proceeds to S51, where it is determined whether or not the ball number counter is “0”. If the ball number counter is not “0”, the process proceeds to S52 to determine whether the game end flag is “0”. A determination is made as to whether or not it is. This game end flag indicates the current state of the game machine. When the game end flag is "0", the game machine is not in the stopped state and is in a state before the end operation button 118 is pressed. When the game end flag is “1”, the state is after the end operation button 118 is pressed. Further, when the game end flag is “2”, it is a case where the hitting is established. Then, when the game end flag is “0”, that is, when the gaming machine is not in the hitting state and before the end operation button 118 is pressed, the process proceeds to S53, and it is determined whether or not the payout number counter is “0”. A decision is made. Then, at the stage of the step of paying out pachinko balls to the hitting ball waiting gutter 102, a determination of NO is made by S53, and by S58,
The payout motor is rotated forward, and the pachinko balls are paid out onto the ball hitting waiting gutter 102 by the ball payout device 134 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). On the other hand, a predetermined number (for example, 25
If the number of pachinko balls are paid out on the ball hitting waiting gutter 102, the number-of-payouts counter becomes "0" as described above.
Is determined as YES, the process proceeds to S38, and it is determined whether or not the count value of the possessed ball number counter is larger than M. This M is the upper limit of the number of balls to be displayed on the ball number display 142, and is a number such as 1000. If the ball count is not greater than M, the flow proceeds to S57, in which the payout motor is stopped and payout of the pachinko balls is stopped. On the other hand, if the number-of-balls counter is larger than M, it is determined in S39 whether or not a full tank has been detected.
The payout motor is reversed by 9 to pay out the pachinko balls into the prize ball storage tray 122. On the other hand, if the prize ball storage tray 122 is full of pachinko balls, a YES determination is made in S39, the process proceeds to S57, and the payout motor is stopped and controlled. On the other hand, if the held ball counter is "0", the flow proceeds to S54, and it is determined whether or not the ball ejection solenoid is ON. The ball-pulling solenoid 114 is automatically turned on when a game end condition including a case where the player presses the end operation button 118 and a case where a hit is established is established (see S27), and the ball is on standby. This is for automatically taking the pachinko balls waiting in the gutter 102. Then, in a state where the player presses the game end button 118 and all the pachinko balls in the hit ball waiting gutter 102 are taken in and the ball ejection solenoid is switched off again, a NO determination is made in S54 and S55 is performed. Will make a determination of YES. Then, in S56, the game end flag is set to “0”, and the process proceeds to S57. In this manner, by setting the game end flag to “0” in S56, the next player can restart the game with the gaming machine. On the other hand, if the pachinko ball in the hit ball waiting gutter 102 is still being extracted, the determination of YES is made in S54 and the process proceeds to S57, and the game end flag is “1”.
If not, the process proceeds to S57 without performing the process of S56.

Next, in a case where the player has pressed the end operation button 118 in a state where the number of possessed balls is stored in the possessed ball number counter, or if the player has been hit, a NO determination is made in S52. On the condition that the prize ball storage tray 122 is not full, the payout motor is reversely controlled in S59, and the prize ball storage device 134 (FIGS. 5A and 5B) moves the prize ball into the prize ball storage tray 122. Is paid out. This S59
Every time one prize ball is dispensed with the reverse rotation control of the dispensing motor, the determination of YES is made in S46, and the subtraction process of "1" of the ball number counter by S47 is performed. At the stage when all the prize balls corresponding to the count value of the counter have been paid out, the value of the possessed ball counter becomes “0”, and the determination of YES is made in S51, and the prize ball payout control in S59 is stopped.

Next, the process proceeds to S60, and it is determined whether or not the game end flag is “0” .If the gaming machine is not in the hit state and before the end operation button 118 is pressed, the process proceeds to S61, Whether or not the waiting gutter ball amount detector 106 is ON, that is, the number of pachinko balls waiting in the hit ball waiting gutter decreases to a predetermined amount (for example, about 0 to 3) inconvenient for continuing the game. It is determined whether or not there is still enough balls in the standby gutter, but the flow proceeds to S73.If the amount has decreased to the predetermined amount, the flow proceeds to S62, and whether the number-of-payouts counter is "0" A determination is made as to whether or not it is. And
If the number-of-payout counter is "0", the process proceeds to S63, and it is determined whether the number-of-balls counter is "25" or more. If the number-of-balls counter is "25" or more, the process proceeds to S64. Proceed,
After setting the number-of-payouts counter to "25", the process proceeds to S73.
On the other hand, if the ball count is less than “25”, pachinko balls are counted from the ball count stored in the ball count.
Since it cannot be dropped on the 25 hit ball waiting gutter 102, the process proceeds to S65, and the current value of the ball number counter is set to the number-of-payouts counter. In the next execution of this program, since the value of “0” or more is set in the number-of-payouts counter in S64 or S65, a NO determination is made in S62, and the processing in S64 or S65 is performed. Absent.

On the other hand, when the gaming machine is in a state after the end operation button 118 is pressed or in a state where a hit is established, it is necessary to release the pachinko balls in the hit ball waiting gutter 102 into the prize ball storage tray 122. However, in that case, the process proceeds to S66, and it is determined whether or not a standby ball is detected by the standby gutter ball amount detector, and there are many pachinko balls on the hit ball standby gutter 102 and the standby gutter ball amount detector If a ball is detected as a waiting ball, the process proceeds to S72, in which control is performed to turn on the ball ejection solenoid to pull the pachinko ball in the hit ball waiting gutter 102 onto the ball collecting gutter 170. As a result, the number of pachinko balls in the hit ball waiting gutter 102 is extracted and gradually decreases, and finally, the waiting gutter ball amount detector detects no waiting ball. In that state, the process proceeds to S67, and it is determined whether or not the ball ejection timer has expired,
If the ball-drop timer has not been set yet, the determination of YES is made in S67, the ball-drop timer is set in S68, and the flow proceeds to S72. The ball removal timer measures a sufficient time required to remove all the pachinko balls remaining in the hit ball waiting gutter 102 when the detection of the waiting ball by the waiting gutter ball amount detector 106 is stopped. It is for doing. Then, when executing the next program after the ball drop timer is set, a NO determination is made in S67 and the process proceeds to S69, in which the ball drop timer is decremented ("1" is subtracted). If the timer has not expired, the flow proceeds to S72. If the timer is terminated in this state, the flow proceeds to S71, where the ball-pulling solenoid is controlled to be turned off and the ball-pulling control is terminated, and then the flow proceeds to S73. S60, S66〜S72, S44,
By S45, S50 and possessed ball number display 142, the valuable value corresponding to the secured ball secured by the hit ball securing means is added and updated based on establishment of a predetermined ending condition for ending the game and displayed. A secure ball addition display means is configured. On the other hand, if the player inserts the pachinko ball into the game ball insertion tray 126, the inserted ball is detected by the intake ball detector 130R, the determination of YES is made in S44, and the intake ball 1 is made in S45.
"1" is added to the possessed ball number counter for each ball, and a game can be performed based on the added ball number. As a result, even if the number of held balls displayed on the held ball number display is “0”, the player inserts the pachinko balls into the game ball insertion plate 126 and takes in the pachinko balls. A game can be played based on the inserted pachinko balls.

Next, in S73, it is determined whether or not a hitting input has been received from the hall management computer. If a hitting input has been made, the game end flag is set to "2" in S74, and the process proceeds to S73.
Return to 40. On the other hand, if there is no hitting input, the process proceeds to S75, and it is determined whether or not the game end flag is "2". If "2", that is, if the gaming machine is already hitting, S78 is reached. Then, it is determined whether or not there is an opening input from the hall management computer.
The process proceeds to 0, but if there is, the process proceeds to S79, the game end flag is set to “0”, and the process returns to S40. That is, when there is an opening input from the hall management computer, the game end flag is set to "0" so that the next player can play the game. Further, if the game end flag is not "2", the process proceeds to S76, and it is determined whether or not the end operation is detected. If the end operation button 118 is not pressed, the process returns to S40 as it is, and the end operation is performed. If the button has been pressed, the flow proceeds to S77, in which the game end flag is set to “1”, and then the flow returns to S40. At this time, control is performed to discharge the inserted card to the player based on the end operation button 118 being pressed.

In the embodiment described above, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are hit again when the predetermined amount is inconvenient for continuing the game, such as when the number of pachinko balls on the hitting ball waiting gutter 102 has run out or has decreased. Although the one that is released onto the standby gutter 102 is shown, instead of this, one pachinko ball may be released to the hit ball standby gutter every time one pachinko ball is fired. In addition, although the calculation and storage function of the number of possessed balls is provided in the possessed ball number counter of the ball-and-ball game machine, instead,
The card processor may have a function of calculating and storing the number of balls. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the pachinko ball inserted into the game ball input tray 126 is detected by the take-in ball detector 130 and is once added to a possessed ball number counter, and is added to the possessed ball number counter. Although it is possible to play a game using numbers, instead of this, the inserted pachinko balls are temporarily stored in the game ball input plate 126, and the stored pachinko balls are stored one by one. The game may be supplied to the hitting ball firing position on the hitting ball firing rail 108 and fired one by one into the game area by the hitting rod 110 to play a game. In that case, a hit ball selection button or the like is provided on the gaming machine, and the game ball
Even if the player can select and operate a state of performing a ballistic game using the pachinko balls inserted in 6 and a state of performing a game using the number of balls held in the held ball number counter. Good. Instead of paying out the prize ball as it is on the prize ball storage plate 122 when the stop is established, the prize ball may be paid out only when the player operates to pay out the prize ball. .

Further, in the present embodiment, at the end of the game, the capture of the remaining balls of the hit ball waiting gutter and the payout of the balls for the number of possessed balls are performed simultaneously, but after the capture of the remaining balls of the hit ball waiting gutter is completed. The payout of the balls for the number of possessed balls may be performed. In this case, a step of “set ball drop flag” is inserted after S74 and S77, and a determination of NO is made in S52, and a step of determining whether the ball drop flag is set is inserted in the course of traveling to S39. If it is set, the process proceeds to S57. If it is not set, the process proceeds to S30. Further, after S71, a step of "clearing the ball drop flag" may be inserted. In this way, the player can more accurately grasp the number of balls at the end of the game.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the hall management computer shown in FIG. 2B.

First, I = 1 is defined by S78 ', and by S79', N = 1
= (Total number of gaming machines installed in the amusement arcade) is defined. Next, in S80, it is determined whether or not the balance update input has been made from the I-th card processing machine. At this point, since I = 1, it is determined whether or not there has been a balance update input from the first card processing machine. If there is no update input, the flow proceeds to S83, and it is determined whether or not there is an input from the supply ball counter of the I-th (the first). If not, the flow proceeds to S85, and the microcomputer for controlling the gaming machine of the I-th. It is determined whether or not there has been an input of the catching ball detection from, and if there is no input, the process proceeds to S87, and it is determined whether or not there has been an input from the hit ball counter of the I-th (first). To S89. On the other hand, if there is a balance update input from the I-th (first) card processing machine, the process proceeds to S81, and the I-th (first)
Is performed by adding a value corresponding to the input content to the storage content of the unit-specific sales storage unit 312 corresponding to the update. So this
By S81, the sales data of the I-th (the first) is cumulatively calculated. Next, proceeding to S82, a process of subtracting and updating a value corresponding to the input content (the number of balls corresponding to the balance update amount) from the storage content of the per-unit disadvantageous ball count storage unit 304 corresponding to the I-th (the first). Done. Next, when there is an input from the replenishment ball counter (supply ball detector) of the I-th (the first), the process proceeds to S84, and the number of the disadvantageous ball count storage unit 304 corresponding to the I-th (the first) is stored in the storage unit 304. A process of adding and updating a value corresponding to the input content (the number of spheres corresponding to one input signal) to the stored content is performed. That is, a part of the replenishing ball supplied to the pachinko gaming machine is paid out to the ball tray 122 as a prize ball (unfavorable ball), while the other replenishing balls are provided as a prize ball or a ball for lending 102 It is released above. However, the disadvantage ball count information indicates only the balls paid out as the premium balls. Therefore, when obtaining the disadvantage ball count information, not only the replenishment ball data from the replenishment ball counter is added and updated, but also the aforementioned rental ball as a loaned ball paid out based on the balance update input information from the card processing machine in S82. The information on the number of used balls is subtracted and updated.

Next, if a captured ball detection signal is sent from the gaming machine control microcomputer of the I-th (the first) (see S45), YES is determined in S85 and the process proceeds to S86, where the I-th (the first) Is performed to subtract and update the value corresponding to the input content from the storage content of the vehicle-specific disadvantage ball count storage unit corresponding to the above, whereby the subtraction ball count subtraction update based on the captured ball is performed.

Next, when data is input from the hitting ball counter of the I-th (first), in S88, the input is made according to the input to the storage contents of the profit ball count storage unit 303 corresponding to the I-th (the first). A process of adding and updating the value (the number of spheres corresponding to one input signal) is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S89, in which a process of updating the storage content of the number-of-balls storage unit for each car corresponding to the I-th car (the first car) to the current ball number data is performed. Then, the updated ball count of each vehicle is updated and stored in the vehicle-specific ball number storage unit 313. Even if it occurs, it is stored and held by the backup power supply 311 (see FIG. 2B). Instead of providing the hall management computer 70 with the function of storing and updating the number of possessed balls, the repeater for storing the number of possessed balls 8 may be provided with an update storage function of the number of possessed balls for each vehicle. Further, a backup power supply may be provided for each of the gaming machines so as to cope with a power failure or failure.

Next, the process proceeds to S90, where a process of calculating the difference number of the I-th (the first) is performed. This difference number is calculated by the number of profit balls- (the number of disadvantage balls + the number of balls). Next, the process proceeds to S91, in which it is determined whether or not the difference number has reached the stop setting value. If not, the process proceeds to S93. The hit signal is output to the microcomputer for controlling the gaming machine of (1), and the hit control is automatically performed.
Next, in S93, it is determined whether or not I = N. At this stage, since I = 1, NO is determined in S93 and the process proceeds to S94, where I = I + 1, that is, I is set to “1”.
A process for updating to the added new value is performed, and the process returns to S80. As a result, since I = 2, in the next process of S80 to S92, the process for the second stage is performed. If the processes of S80 to S92 are performed N times, that is, the total number of the game machines installed in the game arcade, a determination of YES is made in S93, and the process proceeds to S95.
= 1, and the processes from S80 to S92 are repeated from the first unit again. In the present embodiment, the supply ball is detected as the disadvantage ball number, and the driving ball is detected as the profit ball number. However, a winning ball or a payout ball is detected instead of the supply ball as the disadvantage ball number. Alternatively, instead of hit balls, the number of launch balls and foul balls may be detected as the number of profit balls, and the number of foul balls subtracted from the number of launch balls may be used as the number of profit balls. The number of outgoing balls may be added to the number of winning balls after detection and the number of outgoing balls may be used as the number of profitable balls. In addition, the sales information, difference number, profit ball number, disadvantage ball number, etc. obtained for each vehicle are
The total may be accumulated for each day, every month, or every year, and the aggregation may be performed for each pachinko gaming machine, for each island, or for each game arcade. In the program shown in FIG. 11, simultaneous processing may be performed in parallel for each pachinko gaming machine. In addition, the number of balls corresponding to the update of the card balance is subtracted from the calculation of the actual disadvantageous ball number, i.e., the number of replenishment balls, by the number of balls corresponding to the detection of the captured ball by the captured ball detector. The calculation for obtaining the number of balls as a result of adding the number of balls may be performed by the card processor 5 or the held ball number storage repeater 8.

At the end of the game, a value object other than the pachinko ball (a recording medium on which information capable of specifying the number of possessed balls is recorded, a coin corresponding to the number of possessed balls, etc.) may be paid out. In this case, the number of possessed balls may be directly recorded on the recording medium, or may be stored in the hall management computer in a state where the recording medium can be called out with a clue.

Second Embodiment FIGS. 12 to 14 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an overall rear view showing a partial internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine. First, differences from FIG. 4 will be mainly described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is provided with a prize ball pulse deriving connector 882 for deriving a prize ball pulse corresponding to the number of prize balls given in accordance with the winning of the hit ball. ing. When the pachinko gaming machine 100 is installed on an island, the connector 883 connected to the supply ball detection signal deriving connector 884 is reconnected to the prize ball pulse deriving connector 882. By doing so, the prize ball pulse signal from the pachinko gaming machine 100 is transmitted to the hall management computer 70 and used for data processing described later.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the gaming machine control program shown in FIG. 10 and explains differences from the gaming machine control program shown in FIG. First S1
A determination is made as to whether or not a winning ball has been detected by 02, and if not detected, the process proceeds to S109, but if detected, the process proceeds to S103,
A process of adding N to the number of hit balls counter is performed. This N
Is a value corresponding to the number of prize balls to be paid out per winning of one pachinko ball, and is, for example, “15”. Next, the process proceeds to S104, in which processing is performed to output a number of prize ball pulses corresponding to the integer part of N / L. This L is a number such as “10”, for example, and is set to a value corresponding to the number of replenishing balls being replenished each time one pulse signal is derived from the replenishing ball counter 172. Therefore, when, for example, "15" is added to the prize ball counter, if L = 10, a prize ball pulse is output from the ball game machine by one pulse in S104. The ball game machine is provided with a prize ball pulse deriving connector for deriving a prize ball pulse separately, and the connector 883 shown in FIG. The gift ball pulse is configured to be transmitted to the hall management computer 70. On the other hand, a process is performed in S105 in which the number of decimal parts of N / L is added to the decimal counter. For example, when N = 15 and L = 10, 15/10 = 1.5, and only 0.5 is added to the decimal counter. Next, the process proceeds to S106, in which it is determined whether or not the decimal counter has become 1 or more. If it has not become 1 or more, the process proceeds to S109. Is subtracted from, and the process of outputting a prize ball pulse to the one-pulse hall management computer is performed in S108.

Next, the processing from S109 to S114 is shown in FIG.
Similar to the processing of S44 to S49, in S115, only the processing of displaying the value of the possessed ball number counter on the possessed ball number display is performed, and as in S50 shown in FIG. 10, the value of the possessed ball number counter is Is not output to the hall management computer. After the processing of S115, S5 shown in FIG.
Exactly the same processing as that after 1 is performed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another example of the hole management control program shown in FIG. The differences from the program shown in FIG. 11 will be described. After the process of S123 is performed or when the determination of NO is made in S122, the process proceeds to S124, and it is determined whether or not an I-th prize ball pulse has been input, and if not, the process proceeds to S126. If there is, go to S125. In S125, a process of adding and updating a value corresponding to the number of input pulses to the storage content of the number of disadvantageous spheres storage unit corresponding to the I-th order is performed. Next, proceed to S126,
It is determined whether or not there is an input from the hit ball counter of the I-th stand. If there is no input, the process proceeds to S128.
Proceeding to S127, processing is performed for adding and updating a value corresponding to the input content to the storage content of the number-of-vehicle profitable ball count storage unit corresponding to the I-th car. Next, the process proceeds to S128, where a process of calculating the difference number of the I-th stage is performed. Specifically, the difference number is calculated by the formula: difference number = the number of profitable balls−the number of disadvantageous balls. Here, "the number of profit balls"
It is the value of the storage content of the unit-by-unit profitable ball count storage unit that has been added and updated and stored in S127, and the "number of disadvantageous ball" is S1
25 is the value of the storage content of the vehicle-specific disadvantage ball count storage unit updated by adding 25. Next, the processing after S129 is the same as the processing shown after S91 in FIG.

As described above, in the program shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the value of the actual disadvantage ball, that is, the value added to the possessed ball counter only by winning the pachinko ball, is disadvantageous on the side of the hall management computer. It is determined by adding the number of balls to the number of balls (see S90).
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 14, the actual disadvantage ball count is obtained by adding N to the possessed ball counter only when a winning ball is detected on the gaming machine control microcomputer side. (See S103). As a result, there is no need for the hall management computer to calculate the actual number of disadvantageous balls, and the pulse signal sent from the connector 883 is added to and updated in the storage contents of the individual disadvantageous ball count storage unit as before. It is enough to just do
There is no need to change the program for the hall management computer.

Third Embodiment FIG. 15 is an overall front view of a pachinko gaming machine showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. Only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the supply device 500 and the ball supply gutter 5 are connected to the supply gutter 173 installed on the island.
It is configured to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls directly into the ball receiving tray 122 via 07. The supply device 500 has a built-in detector capable of detecting the number of pachinko balls supplied. When the number of pachinko balls detected by this detector reaches the number corresponding to the number of balls in the ball number display 142, the supply device 500 is stopped and the payout of premium balls is stopped. In addition, the winning balls are gathered by the winning ball collecting gutter 504 and fall on the hit ball collecting gutter 502 after being detected by the winning ball detector 503, and the out ball also falls on the hit ball collecting gutter 502, and the out ball is won. Both the ball and the ball are gathered by the hit ball gathering gutter 502. Then, when the number of hits of the hit ball waiting gutter 102 decreases, a predetermined amount of hit balls is again supplied to the hit ball waiting gutter 102 by the ball supply gutter 505, and the number of supplied balls is displayed on the holding ball number display 142. Is subtracted from the number of balls held. The ball supply gutter 505 also has a built-in detector capable of detecting the number of pachinko balls supplied. In other words, if the pachinko ball on the hit ball waiting gutter 102 is fired and fired, the repelled ball returns to the hit ball waiting gutter 102, and the pachinko ball gaming machine 100 of the second embodiment is a so-called enclosed ball. It adopts the method. In the drawing, reference numeral 506 denotes a waiting gutter ball amount detector, and reference numeral 501 denotes a furl opening for returning foul balls to the hit ball waiting gutter. Note that, instead of the enclosed ball method, a pachinko gaming machine may be supplied directly from the supply gutter 173 of the island onto the hit ball waiting gutter 102.

In the first, second, and third embodiments, the amount of money to be used by the player within the range of the value recorded on the inserted card is determined by the selection operation buttons 206A, 206B, and 20.
6C shows what to select, but instead, just by inserting a card, a uniform amount is automatically subtracted, and a ball is released on the hitting waiting gutter within the range of the subtracted amount, making it possible to play games You may make it become. Further, the ball may be discharged onto the hitting ball waiting gutter only after a predetermined game start button is operated after the selection operation of the selection operation buttons 206A to 206C is performed. In other words, the "operation for the player to use the value specified by the recording medium" in the present invention is not limited to only the operation of selecting the amount of money to be used, but only the operation of inserting the card or the operation of selecting the card and the selection operation. This is a broad concept including operations other than the selection operation. Further, an upper plate may be provided as in a normal pachinko gaming machine, and a pachinko ball may be inserted into the upper plate to allow a player to play a game. In the case of such a pachinko gaming machine, the selection operation buttons 206A, 206
B, 206C, all the pachinko balls corresponding to the amount selected and designated may be discharged to the upper plate so that the ball display on the ball display is not performed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the card processing machine 5 is disposed on the side of the game machine.
May be integrally incorporated in the game machine in a state where the curtain plate portion or the lower part of the island and the separable state can be separated, and the arrangement location is not limited to the embodiment. Further, although a case where a predetermined number of pachinko balls are supplied to the hit ball waiting gutter 102 is shown, a pachinko ball having a predetermined weight and a pachinko ball having a predetermined volume may be supplied. That is, the “predetermined amount” in the present invention is a broad concept including “predetermined number”.

When an operation is performed by the player to use the value specified by the recording medium according to S18, S20, and S22, a ball corresponding to a value to be used determined by the operation is used. A lending command information output unit capable of outputting command information for lending to the ball game machine is configured.
The gaming machine control microcomputer 263 constitutes a ball payout control means for performing a prize ball payout operation by the ball payout device when a ball hits a prize area provided in the game area. By S104 and S108,
Each time the number of payout prize balls by the ball payout device reaches a predetermined number, a signal output means for outputting a payout signal to that effect is configured. Then, as shown in the second embodiment described above, the predetermined number of payout prize balls determined so that the signal output means outputs a payout signal is set on the gaming machine installation island. The replenishing device for replenishing the ball game machine outputs a replenishment signal every time the replenishment of a predetermined number of balls is performed. Match.

Further, the ball game machine is an island-side connector provided on the game machine installation island side, and connected to the replenishing device side for receiving and transmitting a replenishment signal output by the replenishing device. A connector (882) to which a connector (883) can be connected is further provided, and a payout signal output by the signal output means is configured to be output from the connector connection (882). Further, as described above, the ball payout control means (the gaming machine control microcomputer 263) provided in the ball game machine is provided with the command information transmitted from the lending command information output means of the recording medium processing device. In accordance with the above, the ball payout device is operated to control the lending of the balls (S40, S41, S53, S58).

[Effect of the Invention] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, a signal to that effect is output each time the number of prize payout balls by the ball payout means reaches a predetermined number, and pure disadvantage information without ball lending information is output. Is output,
The hall management computer receiving this information can collect pure disadvantage information. In addition, the predetermined number of payout prize balls determined to output the payout signal is determined by the replenishing device that supplies balls to the ball game machine installed on the gaming machine installation island by the predetermined number of balls. Each time a replenishment is performed, a replenishment signal to that effect is output. Since the number of replenishment matches the predetermined number of balls, for example, a management computer for a hall that receives the output payout signal and collects disadvantage information, It is sufficient to use the conventional general equipment which collects the disadvantage information by receiving the supply signal output from the supply device, and it is not necessary to largely modify the existing facilities of the game arcade.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the payout signal is generated by replacing the island-side connector with the connector connecting portion of the ball game machine and connecting the island-side connector. Since it is output from the connector connection portion to the island side connector and can be transmitted to, for example, a hall management computer, pure disadvantageous information without lending information can be totaled by a simple operation of replacing and connecting the connector. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, the command information from the lending command information output means is transmitted using light as a transmission medium, and the ball game is performed. The lending command information output means and the ball payout control means are not directly electrically connected because they are inputted to the ball payout control means of the machine. As a result, for example, an abnormal high voltage is generated on the lending command information output unit side due to a failure or the like, and the abnormal high voltage is directly input to the ball payout control unit, and the inconvenience that the ball payout control unit also becomes abnormal can be prevented as much as possible. .

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, since the ball game machine and the recording medium processing device can be separated, For example, when replacing a ball-and-ball game machine with another ball-and-ball game machine, the recording medium processing device is installed without replacement as it is, and it is possible to replace only the ball-and-ball game machine,
The conventional recording medium processing device can be effectively used as it is.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to fourth aspects, in addition to the effects of the first to fourth aspects, a ball game is performed according to the command information transmitted from the lending command information output means of the recording medium processing device. In order for the ball payout control means provided in the machine to operate the ball payout device to perform ball lending control, the ball game without any means for performing control for ball lending is not provided in the recording medium processing device separately. The ball lending control can be performed by effectively using the existing ball payout control means provided in the machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram showing a game management equipment device using a ball game machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2A is an overall schematic configuration diagram showing a game arcade in which the ball game machine according to the present invention is used. FIG. 2B is a schematic configuration diagram of a hall management computer installed in the game arcade. FIG. 3 is an overall front view showing a pachinko game machine as an example of a ball game machine according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine with the card processing machine installed. 5A and 5B show a ball payout device used in a pachinko game machine, FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 5B is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a card reader / writer used in the card processor. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the card processor. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the hall management computer shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 12 is an overall rear view showing a partial internal configuration of the pachinko gaming machine in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is an overall front view of a pachinko gaming machine showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 100 is a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a ball game machine, 106 is a standby ball amount detector, 118 is an end button, 122 is a prize ball storage tray, 126 is a game ball input tray, 130A and 130B are capture balls. Detector, 13
4 is a ball dispensing device, 142 is a ball number display, 5 is a card processor, 203 is a card reader / writer, 204 is a card balance display, and 102 is a ball hitting waiting gutter.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A ball game machine capable of playing a ball by hitting a ball into a game area using a value specified by a recording medium inserted in a recording medium processing device for reading recording information of the recording medium. The recording medium processing device corresponds to a value to be used determined by the operation when the player performs an operation to use the value specified by the recording medium. The game machine further includes a lending command information output unit capable of outputting command information for lending a ball to the ball game machine, wherein the ball game machine is provided with a ball payout device for paying a ball, and the game area. Ball payout control means for performing a prize ball payout operation by the ball payout device when a ball hits the winning area, and a payout signal indicating that whenever the number of prize payout balls by the ball payout device reaches a predetermined number. And signal output means for outputting The predetermined number of payout prize balls determined by the signal output means to output a payout signal is determined by a replenishing device that supplies balls to a ball game machine installed on a gaming machine installation island by a predetermined number of balls. A ball-and-ball game machine, which is equal to the predetermined number of replenishing balls that outputs a replenishing signal each time replenishment is performed. 2. An island connector provided on the gaming machine installation island side, wherein the island connector for receiving and transmitting a replenishment signal output by the replenishing device by connecting to the replenishing device side is connected. Further comprising a possible connector connection portion, wherein the payout signal output by the signal output means is configured to be output from the connector connection portion,
The ball game machine according to claim 1. 3. The command information from the lending command information output means is transmitted as light as a transmission medium and input to the ball payout control means of the ball game machine. Item 3. A ball and ball game machine according to item 2. 4. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball game machine and the recording medium processing device are configured to be separable. 5. A ball payout control means provided in the ball game machine, operates the ball payout device in accordance with the command information transmitted from the lending command information output means of the recording medium processing device to play a ball. The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lending control is performed.