JP4293461B2 - Amusement hall equipment and card-type game method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game hall equipment device and a card-type game method, and more specifically, issues a game card capable of storing at least game value information and identification information in addition to money amount information, and is equivalent to a game card in a game card management device. Collect and manage information, file various game card information in the game card management device, and when the game card with identification information added is inserted into the checkout machine, the information stored in the game card and the game card management If the game value information stored in the game card is less than the game value information stored in the game card management device and the comparison between the amount information and the identification information is the same. The present invention relates to a game hall facility device and a card-type game method that allow payment to be made based on game value information stored in a game card management device.

In general, as a gaming device using a game medium, for example, there are a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball machine, a slot machine using a coin (rotating slot machine), and the like. Conventionally, as a gaming machine using balls as gaming media, for example, a pachinko machine is typical.
Recently, a pachinko machine using a game card has been developed. In a game system using this game machine, a card with money amount information is purchased, and the number of balls provided in the game machine is information. Insert into the conversion device and convert it to the specified number of balls information, play the game within the range of the number of balls information, and if the number of balls information is lost, also convert the amount information to the number of balls information and play the game As a result, the money amount information and the ball number information updated in the game card are stored.
On the other hand, when a player purchases a card, the card issuing machine issues a card storing only a code number that can identify the card, and the money amount information is stored in the centralized management device of the hall so that the player can play the card. Other cards that call the amount information stored by inserting it into the machine and convert it into a predetermined number of balls information to play a game, and store the updated amount information and number of balls information as a result in the central management device There is also a game system.
In so-called enclosed game machines used in these game systems, a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed in the main body of the game machine, a launch sensor for detecting the launch of the game balls into the game area, and the game area. It has a foul sensor that detects a return ball that has not been played, a collection sensor (out sensor) that detects all game balls that have passed through the game area, and a safe sensor that detects a prize. The number of balls is changed according to the number of balls, and within the range of the number of balls, the ball number information is subtracted by 1 by detecting the game ball with the launch sensor, and the ball is detected by detecting the game ball with the foul sensor. A game is performed by adding 1 to the number of balls.
Then, when it is desired to end the game by operating the card return switch, the card is discharged after the last released game ball is detected by the collection sensor.

As such a conventional game card operation method, for example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. This Patent Document 1 describes a gaming machine that can be settled when the game card and the game card management device have the same game value information, and cannot be settled when they are not the same.
JP-A-3-258278

However, the conventional card game system has the following problems.
(B) In the case of a conventional card-type game system, particularly in the enclosed ball processing system that is the core of this system, when the player wants to end the game, when the return switch is operated, the last released game ball is out. The game could not be completed unless the sensor (collection sensor) was reached.
(B) Therefore, it takes a lot of time from the operation of the return switch to the end of the game, and the player may be frustrated. That is, it was not possible to quickly finish the process, and it was not possible to quickly reflect the player's intention.
(C) In order to improve this, for example, it may be possible to end the game uniquely when a predetermined time elapses after operating the return switch. In this case, however, the game ball that was fired last is the worst. When a winning is generated (safe sensor is turned on), there is a disadvantage that the winning may not be reflected to the player. In other words, there is a risk of disadvantage to the player.
(D) For example, when a player newly plays a game using a card or performs payment, the winning result in the process immediately before the end is not reflected in the player, and the player is disadvantaged. There was a time.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and performs a game end process quickly based on the player's operation and does not cause any disadvantage to the player, and a card-type game method. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a game hall facility device according to the invention described in claim 1 includes a game card having at least a money amount information storage area, a game value information storage area, and an identification information storage area,
A card issuing machine for issuing game cards;
A gaming machine provided with a gaming value conversion device for converting the amount information stored by inserting a gaming card into predetermined gaming value information and playing a game;
A prize exchange that can be settled within the range of game value information held by a player by inserting a game card;
A game machine equipped with a game value conversion device, a game card issuing machine, and a prize exchange are communicated via an information transmission path, and control for managing information from the gaming machine, the game card issuing machine and the prize exchange is performed. A game card management device for storing and managing money amount information and game value information stored in each game card based on identification information of each game card;
A game hall equipment device comprising:
Checking the amount information, game value information and identification information stored in the game card with the amount information, valuable value information and identification information stored in the game card management device when the game card is used for payment at the prize exchange. Matching means for performing
The game card management device when the game value information stored in the game card is less than the game value information stored in the game card management device and the comparison between the amount information and the identification information is the same, as a result of the verification by the verification means Permission means for allowing payment to be performed based on the game value information stored in
Is provided.

The card-type game method according to the invention of claim 2 issues a game card capable of storing at least money amount information, game value information and identification information from a card issuing machine,
A gaming machine equipped with a gaming value conversion device, a card issuing machine, and a prize exchange are connected to the gaming card management device via an information transmission path,
The game card management device controls the management of information from gaming machines, card issuing machines and prize exchanges, and stores and manages the amount information and game value information stored in each gaming card based on the identification information of each gaming card And
By inserting a game card into the gaming machine, it is possible to play within the range of the amount information or game value information stored,
By inserting a game card into the gift exchange, it is possible to settle within the range of game value information,
Checking the amount information, game value information and identification information stored in the game card with the amount information, game value information and identification information stored in the game card management device when the game card is used for payment at the prize exchange. And
As a result of the verification, when the game value information stored in the game card is less than the game value information stored in the game card management device, and the comparison between the amount information and the identification information is the same, the game value information stored in the game card management device It is characterized in that payment is made based on game value information.
(Function)

In the present invention, amount information, game value information, identification information, and the like are stored in the game card, and the game card information is also collected and stored in the game card management device. Various information is filed based on the identification information in the gaming card management device, and when the gaming card with the identification information added is inserted, the information stored in the gaming card and the gaming card management device are stored. When the game value information stored in the game card is less than the game value information stored in the game card management device and the comparison between the amount information and the identification information is the same, the game card management device Based on the stored game value information, it is possible to settle the prize exchange.
However, when each piece of information stored in the game card is compared with information stored in the game card management device, the possession number stored in the game card is determined from the number-of-balls information stored in the game card management device. When the number of balls information is small, it is determined to be normal, and the game value information of the game card management device is regarded as true and the settlement is executed. In addition, when the return switch for ending the game is pressed, even if it is not determined that the last released game ball is safe or out, processing is immediately ended and the game card is returned to the player. .

In this case, even if a win occurs just before the end of the game, the game card management device sucks up the game value information based on the win, and when the player performs the checkout, the game value information of the game card is temporarily stored in the game card management device. Even if it is less than the file information, the payment can be made based on the information of the game card management device. Therefore, the player does not suffer a disadvantage.
In addition, when the return switch for ending the game is pressed, the game is immediately ended, so that the player's will can be quickly reflected.

According to the present invention, the information is managed by both the game card and the game card management device so that payment can be made. However, when comparing the information of the game card and the information of the game card management device, the game card management device When the stored game value information is small and the comparison between the amount information and the identification information is the same, it is determined that the game is normal, and payment is performed based on the game value information stored in the game card management device. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the return switch for ending the game is pressed, the game is immediately ended without waiting for the determination result whether the game ball that was last fired will be safe or disconnected. Can be returned to the player and the player's will can be quickly reflected.
(2) Even if a winning occurs just before the end of the game, the increase in the gaming value information based on the winning is sucked up by the gaming card management device and stored in the card file by the card management device even if the gaming card is discharged. Therefore, when the player performs payment, even if the game value information of the game card is less than the information of the game value information stored in the card file of the game card management device, the game of the game card management device Checkout can be performed based on the value information. Therefore, the player does not suffer a disadvantage.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(I) Overall Configuration of Card Type Game System FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the card type game system. In FIG. 1, 1 is a game shop and 2 is a card management company. The game store 1 can be broadly divided into a card management device (game card management device) 11, a hall management device (hereinafter referred to as management device) 12, a card issuing machine 13, a free gift exchange device (free gift exchange) 14, a gaming machine installation facility ( A so-called island facility 15 is arranged, and the gaming machine mounting facility 15 has a plurality of game medium conversion devices (game value conversion devices) 21a to 21n (hereinafter simply referred to as 21 only) a plurality of game machines 22a to 22n. An encapsulated sphere circulation control device 23 is disposed (hereinafter simply indicated by the symbol 22 as appropriate). In FIG. 1, only one gaming machine mounting facility 15 is shown, but a plurality of such gaming machine mounting facilities 15 are arranged in units of islands.
Each gaming machine 22 has a configuration in which a game medium conversion device 21 is integrally provided.

The card management device 11 is connected to the card company 2 via a telephone line (for example, a digital line such as ISDN). The card company 2 issues a prepaid card common throughout the country as a game card, or relates to a game card in the game store 1. Check out. Moreover, various information of the card management apparatus 11 is received as needed. The amusement store 1 is connected to the card company 2 via a telephone line in order to obtain card issuance information or necessary information from the card company 2 or to make an inquiry.
In the following description, a game card 800 described later is simply abbreviated to a card as appropriate.
The card management device 11 is connected to a card issuing machine 13, a gaming machine 22 including a gaming medium conversion device 21, and a prize exchange device 14 via an information transmission path 24. The card management device 11 includes a card management control device 31 and a communication control device 32. The card management control device 31 includes a card issuing machine 13, a gaming machine 22 including a game medium conversion device 21, and a prize exchange device 14 as terminal devices. The amount information and game value information stored in each game card based on the identification information of a game card to be described later inserted / extracted to / from each terminal device. Control to store and manage the same information as

The communication control device 32 transfers (sends / receives) necessary information to the communication control devices 33, 34, 35a to 35n of each terminal device via the information transmission path 24. For example, a LAN (for example, an Ethernet) A network is constructed to transmit information.
The card issuing machine 13 issues a prepaid card purchased from the card company 2 as a game card to the player, and issues, for example, 1000 yen, 2000 yen, 3000 yen, 5000 yen game cards. The card issuer 13 includes a communication control device 33 and an issuer control device 41. The communication control device 33 communicates information (for example, sales information of game cards) with the card management device 11 via the information transmission path 24. Etc.), and the issuing machine control device 41 performs control necessary for issuing the game card.
The prize exchange device 14 performs prize exchange processing based on a game card, and includes a communication control device 34 and a prize exchange control device 42. The communication control device 34 transfers information (for example, control information for gift exchange) to the card management device 11 via the information transmission path 24, and the gift exchange control device 42 performs control necessary for gift exchange. I do.

The game medium conversion devices 21a to 21n read game card information (amount data, possession ball data, etc.) when a game card is inserted to lend a ball, or use the number of balls acquired by the player as a game card. The communication control devices 35a to 35n (hereinafter simply represented by the symbol 35) and the game medium conversion control devices 43a to 43n (hereinafter simply represented by the symbol 43) are provided. The communication control devices 35a to 35n transfer information (for example, control information for lending balls and recording the number of possessions) to and from the card management device 11 via the information transmission path 24, thereby controlling game medium conversion. The devices 43a to 43n perform control necessary for ball lending using a game card.
The game medium conversion devices 21a to 21n are configured integrally with the game machines 22a to 22n, respectively, and signals and data can be transmitted between them.

The enclosing ball circulation control device 23 encloses enclosing balls with respect to a plurality of gaming machines 22 a to 22 n arranged in the gaming machine mounting facility 15.
The management device 12 is installed in the hall management room and is connected to each gaming machine 22a to 22n arranged in the gaming machine mounting facility 15 via an information transmission path 44, and from each gaming machine 22a to 22n. It collects game data and manages the business of the hall. Specifically, necessary data is collected from a large number of enclosed ball game machines 22a to 22n in the hall, data corresponding to various game states is organized, and the organized data is displayed on a display (for example, a big hit Display in order of number of units, and number of units with the highest occurrence rate of jackpots), and perform necessary data processing. Further, by operating the terminal input device of the management device 12, jackpot data, prize ball data, and the like are collected and displayed on the display by game type, machine type, island unit, and manufacturer.

(II) Configuration of Communication Control Device All of the communication control devices 32, 33, 34, 35a to 35n shown in FIG. 1 have the same configuration, and as a representative, the configuration of the communication control device 32 in the card management device 11 is shown in FIG. Will be described. 2, the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 includes a communication interface circuit 51, a communication driver / receiver 52, a communication controller 53, a memory 54, a microprocessor 55, a clock circuit 56, a memory 57, and a bidirectional memory 58. The

  The communication interface circuit 51 is interposed in the information transmission path 24 to perform interface processing for taking in and transferring data from the information transmission path 24, and the communication driver / receiver 52 is drive processing for data transmission / reception. I do. The communication controller 53 performs communication control necessary for data transmission / reception via the information transmission path 24, and the memory 54 temporarily stores data transmitted / received via the information transmission path 24. The microprocessor 55 reads out the data stored in the memory 54 and writes it in the bidirectional memory 58, or reads out the data from the bidirectional memory 58 and stores it in the memory 54. The clock circuit 56 generates a clock signal necessary for processing of the microprocessor 55 and the like. The memory 57 includes a program memory 57a composed of a ROM storing a program, a data memory 57b composed of a ROM storing data, and a work memory 57c composed of a RAM used as a work area. The bidirectional memory (dual port RAM) 58 can write data in both directions of the microprocessor 55 or the card management controller 31.

(III) Configuration of Card Management Device FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 11. In FIG. 3, the card management device (abnormality recording means) 11 includes a microprocessor 101, a clock circuit 102, a memory 103, and an I / O interface circuit 104 as a part for performing control in addition to the communication control device 32, and various operations. The switch unit includes a reset switch 111, a tightening switch 112, a business start switch 113, a business start switch 114, a display switch 115, a print switch 116, a pointing switch 117, and a forced start switch 118, and further includes a signal converter 121, A printer 122, a display device 123, and an external storage device 124 are included.

(A) Configuration of Control Unit The microprocessor 101 creates a file corresponding to the game card based on the identification information, and performs arithmetic processing for managing various types of information (amount data, possession data, etc.). The clock circuit 102 generates a clock signal necessary for processing of the microprocessor 101 and the like. The memory 103 includes a program memory 103a composed of a ROM storing a control program for the microprocessor 101, a data memory 103b composed of a ROM storing data necessary for file management of the game card, and a RAM used as a work area. And a work memory 103c.

(B) Configuration of Operation Switch Unit The microprocessor 101 includes a reset switch 111, a closing switch 112, a business start switch 113, a business start switch 114, a display switch 115, a print switch 116, and a pointing switch via an I / O interface circuit 104. 117, a signal from the forced start switch 118 is input.
The reset switch 111 is for resetting the processing of the card management apparatus 11. The closing switch 112 is operated when the hall business is terminated, and the business start switch 113 is operated when starting the business of the card management apparatus 11. The business start switch 114 is operated when the hall business is started. The display switch 115 is operated when the input screen is displayed on the display device 123. The print switch 116 transmits necessary information to the printer 122. It is operated when printing is performed. The pointing switch 117 is a device such as a mouse, for example, and inputs a desired instruction when the display device 123 becomes an input screen. The forcible start switch 118 is operated, for example, when a certain gaming machine 22 is out of order to forcibly start the business of the card management apparatus 11 and start business.

(C) Configuration of attached device The signal conversion device 121 receives a request from the external card company 2, converts the information of the card management device 11 according to the request into a signal that can be transmitted to the outside, and sends it out. Process. The printer 122 prints file information and the like of the card management device 11 according to the operation of the print switch 116. The display device 123 displays file information and the like of the card management device 11 according to the operation of the display switch 115 and the pointing switch 117. The external storage device 124 is constituted by a hard disk device having a predetermined capacity, for example, and stores file information and the like of the card management device 11.
The microprocessor 101 is connected to the communication control device 32 via the I / O interface circuit 104. The communication control device 32 is connected to each terminal device (the card issuing machine 13, the game medium conversion device 21, and the prize exchange device 14). Processing for transferring (transmitting / receiving) necessary information to the communication control devices 33, 34, and 35 via the information transmission path 24 is performed. Further, the microprocessor 101 is connected to the hall management device 12 via the I / O interface circuit 104 and performs processing for transmitting necessary information to the management device 12.

(IV) Configuration of Card Issuer FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the card issuer 13. In FIG. 4, the card issuing machine 13 has a microprocessor 131, a clock circuit 132, a memory 133, and an I / O interface circuit 134 as control parts in addition to the communication control device 33, and 1000 yen as various operation switch units. Switch 141, 2000 yen switch 142, 5000 yen switch 143, 10000 yen switch 144, bill return switch 145, and sound generator 151, speech synthesis IC 152, printer 153, display device 154, stop lamp 155, and sales as additional devices It has a lamp 156, a game card issuing device 157, a bill identifying device 158, and a bill dispensing device 159.

(A) Configuration of Control Unit The microprocessor 131 performs arithmetic processing necessary for issuing a game card. The clock circuit 132 generates a clock signal necessary for processing of the microprocessor 131 and the like. The memory 133 includes a program memory 133a composed of a ROM that stores a control program for the microprocessor 131, a data memory 133b composed of a ROM that stores data necessary for game card issuance processing, and a RAM used as a work area. And a work memory 133c.

(B) Configuration of Operation Switch Unit The microprocessor 131 receives signals from the 1000 yen switch 141, 2000 yen switch 142, 5000 yen switch 143, 10000 yen switch 144, and bill return switch 145 via the I / O interface circuit 134. Have been entered.
The 1000 yen switch 141 is operated when a banknote is inserted to purchase a 1000 yen game card (ie, a prepaid card), and the 2000 yen switch 142 is operated when a 2000 yen game card is purchased. It is. The 5000 yen switch 143 is operated when purchasing a 5000 yen gaming card, and the 10000 yen switch 144 is operated when purchasing a 10,000 yen gaming card. The banknote return switch 145 is operated when requesting the return of the banknote inserted by the purchaser when an operation is missed.

(C) Configuration of Attached Device The sound generator 151 generates a sound effect necessary for issuing a card, amplifies it by the amplifier 161, and reports the sound from the speaker 162. The voice synthesis IC 152 performs voice synthesis necessary for card issuance, and similarly amplifies the signal by the amplifier 161 and reports the sound from the speaker 162. The printer 153 prints and outputs necessary information when the hall staff checks the card issuing machine 13 or the like. The display device 154 is composed of, for example, an LCD and displays information necessary for issuing a card. The stop lamp 155 is turned on when the card cannot be issued and the issuing is stopped. The sales lamp 156 is lit when a card can be issued. The game card issuing device 157 issues (that is, discharges) game cards stored in the main body to an external purchaser. The bill validator 158 identifies the authenticity of the inserted bill. The banknote dispensing device 159 discharges a change banknote when a large amount of banknote is inserted to purchase a game card.
Further, the microprocessor 131 is connected to the communication control device 33 via the I / O interface circuit 134, and the communication control device 33 provides necessary information to the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 via the information transmission path 24. Transfer (send / receive).

(V) Configuration of Premium Exchange Device FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the premium exchange device 14. In FIG. 5, in addition to the communication control device 34, the gift exchange device 14 has a microprocessor 171, a clock circuit 172, a memory 173, and an I / O interface circuit 174 as control parts, and batch conversion as various operation switch units. A switch 181 and an input device 182 are provided, and a card reader / writer 191 and a display device 192 are further provided as accessory devices.
(A) Configuration of Control Unit The microprocessor 171 performs arithmetic processing necessary for exchanging prizes based on information of the inserted game card. The clock circuit 172 generates a clock signal necessary for processing of the microprocessor 171 and the like. The memory 173 includes a program memory 173a composed of a ROM storing a control program for the microprocessor 171, a data memory 173b composed of a ROM storing data necessary for a prize exchange process, and a RAM used as a work area. And a work memory 173c.

(B) Configuration of Operation Switch Unit Signals from the batch conversion switch 181 and the input device 182 are input to the microprocessor 171 via the I / O interface circuit 174.
The batch conversion switch 181 is operated when exchanging prizes for all of the number of possessions in the game card information. The input device 182 is operated when exchanging a part of the number of possession balls in the game card information, and the player inputs a predetermined number of balls desired to exchange the prize.

(C) Configuration of attached device The card reader / writer 191 takes in a game card and reads data necessary for exchanging prizes (for example, the number of possession balls), or the remaining data after exchanging the prize (for example, the number of remaining possessions) ) Is written on the game card and discharged. The display device 192 is composed of an LCD, for example, and displays information necessary for prize exchange.
The microprocessor 171 is connected to the communication control device 34 via the I / O interface circuit 174, and the communication control device 34 sends necessary information to the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 via the information transmission path 24. Transfer (send / receive).

(VI) System Configuration of Gaming Machine FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the gaming machine 22 provided with the gaming medium conversion device 21. In FIG. 6, the gaming machine 22 is configured as an integrated type equipped with a gaming medium conversion device 21, a gaming machine control device 201 that performs enclosed ball control (handball control) of the gaming machine 22, and a card of the gaming medium conversion device 21. Necessary information (for example, ball lending command, possession ball data, etc.) is transferred to and from the game medium conversion control device 43 that performs money amount control and the like via the information transmission path 202.
The game medium conversion device 21 includes a communication control device 35 and a card reader / writer 203, and the communication control device 35 transfers necessary information to the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 via the information transmission path 24. (Send / Receive). The card reader / writer 203 takes in a game card and reads data necessary for ball lending (for example, amount data, identification data, security data), or the remaining data at the end of the game (for example, remaining amount data, possession data, etc.). (Number of balls data) is written on the game card and discharged.

In addition to the gaming machine control device 201, the gaming machine 22 includes an accessory control device 211, an operation display control device 212, and a launch control device 213 that can transfer data and signals to and from the gaming machine control device 201. is doing.
The accessory control device 211 controls an accessory device (for example, an accessory device that performs the first type game), and a prize ball signal is output from the accessory control device 211 to the gaming machine control device 201. ing.
The operation display control device 212 displays the amount of game cards, possession balls, comments necessary for operation of the gaming machine, and the like, and is configured by an LCD, for example. The launch control device 213 controls launch of the encapsulated sphere.
In addition, a predetermined number of encapsulated balls are encapsulated in the gaming machine 22 from an encapsulated ball circulation control device 23 disposed in the gaming machine mounting facility 15. The enclosed ball circulation control device 23 is connected to the management device 12 of the hall, and the discharge / enclosure status of the enclosed sphere can be transmitted to the management device 12.

(VII) Configuration of Game Medium Conversion Control Device FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of the game medium conversion control device 43. In FIG. 7, in addition to the communication control device 35, the game medium conversion control device 43 includes a microprocessor 221, a clock circuit 222, a memory 223, and an I / O interface circuit 224 as control parts, and a card reader as an accessory device. It has a writer 203.
The microprocessor 221 performs arithmetic processing necessary for lending a ball based on information of the inserted game card and writing handball data and the like on the game card. The clock circuit 222 generates a clock signal necessary for processing of the microprocessor 221 and the like. The memory 223 includes a program memory 223a including a ROM storing a control program for the microprocessor 221, a data memory 223b including a ROM storing data necessary for information processing of the game card, and a RAM used as a work area. And a work memory 223c.

Further, the microprocessor 221 is connected to the gaming machine control device 201 via the I / O interface circuit 224 and is also connected to the communication control device 35 and the card reader / writer 203. The communication control device 35 transfers (sends / receives) necessary information to the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 via the information transmission path 24.
In this case, the game medium conversion control device 43 realizes functions as a verification unit, a permission unit, an abnormal card discharge unit, and a determination unit.

(VIII) Configuration of Gaming Machine Control Device FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine control device 201. In FIG. 8, the gaming machine control device 201 includes a microprocessor 301, a clock circuit 302, a memory 303, and an I / O interface circuit 304 as control parts, and a ball feed sensor 311 and a foul ball detection sensor as various operation switch units. 312, Enclosed ball detection amount sensor 313, safe sensor 314, reset switch 315, gaming machine number setting switch 316, ball lending switch 320, return switch 321, interruption switch 322, automatic ball lending switch 323, and further as a drive unit A safe solenoid 326 and a sealed ball removal solenoid 327 are provided. In addition, the gaming machine control device 201 includes an input signal control device 325 that performs waveform shaping processing on hardware from input signals from various operation switch units.

(A) Configuration of Control Unit The microprocessor 301 performs a calculation process necessary for performing the enclosed ball game. The clock circuit 302 generates a clock signal necessary for processing of the microprocessor 301 and the like. The memory 303 is used as a work area, a program memory 303a composed of a ROM storing a control program for the microprocessor 301, a data memory 303b composed of a ROM storing data necessary for the calculation processing of the enclosed ball game. It consists of a work memory 303c consisting of RAM.
(B) Configuration of Operation Switch Unit The microprocessor 301 includes a ball feed sensor 311, a foul ball detection sensor 312, an enclosed ball detection amount sensor 313, a safe sensor 314, via an I / O interface circuit 304 and an input signal control device 325. Signals from the reset switch 315, gaming machine number setting switch 316, ball lending switch 320, return switch 321, interruption switch 322, and automatic ball lending switch 323 are input.

  The ball feed sensor 311 detects that a ball has been sent to the launch position of the gaming machine 22. The foul ball detection sensor 312 detects that the shot ball has become foul. The enclosed ball detection amount sensor 313 detects whether or not a predetermined amount (for example, 20 balls) of balls are enclosed in the gaming machine 22. The safe sensor 314 detects that the game area ball has won a safe prize. The reset switch 315 is for resetting the gaming machine control device 201. The gaming machine number setting switch 316 is for setting the machine number of the gaming machine 22.

The ball lending switch 320 is operated when requesting ball lending within the range of the amount of the game card, and when pressed once, ball lending corresponding to the unit set frequency is performed.
The return switch 321 is operated when requesting the return of the game card. The interruption switch 322 is operated when the game is interrupted (for example, temporary interruption for a meal). The automatic ball lending switch 323 is operated when an automatic request for ball lending is made within the range of the amount of the game card. Is performed each time.

(C) Configuration of Drive Unit The safe solenoid 326 is for discharging the held safe balls one by one. Each time the safe solenoid 326 is turned on, the winning safe balls are discharged to the outside one by one. . The enclosed ball removal solenoid 327 is for discharging the enclosed ball enclosed in the game machine 22 to the outside. When the enclosed ball removal solenoid 327 is turned on for a certain period of time, all of the enclosed balls (for example, 20 pieces) are used. It is discharged outside.
The microprocessor 301 is connected to the hall management device 12 and the communication control device 34 via the I / O interface circuit 304, and the communication control device 34 communicates the information transmission path 24 to the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11. The necessary information is transferred (transmitted / received) through the network. In addition, the microprocessor 301 is connected to the game medium conversion control device 43, the operation display control device 212, and the accessory control device 211 via the I / O interface circuit 304 so that signals and data can be transferred to each other. .

(D) Configuration of Input Signal Control Device The input signal control device 325 includes a waveform shaping circuit 331, a logic conversion circuit 332, and an OR gate 333, as shown in FIG. The waveform shaping circuit 331 includes a ball feed sensor 311, a foul ball detection sensor 312, an enclosed ball detection amount sensor 313, a safe sensor 314, a reset switch 315, a gaming machine number setting switch 316, a ball lending switch 320, a return switch 321, and an interruption switch 322. Each signal from the automatic ball lending switch 323 is waveform-shaped by hard logic, and the logic conversion circuit 332 converts the output signal of the waveform shaping circuit 331 to positive logic, performs input processing, and outputs a signal. The OR gate 333 takes an OR logic of signals from the ball feed sensor 311 and the foul ball detection sensor 312 and outputs a signal X. Therefore, either a signal obtained by logically converting the output of the ball feed sensor 311 and input processing or a signal obtained by logically converting the input of the foul ball detection sensor 312 and input processed is output via the OR gate 333. The output signal X is used as an interrupt signal.

(IX) Configuration of the accessory control device FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the accessory control device 211. In FIG. 10, the accessory control device 211 includes a microprocessor 351, a clock circuit 352, a frequency dividing circuit 353, a memory 354, and an I / O interface circuit 355 as control parts, and a first type start switch as various switch units. 361, a general diagram start switch 362, a count switch 363, and a continuation switch 364, and further, as a drive unit, a grand prize opening solenoid 371, a start port solenoid 372, a general memory display 373, a normal symbol display 374, a lamp / LED 375 A sound generator 376 and a display control device 377.

(A) Configuration of Control Unit The microprocessor 351 performs arithmetic processing necessary for controlling the accessory device. The clock circuit 352 generates a clock signal necessary for processing of the microprocessor 351 and the like, and the frequency dividing circuit 353 generates various signals necessary for a timer and the like based on the clock signal and supplies the signals to the microprocessor 351.
The memory 354 is used as a work area, a program memory 354a composed of a ROM storing a control program for the microprocessor 351, a data memory 354b composed of a ROM storing data necessary for an operation control of an accessory control. It consists of a work memory 354c consisting of RAM.

(B) Configuration of Various Switch Units The first type start switch 361 detects that a ball has won a start winning opening for starting variable display of a special figure. The general map start switch 362 detects that a ball has passed through a general map gate that starts variable display of the normal map. The count switch 363 detects that a ball has won a grand prize opening (so-called attacker), and the continuation switch 364 detects that a ball has won a V prize opening of the big prize opening.
(C) Configuration of Drive Unit The winning prize opening solenoid 371 opens the winning prize opening (attacker), and when the special figure becomes a big hit state, after the first cycle, a fixed time or constant in each cycle on the condition of V winning. The large winning opening solenoid 371 is excited by the number of balls, and the large winning opening is opened. The start-up solenoid 372 opens a Tulip type ordinary electric start-up port (hereinafter referred to as “Fujiden”). When the normal state is hit, the start-up solenoid 372 is energized for a certain time or a certain number of balls. Public power opens.

When the ball passes the universal game that starts the variable display of the normal map, the general map storage display 373 displays that the number of balls passed within 4 ranges is stored. The normal symbol display 374 is a so-called common figure, and has, for example, a 7-segment LED as shown in FIG. 16 to be described later, and can display 10 types of numbers in the range of 0-9. When the symbol of the normal symbol display 374 becomes a predetermined hit symbol (for example, “7”), the tulip of the normal electric start port is electrically operated and is opened for a predetermined time.
Lamps / LEDs 375 are side lamps, jackpot lamps, reach lamps, and the like arranged on the game board, and these are controlled to be lit or blinking according to the progress of the game.
The sound generator 376 generates sound effects necessary for the game, and the generated sound effects are amplified by the amplifier 377 and emitted from the speaker 378. In addition to the sound generator 376, for example, a voice synthesis IC is provided, and voice synthesis required for the game (for example, voice that increases expectations of the player in the middle of a game or during a big hit, "Yatter", "Start-up prize") ")".

The display control device 376 controls the display of the display device (special drawing) 380. When a ball wins a start winning opening that starts variable display of the special drawing, the display screen of the display device 380 is changed to display the special drawing game. I do. The display device 380 includes, for example, a color liquid crystal (LCD), and displays the game of the first type game by changing the display screen. In this case, for example, three symbols (for example, numbers, symbols, characters, etc.) can be variably displayed on the display screen, and when the symbol is stopped after the variable display is started, three rows (for example, “777”) are displayed. ]), A big hit occurs and a big hit game is played.
Further, the microprocessor 351 is connected to the hall management device 12 and the gaming machine control device 201 via the I / O interface circuit 355 so that signals and data can be transferred to each other.

(X) Configuration of Operation Display Control Device FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of the operation display control device 212. In FIG. 11, the operation display control device 212 includes a microprocessor 401, a clock circuit 402, a memory 403, a video memory 404, a font data memory 405, a video display controller 406, and an I / O interface circuit 407 as control parts. Yes.
The microprocessor 401 performs arithmetic processing necessary for performing display control of various information when the player operates the gaming machine 22. The clock circuit 402 generates a clock signal necessary for processing of the microprocessor 401 and the like. The memory 403 is used as a work area, a program memory 403a composed of a ROM storing a control program for the microprocessor 401, a data memory 403b composed of a ROM storing data necessary for arithmetic processing for operation display control. It comprises a work memory 403c made up of RAM.

The video memory 404 is composed of, for example, a VRAM, and performs a process of storing an image to be displayed on the display device 411 that displays various information necessary for operating the gaming machine 22 in units of one screen. A font data memory 405 stores font data for displaying an operation image. The video display controller 406 reads out image data from the video memory 404 and the font data memory 405 based on a command from the microprocessor 401 and outputs the image data to the display device 411.
The display device 411 includes, for example, a color LCD, and displays various information necessary for operating the gaming machine 22 based on the output of the video display controller 406.

  The control output of the microprocessor 401 is output to the sound generator 412 and the voice synthesis IC 415 via the I / O interface circuit 407. The sound generator 412 generates sound effects necessary for operation display of the gaming machine 22, and the generated sound effects are amplified by the amplifier 413 and emitted from the speaker 414. The voice synthesis IC 415 performs voice synthesis necessary for operation display of the gaming machine 22, and the generated voice synthesis sound is similarly amplified by the amplifier 413 and emitted from the speaker 414. Further, the microprocessor 401 is connected to the gaming machine control device 201 via the I / O interface circuit 407 so that signals and data can be transferred to each other.

(XI) Configuration of Launch Control Device FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the launch control device 213. In FIG. 12, the launch control device 213 includes a microprocessor 451, a clock circuit 452, a memory 453, and an I / O interface circuit 454 as control parts, and a launch operation switch 461 and a handle rotation amount detector 462 as various switch units. , A flying distance adjustment switch 463, a touch circuit 464, and a ball feed solenoid 471 and a rotary solenoid 472 as drive units.
(A) Configuration of Control Unit The microprocessor 451 performs a calculation process necessary for performing ball launch control. The clock circuit 452 generates a clock signal necessary for processing of the microprocessor 451 and the like. The memory 453 is used as a work area and a program memory 453a composed of a ROM storing a control program for the microprocessor 451, a data memory 453b composed of a ROM storing data necessary for calculation processing of ball launch control. And a work memory 453c made of RAM.

(B) Configuration of Various Switch Units The firing operation switch 461 is turned on when the player performs a turning operation when firing a ball toward the game area. The handle rotation amount detector 462 is configured to have a variable resistor, and is provided on the shaft of the firing operation handle to detect the rotation amount, thereby enabling the player to adjust the ball's resilience. To do. The flight distance adjustment switch 463 is operated by a hall attendant and is used to adjust the flight distance of the ball. The touch circuit 464 detects that the player is touching the launch operation handle. For example, a capacitance type that changes the capacitance when the player touches the touch plate 465 is used. Sensitivity adjustment in the touch circuit 464 can be adjusted by a touch sensitivity adjustment switch 466. The detection signal of the touch circuit 464 is output to the gaming machine control device 201, and the gaming machine control device 201 can determine whether or not the player is touching the firing operation handle.

(C) Configuration of Drive Unit The ball feed solenoid 471 is for sending the enclosed balls at the standby position one by one to the firing position, and each time the ball feed solenoid 471 is driven, the enclosed ball moves to the firing position. To do. The rotary solenoid 472 is a rotary solenoid that drives the heel to shoot the encapsulated sphere at the launch position. When the rotary solenoid 472 is turned on, the rotary solenoid 472 rotates to drive the heel and eject a ball.
Further, the microprocessor 451 is connected to the gaming machine control device 201 via the I / O interface circuit 454 so that signals and data can be transferred to each other.

(XIII) Specific Configuration of Gaming Machine Next, a specific configuration of the gaming machine 22 will be described.
(A) Front Configuration of Gaming Machine FIG. 13 is a front view of the gaming machine 22. In FIG. 13, the enclosed ball type gaming machine 22 is formed as an integrated type in which the game medium conversion device 21 is disposed on the side, and includes a front frame 601, a metal frame 603 that supports a glass 602, and a game board 604 ( 14) and a front operation panel 605.
The front frame 601 is made of resin, and is supported so as to be openable and closable by a support member (for example, a hinge) with respect to the machine frame 680 as shown in FIG. The machine frame 680 constitutes the outer frame of the main body of the encapsulated ball type gaming machine 22, and is formed into a rectangular shape using resin (plastic) as a material. The machine casing 680 may be made of wood. Further, the front frame 601 is separate from the front operation panel 605 and can be opened and closed as a single unit, but both may be formed integrally.
The metal frame 603 is made of metal (for example, stainless steel) and is configured to reinforce the periphery of the translucent glass 602 (clear member) corresponding to the front of the game area as a reinforcing member. It is fixed to the frame 601. Therefore, the metal frame 603 opens and closes integrally with the front frame 601. The clear member is not limited to glass, and a transparent resin may be used.

The front frame 601 is provided with a locking device 611 that can insert a metal frame release key to open the metal frame 603, and the front frame 601 is usually connected to the machine frame by a hook (see FIG. 15) interlocked with the locking device 611. 680 is locked. When opening the front frame 601, the lock state of the locking device 611 is released by inserting a predetermined metal frame opening key into the locking hole of the locking device 611 and rotating it.
On both sides of the lower portion of the front frame 601, for example, a speaker 379 for an accessory that can output a sound effect and a synthesized voice in stereo is arranged. On the other hand, an operation display speaker 414 is also provided inside the gaming machine 22.

A rectangular display device 411 for operation display, a ball lending switch 320, a return switch 321, an interruption switch 322, and an automatic ball lending switch 323 are arranged on the front operation panel 605.
The front operation panel 605 is provided with an ashtray 621 and a firing operation handle 622 that is operated when firing a ball toward the game area.
On the other hand, the game medium conversion device 21 is formed in a vertically long shape along the main body of the game machine 22, a card insertion slot 623 into which the game card 800 is inserted / extracted is formed on the front side, and a ball lending is provided on the upper side. A ball lending display LED 624 that is lit when possible is arranged.
Here, the gaming card 800 is a nationwide prepaid card purchased by the hall from the card management company 21, and is portable and thin. The game card 800 is a magnetic card, and can store various types of information as shown in FIG.

(B) Front Configuration of Game Board FIG. 14 is a front view of the game board. In FIG. 14, a game board 604 of the encapsulated ball type gaming machine 22 performs the first type game, and guides a ball that has been ejected around the game area to the upper part of the game area, A rail 651 having a function of guiding to the collection port 670 is disposed. In addition, a display device (special symbol display device: so-called accessory device) 380 capable of variably displaying a special figure is arranged at substantially the center of the game area. Below the display device 380, a tulip-type normal electric starting port (hereinafter referred to as “general power”) 652 is arranged, and it is easy to accept a game ball from the first state in which the game ball is not accepted depending on the operation result of the display device 380. A variable winning device (so-called attacker) 653 is arranged as a large winning opening that changes to the second state.

The normal symbol display unit 374 described above is arranged below the normal electric start port 652, and the normal symbol display unit 374 is composed of 7 segments of LEDs, and can display 10 kinds of numbers in the range of 0 to 9 at the maximum. It is.
The display device 380 for displaying a special figure, when a ball wins the normal electric start port 652 (however, the timing of the start memory will be described later), changes the design of the display screen, starts variable display and stops the design When the symbol becomes a specific profit state (that is, in the special mode gaming state, for example, the big hit state: “777”, etc.), the variable winning device (attacker) 653 is opened and the big hit game is performed. It has come to be. The opening of the variable winning device 653 corresponds to starting a special gaming state related to the special variable winning device. In the present specification, the specific profit state is simply referred to as a big hit state as appropriate.

On the side of the display device 380, there are arranged ordinary figure start gates (ordinary symbol start gates, hereinafter referred to as "general figure gates") 654 and 655. When there is a gate that can be passed by the number of balls, when the ball passes through the gate, the symbol (for example, a number) of the normal symbol display 374 disposed at the ordinary electric start port 652 is changed, and this number is determined in advance. When it comes to the design (for example, “7”), the tulip-type ordinary electric auxiliary device of the ordinary electric start port 652 is electrically operated to open for a predetermined time.
In addition, there are four universal memory displays 373 on the side of the normal symbol display 374, and the universal memory display 373 is used when the ball passes through the universal start gates 654 and 655 as described above. The fact that the number of passing balls is memorized within 4 ranges is displayed.

  General winning ports 656 and 657 are arranged on the lower left and right sides of the display device 380. Further, a plurality of hitting direction changing members 658 and 659 called windmills are rotatably installed at appropriate positions in the game area, and a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are implanted. An out ball collection port 670 is formed at the lower center of the game area. In addition, side lamps 671 and 672 are arranged in the game board 604, and a decorative lamp or the like is provided although not shown. The side lamps 671 and 672 and the decoration lamp are appropriately lit or blinked according to the game content to enhance the realistic sensation of the game.

(C) Backside configuration of the gaming machine (main control related parts)
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing main control-related parts on the back side of the gaming machine 22 (however, the game medium conversion device 21 is not shown). In FIG. 15, the gaming machine 22 has a machine frame 680, and the front frame 601 is held and locked to the machine frame 680 by hooks 681 and 682 that are interlocked with the locking device 611. The aforementioned accessory control device 211 and operation display control device 212 are sequentially arranged on the back mechanism side of the gaming machine 22. In addition, an external terminal board 683 for connecting a signal extraction line to the external hole management device 12 or the like is disposed on the back side, and an encapsulated sphere filling device 684 for filling the encapsulated sphere is disposed. Has been. On the other hand, a gaming machine control device 201 and a launch control device 213 are arranged below the back side of the gaming machine 22, and a reset switch 315 and a gaming machine number setting switch 316 are arranged on the back side of the gaming machine control device 201. Yes.

(D) Backside configuration of gaming machine (attached related part)
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an attachment-related portion on the back side of the gaming machine 22 (however, the game medium conversion device 21 is not shown). In FIG. 16, the gaming machine 22 serves as a supplementary related part on the back side, a replenishment tank 691 for replenishing and storing encapsulated balls from the gaming machine mounting facility 15, and a passage for replenishing encapsulated balls from the replenishing tank 691. Replenishment solenoid 692 for opening and closing; replenishment sensor 693 for detecting a ball replenished as an enclosing ball; passage switching solenoid 694 for switching between a replenishment passage and a circulation path for the enclosing ball; a ball feed sensor 311; a ball feed solenoid 471; a rotary solenoid 472; An enclosed ball removal solenoid 327, a safe solenoid 326, a safe sensor 314, and an enclosed ball detection amount sensor 313 are arranged.

The replenishing solenoid 692 and the passage switching solenoid 694 are controlled by the management device 12 under the control of the enclosed ball circulation control device 23. The output signal of the replenishment sensor 693 is input to the management device 12. When the encapsulated sphere is quantitatively enclosed, the encapsulated sphere detection amount sensor 313 determines whether or not a fixed encapsulated sphere is encapsulated by detecting the sphere at the end.
Further, a ball collection port 695 for turning on the enclosed ball removal solenoid 327 to discharge and collect the enclosed ball to the outside is formed in the lower part on the back side of the gaming machine 22.

(E) Configuration of Launching Mechanism (Including Ball Feeding Mechanism) FIG. 17 is a front view of the launching mechanism of the gaming machine 22, and FIG. 18 is a side view of the launching mechanism. In these figures, the encapsulated sphere comes into contact with the ball receiving member 702 in the first state in which the sphere is prevented from flowing through the encapsulated sphere circulation passage 701 as indicated by an arrow and stops. Thereafter, when the ball receiving member 702 is attracted to the ball feeding solenoid 471 by energizing the ball feeding solenoid 471 that is an electric drive source disposed above the ball receiving member 702, the ball receiving member 702 receives the ball receiving member 702. The part is converted to a second state in which the sphere can be received.

In this way, the sphere is received by the sphere receiving portion of the sphere receiving member 702 converted to the second state. Thereafter, when the energization to the ball feed solenoid 471 is stopped, the ball receiving member 702 returns to the first state in a state where the ball is received in the ball receiving portion of the ball receiving member 702, and the ball receiving member 702 causes the ball receiving member 702 to move downward. The guided ball passes through the ball passage 703 and reaches the firing position of the firing rail 704 having an M-shaped cross section that communicates with the guide rail 651 that forms the bullet path to the game area. At this time, the ball feed sensor 311 detects a real sphere sent to the launch position of the launch rail 704. Therefore, the ball feed sensor 311 functions as a firing sensor.
When the firing operation handle 622 is operated, the balls guided to the firing position are ejected one by one by a substantially L-shaped lever 705 driven by the rotary solenoid 472 and fired into the game area. .
On the other hand, when the encapsulated ball removal solenoid 327 is turned on, the encapsulated ball in the enclosed ball circulation passage 701 flows down toward the ball removal passage 706 and is extracted outside. Thereafter, the removed encapsulated sphere is cleaned, for example, outside.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
A. Control of Card Management Device FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a main program of management control executed by the card management device 11. This program is started at the same time when the card management device 11 is turned on. When the program starts, initialization processing is first performed in step S10. This initializes the microprocessor 101, the memory 103, and the I / O interface circuit 104, resets a flag, and the like. Next, a self-diagnosis process is performed in step S12. This is to check the operation of each device in the card management device 11 (for example, the communication control device 32, the signal conversion device 121, the printer 122, the display device 123, the external storage device 124, etc.).

Next, the process proceeds to step S14, and it is determined whether or not the self-diagnosis result is OK. If the result of the self-diagnosis is NG, the process proceeds to step S16 and the diagnosis state is displayed on the display device 123. Next, it is determined whether or not the reset switch 111 is turned on. If not, the process returns to step S16 to repeat the loop. Then, when the attendant confirms the diagnosis status display and knows the necessary treatment, and operates the reset switch 111 to turn it on, the process returns to step S10 and the process is performed again.
If the result of the self-diagnosis is OK, the process proceeds to step S20 to perform a job start process. In addition to starting the work of the card management device 11, the operation of the hall is started by permitting the issuance of cards or the start of the enclosed ball game (details will be described later in a subroutine).
Next, operation switch processing is performed in step S22. This is to display necessary information by displaying an input screen on the display device 123 (details will be described later in a subroutine). Next, an illegal process is performed in step S24. In this case, when an abnormality such as fraud occurs, an abnormality process is performed to deal with the abnormality. For example, if a gaming card is fraudulent, abnormal data is left in the file history record according to the card identification number, or a notification is issued to alert the staff.

Next, in step S26, it is determined whether or not the tightening switch 112 is turned on. As a result, it is determined whether or not a request to end the business of the hall has been input. If the tightening switch 112 is not turned on, the process returns to step S22 and the loop from step S22 to step S26 is repeated. As a result, normal hall operations are performed.
When the tightening switch 112 is turned on in step S26, it is determined that a request to end the business of the hall has been input, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S28 to perform a business stop process. The business stop process is a process for normally closing the hall business (details will be described later in a subroutine). After step S28, the card management device 11 enters the sleep mode and is ready for business the next day.

A-1. Business Start Processing Subroutine FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in the business start processing in step S20 of the management control main program. When this subroutine is started, it is determined in step S50 whether or not the job start switch 113 is on. If the business start switch 113 is not turned on, the process waits in step S50. When the business start switch 113 is turned on, it is determined that the switch for preparing the business start of the hall has been pressed, and the process proceeds to step S52. In step S52, it is determined whether there is setting change information. This is information that has been changed by operation switch processing, for example, information on ball lending unit frequency (when the ball lending unit frequency is changed from 2 degrees = 200 yen to 5 degrees = 500 yen). Whether or not.

If there is setting change information, the process branches to step S54 to read the change information, and then proceeds to step S56. Thus, the subsequent processing is performed according to the new information whose setting has been changed. On the other hand, if there is no setting change information in step S52, the process jumps to step S54 and proceeds to step S56.
In step S56, initial information, a business start command, and card take-in prohibition information are written into the communication control device 32. By writing to the communication control device 32, the communication control devices 33, 34, 35a to 35n of each terminal device (that is, each communication of the card issuer 13, the game machine 22 equipped with the game medium conversion device 21, and the prize exchange device 14). The control device) sequentially takes in the initial information, the business start command, and the card take-in prohibition information via the information transmission path 24. That is, the information (business start command, etc.) in step S56 is transmitted to each terminal device.

Next, the gaming machine number is fetched in step S58. This takes in the gaming machine number connected to the gaming medium conversion device 21. Next, in step S60, it is determined whether or not the reading of the gaming machine number is OK. If reading of the gaming machine number of each gaming machine is not OK, the process proceeds to step S62 and the number of the corresponding gaming machine is displayed on the display device 123. Thereby, the connection state of the line between the card management device 11 and the game medium conversion device 21 is known.
Next, in step S64, it is determined whether or not the forced start switch 118 is turned on. The forcible start switch 118 is operated when forcibly conducting business. Therefore, if the forcible start switch 118 is not turned on in step S64, the process proceeds to step S66, where an abnormality flag is set, and the process returns to the main routine. When the abnormal flag is set, the illegal operation is entered and the business is stopped.
On the other hand, when the forced start switch 118 is turned on in step S64, the process branches to step S68 to create a gaming machine file.

  Next, in step S70, it is determined whether or not the business start switch 114 is on. If it is not turned on, it waits in step S70, and if it is turned on, it is determined that the hall business start is requested, and the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, the card take-in permission information, the card issuing machine start information, and the gift exchange start information are written into the communication control device 32. As a result, the communication control devices 33, 34, and 35a to 35n of the terminal devices (that is, the communication devices of the card issuer 13, the game machine 22 equipped with the game medium conversion device 21, and the gift exchange device 14) start business. The information about is taken in sequentially. That is, the information in step S72 is transmitted to each terminal device. Therefore, each terminal device can start business. After step S72, the process returns to the main routine.

A-2. Operation Switch Processing Subroutine FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in operation switch processing in step S22 of the main program for management control. When this subroutine is started, it is determined in step S100 whether or not the display switch 115 for displaying the input screen on the display device 123 is turned on. If the display switch 115 is not turned on, the process jumps to step S106. Therefore, in this case, the input screen is not displayed on the display device 123, and it is determined whether or not to print information.
On the other hand, when the display switch 115 is turned on, an input screen for instructing (selecting) information is displayed on the display device 123, and the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, predetermined information input processing is performed. In this case, desired information (instruction of information to be viewed) is input by a pointing switch 117 (for example, a mouse). That is, when the display device 123 displays an input screen for instructing information, an instruction of information (for example, file data relating to the first to tenth gaming machines) that the clerk wants to see for management is given. input.

In step S104, the card file information in the card management apparatus 11 is read based on the input instruction information and displayed on the display device 123. Thus, for example, when an instruction is given to view file data related to gaming machines from the 1st to the 10th, file data related to gaming machines from the 1st to the 10th are displayed on the display device 123, and the staff members see be able to.
Next, the process proceeds to step S106, and it is determined whether or not information is to be printed. If YES, the process proceeds to step S108, and the selected information is printed and output. After step S108, the process returns to the main routine.

A-3. Subroutine for Business Stop Processing FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for the business stop processing in step S28 of the main program for management control. When the closing switch 112 that is operated when the hall is closed is turned on, a business stop processing subroutine is executed. When this subroutine is started, all terminal addresses are designated in step S120, and a closing command is written in the communication control device 32. As a result, the communication control devices 33, 34, 35a to 35n of all terminal devices (that is, the communication control devices of the card issuing machine 13, the gaming machine 22 equipped with the game medium conversion device 21, and the prize exchange device 14) work. The tightening commands related to the stop are taken in sequentially. That is, a closing command is transmitted to all terminal devices to end the work. Therefore, all terminal devices stop their work.
Next, in step S122, at the end of the job, it is determined whether or not the current day's job information is to be printed. If NO, the process jumps to step S124 and proceeds to step S126. If YES, the process advances to step S124 to print and output the card file, ball rental file, card issue file, and abnormal history file. As a result, the business information of the day is printed as a card file, a ball loan file, a card issue file, and an abnormal history file.

Next, each file information is recorded in the external storage device 124 in step S126. As a result, the business information of the day is recorded and left as a card file, a ball loan file, a card issue file, and an abnormal history file. Next, in step S128, it is determined whether or not there is communication from the card company 2. If there is no communication from the card company 2, the process stands by in step S128. If there is communication from the card company 2, the process proceeds to step S130 and the contents stored in the external storage device 124 are transmitted to the card company 2. As a result, information stored as business file information such as a card file, a ball loan file, a card issue file, and an abnormal history file is transmitted to the card company 2, and for example, a game card or sales settlement settlement is performed thereafter. become.
Next, in step S132, the card management apparatus 11 is switched to the sleep mode and the process returns to the main routine. As a result, the card management device 11 enters the low power consumption mode and is prepared for the start of business on the next day.

Next, interrupt processing will be described.
As described in the main routine, normal hall sales are performed by repeating the loop of steps S22 to S26 of the main routine. In other words, business is performed by repeating the operation switch process, the fraud process, and the determination process of whether or not the tightening switch 112 is turned on. This is a business management loop by the card management apparatus 11, but the card management apparatus 11 performs the following various processes by interrupt processing. Interrupt processing includes communication interruption and interruption every predetermined time.

WA. Communication Processing FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a communication processing routine of the card management apparatus 11 performed by interruption. When new reception information is written to the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11, an interrupt is issued each time and this routine is executed.
When interrupted, new received information written in the communication control device 32 is transferred to the file memory of the card management device 11 in step S150. Thereby, from the communication control devices 33, 34, 35 a to 35 n of any terminal device (that is, each communication control device of the card issuer 13, the gaming machine 22 with the game medium conversion device 21, and the prize exchange device 14). Each time information is transmitted, the interrupted information transmitted is taken into the card file in the file memory of the card management device 11 and at this time, the command is also stored in association with the card file.

Here, the format of the card file in the file memory of the card management apparatus 11 will be described.
FIG. 24A shows the format of the card file, and each data has the following contents. Each piece of data is stored for each card by being distinguished by the card identification information.
-Identification information Data for identifying each card and storing information. The same identification information is assigned to the card. For example, it is assigned as “Q5R21”.
-Gaming machine number This is a machine number for distinguishing a plurality of gaming machines 22. For example, it is assigned as “77”.
・ Card balance The amount of money remaining on the card. For example, if 1800 yen remains, it is stored as “1800” as it is. This data can also be used outside our shop.

・ Number of balls that can be played with the number of balls held by the player, including data converted from the amount to the number of balls, and the number of balls acquired by winning a general prize during a game on the gaming machine 22 . For example, it is stored as “321”.
Interruption information This is information when the game is interrupted when the player leaves the gaming machine 22 for a meal. The “flag” is used to determine the state in which the game is interrupted, and the “timer” is the time to interrupt the game. When the “flag” is set, it corresponds to a state in which the game is interrupted, and for example, a limit value (for example, 30 minutes) of the interruption time is measured by the “timer”. For example, if “0” and “0” are set, the “flag” is not set and the game interruption time has not elapsed.

-Game machine movement history This is log data when a player moves the game machine 22 and plays a game. The machine number of the gaming machine 22 that played the game is stored as it is. If you are not playing with that card, nothing is remembered.
-Game time This is data representing the time when a player plays a game on the gaming machine 22. For example, when a game is played for 30 minutes, data “30” is stored.
・ Date The date of the day. For example, if it is April 1, 1994, data “94.4.1” is stored.
・ Store code This information identifies the hall. For example, in this store, it is assigned as “X1Q5W”.

FIG. 24B shows the format of card information assigned to the game card 800, and each data has the following contents. Each data is stored separately in each storage area of the game card 800 for each data.
・ Security information Data that determines the authenticity of the card. For example, security information is created using a random number including a code.
・ Store code This information identifies the hall. The store code of each store can be stored in the card, and if the store code is different, the amount information can be used, but the number of possession data etc. can only be used at the store and the day.
・ Date The date data of the current day using the card.
-Identification information Data for identifying each card.
-Amount The amount data held by the card. For example, if 1800 yen remains, it is stored as “1800” as it is. This data can also be used outside our shop.

-Number of possessed balls The number of balls held by the player, including data converted from the amount of money to the number of balls, and the number of balls acquired by winning a general prize during a game on the gaming machine 22. This can not be exchanged for prizes or played outside the store.
Interruption information This is information when the game is interrupted when the player leaves the gaming machine 22 for a meal. “Flag” data is stored in the card. When the game is interrupted, when the interrupt switch 322 is pressed, the interrupt “flag” is set and stored in the card. The player goes to a meal, for example, with a card of “flag” = 1.
-Gaming machine number This is a machine number for distinguishing a plurality of gaming machines 22, and in particular, the number of the machine (that is, the latest machine) that played the game last. For example, it is assigned as “77”.

WB. In-Store Processing FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an in-store processing routine of the card management apparatus 11 performed by interruption. This routine is executed by interruption every predetermined time.
When an interruption occurs every predetermined time, abnormal information processing is performed in step S160. In this case, the card management apparatus 11 manages the history of abnormality information. In step S162, identification information addition processing is performed (details will be described later in a subroutine). In this method, identification information is generated in response to an identification information request command transmitted from a terminal device (in particular, the game medium conversion device 21 of the gaming machine 22) and transmitted to a corresponding terminal device. For example, it is a case where a card newly issued at our store is not yet added with identification information and thus is created.

Next, collation request processing is performed in step S164 (details will be described later in a subroutine). This reads out the card file information instructed by the collation request command transmitted from the terminal device (in particular, the game medium conversion device 21 of the gaming machine 22) and transmits it to the corresponding terminal device. For example, a game is started by inserting a card into the game medium conversion device 21.
In step S166, card information request processing is performed (details will be described later in a subroutine). This reads out the card file information instructed by the card information request command transmitted from the terminal device (in particular, the game medium conversion device 21 of the gaming machine 22) and transmits it to the corresponding terminal device. For example, it is a case where the return switch 321 is pushed to end the game.
Next, a nulling process is performed in step S168 (details will be described later in a subroutine). In this case, a card file whose balance information is “0” (that is, null) is searched and a nulling process is instructed.

Next, interruption processing is performed in step S170 (details will be described later in a subroutine). This is a game interruption process. For example, when a player goes to a meal.
Next, a verification check process is performed in step S172 (details will be described later in a subroutine). This is to manage the history of verification error when a mismatch command is output indicating that the card information and the card file information of the card management device 11 do not match. At this time, the card file is copied and left in the abnormal history file.
Next, in step S174, the ball lending information and the card issuance information are processed by the ball lending / card issuance file. In other words, for the settlement between the hall and the card company 2, the calculation is performed to collect the ball lending information and the card issuance information, and the result is stored and managed in the ball lending / card issuance file. is there. Thereafter, for example, the card company 2 accesses the card management device 11 of the store one time or more once a day and extracts necessary information. After step S174, this routine is terminated and the next interrupt timing is awaited.

WB-1. Identification Information Adding Process Subroutine FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in the identification information adding process in step S162 of the in-store processing routine performed by interruption. First, in step S200, it is determined whether or not there is a request command for identification information from the game medium conversion device 21 of the gaming machine 22 (has been transmitted). The identification information request command is a request issued from the game medium conversion device 21 when, for example, a card is inserted into the game medium conversion device 21 and there is no identification information of the shop on the card yet. The case where there is no identification information on the card is, for example, a new card, a card with identification information of another store and a card with a balance.
If there is no request command for identification information, the routine ends and returns. If there is a request command for identification information, the process proceeds to step S202 to calculate identification information. The calculation of the identification information is to newly create the identification information to be given to the card. For example, when the identification information is created using a random number, the identification information using the random number is calculated. The identification information is not limited to a random number and may be calculated by any method as long as the card can be identified and distinguished from other stores.

In step S204, a card file based on the identification information is created. This is to create a card file in the card management device 11 for storing information corresponding to the card for which the identification information request command has been issued, whereby the card information is managed.
Next, the identification information created in step S206 is written in the communication control device 32 with a transmission address. As a result, the written identification information is taken in by the communication control device 35 in the requested game medium conversion device 21 and stored in the card identification information storage area. After step S206, the process returns to the main routine.

WB-2. Matching Request Processing Subroutine FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in the matching request processing in step S164 of the in-store processing routine performed by interruption. When this subroutine is started, first, in step S220, it is determined whether or not there is a collation request command from the game medium conversion device 21 of the gaming machine 22 (has been transmitted). For example, when a card is inserted into the game medium conversion device 21, the check request command is used to check the card information and the equivalent information stored in the card management device 11 on the game medium conversion device 21 side. The card file information of the card management apparatus 11 is requested.

  If there is no verification request command, the routine ends and returns. If there is a verification request command, the process proceeds to step S222, and the card file in the card management apparatus 11 is searched based on the card identification information. Next, the information of the card file found as a result of the search in step S224 is written in the communication control device 32 with a transmission address. As a result, the written card file information is taken in by the communication control device 35 in the requested game media conversion device 21 and the game media conversion device 21 collates the card information. . After step S224, the process returns to the main routine.

WB-3. Card Information Request Processing Subroutine FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in the card information request processing in step S166 of the in-store processing routine performed by interruption. When this subroutine is started, first, in step S250, it is determined whether or not a card information request command is received (transmitted) from the game medium conversion device 21 of the gaming machine 22. The card information request command is issued when, for example, a card is inserted in the game medium conversion device 21 and the return switch 321 is pressed to request the return of the card. This is because the information stored in the card file is returned (that is, discharged) after being written to the card. This is because the card file information on the card management device 11 side is true.

  If there is no card information request command, the routine ends and returns. If there is a card information request command, the process advances to step S252 to search for a card file in the card management apparatus 11 based on the card identification information. Next, the information of the card file found as a result of the search in step S254 is written in the communication control device 32 with a transmission address. As a result, the written card file information is taken in by the communication control device 35 in the requested game media conversion device 21, and the card file received for the card to be returned by the game media conversion device 21 is received. Is written on the card. After step S254, the process returns to the main routine.

WB-4. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in the nulling process in step S168 of the in-store processing routine performed by interruption. When this subroutine is started, a card file whose amount balance information is “0” is extracted in step S280. If the balance information of the amount is “0”, there is no amount and the ball cannot be lent. Next, a card file with the number of possessions “0” is extracted from the card file with the balance information “0” extracted in step S282. If the number of balls is “0”, there is no ball and the game cannot be continued.
This is because the card file in the null state of the balance information of the amount = “0” and the number of possessions = “0” is monitored and the game on the gaming machine 22 is automatically ended.
In step S284, a zero return command is written in the communication control device 32 together with the corresponding transmission address. The return zero command is an instruction to end the game. That is, the transmission address of the game media conversion device 21 corresponding to the card file in the null state of the balance information of the amount = “0” and the number of possessions = “0” is written in the communication control device 32. As a result, the game of the table designated by the transmission address is automatically terminated and the card is ejected. After step S284, the process returns to the main routine.

WB-5. Interrupt Processing Subroutine FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in the interruption processing in step S170 of the in-store processing routine performed by interruption. When this subroutine is started, a game interruption start process is first performed in step S300 (details will be described later in the subroutine). This determines whether or not the interruption switch 322 is turned on, and when it is turned on, the game interruption is started. In step S302, an interruption cancellation request process is performed (details will be described later in a subroutine). In this case, when a suspended card is inserted into the game media conversion device 21 of another table, a command to cancel the suspension is issued to the table suspended by the card.
Next, in step S304, interruption cancellation processing is performed (details will be described later in a subroutine). This is to monitor the game interruption time and issue an interruption release request command when the interruption is released (for example, 30 minutes have elapsed).
Next, timer update processing is performed in step S306. This is to update the value of the timer activated by the start of interruption, and thus time is measured every time this routine is executed. After step S306, the process returns to the main routine.

Next, the contents of each subroutine of the interruption process will be described.
WB-5-1. Start Process Subroutine FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a start process subroutine of step S300 of the interruption process. When this subroutine starts, it is first determined in step S320 whether or not there is an interruption start command. The interruption start command is issued when, for example, a card is inserted in the game medium conversion device 21 and the interruption switch 322 is pressed to request a game interruption from the player. This is for the case where the game is temporarily interrupted and the table is secured for going to a meal.

If there is no interrupt start command, the routine ends and returns. If there is an interruption start command, the process proceeds to step S322, and the card file in the card management apparatus 11 is searched based on the card identification information. Next, in step S324, the interrupt information flag of the card file found as a result of the search is set, and a timer is started to return to the main routine.
Thus, when the card file interruption information flag is set (for example, “1”), the card file side holds that the table is in the interruption state. The reason for starting the timer is to start measuring a specified value (30 minutes in this embodiment) as the interruption time.

WB-5-2. Suspension Release Request Process Subroutine FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a suspension release request process subroutine in step S302 of the above interruption process. When this subroutine is started, it is first determined in step S350 whether or not there is an interruption release request command. For example, when the suspended card is inserted into the other game media conversion device 21, the suspension cancellation request command is used to issue a suspension cancellation request from the card to the suspended platform.
If there is no interrupt release request command, the routine ends and returns. If there is an interruption release request command, the process proceeds to step S352, and the card file in the card management apparatus 11 is searched based on the card identification information. Next, in step S354, the transmission address of the gaming machine number in the card file found as a result of the search is added, and an interruption release command is written in the communication control device 32. Thereby, the interruption release command is taken in by the communication control device 35 in the game media conversion device 21 of the table designated by the transmission address. Then, the interruption of the gaming machine 22 is released. Therefore, the game can be performed by other players.
In step S356, the interruption information of the card file is cleared and the process returns to the main routine. Thereby, the interruption of the gaming machine 22 is released also on the card management device 11 side.

WB-5-3. Suspension Cancel Processing Subroutine FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the interrupt cancel processing subroutine in step S304 of the interrupt processing. When this subroutine is started, first, in step S370, a card file in which the flag of interruption information is set is extracted from the card files in the card management apparatus 11. This is to search for the gaming machine 22 in the suspended state (that is, the table on which the suspension switch 322 is turned on) from the information of the card file.
Next, the process proceeds to step S372, and a card file whose interruption information timer exceeds a specified value (30 minutes) is extracted from the extracted card files. This is to forcibly cancel the game interruption for the table exceeding the specified value and open the table to other players. This is because it is not preferable for business that one player occupies the table exceeding the specified value.

  Next, in step S374, when a card file whose interruption information timer exceeds the specified value (30 minutes) is extracted, the transmission address of the table (game machine number) corresponding to the card file is added and an interruption release command is issued. Write to the communication control device 32. Thereby, the interruption release command is taken in by the communication control device 35 in the game media conversion device 21 of the table designated by the transmission address. Then, the interruption of the gaming machine 22 is forcibly released. Therefore, the game can be performed by other players. After step S374, the process returns to the main routine.

WB-6. Subroutine for Collation Cancellation Processing FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for the collation cancellation processing in step S172 of the in-store processing routine performed by interruption. When this subroutine starts, it is first determined in step S380 whether there is a mismatch command (has been transmitted). For example, when a card is inserted into the game medium conversion device 21, the mismatch command is used when the card information and the equivalent information of the card file stored in the card management device 11 are collated on the game medium conversion device 21 side. When the card information and the card file information are inconsistent (not normal), it is transmitted from the game medium conversion device 21 side.
If there is no mismatch command, the routine ends and returns. If there is a mismatch command, the process advances to step S382 to copy the card file to the abnormal history file in the card management apparatus 11. Thereafter, the process returns to the main routine. As a result, the hall attendant can recognize such a situation and take appropriate measures by looking at the abnormal history file of the card management device 11 when the card is falsified or abnormal. .

B. Card Issuer Control FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a main program for card issue control executed by the card issuer 13. This program is started at the same time when the card issuing machine 13 is turned on. When the program starts, it is first determined in step S400 whether or not there is a business start flag. The business start flag is a power failure determination flag, and is set in step S406 as described later. The fact that the business start flag is set (is present) corresponds to a return state from a power failure.
If there is no business start flag, the process proceeds to step S402 to perform self-diagnosis processing. This is to check the operation of each device in the card issuing machine 13. Next, in step S404, it is determined whether or not there is a business start command. The business start command is transmitted to each terminal device when the card management device 11 starts a business. Therefore, if the card management device 11 does not determine that the business can be started, the process waits in step S404. If the card management device 11 determines that the business can be started and instructs the start, As a result, the process proceeds to step S406.

In step S406, a business start flag is set. The business start flag is stored in a memory backed up by a battery, for example. Here, by setting the business start flag, if the business start flag is in the set state after that, it can be determined that the power has been turned off once and a power failure has occurred.
Next, initial setting is performed in step S408. This initializes the microprocessor 131, the clock circuit 132, the memory 133, and the I / O interface circuit 134 of the card issuing machine 13, initializes the input / output ports, and the like. Next, in step S410, it is determined whether or not there is a business start command. The business start command is transmitted from the card management apparatus 11 as described above. Therefore, in step S410, it waits for an instruction to start business from the card management apparatus 11. That is, if there is no business start command, the process stands by in step S410, and if there is a business start command, the process proceeds to step S412.
On the other hand, if there is a business start flag in step S400, the power failure determination flag is set. Therefore, it is determined that the power has returned from the power failure, and the process branches to step S414. In step S414, the data in the save memory (the memory area in which data is saved during a power failure) is returned to the work memory. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S412.

  In step S412, communication processing is performed. This is to communicate with the card management device 11, for example, transfer of various data on the card issuance status, instructions from the card management device 11, and the like. Next, a card issuing process is performed in step S416. This is to perform various processes necessary for issuing a card to the player when the player operates to purchase a card. Next, in step S418, it is determined whether or not there is a tightening command. The closing command is transmitted from the card management apparatus 11 as described above. Therefore, in step S418, the card management apparatus 11 waits for an instruction to end business. That is, if there is no closing command, the processing from step S418 is repeated. If there is a closing command, the process proceeds to step S420. In step S420, the business start flag is reset, and the program of the card issuing machine 13 is ended.

C. Control of Game Medium Conversion Control Device FIGS. 36 to 39 are flowcharts showing a main program of game medium conversion control executed by the game medium conversion control device 43 arranged in the game medium conversion device 21. FIG. This program is started at the same time when the game medium conversion control device 43 is turned on. When the program starts, it is first determined whether or not there is a business start flag in step S500 of FIG. The business start flag is a power failure determination flag, and is set in step S508 as described later. The fact that the business start flag is set (is present) corresponds to a return state from a power failure.
If there is no business start flag, the process proceeds to step S502 to perform self-diagnosis processing. This is to check the operation of each device (for example, the card reader / writer 203) in the game medium conversion control device 43. Next, an interrupt is permitted in step S504. This permits execution of the three interrupt routines described later. For example, in the main communication process to be described later, if there is communication from the card management device 11, an interrupt is generated, but when the interrupt is generated, the interrupt process is permitted.

Next, in step S506, it is determined whether or not there is a business start command. The business start command is transmitted to each terminal device when the card management device 11 starts a business. Therefore, if it is not determined by the card management device 11 that the business can be started, the process stands by in step S506. If the card management device 11 determines that the business can be started and is instructed to start, the business start command is issued. As a result, the process proceeds to step S508.
In step S508, a business start flag is set. The business start flag is stored in a memory backed up by a battery, for example. Here, by setting the business start flag, if the business start flag is in the set state after that, it can be determined that the power has been turned off once and a power failure has occurred.
Next, initial setting is performed in step S510. This initializes the microprocessor 221, the clock circuit 222, the memory 223, and the I / O interface circuit 224 of the game medium conversion control device 43, initializes input / output ports, and the like. In step S512, the card is inhibited from being taken in. This prohibits card loading until everything is ready.

Next, a task start command is transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201 in step S514. This instructs the gaming machine control device 201 of the gaming machine 22 to start business. Next, in step S516, information on the gaming machine number (hereinafter referred to as a gaming machine number as appropriate) is fetched. This is because the gaming machine number is sent from the gaming machine control device 201 to the gaming medium conversion control device 43 by transmitting a business start command to the gaming machine control device 201, and the information is taken in. . Next, it is determined whether or not the format of the gaming machine number sent in step S518 is OK. This is to check the format of the gaming machine number and determine whether it is logically normal.
If the format check of the gaming machine number is NG, the process branches to step S520 and an abnormal format command is written in the communication control device 35. Thereby, the abnormal command of the format of the gaming machine number in the gaming medium conversion control device 43 is taken in by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11.

  Next, the business start flag is cleared in step S522. That is, the game medium conversion control device 43 determines that it is difficult to start the business. Since this is not a power failure, the business start flag is reset. Next, in step S524, it is determined whether or not the reset switch 315 is turned on. If it is not turned on, the process waits for this step. If turned on, the process returns to step S500 to repeat the process from the beginning. In this way, when the format of the gaming machine number is abnormal, the state is notified to the card management device 11, and the necessary action is taken after the input of the reset switch 315. That is, in this case, the attendant takes a considerable measure for the format check of the gaming machine number and returns to normal.

If the format check of the gaming machine number is logically normal in step S518, then the process proceeds to step S526 in FIG. Thereby, the gaming machine number in the gaming medium conversion control device 43 is taken in by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11. Next, the gaming machine number is stored in step S528. Accordingly, the game medium conversion control device 43 is operated based on the stored gaming machine number.
Next, in step S530, it is determined whether there is a card take-in permission command. The card take-in permission command is transmitted from the card management device 11. Therefore, in step S530, the card management device 11 waits for an instruction for taking in the card. That is, if there is no card take-in command, the process stands by in step S530, and if there is a card take-in permission command, the process proceeds to step S532. In step S532, a business start command is transmitted to the gaming machine control apparatus 201. This instructs the gaming machine control device 201 of the gaming machine 22 to start business.

In step S534, the card is permitted to be taken in. This cancels the prohibition of card loading set in step S512. Next, the process proceeds to step S536.
On the other hand, if there is a business start flag in step S500, the power failure determination flag is set. Therefore, it is determined that the power has returned from the power failure, and the process branches to step S538. In step S538, the data in the save memory (the memory area in which data is saved during a power failure) is returned to the work memory. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S536 in FIG.

In step S536, it is determined whether or not a card has been inserted, and the process waits. If no card is inserted, the process branches to step S540 to determine whether or not there is an interrupt release command. This is for confirming an instruction to cancel the interruption from the card management apparatus 11. For example, if the interruption time exceeds a specified value (30 minutes), and the interruption card is used in another gaming machine 22, the game interruption at the table is canceled and another player is promptly released. In order to increase the operating rate of the table by releasing it, the card management device 11 confirms the instruction to cancel the interruption.
If the interruption release command is not transmitted from the card management apparatus 11, the process returns to step S536. If an interruption release command has been transmitted, the interruption flag is cleared in step S542, and the process returns to step S536. Therefore, when the interruption flag is cleared, the game interruption at the table is canceled and a game by another player becomes possible.

When a card is inserted in step S536, the process proceeds to step S544 to read card data. There are various kinds of card data to be read as shown in FIG.
Moving to FIG. 38, it is then determined in step S546 whether the security information of the inserted card is OK. Since the security information is for confirming the authenticity of the card, if the security information is NG (for example, card tampering), the process proceeds to step S548 and the card is ejected. Therefore, a game cannot be played with the card. Thereafter, the process returns to step S536. The player either inserts another normal card to play, or gives up the game.
On the other hand, if the security information of the card inserted in step S546 is OK, the process proceeds to step S550 to determine whether the card is that day's card. The card of the day means a card played at the store or another store on the same day. Whether it is the card of the day is determined by whether the date of the day and the identification information of the day are on the card. This is because the amount of money is not limited on the day, but the possession is limited to the store and the day.

(A) Card without identification information on the current day This case is, for example, a case where the card has a price before the previous day, or a card that has been newly purchased and has no identification information added.
If the result of the determination in step S550 is not the card of the current day (or if it is a new card to which date information has not been added yet), the process proceeds to step S552, and whether the inserted card has an amount (new prepaid amount) Whether or not there is a balance. If the amount is present, the process proceeds to the identification information issuing process shown in FIG. Although the details will be described later in the identification information issuing process, processing necessary for issuing card identification information and ball lending is performed. Therefore, even if the card has no identification information on the day, it can be used at the store if the amount is sufficient. For example, this is a case where a card is newly purchased from the card issuing machine 13 and a prepaid amount is available. In this case, the card may be purchased at our store or at another store.
On the other hand, if it is not the card of the day and there is no amount, the process proceeds to step S554, and the display command 1 is transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201. Thereby, a display corresponding to the display command 1 is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 in accordance with an instruction from the gaming machine control device 201.

There are display commands from “0” to “5”, and various information is displayed and notified to the player as shown in FIG. Among them, the display command 1 is “There is no balance”. Therefore, when the player inserts a card that is not the card of the current day and has no money, the player can visually recognize the message “There is no balance” on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212.
Each display command shown in FIG. 40 is for displaying information on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212. However, the display command is not limited to display. For example, each display command shown in FIG. You may make it alert | report the content.
Next, in step S556, the card without the amount of money of the day is discharged, and the process returns to step S536. The player either inserts another normal card to play, or gives up the game.

(B) Same-day card but no identification information at this store This case is a card with identification information added at another store on the day, for example, but there is no identification information at this store and there is a money Is the case.
If the result of determination in step S550 is that the current day's card, the process proceeds to step S558 to determine whether the inserted card has a ball (whether there is a gameable ball) or not. If there is no possession ball, it branches to step S560 and it is discriminate | determined whether there exists any money. If there is an amount of money, a game is possible, so the process proceeds to step S562, and it is determined whether or not it is a card of the store (that is, there is a store code of the store). If it is not a card of our shop, the process proceeds to the identification information issuing process. As a result, if the card has identification information added at another store on the day, but there is no identification information at the store and there is an amount of money, the identification information issuance process will issue the card identification information, ball lending, etc. Necessary processing is performed. Therefore, even if there is no identification information at the store, if there is an amount of money, the process proceeds to step S550 → step S558 → step S560 → step S562 → identification information issuance processing and can be used at the store.

(C) This store has identification information for the day This case is a card with identification information for the store, the day, and if there is a ball (ie, if it was used for a game before) .
If the result of determination in step S550 is that the current day's card, the process proceeds to step S558 to determine whether the inserted card has a ball (whether there is a gameable ball) or not. If there is a possession ball, the process proceeds to step S564, and it is determined whether or not it is the store's card (ie, there is a store code of the store). If it is a card of our shop, it will progress to the process after step S574 of FIG. 39, and a game will be performed by the possession of a card.

(D) There is only information on the day This case is a case where there is a card with only the information on the day added. For example, when the possession of another store remains.
If the result of determination in step S550 is that the current day's card, the process proceeds to step S558 to determine whether the inserted card has a ball (whether there is a gameable ball) or not. If there is a possession ball, the process proceeds to step S564, and it is determined whether or not it is the store's card (ie, there is a store code of the store). If it is not the card of our shop, for example, it is judged that there is a remaining ball of another shop, and it proceeds to step S566 and judges whether or not there is an amount. If there is an amount, the process proceeds to step S568, and the display command 3 is transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201. Thereby, a display corresponding to the display command 3 is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 in accordance with an instruction from the gaming machine control device 201.

The display command 3 is “There is a possession ball acquired at another store, but this cannot be used at this store. Please rent a ball to play a game at our store. However, the possession will be“ 0 ”.” That's it. Therefore, it is determined whether or not a game is played with the card by looking at this display. Subsequently, the process proceeds to identification information issuing processing. As a result, if there is a possession of another store and there is a money, even if it is a card to which identification information is added at another store, by setting the possession to “0”, Can do.
On the other hand, if there is no amount as a result of the determination in step S566, the process branches to step S570, and the display command 2 is transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201. Accordingly, a display corresponding to the display command 2 is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 in accordance with an instruction from the gaming machine control device 201. The display command 2 is “There is a possession earned at another store, but there is no balance, so it cannot be used at this store”. Therefore, by viewing this display, the player can know that the card cannot be played. Next, the card is ejected in step S572, and the process returns to step S536.

(E) On the day of the game, there is a balance left after playing at the store. This case is when there is information on the date and the game has been used before at the store, and the amount remains.
If the result of determination in step S550 is that the current day's card, the process proceeds to step S558 to determine whether the inserted card has a ball (whether there is a gameable ball) or not. If there is no money, the process proceeds to step S560 to determine whether or not there is an amount, and if there is still a balance, it is determined whether or not the shop is in step S562. If it is our store's card (that is, if our store's store code is added), the processing after step S574 in FIG. 39 is performed. Therefore, at this time, since there is a balance left after playing the game at the shop on the day, the ball can be lent within the range of the balance and the game can be played.

Now that each case has been described, the contents of step S574 and subsequent steps in which ball lending is performed with the gaming machine 22 using a card and information reading / writing processing with respect to the card will be described.
Moving to FIG. 39, in step S574, it is determined whether or not there is an interruption flag in the memory 223 (for example, work memory 223c) of the game medium conversion control device 43 (not the interruption flag on the card). The interruption flag here is set in the game medium conversion control device 43 in the steps described later when the interruption switch 322 is turned on and a game interruption is requested when going to a meal. . If there is an interruption flag, the process proceeds to step S576, and the gaming machine number of the card data is compared with the gaming machine number. This is the gaming machine number stored in the card that is currently inserted (this corresponds to the table on which the player turned on the interruption switch 322) and the table on which the player is actually playing the game. The number is compared, and whether or not the card is interrupted is simply determined by the unit number.

Next, in step S578, it is determined whether or not the comparison result is OK. When the gaming machine number in the card data = the gaming machine number, that is, when the card is interrupted, the process branches to YES and proceeds to step S586. Therefore, at this time, the card information is compared with the information stored in the card file of the card management device 11, and the game is played. At least, the game is not rejected as not being an interrupted card.
On the other hand, when the comparison result is NO in step S578, that is, when the gaming machine number of the card data is different from the gaming machine number, it is determined that the card is not an interrupted card, and the card is ejected in step S580. The process returns to step S536. Therefore, at this time, the card cannot be played with the inserted card, and the game with the card that interrupts the game machine number is given priority.

If there is no interruption flag in step S574, it is determined that the interruption flag is not set in the memory 223 (for example, work memory 223c) of the game medium conversion control device 43, and the process proceeds to step S582. In step S582, it is determined whether or not there is an interruption flag in the card data of the card (whether or not an interruption flag has been previously written). That is, it is determined whether the card is not a card for which the interruption flag is set for the gaming machine 22 but is a card for which the interruption flag is set on another table. If there is a suspend flag in the card data (the suspend flag has been written before), it is not a card with the suspend flag set for this gaming machine 22, but a card with a suspend flag set on another machine Then, the process proceeds to step S584, and the interruption release request command is written in the communication control device 35. As a result, the interruption release request command in the game medium conversion control device 43 is captured by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11. Next, the process proceeds to step S586.
Therefore, in this case, the card currently inserted is interrupted by another gaming machine 22, but this corresponds to a case where a game is played by another gaming machine 22. Then, in order to release the interruption of the other gaming machine 22 that has been interrupted by the card, the interruption release request command is transmitted to the card management apparatus 11, and the card management apparatus 11 interrupts the other gaming machine 22. Is released, allowing other players to play games.

When the currently inserted card is not interrupted at all with respect to the gaming machine 22 and the other gaming machines 22, the process proceeds from step S574 to step S582 to step S586. That is, there is no interruption flag in step S574, and there is no interruption flag in the card data in step S582. At this time, the process proceeds to step S586.
Now, if it progresses to step S586 through step S578, step S584, or step S582, a collation request command will be written in the communication control apparatus 35 at step S586. As a result, the verification request command from the game medium conversion control device 43 is taken in by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11. This requests the card management device 11 to transmit the file contents in order to collate the information of the inserted card with the information of the card file stored in the card management device 11.

  Next, in step S588, it is determined whether or not collation information has been captured. That is, it is determined whether or not the information of the card file sent from the card management device 11 has been taken into the game medium conversion control device 43, and if not, the process waits for this step S588 to take in. When is finished, the process goes to step S590. In step S590, the card information is compared with the information of the card file that has been taken in (details will be described later in a subroutine). Next, ball lending processing is performed when the ball lending switch 320 is turned on in step S592 (details will be described later in a subroutine). Next, a return process is performed when the return switch 321 is turned on in step S594 (details will be described later in a subroutine). In step S596, an interruption process is performed when the interruption switch 322 is turned on (details will be described later in a subroutine). The output signals of the switches 320 to 322 are transmitted from the gaming machine control device 201 to the game medium conversion control device 43.

  Next, a nulling process is performed in step S598 (details will be described later in a subroutine). This is a process performed in response to a zero return instruction from the card management apparatus 11. Next, a tightening process is performed in step S600 (details will be described later in a subroutine). This is a process performed in response to a closing command from the card management apparatus 11. After step S600, the process returns to step S592, and the loop composed of steps S592 to S600 is repeated. Therefore, during the game, a card game is performed by sequentially repeating the loop composed of steps S592 to S600.

C-1. Identification Information Issuance Processing Program FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing an identification information issuance processing subroutine in the main game media conversion control program. This subroutine issues processing necessary for issuing card identification information and lending balls. First, in step S602, the card information and the display command 0 are transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201, and the card information and the information related to the display command 0 are displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212. The card information is, for example, the amount of money, the number of balls, etc., and the information of the display command 0 is “Come on.”

Next, the following information is determined in steps S604 to S608.
Step S604: It is determined whether there is ball lending information. The ball lending information is information that the ball lending switch 320 is turned on, and is a case where a ball lending request is issued from a player. The amount that can be lent is equivalent to the amount stored on the card.
Step S606: It is determined whether there is return information. The return information is information that the return switch 321 is turned on, and is when the return of the card is requested.
Step S608: It is determined whether there is interruption information. The interruption information is information that the interruption switch 322 is turned on, and is when the interruption of the game is requested.

If there is no ball lending information and there is return information, the process proceeds to step S610 to eject the card, and the process returns to step S536. For example, when a card is inserted for the first time but the return switch 321 is pushed without lending the ball, or when the card is inserted for the first time but the break switch 322 is pushed without lending the ball. is there.
If there is no ball lending information and there is no return information, if there is interruption information, the process proceeds to step S610 and the card is discharged. As a result, the player can go to eat with a card.
If there is no ball lending information, no return information, and no interruption information, the process returns from step S608 to step S604. Therefore, at this time, the loop of step S604 to step S608 is repeated.

On the other hand, when there is ball lending information (that is, when there is an intention to play a game by inserting a card), the process branches to step S612, and a calculation is made such that (remaining amount−set amount) = card holding difference X. The set amount is the minimum unit ball lending amount set by the hall and is variable. For example, the set amount is set to 200 yen. Next, in step S614, it is determined whether or not the card holding difference X is smaller than “0”.
(A) When the card holding difference X is larger than “0” For example, if the balance of the card = 1000 yen and the set amount = 200 yen, the card holding difference X = 800 yen, which is larger than “0”. At this time, the process proceeds to step S616, and the set amount is written in the communication control device 35 as ball lending information. Thereby, the information of the set amount transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. This is to send information to the card management device 11 because it is necessary to settle the prepaid card usage amount to the card company 2. The information on the set amount transmitted to the card management device 11 is taken into the card company 2 when the card company 2 accesses the card management device 11.

Next, in step S618, the card holding difference X is similarly written in the communication control device 35 as the remaining card information. Thereby, the information of the card possession difference X transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured.
Next, in step S620, the set amount is converted into the number of balls, and the number-of-balls information, the balance information, and the launch permission command are transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201. Thereby, on the gaming machine 22 side, the number of balls corresponding to the set amount, the number of possessed balls, and the remaining amount are displayed on the display device 411 controlled by the operation display control device 212. Further, the launching command is transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201, whereby the launching of the ball is permitted. After step S620, the process proceeds to step S622.

  In step S622, a card identification information request command is written in the communication control unit 35. As a result, the card identification information request command transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. That is, when the ball lending switch 320 is pressed and the player requests ball lending, the card management device 11 is requested to issue card identification information. Thus, when the card management device 11 receives this identification information request command, it creates card identification information and creates a card file corresponding to the identification information. This is because when the card is inserted, the card identification information and the card file are created immediately. For example, when the player requests the return of the card without playing the game, the card file is wasted. This is because the memory area is used wastefully. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a useless card file is not created, so that useless use of a memory area can be prevented.

  Next, in step S624, it is determined whether or not the identification information has been taken. That is, it waits for the game medium conversion control device 43 to capture the card identification information created by the card management device 11. If the identification information is not captured, the process stands by in step S624. If the identification information is captured, the process proceeds to step S626, where the identification information, the balance, the store code, the date, and the gaming machine number are written on the card. Next, the process proceeds to step S594 in FIG. 41, and the loop in the game is repeated. As a result, the information is once written on the card and a game is played.

(B) When the card holding difference X is smaller than “0” For example, if the balance of the card = 100 yen and the set amount = 200 yen, the card holding difference X = −100 yen, which is smaller than “0”. At this time, in order to be able to lend a ball even if it becomes smaller than the set amount, the process proceeds to steps after step S628. In step S628, the remaining amount of the card is written in the communication control device 35 as ball lending information. Thereby, the balance information of the card transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. This is to send information to the card management device 11 because it is necessary to settle the prepaid card usage amount to the card company 2.

Next, in step S630, the balance = 0 is written in the communication control device 35 as balance information. Thereby, the information that the balance of the card = 0 transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. Next, in step S632, the balance is converted into the number of balls, and the number of balls information, the balance information, and the launch permission command are transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201. Thereby, on the gaming machine 22 side, the number of balls corresponding to the remaining balance and the remaining amount (remaining amount = 0) are displayed on the display device 411 controlled by the operation display control device 212. Further, the launching command is transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201, whereby the launching of the ball is permitted. After step S632, the process proceeds to step S622. Hereinafter, the processing after step S622 is the same as the case of (a) described above.
In this way, if the balance of the card = 100 yen and the set amount = 200 yen, even if the card holding difference X becomes smaller than the set amount, it is possible to lend balls within the range of the remaining amount, and the player's game To be able to do.

C-2. Comparison Processing Subroutine FIGS. 42 and 43 are flowcharts showing a comparison processing subroutine (step S590) in the main program for game medium conversion control. When this subroutine is started, card data and card file data (collation information) stored in the card management apparatus 11 are first compared with each other in step S650.
・ Balance (amount information)
・ Identification information / Game machine number

  Next, in step S652, it is determined whether the card data and the equivalent data of the card file (data compared with each other in step S650) are the same (OK). If they are not the same, the process proceeds to step S654, where a notification that the game cannot be performed (for example, display or sound, or both may be notified; the same applies hereinafter) and the card is discharged. This is because the data of the card is different from the data of the card file, so that the game is not performed. Therefore, you cannot play a game with that card. Next, a mismatch command is written in the communication control device 35 in step S656. When the card is inserted into the game medium conversion device 21, the mismatch command is used when the card information and the equivalent information of the card file stored in the card management device 11 are collated on the game medium conversion device 21 side. When the card information and the card file information are inconsistent (not normal), the information is transmitted from the game medium conversion device 21 side. As a result, the mismatch command transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. Thereafter, the card management device 11 performs a process of copying the card file to the abnormal history file. As a result, the hall attendant recognizes such a situation by looking at the abnormal history file of the card management device 11 when there is a falsification of the card, an abnormality of the card, or the like, and takes an appropriate action. After step S650, the process returns to step S536 in FIG.

Further, if the card data and the equivalent data of the card file data are the same in step S652, the process proceeds to step S658 and the number of balls not compared (not in the data compared with each other in step S650) is the same. It is determined whether or not (OK). That is, a comparison process is performed separately for the number of balls. This is because, in the case of the number of balls, even if both data are different, they are treated specially.
If the number of balls in the card data and the card file data is NG, the process proceeds to step S660 to determine whether the card data is smaller than the verification information. If the card data is larger than the collation information for the number of possessed balls, it is judged that the card has been tampered with or abnormal and the card cannot be played in step S662 and the card is ejected. Proceeding to S 664, the mismatch command is written in the communication control device 35. As a result, the mismatch command transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 is taken in by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11, and then the card management device 11 performs a process of copying the card file to the abnormal history file. Done. As a result, the hall attendant recognizes such a situation and takes appropriate measures by looking at the abnormal history file of the card management device 11 when the card is falsified or the card is abnormal. After step S664, the process returns to step S536 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the card data is smaller than the collation information in step S660 for the number of balls, the card file data is treated as true and the process branches to step S666 in order to recognize the game.
Moreover, also when the comparison result of the number of balls is the same (OK) in step S658, the process proceeds to step S666. In step S666, the interruption information of the collation information is cleared.
Next, the flow proceeds to FIG. 43, and the process proceeds to step S668. In step S668, the gaming machine number of the gaming machine is updated to the gaming machine number area of the verification information. This is because the card file of the card is updated with the gaming machine number of the gaming machine. Next, the verification information updated in step S678 is written into the communication control device 35 as card information. Thereby, the updated collation information transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. In step S680, the verification information is written on the card. That is, the updated verification information is once written on the card.
Next, in step S682, the balance of the collation information, the number of balls, the firing permission command, and the display command 0 are transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201, and the display command 0 (“Please come”) is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212. Information on the display command), the balance, and the number of possessions. After step S682, the process returns to the main routine.

C-3. Ball loan processing subroutine FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a ball loan processing subroutine (step S592) in the main program for game medium conversion control. First, in step S700, it is determined whether or not there is ball lending information. The ball lending information means that a ball lending switch 320 is turned on by a player's operation and information on a lending request is issued. If there is no ball lending information (that is, if the ball lending switch 320 is not turned on), the routine ends and returns to the main routine.
If there is ball lending information (if the ball lending switch 320 is turned on), the process proceeds to step S702, where (remaining amount−set amount) = card holding difference X is calculated. The set amount is the minimum unit ball lending amount set by the hall as described above. For example, the set amount is set to 200 yen. Next, in step S704, it is determined whether or not the card holding difference X is smaller than “0”.

(A) When the card holding difference X is larger than “0” For example, if the remaining balance of the card = 1000 yen, the set amount = 200 yen, and the card holding difference X = 800 yen, the process proceeds to step S706 to lend the set amount. The information is written in the communication control device 35 as information. Thereby, the information of the set amount transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. Based on this information, the payment amount of the prepaid card is paid to the card company 2.
Next, in step S708, the card holding difference X is similarly written in the communication control device 35 as the balance information of the card. Thereby, the information of the card possession difference X transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured.
Next, in step S710, the set amount is converted into the number of balls, and the number of balls information and the balance information are transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201. Thereby, on the gaming machine 22 side, the number of balls corresponding to the set amount, the number of possessed balls, and the remaining amount are displayed on the display device 411 controlled by the operation display control device 212 (the display here is the number of balls corresponding to the set amount). Means lending to a player). Therefore, these pieces of information become control data for the enclosed ball game performed by the enclosed ball type gaming machine 22. Then, the process returns to the main routine.

(B) When the card holding difference X is smaller than “0” For example, if the balance of the card = 100 yen, the set amount = 200 yen and the card holding difference X = −100 yen, X is smaller than “0”. In this case, in order to allow the ball to be lent even if it becomes smaller than the set amount, the process branches from step S704 to step S714. In step S714, the remaining balance of the card is written in the communication control device 35 as ball lending information. Thereby, the balance information of the card transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. This is to send information to the card management device 11 because it is necessary to settle the prepaid card usage amount to the card company 2.

Next, in step S716, the balance = 0 is written in the communication control device 35 as balance information. Thereby, the information that the balance of the card = 0 transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. Next, in step S718, the balance is converted into the number of balls, and the number of balls information and the balance information are transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201. Thereby, on the gaming machine 22 side, the number of balls corresponding to the remaining amount and the remaining amount (remaining amount = 0) are displayed on the display device 411 controlled by the operation display control device 212 (the display here is the number of balls corresponding to the set amount). Means lending to a player). Therefore, these pieces of information become control data for the enclosed ball game performed by the enclosed ball type gaming machine 22.
Thus, for example, if the balance of the card = 100 yen and the set amount = 200 yen, even if the card holding difference X is smaller than the set amount, the ball can be lent out within the range of the remaining amount, and the player To be able to play games.

C-4. Return Processing Subroutine FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a return processing subroutine (step S594) in the main program for game medium conversion control. First, it is determined in step S730 whether there is return information. The return information means that the return switch 321 is turned on by a player's operation and a card return is requested. If there is no return information (that is, if the return switch 321 is not turned on), the routine ends and returns to the main routine.
If there is return information (if the return switch 321 is on), the process advances to step S732 to write a card information request command in the communication control device 35. Thereby, the card information request command transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. This card information request command is for requesting file information in order to write the information of the card file stored in the card management device 11 into the inserted card. Therefore, when a card information request command is issued, the information of the card file stored in the card management device 11 is read and sent to the game medium conversion control device 43.

  Next, in step S734, it is determined whether or not the information of the card file stored in the card management apparatus 11 has been taken. If the information of the card file has not been captured, the process stands by at this step. When the information is captured, the process proceeds to step S736 to write the captured card information into the card. Next, a game end command is transmitted to the gaming machine control apparatus 201 in step S738. This is to inform the gaming machine control device 201 of the end of the game because the return switch 321 has been pressed and the writing of information to the card is also completed. Next, in step S740, the card is discharged. Thereby, a game is complete | finished.

C-5. Interrupt Processing Subroutine FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing an interruption processing (step S596) subroutine in the game medium conversion control main program. First, in step S760, it is determined whether there is interruption information. The interruption information means that the interruption switch 322 is turned on by a player's operation and a game interruption is requested. If there is no interruption information (that is, if the interruption switch 322 is not turned on), the routine is terminated and the process returns to the main routine.
If there is interruption information (if the interruption switch 322 is on), the process proceeds to step S762 to write an interruption start request command to the communication control device 35. This interruption start request command is for requesting interruption of the game by the player. Thereby, the interruption start request command transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. Therefore, the card management device 11 is notified of the start of interruption.

  Next, in step S764, an interruption flag, which is information for interrupting the game, is written to the card. Next, an interruption flag is set in step S766. The interruption flag set here is for processing of the game medium conversion control device 43. Next, an interruption command is transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201 in step S768. Thereby, on the gaming machine 22 side, the interruption state of the game is displayed on the display device 411 controlled by the operation display control device 212 by the interruption command. Next, the process proceeds to step S770, and the card is discharged. The player can go to a meal or the like with the discharged card. After step S770, the process returns to the main routine.

C-6. Return Zero Subroutine FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a return zero subroutine (step S598) in the game medium conversion control main program. First, in step S800, it is determined whether there is a return zero command. The nulling command is a command for searching for a card file with balance information “0” and the number of balls held [0] (that is, nulling) and instructing nulling processing. . The card management device 11 monitors whether there is a null zero card file. Then, if there is a return zero card file, it instructs the card to be ejected and the game to end.
If there is no return zero command (that is, if there is no card file with balance information and the number of balls [0]), the routine ends and returns to the main routine.

If there is a return zero command, the process proceeds to step S802, and the card information request command is written in the communication control device 35. The card information request command is for requesting the file in order to write the information of the card file of the card management device 11 into the card inserted in the game medium conversion control device 43. Thereby, the card information request command transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 is captured. Therefore, the card management device 11 finds the requested card file and informs the game medium conversion control device 43 of the card file information.
Therefore, in step S804, it is determined whether or not the card file information (that is, card information) of the card transmitted from the card management apparatus 11 has been captured, and this step is waited until the capture is completed. In step S806, the captured card information is written into the card. In this case, for example, information such as the amount of money = 0, the number of holding balls = 0 is written on the card.
Next, a game end command is transmitted to the gaming machine control apparatus 201 in step S808. Thereby, the game is also ended on the gaming machine 22 side. Next, the card that has returned to zero in step S810 is discharged. After step S810, the process returns to the main routine.

C-7. Closing Process Subroutine FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing a closing process (step S600) subroutine in the game medium conversion control main program. First, it is determined in step S830 whether there is a tightening command. The closing command is issued from the card management device 11 in order to end the work for all terminal devices when the closing switch 112 operated when closing the hall business is turned on. However, in the case of the gaming machine 22, each gaming medium conversion control device 43 is a terminal device as viewed from the card management device 11. If no closing command is transmitted from the card management device 11, the routine is terminated and the process returns to the main routine.
On the other hand, if there is a closing command, the process proceeds to step S832, and the work start flag is cleared. Since this is a normal end of business, the business start flag is cleared. In the case of a power failure, since this process is not executed, the business start flag remains set.
Next, a closing command is transmitted to the gaming machine control device 201 in step S834. Thereby, the game in the gaming machine 22 is finished. This is the end of the program of the game medium conversion control device 43.

Next, interrupt processing of the game medium conversion control device 43 will be described.
In the game medium conversion control device 43, various processes are performed by the interrupt process shown in FIGS. Interrupt processing includes communication interruption and power supply voltage monitoring interruption.
WA. FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a gaming machine communication processing routine of the game medium conversion control device 43 performed by interruption. When there is communication (transmission) from the gaming machine control device 201, this interrupt is generated and this routine is executed.
When interrupted, new reception information transmitted from the gaming machine control apparatus 201 is fetched in step S850, and the reception information fetched in step S852 is stored in the reception memory 2. Next, in step S854, it is determined whether or not there is ball information. If there is no money information, the routine ends and prepares for the next interrupt. If there is possession ball information, it will progress to step S856 and will write the number of possession balls to the communication control apparatus 35. FIG. Thereby, the number of possessed balls transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 is taken in by the communication control device 32 of the card managing device 11, and the card managing device 11 finds the corresponding card file and writes the number of possessed balls. Therefore, when the number of balls is received from the gaming machine control device 201, it is immediately written in the card file of the card management device 11. After step S856, the next interrupt is waited for.

WB. FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing a power failure processing routine of the game medium conversion control device 43 performed by interruption. This routine monitors the power supply voltage, and when it stops below the predetermined voltage, it is interrupted and executed.
If an interrupt is generated due to a drop in power supply voltage, the current state is saved in the backup memory in step S870. Thereby, each current information of the game medium conversion control device 43 is immediately saved and stored in the backup memory. When recovering from the power failure, the information saved as described above is returned to the memory again.

WC. Main Communication Processing FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing a main communication processing routine of the game medium conversion control device 43 performed by interruption. When there is communication (transmission) from the card management device 11, this interrupt is executed and this routine is executed.
When an interruption occurs, new reception information from the card management device 11 written in the communication control device 35 is fetched in step S880, and the reception information fetched in step S852 is stored in the reception memory 1. In this case, the received information includes, for example, an instruction command from the card management device 11 and file information (return zero information or the like). After step S882, the next interrupt is waited for.

D. Control of Game Machine Control Device FIGS. 52 to 56 are flowcharts showing a main program of enclosed ball game control executed by the game machine control device 201 of the game machine 22. This program is started at the same time when the gaming machine 22 is turned on. When the program starts, it is first determined in step S900 whether or not there is a business start flag. The business start flag is a power failure determination flag, and is set in step S906 as described later. The fact that the business start flag is set (is present) corresponds to a return state from a power failure.

  If there is no business start flag, the process advances to step S902 to perform self-diagnosis processing. This is to check the operation of each device in the gaming machine control device 201. Next, in step S904, it is determined whether or not there is a business start command. The task start command is transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43, and is transmitted when starting the task of the gaming machine control device 201. Therefore, if the game medium conversion control device 43 does not determine that the business can be started, the process waits in step S904. If the game medium conversion control device 43 determines that the business can be started, there is a business start command. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S906.

In step S906, a work start flag is set. The business start flag is stored in a memory backed up by a battery, for example. Here, by setting the business start flag, if the business start flag is in the set state after that, it can be determined that the power has been turned off once and a power failure has occurred.
Next, initial setting is performed in step S908. This initializes the microprocessor 301, the clock circuit 302, the memory 303, and the I / O interface circuit 304 of the gaming machine control device 201, initializes input / output ports, and the like. Next, in step S910, the launch control apparatus 213 is instructed to prohibit launch. This is because the operation of the gaming machine 22 as a whole has not been started yet, so that the launching is temporarily prohibited.

In step S912, information on the gaming machine number setting switch 718 is read. Next, the gaming machine number read in step S914 is transmitted to the gaming medium conversion control device 43. Thereby, the gaming machine number is sent from the gaming machine control device 201 to the gaming media conversion control device 43, and the gaming media conversion control device 43 is prepared for the start of business.
Next, in step S916, it is determined whether there is a business start command. The business start command is transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43. Accordingly, in step S916, the game medium conversion control device 43 waits for a business start instruction. If there is no business start command, the process waits in step S916. If there is a business start command, the process proceeds to step S918, and game control of the enclosed ball by the gaming machine control device 201 is started (that is, business starts).
On the other hand, if there is a business start flag in step S900, the power failure determination flag is set. Therefore, it is determined that the power has returned from the power failure, and the process branches to step S920. In step S920, the data in the save memory (the memory area in which data is saved during a power failure) is returned to the work memory. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S918.

  Turning to FIG. 53, it is determined in step S918 whether there is an encapsulated ball removal flag. The encapsulated ball removal flag is a flag indicating that the enclosed ball is extracted outside. Therefore, if there is an encapsulated ball removal flag, the process jumps to step S968 described later to perform the process of extracting the encapsulated ball. If there is no encapsulated ball removal flag, the process proceeds to step S922 to determine whether or not there is a game end command. The game end command is transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 and is a request to end the game. If there is a game end command, the launch permission signal is reset in step S924. Thereby, the firing permission signal output to the firing control device 213 is reset, and the firing of the ball is stopped. Next, the display command 5 is set in step S926, and the process proceeds to step S928 in FIG. Thereby, a display corresponding to the display command 4 is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 in accordance with an instruction from the gaming machine control device 201. The display command 4 is “Thank you again.” As shown in FIG. Therefore, when the game is ended, a message “Thank you very much” is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 to notify the player.

  On the other hand, if there is no game end command in step S922, the process jumps to step S924 and step S926, and proceeds to step S928 in FIG. In step S928, it is determined whether there is an interruption command. The interruption command is transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43, and the player requests the game to be temporarily interrupted. If there is an interruption command, the firing permission signal is reset in step S930. Thereby, the firing permission signal output to the firing control device 213 is reset, and the firing of the ball is stopped. Next, the display command 6 is set in step S932, and the process proceeds to step S934. Thereby, a display corresponding to the display command 5 is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 in accordance with an instruction from the gaming machine control device 201. The display command 5 is “suspended” as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the game is interrupted, the display “Interrupted” is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 and notified to the player.

  On the other hand, if there is no interruption command in step S928, the process jumps to step S930 and step S932 and proceeds to step S934. In step S934, it is determined whether there is a firing permission command. The launch permission command is transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43 and permits the launch of the ball. For example, it is transmitted when a gameable card is inserted on the game medium conversion control device 43 side. If there is a firing permission command, a firing permission signal is set in step S936, and the flow advances to step S938. Thereby, the firing permission signal output to the firing control device 213 is set, and the ball can be fired. If there is no launch permission command, the process jumps to step S936 and proceeds to step S938.

In step S938, it is determined whether or not the number of possessed balls = 0. This determination is performed by the gaming machine control device 201. If the number of holding balls = 0, the firing permission signal is reset in step S940. Thereby, the firing permission signal output to the firing control device 213 is reset, and the firing of the ball is stopped. Therefore, if the number of holding balls becomes “0”, it becomes impossible to play a game. When the game is continued, the amount is converted into a ball (ball lending). If the number of holding balls is not 0, the process jumps to step S940 and proceeds to step S942 in FIG.
In step S942, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the number of balls, and if there is a change, data on the number of balls is set in the transmission buffer of the gaming machine control device 201 in step S944. If there is no change in the number of balls, the process proceeds to step S946 as it is. In step S946, transmission processing is performed. This is to send the number of balls and the like set in the transmission buffer from the gaming machine control device 201 to the game medium conversion control device 43. In this way, the information such as the number of possessed balls is immediately sent to the game medium conversion control device 43 every time this routine is executed. Therefore, the game medium conversion control device 43 always keeps track of changes in the number of balls.

Next, in step S954, a branching process is performed so that the following seven steps are performed in a time-sharing process.
Step S956: Prize ball data fetching process This is a process for fetching prize ball data transmitted from the accessory control device 211 (details will be described later in a subroutine).
Step S958: External signal processing This is for processing the signal to be output to the hall management device 12. For example, the safe signal outputs one pulse signal with ten prize balls. The out signal outputs one pulse signal with 10 recovery balls. The ball lending signal outputs 1 pulse signal with 10 ball lending signals.
Step S960: Operation switch processing This is processing for performing operations associated with the ball lending switch 320, the interruption switch 322, the return switch 321, and the automatic ball lending switch 323 (details will be described later in a subroutine).
Step S964: Display command processing This is to perform display processing of the gaming state such as the number of balls in the game (details will be described later in a subroutine).
Step S966: Stop Process This is a process associated with the stop.

  After the time-sharing process, the enclosed ball removal process is performed in step S968 (details will be described later in a subroutine). This is a process for extracting the encapsulated sphere enclosed inside. Next, in step S970, it is determined whether or not there is a tightening command. The closing command is transmitted from the game medium conversion control device 43. Therefore, in step S970, the game medium conversion control device 43 waits for a business end instruction. If there is no tightening command, the process returns to step S918 to repeat the above processing, and if there is a tightening command, the process proceeds to step S972. In step S972, the work start flag is reset and the program of the gaming machine control device 201 is terminated. In this case, it is a normal end and not a power failure end, so the business start flag is reset.

D-1. FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for prize ball data fetching processing in the encapsulated ball game control main program. When this subroutine starts, it is first determined in step S1000 whether or not there is a safe flag. The safe flag represents a state where the safe ball is held, and is set in step S1014 described later. If there is no safe flag, the process proceeds to step S1002, and it is determined whether or not the safe sensor 314 is turned on (that is, whether or not there has been a prize). If the safe sensor 314 is not turned on, the current routine is terminated and the process returns to the main routine.

  If the safe sensor 314 is on, the prize ball data request signal is turned on in step S1004. The prize ball data request signal is for requesting the prize control device 211 for the number of prize balls (prize ball data). Thereby, prize ball data is sent from the accessory control device 211. Next, the winning ball data sent in step S1006 is read, and the number of winning balls is added to the number of balls in step S1008. That is, it becomes safe when the ball wins, and a certain number of winning balls is added to the number of balls, and the player's profit increases.

Next, the safe solenoid ON is set in step S1012. As a result, one safe ball that is held with the safe solenoid 326 turned on is discharged. Since the number of prize balls is added to the number of balls, one safe ball is pulled out. In step S1014, the safe flag is set, and the process returns to the main routine. In this way, processing corresponding to the safe ball is performed.
On the other hand, if there is a safe flag in step S1000, the process proceeds to step S1016 to determine whether the safe sensor 314 is turned on, that is, whether or not the safe ball that has been held has been removed. Despite the presence of the safe flag, if the safe sensor 314 is not turned off, the safe ball has not yet been removed, so the current routine is terminated and the routine is repeated.
When the safe ball is removed, the safe sensor 314 is turned on and then turned off. Therefore, the determination result in step S1016 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S1018. In step S1018, the safe solenoid ON is reset. As a result, the safe solenoid 326 is turned off to hold the next safe ball. In step S1020, the safe flag is reset, the current routine is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine.

D-2. Operation Switch Processing Subroutine FIGS. 57 and 58 are flowcharts showing the operation switch processing subroutine in the main program for enclosing ball game control. When this subroutine starts, it is first determined in step S1050 whether the return switch 321 has been turned on. If the return switch 321 is not turned on, the process jumps to step S1058. In step S1052, it is determined whether there is a touch signal. The touch signal is detected by the touch circuit 464 if the player touches the firing operation handle. If there is a touch signal, the process jumps to step S1058.
Therefore, when the return switch 321 is turned on when the player does not touch the firing operation handle (release the hand from the firing operation handle) based on the determination results in steps S1050 and S1052, it is determined that there is a request for returning the card. Then, the process proceeds to step S1054. This is to prevent erroneous input of a card return request by operating the return switch 321 by releasing the hand from the firing operation handle.

In step S1054, card return information is set in the transmission buffer of the gaming machine control device 201. This is to notify the game medium conversion control device 43 of a card return request. The information set in the transmission buffer is sent from the gaming machine control device 201 to the game medium conversion control device 43 in the transmission process of step S946. Therefore, the card is returned by the processing of the game medium conversion control device 43.
Next, the automatic ball lending flag is reset in step S1056. Since the return of the card is requested, the automatic ball lending is canceled.
Next, in step S1058, it is determined whether or not the interruption switch 322 is turned on. If the interruption switch 322 is not turned on, the process jumps to step S1066. In step S1060, it is determined whether there is a touch signal. If there is a touch signal, the process jumps to step S1066.
Therefore, it is determined from the determination results of steps S1058 and S1060 that the game is requested to be interrupted when the interrupt switch 322 is turned on when the player does not touch the firing operation handle (release the hand from the firing operation handle). Then, the process proceeds to step S1062. This is to prevent erroneous input of a game interruption request by releasing the hand from the firing operation handle and operating the interruption switch 322.

In step S1062, game interruption information is set in the transmission buffer of the gaming machine control apparatus 201. This is to notify the game medium conversion control device 43 of a game interruption request. The information set in the transmission buffer is sent from the gaming machine control device 201 to the game medium conversion control device 43 in the transmission process of step S946. Therefore, the game is also interrupted by the game medium conversion control device 43.
Next, the automatic ball lending flag is reset in step S1064. Since the game is requested to be interrupted, the automatic ball lending is canceled.
Next, in step S1066, it is determined whether or not the automatic ball lending switch 323 is on. If the automatic ball lending switch 323 is not turned on, the process jumps to step S1074. In step S1068, it is determined whether there is an automatic ball lending flag.

  Therefore, if the automatic ball lending flag is not present when the automatic ball lending switch 323 is turned on from the determination results of step S1066 and step S1068, the process proceeds to step S1070 and the automatic ball lending flag is set. Automatic ball lending is performed by setting the automatic ball lending flag. Here, the automatic ball lending switch 323 is operated when making an automatic request for ball lending within the range of the amount of the game card. Since ball lending is performed each time, automatic ball lending is performed when the automatic ball lending switch 323 is pressed once. If the automatic ball lending switch 323 is turned on from the discrimination results in steps S1066 and S1068, if there is an automatic ball lending flag (if set), the process proceeds to step S1072 to reset the automatic ball lending flag. By resetting the automatic ball lending flag, the automatic ball lending is canceled (stopped). Accordingly, when the automatic ball lending switch 323 is pressed twice, the automatic ball lending is stopped. As described above, every time the automatic ball lending switch 323 is pressed, the automatic ball lending setting / automatic ball lending is canceled. That is, automatic ball lending setting / automatic ball lending can be canceled with one automatic ball lending switch 323.

  In step S1074, it is determined whether or not the ball lending switch 320 is on. When the ball lending switch 320 is turned on, the automatic ball lending flag is reset in step S1076. In this case, the ball lending is performed by turning on the ball lending switch 320, and at the same time, the automatic ball lending is canceled. That is, since the ball lending switch 320 is pushed by the player's intention, the automatic ball lending is canceled. In step S1078, the ball rental information is set in the transmission buffer of the gaming machine control device 201. This is to inform the game medium conversion control device 43 of information that the ball lending switch 320 is pressed to request ball lending. The ball lending information set in the transmission buffer is sent from the gaming machine control device 201 to the game medium conversion control device 43 in the transmission process of step S946. Therefore, the game medium conversion control device 43 performs a process of subtracting the number of balls from the amount. After step S1078, the process returns to the main routine.

If the ball lending switch 320 is not turned on in step S1074, the process branches to step S1080 to determine whether there is an automatic ball lending flag. If there is no automatic ball lending flag, this routine is terminated and the process returns. Therefore, if the ball lending switch 320 is off and there is no automatic ball lending flag, the ball lending is not performed and the game is continued as it is.
On the other hand, if there is an automatic ball lending flag in step S1080, the process proceeds to step S1082, and it is determined whether or not the number of balls is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 100). If the number of holding balls exceeds the predetermined value, the current routine is terminated and the process returns. Therefore, the game continues with the possession ball. Then, when the number of holding balls becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, the process branches to step S1078 and then returns. Therefore, at this time, the player's possession ball becomes a predetermined number or less, and at the same time, ball lending according to the unit set frequency is performed each time.

D-3. Display Command Processing Subroutine FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing a display command processing subroutine in the encapsulated ball game control main program. When this subroutine is started, in step S1104, each display command, the balance, and the number of possessed balls are transmitted to the operation display control device 212.
Thereby, a display corresponding to each display command is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 in accordance with an instruction from the gaming machine control device 201. At the same time, the remaining amount and the number of possessed balls are displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 in accordance with an instruction from the gaming machine control device 201.
FIG. 60 shows a display example of the display device 411. As shown in FIG. 60, the screen of the display device 411 displays a card amount (remaining balance) = 800 yen, the number of holding balls = 500, and a display “automatic ball lending”. The display corresponding to each display command may be displayed on a part of the screen of the display device 411, or may be displayed instantaneously on the entire screen by temporarily erasing the balance and the number of held balls. May be.

D-6. Encapsulated Ball Removal Process Subroutine FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing the enclosed ball removal process subroutine of the main program for enclosed ball game control. When this subroutine starts, it is first determined in step S1250 whether or not there is an enclosed ball removal flag. The enclosed ball removal flag indicates that a request to remove the enclosed ball is permitted in accordance with an instruction from the hall management device 12, and is set in step S1256 described later. If there is no sealed ball removal flag, the routine proceeds to step S1252, where it is determined whether or not launching is permitted. If the launching is permitted, the enclosing ball cannot be removed, so the routine ends and the process returns.
If the firing is not permitted, it is determined in step S1254 whether or not there is an enclosed ball removal signal. The enclosed ball removal signal is output from the hall management device 12 and is a request to remove the enclosed bulb. As described above, the determination of the encapsulated ball removal signal only when the launch is not permitted is that the game is possible while the launch is permitted, and an erroneous input of the encapsulated ball removal signal is disadvantageous to the player. This is to prevent such a situation. If there is no enclosed ball removal signal, the routine is terminated and the process returns. If there is an enclosed bulb removal signal, an enclosed bulb removal flag is set in step S1256.

Next, in step S1258, the enclosed ball removal solenoid 327 is set to ON and the process returns. As a result, the encapsulated sphere removal solenoid 327 is energized, and the encapsulated sphere in the enclosed sphere circulation passage 701 flows down to the sphere removal passage 706 and is extracted outside.
On the other hand, if there is an enclosed ball removal flag in step S1250, it is determined that the bulb passage 706 is opened and the enclosed ball is being removed, and the process proceeds to step S1260 for a predetermined time (for example, a sufficient time for removing the enclosed ball). It is determined whether or not. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the current routine is terminated and the process returns.
Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that all the enclosed balls have been extracted, and in step S1262, it is reset that the enclosed bulb removal solenoid 327 is ON (that is, it is turned off). As a result, the energization to the enclosed ball removal solenoid 327 is stopped, and the enclosed ball circulation passage 701 is closed. Next, in step S1264, the enclosed ball removal flag is reset and the process returns to the main routine.

Next, interrupt processing of the gaming machine control device 201 will be described.
In the gaming machine control apparatus 201, various processes are performed by the interrupt process shown in FIGS. Interrupt processing includes signal interruption and communication interruption.
WA. Launch Ball Processing FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing a launch ball processing routine of the gaming machine control device 201 performed by interruption. As shown in FIG. 9, when the ball feed sensor 311 and the foul ball detection sensor 312 are input to the input signal control device 325 and pass through the OR gate 333, a signal X is output. That is, when a signal from either the ball feed sensor 311 or the foul ball detection sensor 312 is input, the signal X is turned ON (“H” level), and this is an interrupt signal for the shot ball processing. Therefore, when the ball feed sensor 311 or the foul ball detection sensor 312 detects a ball, this firing ball process is interrupted and this routine is executed.
When interrupted, it is determined in step S1300 whether there is a firing signal. The launch signal is a ball feed signal that sends a ball to the launch position. If there is a firing signal, the process proceeds to step S1302, where [1] is subtracted from the number of possessed balls. That is, since a ball has been fired, one ball is subtracted from the number of balls.

In step S1304, it is determined whether there is a foul signal. The foul signal is a signal that detects a ball that does not reach the game area even if it is fired, and is output from the foul ball detection sensor 312. If there is a foul signal, the process proceeds to step S1306 to perform an operation of adding [1] to the number of held balls. That is, since the ball has returned without being fired, one ball is added to the number of balls that have been subtracted immediately before firing.
On the other hand, if there is no firing signal in step S1300, the ball has not been fired, so step S1302 is jumped. If there is no foul signal in step S1304, the process jumps to step S1306 to end the interrupt process.
In this way, each time a ball is fired, one ball is subtracted from the number of balls, and a game is played. If there is a foul ball, one ball is added to the number of balls.

WB. Communication Processing FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing a communication processing routine of the gaming machine control device 201 performed by interruption. When there is communication (transmission) from the game medium conversion control device 43, this interrupt is generated and this routine is executed.
When interrupted, new received information from the game medium conversion control device 43 is fetched in step S1350, and it is determined whether or not there is command information in the received information fetched in step S1352. If there is command information, the command information is stored in the command memory in step S1354. Based on the stored command information, processing of the gaming machine control device 201 is executed. If there is no command information, the process proceeds to step S1356.

In step S1356, it is determined whether there is balance information. If there is balance information, the balance information is stored in the balance memory in step S1358. The balance memory is a memory for display on the operation display control device 212. Then, the balance is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212 based on the stored balance information. If there is no balance information, the process proceeds to step S1364.
In step S1364, it is determined whether there is information on the number of possessed balls. If there is information on the number of balls, the number is added to the number of balls in step S1366. The number of holding balls is displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212. If there is no information on the number of balls, the interrupt process is terminated.
In this way, the received information is divided and stored, and the processing of the gaming machine control device 201 is executed or information is displayed based on the stored information.

E. Control of Launch Control Device FIGS. 64 and 65 are flowcharts showing a launch control program executed by the launch control device 213. This program is started at the same time when the gaming machine 22 is turned on. When the program starts, first, initialization is performed in step S1400. In the initial setting, the microprocessor 451, the clock circuit 452, the memory 453, and the I / O interface circuit 454 are initialized, flags are reset, and the like. Next, input processing is performed in step S1402. This captures input signals from the launch operation switch 461, the handle rotation amount detector 462, the flight distance adjustment switch 463, and the touch circuit 464, and captures commands, signals, and the like from the gaming machine control device 201.

Next, output processing is performed in step S1404. This outputs a drive signal to the ball feed solenoid 471 and the rotary solenoid 472 or outputs a signal to the gaming machine control device 201. Next, in steps S1406 to S1410, the following state is determined.
In step S1406, it is determined whether there is a touch signal. This is determined based on an input signal from the touch circuit 464.
In step S1408, it is determined whether or not the firing operation switch 461 is on.
In step S1410, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine control device 201 has given permission for launching.

(A) When the ball can be fired When there is a touch signal, the firing operation switch 461 is on, and when the firing is permitted, it is determined that the ball can be fired, and the process proceeds to step S1412. Perform information update processing. This updates (counts up) the time for counting the time of the cycle for firing one ball this time, and updates the timing for counting the time for the cycle for firing the next ball.
Next, in step S1416, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the handle rotation amount information. This is to determine whether or not the handle rotation amount has changed compared to the previous routine, and is determined based on the resistance value of the variable resistor of the handle rotation amount detector 462. If there is a change in the handle rotation amount information, the bullet information is changed based on the handle rotation amount information in step S1418. For example, if the handle rotation amount is large, the ball resilience is increased, and if the handle rotation amount is small, the ball resilience is decreased.

Next, the process proceeds to step S1420, and it is determined whether or not it is a ball feeding timing. If it is the ball feed timing, ball feed solenoid-on information is set in step S1422. The ball feed solenoid-on information is information for turning on the ball feed solenoid 471, and the timing thereof is ta as shown in FIG. As a result, the ball feed solenoid 471 is turned on in the output process of step S1404, and the ball is sent to the firing position. Next, in step S1424, the firing cycle flag is reset. As shown in FIG. 66, the firing cycle flag is set only in a time zone td in which the ball firing can be stopped.
Next, in step S1426, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. This is set to a time sufficient for the ball feed solenoid 471 to turn on and the ball to be sent to the firing position. Therefore, it is determined whether or not sufficient time has passed for the ball to be sent to the firing position. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the routine is repeated for the processing after step S1432.

Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1428 to set ball feed solenoid-off information. Thereby, the ball feed solenoid 471 is turned off in the output process of step S1404. Next, launch timing information is set in step S1430. This is to set the time from when the ball is sent to the firing position until when it comes to the timing of firing (bombing), and is the time tb as shown in FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step S1432.
In step S1432, it is determined whether or not it is the ball firing timing. If it is not the firing timing, rotary solenoid drive information is set based on the bullet information in step S1434. Subsequently, it returns to step S1442 and repeats a process.

  On the other hand, if it is a ball firing timing in step S1432, the process proceeds to step S1436 to set rotary solenoid-on information. The rotary solenoid on information is information for turning on the rotary solenoid 472, and is the timing tc as shown in FIG. As a result, the rotary solenoid 472 is turned on in the output process of step S1404, and the ball at the firing position is ejected. Next, in step S1438, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. This is set to a time sufficient for the ball at the firing position to be fired when the rotary solenoid 472 is turned on. Therefore, it is determined whether or not a sufficient time has elapsed for the ball at the firing position to be fired. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S1402 to repeat the routine.

Then, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1440 and rotary solenoid-off information is set. Thereby, the rotary solenoid 472 is turned off in the output process of step S1404. Next, ball feeding timing information is set in step S1442. This is to set the time from when the ball is fired this time until the timing of sending the next ball to the firing position, which is td as shown in FIG. Next, in step S1444, the firing cycle flag is set, and the process returns to step S1400 to repeat the routine. As described above, the firing cycle flag is set only in the time zone td in which the ball firing shown in FIG. 66 can be stopped. Accordingly, immediately after the processing in step S1442 is before the ball has already been sent to the firing position, it is possible to stop the firing of the ball, and in step S1444, the firing cycle flag is set.
A cycle for firing one ball is a time (ta + tb + tc + td). In addition, in the time zone (ta + tb + tc), the launch cannot be stopped. For example, the release operation handle 461 is turned off, the launch operation switch 461 is turned off, and the launch permission is prohibited by the gaming machine control device 201. Even so, the launch is not stopped.

(B) When attempting to stop the ball firing When there is no touch signal, when the firing operation switch 461 is off, or when the firing permission has not been granted, the process branches to step S1414. In step S1414, it is determined whether there is a firing cycle flag. Since the firing cycle flag is set only in the time period td during which the firing of the ball can be stopped, if there is a firing cycle flag in step S1414, the process returns to step S1402. That is, returning to step S1402 means that the firing is stopped.
Therefore, when there is no touch signal → release the firing operation handle, when the firing operation switch 461 is turned off → the firing operation handle has not been rotated, the launch permission has not been reached → the device is ready for launch In all three cases, the ball firing is stopped.

F. Outline of Enclosed Ball Game Next, the operation of the encapsulated ball game machine 22 will be outlined. In this embodiment, 20 balls are enclosed in the enclosed ball game machine 22, and the game card 800 is inserted into the card insertion slot. 623, when the player presses the ball lending switch 320, the number of balls of the player is increased according to the set frequency, and the game balls enclosed within the range of the number of balls are launched into the game area. enable. Then, for a game performed in response to the launch of the encapsulated ball, it is determined whether the game result is in a specific profit state (safe ball) or other state (out ball). In the state, control is performed to increase the player's profit (number of balls held) in correspondence with a predetermined number of prize balls (for example, 13 prize balls or 7 prize balls). Further, by collecting the game balls that have passed through the game area and guiding them to the launch position, a first type of pachinko game is performed using the enclosed game balls in a circulating manner.

Then, at the time of launching the above-mentioned encapsulated ball, “1” is subtracted from the number of balls (numerical value) displayed on the number of balls displayed on the display device 411 of the operation display control device 212, and based on the result, Update the display in the number display area. At this time, it is determined whether or not the enclosing ball falling in the game area is a winning ball. If it is determined to be a winning ball, the set number of winning balls (for example, 13 winning balls or 7 winning balls). ) Is added to the number of balls displayed on the number-of-balls display section, and the display on the number-of-balls display section is updated based on the result. The player confirms the current number of balls and confirms the increase / decrease based on the numerical data in the number-of-balls display section.
When the player wants to settle the game, the card reader / writer 203 of the game medium conversion control device 43 sets all the game values corresponding to the numerical data in the number-of-balls display unit as the number of balls by pressing the return switch 321. Is written and discharged on the game card 800, and the player receives the game value.

G. Control of the Gift Exchange Device FIGS. 67 to 69 are flowcharts showing a main program of the gift exchange control executed by the gift exchange device 14. This program is started at the same time as the prize exchange device 14 is turned on. When the program starts, it is first determined in step S1500 whether or not there is a business start flag. The business start flag is a power failure determination flag, and is set in step S1506 as described later. The fact that the business start flag is set (is present) corresponds to a return state from a power failure.
If there is no business start flag, the process advances to step S1502 to perform self-diagnosis processing. This is to check the operation of each device in the gift exchange device 14. In step S1504, it is determined whether there is a job start command. The business start command is transmitted from the card management device 11 and is transmitted when the business of the premium exchange device 14 is started. Therefore, if it is not determined that the business can be started by the giveaway exchanging apparatus 14, the process stands by in step S1504. If it is determined that the work can be started by the giveaway exchanging apparatus 14, there is a business start command. The process proceeds to step S1506.

In step S1506, a work start flag is set. The business start flag is stored in a memory backed up by a battery, for example. Here, by setting the business start flag, if the business start flag is in the set state after that, it can be determined that the power has been turned off once and a power failure has occurred.
Next, initial setting is performed in step S1508. This initializes the microprocessor 171, clock circuit 172, memory 173, and I / O interface circuit 174 of the gift exchange device 14, initializes input / output ports, and the like. In step S1510, it is determined whether there is a business start command. The business start command is transmitted from the card management device 11. Therefore, in step S1510, the card management apparatus 11 waits for a business start instruction. If there is no business start command, the process stands by in step S1510. If there is a business start command, the process proceeds to step S1512 to start the premium exchange control by the premium exchange device 14 (that is, start business).
On the other hand, if there is a business start flag in step S1500, the power failure determination flag is set. Therefore, it is determined that the power has returned from the power failure, and the process branches to step S1514. In step S1514, the data in the save memory (the memory area in which data is saved during a power failure) is returned to the work memory. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1512.

  When business is started, it is first determined in step S1512 whether or not a card has been inserted for settlement. Then, the process waits in step S1512 until the card is inserted. When the card is inserted, the process proceeds to step S1516 to read the data of the inserted card. The data to be read includes various types of information shown in FIG. In step S1518, it is determined whether the card security information is OK (regular). If the security information is NG, it is determined that the card is not a legitimate card, the card is ejected in step S1520, and the process returns to step S1512.

  If the security information is OK, a verification request command is written in the communication control device 34 in step S1522. As a result, the verification request command in the gift exchange device 14 is captured by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11. In response to the verification request command transmitted from the gift exchange device 14, the card management device 11 transmits the card file information of the card to the gift exchange device 14 as verification information. Therefore, in step S1524, it is determined whether or not the verification information (card file information) transmitted from the card management device 11 has been captured by the gift exchange device 14, waits for this step until the capture is completed, and capture is complete. Then, the process proceeds to step S1526, and the card data and the collation information (card file information) transmitted from the card management apparatus 11 are collated with the equivalent information for each data. The same applies to comparing and collating equivalent information.

Next, in step S1528, it is determined whether or not the collation result between the card data and the collation information (card file information) is OK. In the following, description will be given for each case.
(A) When the card and card file information do not match If the collation result between the card data and the collation information (card file information) in step S1528 is NG, a notification is made that the game cannot be performed in step S1530. Eject the card. Next, a mismatch command is written in the communication control device 34 in step S1532. The mismatch command indicates that when the card is inserted into the gift exchange device 14, the card information and the equivalent information of the card file stored in the card management device 11 are collated on the gift exchange device 14 side. When the information and the card file information are inconsistent (not normal), the information is transmitted from the gift exchange device 14 side.

  As a result, a mismatch command in the prize exchange device 14 is captured by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11. The card management device 11 copies the card file to the abnormal history file in the card management device 11 based on the mismatch command transmitted from the gift exchange device 14. After step S1532, the process returns to step S1512. As a result, the hall attendant can recognize such a situation and take appropriate measures by looking at the abnormal history file of the card management device 11 when the card is falsified or abnormal. .

(B) When the card and card file information is OK (excluding the number of balls), the verification result of the card data and the verification information (card file information) in step S1528 is OK (however, the number of balls is excluded) If so, the process proceeds to step S1534, and it is determined whether or not the number of held balls is OK. This is a comparison between the number of balls in the card and the number of balls in the card file, and the processing can be divided into the following two depending on the result.
b-1. When the number of balls in the card = the number of balls in the card file If the number of balls in the card = the number of balls in the card file is equal to each other, it is determined that there is no problem and the process proceeds to step S1536 and the verification information is retained. The number of balls is displayed on the display device 192 of the gift exchange device 14. Thereby, the player can see the data of the card to be settled. Next, in step S1537, it is determined whether or not the number of holding balls = 0. If the number of holding balls = 0, it is determined that the prize cannot be exchanged, the card is ejected in step S1538, and the process returns to step S1512.
On the other hand, if the number of possessed balls is not [0], it is determined that prize exchange is possible, and it is determined in step S1539 whether or not all the number of balls that can be settled (number of possessed balls) are converted into prizes. This is to determine whether the number of possessed balls is to be converted into a free gift or whether a predetermined amount is to be converted. When the batch conversion switch 181 is turned on, it is determined that it will be converted into a free gift, and the input device 182 determines the predetermined amount. When input, it is determined that a part is to be converted.

b-1-1. At the time of batch conversion When the batch conversion switch 181 is turned on, it is determined that all will be converted into premiums, and in step S1540, the number of balls in the collation information is encoded and printed on a settlement receipt (or other medium). For example, it is encoded so as to be readable by using a bar code device. The printed payment receipt is discharged. Next, in step S 1542, all the number of possessed balls has been converted into premiums, so data with the number of retained balls = 0 is written to the communication control device 34. Thereby, the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11 takes in data that the number of possessed balls = 0. The card management device 11 stores data indicating the number of possessed balls = 0 transmitted from the gift exchange device 14 in the card file of the card.

Next, in step S1544, the prize exchange device 14 sets the number of balls = 0 in the verification information and writes the verification information to the card. Next, the process proceeds to step S1546, and the card is discharged. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1572 to determine whether or not there is a tightening command. The processing after step S1572 will be described later.
When the player goes to the prize counter with the discharged payment receipt, the sign of the payment receipt is read by the bar code device, so that it can be exchanged for a desired prize.

b-1-2. At the time of partial conversion When a predetermined amount is input by the input device 182, it is determined that a part is to be converted, and the process branches from step S 1539 to step S 1548. In step S1548, the predetermined amount input by the input device 182 is input as an amount (conversion number) to be converted into a prize. Next, in step S1550, it is determined whether or not it can be converted into a prize within the number of possessed balls.
If it can be converted into a prize within the number of possessed balls, a part of the number of possessed balls is encoded based on the number of conversions to be converted into a prize in step S1552, and printed on the payment receipt. The printed payment receipt is discharged.

In step S 1554, the remaining number (the number of remaining balls) that is not converted into a prize is written in the communication control device 34. Thereby, the remaining number of held balls is taken in by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11. The card management device 11 stores the data of the remaining number of balls transmitted from the gift exchange device 14 in the card file of the card.
Next, in the gift exchange device 14, in step S1556, the number of balls in the verification information is updated to the remaining number, and the verification information is written in the card. Next, the process proceeds to step S1546, and the card is discharged. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1572, and it is determined whether or not there is a tightening command. The processes after step S1572 will be described later.
On the other hand, if it cannot be converted into a prize within the number of possessed balls in step S1550, the process returns to step S1548 to request re-input.

b-2. When the number of balls in the card is not equal to the number of balls in the card file If the number of balls in the card is not equal to the number of balls in the card file, the process branches to step S1566. In step S1566, it is determined whether or not the card data is smaller than the verification information (card file information). That is, it is determined whether or not the number of balls in the card data is smaller than the number of balls in the verification information (card file information).
b-2-1. When the card data is abnormal If the number of balls in the card data is larger than the number of balls in the verification information, it is determined that the card is abnormal and the process proceeds to step S1568 to notify that the game cannot be performed. Is discharged. Next, a mismatch command is written in the communication control device 34 in step S1570. The mismatch command indicates that when the card is inserted into the gift exchange device 14, the card information and the equivalent information of the card file stored in the card management device 11 are collated on the gift exchange device 14 side. When the information and the card file information are inconsistent (not normal), the information is transmitted from the gift exchange device 14 side.

  As a result, a mismatch command in the prize exchange device 14 is captured by the communication control device 32 of the card management device 11. The card management device 11 copies the card file to the abnormal history file in the card management device 11 based on the mismatch command transmitted from the gift exchange device 14. After step S1570, the process returns to step S1512. As a result, the hall attendant can recognize such a situation and take appropriate measures by looking at the abnormal history file of the card management device 11 when the card is falsified or abnormal. .

b-2-2. When payment is permitted even if the card and card file information are different If it is determined in step S1566 that the number of balls in the card data is smaller than the number of balls in the verification information, it is determined that payment is possible, and the process branches to step S1536. Then, the processing after step S1536 is executed (as described above) to perform settlement.
This is not only a comparison that the card and card file information are the same for the number of balls, but if the number of balls stored in the card is the same or less than the number of balls in the card file, it is determined to be normal. The settlement is executed with the information on the number of balls in the card file of the card management device 11 being true. Therefore, in this case, the player can perform payment based on the number of balls in the card file.

  After step S1546, the process proceeds to step S1572 to determine whether or not there is a tightening command. The closing command is transmitted from the card management device 11. Accordingly, in step S1572, the card management device 11 waits for an instruction to close the business. If there is no tightening command, the process returns to step S1512 to repeat the above processing, and if there is a tightening command, the process proceeds to step S1574. In step S1574, the work start flag is reset, and the program of the gift exchange device 14 is terminated. In this case, it is a normal end and not a power failure end, so the business start flag is reset.

As described above, in this embodiment, the game card 800 stores money amount information, the number of balls, identification information, security information, and the like, and the card management device 11 also collects information equivalent to the game card 800 to obtain a card file. I remember it. Various information is filed based on the card identification information in the card management device 11, and when the gaming card 800 with the identification information added is inserted into the gaming machine 22 (specifically, the gaming medium conversion device 21), The information stored in the game card 800 and the equivalent information in the card file stored in the card management device 11 are compared. If the two match, the game can be played, and the prize exchange can be settled. Become.
However, when each information stored in the game card 800 and the equivalent information stored in the card file of the card management device 11 are compared, not only the comparison that the number of balls is the same but also the card management device 11 When the number of possessed balls stored in the game card 800 is the same or less than the number of possessed balls, it is determined as normal, and the game management or settlement is executed with the information on the number of possessed balls in the card management device 11 being true.
When the number of players' balls reaches [0] (that is, return zero), this state is monitored by searching for a card file. If there is a return zero card file, the card is discharged and the game ends. Become.

In addition, when the return switch 321 for ending the game is pressed, the game is immediately ended without waiting for the determination result of whether the game ball that was last launched is safe or disconnected, and the game card 800 To return to the player.
In this case, even if a win occurs just before the end of the game, the card management device 11 sucks up the increase in the number of balls based on the win, and even if the game card 800 is discharged, the card management device 11 creates a card file. Remember. Therefore, when the player newly plays a game or pays out, the number of balls in the game card 800 is less than the number of balls in the card management device 11 stored in the card file. Based on the information on the number of balls in the card management device 11, a new game or payment can be performed. Therefore, the player does not suffer a disadvantage.
Further, when the return switch 321 for ending the game is pressed, the game is immediately ended, so that the player's will can be reflected quickly.

The application object of the present invention is applicable not only to a pachinko machine, but also to an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball machine, and the like.
Further, each card issuing machine, prize exchange machine, game medium conversion device (ball lending machine) may be realized in any form, and the arrangement location, size, and implementation method are within the scope of the object of the present invention. You may implement in such a mode.

It is a figure showing the whole card type game system composition of one example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication control apparatus in the card management apparatus of the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the card management apparatus of the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the card issuing machine of the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the prize exchange apparatus of the Example. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the game machine of the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the game media conversion control apparatus of the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the game machine control apparatus of the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the input signal control apparatus of the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the accessory control apparatus of the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the operation display control apparatus of the Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of the launch control apparatus of the Example. It is a front view of the gaming machine of the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the game board of the Example. It is a reverse view of the gaming machine of the same embodiment. It is a reverse view of the gaming machine of the same embodiment. It is a front view of the launching mechanism of the gaming machine of the same embodiment. It is a side view of the launching mechanism of the gaming machine of the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the management control performed by the card management apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the work start process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the operation switch process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the work stop process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the interruption communication processing routine of the card management apparatus of the Example. It is a figure explaining the information of the card file and card | curd of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the interruption routine process routine of the card | curd management apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the identification information addition process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the collation request | requirement process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the card information request | requirement process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the nulling process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the interruption process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the start process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the interruption cancellation | release request | requirement process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the interruption cancellation | release process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the collation confirmation process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the card issue control performed by the card issuing machine of the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the game media conversion control performed by the game media conversion control apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the game media conversion control performed by the game media conversion control apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the game media conversion control performed by the game media conversion control apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the game media conversion control performed by the game media conversion control apparatus of the Example. It is a figure explaining the display command of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the identification information issuing process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the comparison process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the comparison process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball lending process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the return process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the interruption process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the nulling process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the fastening process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the interruption routine of the game machine communication process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the interruption routine of the power failure process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the interruption routine of the main communication process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the game control performed by the game machine control apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the game control performed by the game machine control apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the game control performed by the game machine control apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the game control performed by the game machine control apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of a prize ball data taking-in process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the operation switch process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the operation switch process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the display command process of the Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the display apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the enclosed ball removal process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the shot ball process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the communication process of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the launch control performed by the launch control apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the launch control performed by the launch control apparatus of the Example. It is a timing diagram explaining operation | movement of the discharge control apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the prize exchange control performed by the prize exchange apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the prize exchange control performed by the prize exchange apparatus of the Example. It is a flowchart which shows the main program of the prize exchange control performed by the prize exchange apparatus of the Example.

Explanation of symbols

11 Card management device (game card management device: abnormal recording means)
12 Hall management device 13 Card issuing machine 14 Premium exchange device (Premium exchange)
21 Game media conversion device (game value conversion device)
22 gaming machine 32, 33, 34, 35 communication control device 43 game medium conversion control device (verification means, permission means, abnormal card discharge means, judgment means)
201 gaming machine control device 211 accessory control device 212 operation display control device 213 launch control device 214 ball number display control device 321 return switch 800 magnetic card

Claims (2)

A game card having at least an amount information storage area, a game value information storage area and an identification information storage area;
A card issuing machine for issuing game cards;
A gaming machine provided with a gaming value conversion device for converting the amount information stored by inserting a gaming card into predetermined gaming value information and playing a game;
A prize exchange that can be settled within the range of game value information held by a player by inserting a game card;
A game machine equipped with a game value conversion device, a game card issuing machine, and a prize exchange are communicated via an information transmission path, and control for managing information from the gaming machine, the game card issuing machine and the prize exchange is performed. A game card management device for storing and managing money amount information and game value information stored in each game card based on identification information of each game card;
A game hall equipment device comprising:
Checking the amount information, game value information and identification information stored in the game card with the amount information, valuable value information and identification information stored in the game card management device when the game card is used for payment at the prize exchange. Matching means for performing
The game card management device when the game value information stored in the game card is less than the game value information stored in the game card management device and the comparison between the amount information and the identification information is the same, as a result of the verification by the verification means Permission means for allowing payment to be performed based on the game value information stored in
An amusement hall equipment device characterized by the provision of Issue a game card that can store at least money amount information, game value information and identification information from the card issuer,
A gaming machine equipped with a gaming value conversion device, a card issuing machine, and a prize exchange are connected to the gaming card management device via an information transmission path,
The game card management device controls the management of information from gaming machines, card issuing machines and prize exchanges, and stores and manages the amount information and game value information stored in each gaming card based on the identification information of each gaming card And
By inserting a game card into the gaming machine, it is possible to play within the range of the amount information or game value information stored,
By inserting a game card into the gift exchange, it is possible to settle within the range of game value information,
Checking the amount information, game value information and identification information stored in the game card with the amount information, game value information and identification information stored in the game card management device when the game card is used for payment at the prize exchange. And
As a result of the verification, when the game value information stored in the game card is less than the game value information stored in the game card management device, and the comparison between the amount information and the identification information is the same, the game card management device stores the game value information. A card-type game method characterized in that payment is made based on game value information.

Images