JP5754574B2 - Enclosed game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a completely credit enclosed game machine that does not pay out game balls.

  Conventionally, as this kind of enclosed game machine, for example, an enclosed pachinko machine as shown in Patent Document 1 is known. An enclosed pachinko machine inserts a card (for example, a prepaid card) into a pedestal ball lending machine attached to the enclosed pachinko machine, and game value data recorded on the card (for example, a game ball that a player can play) The game is made possible by increasing / decreasing the number (that is, balance information), and the game is terminated by operating the settlement switch, and the obtained balls (number of balls held) are converted into a predetermined game value and written to the card. It is like that.

JP-A-10-192481

  By the way, in the conventional enclosed pachinko machine (hereinafter referred to as a pachinko machine) as described above and the pedestal ball lending machine attached thereto, the balance information is managed on the pedestal ball lending machine side. On the other hand, the management of the number of balls (number of balls held) is performed on the pachinko machine side. In this way, the balance management and number-of-balls management processes are shared between the platform ball lending machine and the pachinko machine, enabling quick game management according to the progress of the game and the processing burden on both. Can be reduced. For this reason, such game management processing has been generally adopted conventionally.

  However, in the game management process described above, after the balance information is transmitted from the ballroom lending machine to the pachinko machine, for example, the power supply to the pachinko machine is stopped due to a power failure, or the electric power of the pachinko machine itself is stopped. If an unexpected situation such as a malfunction occurs, the management data of the number of balls (number of balls held) managed on the pachinko machine side may be lost or unreadable. If that happens, the player's appearance (number of balls) cannot be accurately grasped, so depending on the degree of error between the card balance and the number of balls (number of balls), either the player side or the game store side As a result, the game management suffers loss, and it becomes impossible to maintain highly reliable game management.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to always accurately grasp the player's number of balls even in the event of an unexpected situation on the gaming machine side. It is an object of the present invention to provide an enclosed game machine capable of maintaining high game management.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention is such that a plurality of game balls are enclosed in the aircraft, and the game balls used for the game can be launched again into the game area by being launched into the game area. A ball that can be circulated in an enclosed gaming machine (that is, an enclosed pachinko machine 2) that can be specified from the gaming device (card unit 4) provided in the enclosed gaming machine and that can be lent to a player Ball lending information receiving means for receiving lending information (for example, the CPU 16 of the main control circuit 14, the interface circuit group I / F), and a holding ball capable of specifying the number of holding balls corresponding to the number of game balls owned by the player The number-of-balls information storage means (for example, RAM of the main control circuit) that stores the number information, and the number-of-balls information that can specify the number of balls corresponding to the ball-rent information received by the ball-rent information receiving means. , The number of balls The number-of-balls information addition means (for example, the CPU of the main control circuit) that adds to the number-of-balls information stored in the information storage means, and the game balls that are launched into the game area (ie, the launch balls) are detected. A launching ball detection means (for example, a launching ball detection sensor installed in the launching passage), and when the game ball launched into the game area is detected by the launching ball detection means, Firing ball number information subtracting means (for example, a CPU of the main control circuit) for subtracting the firing ball number information capable of specifying the number of firing balls from the held ball number information stored in the held ball number information storage means; When a game ball wins a winning opening provided in the gaming area, winning ball number information capable of specifying the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning winning port is stored in the holding ball number information storage means. Is added to the number of balls That winning balls count information adding means (eg, CPU of the main control circuit) and, when the retention counts information stored is 1 or more in the possession counts information storage means, enabling firing of game balls, When the number-of-balls information is zero, the launching means (for example, the CPU of the main control circuit, the launch motor controlled by the main control circuit) that stops the launch of the game ball, and when the number-of-balls information is zero A number-of-balls information transmitting unit (for example, a CPU of a main control circuit) for transmitting the number-of-balls information stored in the number-of-balls information storage unit to the game device after a predetermined time has elapsed; Ball polishing means for cleaning game balls that have been launched into the area and used for games, and ball feeding means for sending game balls cleaned by the ball polishing means to the launch position.
According to the first invention, in a state where the number of credits (the number of possessed balls) is under the control of the enclosed game machine, when a predetermined settlement condition is satisfied, a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed. Since the number-of-balls information is transmitted to the gaming device, even if the number-of-balls information is increased or decreased due to, for example, a foul ball or a prize ball, the number-of-balls information reflecting this (that is, The number of credits after the information has increased or decreased can be transmitted to the gaming device. As a result, the number of credits owned by the player (the number of possessed balls) can be managed very accurately, so that it is possible to realize an enclosed gaming machine capable of maintaining more reliable game management. it can.

In the second invention, a plurality of the winning holes are provided, and each of the plurality of winning holes is designed to give a plurality of winning balls when a game ball is won. Each time a game ball wins one of the winning holes of the game, it has a number-of-balls-increasing information transmitting means for transmitting information to that effect to the gaming device, and information transmitted from the number-of-balls increasing information transmitting means If the information received by the ball lending information receiving means, the Ru is transmitted and received through each different signal lines.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an enclosed gaming machine capable of maintaining highly reliable game management by grasping the number of balls held by a player even when an unexpected situation occurs on the gaming machine side. Can be realized.

  According to the present invention, even if an unexpected situation occurs on the gaming machine side, it is possible to realize a sealed gaming machine capable of maintaining highly reliable game management by grasping the number of balls held by the player. be able to.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of an enclosed game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and a game device attached to the same. The rear view of the enclosure type game machine shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the main control circuit provided in the enclosure type game machine. (a) is the operation flow of the ball lending process on the card unit side, (b) is the operation flow of the credit update process on the card unit side, and (c) is the ball counter update process on the card unit side. Operation flow. (a) is the operation flow of the game execution process on the pachinko machine side, (b) is the operation flow of the ball lending process on the pachinko machine side, and (c) is the operation of the winning ball detection process on the pachinko machine side. Flow (d) is an operation flow of the fired ball / foul ball detection process on the pachinko machine side. (a) is an operation flow of the ball increase / decrease signal transmission process on the pachinko machine side, and (b) is an operation flow of the settlement process on the pachinko machine side. In the enclosure type game machine which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, the operation | movement flow of the card | curd reception process by the card unit side. In an enclosed game machine according to another embodiment of the present invention, (a) is an operation flow of ball lending request processing on the pachinko machine side, and (b) is an operation flow of ball lending processing on the card unit side. , (C) is an operation flow of ball lending processing on the pachinko machine side.

  Hereinafter, an enclosed gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of the enclosed game machine, a plurality of game balls are enclosed in the machine, and the game balls used for the game are circulated so that the game balls used for the game can be launched again into the game area. A description will be given assuming a sealed pachinko machine to be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a sealed pachinko machine 2 (hereinafter referred to as a pachinko machine) is provided with a gaming device 4 (that is, a card unit) adjacent thereto, and the card unit 4 includes a card M (For example, a magnetic card such as a prepaid card) for inserting a card, and balance information recorded on a card M inserted in the card insertion slot 6 (for example, the number of balls that a player can play can be specified. Card balance display unit 8 for displaying (remaining frequency), ball lending button 10 to be pressed when paying out a game ball (ball lending), and card M received by card unit 4 after being inserted into card insertion slot 6 And a return button 12 to be pressed when receiving the return.

  In such a card unit 4, when the card M is inserted into the card insertion slot 6, a process for determining whether or not the card M is valid is executed (T 1 in FIG. 4A). In this process, for example, whether or not the card M is a counterfeit product or whether or not it is a card M that can receive a ball lending, such as whether or not it has expired, is determined. When it is determined that the card M can receive the ball rental, the player can select and press either the ball rental button 10 or the return button 12.

  Here, when the player presses the ball lending button 10 (T3 in FIG. 4A) without pressing the return button 12 (T2 in FIG. 4A), the player presses the ball lending button 10 The balance of the card M is consumed according to the operation, and it becomes possible to receive a ball lending for the number of game balls corresponding to the consumed balance. For example, if a balance of 100 yen is consumed, it is possible to receive 25 ball lending in terms of 4 yen per gaming ball. At this time, in the card unit 4, ball lending signal transmission processing is executed, and ball lending information (that is, a ball lending signal) that can specify the lending ball number (25 balls) for 100 yen to the player is the pachinko machine 2 (T4 in FIG. 4A).

In this case, as a method for transmitting the ball lending signal, a signal of one pulse may be transmitted to the pachinko machine 2 for each predetermined consumption balance. A pulse signal is transmitted. Therefore, for example, when receiving a ball rental of 500 yen, a 5-pulse ball rental signal is transmitted to the pachinko machine 2.
When the player presses the return button 12 (T2 in FIG. 4 (a)), the card M received by the card unit 4 is ejected from the card insertion slot 6, thereby receiving the return of the card M. (T6 in FIG. 4A).

  Further, in synchronization with or following the ball lending signal transmission process described above, the card unit 4 executes a balance display update process, and the balance information after receiving the lending for 100 yen as described above is the card balance display unit 8. (T5 in FIG. 4A). For example, if balance information for 500 yen is recorded on the card M, the remaining number “5” that can specify the number of balls that the player can play by converting 100 yen into a number of times is the card balance display section. 8 is displayed. When the balance of 100 yen (that is, once) is consumed and a ball is lent, the balance display update process subtracts the consumption frequency “1” from the remaining frequency “5”. As a result, the remaining number “4” is displayed on the card balance display unit 8.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pachinko machine 2 is provided with ball lending information receiving means for receiving a ball lending signal transmitted from the card unit 4 by the above-described ball lending signal transmission processing. Here, the pachinko machine 2 includes a main control circuit 14 that executes processing and control related to games performed in the pachinko machine 2, and the ball lending signal transmitted from the card unit 4 is sent to the main control circuit 14. It is received by the CPU 16 via the constructed interface circuit group I / F. In this case, the ball lending information receiving means may be configured as a technical idea that combines the processing functions of the CPU 16 and the interface circuit group I / F, for example. The ball lending information reception process is executed by the CPU 16 using a ball lending information reception processing program stored in the ROM 18 constructed in the main control circuit 14 as a work area using the RAM 20 constructed in the main control circuit 14.

  Here, in the pachinko machine 2, when the above-mentioned ball lending signal is received, a ball lending process is executed in synchronism with this (P1 in FIG. 5 (a)). In the present embodiment, a complete credit type pachinko machine 2 is assumed. Instead of actually receiving payout of a game ball (ball lending), this is converted into the number of credits (number of balls held) and the pachinko machine 2 To be credited. For example, when a one-pulse signal (a ball lending signal capable of specifying the number of lending balls for 25 yen to a player (25)) is received from the card unit 4 by the above-described ball lending information receiving means (FIG. 5). (P1-1) in (b), the number of lent balls corresponding to the one pulse is converted into the number of credits. For example, if the number of lent balls is 25, this is converted to the credit number “25”. In the main control circuit 14, the conversion processing program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  At this time, in the pachinko machine 2, a credit number “25” is newly credited as number-of-ball information that can specify the number of balls that the player can play, and a ball-ball increase counter programmed in the main control circuit 14. The value (not shown) is accumulated by the credit number “25” (P1-2 in FIG. 5B). Further, in synchronization with or following the credit addition process, in the pachinko machine 2, a credit display process is executed, and the total credit number reflecting the newly credited credit number “25” is displayed on the credit display unit 22. (P1-3 in FIG. 5B). For example, when receiving a ball lending before the start of the game, if the number of balls held by the player at that time is “0 (zero)”, the credit number “25” newly credited to the pachinko machine 2 at this time is Then, it is displayed as “25” on the credit display unit 22 as it is. On the other hand, when receiving a ball lending while the game continues, if the number of balls held by the player at that time is “75”, the credit number “25” newly credited to the pachinko machine 2 is added at this time. The total credit number “100” is displayed as “100” on the credit display unit 22.

In the credit addition process described above, in the main control circuit 14, the addition process program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.
The credit display unit 22 is controlled by the CPU 16 via an interface circuit group I / F constructed in the main control circuit 14, and the credit display process described above is performed by the credit stored in the ROM 18. A display processing program is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  Further, the pachinko machine 2 has a ball number information storage means for storing ball number information (that is, the number of credits) capable of specifying the number of ball balls corresponding to the number of game balls owned by the player, as described above. The lending number information that can identify the number of balls corresponding to the ball lending information received by the ball lending information receiving means is added to the number information (credit number) stored in the number information storing means. Ball number information adding means is provided.

  As the number-of-balls information storage means, for example, the RAM 20 of the main control circuit 14 can be applied. For example, the number of balls when the ball is lent before the game starts, The number of spheres to be stored is stored in the RAM 20 in real time as sphere number information corresponding thereto. Specifically, for example, when receiving a ball lending before the start of the game, if the number of balls of the player at that time is “0 (zero)”, a new credit is given to the pachinko machine 2 at this time The number of credits “for example, 25” is stored in the RAM 20 as it is as the number-of-balls information. On the other hand, when receiving a ball lending while the game continues, if the number of balls of the player at that time is “for example, 75”, the number of credits newly credited to the pachinko machine 2 at this time “for example, The total credit number “100” including “25” is stored in the RAM 20 as possession ball number information. In this case, the number-of-balls storage process is executed by the CPU 16 using a number-of-balls storage processing program stored in the ROM 18 with the RAM 20 as a work area.

  In the number-of-balls information adding means, the number of balls lent corresponding to the one-pulse ball lending signal transmitted from the card unit 4 (that is, the number of balls lent to the player (25)) is specified. As possible ball rental number information, a process of adding to the ball possession number information (credit number) stored in the RAM 20 is executed. Here, for example, the CPU 16 of the main control circuit 14 can be applied as the number-of-ball-number information adding means. In this case, the number-of-ball-number information adding process is the number-of-ball-number information adding process stored in the ROM 18. The program is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the player is credited as described above by operating the launch handle 24 provided in the pachinko machine 2 to launch the game ball into the game area. It is possible to play a game by consuming the credit number within the range of the credit number. In this case, the pachinko machine 2 has a launch ball detection means for detecting a game ball (hereinafter referred to as a launch ball) that has been launched into the game area, and a possession stored in the RAM 20 (the number of possessed balls information storage means). There is provided launching means for launching a fired ball when the ball number information (number of credits) is 1 or more.

  The shot ball detection means is configured by installing a shot ball detection sensor 26 (FIG. 3) at an arbitrary position in a launch path (not shown) formed from the launch position of the shot ball to the game area, for example. Can do. The launch ball detection sensor 26 is controlled by the CPU 16 via the interface circuit group I / F. Thereby, a shot ball detection process (P2 in FIG. 5A) described later is executed. In addition, in this shot ball detection process, the shot ball detection process program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  For example, the launching unit is configured as a technical idea that combines the processing functions of the firing motor 28 (FIG. 3) that can be driven according to the operation of the launching handle 24 and the CUP 16 that controls the firing motor 28. Can be done. The firing handle 24 is provided with a touch sensor 30 that senses that the player's hand has gripped the firing handle 24. Both the firing handle 24 and the touch sensor 30 are interface circuit group I / F. It is connected to the CPU 16 via. In this case, when the player holds the firing handle 24 by hand, a signal to that effect is output from the touch sensor 30 to the CPU 16, and in this state, when the firing handle 24 is operated (for example, rotated clockwise). The CUP 16 controls the firing motor 28 according to the rotation amount (angle), so that the fired balls can be fired one by one into the game area. In this launch process, the launch process program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

Here, in the pachinko machine 2, when a launch ball fired in the game area by the launch means described above is detected by the launch ball detection means (launch ball detection sensor 26), a launch that can specify the number of launch balls is possible. Fired ball number information subtracting means for subtracting the ball number information from the held ball number information (credit number) stored in the held ball number information storage means (RAM 20) is provided.
In the shot ball number information subtracting means, when the shot ball is detected one by one by the shot ball detection sensor 26, this is used as the shot ball number information, and the held ball number information (the number of held balls that can be played by the player) "1" is subtracted from (credit number). At this time, the value of the lost ball counter (not shown) programmed in the main control circuit 14 is accumulated by “1”. In addition, the credit display process described above is executed in synchronization with or following the credit subtraction process, and the remaining credit number after subtraction of “1” is displayed on the credit display unit 22. The credit number subtraction process is executed by the CPU 16 in the main control circuit 14 using a subtraction process program stored in the ROM 18 by using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  The launch handle 24 described above is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body frame 2a of the pachinko machine 2, and a game board 2b is incorporated in the main body frame 2a. The game board 2b is provided with various winning ports (for example, a general winning port H1, a starting winning port H2, a large winning port H3, etc.) on the front surface thereof. Each winning opening H1, H2, H3 is provided with a winning ball detection sensor 32 (FIG. 3) for detecting that the shooting ball launched into the game area by the above-described launching means has won. Each winning ball detection sensor 32 is connected to the CPU 16 via the interface circuit group I / F of the main control circuit 14. Thus, a winning ball detection process (P3 in FIG. 5A) described later is executed. The winning ball detection processing is executed by the CPU 16 using a winning ball detection processing program stored in the ROM 18 with the RAM 20 as a work area.

  Further, in the above-described launch passage, a foul for detecting a launch ball fired by the launch means described above and returning to the launch position again without reaching the game area (hereinafter referred to as a foul ball). A sphere detection sensor 34 (FIG. 3) is provided. In this case, the foul ball detection sensor 34 may be installed at an arbitrary position in the above-described launch passage, and is connected to the CPU 16 via the interface circuit group I / F of the main control circuit 14. Thereby, a foul sphere detection process (P4 in FIG. 5A) described later is executed. In this foul sphere detection process, the foul sphere detection process program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  In addition, the game board 2b is provided with an effect display device 36 that variably displays a plurality of symbols at the front center thereof, and at the upper center of the effect display device 36, for example, from 0 to 9 is provided. There is provided a variable symbol display device 38 for variably displaying normal symbols such as numbers and symbols. Both the effect display device 36 and the symbol variable display device 38 are connected to the CPU 16 via the interface circuit group I / F of the main control circuit 14. Thereby, an image display process (P5 in FIG. 5A) described later is executed. In this image display process, the image display processing program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  The main body frame 2a is provided with, for example, speakers 40 for producing a game by sound at the four corners, and each speaker 40 is controlled by the CPU 16 via the interface circuit group I / F. It has become. Thereby, a voice display process (P6 in FIG. 5A) described later is executed. Note that in the voice display processing, the voice display processing program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  In addition, a decoration lamp 42 is provided on the upper part of the main body frame 2a for performing a game effect by light (for example, blinking or turning on to indicate to the player that the game is a big hit or reach). In addition, on both sides of the above-described symbol variable display device 38, there are provided holding lamps 44 that indicate the number of times that the combination of symbols variably displayed on the above-described effect display device 36 has become effective. Each decoration lamp 42 and holding lamp 44 are controlled by the CPU 16 via the interface circuit group I / F. Thereby, the electrical decoration display process (P7 of Fig.5 (a)) mentioned later is performed. Note that, in the electrical display processing, the electrical display processing program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

The pachinko machine 2 also has information on the number of winning balls that can be used to specify the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning winning port when the launch ball has won the winning holes H1, H2, and H3 provided in the game area. Also, prize ball number information adding means for adding to the held ball number information (credit number) stored in the held ball number information storage means (RAM 20) is provided.
As the award ball number information adding means, the CPU 16 is applied. Thus, in the game on the pachinko machine 2, each time the firing balls are fired one by one by the above-mentioned launching means, Are detected one by one, and “1” is subtracted from the number of credits credited to the pachinko machine 2 for each detected launch ball. When the launch ball wins, a value (number of winning balls) corresponding to the type of the winning opening (for example, general winning opening H1, start winning opening H2, large winning opening H3, etc.) is converted into the number of credits and integrated. Go. The game can be played until a predetermined settlement condition is satisfied (for example, until the settlement button B1 is pressed by the player or the number of credits becomes “0 (zero)”).

  The pachinko machine 2 is provided with a winning opening gathering bowl 46 and a ball passage 48 communicating therewith on the back surface (FIG. 2). In this case, the launch balls that have won the winning holes H 1, H 2, and H 3 are collected in the winning opening assembly 46 and then introduced into the ball polisher 50 via the ball passage 48. In addition, the launch ball that has flowed down the game area without winning any of the above winning holes H1, H2, H3 is discharged from the ball discharge port 52 formed at the center of the lowermost end of the game area. It is introduced into the ball polisher 50 via the passage 48. These shot balls are cleaned by the ball polisher 50 and then sent to the launch position by the ball feed device 54 so as to be circulated again to the game area.

  By the way, the pachinko machine 2 and the card unit 4 as described above are mainly connected by four signal lines (not shown), and a backup process of credit information owned by the player is performed via these signal lines. It is supposed to be executed. Hereinafter, the signals transmitted through the respective signal lines are listed.

The first is the above-mentioned ball lending signal that is transmitted by one pulse from the card unit 4 to the pachinko machine 2 for every 100 yen lending.
Second, when the settlement button B1 is pressed or the number of credits becomes “0 (zero)”, a signal (for example, a signal transmitted from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4 as information to that effect) Information indicating the end of the game, information indicating the number of credits owned by the player at that time, and the like.
Third, every time when the number of shot balls is detected by the above-mentioned shot ball detecting means by a predetermined number (for example, 10) of 2 or more (that is, every time the number of credits decreases by “10”), information to that effect Is a ball-reducing signal transmitted from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4 by one pulse.
Fourth, every time the number of credits is added to a predetermined number (for example, 10) of 2 or more according to the number of winning balls acquired by winning the winning ball (that is, every time the number of credits increases by “10”) In addition, as information to that effect, a ball-increase signal transmitted from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4 by one pulse.

Hereinafter, backup processing using each of the first to fourth signals will be described along the game execution processing of FIG.
After the above-described ball lending process (P1 in FIG. 5A) is executed, the shot ball detection process (P2 in FIG. 5A) is executed. In this shot ball detection process, when the shot balls launched into the game area by the launch means are detected one by one by the shot ball detection sensor 26 (P2-1 in FIG. 5 (d)), each shot is detected. In addition, the number-of-balls information (number of credits) that can specify the number of balls that the player can play is subtracted by “1”, and the value of the ball-reduction counter (not shown) programmed in the main control circuit 14 is Then, “1” is accumulated corresponding to the number of shot balls (P2-2 in FIG. 5D).

  Subsequently, a winning ball detection process (P3 in FIG. 5A) is executed. In this winning ball detection process, when a ball launched into the game area wins one of the winning holes H1, H2, and H3, it is detected by the winning ball detection sensor 32 (FIG. 5C). P3-1). Then, the values (number of winning balls) corresponding to the detected types of the winning openings H1, H2, and H3 are converted into the number of credits and added, and the ball increasing counter (not shown) programmed in the main control circuit 14 is added. ) Is accumulated corresponding to the number of prize balls (P3-2 in FIG. 5C). The credit display process is executed in synchronization with or following the credit addition process, and the total credit number reflecting the number of winning balls is displayed on the credit display unit 22 (P3-3 in FIG. 5C).

  The number of prize balls described above increases or decreases according to the type of each winning opening H1, H2, H3. For example, when the general winning opening H1 is won, the number of winning balls is “15”. When the winning winning opening H2 is won, “3” is added to the credit as the number of winning balls. In synchronization, the internal lottery process is executed by the CPU 16. In the internal lottery process, the CPU 16 causes the random number generator 56 (FIG. 3) to generate a random number, and the generated random number is recorded in the RAM 20 as internal lottery data indicating the lottery result. Each time such recording is performed, the hold lamp 44 is turned on. By the way, when the game ball passes through a predetermined passing area (not shown), the symbol variable display device 38 displays a variation of the normal symbol, and when the predetermined symbol is displayed, the CPU 16 controls the solenoid 58 to control the pair of symbols. The movable pieces Ha and Hb are driven to open the starting winning hole H2 so that the shot ball can easily enter. As a result, the number of winning balls for the start winning opening H2 increases, and the number of winning balls also increases. As a result of the internal lottery, when the game is shifted to the big hit state, the CPU 16 controls the solenoid 58 to drive the shutter Hc to open and close the special winning opening H3 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the number of winning balls for the big winning opening H3 increases, and the number of winning balls also increases. It should be noted that the number of winning balls in the case where the winning prize opening H3 is won is “12”.

Next, a foul sphere detection process (P4 in FIG. 5A) is executed. In this foul ball detection process, the foul balls that have returned to the launch position without reaching the game area are detected one by one by the foul ball detection sensor 34 among the shot balls that have been launched by the launch means described above. (P4-1 in FIG. 5 (d)), each time the value is detected, the value of the holding ball increase counter (not shown) programmed in the main control circuit 14 is incremented by "1" corresponding to the number of foul balls. (P4-2 in FIG. 5D).
In addition, after one launch ball launched into the game area by the launch means described above is detected by the launch ball detection sensor 26, the launch ball becomes a foul ball and one by the foul ball detection sensor 34 is detected. In this case, it is processed on the assumption that the number of credits does not substantially increase or decrease.

In parallel with each of the above-described processes P1 to P4, the following image display process (P5 in FIG. 5A), audio display process (P6 in FIG. 5A), and illumination display process (FIG. P7) of a) is executed respectively.
In the image display process, a predetermined symbol is selectively generated by the CPU 16 and displayed on the effect display device 36 and the symbol variable display device 38.
In the sound display process, predetermined sound is selectively generated by the CPU 16 and supplied to the speaker 40.
In the illumination display process, the decoration lamp 42 and the hold lamp 44 are controlled by the CPU 16.

In the present embodiment, the following backup process is performed during the game execution process described above.
Here, in order to perform the backup process, the pachinko machine 2 stores the number-of-balls information (number of credits) stored in the number-of-balls information storage means (RAM 20) when the above-described settlement condition is satisfied. Each time the number-of-balls information transmission means to be transmitted to the unit 4 and the number-of-balls information (credit number) stored in the number-of-balls information storage means (RAM 20) are increased or decreased by a predetermined number of 2 or more, The number-of-ball-change information transmitting means for transmitting information to the card unit 4 is provided.

  In the possession ball number information transmitting means, when the above-described settlement condition is satisfied, for example, the CPU 16 reads the possession ball number information (credit information that can identify the credit amount) stored in the RAM 20 and reads the read information. The credit information thus received is transmitted to the card unit 4 via the interface circuit group I / F. In this case, the possession ball number information transmitting means can be configured as a technical idea having, for example, the processing functions of the CPU 16 and the interface circuit group I / F. Note that in the settlement process, the settlement process program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  Here, there is a possibility of a foul ball or winning after a predetermined settlement condition is established. Therefore, in the settlement process described above, the number-of-balls information ( Credit information) is preferably transmitted to the card unit 4. In this case, the predetermined time can be arbitrarily set according to the purpose of use, for example, 10 seconds or 15 seconds. This time setting may be programmed in advance in the main control circuit 14 (for example, the RAM 20).

In the possession ball number change information transmitting means, when the launch ball launched into the game area wins one of the winning holes H1, H2, H3, the value of the possession ball increment counter programmed in the main control circuit 14 is the above-mentioned value. Each time the number of credits and the number of possessed ball increase counters are increased by a predetermined number of 2 or more, for example, by the CPU, information indicating that (the number of ball signals for backup is increased). ) Is transmitted from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4.
In addition, in the possession ball number change information transmitting means, each time the firing balls launched into the game area are detected one by one by the firing ball detection sensor 26, the value of the possession ball decrementing counter programmed in the main control circuit 14 is changed. Every time “1” is accumulated, the number of credits is decreased, but every time the possessed ball decrement counter value is increased by a predetermined number of 2 or more, for example, information to that effect (the retained ball decrement signal for backup). ) Is transmitted from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4.

  In this case, the possession ball number change information transmitting means can be configured as a technical idea having the processing functions of the CPU 16 and the interface circuit group I / F, for example. In this backup signal transmission process, the backup signal transmission process program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

The operation of backup processing will be described below.
Here, as an example, it is assumed that a game is started after lending 25 balls for 100 yen. At this time, the number of credits owned by the player is “25”, and the game is performed within this range. Then, it is assumed that the checkout button B1 is pressed at the stage where a total of 30 prize balls are received by winning twice in the prize opening H1 while 11 shot balls are launched into the game area.

  First, when the number of credits becomes “25” due to ball lending, the possession ball increment counter value is “25”, which is “10” or more (S1 in FIG. 6A). In this case, the number-of-balls-change-information transmitting means transmits a ball-increase signal of one pulse for each ball-increase counter value “10” from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4. At this time, each time the ball-increase signal is transmitted by one pulse, the ball-increase counter value is decremented by “10” (S2 in FIG. 6A). Here, the card unit 4 is transmitted with two pulses of the pitch increase signal, and as a result, the pitch increase counter value is “5”.

  Thereafter, when 11 shot balls are launched into the game area, each time the shot balls are detected one by one by the shot ball detection sensor 26, the value of the held ball decrement counter is accumulated by "1". The decrement counter value is “11”, which is “10” or more (S3 in FIG. 6A). In this case, the number-of-balls-change-information transmitting means transmits a ball-increase signal of one pulse for each ball-reduction counter value “10” from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4. At this time, every time one ball increase signal is transmitted, the ball decrease counter value is decremented by “10” (S4 in FIG. 6A). Here, the card unit 4 is transmitted with one pulse of the lost ball signal, and as a result, the lost ball counter value is “1”.

  During this time, when winning a prize twice at the winning opening H1 and receiving a total of 30 payouts, “30” corresponding to the number of winning balls is added to the holding ball increment counter value “5”. The ball increment counter value is “35”, which is “10” or more (S1 in FIG. 6A). At this time, a single-ball-increasing signal is transmitted to the card unit 4 for every tenth of the ball-increasing counter value “10”, and a ball-increasing counter value is “ 10 "is subtracted (S2 in FIG. 6A). As a result, three pulses of the ball increase signal are transmitted to the card unit 4, and as a result, the ball increase counter value becomes “5”.

Here, if the transmission history of the holding ball increase signal and the holding ball decrease signal is taken, a 5-pulse holding-ball increase signal and a 1-pulse holding-ball decrease signal are transmitted to the card unit 4.
At this stage, when the player depresses the settlement button B1 (S5 in FIG. 6B), the settlement condition is satisfied, and the main control circuit 14 executes the firing stop process (S7 in FIG. 6B). . In this launch stop process, the launch stop processing program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area. At this time, weight processing is executed by the main control circuit 14 (S7 in FIG. 6B), and after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has passed since the above-described settlement condition is satisfied, the number-of-balls information (credit information) ) Is transmitted to the card unit 4 (S8 in FIG. 6B). In this wait process, the wait process program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area.

  At this stage, the number of credits owned by the player is “44” by the calculation of the number of balls rented “25” + the number of winning balls “30” −the number of fired balls “11”. "Is sent to the card unit 4. Further, when a foul ball or a winning is detected by the weight process, the possession ball increment counter value is accumulated accordingly, so that credit information including the accumulated amount is transmitted to the card unit 4. become. When the credit information transmission process ends, the credit number “44” is reset (S8 in FIG. 6B). Further, when the number of credits becomes “0 (zero)” due to the game (S6 in FIG. 6B), the settlement condition is satisfied, and the subsequent processes are the same processes S7 to S8 as described above.

  On the other hand, when the card unit 4 receives a pitch increase signal (T13 in FIG. 4 (c)), for each pulse, the CPU (not shown) built in the card unit 4 counts the pitch increase counter. The values are integrated by “1” (T14 in FIG. 4C). In this case, since the five-ball holding signal has been received, the value of the holding counter is “5”. The possession ball increment counter value “5” is output to a hall computer (not shown) that manages the game arcade (T14 in FIG. 4C), and is collectively managed here.

  Similarly, when the card unit 4 receives a ball loss signal (T15 in FIG. 4 (c)), for each pulse, the CPU (not shown) built in the card unit 4 performs a ball loss counter. Is integrated by “1” (T16 in FIG. 4C). Here, since the 1-pulse ball increase signal is received, the value of the ball decrease counter is “1”. The lost ball counter value “1” is output to a hall computer (not shown) that manages the game hall (T16 in FIG. 4C), and is collectively managed here.

  Further, when the credit information is received in the card unit 4 (T7 in FIG. 4B), the credit information determination process is subsequently executed (T8 in FIG. 4B), and whether the received credit information is valid or not. Is determined (T9 in FIG. 4B). In this case, the determination process includes backup data calculated based on a 5-pulse ball increase signal and a 1-ball decrease signal, and credit information (a credit number “44” owned by the player when the checkout condition is satisfied). It is done by comparing.

  The backup data is a result of subtracting the credit number “1 × 10 = 10” corresponding to the one-ball holding signal decrease from the credit number “5 × 10 = 50” corresponding to the five-ball holding signal increasing ( = 40). On the other hand, the credit information is the number of credits “44” owned by the player when the checkout condition is satisfied. When these two are compared, the error is “4”, which is determined to be within the allowable range. Note that one pulse of the holding ball increase signal and the holding ball decrease signal corresponds to the credit number “10”, and thus the maximum error is ± 10. Therefore, if the above backup data is within the range of the error, it can be determined that this is valid.

  Here, when it is determined that the credit information is valid (T9 in FIG. 4B), the received credit information is updated and recorded on the card M (T10 in FIG. 4B). On the other hand, when it is determined that the credit information is not valid (T9 in FIG. 4B), the credit information based on the backup data is updated and recorded on the card M (T11 in FIG. 4B). ). Then, when the card information update recording process is completed, the possessed ball increase counter value and the retained ball decrease counter value are reset (T12 in FIG. 4B).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the state where the number of credits (the number of possessed balls) is under the control of the pachinko machine 2, the number of credits is 2 or more corresponding to the number of the winning balls and the number of the firing balls described above. Information is transmitted to the card unit 4 every time a predetermined number (e.g., 10) of the card unit 4 is increased / decreased, the data that can grasp the increase / decrease change in the number of credits owned by the player is also stored on the card unit 4 side. It can be managed (backup) at the same time.

  Thus, for example, when the power supply to the pachinko machine 2 is stopped due to a power failure or an unexpected situation such as an electrical failure of the pachinko machine 2 itself occurs, the credit managed on the pachinko machine 2 side Even if the number of management data is lost or cannot be read, the number of credits owned by the player until the unexpected situation occurs based on the backup data managed on the card unit 4 side. Accurately grasp. For this reason, the enclosed pachinko machine 2 which can maintain highly reliable game management is realizable.

  In addition, as described above, every time the number of credits (the number of possessed balls) increases or decreases by a predetermined number of 2 or more, information to that effect is transmitted from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4. The processing burden on the machine 2 is not so great. Thereby, quick game management according to the progress of the game can be performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the number-of-balls information is transmitted to the card unit 4 after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since a predetermined settlement condition is satisfied, for example, a foul ball Even when the possession ball number information is changed or changed due to a prize ball, the possessed ball number information reflecting this (that is, the credit number after the possession ball number information is changed or changed) can be transmitted to the card unit 4. As a result, the number of credits (the number of balls held) owned by the player can be managed very accurately, so that a sealed pachinko machine 2 capable of maintaining more reliable game management is realized. Can do.

  Next, an enclosed game machine according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is an improvement of the above-described embodiment. In the pachinko machine 2 (FIG. 1) according to the above-described embodiment, the ball lending button 10 provided on the card unit 4 side is replaced with the pachinko machine. This is provided on the machine 2 side (not shown). In this case, the process which consists of the following 1st-4th steps is newly added with this improvement. That is, after the card M is received by the card unit 4 (first step), when the ball lending button is pressed (second step), a ball lending request is made from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4 (first step). At this time, the card unit 4 transmits a ball lending signal similar to that of the above-described embodiment to the pachinko machine 2 based on the received ball lending request (fourth step).

  As a first step, when the card M is received by the card unit 4 from the card insertion slot 6, it is determined whether or not the card M is valid (F1 in FIG. 7). If it is valid, the return button 12 is pressed. Whether or not there is a card balance is determined (F3 in FIG. 7). Here, when the return button 12 is not pressed and it is determined that there is a card balance, the game possible signal is “ON” (F4 in FIG. 7). On the other hand, when the card M is invalid, when the return button 12 is pressed, or when the card balance is zero, the game possible signal is “OFF” (F5 and F6 in FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, as a second step, when the ball lending button provided on the pachinko machine 2 is pressed (F7 in FIG. 8 (a)), if the game possible signal on the card unit 4 side is “ON” ( As a third step, F8 in FIG. 8A, a ball lending request signal transmission process is executed (F9 in FIG. 8A). In this case, in the ball lending request signal transmission process, the ball lending request signal transmission process program stored in the ROM 18 is executed by the CPU 16 using the RAM 20 as a work area. Thereby, a ball lending request signal is transmitted from the pachinko machine 2 to the card unit 4.

  Then, as a fourth step, when the card unit 4 receives the above-mentioned ball rental request signal (F10 in FIG. 8 (a)), a ball rental signal transmission process is executed (F11 in FIG. 8 (a)). A ball lending signal is transmitted from the card unit 4 to the pachinko machine 2. The ball lending signal transmission process is a ball lending signal transmission process similar to the above-described process (T4 in FIG. 4A). The balance display update process is also executed (F12 in FIG. 8A), which is also the same as the above-described process (T5 in FIG. 4A).

At this time, when the pachinko machine 2 receives the ball lending signal (F13 in FIG. 4 (a)), for example, in response to a lending request for 100 yen, the credit number “25” is newly credited and possessed. The value of the ball increment counter (not shown) is accumulated by the credit number “25” (F14 in FIG. 4A).
In addition, since it is the same as that of above-described embodiment about the process after this, the structure of another pachinko machine 2, and an effect, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

In addition, this invention is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, The following modifications can also be included in the technical scope of this invention.
As a first modification, the card balance display unit 8, the ball lending button 10, and the return button 12 are all provided on the pachinko machine 2 side and connected to the card unit 4 without going through the main control circuit 14 of the pachinko machine 2. You may make it do.
As a second modification, in each of the above-described embodiments, the credit information updated and recorded on the card M is not particularly referred to. However, this cannot be used for replay, and is used only for prize exchange. Or may be replayable.
As a third modification, in each of the above-described embodiments, information related to the increase / decrease of credit information is output from the card unit 4 to the hall computer. Instead, the information is output directly from the pachinko machine 2 to the hall computer. You may make it do.

2 Enclosed game machines (pachinko machines)
4 Game equipment (card unit)

Claims (2)

In an enclosed game machine in which a plurality of game balls are enclosed in the machine, and the game balls used in the game are circulated so that the game balls used in the game can be launched again into the game area.
Ball lending information receiving means for receiving ball lending information that is transmitted from a gaming device provided in the enclosed gaming machine and that can specify the number of balls lending to a player;
Possession ball number information storage means for storing possession ball number information capable of specifying the number of possession balls corresponding to the number of game balls possessed by the player;
Lending number information that can specify the number of balls corresponding to the ball lending information received by the ball lending information receiving means is added to the number of held balls information stored in the number of holding balls information storage means. Ball number information adding means;
Launch ball detecting means for detecting a game ball launched into the game area;
When the game ball launched into the game area is detected by the shot ball detection means, the number information of the shot balls that can specify the number of shot balls of the game ball that has been launched is stored in the possession ball number information storage means. Firing ball number information subtracting means for subtracting from the stored ball number information;
When a game ball wins a winning opening provided in the gaming area, winning ball number information capable of specifying the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning winning port is stored in the holding ball number information storage means. Prize ball number information adding means for adding to the held ball number information;
Launching that allows game balls to be launched when the number of possessed balls information stored in the possessed ball number information storage means is 1 or more, and stops the launch of game balls when the number of possessed balls information is zero Means,
The number-of- balls information transmission means for transmitting the number-of-balls information stored in the number-of-balls information storage unit to the game device after a predetermined time when the number of balls is zero ;
A ball polishing means for cleaning game balls launched into the game area and used for games;
Ball feeding means for sending the game ball cleaned by the ball polishing means to the launch position;
An enclosed game machine characterized by comprising: A plurality of the winning holes are provided, and each of the plurality of winning holes is designed to give a plurality of winning balls when a game ball is won,
Each time a game ball wins one of the plurality of winning holes, it has a ball number increase information transmitting means for transmitting information to that effect to the gaming device,
2. The encapsulation according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitted from the number-of-balls-increasing information transmitting unit and the information received by the ball lending information receiving unit are transmitted and received via different signal lines. Type game machine.

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