JP7061814B2 - Game system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes a plurality of gaming machines installed in a gaming store, a display unit provided for each gaming machine and capable of displaying various information, and information from the gaming machines installed in the gaming store. It relates to a gaming system equipped with a management device for managing various information.

Conventionally, there is known a game management system that displays data in which data such as ball ejection information of a game machine and an operation amount of a game ball launch handle are displayed on a display unit of a game medium lending device provided for each game machine. (For example, Patent Document 1). According to such a game management system, it is possible to display and notify the player during the game of the operation amount of the game ball launch handle, to register the history of the operation amount, and to provide a service of displaying the history. ..

In particular, in the game management system, the player registers the operation amount of the game ball launch handle for each game state, so that even if the operation amount of the launch handle is significantly changed by hitting right during a big hit, etc. The player looks at the registered history and returns to the previous operation amount so that the player can play the game (see paragraphs 0046 to 0048 of Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-206455

However, in the game management system described in Patent Document 1 as described above, only the data in which the ball ejection information of the game machine and the operation amount of the game ball launch handle are associated with each other are displayed, and the player is in the past. When looking at the history of the data and returning to the operation amount of the history, the operation position of the game ball launch handle must be adjusted by relying only on the image showing the operation amount, and there is a problem that it is actually difficult to adjust. rice field.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a gaming system that makes it easier for the player to adjust to the target operation position and enables a desired firing operation. The purpose is.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object lies in the following invention.
A plurality of gaming machines (10) installed in the gaming store, a display unit (20) provided corresponding to each gaming machine (10) and capable of displaying various information, and the gaming machine installed in the gaming store. A gaming system (1) including a management device (100) that manages various information including information from (10).
The gaming machine (10) has a launching operation device (40) that launches a game ball according to the launching operation amount of the player, and a firing operation amount detecting means (40) that detects the firing operation amount of the launching operation device (40). 202a, 203) and information output means (205, 206) for outputting the firing operation amount detected by the firing operation amount detecting means (202a, 203) are provided.
The management device (100) includes a storage means for storing the firing operation amount output from the information output means (205,206).
The display unit (20) can display the firing operation amount stored in the storage means as data that can be visually compared, and shows the game information at the time of the game based on each firing operation amount. In addition to displaying in correspondence with the data, an index (M) indicating the operation position of the launch operation device (40) corresponding to each launch operation amount is displayed.
The index represents the trajectory of a game ball to be launched according to the launch operation amount of the launch operation device (40), and is characterized in that each is displayed in a distinctive manner (1). ).

It is a system block diagram of the related equipment including a game system. It is a front view which shows the gaming machine and a display part. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of a gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing which detects the firing intensity in a firing operation device. It is explanatory drawing of the principle of detecting the rate of fire in a firing operation device. It is a concrete explanatory diagram for detecting the rate of fire in a rate of fire operation device. It is a screen diagram which shows an example of the display screen which displays the rate of fire in the firing operation amount display mode of an operation display device. It is a screen diagram which shows the transition example of the display screen which displays the rate of fire in the firing operation amount display mode of an operation display device. It is a screen view which shows the transition example which continued in FIG. It is a screen view which shows the transition example which continued in FIG. It is a screen view which shows another example of the display screen which displays the rate of fire in the firing operation amount display mode of an operation display device. It is a screen view which shows an example of the display screen which displays the firing intensity in the firing operation amount display mode of an operation display device. It is a screen view which shows an example of the display screen which displays the firing intensity in the firing operation amount display mode of an operation display device. It is a screen diagram which shows an example of the display screen which displays the firing speed in the maintenance mode of an operation display device. It is a timing chart explaining the transfer of display information in an operation display device. It is a timing chart explaining the determination of the period for detecting the firing operation amount of the firing operation device. It is a flowchart which shows the firing operation amount monitoring processing in a gaming machine, a card unit, and a higher-level server. It is a flowchart which shows the firing operation amount information determination processing and the firing operation amount information calculation processing in the upper server. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the information leading to displaying the launch operation amount information and the like on an operation display device.

Hereinafter, embodiments representing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The gaming system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of gaming machines 10 installed in the gaming store, an operation display device 20 which is a display unit provided for each gaming machine 10 and capable of displaying various information. It is provided with a higher-level server 100, which is a management device installed in the game store and manages various information including information from the game machine 10.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of related equipment including the game system 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1 includes a game system LAN (upper computer in the game store) 2, a game machine system LAN (terminal device in the game store) 3, and an equipment maker system LAN 4 built in the game store. They are configured and are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other.

The game system LAN 2 is mainly connected to a host server 100, a hall computer 110, a prize management machine 120, etc., which are connected to an external network so as to be able to communicate with each other. Further, in the gaming machine system LAN 3, in addition to the upper server 100, a card unit (CR unit) 30 which is a terminal machine installed corresponding to each of a plurality of gaming machines 10 and a card unit (CR unit) 30 are attached to each gaming machine 10. The call lamp 14, the settlement machine 130, the POS 160, the information display terminal 170, etc. installed in the amusement shop are connected. The call lamp 14 is communicably connected to the card unit 30.

In the equipment maker system LAN 4, in addition to the hall computer 110 and the prize management machine 120, the terminal computer 131 provided in the payment machine 130, the terminal computer 141 provided in the money safe 140, and the bill transfer device 150 are provided. The terminal computer 151, the terminal computer 15 attached to each gaming machine 10, the POS 160, the information display terminal 170, and the like are connected. The terminal computer 15 of the gaming machine 10 is communicably connected to the card unit 30 via the calling lamp 14.

Further, the upper server 100 is a management server (shown) installed in the gaming machine maker 91, the card unit maker 92, the card company 93, the chip maker 94, the security center 95, and the key management center 96, respectively, outside the game store. Are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via the gaming machine system LAN 90 outside the gaming store. In FIG. 1, only two sets of the gaming machine 10 and two sets of the card unit 30 are shown in the gaming store, but in reality, a large number of sets are generally installed.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the gaming machine 10 and the operation display device 20.
The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called enclosed gaming machine, and corresponds to each gaming machine 10 in a state in which a predetermined number (for example, 20) of gaming balls, which are gaming media, are pre-enclosed in the machine. Based on the number of balls held (game value) according to the valuable value information (ball lending frequency) input by the card unit (CR unit) 30 which is the installed terminal, the enclosed game ball is launched. It is a pachinko machine that plays games.

The gaming machine 10 includes a firing operation device 40 that launches a game ball according to a player's firing operation amount, and a firing operation amount detecting means that detects the firing operation amount of the firing operation device 40. Details will be described later. The gaming machine 10 launches a gaming ball guided to a predetermined launch position into a gaming area on the game board surface 11 to play a game, collects the gaming ball that has passed through the gaming area, and returns to the launching position. By guiding, the game ball is configured to be circulated and used. The game ball launched on the game board surface 11 is collected as a safe ball if it wins in various winning openings in the process of falling in the game area, and is collected as an out ball if it does not win in any winning opening.

In the front portion of the main body of the gaming machine 10, an operation display device 20 which is provided corresponding to each gaming machine 10 and is a “display unit” is arranged below the gaming board surface 11. The operation display device 20 includes a touch panel type display screen 21, and is configured to be capable of displaying various information, which will be described in detail later. Further, on the right side of the operation display device 20, a firing handle 12 for the player to launch the game ball is provided. Further, on the upper side of the operation display device 20, a ball holding number display 13 for displaying the number of balls held by the player is provided. In addition, although omitted in FIG. 2, at appropriate locations on the front surface of the main body of the gaming machine 10, as shown in FIG. 3, a decorative display LED 232 using an LED as a light emitting source, a speaker 233 for outputting sound effects, etc., and a player An effect operation switch 234 or the like for performing an external operation is provided.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, a guide rail for partitioning a substantially circular game area is provided on the game board surface 11, and the launched game ball is guided above the game area along the guide rail. The game area is an area in which a fired game ball falls from above and is judged to be safe or out (determination of whether or not a prize has been won), and when the game ball wins a prize in various winning openings and becomes a safe ball. Is, the data of a predetermined number of game balls preset according to the type of the winning opening is added to the number of balls held by the player as a prize ball. Further, in the game area, a display device 231 (see FIG. 3) for playing a variable display game is provided.

The various winning openings include a starting winning opening that secures the right to execute a variable display game on the display device 231 by winning a game ball, and a large winning opening that opens and closes as a special game state. The display device 231 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display), and variablely displays various images including identification information (referred to as a special figure) such as numbers and characters related to a variable display game. The display device 231 may be any display device other than the LCD (liquid crystal display) as long as it can display various images. In addition, for example, a CRT (cathode ray tube) display, an organic EL display display, or the like is adopted. It does not matter if it is configured.

The variable display game is started based on a game ball winning a prize at the start winning opening, and basically, the display screen of the display device 231 has a special figure which is identification information in three columns on the left side, the right side, the center, and the horizontal side. It is displayed, and the special figure scrolls and fluctuates for each column, and when a predetermined time elapses, one arbitrary special figure is stopped and confirmed for each column. During the execution of the variable display game, a character image, a background image, and the like are appropriately displayed on the display device 231 in accordance with the variable display of the special figure. It should be noted that the special figure to be variablely displayed is not limited to the three horizontal columns, and for example, a plurality of special figures may be arranged vertically and horizontally and variablely displayed in a matrix.

With respect to the variable display game, a plurality of types of variable patterns having different variable times and display contents are prepared in advance in the effect display mode from the start to the finalization of the display result. For each variation pattern, the reliability for determining the special result mode corresponding to the jackpot is set to be different as the display result of the variation display game. Each fluctuation pattern is set to be displayed and controlled by the effect control device 203 based on the control command transmitted from the game control device 201 shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later.

With respect to any of the variation patterns of the effect display mode, the special figures that have been confirmed to be stopped as the display result of the variation display game are in a predetermined specific combination (for example, all of the same types as "333" and the like). If this is the case, it is defined as a "special result mode (Atari)". Further, before the special result mode is determined, among the combinations of the special figures that become the special result mode, the other special figures other than one special figure become the combination that becomes the special result mode, and the above-mentioned one special figure is undecided. Corresponds to the "reach display mode".

When the display result of the variable display game is finally determined in the special result mode, a special gaming state is set in which the large winning opening repeatedly opens and closes up to a predetermined number of times. On the other hand, when the display result of the variable display game is not finally determined in the special result mode, it corresponds to the "off display result (loss)" and the special gaming state does not occur. The special figure used in the variable display game is not limited to a simple pattern such as a number or a symbol, and for example, a figure imitating a specific character may be used.

Further, the display results of the variable display game are all the same type in any of the probabilistic symbols (for example, odd symbols "1", "3", "5", "7", "9") among the special symbols. When the special result mode (probability fluctuation jackpot) is confirmed, a special gaming state accompanied by a high probability state will occur. That is, when the special result mode (probability fluctuation jackpot) aligned with the probability variation symbol is determined, the display result of the variation display game is special until the next special gaming state occurs after the special gaming state generated based on this is completed. The jackpot probability determined in the result mode changes to a high probability.

In this way, the gaming state in which the jackpot probability determined in the special result mode is higher than that in the normal gaming state (low probability state) is the probability change state (or also referred to as “high probability state” or “probability change mode”). be. It should be noted that this probabilistic state may be terminated up to a predetermined number of times (so-called ST), and each time the variable display game in the probabilistic state started after the end of the special gaming state is executed, the probabilistic state is said. It may be determined whether or not the game ends (so-called fall lottery). Further, during the probability change state, a time reduction state (also referred to as "time reduction state" or "time reduction mode") in which the variation time of the variation display game on the display device 231 is shortened is also set to occur. ..

On the other hand, the display results of the variable display game are all the same type in any of the non-probable variable symbols (for example, even symbols "0", "2", "4", "6", "8") among the special figures. When it is confirmed that all the special result modes (non-probability fluctuation jackpot) are met, a special gaming state without a probable change state will occur. Here, when the special result mode (non-probability fluctuation jackpot) aligned with the non-probability variation symbol is determined, even after the special gaming state generated based on this is terminated, the fluctuation is limited to a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times). It is also set to generate a time reduction state (also referred to as "time reduction state" or "time reduction mode") in which the fluctuation time of the display game is shortened. As described above, the fluctuation time of the normal map fluctuation display may be set to be shortened, or the time for the pair of opening / closing members of the second start winning opening to be in the open state may be extended. May be.

If a game ball wins in the starting winning opening while the variable display game is being executed or the special gaming state is occurring, the right to execute the variable display game is acquired as a hold, and the variable display currently in progress is obtained. After the game etc. is finished, the reserved rights are sequentially exhausted. The number of holdings of the variable display game is set to, for example, four at the maximum, and the actual number of holdings is displayed by the batch display device 221 shown in FIG. 3 so that the player can visually confirm it. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the batch display device 221 is generally provided with a 7-segment LED or the like on the outside of the game area on the game board surface 11.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10 is provided with a calling lamp 14 on the upper part of the main body. The call lamp 14 is connected to the terminal computer 15 and is also communicably connected to the card unit 30 attached to each gaming machine 10. The call lamp 14 is provided with a button for calling a clerk of a game store, and is capable of notifying the occurrence of the above-mentioned special game state or the like in the corresponding game machine 10 and displaying the game information output from the game machine 10. It is configured in.

The gaming machine 10 is an external information terminal board shown in FIG. 3 as "information output means" for outputting the firing operation amount of the firing operation device 40, which will be described later, and the game information obtained by the game based on the firing operation of the player. It includes 205 and a card unit connection terminal board 206. The gaming machine 10 is connected to the corresponding card unit 30 via the external information terminal board 205 and the card unit connection terminal board 206, and outputs various game information to the card unit 30. The card unit 30 is connected to the host server 100 and the hall computer 110 via the gaming machine system LAN 3 constructed in the gaming store, and various gaming information output from each gaming machine 10 is transmitted to these. It is configured in.

The external information terminal board 205 is a board for wiring connection between the gaming machine 10 side and the card unit 30 side, and only unilaterally outputs information from the gaming machine 10 side to the card unit 30 side, the card unit 30 There is no input from the side to the gaming machine 10 side. In particular, the external information terminal board 205 is used to output the game information from the game machine 10 to the hall computer 110 via the card unit 30.

Specific examples of the game information output from the game machine 10 include a ball entry signal, a prize ball signal, a start signal, a jackpot 1 signal, a jackpot 2 signal, a start port signal, and the like. Further, a sales signal or the like is output from the card unit 30. These signals are aggregated by the host server 100 and the hall computer 110, and are stored as more specific game information such as data such as the number of starts, start / thousand yen, G value, ball holding, and jackpot average. Will be done.

Here, the ball entry signal is a signal relating to the number of game balls (ball entry) fired at the game machine 10 by the player. For example, 10 balls are output as one pulse, and by counting the balls, the "number of balls (counts)", which is the total number of balls fired at the gaming machine 10, can be obtained. ..

The prize ball signal is a signal for specifying a game ball acquired by a player in a game, that is, a number of prize balls (balls to be paid out) to be paid out when a player wins a prize in various winning openings by the game. This prize ball signal is paid out from the gaming machine 10 by counting the prize ball signals, for example, 10 prize balls are output as one pulse as a result of the balls winning in various winning openings and the prize balls being paid out. It is possible to obtain the "number of balls to be played", which is the total number of balls to be played.

The start signal is a signal (same as the symbol confirmation signal) output every time the variable display game is executed on the display device 231 based on the winning of the game ball to the start winning opening. Based on this start signal, the "start count" indicating the number of executions of the variable display game is totaled. Further, "start / thousand yen" is a value indicating the number of starts per 1,000 yen.

The jackpot 1 signal is a signal that identifies the occurrence of the special gaming state, and is output during the period of the special gaming state. The jackpot 2 signal is a signal that identifies the occurrence of the probability change state, and is output during the period of the probability change state. The start port signal is not the number of times the variable display game is executed in the gaming machine 10, but is a signal that specifies the number of winning game balls in the starting winning opening, and is output each time the game ball wins in the starting winning opening.

Further, the G value is the number of balls ejected for 100 balls entered except in the special gaming state. The ball holding is the number of balls ejected for 100 balls entered in a state other than the special gaming state during the probability change state. The jackpot payout average is the average number of payouts during the special gaming state. Further, the sales signal output from the card unit 30 is a signal for specifying the amount of money used in the game card designated by the player for renting the game ball, for example, 100 yen corresponding to 25 rented balls is one pulse. Is output as.

The gaming information output from the gaming machine 10 or the like is not limited to the various signals described above, and for example, a code signal for specifying the machine number or model of the gaming machine 10 or an illegality is detected by the gaming machine 10. An illegal signal output at the time of the game, a stop signal for limiting the game on the gaming machine 10 when the number of prize balls paid out to the player according to the special gaming state exceeds a predetermined number, and a stop. There is a release signal for releasing the stopped state of the gaming machine 10 that has been shifted to the stopped state by the signal, a supply signal for reducing the number of gaming balls supplied in the gaming machine 10, and the like.

The card unit connection terminal board 206 is also a board for wiring connection between the gaming machine 10 side and the card unit 30 side, but it not only transmits information from the gaming machine 10 to the card unit 30, but also the game from the card unit 30. It is a board for wiring connection that allows input to the machine 10. That is, it is a board for wiring connection capable of transmitting information from both the gaming machine 10 and the card unit 30.

Further, wiring from the scaler board 207 (see FIG. 3) is connected to the card unit connection terminal board 206, and the card unit 30 connects the scaler board 207 via the card unit connection terminal board 206. It is configured so that information can be mutually transmitted to and from the operation display device 20 via the operation display device 20. In this embodiment, the external information terminal board 205 and the card unit connection terminal board 206 are separated from each other, but they may be combined to form one board.

For example, only the card unit connection terminal board 206 is provided, and information is transmitted and received between the game machine 10 and the card unit 30 by the card unit connection terminal board 206, and the necessary game information is managed and stored by each of them, and the above-mentioned description is performed. Such game information is output to the hall computer 110 or the like. Further, the game information may be configured to be output from the game machine 10 to the hall computer 110 or the like. In that case, the game information is output to the hall computer 110 or the like by the external information terminal board 205 instead of the card unit 30. Further, the game information may be output from both the card unit 30 and the game machine 10, or the output game information may be distributed.

The gaming machine 10 as described above is set with the card unit 30 to form a single island installed in units of one, or a gaming machine island in which a plurality of gaming machines 10 are arranged in a row. Here, when the gaming machine 10 constitutes a gaming machine island, the gaming machine 10 does not have to be an enclosed gaming machine, and it is preferable to provide a mechanism for circulating or polishing the gaming balls on an island-by-island basis. Further, when the gaming machine 10 constitutes a single island, a mechanism for circulating or polishing the gaming ball is provided inside for each gaming machine 10.

Next, the card unit 30 attached to the gaming machine 10 will be described.
The card unit 30 is installed corresponding to each gaming machine 10, and corresponds to a "terminal" capable of communicating with the corresponding gaming machine 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the card unit 30 inserts a game card (game value storage medium) into the card insertion slot 31, and is a valuable value recorded on the game card by an operation on the card unit 30 described later. For example, it is possible to lend a predetermined amount of balls (increase the number of balls held) within the range of the ball lending frequency.

In addition to the card slot 31, a cash slot 32, various operation buttons, and the like are provided on the front surface of the card unit 30. The cash slot 32 is capable of inserting cash, and by inserting a predetermined banknote (for example, 1000 yen, 5000 yen, 10,000 yen), the game is played within the range of the ball lending frequency corresponding to the amount of the inserted banknote. It is possible to lend balls (that is, lend balls; increase the number of balls held). The banknote inserted into the cash slot 32 is taken into an internal banknote classifier (not shown) to identify its authenticity and type.

As the game card that can be used in the card unit 30, in addition to the prepaid card that can be used by general players other than members (hereinafter referred to as visitor card), it is also possible to use a member card unique to the game store called a house card. In that case, a membership card as a game card is inserted into the card slot 31. The membership card or visitor card inserted into the card slot 31 is accepted by a card reader / writer (not shown), and the information recorded on the card is read. In this embodiment, when the membership card is inserted, the ball can be used on condition that the member's PIN is entered.

When the number of possessed balls is recorded in the game card inserted into the card slot 31, a part or all of the possessed balls is converted into the number of possessed balls, and the game is played by the gaming machine 10. Is possible. If the inserted card is a membership card and the number of balls stored is recorded in the hall computer 110 or the like, a part or all of the number of balls stored is converted into the number of balls held in the game machine 10. It is possible to play with.

Here, the "reservoir" is a game value (for example, the number of game balls) deposited in a game store so that it can be used at a later date, and is generally managed by a hall computer 110 or the like installed in the game store. To. On the other hand, the "mochi ball" is a game value (for example, the number of game balls) held by the player at the game store, and is a game value that has not yet been deposited at the game store. Generally, the number of game balls acquired by the player on the day at the game store is called the "number of balls held", and the number of game balls acquired by the player before the previous day and the number of game balls deposited at the game store is "the number of balls". The number of stored balls ".

Next, other components shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
The upper server 100 is usually installed in the management room of the game store, collects various game information from each game machine 10 via each card unit 30, and collects various game information from the game machine system LAN 90. It is connected to management servers such as outside gaming machine maker 91, card unit maker 92, card company 93, chip maker 94, security center 95, and key management center 96, and collects necessary data from the outside to collect various gaming states. It organizes the data corresponding to the above and manages the sales of pachinko parlors.

The host server 100 corresponds to a "management device" that manages various types of information including information from the gaming machine 10, and includes launch operation amounts and gaming information output from the external information terminal board 205 or the like, which is the information output means. It is equipped with a "memory means" that stores information in correspondence with each other. Here, as the storage means, specifically, for example, not only the RAM and the hard disk drive (HDD) built in the server itself, but also the externally connected hard disk drive and the recording medium of the CD may be used for recording.

The gaming machine maker 91 is a maker that manufactures the gaming machine 10. The management server installed in the gaming machine maker 91 has a function of outputting predetermined information about the gaming machine 10. The card unit maker 92 is a maker that manufactures the card unit 30. The management server installed in the card unit maker 92 has a function of outputting predetermined information about the card unit 30.

The card company 93 is a manufacturer that manufactures the above-mentioned game cards. The management server installed in the card company 93 has a function of outputting predetermined information regarding the game card. The chip maker 94 is a maker that manufactures various control boards (IC chips) to be mounted on the gaming machine 10 and the card unit 30. The management server installed in the chip maker 94 has a function of transmitting, writing, and the like predetermined information about various control boards.

The security center 95 is operated by, for example, an organization established by the gaming machine maker 91, and is a “third-party organization” that is responsible for monitoring the shipment, installation, movement, disposal, etc. of the gaming machine 10. The management server installed in the security center 95 is connected to the key management center 96 described below, transmits the machine unit information for each encrypted game machine 10 to the key management center 96, and after transmission, the key is transmitted. Receives the encrypted authentication result information and installation information of the gaming machine 10 from the management center 96.

The key management center 96 is, for example, a “third-party organization” operated by the card unit maker 92. The management server installed in the key management center 96 has a function of receiving installation information of a plurality of gaming machines 10 installed in a game store and confirming the authentication thereof, and encrypts the received information. Manages and distributes authentication keys for this purpose.

The hall computer 110 is also usually installed in the management room of the game store like the upper server 100, collects various game information from each game machine 10 via each card unit 30, and also collects various game information from the game store. It manages various types of information. The hall computer 110 may be used as a "management device" for managing various information together with the host server 100. The upper server 100 may be omitted, and the management device and the storage means may be configured only by the hall computer 110.

The prize management machine 120 operates according to a predetermined control program, reads the number of balls held by the player recorded on the membership card with the POS 160, and arbitrarily selects the prize desired to be exchanged by the player according to the number of balls held. The prize exchange information is stored and managed. The types of prizes include general prizes, which are various products, as well as so-called special prizes for cashing.

The checkout machine 130 setstles the residual value of the game card. When the game card is inserted, the settlement machine 130 inquires about the residual value to the hall computer 110 or the like and pays out the amount according to the residual value. After the payment of the amount is completed, the settlement machine 130 transmits to that effect to the hall computer 110 or the like, and the hall computer 110 or the like clears the value recorded on the game card to complete the settlement.
In addition, a coin safe 140, a bill carrier 150, a POS 160, an information display terminal 170, etc. attached to the game machine island are installed in the game store, but since these configurations are general, detailed explanations will be given. Is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the gaming machine 10.
The gaming machine 10 includes a gaming control device 201, a payout control device 202, an effect control device 203, and a power supply device 204 as main components of the control system. The necessary power is supplied from the power supply device 204 to each of these devices and each electronic component shown in FIG. In addition, in FIG. 3 to the following description, "SW" means a switch, and "SOL" means a solenoid. Further, in the drawing, when the name of the member is long, it is difficult to show it, so it may be shortened (shown) as appropriate.

First, the configuration of the game control device 201 of the game machine 10 and the device connected to the game control device 201 will be described. The game control device 201 electrically controls various electric parts (electrical accessories) such as switches, solenoids, and lamps arranged on the game board surface 11, and also transmits control information to other control devices. It is a main control device (main board) that comprehensively manages and controls the progress of the game. The game control device 201 is configured such that a circuit board including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a test firing test terminal for an inspection device, and an inspection device connection terminal is housed in a predetermined case, and is configured on the back surface side of the game board surface 11. It is arranged.

Detection signals from the magnetic sensor 211, the radio wave sensor 212, and the vibration sensor 213 are input to the game control device 201. The magnetic sensor 211 is a sensor for monitoring magnet fraud, the radio wave sensor 212 is a sensor for monitoring radio wave fraud, and the vibration sensor 213 is a sensor for monitoring vibration fraud. Since each sensor here has a general configuration, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, detection signals from the start port switch 214 (start port SW in FIG. 3), the gate switch 215, the winning port switch 216, and the count switch 217 are input to the game control device 201.
The start port switch 214 is a sensor for detecting a winning ball that detects one game ball that has won a prize in the starting winning opening.
The gate switch 215 is a sensor that detects game balls passing through a normal drawing start gate (not shown) provided in the game area one by one.

The winning opening switch 216 is a similar sensor provided for a general winning opening (not shown) provided in the game area, and when there are n general winning openings, one for each and n as a whole. It is provided individually. In addition, instead of providing one sensor for each general winning opening, one sensor may be provided for a plurality of general winning openings as a whole.

The count switch 217 is a similar sensor that detects a game ball that has won a prize in the large winning opening.
Each of the sensors 214 to 217 that detects these game balls is a proximity switch in this embodiment, and is configured to output a detection signal of negative logic such as a high level of 11V and a low level of 7V.

Further, when the winning opening is won, the game control device 201 sends a prize ball number command corresponding to the winning to the payout control device 202. The payout control device 202 performs a process of adding the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize to the number of balls based on the prize ball number command corresponding to the prize sent from the game control device 201. Further, the information regarding the number of prize balls is also output to the card unit 30 at a predetermined timing, and is output from the card unit 30 to the hall computer 110 for management.

Here, the winning openings are all the winning openings that accompany the ejection of the winning balls (the process of actually paying out the balls or adding them to the number of balls held in the case of the enclosed ball type). There are winning openings and general winning openings.
In the game control device 201, the number of prize balls associated with winning is set as follows, for example.
Large prize opening = 13 pieces. Starting prize opening = 3 pieces. General winning openings = 10 pieces. The number of prize balls associated with each prize is not limited to this, and is appropriately set according to the specifications of the gaming machine and the like.

Further, the game control device 201 is connected to the effect control device 203, the normal electric solenoid 218, the grand prize opening solenoid 219, and the batch display device 221 as devices necessary for the progress and effect of the game. When the game information is directly output from the game machine 10 to the hall computer 110 as described above, the game control device 201 is also connected to the external information terminal board 205, and the game control device 201 is used. It is configured to output the controlled predetermined game information (for example, information on a jackpot, information on a symbol variation, etc.) to the external information terminal board 205.

The normal electric solenoid 218 is a solenoid that opens and closes a pair of opening and closing members in the starting winning opening, and the large winning opening solenoid 219 is a solenoid that opens and closes the door-shaped opening and closing member in the large winning opening. The batch display device 221 is composed of, for example, a plurality of display devices having an LED as a light emitting source, and is usually provided outside the game area. In addition to the display that is the basis of the variable display game displayed on the display device 231. The number of these holdings is displayed and the game status is displayed. The game control device 201 outputs necessary control signals to each of the general electric solenoid 218, the large winning opening solenoid 219, and the batch display device 221.

Next, the configuration of the effect control device 203 and the device connected to the effect control device 203 will be described. The effect control device 203 includes a main control microcomputer, a video control microcomputer that exclusively controls images under the control of the main control microcomputer, and a VDP as a graphic processor that performs image processing for displaying images on the display device 231. It has a sound source LSI that controls the output of various melody and sound effects, but the detailed configuration is omitted.

The effect control device 203 analyzes the effect control command from the CPU of the game control device 201, determines the effect content, controls the content of the output image of the display device 231, and instructs the sound source LSI of the reproduced sound. The speaker 233 is driven to produce a sound effect or the like, processing such as drive control of the decorative display LED 232 is executed, and the effect content is determined according to the signal from the effect operation switch 234 to control the effect.

Further, the effect control device 203 can input / output information, signals, and the like to and from the operation display device 20 via the scaler board 207, and the effect control device 203 can send information and the like related to the effect screen to the scaler board 207. It is transmitted to the operation display device 20 via the operation display device 20, and the operation information of various buttons arranged on the screen is transmitted from the operation display device 20 to the effect control device 203 via the scaler board 207. Here, the effect control device 203 determines the effect content of the display device 231 based on the operation information of various effect buttons received from the operation display device 20 via the scaler board 207, and controls the effect.

Next, the configuration of the payout control device 202 and the equipment connected to the payout control device 202 will be described. The payout control device 202 manages the enclosed balls and the number of balls held (payout control board), and is a CPU, ROM, RAM, an inspection device connection terminal for an inspection device, a test firing test terminal, and error cancellation. In addition to a switch (error release SW) and an error display LED, it is equipped with a launch control circuit 202a that controls the launch of a game ball.

The payout control device 202 controls to pay out the prize balls according to the signal (payout control command) from the game control device 201 (the payout of the prize balls is added to the number of balls held). On the other hand, the payout control device 202 is configured to be able to transmit information indicating whether or not the glass frame opening switch 239 or the inner frame opening switch 240 has detected opening to the card unit 30.

The CPU executes a predetermined program to perform arithmetic processing necessary for controlling enclosed balls, paying out game balls (paying out prize balls or paying out rented balls), and managing the number of balls held. The ROM stores the program, and the RAM is used as a work area (work area) when executing a process based on the program. Here, the RAM stores the number of balls held, which is the game value. Specifically, the RAM stores the change in the game value of the player, subtracts the fired ball, and adds the prize ball number repeatedly. The number of balls held by a person will be updated and memorized in real time. Since the subtraction of the fired balls and the addition of the number of prize balls are performed by the processing based on the program, the RAM will memorize the real-time changes in the number of balls held.

A backup power supply that supplies power even in the event of a power failure is supplied to the RAM (not shown, for example, one consisting of a large-capacity capacitor), and even if there is a power failure, the required power continues to be supplied. The data is held for a predetermined time (predetermined number of days), so that the game can be controlled from the state at the time of the power failure even when the power failure is restored. Further, the payout control device 202 mainly performs processing from launch to collection of the enclosed ball as a control necessary for the enclosed ball game, and also performs a ball holding number addition process according to a prize ball number command from the game control device 201. Further, it is configured to perform ball lending control (ball lending addition processing), counting processing of the number of balls held, and the like, and the update result is displayed on the ball number display 13.

Further, when the payout control device 202 receives a prize in the winning opening, the game control device 201 sends a prize ball number command corresponding to the prize, and therefore, the prize ball number command corresponds to the prize ball number command. Performs a process of adding the number of prize balls to be added to the number of balls. Here, if the player's number of balls (game value) changes continuously, the memory of the number of balls in the RAM is immediately updated, but the number of balls displayed on the ball number display 13 is updated. Is controlled to be performed at intervals of a predetermined period (for example, 0.3 seconds). Specifically, the RAM as an internal memory stores the change in the number of balls held by the player, subtracts the fired ball, adds the number of prize balls, and repeatedly adds the foul ball. The number of balls you have will be updated and memorized in real time.

The test firing test terminal is a terminal to which a cable for transmitting various information in the control of the enclosed ball and the payout control of the game ball obtained from the CPU is connected to the inspection device. The test firing test terminal and related parts are used in a testing institution and are removed at the time of shipment, and are not mounted on the payout control device 202 used in a game store. The inspection device connection terminal is configured to include, for example, a photocoupler, and is a terminal to which a cable for transmitting various information related to payout obtained from the CPU is connected to the inspection device.

The launch control circuit 202a has a configuration built in the payout control device 202, and receives the necessary power supply from the payout control device 202 and also receives the launch permission signal. The launch control circuit 202a launches the game ball at the launch position according to the operation of the launch volume 251 (that is, the rotation operation of the launch handle 12) on condition that the on-data of the launch permission signal is received. It controls the solenoid 253. The firing drive source may be configured by a motor instead of the solenoid. In that case, an origin sensor that detects the rotational position of the motor is attached.

Further, signals from the touch sensor 254 and the firing stop switch 252 are input to the payout control device 202. Here, the touch sensor 254 detects whether or not the player is touching the firing handle 12 that operates the firing volume 251. The firing stop switch 252 temporarily stops the firing of the game ball. It is operated by the player. The ball feed solenoid 255 that sends the game ball to the launch position is directly controlled by the payout control device 202. For the control process, the signal from the touch sensor 254 is input to the payout control device 202.

The error release switch (error release SW) outputs a signal to release an error when operated when an error occurs in the payout control process and the process is stopped.
When there is an error in the process of payout control, the error display LED lights a specific number according to the content of the error.

Further, the payout control device 202 is input with a detection signal from the counting switch 256 and the rest switch 258, which will be described later, and is a control signal necessary for the ball holding number display 13, the counting switch LED 257 and the break switch effective display LED 259. Is output. For example, a control signal for displaying the number of balls held is output to the number of balls held display 13. When the conditions for turning on the respective LEDs are satisfied, a drive signal capable of turning on each LED is output to the counting switch LED 257 and the break switch effective display LED 259.

The payout control device 202 is connected to the card unit 30 via the card unit connection terminal plate 206 so that bidirectional information can be transmitted to and from the card unit 30 (details will be described later). Further, the card unit connection terminal plate 206 is connected to the scaler board 207, and the card unit 30 is connected to the operation display device 20 via the scaler board 207, and various information including information from the payout control device 202 and the like. Input / output of signals etc. is possible.

Therefore, the card unit connection terminal plate 206 is mainly used for input / output of information, signals, and the like between the card unit 30 and the gaming machine 10 side and between the card unit 30 and the operation display device 20 side. On the other hand, the payout control device 202 is connected to the card unit 30 via the external information terminal board 205, and game information can be transmitted from the payout control device 202 to the card unit 30. Further, the card unit 30 is connected to the upper server 100. Therefore, the external information terminal board 205 is mainly used for transmitting game information from the game machine 10 side to the upper server 100 or the hall computer 110 via the card unit 30.

From the payout control device 202, various game information from the game control device 201 and various information in the control of the enclosed ball and the payout control of the game ball are output to the card unit 30 via the external information terminal board 205. At the same time, various information in the control of the enclosed ball and the payout control of the game ball in the payout control device 202, information on the number of possessed balls (game value information), and the like are output, and these various information are transmitted from the card unit 30 to the upper server 100. It is output to etc.

Further, the payout control device 202 includes a polishing motor 241, a ball removal motor 242, a ball removal motor origin sensor 243, and a ball removal switch 244 (FIG. 3) as equipment necessary for processing from launch to collection of the enclosed ball and ball lending. Then, it is connected to the ball removal SW) and the card unit connection terminal plate 206. As described above, the payout control device 202 is connected to the card unit 30 via the card unit connection terminal plate 206, and the card unit 30 has a ball number display based on various information from the payout control device 202. It is possible to manage the control of 13 and perform control and the like to display the number of balls held by the player (game value).

Further, the payout control device 202 has a launch ball detection switch 235, an out ball detection switch 236, and a first enclosed ball detection switch 237 (enclosed ball detection in FIG. 3) as signals from various switches required for enclosed ball control and the like. 1SW) and the detection signal from the second enclosed ball detection switch 238 (enclosed ball detection 2SW in FIG. 3) are input.

The launch ball detection switch 235 is a sensor that detects the balls launched into the game area one by one by operating the launch volume 251 (details will be described later). The out ball detection switch 236 is a sensor that detects one ball (including both the out ball and the safe ball) collected from the game area one by one. The first enclosed ball detection switch 237 and the second enclosed ball detection switch 238 are arranged in the enclosed ball circulation device (not shown) and are for checking the number of enclosed balls.

Further, the payout control device 202 outputs a signal to the error display LED in the case of a predetermined abnormality, and the number corresponding to the abnormality is lit (or blinks) on the error display LED according to the error. Further, a control signal is appropriately output from the payout control device 202 to the polishing motor 241, and in response to this control signal, the polishing motor 241 polishes the enclosed ball enclosed in the gaming machine 10 (a polishing device (). (Not shown) is activated.

Further, a glass frame opening switch 239 (glass frame opening SW in FIG. 3) and an inner frame opening switch 240 (inner frame opening SW (night monitoring means) in FIG. 3) are connected to the payout control device 202. The glass frame opening switch 239 is a sensor that detects that the glass frame covering the game board surface 11 of the gaming machine 10 is open, and the inner frame opening switch 240 is that the inner frame of the gaming machine 10 is opened. It is a sensor that detects.

Next, the power supply device 204 generates DC voltages such as DC32V, DC12V, and DC5V from the AC power supply, and the game control device 201, the effect control device 203, the payout control device 202, and each electronic component shown in FIG. It supplies the necessary power and is equipped with a power switch and a RAM clear switch.

Here, the power supplied from the power supply device 204 in the gaming machine 10 during normal times (when the power is supplied to the gaming machine 10) is referred to as a main power source, and the main power source is the gaming machine 10 including the gaming control device 201. It refers to the power supply supplied to each device, electronic device, sensor, etc. Further, the power supply device 204 is supplied to the RAM of the game control device 201 and the inner frame opening switch 240 when the power supply of the gaming machine 10 is cut off in addition to the main power supply (that is, when the main power supply is cut off). A backup power supply means (not shown) is provided.

Next, the launch operation device 40 that launches the game ball according to the launch operation amount of the player will be described. The launch operation device 40 is a device controlled by the payout control device 202 including the launch control circuit 202a described above, and can launch the game ball only in a state where the launch of the game ball is permitted. The launch operation device 40 includes the launch handle 12 directly operated by the player, the launch volume 251 mounted inside the launch handle 12 to adjust the launch force of the game ball, the launch stop switch 252, and the launch solenoid. In addition to the 253 and the touch sensor 254, it has a launching wheel 41 (see FIG. 6A) that is driven by the launching solenoid 253 to launch a ball.

There is a launch position at the tip of the launch pestle 41 (the tip of the pestle), and the position is at the base end of the launch passage 42 (see FIG. 6A). Balls are fed one by one to the firing position by driving the ball feed solenoid 255. In this embodiment, in FIG. 2, the launch position is set at the lower right of the gaming machine 10, that is, near the launch handle 12, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper left of the gaming machine 10 is set as the launch position. You may. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the generation of foul balls (game balls that have a weak firing force and have returned despite being fired).

In the state where the launch of the game ball is prohibited, for example, the game ball is not launched even if the game ball is present at the launch position and the player operates the launch handle 12. Since the number of game balls fired by operating the firing handle 12 is stipulated to be 100 shots per minute according to a predetermined rule, the payout control device 202 and the firing control circuit 202a control the ball feed solenoid 255 to shoot 100 shots. It is kept within the range of / minute (about one ball is fired in 0.6 seconds (s)).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for detecting the firing intensity (launching operation amount) in the firing operating device 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the above-mentioned firing volume 251 is mounted inside the firing handle 12. The firing volume 251 is a variable resistor, and the resistance value of the firing volume 251 changes by rotating the operation portion 12a which is an exterior portion of the firing handle 12. Specifically, a voltage was applied to both ends of the firing volume 251 and when the terminal moved between both ends of the firing volume 251 by the rotation operation of the operation unit 12a, the voltage applied to both ends was divided by the moved position. It is configured to output a voltage to the launch control circuit 202a to change the flight distance of the game ball.

When the operation of the launch handle 12 is stopped (the hand is released from the launch handle 12), the launch handle 12 returns to the initial position of the operation unit 12a shown in FIG. 4A by a mechanical mechanism (not shown). ing. The firing handle 12 is set so that it can be changed to the maximum rotation position of the operation unit 12a shown in FIG. 4B by the operation of the player. As described above, the operation unit 12a is mechanically changed between FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), and cannot be fired at the position shown in FIG. 4 (a), and cannot be fired at the position shown in FIG. 4 (b). At the position of), the game ball flies to the upper right position of the game area at the fastest speed.

The firing volume 251 inside the firing handle 12 is set to output the voltage dividing voltage between the VCS and GND to the firing control circuit 202a by the rotation operation of the operation unit 12a. Specifically, VCS (5V) and GND (0V) are applied to both ends of the firing volume 251 and a voltage is output to the firing control circuit 202a in the range of 0V to 5V by rotating the operation unit 12a. In the state shown in FIG. 4A, 0V is output, and in the state shown in FIG. 4B, 5V is output, but vice versa.

FIG. 4C shows a state in which the launch handle 12 is not operated and a state in which the launch handle 12 is operated to reach the maximum position, and the operation angle (amount) thereof is about 120 degrees. This operating angle corresponds to the voltage changing from 0 to 5V, and the operating angle (or voltage) is defined as the firing operation amount of the firing operation device 40. Specifically, when 5V is divided by 120, it becomes about 0.0417V, and when about 0.0417V is output, it is the same as changing the operation unit 12a once.

With this approximately 0.0417V = 1 degree as a reference, the operating angle can be obtained by dividing the voltage output by operating the operation unit 12a by the said approximately 0.0417V, and this calculated operating angle is the firing operation. It corresponds to the firing operation amount of the device 40 and is detected by the firing control circuit 202a. Here, the launch control circuit 202a corresponds to a "launch operation amount detecting means" that detects the launch operation amount of the launch operation device 40. The operation angle (launch operation amount) detected here is output to the host server 100 or the like via the external information terminal board 205 (see FIG. 3) together with the game information at the time of the operation.

The operation angle (launch operation amount) output in this way is associated with the game information at the time of the operation, is stored in the storage means of the upper server 100, and is visually compared with the operation display device 20 described later. Displayed as possible data. It is preferable to set the storage not only in the host server 100 but also in the storage means of the hall computer 110. Here, regarding the operation angle, specifically, for example, when 2.085V is output, the launch control circuit 202a calculates that the operation unit 12a changes by 50 degrees and stores it as the operation angle of 50 degrees. ..

In addition, as a value indicating the firing operation amount, the operation distance (amount) may be used instead of the operation angle. Since the operation unit 12a is moving on the circumference, the length of the arc may be obtained after obtaining the above angle. Further, as another firing operation amount, the current applied to the firing solenoid 253 may be measured, and this current amount may be defined as the firing operation amount. Alternatively, the voltage, pulse width, etc. that control the firing control circuit 202a may be obtained by the same method, and these may be defined as the firing operation amount.

Next, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of detecting the rate of fire (rate of fire operation) in the launch operation device 40. FIG. 5A is a principle circuit diagram for measuring the speed at which the game ball a moves from the detection position A to the detection position B, and FIG. 5B is a principle circuit diagram in which the game ball a moves from a1 to a3. It is a waveform diagram output from the measurement A and the measurement B at the time. The principle circuit shown in FIG. 5A includes a transmissive photosensor that detects light by irradiating light from the light emitting element A toward the light receiving element A and blocking the light when an object passes between them. .. The light emitting element A and the light receiving element A are paired, and similarly, another photo sensor in which the light emitting element B and the light receiving element B are paired is provided.

When the game ball a passes between the photo sensors, the outputs of the measurements A and B while the light is blocked due to the passage of the game ball a become high levels, respectively. When the game ball a moves from a1 to a3 in the figure, the waveform A is output from the measurement A, and the waveform B is output from the measurement B. Here, the time from the rise of the waveform A to the rise of the waveform B is the time taken from the detection position A to the detection position B. The time may be measured as the time required from the falling edge of the waveform to the falling edge.

Then, the speed of the game ball a can be calculated by the time for moving from the detection position A to the detection position B. That is, since speed = distance ÷ time, if the distance from the detection position A to the detection position B is 5 cm and the time traveled from the detection position A to the detection position B is 100 ms, then 5 cm ÷ 100 ms = 1.8 km / h. (0.5 m / s). As a means for detecting the game ball a, a transmissive photo sensor is taken as an example, but any other sensor such as a reflection type optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a magnetic sensor, and the like that can detect the game ball may be used.

FIG. 5C shows a flow chart for displaying the speed. The two ball detection sensors 1 and 2 for detecting a ball, such as the two photo sensors described above, are connected to the effect control device 203 shown in FIG. 3, respectively. The detection signals from the ball detection sensors 1 and 2 are input to the effect control device 203, and the speed of the game ball is calculated. Therefore, when the speed of the game ball is defined as the firing operation amount, it corresponds to the "launching operation amount detecting means" in which the effect control device 203 detects the firing operation amount of the firing operation device 40. Further, the calculated speed (launching operation amount) of the game ball is higher than the game information at the time of calculating the speed, via the card unit connection terminal plate 206, the scaler board 207, and the card unit 30 (see FIG. 3). It is output to the server 100 and the like. Here, the card unit connection terminal board 206 mainly corresponds to an "information output means" that outputs a firing operation amount.

In FIG. 5C, the effect control device 203 first monitors the rising edge of the ball detection sensor 1 (step S10). When the rising edge is detected (Yes in step S10), the timer for acquiring the time value is started (step S11). Subsequently, the rising edge of the ball detection sensor 2 is monitored (step S12). When the rising edge is detected (Yes in step S12), the timer is stopped and the time value is acquired (step S13).

Subsequently, the speed is calculated from the acquired time value and the distance between the ball detection sensor 1 and the ball detection sensor 2 previously installed in the gaming machine 10 (step S14). The speed calculated here is associated with the game information at the time of the speed and is stored in the storage means of the upper server 100. Further, it is displayed as data that can be visually compared on the operation display device 20 described later. It is preferable to set the storage not only in the host server 100 but also in the storage means of the hall computer 110.

Further, although the speed of the game ball is used as the firing operation amount, for example, the timer value (passing time) may be used as the firing operation amount without performing the processing after step S14. Even if the flight distance of the game ball changes by 1 mm, the player does not notice, but the speed and time change as the distance that the game ball flies becomes shorter by 1 mm. On the contrary, if the distance to fly by 1 mm becomes longer, the speed (faster) and the time (faster) will change by the lengthened 1 mm. From the player's point of view, the unit (scale) of the firing operation amount is meaningless, and it is important how the winning rate changes depending on the numerical value, and it is sufficient if it can be judged by some numerical value.

FIG. 6 is a specific explanatory diagram for detecting the rate of fire (rate of fire operation). FIG. 6A shows a state in which the game ball is set at the launch position of the launch operation device 40, and FIG. 6B shows a state when the game ball is launched by the launch operation device 40. Further, FIG. 6C is a waveform diagram showing the output of each ball detection sensor. As shown in FIG. 6A, the launch operation device 40 includes a launch rod 41 that launches a game ball. The base end of the launch rod 41 is swingably supported by the rotation shaft 41a, and the launch solenoid 253 drives the launch rod 41 so that its tip appears and disappears with respect to the launch position.

Ball detection sensors 1 and 2 for detecting a game ball are installed in the middle of the launch passage 42 ahead of the launch position. The game ball moves in the launch passage 42 and passes through the ball detection sensors 1 and 2. When the game ball passes through the ball detection sensors 1 and 2, the waveform shown in FIG. 6C is output. Here, the period from the detection of the ball detection sensor 1 to the detection of the ball detection sensor 2 is the movement time during which the game ball has moved the distance from the ball detection sensor 1 to the ball detection sensor 2. The speed of the game ball can be calculated from the actually measured movement time and the distance from the ball detection sensor 1 to the ball detection sensor 2. Such calculation is executed by the effect control device 203 as described above.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, each ball detection sensor 1 and 2 are installed in the launch passage 42. For example, the ball detection sensor 1 is installed in the launch passage 42 and the ball detection sensor 2 is installed in the launch passage 42. It may be installed outside (inside the game board surface 11), or both of the ball detection sensors 1 and 2 may be installed outside the launch passage 42 (inside the game board surface 11). When the ball detection sensor is provided in a place other than the launch passage 42, it is a condition that the launched game ball always passes through the ball detection sensors 1 and 2, and the game ball once passed does not pass again.

That is, it suffices if one of the launched game balls can accurately measure the movement time required from the ball detection sensor 1 to the ball detection sensor 2. Specifically, for example, assuming that the moving time is 1 ms and the distance between the sensors is 10 mm, the rate of fire of the game ball is 36 km / h (10 m / s per second). The flight distance of the game ball differs depending on this rate of fire, and if the speed is high, it will fly far, and if the speed is slow, it will not fly far.

Next, the operation display device 20 and its display contents will be described.
7 to 14 are screen views showing an example of the display contents on the display screen 21 of the operation display device 20. As described above, the display screen 21 is configured to be able to display various information as a touch panel. The operation display device 20 is controlled by the effect control device 203, and various game information and various large and small launch operation amounts, which are output from the corresponding game machine 10 and stored in the storage means such as the upper server 100, are displayed. Each can be displayed as visually comparable data.

In particular, the operation display device 20 displays the game information at the time of the game based on each firing operation amount in correspondence with the data indicating each firing operation amount, and the operation position of the firing operation device 40 corresponding to each firing operation amount. The index M indicating the above can be displayed, and the "launch operation amount display mode" for displaying these is set so that it can be appropriately switched by a touch operation or the like on the display screen 21.

Further, the operation display device 20 is controlled by the card unit 30 and also functions as a display unit or an operation unit of the card unit 30. For example, on the display screen 21, as touch panel type switches, a counting switch (counting SW256 in FIG. 3), a counting switch LED (counting SWLED257 in FIG. 3), a break switch (break SW258 in FIG. 3), and a break switch effective display are displayed. The LEDs (break SW effective display LED 259 in FIG. 3) are selectively displayed.

Here, the counting SW256 is a switch that is touch-operated when the player wants to count the number of balls held, and the counting SWLED257 blinks when prompting the touch operation of the counting SW256. Further, the break SW258 is a switch that is touch-operated when the player desires a break, and the break SW effective display LED 259 lights up when the break is possible.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen 21 that displays the above-mentioned rate of fire as a rate of fire in the rate of fire display mode of the operation display device 20. In the firing operation amount display mode, the display control of the effect control device 203 causes the display screen 21 to display the gaming machine display unit 22 imitating the gaming machine 10 and the history display units 27A, 27B, 27C of a plurality of firing operation amounts. Are displayed respectively. In the gaming machine display unit 22, a gaming area unit 23 for displaying an index M indicating an operation position of the launching operation device 40 imitating a gaming area, and a selection arranged in the center of the gaming area 23. The item display unit 24, the game state display unit 25 arranged below the game area unit 23, and the operation amount display unit 26 arranged below the game state display unit 25 are displayed.

Here, the index M is an arrow that imitates the trajectory of the game ball launched at the rate of fire according to the rotation operation amount (angle) of the launch handle 12 on the actual game area as the operation position of the launch operation device 40. It is a line. The arrow line indicates the rate of fire corresponding to the index M1 and the second place among the information selected as the selection items to be described later in the game area unit 23 imitating the actual game area. The locus of the rate of fire corresponding to the index M2 and the third place is displayed as the index M3, and the locus of the rate of fire during the current game is displayed as the index M0. Hereinafter, when the indexes M0, M1, M2, and M3, which are arrow lines, are generically referred to, they are simply referred to as the index M. Each arrow line can be clearly distinguished by the number 0 to 3 added to the tip thereof and the difference in line type (solid line, broken line, etc.).

The selection item display unit 24 displays various game information that the player wants to display by category, and is set so that the player can appropriately select the information by touch operation or the like. The categories displayed here include, for example, "start-oriented" and "ball holding-oriented". When "Emphasis on start" is selected, game information that can be used as a reference regarding the degree of winning of the ball to the start winning opening is picked up, and when "Emphasis on ball holding" is selected, the consumption of the game ball is suppressed for the player. Game information that serves as a reference is picked up and displayed on the history display unit 27, which will be described later.

The game state display unit 25 displays the game state during the current game. In the game state display unit 25, for example, "normal" is displayed during a normal game, "big hit" is displayed during a special game state, and "probability change" is displayed during a probability change state. Is displayed.
The operation amount display unit 26 displays the rate of fire of the game ball as the rate of fire operation during the current game. Specifically, the average value of the firing speeds of the latest 10 launched game balls is displayed as it is, and three past average values are displayed side by side in the history. The past history is sequentially updated with new ones and deleted from the old ones.

In the history display unit 27, the game information related to the category displayed on the selection item display unit 24 is displayed in correspondence with the firing operation amount (rate of fire of the game ball) at the time of the game in which the game information is output. Will be done. The game information displayed here is ranked on the basis of being advantageous to the player, that is, the degree of winning of the ball to the starting winning opening is high, and the rate of fire corresponding to the first place in the ranking and the time The game information is displayed on the history display unit 27A located in the upper row, and the rate of fire corresponding to the second place and the game information at that time are displayed on the history display unit 27B located in the middle stage, and the rate of fire corresponding to the third place is displayed. And the game information at that time is displayed on the history display unit 27C located at the lower stage.

Here, the locus of the game ball at the rate of fire displayed on the history display unit 27A is the index M1 displayed on the game area unit 23 described above, and at the time of the rate of fire displayed on the history display unit 27B. The locus of the game ball is the index M2 displayed on the above-mentioned game area 23, and the locus of the game ball at the rate of fire displayed on the history display unit 27C is displayed on the above-mentioned game area 23. Index M3. As described above, the operation display device 20 displays the game information at the time of the game based on each firing operation amount in association with the data indicating each firing operation amount, and the firing operation device 40 corresponding to each firing operation amount. An index M indicating the operation position of the above can be displayed.

8 to 10 show an example of a display screen 21 that arbitrarily selects and displays any one of the history display units 27 in the firing operation amount display mode of the operation display device 20. 8 (a) and 8 (b) show the same display contents as those of FIG. 7. That is, the category displayed on the selection item display unit 24 is "start-oriented", and as game information particularly related to this, the history display unit 27 has the above-mentioned "start count" and "start / thousand yen". Is displayed.

In FIG. 8B, the player can select any history display unit 27. For example, when selecting the first-ranked history display unit 27A, the history display unit 27A is touched as shown by the figure of a finger in the figure. Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, in addition to the current rate of fire and its index M0, only the selected rate of fire and its index M1 and the history display unit 27A of the first place are displayed. To. In this way, it is possible to select any of the operation positions of the launch operation device 40 corresponding to each launch operation amount already stored.

In FIG. 9 (c), the operation positions (index M0) during the game are set in place of the history display units 27B and 27C where the display has disappeared with respect to the selected operation position (index M1). An induction display unit 28 for displaying the guidance to be guided appears. In the display example of FIG. 9C, the guidance display unit 28 displays the current rate of fire as well as the rate of fire displayed on the history display unit 27A as the recommended rate of fire, as in the operation amount display unit 26. Will be done. In addition, the guidance display unit 28 displays a message suggesting the strength of the current rate of fire with respect to the recommended rate of fire, an icon indicating the operation direction of the firing handle 12 for matching the recommended rate of fire, and the like.

In the display example of FIG. 9C, the current rate of fire of 27.6 m / s is too fast for the recommended rate of fire of 26.0 m / s, and the induction display unit 28 suggests that fact. A message such as "It's strong!" Is displayed, and the icon of the rate of fire 12 is also displayed with an arrow indicating the direction to weaken the rotation operation. Further, in the game area portion 23, the index M0 of the current rate of fire is displayed so as to be located above the index M1 of the recommended rate of fire, which indicates that the rate of fire is faster.

On the other hand, the display example of FIG. 9D shows a case where the current rate of fire is 23.0 m / s with respect to the recommended rate of fire of 26.0 m / s, which is conversely slower this time. Therefore, a message such as "weak!" Is displayed on the guidance display unit 28, and an arrow indicating a direction for strengthening the rotation operation is also displayed on the icon of the firing handle 12. Further, in the game area portion 23, the index M0 of the current rate of fire is displayed so as to be located below the index M1 of the recommended rate of fire, which indicates that the rate of fire is slow.

The following display example of FIG. 10 (e) shows a case where the current rate of fire is 26.0 m / s while the recommended rate of fire is 26.0 m / s, and both speeds match. Therefore, a message such as "recommended firing speed" is displayed on the guidance display unit 28, and an arrow indicating the strength direction of the rotation operation is not displayed on the icon of the firing handle 12. Further, in the game area portion 23, the index M1 of the recommended rate of fire and the index M0 of the current rate of fire coincide with each other, and the index M0 is omitted.

Further, FIG. 11 displays the rate of fire as the amount of firing operation, and the category displayed on the selection item display unit 24 shows an example in the case of "focusing on ball holding" instead of "focusing on start". When this "focus on ball holding" is selected, the history display unit 27 has the above-mentioned "ball holding" and "big hit ball average" as game information that can be used as a reference for the player to suppress the consumption of the game ball. Is displayed. In addition, the game state display unit 25 displays "probability changing" indicating that the probabilistic change state is in progress.

Such a display screen 21 shown in FIG. 11 is a display content for the player to select a firing speed with a good ball holding during the probabilistic state and rotate the firing handle 12, but the player is in the probabilistic state. If there is, a special game state will occur immediately, so you can actually rotate the firing handle 12 by selecting a firing speed that gives good data for both "ball holding" and "big hit ball ejection average". ..

That is, the "ball holding" is the game information in the probable change state, and the "big hit ball output average" is the game information in the special game state, and the operation position (rotation angle) of the launch handle 12 with a good balance of both game information. Can be grasped.
When the category displayed on the selection item display unit 24 is not the above-mentioned "emphasis on ball holding" but "emphasis on big hit ball ejection", the game information related to this is the same as in the case of the above-mentioned "emphasis on ball holding". Although it is "ball holding" and "big hit ball average", the order in which the numerical values that are advantageous to the player increase, that is, the order displayed on the history display unit 27 will change.

12 and 13 show an example of a display screen 21 that displays the firing intensity instead of the above-mentioned firing speed as the firing operation amount in the firing operation amount display mode of the operation display device 20. On the display screen 21 shown in FIG. 12, the above-mentioned game state display unit 25 and the selection item display unit 24 are displayed side by side in the upper right corner of the screen, and the above-mentioned history display units 27A, 27B, 27C are displayed in the upper half of the screen. Are arranged side by side and are displayed in order from the left side to the first place. As described above, the voltage of the firing volume 251 of the firing operating device 40 changes in the range of 0V to 5V depending on the operating angle of the firing handle 12, and the value of this voltage is displayed on the history display unit 27 as the firing operation amount. Displayed as "Fire intensity".

Further, in the lower half of the screen of the display screen 21, guidance display units 28A and 28B, which are guidances for guiding the operation position during the game to the operation position in the first-ranked history display unit 27A, are displayed. The induction display unit 28A is an image imitating a meter display. For example, as shown in the figure, the guidance display unit 28A is provided with a pointer that can be moved along an arcuate scale, and the scale is instructed to set the maximum value of firing intensity to 10. The value is written.

Here, along the outer circumference of the scale board, a guide board showing the range of the firing intensity corresponding to each rank of the game information displayed on the history display unit 27 is provided. Thereby, the player can rotate the firing handle 12 so that the pointer is located in the range of the firing intensity corresponding to the desired order. Further, on the right side of the screen of the guidance display unit 28A, the numerical value indicating the current firing intensity is digitally displayed as it is.

Further, the guidance display unit 28A or the guidance display unit 28B located on the right side of the digital display has a firing intensity (of the operating position) corresponding to the game information of the first place in the history display unit 27 in the image imitating the firing handle 12. The index) indicates the actual operating direction of the firing handle 12 with an arrow in order to induce the current firing intensity. For example, if the current firing strength is too weak with respect to the target firing strength of the first place, it is preferable to display an arrow in the direction of increasing the rotation angle of the firing handle 12 as shown in the figure. Various other designs can be adopted for the images of the guided display units 28A and 28B.

In the display example of FIG. 12, the category displayed on the selection item display unit 24 is "start-oriented", and as game information related to this, the history display unit 27 has "start count" and "start / start /". "Thousand yen" is displayed. On the other hand, in the display example of FIG. 13, the category displayed on the selection item display unit 24 is "focus on ball holding", and as game information related to this, the history display unit 27 has "ball holding" and "big hit". "Average payout" is displayed.

Further, the operation display device 20 can display not only useful game information and launch operation amount for the player, but also useful game information and launch operation amount from the viewpoint of the store clerk of the game store. Is set to. The "maintenance mode" for displaying the necessary display for the clerk of the game store is set so that the display screen 21 can be appropriately switched by a special touch operation or the like that the player does not know.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a display screen 21 that displays the above-mentioned rate of fire as a rate of fire in the maintenance mode of the operation display device 20. In the maintenance mode, due to the display control of the effect control device 203, the display screen 21 has the game machine display unit 22, the game area unit 23, the selection item display unit 24, and the game status display as in the case of the firing operation amount display mode. In addition to the operation amount display unit 26 and the operation amount display unit 26, the nail adjustment button 29, the display period setting button 29A, and the history display unit 27 are displayed.

In the maintenance mode, "nail adjustment information" is displayed on the selection item display unit 24, and the game state display unit 25 indicates that the current game state is being tested for nail adjustment. "Trial hit" is displayed. Further, the operation amount display unit 26 displays the rate of fire of the game ball as the rate of fire during the current trial hitting, and also displays the game information at this time. Although the G value is displayed as game information in FIG. 14, other game information such as the number of starts and the average of big hit balls can be appropriately selected and displayed.

The nail adjustment button 29 peculiar to the maintenance mode is a switch for registering the day when the nail adjustment is performed by a touch operation when the clerk of the game store adjusts the nail of the gaming machine 10. The date registered by the nail adjustment button 29 serves as a reference when the game information is cumulatively displayed when the item of "nail adjustment date" is touch-operated by the setting button 29A described below.

Further, the setting button 29A displays the set display period by this touch operation. For example, if you touch the item of "nail adjustment date", the cumulative total of game information from the day after the day when the nail adjustment is performed to today is displayed on the history display unit 27 described below, and if you touch the item of "previous day", , The cumulative total of game information from the previous day to today is displayed on the history display unit 27, and when the item "today" is touch-operated, the cumulative total of game information only for today is displayed on the history display unit 27.

The history display unit 27 displays a history of the rate of fire as a rate of fire operation during the display period designated by the setting button 29A, and game information corresponding to each rate of fire. Although the G value is displayed as game information on the history display unit 27, other game information such as the number of starts and the average of big hit balls can be appropriately selected and displayed. If the selected game information changes, the rate of fire in each order will also differ. These game information and the rate of fire at that time are important data for business, but as a display condition, only the rate of fire that exceeds the predetermined time for the duration of the rate of fire during business is displayed. May be.

Further, for each game information displayed on the history display unit 27, the locus of the game ball at the rate of fire at the time of the value corresponding to the first place is the index M1 displayed on the game area unit 23, and is the second place. The locus of the game ball at the rate of fire at the value corresponding to is the index M2 displayed on the game area 23, and the locus of the game ball at the rate of fire at the rate of fire corresponding to the third place is the game. It is an index M3 displayed in the area portion 23. In addition, the trajectory of the rate of fire during the trial striking with the current nail adjustment is displayed as the index M0.

In such a maintenance mode, when adjusting the nails, the clerk of the game store adjusts the nails on the game board surface 11 by observing the rate of fire corresponding to each game information and the operation position of the firing handle 12 at that time. Know exactly where you need to. When a trial shot was made after adjusting the nails, the rate of fire (rate of fire) by the current rate of fire, the operation position (rotation angle) of the rate of fire 12 corresponding to this rate of fire, and the corresponding past games. Since the information is displayed, the clerk can quickly confirm whether or not the nail adjustment is performed properly. The game information shown in FIG. 14 is a G value, but as described above, data such as ball holding, number of starts, and average jackpot ball output may be displayed as other game information.

Next, the transition of the display contents in the operation display device 20 shown in FIG. 15 will be described. When the game store opens, there is still little or little information about the game information and launch operation amount on the day, so it is set to display the game information stored the day before until the specified period elapses from the time the store opens. There is. Then, after the predetermined period has elapsed, the game information and the like stored on the day are displayed. Here, it is assumed that the predetermined period can be arbitrarily set on the game store side by, for example, a hall computer 110 or the like.

Next, determination of a period for detecting the firing operation amount of the firing operation device 40 shown in FIG. 16 will be described. Here, when the firing operation amount is the operation angle of the firing handle 12 (or the voltage of the firing volume 251), it is monitored by the firing control circuit 202a which is the firing operation amount detecting means. Further, when the firing operation amount is the firing speed of the game ball, it is monitored by the effect control device 203 which is the firing operation amount detecting means.

In order to determine the stable operation amount at the start of the launch operation, first, a predetermined period is set from the start of the launch operation. Within this predetermined period, it is determined that the stable operation amount has changed from the unstable operation amount period. If the stable manipulated variable is not reached within the predetermined period, the stable manipulated variable period is determined after the predetermined period elapses.

Further, in order to determine the unstable operation amount period when the firing operation is stopped, a predetermined period retroactive from the time when the firing operation is stopped, which is the end of the operation, is set. Within this predetermined period, it is determined that the stable operation amount has changed from the unstable operation amount period. If the stable manipulated variable is not reached within the predetermined period, the unstable manipulated variable period is determined within the predetermined period.

In this way, after the firing operation is stopped, the firing operation amount is monitored retroactively to a predetermined period, the unstable operation amount period of the firing operation amount is eliminated, the stable operation amount period is determined, and the firing operation amount within the period is determined. And collect game information. The above-mentioned predetermined period can be arbitrarily set on the game store side by, for example, a hall computer 110 or the like.

Next, the firing operation amount monitoring process shown in FIG. 17 will be described. In the launch operation amount monitoring process of the gaming machine 10 shown in FIG. 17A, when the launch operation of the launch handle 12 by the player is started (step S101), the launch control circuit 202a and the effect control device 203 described above are used. The firing operation amount is detected (step S102). The firing operation amount detected here is transmitted to the card unit 30 by the external information terminal board 205 and the card unit connection terminal board 206 (step S103). The processing of steps S102 to S103 is repeated until the firing operation of the firing handle 12 by the player is stopped (step S104).

Further, in the firing operation amount monitoring process of the card unit 30 shown in FIG. 17B, when the firing operation amount is received (step S111), the firing operation amount is stored in the storage means (not shown in FIG. 3). Step S112). Then, the stored firing operation amount is transmitted to the host server 100 or the like (step S113).

Further, in the launch operation amount monitoring process of the upper server 100 shown in FIG. 17C, when the launch operation amount is received (step S121), the launch operation amount information determination process is executed based on the launch operation amount (step S121). Step S122). Subsequently, the firing operation amount information calculation process is executed (step S123).

Next, the launch operation amount information determination process and the like of the upper server 100 shown in FIG. 18 will be described. In the launch operation amount information determination process S122 of the launch operation amount monitoring process (FIG. 17 (C)) described above, when the routine is started as shown in FIG. 18 (A), a predetermined period from the transmission of the previous launch operation amount. Is determined (step S131). Here, if the predetermined period has not elapsed (step S131; N), it is determined that the firing operation by the player's firing handle 12 has started (step S132), and the firing operation amount of the firing operation device 40 is used as the storage means. Store (step S133).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed (step S131; Y), the firing operation amount of the firing operation device 40 is stored in the storage means by omitting the step S132 (step S133). .. Next, it is determined whether or not the launch operation amount information has been received within a predetermined period (step S134).

Here, if the launch operation amount information is received (step S134; Y), the process returns to step S133. On the other hand, if the firing operation amount information is not received (step S134; N), it is determined that the firing operation by the player is completed (step S135), and the stable firing operation amount is stored in the storage means (step S136).

In the launch operation amount information calculation process S123 of the launch operation amount monitoring process (FIG. 17 (C)) described above, as shown in FIG. 18 (B), steps S141 to S145 are shown in FIG. 18 (A). It is common to steps S131 to S135 and differs only in that there is no process corresponding to step S136.

Next, FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of information leading to displaying the launch operation amount information and the like on the operation display device 20. First, when the player selects the launch position information, that is, touches the display content on the display screen 21 of the operation display device 20 to switch the display content to the launch operation amount display mode (A11), the launch operation amount information or the like. Is output (A12). When the card unit 30 receives this signal (A13), it transmits it to the host server 100 as it is (A14).

When the host server 100 receives a signal requesting launch operation amount information or the like (A15), it is determined whether or not it is within a predetermined period after the opening of the game store (A16). Here, if it is still within the predetermined period, the firing operation amount information and the like stored on the previous day are extracted (A17) and transmitted to the card unit 30 (A18). When the card unit 30 receives the firing operation amount information and the like on the previous day (A19), it stores this in its own storage means (A20) and then transmits it to the operation display device 20 (A21). Then, when the operation display device 20 receives the launch operation amount information and the like on the previous day (A22), the operation display device 20 displays this on the display screen 21 (A23).

Further, in the above-mentioned determination of the upper server 100 (A16), if the predetermined period has already passed, the launch operation amount information and the like stored on the day are extracted (A31) and transmitted to the card unit 30 (A31). A32). When the card unit 30 receives the firing operation amount information and the like on the day (A33), it stores this in its own storage means (A34) and then transmits it to the operation display device 20 (A35). Then, when the operation display device 20 receives the launch operation amount information and the like on the day (A36), the operation display device 20 displays this on the display screen 21 (A37).

Then, the following actions are derived from the configuration of the game system 1 of the present embodiment described above.
According to the game system 1, in the game machine 10, a game ball is launched into the game area of the game board surface 11 based on the launch operation of the launch handle 12 of the launch operation device 40 by the player, and the game is performed. As described above, the firing operation amount in the firing operation device 40 is detected by the effect control device 203 in the case of the rate of fire, and by the firing operation amount detecting means 202a and 203 in the case of the firing intensity, together with the game information during the game. It is output by the information output means 205 and 206.

The firing operation amount and the game information output from the game machine 10 in this way are stored in a storage means such as the host server 100 in correspondence with each other. The correspondence here is that the game information obtained by the game at a certain firing operation amount is associated with the firing operation amount at that time point. The game information corresponds to the above-mentioned various data such as the number of starts, start / thousand yen, G value, ball holding, and jackpot average.

An operation display device 20 capable of displaying various information corresponding to each gaming machine 10 is provided, and the operation display device 20 is data in which the firing operation amounts stored in the storage means can be visually compared with each other. It can be displayed as. Here, the data is a scale for comparing the magnitude of the firing operation amount, and is data in which the firing speed and the firing intensity of the game ball, which are proportional to the firing operation amount, are directly quantified as described above.

Specifically, it is not limited to the numerical data to be digitally displayed as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, and may be displayed as schematic data such as an image imitating the meter display shown in FIG. 12 and the like. Even if the flying distance of the game ball actually changes by 1 mm, the player does not notice it, but if it is displayed as data of the rate of fire and the firing intensity, even if the flying distance changes by 1 mm, the data will be that much. It changes obviously, and the amount of change is displayed so that the player can clearly recognize it. Whatever the type of unit (scale) that represents the amount of firing operation, it is sufficient for the player to easily recognize how the winning rate and the like change due to changes in the data.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the operation display device 20 displays the game information at the time of the game based on each firing operation amount so as to correspond to the data indicating each firing operation amount. As described above, there are a plurality of types of game information, and any one of the game information can be arbitrarily selected and displayed for each firing operation amount stored in the storage means. In FIG. 8, "start count" and "start / thousand yen" are displayed corresponding to the "start-oriented" category, and in FIG. 11, "ball holding" and "ball holding" and "ball holding" correspond to the "ball holding-oriented" category. "Big hit average" is displayed.

In this way, the player or the like can confirm only the desired game information for each firing operation amount. In addition, a ranking is determined for each game information based on a predetermined standard. For example, if the game information is the number of starts, the larger the number, the more advantageous the player, and therefore the higher the numerical value is. It is stipulated to be. In this way, the display order of the history display units 27A, 27B, and 27C corresponding to each firing operation amount is rearranged according to the order.

Among various game information, for example, the emphasis on start is used as an index during normal game, the emphasis on ball holding is used as an index during normal game or probability fluctuation, and the information on the winning of the ball at the big winning opening (attacka) is used during the big hit game. It should be an important index.
Further, the above embodiment is a case of playing with a first-class gaming machine (fever machine), but as an index for a second-class gaming machine (feather machine), emphasis is placed on starting and winning a prize during normal gaming ( The information related to the winning of the big prize opening) may be used as an index, and the information related to the winning of the character winning (large winning opening) may be used as an index during the big hit game.

Further, the operation display device 20 also displays an index M indicating the operation position of the launch operation device 40 corresponding to each launch operation amount. Here, the index M is not limited to the arrow line that imitates the trajectory of the actual game ball, as long as it serves as a mark for estimating the rotation angle of the firing handle 12, which is the operation position, and the image thereof. The form of is not limited.

According to the present game system 1 as described above, the game information is not only displayed so as to correspond to the data indicating the specific firing operation amount at the time of the game, but also corresponds to each firing operation amount. An index M indicating the operation position of the launch operation device 40 is also displayed. This makes it possible to visually and easily confirm the operation position corresponding to the game information desired by the player. Therefore, the player can easily adjust the actual firing operation of the firing handle 12 so that the operating position is such that the desired game information can be obtained.

Further, on the operation display device 20, the index M indicating the operation position of the launch operation device 40 corresponding to each launch operation amount can be clearly identified by the difference in the numbers and line types (solid line, broken line, etc.) to be added. Is displayed in. As a result, the player can easily and reliably recognize a specific operation position and an operation position where he / she actually wants to play a game, separately from other operation positions.

Further, on the operation display device 20, the index M0 indicating the operation position of the launch operation device 40 during the current game also indicates the operation position of the launch operation device 40 corresponding to each launch operation amount stored in the storage means. It is displayed together with the indicators M1 to M3. As a result, the player can visually recognize the operation position currently being operated, so that the difference from the operation position corresponding to the game information can be clearly grasped, and the operation amount operated by the player can be accurately adjusted. can do.

Further, as described with reference to FIG. 8B, any one of the operation positions (history display unit 27) of the launch operation device 40 corresponding to each launch operation amount can be arbitrarily selected. The selection here means that it can be arbitrarily selected and registered from those already stored, and it is preferable that the selection can be easily performed by the touch operation on the display screen 21 as described above. The main body of the operation may be a player or an employee of the game store.

Then, as described with reference to FIG. 9C, the operation display device 20 has an index M1 indicating the selected operation position and an index M0 indicating the operation position of the launch operation device 40 while the player is playing. Is displayed, and the guidance display unit 28 that guides the player to the operation position during the game with respect to the selected operation position is displayed. By guiding and displaying the actual operation position at the selected operation position by such a guidance display unit 28, the target is set when the player performs a firing operation with the operation position already selected as a target. It is easier to adjust to the operation position and the optimum launch operation is possible.

Further, since the operation display device 20 according to the present embodiment also serves as a display unit and an operation unit of the card unit 30, even if the installation space of the card unit 30 itself is limited, the operation display device 20 on the gaming machine 10 side is comfortable. It is possible to secure a clear display and operability. Alternatively, the card unit 30 itself may be provided with an operation display device so that the operation display device can display or operate the card unit 30.

Although examples of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these examples, and the present invention may be changed or added without departing from the gist of the present invention. included. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gaming machine has been described as the enclosed gaming machine 10, but it may be a normal pachinko machine that actually pays out the gaming balls.

Further, although the card unit 30 (terminal) is provided as a separate body from the gaming machine 10, all or part of the card unit 30 is built in the gaming machine 10, and at least the gaming machine 10 and the card unit 30 are provided. It may be configured so as to be integrated with a part.
Further, although the management device is configured as the upper server 100, it may be configured to be distributed to other devices such as the hall computer 110, or may be provided to other devices.

The gaming system according to the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine, particularly a gaming system in a gaming store in which a plurality of enclosed gaming machines that circulate and use the gaming balls enclosed in the pachinko machine are installed.

1 ... Game system 2 ... Game system LAN
3 ... Gaming machine system LAN
4 ... Equipment manufacturer system LAN
10 ... Game machine 11 ... Game board surface 12 ... Launch handle 14 ... Call lamp 15 ... Terminal computer 20 ... Display unit 21 ... Display screen 22 ... Game machine display unit 23 ... Game area unit 24 ... Selection item display unit 25 ... Game status display Part 26 ... Operation amount display 27 ... History display 28 ... Guidance display 28A ... Guidance display 29 ... Nail adjustment button 29A ... Setting button 30 ... Card unit 31 ... Card slot 32 ... Cash slot 40 ... Launch operation device 41 ... Launching machine 90 ... Game machine system LAN
100 ... Upper server 110 ... Hall computer 120 ... Prize management machine 130 ... Settlement machine 131 ... Terminal computer 140 ... Money safe 141 ... Terminal computer 150 ... Banknote carrier 151 ... Terminal computer 160 ... POS
170 ... Information display terminal 201 ... Game control device 202 ... Payout control device 202a ... Launch control circuit 203 ... Production control device 204 ... Power supply device 205 ... External information terminal board 206 ... Card unit connection terminal board 207 ... Scaler board 251 ... Launch Volume 252 ... Launch stop switch 253 ... Launch solenoid 254 ... Touch sensor

Claims (1)

Multiple gaming machines installed in the gaming store, a display unit provided for each gaming machine that can display various information, and various information installed in the gaming store including information from the gaming machines are managed. It is a game system equipped with a management device to play pachinko machines.
The gaming machine is detected by a launch operation device that launches a game ball according to a player's launch operation amount, a launch operation amount detecting means that detects the launch operation amount of the launch operation device, and a launch operation amount detecting means. It is equipped with an information output means that outputs the amount of launch operation that has been performed.
The management device includes a storage means for storing a firing operation amount output from the information output means.
The display unit can display the firing operation amount stored in the storage means as data that can be visually compared, and the game information at the time of the game based on each firing operation amount corresponds to the data indicating each firing operation amount. In addition to displaying, an index indicating the operation position of the launch operation device corresponding to each launch operation amount is displayed.
The index represents a locus of a game ball to be fired according to a firing operation amount of the firing operating device, and is characterized in that each is displayed in a distinctive manner .

Images