JPH01293893A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent misoperation from being caused by the trouble that an operating device is accidentally touched with a player's hand or article, by a method wherein the operating device for clearing is located in the place where its operating panel is disposed in the recess of its mounting baseplate. CONSTITUTION:An operating switch unit 27 including a clearing button 28 and a play-suspending button 29 is equipped at the lower left part on a front frame 12. The former is operated to clear the result of a play, and the latter to suspend the play. The operating switch unit 27 is assembled in a detector- containing box 144 and fitted with a mounting baseplate 140 on the front frame 12. The mounting baseplate 140 has two recess sections 140a, and the clearing button 28 is fitted in one recess section and the play-suspending button 29 in another. At the state that the clearing button 28 and play-suspending button 29 are assembled, each operating face 28a, 29a is formed so as to be located in deeper place as compared with the front surface of the mounting baseplate 140. For this reason, it is possible to decrease, as much as possible, the trouble to be accidentally touched with player's hand or article, etc., and misoperated.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a pachinko game machine and an arrangement ball.

The present invention relates to gaming machines typified by mahjong balls, slot machines, toys, etc., and specifically relates to gaming machines equipped with a settlement operation means for settling game results.

[Prior Art] Among gaming machines of this type that have been generally known, for example, there is a gaming machine that allows games to be played using a recording medium, coins, or both, in which a payment operation means is operated by a player. It is arranged in a place where the player can settle the points earned up to now by operating the settlement operation means, and ejects the recording medium on which the settlement results are recorded. The player is then configured to be able to exchange prizes based on the payment result recorded on the ejected recording medium.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this type of conventional gaming machine, the operation member of the payment operation means was provided so as to protrude from the front side of the mounting board, so that the player's hand during the game was difficult to handle. There is an inconvenience in that the protruding operating member may be accidentally hit by an object or object, and the operating member may be operated without the intention of paying the bill.

In addition, since only one operating member was provided, there was a drawback that if one or more operating members were detected to have been operated incorrectly, it would be immediately determined that a payment operation had been made and the payment control would be performed. .

Furthermore, when the operating member unexpectedly hits the player's hand or an object, the operation member is momentarily erroneously operated and a detection output is instantaneously derived from the payment operation means. There was also the drawback that it was determined that the system had been manipulated and the payment control was performed.

In addition, because it was determined that the payment operation was performed immediately after the operation member was operated once, it may be caused by an accidental contact or collision with the operation member of the player's hand or object, or an erroneous operation due to a misunderstanding by the player. There was also the drawback that payment control was carried out.

If payment control is performed due to an erroneous operation based on the various causes mentioned above, for example, the gaming state becomes a so-called jackpot state, and while the control is being controlled to be advantageous to the player, something happens against the player's will. This has the disadvantage that the game is inconveniently canceled in the middle of the jackpot because the payment is controlled by the player. Furthermore, once the payment has been made, if the player wishes to continue playing the game, he or she must perform the operation to start the game again, which causes the player to feel inconvenienced.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and the invention as claimed in claim 1 is directed to an erroneous operation caused by the player's hand = 5- or an object unexpectedly hitting an operating member of the payment operation means. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that even if one operating member is unexpectedly operated, payment control associated with the erroneous operation is not performed. The invention set forth in claim 3 is characterized in that the player's hand or object accidentally contacts or collides with the operating member to prevent erroneous payment control. The purpose of the present invention is to prevent erroneous payment control caused by one erroneous operation of the operating member due to an unexpected contact or collision with the operating member by a player's hand or an object, or a misunderstanding by the player.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the gaming machine according to the invention according to claim 1, the settlement operation means includes a mounting board for attachment to the gaming machine side and an operating member operated by a player, and the above-mentioned. The operating member is characterized in that its operating surface is recessed toward the inner depth of the mounting board.

In the gaming machine according to the invention according to claim 2, the payment operation means includes a plurality of operating members operated by a player, and the gaming machine includes: an operating member provided corresponding to each of the plurality of operating members. a plurality of payment operation detection means for detecting that the plurality of payment operation detection means have been operated; and a payment operation determination for determining that all of the plurality of operation members have been operated based on the presence of output from all of the plurality of payment operation detection means. A gaming machine according to the invention according to claim 3, characterized in that the gaming machine includes a means for controlling payment based on the output of the payment operation determining means, and a payment control means for performing payment control based on the output of the payment operation determining means. a payment operation detection means for detecting; a payment operation determination means for determining that the payment operation means has been continuously operated for a predetermined time based on the output duration of the payment operation detection means reaching a predetermined time; A gaming machine according to the invention according to claim 4, further comprising a payment control means for performing payment control based on the output of the payment operation determination means, detects that the payment operation means has been operated. a payment operation detection means; a payment operation determination means for determining that the payment operation means has been operated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time based on the fact that the output of the payment operation detection means has been received a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time; The present invention is characterized by comprising a payment control means that performs payment control based on the output of the payment operation determination means.

[Function] In the invention described in claim 1, since the operation surface of the operation member in the payment operation means is recessed toward the inside depth of the mounting board, the player's hand or object cannot operate the operation member. It is possible to reduce the possibility of accidentally hitting a member.

In the invention according to claim 2, the payment operation means includes a plurality of operation members operated by the player, and the payment operation detection means is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of operation members, and the payment operation detection means is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of operation members, and the payment operation detection means The detection means detects that the plurality of operation members are operated. Then, by the function of the payment operation determination means, it is determined that all of the plurality of operating members have been operated based on the fact that there is an output from all of the plurality of payment operation detection means, and the payment is made based on the determination output. Settlement control is performed by the control means.

In other words, payment control is performed only after all of the plurality of operating members are operated.

In the invention according to claim 3, the payment operation detection means detects that the payment operation means is operated, and the payment operation determination means determines that the output duration of the payment operation detection means reaches a predetermined time. Based on this, it is determined that the payment operation means has been operated continuously for a predetermined period of time, and payment control is performed based on the determination output.

In other words, the payment operation means continues to operate for a predetermined period = 9- Settlement control is performed only after the transaction is completed.

In the invention described in claim 4, the checkout operation detection means detects that the checkout operation means is operated. Then, by the function of the payment operation determination means, it is determined that the payment operation means has been operated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time based on the fact that the output of the payment operation detection means has been received a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, and this determination is made. Settlement control is performed based on the output.

In other words, payment control is performed only after the payment operation means is operated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.

[Embodiments of the Invention] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko game machine, which is an example of a game machine, will be explained, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. Includes all gaming machines that require settlement of results.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a pachinko game machine 10, which is an example of a game machine according to the present invention.

A game board 40 is disposed on the front frame 12 of the pachinko game machine 10, and a game area 42 is formed by the game board 40. In addition, in the lower right corner of the pachinko game machine 10,
An operating nodle 22 is provided, and the ball launcher 54 is activated by operating the operating handle 22, and the pachinko balls are sequentially driven into the gaming area 42.

In the game area 42, there are a pair of opening/closing wings 44a, 44.
The variable winning ball device 43 provided with the variable prize winning ball device 43 is provided at its central position. In addition, at the lower position of the game area 42, starting prize openings 48a, 48b, 48, which are examples of starting passage holes, are provided.
c is formed.

Furthermore, in the gaming area 42, there are tulip-type winning devices 47a, 47b, and a winning opening 4, which is an example of a normal passage opening.
5, 46a, and 46b are provided. The variable winning ball device 43 and the winning devices 47a and 47b may be ball passing devices through which pachinko balls entered from above pass through as they are and are discharged onto the game board from below.

In response to the operation of the operating handle 22, the ball rod 58 of the ball launcher 54 is intermittently swung, so that the ball rod 58 fires the pachinko ball, causing the ball to fly between the ball guide rail 41a and the game area. The fired balls enter the game area 42 through the space between the ball and the forming rail 41b. This game area 4
Immediately before the shot ball enters the ball 2, the shot ball detector 64 detects the shot ball. In the figure, reference numeral 56 denotes a ball supply mechanism, which supplies the pachinko balls in the ball waiting channel 70 to the ball firing position by the ball rod 58.

Next, if the repulsive force from the batting rod 58 is weak, the pachinko balls will roll in the opposite direction without reaching the gaming area 42 and try to return to their original position. A pachinko ball, that is, a foul ball that is trying to return to its position, falls into the foul ball passage 66 and is returned to the hit ball waiting channel 70. In this embodiment, the fired balls that actually enter the game area 42, that is, the effective fired balls, are detected by the fired ball detector 64 provided at the end position of the gaming area forming rail 41b.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. A device may be provided to calculate the effective shot balls that have actually entered the gaming area 42 based on the value obtained by subtracting the detection output of the foul ball detector from the detection output of the shot ball detector.

When the effective shot ball hit in the game area 42 enters any of the starting winning holes 48a, 48b, 48c, the opening/closing wings 44a, 44b open/close a predetermined number of times (for example, once or twice). During this period, the pachinko balls are configured to be able to enter the variable winning ball device 43.

In addition, 49 in the figure is an out hole, and when a pachinko ball hit in the game area 42 falls without hitting any winning hole or winning ball device, etc., the fallen out ball is collected. It is for the purpose of

A front decorative plate 20 provided below the pachinko game machine 10 has a card insertion/ejection port 26, which is an example of a recording medium insertion port, formed in the left corner thereof, and a magnetic card 102, which is an example of a recording medium. (See Fig. 4) is configured to be insertable and ejectable. As will be described later, this magnetic card 102 has recorded therein information for specifying the number of balls held by the player, which can be derived directly or indirectly from the information specifying the number of balls held by the player (this example A pachinko game is possible with the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the data on the number of balls held (which is directly derived). Furthermore, the lower left portion of the front frame 12 includes an operation button 28, which is an example of an operation member for adjusting game results, and two game interrupt buttons, which are an example of a game interrupt operation means for interrupting the game. A switch mechanism 27 is also provided. Further, on the right side of the card insertion/ejection port 26, there is a game enable display 30 that displays that the game is possible, and a game interrupt button 29 that indicates that the game is interrupted based on the operation of the game interrupt button 29. a game interruption indicator 31 for displaying the fact that the magnetic card has been inserted from the card insertion/ejection port 26; An operation confirmation button 183 is provided as an example of an operation member that the player operates to confirm the operation after suppressing the payment button 181. In addition, on the back side of the front decorative plate 20, a sound effect is generated when the variable winning ball device 43 continuously opens and closes in a so-called jackpot state, and a voice message indicating the reason why the inserted magnetic card is inappropriate is provided. A speaker 51, which is an example of an audio notification means, is provided.

On the left side of the front frame 12, there are a coin input port 33, a coin processing unit 35 for processing the coins inserted from the coin input port 33, and a coin return port 34 for returning the inserted coins in a predetermined case. Furthermore, a coin accommodating section 36 for accommodating inserted coins is provided. Furthermore, a banknote insertion/return port 37 is formed below the coin input port 33, etc., and a banknote processing section 38 for processing the banknotes inserted through the banknote insertion/return port 37 is further provided. A banknote accommodating section 39 is provided for accommodating banknotes. The money slot 33 and the bill insertion/return slot 37 constitute a money slot.

Note that it may be configured such that the coins and bills stored in the coin storage section 36 and the bill storage section 39 can be automatically collected at a predetermined position in the gaming hall.

In the figure, reference numeral 25.50 is a game effect lamp, which lights up or flashes when there is a jackpot, etc., to improve the game effect. Reference numeral 52 denotes a data display for the number of balls held by the player, which is used to display and inform the player of the data on the number of balls held by the player, which changes every moment during the course of the game. The installation location of this number-of-balls data display 52 is not limited to the game board 40, but may be outside the game machine near the game machine, such as the front frame 12 or the curtain board. A door holding frame 14 is used to hold the glass door frame 16 and the front plate 18, and the material thereof is not limited to metal but may be plastic. Further, in the figure, reference numeral 24 is a ball-striking motor stop switch, which is used to temporarily stop the ball-striking motor and stop the firing of pachinko balls by pressing the switch. Also, 11 has a machine frame,
68 is a ball discharge port, and pachinko balls from the ball discharge connection lower 7 (see Fig. 2), which will be described later, are sent to the ball waiting channel 70.
It is meant to be expelled within the body.

FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing a part of the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

A front frame 12 is attached to a machine frame 11 of the pachinko game machine 10 so as to be openable and detachable.

A game board mounting frame 80 is provided on the front frame 12, and the game board 40 is removably attached to the game board mounting frame 80 by a game board fixing member 82. In other words, this game board fixing member 82 is configured to be rotatable as shown by the arrow in the figure, and by rotating this game board fixing member 82, the game board 40 can be removed from the game board mounting frame 80. are doing. In this way, by configuring only the game board 40 to be replaceable, there is an advantage that the cost when replacing the pachinko game machine 10 at a game parlor can be reduced.

On the back side of the game board, there is a set of winning ball collection covers 90a,
90b is arranged, and it is constructed so that it can be separated from each other, and depending on the model of the pachinko game machine 10, only one winning ball collecting cover can be replaced and the other winning ball collecting cover can be integrated, so that it can be used for many models. I am trying to deal with this. These winning ball collection cover bodies 90a, 90b allow various winning holes 46a, 46b, 45 formed on the game board 40, a specific winning hole (V pocket) 84 formed in the variable winning ball device, or a normal winning hole Prize opening 86a.

The winning pachinko balls in 86b are guided along a predetermined path and collected. Further, a relay terminal board 92, various detectors 94, 96, etc. are attached to the winning ball collection covers 90a, 90b. In addition, 88
a and 88b are opening/closing wing pieces 44 a of the variable winning ball device 43;
, 44b, and is attached to the back side of the variable winning ball device 43.

In the figure, 72 is a winning ball collection gutter, which includes the winning balls collected by the entered prize ball collection covers 90a and 90b, the winning balls that have entered the starting winning openings 48a, 48b, and 48c (see Figure 1), and the winning balls that have entered the starting winning openings 48a, 48b, and 48c (see Figure 1). Winning pachinko balls from the devices 47a and 47b are collected into a winning lower/outer right convergence gutter 76.
It leads to The winning balls collected by the winning collecting gutter 72 are detected by the winning ball detector 73, and the detection output is used for game control which will be described later. In this embodiment, all the winning bottoms collected by the winning bottom gathering gutter 72 are
Although it was configured to be detected by two winning ball detectors 73,
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided for each winning opening.
Furthermore, each of the winning openings is divided into blocks, a winning ball detector is provided for each block, and the detection outputs of the respective winning ball detectors are added to calculate the number of winning balls from the sum. You can. When a winning ball detector is provided for each block, it is also possible to vary the numerical value added to the player's remaining manpower data as a prize ball for each block. Previous entry award bottom/out positive confluence gutter 76
In this case, the out ball that fell into the out port 49 is out the bottom gutter 7.
After passing through 4 and being detected by the out ball detector 75, the winning ball and the out ball fall and merge together. Then, the ball that has joined the winning ball and the out ball passes through the ball discharge communication lower 7 and is discharged from the ball discharge port 68 into the ball waiting channel 70 (No. (See Figure 1). In this way, in this embodiment, all the pachinko balls hit by the ball launcher 54 circulate inside the game machine without being ejected outside the machine, and are returned to the ball waiting gutter 70.
Although the so-called enclosed type pinball game machine is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. Good too.

Ball launcher 54 for hitting pachinko balls into the game area
is composed of a ball hitting motor 62, a ball hitting rod 58 that is intermittently rocked by the ball hitting motor 62, and an interlocking elevating body 60 that moves up and down in conjunction with the intermittent rocking of the ball hitting rod 58. This interlocking elevating body 60 operates the ball supply mechanism 56 (see FIG. 1) to supply pachinko balls one by one to the ball firing position.

In the variable winning ball device 43 (see FIG. 1), a specific winning hole (V pocket) 84, which is an example of a specific passing hole, and normal winning holes 86a, 86b, which are examples of a normal passing hole, are formed. A pachinko ball that has won in the specific winning hole 84 is detected by the specific winning ball detector 94, and jackpot control is performed to continuously open and close the opening/closing wings 44a, 44b (see FIG. 1). In this jackpot control, the opening and closing blades 44a and 44b are opened and closed a predetermined number of times (for example, 18 times).
The game ends when either of the following conditions is satisfied: the winning number of balls entered into the variable winning ball device or a predetermined number (for example, 10). Note that the Nonochinko balls that have won in the variable winning ball device 43 are detected by the 10 count detector 96, and it is detected that the number of winning pachinko balls in the variable winning ball device has reached a predetermined number (for example, 10). be done. In addition, starting prize openings 48a, 48b,
48c (see FIG. 1) is configured so that a winning pachinko ball is detected by starting winning ball detectors 98a, 98b, and 98c. This starting winning ball detector 98a, 98
Based on the detection outputs of b and 98c, the variable winning ball device is opened and closed a predetermined number of times (for example, once or twice).

A control board box 78 is further attached to the back of the game board, and is configured to receive signals from the winning ball detectors and perform game controls such as the jackpot control.

A card processing device 100, which is an example of a recording medium processing device, is provided on the back side of the front frame 12.

This card processing device 100 includes a card storage box 136 for storing cards inserted from the card insertion/ejection port 26 (see FIG. 1), and a card storage box 136 for collecting cards by taking out the card storage box 136. It is composed of a handle 136a and a control section (microcomputer) 138.

In the figure, 35 is a coin processing section, 36 is a coin storage section, 38 is a bill processing section, 39 is a bill storage section, and 50 is a game effect lamp.

In the figure, 146 is a payment operation detector (payment switch) which is an example of payment operation detection means, and is for detecting that the payment button 28 has been pressed. Also, 1
47 is a game interrupt operation detector (game interrupt switch), which is for detecting that the game interrupt button 29 has been operated. These rain detectors 146 and 147 are included in the operation switch mechanism 27. Further, 12 is a front frame, and 11 is a machine frame.

In addition, when a passage hole or a ball passage device for ejecting lost balls onto the game board is used instead of the winning hole or the winning ball device, the input prize ball collection covers 90a and 9ob become unnecessary.

FIG. 3 is a 3-3 sectional view in FIG. 2.

On the front side of the front frame 12 of the pachinko game machine 10, there is a coin slot 33. Coin return slot 34 and bill insertion/return slot 37
is formed. In addition, in the figure, 16 is the glass door frame, 1
8 is a front plate, 20 is a front decorative plate, 22 is an operation handle,
26 is a card insertion/ejection port.

A coin processing unit 35 is provided on the back side of the coin input port 33, and detects the size, shape, weight, etc. of the coin inserted from the coin input port 33 in order to determine the authenticity of the coin. is configured to do so. A coin storage section 36 is provided below the coin processing section 35, and is configured to store coins inserted from the coin input port 33.

On the back side of the bill insertion/return slot 37, there is a bill processing section 3.
8 is provided, and is configured to detect the pattern etc. attached to the banknote in order to determine the authenticity of the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion/return slot 37. In other words, the coin processing section 35 and the banknote processing section 38 have built-in information reading means for reading information that can be read from coins. Furthermore, the coin processing unit 35 and the banknote processing unit 38 also have a function of detecting the amount of coins and banknotes inserted. A banknote storage unit 39 is provided below this banknote processing unit 38, and the banknote insertion and
It is configured to be able to store banknotes inserted through the return slot 37.

In the figure, 140 is a mounting board, and the operation switch mechanism 27
This is for attaching the front frame 12 to the front frame 12. Furthermore, a payment operation detector 146 and a game interruption operation detector 147 are stored in the detector storage box 144.

In the figure, 100 is a card processing device, which includes a first conveyance motor 110 and a second conveyance motor 115 for conveying magnetic cards, a card storage box 136 provided with a handle 136a, a card stocker 120, etc. including.

In the figure, 80 is a game board mounting frame, 71 is a mechanism plate, 78 is a control board box for controlling jackpots, etc., and 11 is a machine frame.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the card processing device 100.

A magnetic card 102 is inserted into the card processing device 100.
A card insertion/ejection port 26 is formed to eject the card.

The magnetic card 102 has a flat rectangular plate shape, but it may have any shape, such as a rod shape. The magnetic card 102 also records data on the number of balls held by the player, which is an example of information specifying the number of balls held, and this data on the number of balls held by the player corresponds to, for example, the fee paid by the player before playing the game. 10 magnetic cards for the number of balls you want to rent
This is what was recorded in 2. Furthermore, the information identifying the number of balls held by the player is not limited to data on the number of balls held by the player, but may also be information that can identify the player, for example, when the player is identified through a magnetic card and The player is configured to calculate data on the number of balls held by a player registered in advance in the host computer based on player identification information from the magnetic card, and to play a game based on the determined data on the number of balls held by the player. Good too. In addition, this magnetic card 102
In addition, game hall specific information for preventing the use of magnetic cards from other stores, code information for determining the authenticity of the card, etc. are recorded.

Various types of cards can be considered, such as an IC card, a card using an optical disk memory, a card with a bar code printed thereon, or a card with punched holes formed therein. The card processing device 100 can be modified as appropriate depending on the type and shape of the card described above.

Magnetic card 1 inserted into the card insertion/ejection port 26
02, the first card detector 103 (SWI) detects the card, and based on the detection output, the first transport motor 110 (Ml) starts rotating in the normal direction, and the main rotating roller 111 rotates counterclockwise in the figure. The transport belt 113 transports the car 1' 102 to the left in the figure. In addition, 1 in the figure
Reference numeral 14 denotes a reversible guide roller, which presses the card 102 toward the conveyance heald 113 to move the card 10
This is to reliably transport the 2. While the card 102 is being transported by the transport belt 113,
A data reader 107, which is an example of a reading means, reads the card 10.
2 is read and sent to the control section (microcomputer) 138 (see FIG. 5). Then, the card 102 is detected by the second card detector 104 (SW
2), the first transport motor 110 (M
l) stops, and the second card detector 104 (SW2
), the card 102 is temporarily stopped, and
Control unit] Waits for the determination result from 38. Then, as a result of the determination, if it is determined that the card 102 is appropriate,
The first conveyance motor 110 (Ml) rotates normally again, and the card 102 is further conveyed to the left in the figure, and the second conveyance motor 115 (M2) rotates normally, and the main rotating roller 116 rotates as shown in the figure. Rotate counterclockwise and transfer the conveyor bell 1-1.
18, the card 102 is conveyed to the left in the figure, and the card is detected by a third card detector 105 (SW3). Then, the first transport motor 110 (Ml) and the second transport motor 115 (M2) also stop, and the card 1
02 or is detected by the third card detector 105 (SW3), it is stopped and held as is. In the figure, reference numeral 11 indicates a guide roller having the same function as the guide roller 114. Furthermore, reference numerals 112 and 117 are subordinate rotating rollers that are attached so as to be freely reversible.

The magnetic card 102 is the third card detector]05 (
Pachinko can be played while the pachinko is held at the detection position of SW3). Then, when the player plays a pachinko game and presses the settlement button 28 (see FIG. 1), the second conveyance motor 115 (M2) and the first conveyance motor 110 (Ml) are reversed. , card 10
2 is conveyed to the right in the figure, and during the conveyance, the data on the number of balls held is erased by the data eraser 109, and
The data writer 108 newly writes the skill number data acquired through the game, and the card 102 is ejected from the card insertion/ejection port 26 to the player side.

Next, when the player plays a game and the data on the number of balls he/she has becomes zero, the card 102 is held as is, and by inserting coins, the data on the number of balls/balls he/she has is updated and the player can play the game again. It is configured as follows. Further, when a new card is inserted, only if the card is valid, the newly inserted card replaces the reserved card and is sent to the third card detector 105 (SW3).
The card that has been held until then is stored in the card storage box 136. In addition, in this embodiment, the data on the number of balls held can be updated not only when the skill number data is zero, but also when it is not zero, that is, even during the game, by inserting coins or inserting a new card. It is configured. Further, this card storage box 136 is provided with a handle 136a, and the handle
36a and take out the card storage box 136, and then remove the magnetic card 102 stored in the card storage box 136.
It is configured so that it can be taken out.

In this embodiment, magnetic cards are stored in each gaming machine using the card collection box 136, but a belt conveyor or the like may be provided on the back of the gaming machine so that the magnetic cards are collected at one end of the installation island.

A card stocker 120 for storing magnetic cards is arranged above the card collection box 136. The bottom plate 122 of the card stocker 120 is provided with a first card ejection solenoid 124 (SOLI).
By energizing the plunger 126 (LI), the plunger 126 is attracted and the bottom plate 122 is lowered, and by de-energizing the first card ejecting solenoid 124 (SOLI), the plunger 12 is removed by the action of a return spring (not shown).
6 is extended and the bottom plate 122 is raised. This bottom plate] 22 has a fourth card detector 1 on the bottom surface.
06 (SW4) is provided to detect whether or not cards are stocked in the card stocker 120.

A second card ejecting solenoid 128 (SQL2) is provided on the left side of the card stocker 120 in the figure, and a second card ejecting solenoid 128 (SQL2) is provided on the left side of the card stocker 120, and the first card ejecting solenoid 124 (SO
LI) is excited and controlled to lower the bottom plate 122 to a predetermined position, the second card ejecting solenoid 128
By energizing (SQL2), plunger 130
is sucked into the tip of the card ejection lever 132 or the through hole 13.
Card 1 on the bottom plate 122 is inserted from 4 to the right in the figure.
02 onto the conveyor belt 118. And the second card ejection solenoid 128
By releasing the excitation of (SQL2), the plunger 130 is expanded by the action of a return spring (not shown), and the tip of the card ejecting lever 132, which had been inserted into the card stocker 120 through the through hole 134, is pushed into the card stocker 1.
20 and returns to the position shown by the dashed dotted line in the figure. These first card ejecting solenoids 124 (SLo
l) and the second card ejection solenoid 128 (S Q
L2), etc. are controlled by a control unit (microcomputer) 138, which will be described later.

Note that, in the present invention, the card 102 may be locked at the inserted position without being transported, and in that case, the locked position becomes the predetermined position where the card is to be held.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the operation switch mechanism 27.

The operation switch mechanism 27 is assembled inside the detector storage box 144, and is attached to the front frame 1 by the mounting board 140.
It is attached to 2. The mounting board 140 has a recess 1.
Two recesses 40a are formed, and a payment button 28 and a game interrupt button 29 are provided in the recesses 140a, respectively.

With this payment button 28 and the mounting board 140, -32
= Settlement operation means for settlement of game results is configured. And the payment button 28 and the game interruption button 2
9 are assembled, the respective operation surfaces 28a, 29a
is located deeper than the front surface of the mounting board 140.

A through hole 141 is formed in the bottom of the recess 140a, and a retaining member 142 is provided on the back side of the payment button 28 and the game interruption button 29 through which the through hole 141 passes. This prevents the two interrupt buttons from coming off in the front direction. In addition,
In the figure, reference numeral 143 is a return spring, which is used to return both buttons to their original positions by their restoring force when the payment button 28 and game interrupt button 29 are pressed.

Actuators 146a and 147a are provided on the back side of the retaining member 142, respectively, and the actuators 146a and 147a are connected to the payment button 28, respectively.
In addition, by pressing the game interruption button 29,
It is configured to be detected by a payment operation detector (payment switch) 146 or a game interruption operation detector (game interruption switch) 147. Note that 145 in the figure is an opening for wiring connection.

As mentioned above, the payment button 28 and the game interruption button 2
9 is configured to be recessed in the depth direction from the front surface of the operating surfaces 28a, 29a or the mounting board 140, which prevents the player's hand or object from accidentally hitting the player's hand or object, resulting in an erroneous operation. It can be reduced as much as possible.

In this embodiment, a push-button type is shown as the structure of the payment operation means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a so-called touch type that detects a change in potential when touched by a player's finger, or It may be of a so-called lever type in which the operating member is slid or rotated.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit including a control section (microcomputer) 138, which is an example of a game control means, and various devices connected to the control section 138.

The control circuit includes a control section (microcomputer) 138 as a control center. The control unit 138 has a function of controlling the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 as described below. The control unit 138 is composed of, for example, several chips of LSI, and includes an MPU 151 that can execute control operations in a predetermined procedure, a ROM 152 that stores the operation block of the MPU 1'51, and It includes a RAM 15B that can write and read data. Furthermore, there is an input/output circuit 154 for ensuring signal consistency between the MPU 1.51 and external circuits, and an input/output circuit 154 for ensuring signal consistency between the MPU 1.51 and external circuits.
A power-on reset circuit 155 that provides a reset pulse to U151, a clock generation circuit 156 that provides a tarok signal to MPU 151, and a frequency division of the clock signal from clock generation circuit 156 to periodically send an interrupt pulse to MPU 151.
151 includes a pulse frequency divider circuit (interrupt pulse generation circuit) 157 and an address decode circuit 158 that decodes address data from the MPU 151.

The MPU], 5] can execute the operation of the interrupt control routine in response to an interrupt pulse periodically given from the pulse frequency dividing circuit 157. In addition, the address decoding circuit] 58 decodes address data from the MPU 15, ROM 1.52° RAM 15B, input/output circuit 1
A chip select signal is applied to each of the terminals 54 and 54, respectively.

In this embodiment, a programmable ROM 152 is used so that the contents of the ROM 152 can be rewritten, that is, the block diagram stored therein for the MPU 151 can be converted if the need arises. Then, the MPU 151 controls the transport motors 110 and 1 according to the program stored in the ROM 152 and in response to the input of each control signal described below.
Give control signals to 15 etc.

First, the coin processing section B5 provides the control section 138 with detection data necessary for determining the authenticity and amount of the coin. The control unit 138 determines the authenticity of the coin based on the detected data, provides the determination result to the coin processing unit 35, and, if the coin is a valid coin, stores the coin in the coin storage unit 36 (see FIG. 1). If the coin is incorrect, the coin is controlled to be returned from the coin return slot 34 (see FIG. 1).

Next, the bill processing section 38 provides the control section 138 with detection data for determining the authenticity and amount of the bill.

The control unit 138 determines authenticity based on this detection data, provides the determination result to the banknote processing unit 38, and if the banknote is a proper banknote, stores it in the banknote storage unit 39 (see FIG. 1), If the banknote is inappropriate, the banknote is returned through the banknote insertion/return slot 37 (see FIG. 1). In addition,
The control unit 13 is controlled by the coin processing unit 35 or the banknote processing unit 38.
It may be configured such that the above-mentioned authenticity determination is performed independently without the help of 8.

The control unit 138 includes first to fourth card detectors 1.
Detection signals from 03 (SWI) to 106 (SW4) are applied via the card detection circuit 159. Data reader] The read data signal from 07 is the data read/write circuit 1
62 to the control unit 138. When the player presses the settlement button 28 (see FIG. 1), the settlement switch 146 is turned on, and the signal is sent to the control section 138 via the settlement switch circuit 163. When the player presses the operation confirmation button 183 (see FIG. 1), the operation confirmation switch 183' is turned on, and the signal is sent to the control section 138 via the operation confirmation switch circuit 173. The payment switch 146 and the operation confirmation switch 183' constitute a plurality of payment operation pressure detection means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of operation parts and detecting that the operation parts have been operated. When the player presses the game stop button 29 (see Figure 1),
Game interrupt switch 1 which is an example of a game interrupt operation detection means
47 is turned on, and its signal is given to the control unit 138 via the game interrupt switch circuit 164. A shot ball detection signal from the shot ball detector 64 is given to the control unit 38 via the shot ball detection circuit 165. A detection signal from the winning ball detector 73 is sent to the control unit 1 via the winning ball detection circuit 166.
Given to 38. Further, the detection signal from the out ball detector 75 is sent to the control unit 138 via the out ball detection circuit 167.
given to.

Next, the control unit 138 provides control signals to the following devices.

First, the first . A transport motor drive control signal is given to the second transport motors 110 (Ml) and 115 (M2). via the solenoid circuit 161. Second solenoid 124 (SOLI), 12
8 Give the solenoid drive control signal to (SQL2). Further, a data write signal is supplied to the data writer 108 via the data read/write circuit 162, and a control signal for erasing data is supplied to the data eraser 109.

This data reading/writing circuit 162 and the control section 138 or
The coin processing unit 351, banknote processing unit 38, and control unit 138 constitute a determining unit that determines whether or not the information read by the information reading unit is appropriate. Next, motor circuit 1
A control signal for driving the ball hitting motor is applied to the ball hitting motor 62 via the ball hitting motor 68 . Via the lamp circuit 169, a display control signal is applied to the game-ready indicator 30 (Ll) and the game-interrupted indicator 31 (L2), respectively. A display control signal is provided to the error cause display 32 via the LCD circuit 170.

Furthermore, a control signal for displaying the number of balls held data is given to the number of balls held data display 52 via the digital display drive circuit 171. Note that a predetermined direct current is supplied from the power supply circuit 172 to each circuit of the above configuration.

7A to 7D are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 6.

First, in FIG. 7A, it is determined in step S1 whether the first card detector SWI is turned on. If the player has not inserted the magnetic card 102 into the card insertion/ejection slot, a negative determination is made in step S1, and the process proceeds to step S2, where it is determined whether or not money is to be inserted. If the player has not inserted a coin or bill into the coin insertion slot 33 or the bill insertion/discharge slot 37, a "No" determination is made in step S2, and the process returns to step S1 again, forming a small Do loop. . Then, when the player inserts a coin or a banknote, a YES determination is made in step S2 based on the detection output from the coin processing section 35 or the banknote processing section 38,
Proceed to step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the game interruption flag is set. When the player has not pressed the game interrupt button 30 (see FIG. 1), a negative determination is made in step S3, and the process proceeds to step S4, where the fourth card detector 1.06 (S
W4) or the third card detector 105 (SW3) (
(see FIG. 4) is turned on. If neither the fourth nor the third card detector is turned on, step S4
After the determination o is made, the process proceeds to step S7, the inserted coins are returned, and the process returns to step S1. In other words, the magnetic card 102 inserted from the card insertion/return slot 27 is
is not in the predetermined position detected by the card detector 105 (SW3) (see Figure 4), and the card stocker 12
Only when there are no cards 102 in 0, a NO judgment is made in step S4. In such a case, a magnetic card is released to the player at the end of the game, or a magnetic card is released when the game is interrupted, as will be described later. Since the magnetic card 102, which is an example of a gaming machine specific object, does not exist, in such a case, the game is controlled to prohibit playing by inserting money. Then the fourth or third
If any of the card detectors is ON, step S
4, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to step S5.
It is determined whether or not the inserted money is regular and proper money. If it is improper, the process proceeds to step S7 and the improper money is returned. If it is determined to be proper, the process proceeds to step S7. The process proceeds to step S6, where a process is performed to add the number of balls held according to the input amount to the data on the number of balls held, and the process proceeds to step S29 shown in FIG. 7B.

Next, when the player inserts a magnetic card from the card insertion/ejection port 27, the first card detector SWI turns ON.
Therefore, a YES determination is made in step S1, and the process proceeds to step S8, in which the first transport motor M1 is rotated in the normal direction to transport the card to the left in FIG.
The data recorded on the magnetic card in step S9 is read by the data reader 107 (see FIG. 4),
Proceeding to step SIO, the second cart detector SW2 is set to O.
A judgment is made as to whether or not the state has turned on, and if the card has not been turned on yet, that is, the card or the second cart detector 104 (
If it has not been conveyed to the position detected by SW2) (see FIG. 4), the process returns to step S8 and the processes of step S8 and step S9 are continued. If the card has been transported to a position where it can be detected by the second card detector 104 (SW2), a YES determination is made in step SIO, and the process proceeds to step Sll.
The transport motor M1 of the card 1 is stopped, and the card 1
02 is temporarily stopped at the position of the second cart detector 104 (SW2) (see FIG. 4). Next, the process advances to step S12, where it is determined whether or not the game interruption flag is set. This game interruption flag is set in step S, which will be described later.
54, and the game interruption flag is set until the player presses the game interruption button 30 (see FIG. 1) at step S12.
When the ON judgment is made, the process proceeds to step 813, and based on the card data read in step S9, it is determined whether the card is a card that can be used at this gaming parlor, whether it is a counterfeit card or not, or whether the card is used. A determination is made as to whether the time limit has expired or not, and if it is determined that it is appropriate, step S1
Proceed to step 4 and step 1. The second transport motors Ml and M2 are both rotated in the normal direction to transport the cart 102 to the left in FIG. Then, in step S15, it is determined whether or not the third cart detector SW3 has been switched from OFF to ON, and if it is determined that no switch has been made yet, the process returns to step S14. As a result, while the card 102 is being transported to the position of the third cart detector 1.05 (SW13) shown in FIG. The card continues to be detected by the third cart detector 105 (S
W3) is transported to the third card detector 1.0.
5 (SW3) is turned ON, a YES determination is made in step S15, and the process proceeds to the next step S16.

In step S16, the first and second transport motors Ml,
M2 is stopped along with the card or the third card detector 1
It is held at position 05 (SW3). Next step S1
The process proceeds to step 7, where processing is performed to add the number of balls read from the card to the ball number data of the pinball game machine. In the case of the first game, the data on the number of balls stored in the pinball game machine is 0, so the number of balls read from the card becomes the data on the number of balls in the pinball game machine. Next, step S
The process proceeds to step 828, where it is determined whether or not the ball count data is 0. If it is O, the process proceeds to step 828, where the cause of unsuitability (error cause) is indicated by the error cause display 32 (see Figure 1). Display and return to step S1. If the data on the number of balls held is not 0, a negative determination is made in step S18, and the process proceeds to step S29.

If it is determined in step 813 that the read card data is not appropriate, the process proceeds to step S25, where the first conveyance motor M1 is reversed, and the process proceeds to step S2.
6, it is determined whether the first card detector SWI has been switched from ON to OFF, and the processing in step S25 is continued until the switch has been made. Then, when the magnetic card 102 is transported to a state where it partially protrudes from the card insertion/ejection port 26, the first card detector SW1 is switched from ON to OFF, and in this state, YES is determined in step S26. is done, step S27
Then, the first transport motor M1 is stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step S28, and after displaying the cause of unsuitability on the error cause display, the process returns to step S1. That is,
Only when it is determined in step 813 that the inserted card is proper, the process is allowed to proceed to step S29, and the game becomes possible.

Next, the player presses the game interrupt button 29 (see figure m1).
The case where is pressed is explained.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7D, which will be described later, a magnetic card on which predetermined interruption data is written is released to the player, and the player receives the magnetic card on which the interruption data is written. After taking the magnetic card out of the gaming machine and completing urgent errands such as making a call or moving a car, the player returns to the gaming machine and inserts the magnetic card into the card insertion/ejection port 26. Then, step Sl, step S8 to step Sll as described above are performed.
After the above processing is performed, the process proceeds to step S12, where it is determined whether or not the game interruption flag is set. If the game interruption button 29 has already been pressed and the game interruption flag has been set in step S54, which will be described later, a YES determination is made in step 512 and the process proceeds to step S19. In step 819,
It is determined whether or not the interruption data read in step S9 is appropriate. If it is determined that it is inappropriate, the process proceeds to step S25, where the magnetic card is returned to the player and the cause of the unsuitability is displayed. A process is performed to make it happen. If it is determined that the interruption data is appropriate, the process advances to step S20, and the first. The second transport motors M1 and M2 are rotated forward to transport the magnetic card to the left in FIG. 4, and step S21
It is determined whether the third card detector SW3 has been switched from OFF to ON, and the third card detector SW3 is switched from OFF to ON.
When W3 is switched from OFF to ON and the card is conveyed to the position of the third card detector, the process advances to step S22, and the first. The second transport motors Ml and M2 are stopped to stop the card at the position of the third card detector SW3, the game interruption flag is cleared in step 523, and the lamp L2 is turned off in step S24 to display the game interruption. The display indicating that the device 31 (see FIG. 1) is being suspended is erased, and the process proceeds to step S29. Said step S1 and steps S8 to S12 and step S
Steps 19 to S24 and further step S27 constitute a game interruption canceling means that cancels the game interruption state based on the fact that the gaming machine specific object is returned to the gaming machine that has undergone the interruption operation.

In this embodiment, as shown in step S27, the recording medium that has received an error determination is controlled to be returned to the player, but the present invention is not limited to this, and control is performed to hold the recording medium at a predetermined position within the gaming machine. You may. Furthermore, step 82
8, the error cause (inappropriate cause) is displayed on the error cause display 32 without exception, but in cases where it is appropriate not to notify the player of the cause of the error, such as an error in security data, the player is not notified of the cause of the error. , the information may be displayed on the back of the gaming machine so that only the store staff can see it. Further, the cause of the error may be displayed not only based on the inserted recording medium but also when the inserted money is returned. Also, error cause display 3
The display contents according to 2 may include not only the error cause (unsuitable cause) but also a display such as "Irresistible" when the unsuitable cause occurs, a display of the gaming state during the game, etc.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the pinball game machine of this embodiment is configured so that it can be played with both money and recording media, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to play with money only. Those that allow games to be played only with a recording medium, or those that are configured so that the game can be played only with a recording medium at the start of the game, and after that the game can be continued by inserting money, It may also be something that allows you to play by inserting a coin, such as an arranged ball or a mahjong ball.

Next, in step S29 shown in FIG. 7B, the ball-striking motor power supply is turned ON to enable the firing of pachinko balls, and the process proceeds to step S30, where the lamp L1 is turned on and the game-ready display 30 (the (See Figure 1) to display that the game is ready for play. Next step S3
1, it is determined whether or not the fired ball detector has been turned on. If it is determined that it has not been turned on yet, the process advances to step S32, where it is determined whether or not the winning ball detector has been turned on. If it is determined that the out ball detector has been turned on and has not yet been turned on, the process proceeds to step 833, where it is determined whether the out ball detector has been turned on or not. Proceeding to step S34, it is determined whether or not a valid coin or a valid card has been inserted. If the determination in step S34 is NO, the process advances to step S41;
If the judgment is made, the process proceeds to step S40, and after a process of adding the amount of money inserted or the number of balls held according to the card to the number of balls held data, the process proceeds to step S41. The specific processing contents of step S34 and step S40 are similar to the processing of steps S1 to S28 shown in FIG. 7A. Then, in step S41, it is determined whether the ball count data is O or not. If the player's ball count data is not 0, a negative determination is made in step S41, and step S4
Proceeding to step 2, it is determined whether (value of winning ball counter x n) - (value of hit ball counter)≧m. This m is the number of stop settings, and is a number of about 3000.4000, for example. If the value of (value of winning ball counter A decision will be made as to whether or not there is. This settlement flag is set in step S50, which will be described later. If the payment flag has not yet been set, a negative determination is made in step 84B, and the process proceeds to step S44, where it is determined whether the payment switch is turned on. If the player has not operated the settlement button 28 (FIGS. 1 and 5), a negative determination is made in step S44, and the process proceeds to step S45, where it is determined whether or not the game interruption flag is set. A judgment is made. This game interruption flag is set in step S54, which will be described later. If the game interruption flag has not yet been set, a negative determination is made in step S45, and the process proceeds to step S46, where it is determined whether the game interruption switch is turned on. If the player has not operated the two game interrupt buttons (see FIGS. 1 and 5), a negative determination is made in step S46, and the process returns to step S29.

Next, a pachinko ball is fired and the ball detector turns on.
If so, a YES determination is made in step S31, and the process proceeds to step S35, in which the data on the number of balls held is decremented, and the shot ball counter is incremented by 1 in step S36, and the process proceeds to step S41.

Then, if the pachinko ball hit in the gaming area wins, the winning ball detector turns ON, and the result of step S32 is YES.
After a determination of S is made, the process proceeds to step S37, where n is added to the data on the number of balls held. This n is a number corresponding to the number of prize balls awarded (=1) when a pachinko ball wins a prize, and is a predetermined number such as 13, for example.

Next, the process proceeds to step S38, where the winning ball counter is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S39, where the hit ball counter is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S41. In addition, as an addition condition to the data on the number of balls held, instead of or in addition to the winning of pachinko balls, for example, the establishment of a specific gaming state may be selected.
It may be controlled to add a predetermined number based on the fact that a specific gaming state has been entered. Further, the values of the winning ball counter and the hit ball counter in step 838 and step S39 are used in step S42 to determine whether or not the winning ball is completed.

Next, if a pachinko ball hit in the game area falls into the out hole, it will be detected by the out ball detector, and a YES determination will be made in step 833, and the process will proceed to step S39, where the hit ball counter will be incremented by 1. After doing so, the process proceeds to step 341.

In other words, the process of incrementing the hit ball counter by 1 in step S39 is performed both when the winning ball detector is turned on and when the out ball detector is turned on. , the number of hit balls, which is a collection of winning balls and out balls, is counted by a hit ball counter. In addition, instead of counting the sum of winning balls and out balls as in this embodiment, for example, a hit ball detector may be provided in the winning ball/out ball merging channel 76 shown in FIG. The ball counter may be controlled to be incremented by one each time the ball detector is turned on. Next, if (value of winning ball counter x n) - (value of hitting ball counter) becomes m or more and a stop is established, step S
42, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to step S51. In addition, when the player clicks the payment button 28 (see Figures 1 and 5)
If the settlement switch is turned ON by suppressing the check (see figure), a YES determination is made in step S44 and the process proceeds to step S50, where the settlement flag is set and the process proceeds to step S51. After the payment flag is set in step S50, a YES determination is made in step 843 until the payment flag is cleared in step S71, which will be described later.
We will proceed to . In step S51, the power of the ball hitting motor is controlled to be turned off, making the game impossible. Other methods of disabling the game include stopping the supply of balls to the ball launcher 54 (see Figure 2), or forcing the launcher to appear in the middle of the ball path. A possible method would be to make all foul balls. Next step S5
2, the lamp L1 is turned off and the playable indicator 30 (
(see Figure 1) is turned off. Next, the process proceeds to step 853, where it is determined whether the values of the shot ball counter and the hit ball counter are equal. The determination in step 353 is to determine whether or not all remaining balls remaining in the gaming area have been determined to determine the game result after the power to the batting motor is turned off due to the establishment of a stop or the pressing of the settlement button. This is intended to provide gaming value in conjunction with winnings using remaining balls. In other words, as long as there are remaining balls in the game area, the value of the shot ball counter should be greater than the value of the hit ball counter, and as a result, a negative determination is made in step 553. If the determination in step 853 is NO, the process returns to step S32, and it is determined whether or not there has been a winning with the remaining balls. As a result, if there is a prize due to residual distortion, step S
The process of adding n to the data on the number of balls held by 37 is performed, and control is performed so as not to dissatisfy the player. Next, if all the remaining balls existing in the gaming area fall into the out hole, a YES determination is made in step 553, and the process proceeds to step 853 shown in FIG. 7C.

Next, if the ball count data becomes 0, step S4
1, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to step S47, where the power to the ball hitting motor is controlled to be OFF, resulting in a game-disabled state, and at step 848, the lamp L1 is turned off and the display on the game-enabled indicator 3o is turned off. Next step S
The process proceeds to step 49, where it is determined whether or not the values of the shot ball counter and the hit ball counter are equal. The determination made in step S49 =57- has the same meaning as step 353, and the game result is determined for all remaining balls remaining in the game area after the power of the ball hitting motor is turned off. This is to determine whether or not the and,
If a NO determination is made in step S49, the process proceeds to step S32, and if a YES determination is made, the process returns to step S1.

When the two game interrupt buttons (FIGS. 1 and 5) are suppressed by the player, the game interrupt switch is turned ON, a YES determination is made in step S46, the process advances to step S54, and the game interrupt flag is set. After that, the process advances to step S55.

After the game interruption flag is set in step S54, until the game interruption flag is cleared in step 823, step S45 returns Y.
If the judgment of ES is made, the process proceeds to step S55.

In step S55, the power of the ball hitting motor is controlled to be OFF to disable the game. Next, proceed to step S56,
The lamp L1 is turned off to turn off the display on the playable indicator 30 (see FIG. 1). Next, the process proceeds to step S57, where it is determined whether or not the values of the shot ball counter and the hit ball counter are equal. If they are not equal, step S3 is performed.
However, if it is determined that this is the case, the process proceeds to step S72 shown in FIG. 7D.

The determination made in step S57 is based on step 853.
This judgment is made in the same way as the judgment made in step S55, and it is judged whether or not the game result has been determined for all remaining balls existing in the game area after the power of the ball hitting motor is turned off in step S55. It is for. As shown in step S57, in this embodiment,
After the interruption operation is performed, the ejection control of the recording medium shown in FIG. 7D is not performed until the value of the shot ball counter - the value of the shot ball counter is reached, but the control for discharging the recording medium shown in FIG. 7D is not performed. If the remaining child control until the value of the ball counter is reached is configured to be performed in the same way as during a normal game without an interruption operation, the control will immediately shift to recording medium ejection control from the interruption operation. You may.

In this embodiment, when the checkout button is pressed, when a stop is made, or when the number of balls in possession becomes 0, the system waits until the value of the shot ball counter and the value of the hit ball counter become equal, respectively.
Only when the two values become equal is the recording medium ejecting control shown in FIG. 7C or the control returning to step S1 in FIG.
A timer is set when the settlement button is suppressed, when a stop is established, or when the data on the number of balls held becomes O, and when a predetermined time elapses, the recording medium is discharged or the process returns to step S1. The remaining balls may be dealt with by controlling and providing a delay time using a timer. Further, it may be configured such that when the game end button is operated or when the game is stopped, the control immediately shifts to ejecting the recording medium.

Next, the ejection control of the recording medium performed when the game is stopped or the game end button is depressed will be explained based on FIG. 7C.

First, in step S58, the third card detector SW3
It is determined whether or not the card is turned on, and if the card is held at a predetermined position where it is detected by the third card detector SW3, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to step S6.
Proceed to step 6. If the card is not held at the predetermined position, a negative determination is made in step S58, and the process proceeds to step S59, where the first card ejecting solenoid 5OLI is controlled to be ON, and at the same time, step S60
The second card ejecting solenoid 5OL2 is controlled to ON, and the process proceeds to step S61, where the third card detector S
A determination is made as to whether W3 is turned on, and the control in step 859 and step S60 is continued until it is turned on. That is, if the first card ejecting solenoid 5OLI is controlled ON in step S59, the bottom plate 122 shown in FIG. 4 is lowered, and the second card ejecting solenoid 5QL2 is controlled ON in step S60. The card extrusion lever 132 shown in FIG. 4 is moved to the right in the figure, and the card 102 inside the cart tracker 120 is extruded onto the conveyor belt 118. Since ejection of the cards in the card stocker is completed when the third card detector SW3 is turned ON, the process proceeds to step S62, and the second card ejecting solenoid 5O is activated.
L2 is turned off, and in step 363 the first and second
The transport motors Ml and M2 are reversely rotated to transport the card in the right direction in FIG. And step S6
4, it is determined whether the third card detector SW3 has been switched from ON to OFF, and the control in step 863 is continued until it is switched OFF. In this state, the cart is transported to the right in FIG.
When the card moves to a position where it cannot be detected by the card detector SW3, the process proceeds to step S65, and the first card ejecting solenoid 5OLI is controlled to be OFF.

Next, the process advances to step S66, and the first. The second transport motors Ml and M2 are reversed to transport the card in the right direction in FIG. ), the player writes the data on the number of balls acquired by the player, and the process proceeds to step 868. Then, in step S68, the first
The control in steps S66 and S67 is continued until the card detector SW1 turns from ON to OFF, and if it is determined that it has turned OFF, then the control in step S69 continues.
Proceed to step 1. The second transport motors Ml and M2 are controlled to stop. Then, while the card is being transported to a position where it cannot be detected by the first card detector SWI, a portion of the card protrudes outward from the card insertion/return slot 27 (see Figure 4). state, the player can pull out the magnetic card from the card insertion/return slot 27. Next, the process proceeds to step S70, where it is determined whether or not the termination is established. If the termination is established, the control is terminated, but if the termination is not established, a determination of No is made and the step The settlement flag is cleared in S71, and the process returns to step S1.

Next, the ejection control of the magnetic card, which is an example of a gaming machine specific object, which is performed when the game interrupt button is pressed by the player, will be explained based on FIG. 7D.

First, in step S72, the third card detector SW
3 is ON, and if the magnetic card is reserved at a predetermined position detected by the third card detector SW3, a YES determination is made in step S72, and step S80 is made. Proceed to. Also,
If the magnetic card is not reserved at the predetermined position, a negative determination is made in step S72, and the process proceeds to step S8.
The process proceeds to step 73, where the first card ejection solenoid 5OL1 is turned on to control the bottom plate 122 shown in FIG. 4 to be lowered. Next, the process proceeds to step S74, where the second card ejecting solenoid 5QL2 is controlled to be ON to move the card ejecting lever 132 shown in FIG. 4 to the right in the figure. Next, the process advances to step S75, and the third
It is determined whether or not the card detector SW3 is turned on, and the control in step 873 and step S74 is continued until it is turned on. Then, the card 10 in the card stocker 120 is pushed out by the card push lever 132.
2 is pushed out and discharged to the predetermined position and is detected by the third card detector 105 (SW3) (see FIG. 4), a YES determination is made in step S75 and the process proceeds to step S76. , the second card ejecting solenoid 5QL2 is controlled OFF, and the process proceeds to step S77, where the first card ejecting solenoid 5QL2 is turned off. The second transport motors Ml and M2 are reversely rotated, and the card is transported in the right direction in FIG.

Then, in step 878, the third card detector S
Step S7 until W3 is switched from ON to OFF.
7 continues, and when the magnetic card is conveyed rightward to a position where it cannot be detected by the third card detector SW3, a YE is determined in step 878.
A determination of S is made and the process advances to step S79. Step S
79, the first card ejection solenoid 5OLI is turned on.
Control is performed to turn it into FF.

Next, the process advances to step S80, and the first. The second conveyance motors M1 and M2 are reversely rotated to convey the card in the right direction in FIG. 4, and control is performed to write interruption data on the card in step S81. Specifically, the control for writing the interruption data to this card involves erasing previously recorded data using a data eraser 109, and writing data that can identify the gaming machine onto the card using a data writer 108 (see FIG. 4). This is done by writing. Next, the process proceeds to step S82, where it is determined whether or not the first card detector SW1 has been switched from ON to OFF, and the control in steps S80 and S81 is continued until the first card detector SW1 is switched from ON to OFF. and the first card detector SWI
When the magnetic card 102 is switched from ON to OFF and the magnetic card is transported to a position where it cannot be detected by the first card detector, the magnetic card 102 is inserted into the card insertion/ejection slot 2.
It is in a state where it partially protrudes outward from 6 (see Figure 4),
In this state, the player can pull out the magnetic card 102 from the card insertion/ejection port 26. Then, the process proceeds to step 883, where the first and second transport motors Ml, M2
Then, in step S84, the lamp L2 is turned on and the game interruption display 3 displays that the game is in a suspended state. Then, the process returns to step S1 again.

The magnetic card on which the interruption data has been written in step S81 constitutes a gaming machine identifying object that can identify the gaming machine on which the interruption operation was performed. This game specific object includes
In addition to information for identifying the gaming machine, information regarding the gaming status such as data on the number of balls held at the time of interruption and whether jackpot control is in progress may be recorded, and this gaming machine specific object is returned to the gaming machine. When canceling the interruption that occurs in such a case, control may be performed to return to the gaming state at the time of interruption. Further, the game specific object is not limited to a recording medium such as a magnetic card, but may also be a key dedicated to the game machine.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gaming machine specific object may also be configured by a magnetic card on which information on the number of balls held is recorded and is inserted when starting a game, or a gaming machine specific object may be used exclusively for interruptions. Furthermore, a configuration may be provided in which a recording medium insertion/ejection port and a recording medium processing device are provided exclusively for use during interruption.

Steps S72 to S75. Step S
77, step S81 and step S82,
A gaming machine specific object taking-out permitting means is configured to allow a player to take out a gaming machine specific object that can identify a gaming machine that has been interrupted.

In a game interruption state in which a player takes out a specific object from a gaming machine using this gaming machine specific object taking out permission means, even if someone else inserts money into the suspended gaming machine, there is no step. Y due to S3
An ES judgment is made and the inserted coins are returned, and even if someone else inserts a magnetic card other than the specified object in the gaming machine, a No judgment is made in step S19 and the inserted card is returned. This is because
The game machine is configured so that no one else can use the game machine while the game is suspended. Then, YES is determined in step S19 only when the gaming machine specific object is returned to the gaming machine.
After this judgment is made, the game suspended state is released.

= 68 = In addition, in the present invention, the number of balls held is a predetermined number (for example, 1
00) or below, the game may be controlled so as not to be interrupted, and the game may be configured to be prevented from being misused by the game interrupting means. Further, although the above-mentioned gaming machine specific object taking out permission means allows taking out the gaming machine specific object only after the interruption operation,
The present invention is not limited to this, but the gaming machine specific object may be configured as a special object different from the magnetic card on which the data on the number of balls held is recorded,
It may be arranged such that the interruption data is written and recorded in advance before the interruption operation is performed, and the game machine specific object on which the interruption data is recorded can be taken out before the interruption operation is performed.

Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described.

The pachinko gaming machine, card processing device, and operation switch mechanism in this second embodiment have the same configurations as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 in the first embodiment, and the control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine is This is similar to that shown in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment.

69 In other words, in the second embodiment, while or after pressing down on the payment button 28, which is an example of the operation part shrine, the operation confirmation button 183, which is an example of the operation member, is pressed and the payment operation is performed. is configured to confirm whether the player is the player. If this operation confirmation button 183 is not operated, payment control is not performed, and the system is configured to prevent payment control based on erroneous operation as much as possible and improve the reliability of payment operation. .

The payment button 28 and the operation confirmation button 183 constitute a payment operation means including a plurality of operation members operated by the player. In addition, the operation member can be changed to the payment button 28.
Although the configuration is shown as consisting of two buttons, ie, and operation confirmation button 183, it may be configured with two or more buttons. However, if the number is too large, it will be troublesome for the player to perform the operation with the intention of paying the bill, so it is actually desirable to have about 2.3 pieces.

Next, the flowchart in this second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7A, 7C, and 7 in the first embodiment.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 7B is the same as that shown in FIG. D, and only a part of the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, step S in FIG. 7B
44 and step S50, the operation confirmation switch is turned OFF.
If the newly inserted step determines that the operation confirmation switch has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S50 shown in FIG. 7B, and the operation confirmation is performed. If it is determined that the switch is not turned on, step S shown in FIG. 7B is performed.
45. Through this newly inserted step and steps S50 and S44 in FIG. 7B, it is determined that all of the plurality of operating members have been operated based on the fact that there is an output from all of the plurality of payment operation detection means. A checkout operation determination means is configured.

Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described.

In the third embodiment, the configurations of the pachinko game machine, card processing device, and operation switch mechanism are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 in the first embodiment, and further, The control circuit for controlling the pachinko game machine is also similar to that shown in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment. In this third embodiment, the settlement operation means is continuously operated by the player for a predetermined period of time, and the settlement control is performed only when the output duration of the settlement operation detection means reaches the predetermined time. ing. The flowchart for implementing this configuration is similar to that shown in FIGS. 7A, 7C, and 7D in the first embodiment, and is similar to that shown in FIG. 7B in the first embodiment. Only some changes to the flowchart are required.

That is, step 843 shown in FIG. 7B. Step S
44 and step S50 are replaced by steps as described below. First, step 8 in Figure 7B
43, if the check flag is set, it is determined whether or not the payment operation check flag is set. If it is determined that the check flag has not been set yet, the process proceeds to the next step and the payment switch is turned ON. If it is determined that the switch is not turned on yet, the process advances to step S45 shown in FIG. 7B. In the step of determining whether or not the payment switch is turned on, if the determination is YES, proceed to the next step, set a payment switch check flag, and set a timer T. The process advances to step S29 shown in FIG. 7B. On the other hand, in the step of determining whether or not the payment switch check flag is set, if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next step, where it is determined whether or not the payment switch is turned on. If the player has not pressed the settlement button yet, a NO determination is made and the process proceeds to the next step, and after clearing the settlement switch check flag, the process proceeds to step S45 shown in FIG. 7B. Furthermore, if the player is pressing the payment button, a YES determination is made in the step of determining whether or not the payment switch is turned on, and the process proceeds to the next step, where timer T is activated. A determination is made as to whether or not the transaction has been completed, and if it is determined that the transaction has not yet been completed, the process proceeds to step S29 shown in FIG. The check flag is cleared and the settlement flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S51 shown in FIG. 7B. In other words, when the payment button is pressed, the payment switch check flag is set, and timer T1 is also set.If the player continues to press the payment button until the set time of timer T1 has elapsed, the payment switch check flag is set. is cleared, the settlement flag is set, and the next time the program is executed, a YES determination is made at step 843 shown in FIG. 7B, and step S5 shown in FIG. 7B is executed.
The process then moves on to the settlement control from step 1 onwards.

With the above configuration, the payment operation is performed only after the payment operation means has been operated continuously for a predetermined period of time, so there is no possibility that the payment will be erroneously controlled due to the player's hand or object accidentally touching or colliding with the operation member. or can be prevented. Step 843゜Step S44 and Step S in FIG. 7B
According to the step newly explained in this embodiment, which is used instead of 50, the payment operation means is continuously operated for a predetermined time based on the output duration of the payment operation detection means reaching a predetermined time. A payment operation determination means is configured to determine whether the payment operation is correct or not.

Fourth example Next, a fourth embodiment will be explained.

This fourth embodiment is also a pachinko game machine.

The configurations of the cart processing device and the operation switch mechanism are the same as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 in the first embodiment, and the control circuit for controlling the pachinko game machine is the same as that in the first embodiment. It is similar to that in FIG. 6 in the example.

In the fourth embodiment, the payment control is performed only when the payment operation detecting means outputs a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period of time.

The flowchart for executing this configuration is as follows.
This is similar to the program shown in FIGS. 7A, 7C, and 7D in the first embodiment, and only a portion of the program shown in FIG. 7B in the first embodiment may be changed.

That is, the steps described below are used instead of steps S44 and S50 shown in FIG. 7B in the first embodiment. Step 3 shown in Figure 7B
43, the process moves to a step in which it is determined whether the payment switch has been switched from ON to OFF, and if a NO is determined in that step, the process proceeds to the next step. , it is determined whether or not the timer T3 has expired. If it is determined that the timer T3 has not expired yet, the process proceeds to step S45 shown in FIG. 7B. Further, in the step of determining whether or not the timer T3 has ended, if the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next step, and after clearing the settlement switch counter, the process proceeds to step S45 shown in FIG. 7B. . Further, in the step of determining whether the payment switch has been switched from ON to OFF = 76-, if a YES determination is made, the process proceeds to the next step and checks whether the payment switch counter is "0" or not. If it is determined that the value is "0", the process proceeds to a processing step in which the timer T3 is set and the settlement switch counter is incremented by 1, but it is determined that the settlement switch counter is not "0". If so, the process directly advances to a processing step in which the settlement switch counter is incremented by one. After the processing step of incrementing the settlement switch counter by 1, the process proceeds to a step of determining whether the settlement switch counter is "2" or not, and if the judgment is NO at that step, the process shown in FIG. 7B is performed. The process advances to step S45 shown in FIG. Further, if a YES determination is made in the step of determining whether the settlement switch counter is "2", the settlement flag is set after the settlement switch counter is cleared and step S51 shown in FIG. 7B is made. Proceed to.

That is, the settlement switch counter is incremented by one each time the player operates the settlement button, and the timer T3 is set by the player's first operation of the settlement button, and the set time of the timer T3 elapses. If the settlement switch counter reaches a predetermined value (for example, 2) before the settlement is completed, the settlement flag is set. When the settlement flag is set, step 843 shown in FIG. 7B is executed when the next program is executed. When the determination is YES, the process moves to the settlement control from step S51 onwards. As described above, in the fourth embodiment, since the payment control is performed only after the payment operation means is operated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, there is no possibility of accidental contact or collision with the player's hand or the operating member of the object. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent erroneous payment control due to one erroneous operation of the operating member due to misunderstanding or the like.

According to the flowchart explained in the fourth example,
A payment operation determining means is configured to determine that the payment operation means has been operated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time based on the fact that the output of the payment operation detection means has been performed a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.

In the first to fourth embodiments above, gaming machines capable of performing four types of payment operations have been shown, but each of these four types may be combined together.

[Effect of the invention] The present invention having the above configuration has the following effects.

The invention as set forth in claim 1 can reduce the accidental contact of a player's hand or object with the operation member, and prevent erroneous operations where the player unexpectedly performs the payment operation even though the player has no intention of performing the payment operation. I was able to do it.

In the invention according to claim 2, since the payment operation is performed only after all of the plurality of operation members are operated, even if one operation member is unexpectedly operated, the payment control due to the erroneous operation can be prevented. I ended up getting it.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since payment control is performed only after the payment operation means is operated continuously for a predetermined period of time, payment may be made incorrectly due to the player's hand or object accidentally touching or colliding with the operation member. It has now been possible to prevent this from being controlled.

In the invention as claimed in claim 4, since the payment control is performed only after the payment operation means is operated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time, there is no possibility of accidental contact, collision, or misunderstanding with the player's hand or object operation member. Based on this, it has been possible to prevent incorrect payment control due to one erroneous operation of the operating member.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a pachinko game machine which is an example of a game machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing a part of the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 3 is a 3-3 sectional view in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the card processing device. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the operation switch mechanism. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the pachinko game machine. FIGS. 7A to 7D are flowchart 1 for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 6. In the figure, 10, 180, 190 are pachinko game machines that are examples of gaming machines, 28, 181, 191 are payment buttons, 18
3 is an operation confirmation button, 140 is a mounting board, 28a, 29
146, 181', 191' are payment switches, 163 is a payment switch circuit, and 138 is a control unit (microcomputer). Procedural amendment (method) September 24, 1986 2. Name of the invention Gaming machine 3. Relationship with the person making the amendment Patent applicant address 6-460 Sakaino-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma Name Sankyo Co., Ltd. Representative: Kunio Busujima 4, Agent address: Sumitomo Bank Minamimorimachi Building 6, 2-111-29 Minamimorimachi, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Drawing 7 subject to amendment, Contents of amendment: Drawings 7A, 7B, 7c Figures and Figure 7D are attached. Above-2 ~ Figure 7C Figure 7D

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In a gaming machine equipped with a settlement operation means for settling game results, the settlement operation means includes a mounting board for attachment to the gaming machine side and an operation member operated by a player, and the above-mentioned A gaming machine characterized in that the operating member has an operating surface recessed toward the inner depth of the mounting board. (2) A gaming machine equipped with a settlement operation means for settling game results, wherein the settlement operation means includes a plurality of operation members operated by a player, and the gaming machine includes the plurality of operation members. a plurality of payment operation detection means that are provided correspondingly to each of them and detect that the operation members have been operated; and a plurality of payment operation detection means that are provided to detect that all of the plurality of operation members have been operated based on outputs from all of the plurality of payment operation detection means. 1. A gaming machine comprising: a payment operation determining means for determining whether a payment operation has been made; and a payment control means for performing payment control based on the output of the payment operation determination means. (3) A gaming machine equipped with a payment operation means for settling game results, comprising a payment operation detection means for detecting that the payment operation means has been operated, and a predetermined output duration of the payment operation detection means. A payment operation determination means that determines that the payment operation means has been operated continuously for a predetermined period of time based on the fact that the payment operation determination means has reached a predetermined time, and a payment control means that performs payment control based on the output of the payment operation determination means. A game machine comprising: (4) A gaming machine equipped with a payment operation means for settling game results, comprising a payment operation detection means for detecting that the payment operation means has been operated, and an output of the payment operation detection means within a predetermined period of time. a payment operation determination means that determines that the payment operation means has been operated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time based on the fact that the payment operation determination means has been operated a predetermined number of times; and a payment control control means that performs payment control based on the output of the payment operation determination means. A gaming machine characterized by comprising: