JPH04357979A - Managing system for pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To satisfy the demands at the time of centralized control of data in the center which desires to judge generated data of a specific game state of a certain pinball game machine in a wide view by comparing and considering it with generated data of a specific game state of other plural pinball game machines. CONSTITUTION:In a centralized control device, the number of times of giving the maximum value of plural pinball game machines is collected in each separate pinball game machine, and its collected data are outputted simultaneously with respect to a plural sets portion of pinball machines.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a management system for pinball game machines such as pachinko machines and coin game machines. The present invention relates to a management system for a pinball game machine having a central management device that centrally manages data generated from the ball game machine.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally known management systems for pinball game machines include, for example:
There was one described in JP-A-57-183883. This type of conventional pinball game machine management system is designed to control a pinball game machine that enters a game state in which a specific game value can be awarded based on the occurrence of a predetermined specific game state. The system was configured to collect and output data on the occurrence of a specific gaming state, such as the number of occurrences.

[0003] If this specific gaming state occurs too many times, a great service will be provided to the players, but the gaming parlor will be in the red. On the other hand, if the number of occurrences of this specific gaming state is too small, the gaming parlor will benefit, but the service provided to the players will deteriorate, causing the inconvenience that players will not flock to the gaming parlor.

[0004] In this way, in a game hall, the game hall must be managed by weighing the services provided to players and the profits of the game hall, and in the conventional management system for pinball game machines, , the system was configured to collect and output data on the occurrence of specific gaming conditions necessary for the management of the gaming parlor.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this conventional pinball game machine management system, since the output device is configured so that it can output only for each pinball game machine, it is difficult to The occurrence data of a specific game state of a particular pinball game machine is compared with the occurrence data of a specific game state of other pinball game machines to obtain the occurrence data of a specific game state of a certain pinball game machine from all of the plurality of pinball game machines. It has the drawback of not being able to fully meet the demands of centrally managing data, which requires comprehensive judgment.

The present invention was devised in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to use occurrence data of a specific game state of a certain pinball game machine to generate data on the occurrence of specific game states of a plurality of other pinball game machines. To provide a management system for a pinball game machine that can meet the request for centrally managing data in order to make comprehensive decisions by comparing and considering data.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides management of a pinball game machine having a central management device for centrally managing data generated from a plurality of pinball game machines that play games by hitting balls into game areas. In the system, each of the pinball game machines includes a game control means for causing a game state in which a specific game value can be awarded based on the occurrence of a predetermined specific game state, and the central management device includes a data collection means for collecting occurrence data of the specific gaming state of the plurality of pinball game machines for each pinball game machine, and a data collection means for collecting the data collected by the data collection means for the plurality of pinball game machines at once. It is characterized by including an output means capable of outputting.

[0008]

[Operation]According to the present invention, the occurrence data of a specific gaming state of a plurality of pinball game machines is collected for each pinball game machine by a central control device that centrally manages data.
The collected data is output for multiple pinball game machines at once.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a pachinko game machine will be described as an example of a pinball game machine, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to other pinball game machines such as a coin game machine.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the entire management system of a pinball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing a pachinko machine, which is an example of a pinball game machine to which the present invention is applied. It is an external view. In particular, FIG. 2 shows its front view and FIG. 3 shows its back view.

In FIG. 1, in a pachinko game parlor, a plurality of pachinko machines 10 are arranged side by side on an island stand A to form an island B. A plurality of such islands B are provided. Each island B is assigned an island number. Consecutive machine numbers within the same island B are determined for each pachinko machine 10. Each island B
An information collecting device 70, which is an example of a data collecting means, shown in FIGS. 11(a) to 12, which will be described later, is provided on one side. Each information gathering device 70 is connected to an output device 80, which is an example of an output means, via a data transmission line LN. The information gathering device 70 and the output device 80 constitute a central management device that centrally manages data generated from a plurality of pinball game machines that play games by hitting balls into game areas.

In FIG. 2, a pachinko machine 10 has a front frame 1 attached to the front frame 1 so as to be openable and closable, and a glass frame 2 attached to the front frame 1 so as to be openable and closable. A game board 3 is detachably attached to the front frame 1. On the game board 3 whose front surface forms a game area, there are specific areas 4a to 4a, which are examples of starting winning areas.
4c, safe holes 5a to 5c, and multiple yakumono (
(commonly known as tulips) 6a and 6b are provided. Furthermore, a variable display member 20, which is an example of a game state changing means, is mounted approximately at the center of the game board 3. The variable display member 20 includes a segment display 20a for variably displaying identification information electrically, and a rotating drum mechanism (detailed in FIG. 4 described later) for variably displaying identification information mechanically. Furthermore, a winning ball device 30 (details shown in FIG. 5 described later), which is an example of maximum value imparting means, is provided at a position slightly above the out ball entrance 7 of the game board 3.

The specific areas 4a to 4c are winning holes defined so that the variable display member 20 can be driven or variably displayed when there is a winning ball. This variable display member 20 changes its display state based on the winning balls in the specific areas 4a to 4c, and gives the maximum value based on the display state. Therefore, conditions are set for the specific areas 4a to 4c, which are triggered by the presence of winning balls to give the maximum value.

[0014] The specific area is not limited to the winning hole, but is also an area formed on the game board 3 through which balls can pass, that is, a ball that falls from above passes through and is released from below into the game area again. It may also be a passing area. In this way, "winning"
is a broad concept that includes "passing".

A start switch 8a and a stop switch 8b are provided on a part of the front frame 1 as required. This start switch 8a is connected to the variable display member 20
This is used when the start condition for the variable display is that there are winning balls in the specific areas 4a to 4c and that the player operates the start command. The stop switch 8b is used to manually stop the change in the display state of the variable display member 20.

In FIG. 3, a plurality of paths 111 to 117 are provided on the back surface of the game board 3. Routes 111, 11
2 guides the ball that has entered the specific area 4a, 4b or the safe holes 5a to 5c to the upper position on the back of the Yakumono 6a or 6b, and opens the Yakumono 6a, 6b with the ball. The path 113 guides the winning ball into the specific area 4c to the detection switch 12c. The path 114 is an inclined path for guiding various winning balls that have entered the safe hole, the winning hole, or the winning ball device 30, and leads them to the winning ball processing device 16. The winning balls processed by the winning ball processing device 16 are
It is led to a confluence path 117 via a path 115. A path 116 is provided between the out ball inlet 7 and the merging path 117.

Detection switches 12a to 12c, which are an example of starting winning ball detecting means, are provided on the back surfaces of the specific areas 4a to 4c in order to detect the winning balls in the corresponding specific areas. A detection switch 13 for detecting a winning ball into the winning ball device 30 is provided on the back side of the winning ball device 30. The winning ball device 30 opens its plate when it reaches the maximum value granting state, and opens a predetermined winning area (
A detection switch 14 is provided for detecting a winning ball in 32a) shown in FIG. A ball detection switch 15 is provided in connection with the merging path 117.

Furthermore, on the back side of the game board 3, there is shown in FIG.
A box 17 containing a game control circuit 40 shown in FIG. 7A and an operating state detection device 50 shown in FIG. 7A is attached. Although not shown, a prize ball storage tank is provided at the upper part of the back surface of the pachinko machine 10. This prize ball storage tank is replenished with prize balls from a conventionally known return device. A supply ball detection switch (18 shown in FIG. 7) is provided in connection with the prize ball supply path. This supply ball detection switch 18 detects a supply ball, which is an example of a ball that is profitable for the player. The hitting ball detection switch 15 is
This is used to detect a hit ball, which is an example of a ball that is disadvantageous to the player.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotating drum mechanism 20B included in the variable display member. In the figure, the rotating drum mechanism 20A includes a plurality of rotating drums 21a to 21c. Identification information (
(pictures, symbols, numbers, alphabets, etc.) are drawn on it. Ratchet gears 22a to 22a having the number of teeth corresponding to the number of identification information are provided on the side surfaces of each of the rotating drums 21a to 21c.
22c (only 22c is shown in the figure) is fixed. The rotating drums 21a to 21c each have a drum shaft 23.
They are loosely fitted and individually rotatably supported by the frictional force. Both ends of the drum shaft 23 are supported by the sides of the box 24. A rotational drive mechanism 25 is provided at one end of the drum shaft 23. The rotational drive mechanism 25 includes a motor 25
Contains 1. The motor 251 is a geared motor,
The rotational force is transmitted to gear 253 via gear 252. The gear 253 is fixed to one end of the drum shaft 23.

A solenoid 26 is installed on the back of the box 24.
a to 26c are fixed. One ends of locking levers 27a to 27c are connected to the plungers 261 of the solenoids 26a to 26c. The locking levers 27a to 27c are pivotally supported by a lever shaft 28 at approximately the center thereof. Locking lever 2
Claw-shaped portions 271 are formed at the tips (other ends) of 7a to 27c. The claw-like portions 271 of each of the locking levers 27a to 27c engage with the corresponding ratchet gears 22a to 22c,
Each rotating drum 21a to 21c is selectively held in a locked state.

The aforementioned rotating drum mechanism 20B is mounted on the back surface of the game board 3 so that a portion of each of the rotating drums 21a to 21c can be seen from the front surface of the game board 3.

In this embodiment, the identification information displayed on each of the rotating drums 21a to 21c included in the rotating drum mechanism 20B is a predetermined combination, and the segment display 2
When the display state of 0A is in a predetermined state, this is a condition under which the maximum value can be given. Next, details of the winning ball device will be explained as an example of a means for imparting maximum value.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the winning ball device 30. The winning ball device 30 of this embodiment opens the opening/closing plate 33 (to be described later) forward as a first state that is advantageous (or profitable) to the player and accepts balls, which is disadvantageous (or disadvantageous) to the player. ) is an example of the second state in which the opening/closing plate is closed to prevent the ball from being received.

To explain more specifically, the winning ball device 30
includes a decorative frame 31. A through hole is formed in the center of the decorative frame 31, which becomes a winning area 32 in which a ball can be won. An opening/closing plate (or plate) 33 is provided on the front side of the through hole so that it can be opened and closed toward the front side. The lower portion of the opening/closing plate 33 is supported by a shaft 331, and a U-shaped protrusion 332 is formed on the back surface of one side (the right side in the figure). Projection 332
A through hole is bored in the hole. A pin 341 fixed to the tip of the lever 34 is inserted into the through hole. The other end of the lever 34 is supported by a fulcrum 342. An opening/closing mechanism 35 is provided at an upper position of the lever 34. The opening/closing mechanism 35 selectively drives the opening/closing plate 33 to open or close, and includes a solenoid 351 . Plunger 352 of solenoid 351
One end of the rod 353 is connected to. rod 353
The other end of the lever 34 is connected to the lever 34 .

The winning area 32 is divided into a plurality of winning areas 32a, 32b, and 32c as necessary. Prize winning area 3
The winning balls 2b and 32c are guided directly to the back of the winning board 3 and reach the detection switch 13. The winning area 32a is
This is a special prize area that is set so that the opening/closing plate 33 can be repeatedly opened after closing according to the passage of the ball. There is a detection switch 1 at the position where the ball passes in the back of this winning area 32a.
4 (see FIG. 3).

Safe holes 36a and 36b are formed on both sides of the decorative frame 31 with the winning area 32 in between. Safe hole 36
a and 36b are for guiding the hit balls to the back side as winning balls even when the opening/closing plate 33 is closed.

FIG. 6 is a game control circuit diagram of the pachinko machine 10. Next, the configuration and operation of the game control circuit 40, which is an example of the game control means, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

When the balls hit into the safe holes 5a to 5c or the Yakumono 6a and 6b are won, a fixed number of prize balls are released for each winning ball, similar to conventional pachinko machines. On the other hand, when the ball hits any of the specific areas 4a to 4c, the corresponding detection switch 12a to 12
c detects a winning ball and derives a start signal. This start signal is given to the mechanical display drive circuit 41 and also to the display information generation circuit 42a included in the electrical display drive circuit 42. In response, mechanical display drive circuit 41 energizes solenoids 26a-26c and energizes motor 251. Accordingly, the locking lever 27
Since the engagement between a to 27c and ratchet gears 22a to 22c is released, each of the rotating drums 21a to 21c is rotationally driven by the rotational force of the motor 251. Therefore, the rotating drum mechanism 20A is mechanically driven as the rotating drum rotates to change the identification information. Almost simultaneously, the display information generation circuit 42a generates information (for example, numerical information) to be displayed on the segment display 20A and provides it to the driver 42b and the maximum value provision state detection circuit 46. Such a display information generation circuit 42a includes, for example, a clock oscillator, a counter that counts clock pulses, and a decoder that decodes the count value of the counter, and changes sequentially in synchronization with the clock generation cycle. The displayed information is derived. The driver 42b drives the segment display 20A to display based on the display information. As a result, segment display 20A
is electrically variably displayed.

In this state, the stop signal generating circuit 43 generates a stop signal at a timing desired by the player or after a fixed time delay from the start signal. This stop signal is applied to the mechanical display drive circuit 41 and also to the display information generation circuit 42a. The mechanical display drive circuit 41 de-energizes the solenoids 26a-26c and de-energizes the motor 251 to stop each rotating drum 21a-21c. The identification information displayed on each of the rotating drums 21a to 21c is detected by a mechanical display state detection section 44 and provided to a combination display state determination circuit 45. The combination display state determination circuit 45 determines whether each rotating drum 21
The combination of identification information displayed in a to 21c is determined, and the result is provided to the maximum value imparting state detection circuit 46. The display information displayed on the segment display 20A is supplied to the maximum value imparting state detection circuit 46 from the display information generation circuit 42a. The maximum value imparting state detection circuit 46 determines whether the combination of the display states of the rotating drums 21a to 21c and the display information of the segment display 20A are in a state in which a predetermined maximum value can be imparted. If it is detected that the maximum value provision state has been reached, the detection output is provided to the value provision control circuit 47 and an interface 52 shown in FIG. 7(a), which will be described later. The value imparting control circuit 47 energizes the solenoid 351 for a relatively long time (or energizes it intermittently) to open the opening/closing plate 33, thereby making it easier for the ball to win with a relatively high probability.

[0030] As another example of the maximum value imparting state, it may be based on, for example, only a mechanically variable display or only an electrically variable display. As another example of the maximum value, once the maximum value is given, the opening/closing plate 33 is closed after a certain period of time based on the ball hitting the winning area 32a while the opening/closing plate 33 is open. It is also possible to repeat the process again. In that case, a repeated opening condition detection circuit 48 is provided. This repeated opening condition detection circuit 48 detects, for example, the detection switch 1.
Acting on the value adding control circuit 47 based on the output of 4,
It works to repeatedly energize the solenoid 351.

Next, the operation of detecting and temporarily storing various data during the operation of the pachinko machine 10 as described above, particularly data regarding maximum value assignment, will be described.

FIGS. 7(a) to 7(b) are diagrams for explaining details of the operating state detection device included in each pachinko machine, and in particular, FIG. 7(a) is a block diagram of the operating state detection device 50. Figure 7(b) shows the memory included in the management device (
8 is a diagram schematically showing the storage area of the RAM 54, and FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation of the CPU 51.

In FIG. 7(a), the operating state detection device 5
0 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 51, an interface 52, a program storage memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 53, and a data storage memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 54. C
PU51 writes data to RAM54 or
It reads data previously written in M54,
Works as a reading means. The detection switches 12a to 15 and the detection switch 18 are connected to the interface 52, and the output of the maximum value provision state detection circuit 46 is provided thereto. Further, a transmission control circuit 55, which is an example of data transmission means, is connected to the interface 52.

The operation of the CPU 51 is shown in FIG.
This will be explained in detail with reference to . Referring to FIG. 7(b), R
The details of the storage area of AM54 will be explained. RAM54 is
It includes a plurality of storage areas (or storage areas) 54a to 54h. Here, the storage area 54a is used to store the number of winning balls in the specific area 4a (ie, the number A of winning balls at the left start). The storage area 54a is used to store the number of winning balls in the specific area 4b (ie, the number B of winning balls for right start). The storage area 54c is used to store the number of winning balls in the specific area 4c (that is, the center starting winning ball number C). The storage area 54d is used to store the maximum number of times of value provision (D). Storage area 54e
is the number of winning balls (E
) is used to memorize. The storage area 54f is used to store the number of winning balls in the winning area 32a, that is, the number of times (F) that the opening/closing board 33 is continuously opened. The storage area 54g is used to store the number of outputs of the detection switch 15, that is, the number of balls hit (G). The storage area 54h is used to store the number of outputs of the detection switch 18, that is, the number of balls to be supplied (H).

Note that in place of the storage areas 54a to 54h, a counter may be used to count the number of balls or the number of times each ball is played.

Next, the operation of the operating state detection device 50 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7(a) to 8.

In step 1, the CPU 51 determines whether the polling from the information collecting device 70 is data specifying its own machine number, and if it determines that its own machine number is not specified, it proceeds to step 2. .

[0038] Subsequently, in steps 2 to 13, various data related to the assignment of maximum value are written into the RAM 54. Specifically, in step 2, it is determined whether or not the detection switch 12a is turned on, that is, whether or not the ball has landed in the specific area 4a. If it is determined that the detection switch 12a is on, in step 3, 1 is added to the number of left start winning balls (A) stored so far in the storage area 54a. Then, or in step 2, the detection switch 12
When it is determined that a is in the off state, the process proceeds to step 4. In step 4, it is determined whether or not the detection switch 12b is on, that is, whether or not the ball has landed in the specific area 4b. When it is determined that the detection switch 12b is on, in step 5, 1 is added to the number of right start winning balls (B) stored in the storage area 54b. After that, or in step 4, the detection switch 12b
If the off state is determined, the process proceeds to step 6. In step 6, it is determined whether or not the detection switch 12c is on, that is, whether or not the ball has landed in the specific area 4c. If it is determined that the detection switch 12c is turned on, in step 7, the storage area 54c is
1 is added to the number of central starting winning balls (C) stored in . After that, or if it is determined in step 6 that the detection switch 12c is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step 8.

In step 8, it is determined whether the maximum value is given. This determination is made based on whether the maximum value provision state detection circuit 46 has detected the maximum value provision state. If it is determined that the state is the maximum value provision state, 1 is added to the maximum value provision number (D) stored in the storage area 54d in step 9. After that, or if it is determined in step 8 that the state is not the maximum value imparting state, the process proceeds to step 10. In step 10, it is determined whether the detection switch 13 is turned on, that is, whether there is a winning ball in the winning area 32 of the winning ball device 30. When it is determined that the detection switch 13 is in the on state, the number of winning balls (E) stored in the storage area 54e is incremented by 1 in step 11.
is added. After that, or when it is determined in step 10 that the detection switch 13 is in the off state,
Proceed to step 12. In step 12, it is determined whether or not the detection switch 14 is turned on, that is, the winning area 32 has a condition that it can be opened continuously while the opening/closing plate 33 is open.
It is determined whether or not a winning ball has occurred in a. When it is determined that the detection switch 14 is turned on, step 13
1 is added to the number of continuations (F) stored in the storage area 54f.

Thereafter, in steps 14 to 17, detection and collection of difference data based on the operating state of the pachinko machine 10 is performed. That is, in step 14, it is determined whether or not the detection switch 15 is turned on, that is, whether or not there is a hit ball. If it is determined that the detection switch 15 is turned on, the number of balls hit (G) stored in the memory 54g is increased by 1 in step 15.
is added. After that, or when it is determined in step 14 that the detection switch 15 is in the OFF state, step 1
Proceed to step 6. In step 16, it is determined whether the detection switch 18 is turned on, that is, whether there is a replenishment ball. When it is determined that the detection switch 18 has been turned on, in step 18, 1 is added to the number of supplied balls (H) stored in the storage area 54h. After that, or when it is determined in step 16 that the detection switch 18 is in the OFF state, the process returns to step 1.

[0041] In this way, the operation of detecting and temporarily storing various data based on the operating state of each pachinko machine 10 is repeatedly performed.

As described above, the various data collected in the RAM 54 included in each pachinko machine 10 are collected island by island by the information collecting device 70, and are displayed or printed by the output device 80 so that they can be visually recognized. The operation will be described later with reference to FIGS. 11(a) to 16.

It should be noted that the information processing device 70 may be configured to collect data regarding the number of variable display times of the variable display member 20. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the game control circuit of the pachinko machine 10 is configured using a hardware circuit, and the operating state detection device 50 is configured using a microprocessor. It may also be controlled by software processing. In that case, a program for performing operations or functions similar to those shown in FIG. 6 can be easily created by those skilled in the art by following the technical idea shown in FIG. 6, and therefore detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a pachinko machine provided with a variable display member was described as an example of a pachinko machine that can give the maximum value. However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various other pachinko machines that can provide maximum value based on changes in gaming conditions. Therefore, other pachinko machines to which the present invention is applied will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of a pachinko machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing details of a winning ball device 65 applied to this pachinko machine.

In FIG. 9, the pachinko machine 6 of this embodiment
0, the specific areas 61a to 61c are formed in the lower area of the game board 3. Each of the specific areas 61a to 61c is an area through which a ball can pass, and is a starting area determined so that the operating state of the winning ball device 65, which will be described later, can be changed in accordance with the passage of a hit ball. Detection switches 62a to 62c are provided in relation to each of the specific areas 61a to 61c. Furthermore, a winning ball device 65, which is another example of the game state changing means, is installed approximately in the center of the game board 3.

[0047] With reference to FIG. 10, details of the winning ball device 65 will be explained. A special prize area 652 is formed in the lower part of the mounting board 651, which is determined to be in the maximum value imparting state in response to the passage of the ball. On both sides of the special prize area 652, winning areas (corresponding to 32b and 32c in FIG. 5) are formed for releasing a predetermined number of prize balls in response to winning balls. Above the special prize area 652 and winning area 653, ball bearing members (or opening/closing wings) 654, 655 are supported so as to be openable and closable. The ball bearing members 654 and 655 are driven to open and close by an opening and closing drive mechanism 656 mounted on the back surface of the mounting board 651. The opening/closing drive mechanism 656 includes a solenoid 657 and a link mechanism 658.

The operation of the pachinko machine 60 of this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. When the ball passes through any of the specific areas 61a to 61c, the detection switches 62a to 62c detect it. In response, the solenoid 657 is energized, and the opening/closing drive mechanism 656
holds the ball bearing members 654 and 655 for a relatively short time (1 to 2
(seconds) or a fraction of a second opening/closing operation.
, repeat twice. During the opening operation of the ball receiving members 654 and 655, if the ball does not land in the special prize area 652 but only in the winning area 653, a predetermined number of balls will be awarded for each winning ball in the same way as in the conventionally known system. Prize balls will be released. In addition, a first starting winning area (for example, 61a, 61c) for opening and closing the variable winning ball device 65 once, and a second starting winning area (for example, 61a, 61c) for opening and closing the variable winning ball device 65 twice.
1b), detect and count the total number of winning balls that entered the first starting winning area, detect and count the winning balls that entered the second starting winning area, and separately information on both counting data. The data may be collected and output by the collection device 70. Further, data regarding the number of times the once-opening or twice-opening operation is performed upon starting the variable winning ball device 65 and winning a prize may be totaled and output.

On the other hand, when the ball hits the special prize area 652, the solenoid 657 is activated for a relatively short time (for example, 0
．． The ball bearing members 654 and 655 are intermittently driven to open and close by being intermittently energized a certain number of times (for example, 18 times) at a period of 4 seconds). In this state, the ball hit is in the special prize area 6.
52, the intermittent opening and closing operations of the ball receiving members 654 and 655 are repeated a certain number of times, and this operation is continued. During the predetermined number of intermittent opening/closing operations, if no ball is hit into the special prize area 652, the operation is ended after the predetermined number of intermittent opening/closing operations. That is, in this embodiment, by detecting the first ball hit into the special prize area 652, it is detected that the maximum value is given, and by detecting the ball that has won after that, the number of continuations is counted, and the game is continued a certain number of times. It will be continued.

Note that the pinball game machine to which the present invention is applied is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 or 9 and 10.
It can also be applied to various other pachinko machines and coin game machines that can give the maximum value. 11(a), FIG. 11(b), and FIG. 12 are detailed views of the information collecting device provided on each island. In particular, FIG. 11(a) shows a block diagram of the information collecting device 70, FIG. 11(b) is a diagram schematically showing the storage area of the RAM 74, and FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the CPU 71.

In FIG. 11(a), the information gathering device 70
is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 71, a transmission control circuit 7
2. Program storage memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 73 and data storage memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 7 as an example of storage means
Contains 4. The CPU 71 includes a counter CT, and a RAM
Writes data to RAM 74 or controls reading of data previously written to RAM 74. Here, the counter CT is used to designate the machine number of the pachinko machine 10 from which data related to giving the maximum value is to be collected, and to designate the address of the RAM 74 corresponding to the machine number. The operating state detection device 50 included in each pachinko machine 10 on the same island is connected to the transmission control circuit 72. Further, the transmission control circuit 72 is connected to the output device 80 via the data transmission line LN. Note that the operation of the CPU 71 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 12.

The details of the storage area of the RAM 74 will be explained with reference to FIG. 11(b). The RAM 74 includes a plurality of storage areas (or storage areas) 74a to 74h. Each of the storage areas 74a to 74h includes addresses for storing various data of each pachinko machine, the number of which corresponds to the machine number of the pachinko machines 10 installed on one island. The types of data stored in each of the storage areas 74a to 74h are the same as those of the storage areas 54a to 54h shown in FIG. 7(b).

Next, referring to FIGS. 11(a) to 12,
The operation of the information gathering device 70 will be explained.

[0054] In step 21, the CPU 21 determines whether it is time to collect the data detected by the operating state detection device 50 of each pachinko machine 10. This judgment is made for a certain period of time (for example, in relation to the CPU 71).
An interrupt timer (not shown) is provided to generate an interrupt signal every 30 minutes or 1 hour, for example, and the judgment is made based on whether or not an interrupt signal is given from the interrupt timer. .

Assuming that it is determined that it is not the collection timing, in step 22 the output device 8
It is determined whether data stored in the RAM 74 is read from 0 or not. If the data read command from the output device 80 is to output data based on the operating status of a certain pachinko machine 10, the machine number of the pachinko machine 10 and the island number to which the pachinko machine 10 belongs are specified. transmitted. If there is no data read command, return to step 21;
The operations of steps 21 and 22 are repeated.

[0056] In step 21, when it is determined that it is the collection timing, the process proceeds to step 23. In step 23, a counter CT is initialized. Specifically, an operation is performed in which the lowest machine number among the plurality of pachinko machines 10 included in the information gathering device 70 is set in the counter CT. Subsequently, in step 24, the machine number specified by the count value of the counter CT is polled. This operation is performed by, when the count value of the counter CT is given to the transmission control circuit 72, the transmission control circuit 72 transmits a data transmission command signal to the operating state detection device 50 of the machine number corresponding to the count value of the counter CT. It is done.

[0057] In response, the CPU 51 determines that polling specifying its own machine number was performed in step 1 shown in FIG. 8, and proceeds to step 18. In step 18, the CPU 51 reads out the data in each storage area of the RAM 54 and transmits it to the information collection device 70 of the island to which the pachinko machine 10 belongs.

On the other hand, the transmission control circuit 72 performs step 25.
The transmission data from the pachinko machine 10 is received at . In step 26, the CPU 71 specifies the address of the machine number corresponding to the count value of the counter CT, and stores each storage area 74a to 74 of the RAM 74 corresponding to the machine number.
Write the corresponding data to h. Step 27
At , it is determined whether the count value of the counter CT is the preset largest number of one island. In other words, it is determined whether data has been collected from all pachinko machines 10 belonging to one island. If it is determined that data for all pachinko machines 10 has not been collected, the process advances to step 28. In step 28,
The count value of the counter CT is incremented by one.

[0059] Then, return to step 24 and perform step 2.
Operations 4 to 28 are performed for all pachinko machines 10 on the same island. When the data collection operation of all pachinko machines 10 is completed, it is determined in step 27 that the value of the counter CT has reached a preset value (the highest machine number on that island), and the data collection operation is started. finish. As a result, the data detected by the operating state detection means 50 included in each pachinko machine 10 is written to each area of the corresponding address of the RAM 74 included in the information collecting device 70.

[0060] Next, the operation when reading data of each pachinko machine 10 on the same island stored in the RAM 74 will be explained. In the case of data reading, the read command data as well as the machine number from which the data is to be read and the island number to which the pachinko machine 10 with the machine number belongs are provided to the transmission control circuit 72 via the data transmission line LN. At this time, the CPU 71 determines in step 21 that it is not the data collection timing, then determines in step 22 that there is a data read command, and proceeds to step 29. In step 29, it is determined whether the island number designates itself. If the island number designates itself, the process advances to step 30. In step 30, the designated machine number is set in the counter CT, and each area 74 of the RAM 74 corresponding to the machine number
Data a to 74h are sequentially read out and transmitted to the output device 80.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the movable state detecting device 50 is provided for each pachinko machine 10, and the information collecting device 70 is provided corresponding to one island.
The function of the operating state detection device 50 may be provided to the information collecting device 70 side, and data may be collected from each pachinko machine 10 belonging to the same island using the common information collecting device 70. In that case, detection switches 12a to 15 included in each pachinko machine 10,
18 and the output of the maximum value adding state detection circuit 46 (that is, each input connected to the interface 52) are configured so that they are directly input to the information collection device 70, and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 12 are CPU7
Just change the program as shown in 1.

FIGS. 13 to 15 are diagrams for explaining details of one embodiment of the output device. In particular, FIG. 13 shows an external view of the output device, FIG. 14 shows a detailed view of the keyboard, FIG. 15 schematically shows an example of keyboard operation, and FIG.
6 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation of the output device.

A specific embodiment of the output device 80, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

In FIG. 13, the output device 80 has a housing 81.
including. The housing 81 houses a display device (for example, a CRT display) 82, which is an example of visual output means, and a printer (not shown), which is another example of visual output means. Further, the casing 81 includes a microprocessor (not shown) built therein. This microprocessor is configured similarly to, for example, the information collection device 70 shown in FIG. 11(a). That is, the microprocessor is C
Includes PU, ROM, and RAM. This ROM stores a program for executing the operations shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. The RAM is the RAM shown in FIG. 11(b).
It includes a storage area similar to the storage area of , and the addresses having each storage area are included in a number corresponding to the number of pachinko machines in the entire gaming hall.

[0065] The housing 81 is provided with an operation section 83. A keyboard 84 shown in FIG. 14 is attached to the operation unit 83. The keyboard 84 includes numeric keys 84N and classification keys 84.
0, + key 841, - key 842, maximum value grant number key 843, above key 844, below key 845, display key 846, print key 847, continuous key 848, machine number key 849, and general key 84t. Further, the keyboard 84 includes various keys 84a to 84k for outputting data for a certain period. Regarding the functions of each of these keys, see the operation example shown in FIG. 15 and FIG.
This will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the output device 80, which is a feature of the present invention, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16.

First, output (
For example, let's discuss the case of displaying. In this case,
As shown in FIG. 15(1), the gaming hall attendant operates the classification key 840 and the + key 841 in sequence, and then operates the numerical key 84N to input the desired number of difference balls for which data should be output. Furthermore, the above key 844 and display key 846 are operated. At this time, the CPU (not shown) included in the output device 80 determines that the inputs are received in the order shown in FIG. 15(1) in steps 31 to 35. After that, in step 36, various data representing the operating status of the pachinko machines with the specified number of differential balls or more are stored in the RAM (
(not shown) and provided to the display device 82 for display. In this case, various data include the number of unprofitable balls (
For a game hall, the number of balls entered), the number of profit balls (the number of balls played for a game hall), the number of differential balls, the number of maximum value grants, the number of left prize balls,
These include the number of winning balls on the right and the number of winning balls in the center. The display state of the display device 82 in this case is shown in FIG. 17(a).

[0068] When printing data in which the number of difference balls is greater than or equal to a desired negative value, the - key 842 is operated instead of the + key 841, and the print key 847 is operated instead of the display key 846. . The operating state in this case is determined in steps 31, 37-40. Subsequently, in step 41, various data for each machine number of each pachinko machine with a difference in the number of balls equal to or greater than a specified negative value are read from the RAM and given to a printer (not shown), as shown in FIG. 17(b). It will be printed as follows.

Next, a description will be given of the operation when printing various data for each machine number of a pachinko machine whose maximum number of times of giving value is equal to or greater than a desired designated number of times. As shown in FIG. 15(2), the staff member operates the classification key 840 and the maximum value granting number key 843, then operates the numeric keys 84N to input the desired specified number of times, and then presses the number key 844 and the print key. 847
operate. This operation state is in steps 31, 42 to 45.
Judgment will be made. Subsequently, in step 46,
Various data of each pachinko machine for which the maximum number of times of giving value is equal to or greater than the specified number of times is read from the RAM, given to the printer, and printed. Note that the time at which the maximum value is given, that is, the time at which a specific gaming state occurs, may be output for each machine.

Next, the operation when outputting (printing) various data of all pachinko machines during a certain period will be described. The key operation procedure in this case is performed in the order shown in FIG. 15(3). This operating state is in steps 31 and 4.
7 and 48. Then step 4
At step 9, various data of all machine numbers (or desired machine numbers) within the specified period are read from the RAM and printed by the printer. An example of the print format in this case is shown in FIG.

Next, the operation when printing various data of a certain machine number (in FIG. 19, the number of continuations and the number of winning balls in that period) will be described. As shown in FIG. 15(4), the clerk operates the machine number key 849, then operates the numerical keys 84N to input the desired machine number, and then operates the print key 847. In this case, the operation status is from step 31, 50 to
A determination is made at 52. Subsequently, in step 53, various data of the specified machine number are read out from the RAM and given to the printer. In response, the printer prints as shown in FIG.

[0072] In step 31, the classification key 84
It is determined that a key other than 0 has been operated, and the process proceeds to step 5.
If it is determined at step 0 that a key other than the machine number key 849 has been operated, other processing is performed at step 54.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the case where the information collection device 70 and the output device 80 are connected by the data transmission line LN (that is, the case of online) was explained, but the technical idea of this invention is the case of offline It can be applied even if Next, a pachinko machine management system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 20 is an illustrative diagram of a pachinko machine management system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the information gathering device 70A and the output device 80A are not connected by a data transmission line LN. Details of the information gathering device in this case are shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is an external view of another embodiment of the information collecting device. The information collecting device 70A of this embodiment has a door 75
1 is attached so that it can be opened and closed freely. A power switch 753, a write command switch 754, and an insertion hole 755 are provided on a panel 752 exposed when the door 751 is opened. A floppy disk 76, which is an example of a magnetic recording medium, is inserted into the insertion hole 755. Inside the insertion hole 755, there is a
A magnetic recording device (not shown) for writing data in the RAM 74 shown in FIG. 1(a) is built-in.

Then, when the write command switch 754 is operated after the floppy disk 76 is inserted into the insertion hole 755, the CPU 71 reads out all the data for each machine number stored in the RAM 64 and inserts the floppy disk into the floppy disk. Write to 76. In this way, the floppy disk 7 has data written on it based on the operating status of each pachinko machine.
6 is read by the magnetic reproducing device of the output device 80A, and C
It is displayed on the RT display 82.

[0077] In each of the above embodiments, the information gathering device 70 (or 70A or 70B) and the output device 80 (
80B), but if the amount of data to be collected is small, it is not necessary to provide an information collection device for each island, and the output device 80 side has the same function as the information collection device. You can.

[0078]

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention uses a centralized control device that centrally manages data to collect occurrence data of specific gaming states of a plurality of pinball game machines for each pinball game machine. In order to output the data for multiple pinball game machines at once, when the data is centrally managed at the game parlor, a certain pinball is It is also possible to judge the meaning of the collected data from a broader perspective by comparing and considering the collected data of one game machine with the data collected from other pinball game machines. It is possible to perform advanced game hall management by making judgments based on the data collected from ball game machines.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the entire management system for a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an example of a pachinko game machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a rear view showing a partial internal structure of an example of a pachinko game machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a rotating drum mechanism included in the variable display member.

FIG. 5 is a detailed diagram of the winning ball device.

FIG. 6 is a game control circuit diagram of the pachinko game machine.

FIG. 7 shows an operating state detection device, (a) is a block diagram thereof, and (b) is a diagram schematically showing a storage area of a RAM.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the operating state detection device.

FIG. 9 is a front view of another pachinko game machine to which the present invention is applied.

10 is an overall perspective view showing a variable winning ball device used in the pachinko game machine shown in FIG. 9. FIG.

FIG. 11 shows an information processing device, in which (a) is a block diagram thereof, and (b) is a diagram schematically showing a storage area of a RAM.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information processing device.

FIG. 13 is an overall perspective view of the output device.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a keyboard portion of the output device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the operating procedure of the keyboard of the output device.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the output device.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing the output mode of the output device, (a) is a diagram showing the display mode, and (b) is a diagram showing the printing mode.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a printing mode of an output device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a printing mode of the output device.

FIG. 20 is an illustrative diagram of a pachinko machine management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an illustrative diagram of another embodiment of the information concentration device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 and 60 are pachinko machines, 3 is a game board, 4a to 4c, 6
1a to 61c are specific areas, 12a to 12c, 62a to 6
2c is a detection switch, 20 is a variable display member, 20A is a segment display, 20B is a rotating drum mechanism, 30 is a winning ball device, 40 is a game control circuit, 41 and 42 are driving means, and 46 is a maximum value adding state detection circuit , 47 is a value adding control circuit, 50 is an operating state detection device, 70, 70A, 7
0B is an information gathering device, and 80 and 80A are output devices.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A management system for a pinball game machine having a central management device for centrally managing data generated from a plurality of pinball game machines that play a game by hitting balls into a game area, the system comprising: The ball game machine includes a game control means that makes a game state in which a specific game value can be provided based on the occurrence of a predetermined specific game state, and the central management device controls the plurality of pinball games. The game machine includes a data collection means for collecting occurrence data of the specific gaming state of the machine for each pinball game machine, and an output means capable of outputting the data collected by the data collection means for a plurality of pinball game machines at once. A management system for a pinball game machine, which is characterized by: