JPH0583275B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electronic card for a pachinko game machine.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Magnetic cards for pachinko game machines have been proposed for the purpose of simplifying the distribution route for pachinko balls within game parlors and for other purposes. When this type of magnetic card is issued, the number of balls owned by the player corresponding to the card amount is registered, and when it is inserted into a pachinko machine that supports magnetic cards, the number of balls registered on the magnetic card is registered. It is read by a pachinko game machine, and a normal pachinko game can be played within the range of the number of balls it has. After the game is over, the player's balls, which have increased or decreased during the playing process, are re-registered on the magnetic card, the magnetic card pulled out from the pachinko machine is set in the payment machine, the number of balls the player has at the end of the game is read out, and prizes are awarded. Make an exchange.

Therefore, if this type of magnetic card is used, the pachinko balls will only circulate within each pachinko machine, and there is no need to return the pachinko balls from the prize exchange place to each island facility. It becomes possible to greatly simplify the distribution route for game machines, and since card readers at prize exchange offices can be easily connected to a computer system for centralized management, it becomes easier to rationalize the management of game parlors.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

As mentioned above, when using magnetic cards for pachinko gaming machines and card-type pachinko gaming machines, it is possible to obtain the great effect of making it easier to rationalize the management of gaming parlors. has the following problems.

First, in the case of a magnetic card, the durability of the card itself is low due to the limited durability of the magnetic material, and its economic efficiency is low.

Furthermore, in addition to the card issuing machine and the prize exchange machine, it is necessary to provide a reader/writer for each pachinko game machine, which further increases the cost of the game parlor as a whole.

Also, the magnetic card itself is just a storage medium,
Since it does not have any protection function, it is easy to counterfeit magnetic cards.

Furthermore, due to restrictions on access time and durability of magnetic cards, it is nearly impossible to send and receive signals between pachinko machines in real time, and in particular, the game ends when the player still has balls remaining. In this case, the pachinko machine cannot determine the player's intention to end the game, so the number of balls held at the end of the game is re-registered on the magnetic card only when the player indicates his intention to end the game using some kind of switch. If the magnetic card is carelessly removed without this procedure, the memory contents will be destroyed.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention was made to solve these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic card for a pachinko game machine that eliminates the problems of the conventional magnetic cards described above.

In summary, the electronic card of the present invention includes a non-volatile memory having a RAM area for storing at least information indicating the number of balls held, a microcomputer operated by externally supplied energy, and a pachinko gaming machine for connection. The microcomputer is configured to update the contents of the RAM area in response to signals applied in real time from the pachinko game machine via the connection terminal.

[Effect]

Therefore, in the electronic card for a pachinko game machine of the present invention, the access time of the storage medium is significantly reduced, so real-time transmission between the card and the pachinko game machine is possible, and since the card side is equipped with a microcomputer, Enables complex communication for card identification with pachinko machines,
Card forgery can be more effectively prevented.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electronic card for a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A storage section 10 and a control section 20 are embedded in the card 1, and a terminal group 30 for connection with a pachinko game machine is printed on the end of the card 1.
0 and the terminal group 30 and between the control section 20 and the storage section 10 are interconnected by printed wiring.

More specifically, the storage unit 10 is constituted by a non-volatile IC memory that has been realized in recent years, and does not require a power source to save its storage contents.

The storage unit 10 has at least an area for storing a program for controlling the operation of the control unit 20 and an area for storing the number of balls held by a player.

Further, the control unit 20 is specifically constituted by a microcomputer, and in this embodiment, power is supplied from the pachinko gaming machine side through one terminal in the terminal group 30.

There are various possible connection methods between the electronic card for a pachinko gaming machine of the present invention and an electronic card compatible pachinko gaming machine, but as the most basic example, the control unit 20 manages the number of balls held by a player. FIG. 2 shows an example of a system obtained by connecting a pachinko game machine with an electronic card 1 for use in a pachinko game machine, which is designed to perform only one game.

Note that the same elements as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and redundant explanation will be omitted.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 40 indicates a connector, and when the card 1 is connected to the connector 40, the terminal 31 in the terminal group 30 on the card 1 side is connected to the power supply 50 on the pachinko gaming machine side, and is connected to the control unit 20. The other terminals in the terminal group 30 are connected to the data bus 60 of the pachinko game machine.

Further, 70 indicates a CPU for executing control operations on the pachinko game machine side, and the CPU 70 includes an arithmetic unit 71 for performing arithmetic processing, a ROM 72 in which programs and the like are written, and a ROM 72 for temporarily storing data.
Includes RAM73 etc.

Further, 81, 82, 83, and 84 respectively indicate a safe ball sensor 81, a firing ball sensor 82, a false ball sensor 83, and a card detector 84, which are examples of sources of information input to the CPU 70. The detection output is sent to the CPU 70 via the driver 85.
is input.

Similarly, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96
These are examples of members to be controlled by the CPU 70, including a digital display 91, a firing device 92, a stopper solenoid 93, a transport device 94, and a completion lamp 9.
5. A playable display 96 is shown, and these members to be controlled are driven by the CPU 70 via a driver 97.

Furthermore, 61 indicates a bus driver for the CPU 70 to send data to the data bus 60.

The characteristic points of this embodiment are (1) that the CPU 70 on the pachinko game machine side becomes operational by attaching the card 1 to the connector 40; (2) the CPU 70 on the pachinko game machine side becomes operational; (3) The controller 20 on the card 1 side calculates the number of balls held by the player, which changes with the start of the game, and transmits this in real time to the controller 20 on the card 1 side. The number of balls held by the player, transmitted in real time in this way, is written in the storage section 10.

Further, FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the basic configuration of peripheral devices of the connector 40.

In the figure, 100 indicates a base frame, an instruction plate 101 is fixed to the lower front surface of the base frame 100, and a card insertion groove 102 for inserting the card 1 is formed in the gap between the base frame 100 and the support plate 101. . Rollers 103 and 104 for conveying the card 1 are rotatably supported on both sides of the inner wall of the card insertion groove 102 so that the roller surfaces thereof can be seen into the card insertion groove 102.

The inner roller 103 controls the rotation of the conveying device 94 (motor in this embodiment) shown in FIG.
05 and rotates, and the roller 104 follows this and rotates.

Further, 40a and 40b are clamping pieces constituting the connector 40 also shown in FIG.
40b shows the terminal group 30 printed on the card 1.
Contactors (not shown) that come into contact with are formed and are pressed against the terminal group 30 by springs 41a and 41b, respectively. Note that the holding pieces 40a and 40b are provided with card detectors 8 for detecting that the card 1 is inserted.
4, and the card detector 84 itself is constituted by a known proximity sensor, photoelectric sensor, or the like.

Furthermore, the clamping piece 40b is supported by a guide crosspiece (not shown) or the like so as to be movable from side to side in the drawing.
A substantially right-angled stopper 42 is integrally formed at the lower end of b, and is connected via a connecting rod 43 to a stopper solenoid 93 also shown in FIG.

Therefore, when the stopper solenoid 93 is demagnetized, the terminal group 30 of the card 1 is held by the clamping pieces 40a and 40a by the pressing force of the springs 41a and 41b.
40b, the stopper 42 prevents the card 1 from entering any deeper, and when the stopper solenoid 93 is energized, the clamping piece 40b and the stopper 42 are pressed against the spring 41b. Stoppa solenoid 9 against
3, the card 1 is moved to the right by its terminal group 30 being disconnected from the contacts formed on the clamping pieces 40a, 40b, and is allowed to fall further downward.

Therefore, if a confiscation device such as a belt conveyor is placed in the falling direction, the fallen cards 1 can be recovered.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the above matters and the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the player inserts the card 1 into the card insertion slot 102.
Insert into.

In the initial state, the stopper solenoid 93 is demagnetized, so the clamping piece 40b and the stopper 42 are pushed to the left by the pressing force of the spring 41b, and are in the state shown in FIG. Therefore, the terminal group 30 printed on the card 1 is attached to the clamping piece 40.
It is pressed into contact with contacts (not shown) formed on the portions a and 40b. Further, the leading end of the inserted card 1 comes into contact with the stopper 42, and further entry is prevented.

When card 1 is set in this way and card detector 84 detects that card 1 is set, the detection output of card detector 84 is sent via driver 85.
given to the CPU 70.

In response, the CPU 70 supplies a control signal to the power supply 50 to start supplying power to the card 1.

The power thus supplied is applied to the control unit 20 of the card 1 via the connector 40 and the terminal 31, and the control unit 20 becomes operational.

Subsequently, the CPU 70 generates an identification code for the card 1 to the bus driver 61, and this identification code is applied to the control unit 20 of the card 1 via the data bus 60, the connector 40, and the terminal group 30. When the control unit 20 is given this identification code, the storage unit 10
Terminal group 30 - connector 40 - data bus 6
The identification code is sent to the CPU 70 on the pachinko game machine side via the 0-bus driver 61.

In this way, the CPU 70 transfers the identification code sent from the control device 20 on the card 1 side to the control device 20.
If the two match, the control device 20 allows the controller to proceed to the next step, and if the two do not match, it confiscates the card 1 as described below. conduct.

Specifically, the CPU 70 operates the motor and stopper solenoid 93 that constitute the transport device 94 via the driver 97 . First, the transport device 94
When activated, the rotation is transmitted to the roller 103 via the belt 105, and the roller 103 rotates counterclockwise, and in conjunction with this, the roller 104 rotates clockwise, so that the card 1 is inserted into the card insertion slot 102. Go deeper into the. At this time, the stopper solenoid 93 is also energized, so the stopper 42
moves to the right in the drawing together with the clamping piece 40b against the pressing force of the spring 41b, and the card 1 passes through the position of the stopper 42 and falls downward.
Therefore, the card 1 is collected by a conveyance mechanism such as a belt conveyor (not shown) arranged in the direction in which the card 1 falls.

In this way, according to the present embodiment, identification signals are exchanged between the CPU 70 on the pachinko gaming machine side and the control unit 20 on the card 1 side, and the card 1 will be confiscated unless a match is confirmed between the two. Therefore, fraudulent acts such as forgery of the card 1 can be effectively prevented. In addition, along with the communication of the identification code at this time,
For example, if error detection such as a parity check is performed at the same time, the correct card 1 will not be confiscated by mistake due to noise during communication.

On the other hand, if card 1 is determined to be legitimate as a result of the communication of identification codes as described above, CPU 7
0 provides data indicating permission for operation of the card 1 to the control unit 20 via the bus driver 61 - data bus 60 - connector 40 - terminal group 30.

By receiving this data, the control section 20 proceeds to the next and subsequent steps, and the storage section 1
The data indicating the number of balls held by the player, which is written in advance in 0, is read out, and the data indicating the number of balls held by the player is transferred from the terminal group 30 to the connector 40 to the data bus 60.
- Pachinko game machine side via bus driver 61
The CPU 70 writes this data into a predetermined area of the RAM 73, and also gives the same data to the digital display 91 via the driver 97.
The number of balls held by a player is displayed on a digital display 91.

At the same time, the firing device 92 via the driver 97
At the same time as the power is turned on, the playable display 96 is activated to display to the player that the game is possible.

Then, control operations during the game are executed according to the program prepared in the ROM 72.
It goes without saying that the control operations performed during a game will vary depending on the type of accessory provided in the pachinko game machine, the mode of operation, etc., and the control operations themselves during the game are well-known. .

When the game is started in this way, the number of balls held by the player changes every moment as the game progresses.

First, when the firing device 92 is activated once, the number of balls held by the player decreases by one.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the operation of the firing device 92 is detected by the fired ball sensor 82, and when the detection output of the fired ball sensor 82 is input to the CPU 70 via the driver 85, the CPU 70 is transferred to an area of the RAM 73 that stores the number of balls held. Subtract 1 from the contents of .

Note that the structure of the fired ball sensor 82 itself may be any structure as long as it can reliably detect the operation of the firing device 92.
A switch or the like that is linked to the firing action of the batting rod (not shown) in step 2 is conceivable.

Furthermore, when the pachinko ball fired by the activation of the firing device 92 as described above becomes a so-called safe ball, a preset N number of pachinko balls are given to the player, and the player's holdings are The number of balls increases by N.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the safe ball sensor 81 detects that the fired pachinko ball has become a safe ball, and the detection output is sent via the driver 85.
When input to CPU 70, CPU 70 inputs RAM 73
Add N to the contents of the area that stores the number of balls held.

The structure of the safe ball sensor 81 itself may be of any type as long as it can reliably detect safe balls, for example, a winning ball collection for collecting pachinko balls that have won in all winning areas. If a sensor for detecting passage of pachinko balls is provided at the outlet of the gutter, this sensor can be used as the safe ball sensor 81.

Furthermore, even if the ejecting device 92 operates as described above, if the ejected pachinko balls do not flow into the game board surface and return to the ball hitting position of the ejecting device 92 (i.e., in the case of FAR balls) ), the pachinko ball can be fired again, so it is necessary to cancel out the decrease in the number of balls held due to the operation of the fired ball sensor 82.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the FAR ball sensor 83 detects that the fired pachinko ball has become a FAR ball.
is detected, and its detection output is sent via the driver 85.
When input to CPU 70, CPU 70 inputs RAM 73
Add 1 to the contents of the area that stores the number of balls held.

The structure of the FAR ball sensor 81 itself may be of any type as long as it can reliably detect FAR balls; for example, two photoelectric sensors may be installed along a guide rail that guides pachinko balls to the game board surface. If they are provided close to each other, it is possible to detect a foul ball when the operating order of the two sensors is reversed from the normal time.

The contents of the area in the RAM 73 that stores the number of balls held by the player are periodically given to the digital display 91 via the driver 97, so that the number of balls held by the player changes as described above. The calculated value will be displayed on the digital display 91 at all times.

Further, the contents of the area in the RAM 73 that stores the number of balls owned by the player are periodically given to the control device 20 on the card 1 side via the bus driver 61 - data bus 60 - connector 40 - terminal group 30. In this way, the control device 20 rewrites the contents of the area allocated for storing the number of balls held by the player in the storage unit 10 every time data indicating the number of balls held by the player is provided, so that the number of balls held by the player is updated. In the area allocated for storing the number of balls, the number of balls owned by the player, which constantly changes as the game progresses, is written in real time.

In this way, the number of balls held by the player increases or decreases as the game progresses, and as long as the card 1 is set, the CPU 70 on the pachinko game machine side repeats the above-described operations during the game.

If the player's number of balls becomes 0 during that time, the already mentioned confiscation of card 1 is performed,
Collect that card 1.

In addition, when the number of balls held by the player reaches the scheduled number of balls to be stopped during that time, a stopping action is executed as described below.

In other words, the CPU 70 on the pachinko machine side is the RAM 7
When the number of balls held by the player written in the predetermined area of 3 reaches the predetermined number of balls to be stopped, the driver 97
to turn off the power to the firing device 92 via the driver 97 to terminate the shooting operation, and turn off the power to the playable display 96 via the driver 97 to turn off the light;
To inform a player that the game has ended due to the stoppage. After confirming that the card 1 has been removed by the player, the process ends.

Furthermore, when the player removes the card 1 in this way, the control section 20 on the card 1 side shuts down and stops operating, but the number of balls held by the player is written in the storage section 10 in real time. It is
Furthermore, since the storage section 10 is constituted by a non-volatile IC memory, its stored contents are preserved even after the power to the control section 20 is turned off.

Therefore, by reading the number of balls owned by the player held in the storage section 10 of the card 1 by the card reader of the prize exchange office, the player can exchange the number of balls for a prize of an appropriate amount.

Furthermore, if the player removes card 1 before reaching the planned number of withdrawals, the pachinko machine's CPU 7
0 executes the same ending operation as above, and in this case as well, the power on the card 1 side is turned off, but in this case as well, the number of balls held by the player is written in the storage unit 10 in real time. Since it is constituted by a non-volatile IC memory, its memory contents are preserved even after the power to the control section 20 is turned off.

In this way, according to this embodiment, data indicating the number of balls held by a player is written in the storage unit 10 on the card 1 side in real time, so no matter when the player 1 removes the card 1 from the pachinko machine, the data indicates the number of balls held by the player. The number of balls held by the player is stored in the storage unit 10, and the number of balls held by the player is stored in the storage unit 10.
Since the control unit 20 is composed of a non-volatile IC memory, its memory contents are not lost even after the power to the control unit 20 is turned off. Furthermore, when the card 1 is installed, the control unit 10 can verify the identification code prepared in the storage unit 20 on the card 1 side before starting the card 1, and the procedure for verification is complicated. This makes it possible to effectively eliminate counterfeit cards with copied identification codes.

In addition, in the above, the connector 40 on the pachinko game machine side
Although we have shown an example in which the terminal group 30 on the card side and the terminal group 30 on the card side are electrically connected by contact of metal pieces, for example, as shown in FIG. may be connected by a photocoupler 201. In this case, the power on the card 1 side can be obtained from, for example, a solar cell 202. In this case, the pachinko gaming machine and the card side can be connected. Transmission noise between terminal group 1 and terminal group 1 will be further reduced.

By the way, in the above example, the identification code of the card 1 and the number of balls held by the player are stored in the card 1, but the control unit 20 on the card 1 side also uses an independent microcomputer. So,
Depending on the architecture, it is also possible to share other processes such as transmitting software for controlling electric accessories on the pachinko game machine side and directly controlling the pachinko game machine itself.

For example, it is well known that many of the recent pachinko gaming machines are equipped with so-called electric accessories, and the player's profit status changes depending on the gaming status. It is also well known that the probability of occurrence of a certain gaming state and the details of the benefits that will be given to the player when the certain gaming state occurs are subject to the ordinances and other regulations of the district to which the player belongs. In order to comply with these regulations, pachinko machines are adjusted at the time of shipment from the manufacturer, and if regulations are changed after shipment, engineers are dispatched to each gaming parlor to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Adjustments are made to each pachinko machine.
This kind of adjustment must be performed for each pachinko game machine, which is an extremely large economic and technical burden on manufacturers and game parlors. Therefore, for example, as described below, software for controlling the electric accessory is prepared in the storage unit 10 on the card 1 side, and when the card 1 is set, the CPU
The software may be transmitted to the RAM area 73 of 70.

Such a system configuration can be used without any particular changes to the hardware shown in Figure 2, and by adding some software as shown in the flowchart in Figure 6. This can be achieved by

That is, when the card 1 is set and a satisfactory result is obtained in determining the authenticity of the card 1 based on the identification code, the CPU 70 on the pachinko gaming machine side allows the control unit 20 on the card 1 side to operate, and then the electric A transfer request for software for controlling the accessory is given to the control unit 20 on the card 1 side via the bus driver 61 - data bus 60 - connector 40 - terminal group 30.

In response, the control unit 20 reads out the software for controlling the electric accessory prepared in the storage unit 10 and connects the terminal group 30 - connector 40 - data bus 60.
- Sequentially transfer this instruction to the CPU 70 of the pachinko game machine via the bus driver 61.

Then, the CPU 70 on the pachinko machine side writes this to a predetermined location in the RAM area 73 one by one instruction by instruction while updating the address, and after writing the entire series of software to the RAM area 73, the Execute the processing below the ball number display.

In this way, there is no need to make adjustments for each pachinko game machine in response to ordinances and other regulations that differ from region to region, or in response to changes in regulation content, and the contents of the storage section 10 of the card 1 can be updated. It is possible to comply with the above regulations with just a few changes.
The economic and technical burden on manufacturers and game parlors is greatly reduced.

In addition, in the case of pachinko gaming machines that are generally equipped with electric accessories, if the player's profit status changes with the occurrence of a certain gaming state, and the probability of occurrence of that certain gaming state is relatively low, then the relevant When a gaming state occurs, the profit given to the player is relatively large, so that the so-called gambling nature is high, and if the probability of occurrence of a certain gaming state is relatively high, The profit given to the player when a gaming state occurs is made relatively low, and the so-called gambling nature is reduced.

The degree of gambling that is preferred depends on the preferences of individual players.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the card 1 is provided with input means such as a numeric keypad 203, and
Control software for electric accessories with different camber characteristics is prepared in the storage unit 10 on the card 1 side, and in the flowchart shown in FIG.
When transferring the software for controlling the electric accessory, if the software selected in response to the key input from the numeric keypad 203 is transferred, the gambling nature of the electric accessory can be individually controlled by the player. It can be adapted to your tastes.

By the way, in the case of such a card-type pachinko game machine, unlike a normal pachinko ball rental type pachinko game machine, a player cannot judge the number of balls he or she owns based on the number of balls in hand. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a display 204 such as a liquid crystal display is disposed to display the card 1, and the control section 20 stores the current number of balls held by the player in the storage section 10. The contents of the area are decoded and displayed on the display 20.
3, it becomes possible to display the current number of balls held by the player.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, in the case of an embodiment in which power is supplied to the control unit 20 from a solar cell 201, even after the card 1 is removed from the pachinko machine, the player at that point Since the number of balls held can be displayed on the display 203,
It will become possible to effectively prevent unnecessary trouble between players and game parlors at the prize exchange place.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, since the number of balls held by a player is stored in the IC memory provided in the card 1, the access time is extremely fast, and the number of balls held by a player is extremely fast. Since the durability is extremely high, it is possible to transmit the current number of balls held from the pachinko machine in real time, and there is no need for the player to clearly express his intention to end the game and write the number of balls held on the card. data indicating the number of balls held will not be destroyed even if the player suddenly pulls out card 1.

Further, in the present invention, since the storage unit 10 is constituted by a non-volatile IC memory, the data indicating the number of balls held by the player is reliably saved even after the card 1 is withdrawn.

Further, in the present invention, unlike a normal magnetic card, the card 1 is equipped with a microcomputer, so when the card 1 is installed, it is possible to exchange complicated identification codes between the pachinko game machine and the card 1. Fraudulent acts such as forgery of Card 1 become extremely difficult.

Furthermore, since the present invention uses IC memory as the storage medium, its durability is greatly improved.
Moreover, since an expensive magnetic tape reader/writer is not required for reading and writing the contents, the economical efficiency is greatly improved.

Furthermore, in the case of an embodiment in which software for controlling electric accessories is prepared in the storage unit 10 on the card 1 side, it is necessary to adjust each pachinko game machine to comply with regulations such as local ordinances. In particular, in an embodiment in which the player selects the software for controlling the electric accessory, it is possible to give the electric accessory a gambling characteristic that suits the player's taste.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic card according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a connection state between the electronic card according to FIG. 1 and a pachinko game machine, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for control; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the electronic card; FIG. 6 is another flowchart for control; FIGS. 7 and 8. 1 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an electronic card. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Card, 10...Storage part, 20...Control part, 30...Terminal group, 40...Connector, 201
... Photocoupler, 202 ... Solar cell, 203
...Numeric keypad, 204...Display device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. At least information indicating the number of balls held is stored.
A non-volatile memory with a RAM area, a microcomputer operated by externally supplied energy, and a connecting terminal on the pachinko machine side that is installed at a place where the pachinko machine can be attached by the player. and a connection terminal to be connected, and the microcomputer changes the contents of the RAM area in response to a signal applied in real time from a pachinko game machine via the connection terminal. Electronic cards for pachinko gaming machines. 2. The electronic card for a pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile memory stores data indicating the number of balls held by a player. 3. The electronic card for a pachinko game machine according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile memory stores software for operating the pachinko game machine. 4. The electronic card for a pachinko game machine according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer is configured to display data indicating the number of balls owned by a player, which is stored in the storage unit. Machine electronic card.