JP2003010480A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a credit-based game machine which can enhance freedom in installation. SOLUTION: In the game machine 2 which offers games using game balls at a standby part, it is provided with a detection means 252 for detecting the game balls put out from an output part 248 based on the holding of specified conditions, a detection means 241 for detecting the game balls used for the games, a calculation means for calculating the number of game balls based on the detection of the game balls at the detection means 252 and 241, a memory means for storing the number of game balls calculated, a display part for displaying the number of the game balls stored, a use control means which validates the use of the game balls at the standby part for games when the number of the game balls stored is left, a storage part 253 for storing the game balls detected by the detection means 252, a transfer path 263 which allows the transferring of the game balls to upper positions, a transfer part 261 for transferring the game balls stored to upper positions through the transfer path 263, a guide path 265 which guides the game balls transferred to the upper positions to the standby part and guide paths 246 and 279 for guiding the game balls transferred to the upper positions to the output part 248.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention can credit a game machine installed in an appropriate place such as a game arcade where a game can be played, particularly a game medium obtained by the game, and the number of the credited game media can be counted. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be used for playing again.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the problem that pachinko balls and coins, which are game media discharged and stocked outside the gaming machine, occupy space in the game hall, and a large amount of these pachinko balls and coins that are stocked As a game machine capable of solving the problem of complexity of preparation and management, a game medium acquired by a game is credited once, as proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-79221. Every time, there is a credit-type gaming machine that can be used for a game by paying out the credited game medium again if necessary.

[0003]

With these credit-type game machines, a player can play a game without touching the game medium as much as possible. By being able to reduce the number, it is possible not only to significantly reduce the contamination of the game medium passage in the game machine, but also to reduce the number of game media that the game hall must prepare as described above, which is required for managing these game media. There is an advantage that the labor can be significantly reduced, and from these advantages, there is a desire to arrange these credit type gaming machines at any desired places. However, even in these credit type gaming machines, the same as the conventional gaming machines. Since a replenishment facility or the like for replenishing the medium with the game machine is required, when installing these credit-type game machines, the replenishment facility should be installed at a location that already exists. Or, it is necessary to select a place where these supply facilities can be newly installed, the degree of freedom in installing these credit type game machines is low, and it is not possible to answer the desire to place the game machine in any desired place. There was a problem.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a credit-type gaming machine capable of improving the degree of freedom in the installation.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention has a game medium payout section for paying out a game medium based on the establishment of a predetermined payout condition, and a game in which the game medium stands by. A payout game medium detecting means for detecting a game medium paid out from the game medium payout unit, the game machine comprising a medium wait unit, and playing a game using the game medium waiting in the game medium wait unit. With the used game medium detection means for detecting the game medium used in the game, the number of game media detected by the payout game medium detection means, and the number of game media detected by the used game medium detection means A game medium number calculation means for calculating the number of game media owned by the player, a storage section for storing the number of game media calculated by the game medium number calculation means, and a game medium number stored in the storage section table At least a game medium number display unit, and use control means for validating the use of the game medium in the game medium standby unit for the game on condition that the number of the game media stored in the storage unit remains, A game medium storage unit that stores the game medium detected by the payout game medium detection unit, a game medium transfer passage that is provided above the lower position of the game machine and above which the game medium can be transferred, and the game medium. A transfer unit that is connected to the storage unit and transfers the game medium stored in the game medium storage unit to a position above the gaming machine through the game medium transfer passage; and a transfer unit that is transferred by the transfer unit and above the game medium transfer passage. A standby portion guide passage for guiding the game medium discharged from the position to the game medium standby portion,
And a payout part guide passage for guiding the game medium transferred by the transfer part and discharged from a position above the game medium transfer passage to the game medium payout part. According to this feature, the game medium transfer passage and the transfer unit are provided, and the game medium at least dispensed from the game medium dispenser and detected by the dispensed game medium detection unit is transported to the upper portion of the game machine and again played. Since it will be circulated and used as the game medium paid out from the medium payout unit, it is not always necessary to replenish the game machine with the game medium,
Since these gaming machines can be installed regardless of the presence or absence of the supply device and whether or not the supply device can be installed, the degree of freedom in installation can be improved.

The gaming machine of the present invention preferably comprises a cleaning section for cleaning the transferred game medium on the path of the game medium transfer passage. By doing so, the game medium transferred through the game medium transfer passage is cleaned every time it is transferred, and the game medium circulating in the game machine can be kept in a clean state, resulting in the game being played. It is possible to reduce dirt on the game medium passage in the machine.

The gaming machine of the present invention is provided with a guide portion that preferentially guides the game medium discharged from the position above the game medium transfer passage to the standby portion guide passage rather than the payout portion guide passage. Is preferred. By doing so, it is possible to avoid as much as possible that the game medium in the game medium standby section becomes insufficient and the game cannot be played.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the payout portion guide passage is provided with a game medium upper storage portion for storing the game medium discharged from a position above the game medium transfer passage. By doing so, it is possible to increase the total amount of game media that can be circulated and used by the game machine, and use even the game medium transfer passage and transfer unit that are inexpensive but have low transfer capability. As a result, the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced.

In the game machine of the present invention, the game medium upper storing portion is provided with an upper storage game medium detecting means for detecting that a predetermined amount of the game medium is stored in the game medium upper storing portion. It is preferable to include a transfer control unit that controls the operation of the transfer unit based on the detection status of the storage game medium by the upper storage game medium detection unit. With this configuration, when a predetermined amount of game medium is stored in the game medium upper storage portion, the transfer control means reduces or stops the transfer speed, and the game medium upper storage portion When a predetermined amount of game media is not stored in, the transfer control means starts transfer or improves the transfer speed, whereby excessive game media may be transferred, or game media may be transferred. It is possible to avoid running out of the game medium in the upper reservoir as much as possible.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, an external take-out unit for taking out the game medium to the outside and a game medium within the range of the number of game media stored in the storage unit can be passed from the external take-out unit to the player. An external take-out operation section that is operated to take out to the outside of the game machine, and game media within the range of the number of game media stored in the storage section based on the operation of the external take-out operation section from the game medium payout section to the outside. The game medium number calculating means is provided with: a game medium take-out means for giving out to a take-out section; and an external take-out game medium detecting means for detecting a game medium paid out from the game medium take-out section to the external take-out section. Preferably, the number of game media stored in the storage unit is subtracted and updated based on the detection of the game media by the external ejection game media detection means. By doing this, the player operates the external take-out operation section,
The game medium stored in the storage unit can be arbitrarily taken out to the external take-out unit.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, the game medium payout passage for guiding the game medium paid out from the game medium payout unit to the payout game media detecting means, and the game medium paid out from the game media payout unit are externally provided. It is preferable that the game medium take-out passage that leads to the take-out portion is provided, and the game medium take-out portion is provided with a passage switching portion that switches the passage of the game medium to be taken out to one of the passages. By doing this, it is not necessary to separately provide a game medium payout unit for paying out the game medium to the game media payout passage and a game medium payout unit for paying out the game medium to the game media takeout passage, The game machine can be simplified.

The game machine of the present invention comprises a loading unit for loading a game medium, and a loaded game medium detection unit for detecting the game medium loaded from the loading unit. It is preferable to add and update the game medium detected by the input game medium detecting means to the number of game media stored in the storage unit. In this way, the player can use the game medium once taken out of the game machine again for the game.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, a settlement operation section operable by a player to settle the number of game media stored in the storage section, and the storage based on the operation of the settlement operation section. It is preferable to provide a communication unit for transmitting information on the number of game media stored in the unit to the outside of the gaming machine. By doing this, by recording the information of the number of game media stored in the storage unit in the recording medium and returning it, the settlement process after the end of the game can be promptly executed, and the player The convenience of can be improved.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, a settlement operation unit operable by a player to settle the number of game media stored in the storage unit, and the storage based on the operation of the settlement operation unit. It is preferable to include a recording medium processing unit that issues a recording medium in which information capable of specifying the number of game media stored in the unit is recorded. In this way, by recording the information on the number of game media stored in the storage unit in the recording medium and issuing the information, the settlement process after the game can be promptly executed, and the game The convenience of the person can be improved.

The game machine of the present invention preferably comprises a used game medium collecting passage for guiding the game medium detected by the used game medium detection means to the game medium storage section. With this configuration, for example, when the cleaning unit for cleaning the game medium is provided in the game medium transfer passage, the game medium dispensed from the game medium dispenser and the game medium used in the game are separated from each other. It comes to be cleaned uniformly.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, a pachinko machine is shown as an example of a game machine, but the game machine according to the present invention is not limited to these pachinko machines, and a slot machine for playing a game using coins, It can also be applied to a slot machine, such as a pachilot machine, which uses a pachinko ball to play a game.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a game system to which a pachinko machine 2 as a game machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. The game system is installed in a game hall, The pachinko machine 2 capable of playing a game using a pachinko ball which is a game medium, and the pachinko machine 2
A management computer 100 that manages a card unit 3 installed one-to-one with respect to each other and a prepaid card or a membership card used in the card unit 3.
And a POS cash register 101 installed on a prize counter or the like for exchanging a prize ball obtained in a game on the pachinko machine 2 for a predetermined prize, and a hall computer for managing game information of the pachinko machine 2, The card unit 3, the POS register 101 and the management computer 100 are connected via a communication cable 8 so that data communication is possible, and the pachinko machine 2 and the hall computer 102 are connected to each other via a communication cable 10.
Data communication is possible via.

First, the pachinko machine 2 which is the game machine of the first embodiment will be described. The pachinko machine 2 has a glass door frame 201 formed in a frame shape as shown in FIG. The upper surface of the door frame 201 is provided with a credit display unit 285 (a game medium number display unit) for displaying the number of credit balls, which is the number of pachinko balls that can be used in the game, the game suspension time, and the like, and the lower surface. The operation portion 220 is provided so as to project forward and the upper surface is inclined toward the player side. In addition, on both sides of the operation section 220 in the glass door frame 201,
Waiting ball confirmation windows 239a and 239b through which a pachinko ball waiting on a batting ball waiting gutter 239, which will be described later, can be visually observed are provided so that the player can confirm the movement of the shot pachinko ball. In the lower part of the operation part 220 in the glass door frame 201, a take-out ball tray 243 as an external take-out part for storing the pachinko balls discharged to the outside.
And a ball hitting handle 235 for launching a pachinko ball waiting on a ball hitting gutter 239 as a game medium waiting part provided inside the front side of the pachinko machine 2. In addition, the 236 provided at the upper left portion of the glass door frame 201 is a full tank notification for notifying that the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 246 described later have reached a predetermined storage upper limit amount. A lamp, 237
Is a tank empty notification lamp for notifying that the storage ball in the upper tank 246 is empty.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface of the operation unit 220, a card balance display for displaying the frequency as a game valuable value read from the prepaid card or member card being accepted at the card unit 3. Part 221
And a credit display unit 222 that displays the number of credit balls, which is the number of pachinko balls that can be used in the game, and an uncredit display unit 227 that displays the number of loan balls and the number of prize balls that have not yet been added to the number of credit balls. When a game is started or when the number of credit balls displayed on the credit display unit 222 has decreased or disappeared, a predetermined number of pachinko balls is operated when the frequency remains on the card balance display unit 221. Ball lending button 223
And an automatic ball lending button 224 for setting / releasing an automatic ball lending mode for automatically performing the ball lending when the number of credit balls displayed on the credit display unit 222 is exhausted, An automatic ball lending lamp 225 for notifying by lighting that the ball lending mode is set,
A settlement button 2 which is operated at the end of the game to record the credit number as a prize number on the prepaid card or membership card being accepted and return it.
30 (accounting operation unit), an interruption button 231 for temporarily interrupting the game to invalidate various operations, and an interrupting lamp 232 for notifying by lighting that the game is interrupted.
When the number of credit balls displayed on the credit display unit 222 remains, the external take-out button 228 (external) for operating the pachinko balls within the range of the number of credit balls to the take-out ball tray 243 by being operated. (Ejection operation part)
And a take-in ball counting button 229 for taking in the pachinko balls stored in the take-out ball receiving tray 243 into the pachinko machine 2 and adding them to the number of credit balls, each of which is on the operation board 233. Implemented in.

At the rear of the glass door frame 201, as shown in FIG. 2, a game board 202 is detachably attached. Further, a game area 203 is provided on the front surface of the game board 202. In the vicinity of the center of the upper part of the game area 203, a first variable display portion 204 in which a plurality of types of identification information called "special symbols" are variably displayed, and a plurality of types of identification information called "normal symbols" are variably displayed. The second variable display unit 205 is provided. Also, the game area 20
A regular winning opening 213b and a specific winning opening 213a are formed in the vicinity of the center of the lower portion of 3, and a distribution device 212 having a rotating disk 213 that constantly rotates when the power is turned on is provided. A cutout 214a capable of accommodating one pachinko ball is formed on the right side of the first variable display section 204, and a rotary rotor 214 that is constantly rotated when the power is turned on is provided. Further, on the game board 202, a plurality of normal winning openings 209, passage gates 206, starting winning openings 207, first
The variable winning ball device 210 and the second variable winning ball device 215 are provided, and at the bottom of the game area 203, an out port 217 for collecting the pachinko balls that have not won any winning port is formed. There is.

As the game board 202 in the pachinko machine 2 of the first embodiment, a game board having a larger diameter than that of a general pachinko machine is used. By using the large-diameter game board in this manner, for example, a role (a first kind in the first embodiment, a first kind game and a third kind in the first embodiment) for executing a plurality of kinds of games. Start winning hole 209 as a character
And the first variable display portion 204 and the like are provided, and the distribution device 212 and the like as the third type of accessory are provided) can be arranged on the game board. Since the game can be played in the game process, the interest of the player can be greatly improved.

By operating the hitting ball operating handle 235, the hitting ball launching motor 270 (see FIG. 8) is driven, and the hammer 270 'swings accordingly, and the hitting ball standby gutter 239.
Pachinko balls waiting for each are fired one by one. These launched pachinko balls are detected by the launch ball detection switch 241 as the used game medium detection means, are subtracted from the credit ball number, enter the game area 203 through the hit ball launch rail 240, and then enter the game area. Run down 203. At this time, the momentum of launch is too weak to cause the game area 20.
Pachinko balls that did not reach 3 are collected in the foul mouth 242, and as shown in FIG.
It is sent to 57 and detected by the foul ball detection switch 259, added to the credit ball number, and collected in a lower tank 253 as a game medium storage unit provided at a lower position on the back side of the pachinko machine 2.

Also, it is driven into the game area 203,
Pachinko balls that have not won any of the winning openings are collected in the out opening 217, and as shown in FIG. It is detected by the detection switch 258, added to the number of hit balls described later, and collected in the lower tank 253.

When a pachinko ball hit in the game area 203 wins the normal winning opening 209, the winning pachinko ball is detected by the normal winning ball detection switch SW3, and then the rear side as shown in FIG. 282
Sent to the driving ball detection switch 258, added to the number of driving balls, and collected in the lower tank 253.

Further, when the pachinko ball driven into the game area 203 passes through the passage gate 206, the gate switch SW1 detects the passage of the pachinko ball, and the ordinary symbol stopped and displayed on the second variable display section 205 is displayed. Start variable.

When the display result after the variable display operation of the second variable display section 205 becomes a predetermined specific display result (for example, 7), the movable piece 208 provided in the starting winning opening 207 is kept for a predetermined time. It will be opened and put into an advantageous state for the player.

When a pachinko ball wins the starting winning opening 207, the winning pachinko ball is detected by the starting winning ball detection switch SW2, and all special symbols are variably displayed (variable display) on the first variable display section 204. To do. And
After that, the left, middle, and right special symbols are stopped, and the stop display result is a predetermined display mode (for example, 77).
When it becomes 7), the first type specific game state (big hit state) occurs. When the big hit state occurs in this way, the opening and closing plate 2 provided in the first variable winning ball device 210
11 is opened to enter the first state, which is advantageous for the player. This first state is for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds)
Or the number of pachinko spheres (eg 10)
It ends when one of the winning prizes, whichever comes first, is established, and then the second state, which is disadvantageous to the player,
That is, the opening / closing plate 211 is closed. A normal winning hole and a specific winning hole are provided inside the first variable winning ball device 210, and a pachinko ball that has entered the first variable winning ball device 210 in the first state is A special winning ball detection switch (V
If detected by the count switch) SW5, the repeat continuation control for controlling from the second state to the first state is performed after the completion of the first state at that time. The upper limit number of times of this repeated continuation control is set to 15 times, for example.

Also, the pachinko ball that has entered the starting winning opening 207 and detected by the starting winning ball detection switch SW2 is sent to the driving ball merging trough 282 on the back side as shown in FIG. It is detected by the ball detection switch 258, added to the number of hit balls, and collected in the lower tank 253. In addition, the pachinko ball that enters the first variable winning ball device 210, wins the normal winning port, and is detected by the normal winning ball detection switch SW4, as shown in FIG.
The ball is sent to the rear side driven ball merging gutter 282, detected by the driven ball detection switch 258, added to the number of driven balls, and collected in the lower tank 253. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a pachinko ball that enters the first variable winning ball device 210, wins the specific winning port, and is detected by the specific winning ball detection switch SW5 is also a hit ball on the back side, as shown in FIG. Confluence gutter 28
It is sent to No. 2 and detected by the hit ball detection switch 258, added to the number of hit balls, and collected in the lower tank 253.

When the pachinko ball hit in the game area 203 enters the distribution device 212 and wins the normal winning opening 213b of the rotary disk 213, the winning pachinko ball is placed in the normal winning ball detection switch SW7. After being detected, as shown in FIG. 4, it is sent to the driving ball merging trough 282 on the back side, detected by the driving ball detection switch 258, added to the number of driving balls, and added to the lower tank 253. Be recovered.

When a pachinko ball that has entered the distribution device 212 wins the specific winning opening 213a of the rotary disc 213, the winning pachinko ball is detected by the specific winning ball detection switch SW6 and then shown in FIG. Is sent to the driving ball merging gutter 282 on the back side, and the driving ball detection switch 258
Is detected, and is added to the number of hit balls to be collected in the lower tank 253.

The specific winning ball detection switch SW6
Based on the detection of the pachinko ball by, the third type specific game state (big hit state) occurs. In this state, the rotary rotor 21
When the pachinko ball enters the notch 214a of No. 4 and the entered pachinko ball wins the rotor internal winning opening 214b as the rotary rotor 214 rotates, the winning pachinko ball is detected by the rotor internal winning ball detection switch SW8. The open / close plate 216 provided on the two-variable winning ball device 215 opens to enter the first state advantageous to the player. This first state ends when the earlier of the rotation of the rotating rotor 214 and the winning of a predetermined number of pachinko balls (for example, 10), whichever comes first, is satisfied. The disadvantageous second state, that is, the opening / closing plate 211 is closed. In this second state, when the pachinko ball again wins the in-rotor winning port 214b and is detected by the in-rotor winning ball detection switch SW8, the repetitive continuation control for controlling the second state to the first state is performed. Done. The upper limit number of times of this repeated continuation control is set to 15 times, for example.

Further, the pachinko ball which is won by the in-rotor winning port 214b and detected by the in-rotor winning ball detecting switch SW8 is sent to the driving ball merging trough 282 on the back side as shown in FIG. It is detected by the hit ball detection switch 258, is added to the hit ball number, and is added to the lower tank 253.
Will be collected. In addition, the pachinko ball that is won inside the second variable winning ball device 215 and detected by the specific winning ball detection switch SW9 is also sent to the driving ball merging trough 282 on the back side and hit, as shown in FIG. It is detected by the throw-in ball detection switch 258 and is added to the number of hit balls, and the lower tank 25
Recovered in 3.

On the back side of the pachinko machine 2 of the first embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 4, an upper tank 246 (payout portion guide passage, game medium upper storage portion) in which a predetermined number of pachinko balls are stored is provided at a substantially central position on the left side of the drawing. The stored pachinko balls flow down a payout ball supply passage 279 (payout portion guide passage) and are supplied to a ball payout device 248 as a game medium payout portion. Reference numeral 247 shown in FIG. 4 is an upper tank full tank switch (upper storage game medium detection means) for detecting that the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 246 have reached a predetermined upper limit amount.

The ball payout device 248 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in (c), there is provided a sprocket 249b for paying out the pachinko balls supplied from the upper tank 246 via the pay-out ball supply passage 279 one by one on the basis of the drive rotation by the drive motor 249a. Further, below the sprocket 249b, the solenoid 251 is excited or released to swing, and the sprocket 249b is oscillated.
A passage switching valve 250 (passage switching portion) is provided for switching the downflow passage of the pachinko balls paid out in 1 to either the internal downflow passage 281 or the external downflow passage 280 described later. In addition, reference numeral 278 shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C is an out-of-ball detection switch provided in the payout ball supply passage 279 for detecting the presence or absence of a pachinko ball supplied to the ball payout device 248.

In the ball payout device 248, the passage switching valve 250 is normally in the state shown in FIG. 5B, and the pachinko balls paid out by the ball payout device 248 are the lower tank 253. Is discharged to an internal flow-down passage 281 as a game medium discharge passage, which is detected by a payout ball detection switch 252 as a payout game medium detecting means provided in the path of the internal flow-down passage 281 to detect the credit ball. The number and the number of supplementary balls to be described later are added to be discharged and stored in the lower tank 253. Further, when the external ejection button 228 of the operation section 220 is operated, the passage switching valve 250 swings due to the excitation of the solenoid 251, and the state as shown in FIG. The pachinko balls dispensed at are discharged to the external flow-down passage 280 as a game medium take-out passage that is connected to the take-out ball outlet 244 in the take-out ball tray 243 on the front side of the pachinko machine 2, and the external flow-down passage is provided. It is detected by a take-out ball detection switch 277 as an external take-out game medium detecting means provided in the path of 280, is subtracted from the credit ball number, and is discharged to a take-out ball receiving tray 243.

As described above, the lower tank 253 is provided at a lower position on the back side of the pachinko machine 2, and the internal tank has the internal flow-down passage 281 which is discharged by the ball discharging device 248. Or a pachinko ball that is shot toward the game area 203 and sent to the foul ball guide gutter 257 without reaching the game area 203 and detected by the foul ball detection switch 259, each winning opening, The pachinko balls collected from the outlet 217 to the hitting ball merging gutter 282 and detected by the hitting ball detection switch 258 are stored. Also, this lower tank 2
As shown in FIG. 4, 53 is a shutter which is connected to the take-out ball receiving tray 243 through the take-out ball inflow port 245 and the inflow ball guiding gutter 283, which closes the take-in ball inflow port 245. 245 'is the shutter solenoid 267
The pachinko ball in the take-out ball receiving tray 243 flows into the inflow ball guiding trough 283 by being opened by driving (see FIG. 8),
It is detected by the inflow ball detection switch 256 provided in the inflow ball guide gutter 283 and added to the credit ball number,
It is adapted to be discharged and stored in the lower tank 253. In addition, 254 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is a tilting plate tilted by the weight of the pachinko balls stored in the lower tank 253, and the lower tank empty detection switch 255 detects the tilting of the tilting plate 254. It is a micro switch that detects whether or not pachinko balls are stored in the lower tank 253. Reference numeral 260 shown in FIG. 4 is the lower tank 2
It is a lower tank full tank switch that detects that the pachinko balls stored in 53 have reached a predetermined upper limit amount.

The pachinko balls stored in these lower tanks 253 are, as shown in FIG.
3, a lifting device 261 as a transfer unit provided in series.
Is supplied to. As shown in FIG. 6, the lifting device 261 is provided with a sprocket 402 that rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing in accordance with the drive of the drive motor 401.
The supplied pachinko balls are transferred to a position above the upper tank 246 via a hoisting path 263 as a game medium transfer path.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a polishing device 262 as a cleaning unit for polishing the pachinko balls transferred through the hoisting passage 263 is provided in the hoisting passage 263. . This polishing device 262, as shown in FIG.
A pedestal 412 provided with a drive shaft 416 rotatably driven by a winding motor 419 and a rotation shaft 417 rotatably supported, and a polishing cloth 4 wound inside in a roll shape.
A polishing cassette 410 having reels 414 and 415 around which 18 is wound and a ball guide path 413 through which pachinko balls can pass in a row, and the polishing cloth 418 is laid so as to extend over the ball guide path 413. The polishing cassette 410 is attachable to and detachable from the pedestal 412.

The polishing cassette 410 is attached to the pedestal 412.
By mounting the pumping path 263 and the ball guide path 4 on the
When the pachinko balls that are connected to the ball guide path 263 are moved in the ball guide path 413 while being moved in the ball guide path 413, the pachinko balls are slidably contacted with the polishing cloth 418 laid in the ball guide path 413. Be cleaned.

Further, the reels 414 and 415, around which the polishing cloth 418 is wound, are fitted to the drive shaft 416 and the rotary shaft 417 which rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the winding motor 419 by the above-mentioned mounting, and have a predetermined length. The rotation of the winding motor 419 driven at intervals causes the drive shaft 416 to rotate, whereby the reels 414 and 415 rotate and the polishing cloth 418 moves the reel 4 to the reel 4.
It is designed to be wound on the 14th side. As a result, the portion of the polishing cloth 418 laid in the ball guide path 413, that is, the portion where dirt is attached due to the polishing of the pachinko ball is wound up on the reel 414 side, and the reel 415 side where dirt is not yet attached The part is unwound, and the ball guideway 4
By being laid inside 13, good polishing (cleaning) can be carried out.

When the polishing apparatus 262 using the polishing cassette 410 is used as in the present embodiment, the polishing cloth 418 and the pachinko ball, which are not dirty, are brought into slidable contact with each other, and good polishing (cleaning) is performed. The present invention is not limited to this, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the hoisting path 263 is hoisted. Any polishing (cleaning) device can be used as long as it can clean the pachinko balls.

The pachinko balls that have been transported through the lifting passage 263 by the lifting device 261 and have reached the uppermost portion of the lifting passage 263 are supplied to the replenishment gutter 264 (discharging part guiding passage) and the inside of the replenishment gutter 264. Downstream towards the downstream side.

At the end of the supply gutter 264, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a ball striking standby gutter 23 through a standby ball inlet 238.
Stand-by ball guide gutter 2 as a stand-by guide passage connected to 9
65 and a branch portion 286 connected to two sides of the upper tank 246 are formed.
From the replenishment gutter 264, the pachinko ball, which has been transported from above to the upper position, is supplied to the hitting ball waiting gutter 239 via the waiting ball guiding gutter 265 and is used again as a launch ball. On the other hand, it is supplied to the upper tank 246 and used again as a pachinko ball delivered from the ball delivery device 248.

The most downstream side of the branch portion 286 is connected to the upper tank 246, and the upstream side thereof is connected to the standby ball guide trough 265. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (a), the pachinko ball that has flowed down the supply gutter 264, the waiting ball guide gutter 26 at the branch portion 286.
5 is preferentially supplied, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the pachinko balls in the standby ball guide gutter 265 are supplied to the upper tank 246 only when the pachinko balls are full.

In this embodiment, the pachinko balls are preferentially supplied to the standby ball guide gutter 265 by the passage shape such as the branching portion 286, but the present invention is not limited to this. By providing a pachinko ball detection sensor in the standby ball guide gutter 265, and opening or closing the shutter or switching the passage switching valve depending on whether or not the pachinko ball is detected by the detection sensor, the pachinko ball can be moved to the standby ball guide gutter 265. You may make it flow.

As shown in FIG. 4, a control box 226 for accommodating various boards for controlling the pachinko machine 2 is provided at an upper position on the back side of the pachinko machine 2.
In this control box 226, a game control board 273 for giving prize balls based on winning and performing various lottery, etc., and a display control board for performing display control of the first variable display section 204 and the second variable display section 205. 274, a lamp control board 275 that controls the game effect lamps, a voice control board 276 that controls the sound output from the speaker, and a control of a hitting ball launching motor 270 for launching a pachinko ball to the game area 203. A firing control board 269 for performing the above, a ball payout control board 271 for controlling the drive of the drive motor 249a and the solenoid 251 for paying out the pachinko balls in the ball payout device 248, a drive control of the lifting device 261 and the polishing device 262, etc. Lifting control board 2 as lifting control means for performing
68, a ball holding control board 272 for calculating the number of credit balls and the like are provided, and these various boards are connected as shown in FIG.

Next, the structure of various boards in the control box 226 will be described. The game control board 273 has a game control microcomputer (not shown).
Is provided, and the game control microcomputer performs prize selection and various lottery based on the detection of pachinko balls by various switches SW1 to SW9 provided at each winning port of the game board 202. By outputting various instruction signals to the display control board 274, the voice control board 275, and the lamp control board 276, production control according to the game state is performed on each of these boards. In addition, the game control microcomputer, a prize ball signal indicating the number of prize balls provided based on the detection of pachinko balls in the various switches SW1 to SW9 and a big hit signal indicating the occurrence of the specific game state (big hit state) described above. Various signals such as the start signal of the first variable display section 204 are sequentially output to the ball control board 272.

Further, the firing control board 269 is provided with a firing control microcomputer (not shown), and the firing control microcomputer 269 outputs a firing permission signal from the ball holding control board 272. When the operation of the hitting ball operation handle 235 is detected, the hitting ball launching motor 270 is driven to launch a pachinko ball.

Further, on the pumping control board 268, the pumping device 261 and the polishing device 262, the upper tank full tank switch 247, the lower tank empty detection switch 255, the out-of-ball detection switch 278, the lower tank full tank detection switch 260 are provided. A door open / close detection switch 287 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the open / closed state of the glass door frame 201 is connected as shown in FIG. The lifting control board 268 includes
A lift control microcomputer (not shown) is provided, and the lift control microcomputer detects the detection status of the upper tank full switch 247, the lower tank empty detection switch 255, the door open / close detection switch 287, and the ball exhaustion. Based on the pachinko ball detection status of the switch 278 and the detection status of the lower tank full tank detection switch 260,
Drive control of the lifting device 261 and the polishing device 262 is performed, and lighting control of the full tank notification lamp 236 and the tank empty notification lamp 237 is also performed.

The hoisting device 26 by the hoisting control microcomputer mounted on the hoisting control board 268.
The control operation of the lifting control of No. 1 will be described based on the flow shown in FIG. 13. First, in the lifting control microcomputer, the detection of the pachinko ball by the upper tank full switch 247 is not detected (“OFF”). In addition, it is monitored whether the detection of the lifted ball by the lower tank empty detection switch 255 is detected (“ON”), and the door state by the door opening / closing detection switch 287 is closed (“ON”). (Sf1), when these meet the above conditions, the operation of the lifting device 261 is started (Sf1).
2) If the above conditions are not met, the following Sf3 to Sf
Move to f5. In addition, at the stage of Sf1, the lifting device 2 has already been
When 61 is in the operating state and the above conditions are met, the operation of the lifting device 261 is continued in Sf2.

Next, at Sf2, the lifting device 26
After tank 1 starts to operate, upper tank full tank switch 24
7 is the detection of a pachinko ball (“ON”), or the detection of the lifted ball by the lower tank empty detection switch 255 is a non-detection (“OFF”), or the door opening / closing detection switch 287. It is determined whether the door is open (“OFF”) (Sf3 to Sf).
5) If any of these judgments matches, the process proceeds to Sf6, and the lifting of the pachinko balls by the lifting device 261 is stopped.

If none of the determinations from Sf3 to Sf5 is met, the process proceeds to Sf7, where the pachinko ball detection by the upper tank full tank switch 247 is detected ("ON"), and Detection of a pachinko ball by the lower tank full tank switch 260 is detected ("O
N ”) is determined, and if the determinations match, the process proceeds to Sf8 and the full tank notification lamp 23
6 is turned on and the process proceeds to Sf10, and the determination result is output to the ball control board 272 to stop the output of the launch permission signal by the ball control microcomputer 272a, which will be described later, to operate the ball hitting handle 235. Is invalidated, the game is interrupted, and if the determination does not match, the process proceeds to Sf9 and the full tank notification lamp 236.
Is turned off and the process proceeds to Sf10.

In Sf10, the detection of the pachinko ball by the ball break switch 278 is not detected (“OF”).
F ”) is performed, and if the determinations match (non-detection (“ OFF ”)), the process proceeds to Sf11, the tank empty notification lamp 237 is turned on and the process returns to Sf1. If the determinations do not match, Sf12
Go to step Sf to turn off the tank empty notification lamp 237.
It is supposed to return to 1.

By carrying out these processes, excessive pachinko balls are not pumped into the upper tank 246 and overflow, and when there is no pumping ball in the lower tank 253, the lifting device 261 is idled. The upper tank 246 is empty and the upper tank 246 and the lower tank 253 are lit by the lighting of the full tank notification lamp 236 and the tank empty notification lamp 237. Is notified that the pachinko ball is full.

Returning to FIG. 8, the ball control board 272 is again shown.
The holding ball control microcomputer 272a (use control means, game medium number calculating means, game medium ejecting means) for performing various controls, calculation processing, data communication processing and the like carried out on the holding ball control board 272, A ROM 272b storing a control program of the ball control microcomputer 272a, a credit ball number calculation program, and the like, and a RAM 272 as a storage unit used as a work memory or the like.
c and the like are provided.

The RAM 272c stores a card balance register in which the frequency read from the prepaid card or member card accepted by the corresponding card unit 3 is stored, and the number of credit balls usable in the game. Credit ball number register, the game control board 2
An uncredited ball number register that stores the number of pachinko balls to be paid out by the ball payout device 248 based on the prize ball signal from 73 or the operation of the ball lending button 223, and the pachinko ball at the hit ball detection switch 258. When the number of hit balls is added and updated each time is detected, the hit ball number register is stored,
A supply ball number register that stores the number of supply balls that is added and updated each time a pachinko ball is detected by the payout ball detection switch 252, a jackpot signal output from the game control board 273, and the first variable display. A game information register in which game information based on various signals such as a start signal of the section 204 is updated and stored, an interruption register in which interruption data output to the card unit 3 when a game is interrupted is stored, and the corresponding card unit. 3 is provided with a card receiving register or the like in which information indicating that a prepaid card or a membership card is being received is registered.

Further, a credit display section 285 provided on the glass door frame 201 and an operation board 233 of the operation section 220 are connected to the ball holding control board 272 as shown in FIG. The control microcomputer 272a displays the credit sphere number stored in the credit sphere number register of the RAM 272c on the credit display unit 285 and the credit display unit 222 provided on the operation board 233, and
The number of balls stored in the uncredited ball number register is controlled to be displayed on the uncredited display unit 227.

The ball control board 272 has a standby ball detection switch 266, a ball break detection switch 278 connected to the lifting control board 268, an upper tank full tank switch 247, and a lower tank full tank switch 260. Of the pachinko ball in each of these switches and the RAM2.
The firing control board 269 is based on the presence / absence of the number of credit balls stored in the number of credit balls register 72c.
The output control of the launch permission signal is performed to control the validity / invalidity of the launch of the pachinko ball by the operation of the hit ball operating handle 235.

Further, a ball payout control board 271 is connected to the holding ball control board 272, and the holding ball control microcomputer 272a is connected to the game control board 273.
Based on the detection of the prize ball signal output from the player, the input detection of the ball lending button 223 provided on the operation unit 220, the input detection of the external extraction button 228, and the like, the route instruction signal and the payout signal are output to the ball payout control board 271. And the payout of the pachinko balls is performed by the ball payout device 248.

On the ball control board 272, the payout ball detection switch 252 and the launch ball detection switch 24 are provided.
1, the foul ball detection switch 259, the take-out ball detection switch 277, the inflow ball detection switch 256, and the hitting ball detection switch 258 are connected, and signals from the respective switches are input. The computer 272a determines the number of credit balls stored in the credit ball number register of the RAM 272c, the number of uncredited balls stored in the uncredited ball number register, and the number of driven balls based on the detection of the pachinko ball by these switches. A calculation process is performed to add or subtract the number of hit balls stored in the register and the number of supply balls stored in the supply ball number register.

Specifically, the payout ball detection switch 25
Each time 2 detects a pachinko ball, it adds 1 to the number of credit balls and 1 to supply balls, and 1 to the number of uncredited balls.
Subtract each. In addition, the number of credit balls is decremented by one each time the launch ball detection switch 241 detects a pachinko ball. In addition, the number of credit balls is incremented by one each time the foul ball detection switch 259 detects a pachinko ball. In addition, the credit ball number is decremented by 1 each time the ejected ball detection switch 277 detects a pachinko ball. In addition, each time the inflow ball detection switch 256 detects a pachinko ball, the credit ball number is incremented by one. Also, the driven ball detection switch 2
Every time 58 detects a pachinko ball, the number of driven balls is incremented by one.

Further, the shutter solenoid 267 is connected to the ball holding control board 272, and the ball controlling microcomputer 272a is operated by the operating section 22.
The shutter solenoid 267 is driven based on the detection of the input of the taken-in ball counting button 229 provided at 0, and the control for opening and closing the shutter 245 ′ that closes the taken-in ball inlet 245 provided at the taken-out ball tray 243 is performed. It is supposed to be implemented.

The ball control board 272 is connected to the corresponding card unit 3 via a first communication section 289 (COM1) described later, and the ball control microcomputer 272a is operated by the operation section 220. The prepaid card or member card being accepted is transmitted by transmitting the settlement data including the credit sphere number stored in the credit sphere number register to the corresponding card unit 3 based on the detection of the settlement button 230 provided at In addition to returning it, the settlement process is performed to reset each part.

Further, the holding ball control microcomputer 272a stops the output of the firing permission signal to the firing control board 269 based on the detection of the input of the interruption button 231 provided in the operation section 220 to perform the ball hitting operation. By invalidating the operation of the handle 235 and transmitting the interruption data including the credit sphere number stored in the credit sphere number register to the corresponding card unit 3, the prepaid card or the membership card being accepted is returned and the game is played. When the returned prepaid card or member card is accepted again, the output of the launch permission signal to the launch control board 269 is restarted and the operation of the ball hitting handle 235 is made effective. , Perform an interruption process that enables the game that has been temporarily interrupted to be resumed It has become the jar.

Further, the holding ball control microcomputer 272a detects the input of the automatic ball lending button 225 provided on the operation unit 220, and the credit balance ball is stored when the frequency remains in the card balance register of the RAM 272c. On the condition that the number of credit balls stored in the number register has become 0, the number stored in the card balance register is subtracted by a predetermined number and the ball payout device 248.
The automatic ball lending mode, which automatically pays out pachinko balls, is set / released.

The holding ball control microcomputer 272a controls the automatic ball lending lamp 225 and the suspended lamp 232 provided in the operation unit 220 based on the execution status of the interruption processing and the setting status of the automatic ball lending mode. Lighting control and credit display unit 2 provided on the glass door frame 201
Display control of the interruption time display in 85 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the ball control board 272 has a second communication unit (COM1) 289 and a second communication unit (COM1) 289 for performing data communication with the card unit 3 and external devices such as the hall computer 102. Department (COM2) 288
In the first embodiment, the hall computer 102 is connected via the second communication unit (COM2) 288.
Connected to the hall computer 102, the game such as the number of driven balls and the number of supplied balls in the RAM 272c, the number of supplied balls, the number of supplied balls, the number of jackpots, and the number of starts registered in the game information register. Information is output.

Further, the first communication unit (COM1) 289
Is connected to the card unit 3 via a communication cable 9 as shown in FIG. 8, and is a prepaid card or a membership card accepted by the card unit 3 with the card unit 3? Card acceptance information indicating whether or not, information such as the frequency read from the accepted prepaid card or member card, settlement data including the number of credit balls, and interruption data are exchanged.

Here, the card unit 3 used in the first embodiment will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 2, the card unit 3 according to the first embodiment has an operation lamp 3 on its front surface that informs the operation status of the card unit 3 by lighting.
01 and a bill insertion slot 303 into which a bill can be inserted,
A bill indicator 302 for blinking and lighting when a bill is returned from the bill insertion slot 303 to notify the return of the bill
And a card insertion slot 305 into which a prepaid card or a membership card as a game recording medium can be inserted, and a card indicator 30 which is blinked when the card is returned from the card insertion slot 305 to notify the return of the card.
4, a coin slot 306 into which a coin can be inserted, a coin return button 307 for returning the inserted coin, a coin return port 310 through which the returned coin is discharged, and a coin from the coin return port 310. A coin indicator 309, which is lit and blinked at the time of returning, and notifies the return of the coin, is provided.

As shown in FIG. 8, the construction of the card unit 3 of the first embodiment is such that it is connected to the bill insertion slot 303 in addition to the operation lamp 301, the bill indicator 302, the card indicator 304, and the coin indicator 309. A banknote identification unit 311 for identifying the authenticity and type of a banknote that is installed and inserted through the banknote insertion slot 303.
Alternatively, a prepaid card or a membership card that is connected to the card insertion slot 305 and is inserted through the card insertion slot 305 is accepted, and reading and writing of recorded information recorded on the prepaid card or the membership card is performed. A card reader / writer 312 and a coin identification unit 313 connected to the coin insertion slot 306 for identifying the authenticity and type of coins inserted through the coin insertion slot 306 are provided, and each of these parts is provided. A control microcomputer (MPU) 318 that is connected and performs its control
This control microcomputer (MPU) 318 is provided.
A ROM 314 in which a control program executed by the control microcomputer (MPU) 318 and the like are recorded, and a RAM 315 that can be used as a work memory by the control microcomputer (MPU) 318 in various processes are connected.

Further, the control microcomputer (MPU) 318
Includes a first communication unit (COM1) 28 of the pachinko machine 2.
9, and a second communication unit 316 that performs data communication with the management computer 100 connected to each card unit 3, as shown in FIG.
Is connected, and when a prepaid card or a membership card is received in the card insertion slot 305, the recorded information of the prepaid card or the membership card received by the card reader / writer 312 is read,
Of the recorded information, the card ID and the frequency data individually given to the prepaid card or the membership card in advance are
By transmitting to the management computer 100 together with the unit ID previously given to the card unit 3,
The management computer 100 collates the remaining frequencies. If the result of the collation does not match, the accepted card is returned, and if the result of the collation matches, the frequency data and the card acceptance information are held by the pachinko machine 2 through the first communication unit 317. By transmitting to the ball control board 272, information indicating that the card is being accepted is registered in the card unit 3 corresponding to the card accepting register of the RAM 272c, and the frequency based on the frequency data is registered in the card balance register. Is displayed in the card balance display portion 221 and the ball lending of the pachinko ball based on this frequency can be performed. That is, the game can be executed on the pachinko machine 2 by using this frequency.

Further, the second communication unit 316 transmits the data such as the card ID, the frequency data and the unit ID recorded in the prepaid card or member card accepted as described above, and the management computer 100.
The information such as the remaining number of credits for each card is managed at the same time, and the credit ball number data recorded in the prepaid card or member card being accepted in the settlement process described later is also transmitted to the management computer 100. The credit ball number data is registered and managed in association with each card ID, and the POS cash register 101 for exchanging prizes is connected to the management computer 100. By bringing a prepaid card or a membership card to the POS cash register 101, the number of credit balls can be used for gift exchange.

In the interruption processing by operating the interruption button 231, the card ID of the prepaid card being accepted, the interruption information indicating that the prepaid card is being interrupted, the interruption elapsed time, and other information are output to the management computer 100. At the same time, when canceling the interruption, the card ID and the interruption cancellation information are output to the management computer 100.

The card unit 3 of the first embodiment includes
As described above, the bills and coins that are currency can be received and their identification can be performed, and when the prepaid card or the membership card is received in the card insertion slot 305, the bills or coins can be received. When the control microcomputer (MPU) 318 is
The remaining frequency at that time is obtained from the ball control board 272 of the pachinko machine 2 via the first communication unit 317, and the frequency corresponding to the monetary amount received at the obtained residual frequency at that time is obtained. Is added, and the new frequency after the addition is recorded on the prepaid card or member card being accepted by the card reader / writer 312.

The new frequency data includes the unit ID given to the card unit 3 in advance and the card I of the prepaid card or member card being accepted.
Along with D, the remaining frequency data of the corresponding card ID transmitted to the management computer 100 through the second communication unit 316 is updated, and the information of the new frequency is transmitted through the first communication unit 317 to the holding ball. Control board 272
Is transmitted to the ball balance control board 272, the remaining count of the card balance register in the RAM 272c of the ball control board 272 is updated, the new count is displayed on the card balance display unit 221, and these new counts can be used for ball lending. Has become.

Next, the processing status of the ball-holding control microcomputer 272a and the operating status of each part in the pachinko machine 2 of the first embodiment will be described based on the flow shown in FIG.

First, the ball control microcomputer 27
2a determines whether the number of credit spheres remains in the credit sphere count register of the RAM 272c (Sa1), and when the number of credit spheres remains, the firing control board 26
A launch permission signal is output to 9, and the hit ball operation handle 2
The operation of 35 is validated (Sa2). In addition, the Sa1
If the number of credit balls does not remain in, the output of the launch permission signal to the launch control board 269 is stopped and the operation of the ball hitting handle 235 is invalidated (Sa.
3).

Next, detection of a ball lending request based on the input of the ball lending button 223, or detection of an award ball signal input from the game control board 273, detection of an external extraction button 228, detection of an extraction ball counting button 229, Detection of a settlement request based on the input of the settlement button 230, detection of a suspension request based on the input of the suspension button 231, detection of a pachinko ball in the payout ball detection switch 252, detection of a pachinko ball in the launch ball detection switch 241, and foul ball detection switch. 25
Any one of the pachinko sphere detection in 9 is in a detection waiting state (Sa4 to Sa12).

When the ball lending button 223 is input and the ball lending request is detected in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (Sa4), whether the frequency stored in the card balance register of the RAM 272c remains. Is determined (Sa13), and if the frequency does not remain, the process proceeds to Sa1. When the frequency remains in Sa13, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the ball lending request (125 balls in the first embodiment) is added and updated to the uncredited ball number of the uncredited ball number register of the RAM 272c (Sa1.
4). In addition, the uncredited display portion 22 is updated in accordance with the addition and update of the uncredited ball number in the uncredited ball number register.
The number of uncredited balls displayed in 7 is also updated.

Next, the frequency stored in the card balance register is set to a predetermined frequency (5 in the first embodiment).
The subtraction update is performed (Sa15), a payout signal is output to the ball payout control board 271, and the ball payout device 2
The number of pachinko balls corresponding to the ball lending request by 48 is paid out to the internal flow-down passage 281 (Sa16), and Sa
The processing shifts to 1. In addition, the frequency displayed on the card balance display unit 221 is also subtracted and updated as the frequency is subtracted and updated in the card balance register.

When the input of the prize ball signal from the game control board 273 is detected in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (Sa5), the number of prize balls of the detected prize ball signal is determined. The number of pachinko balls (5 or 15 in the first embodiment) is added and updated to the uncredited sphere count of the uncredited sphere count register (Sa17).

Next, a payout signal is output to the ball payout control board 271, and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the number of award ball of the detected award ball signal is paid out to the internal flow-down passage 281 ( Sa18), and the process proceeds to Sa1.

When the input of the external extraction button 228 is detected in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (Sa6), the external extraction processing described in detail later is carried out (S).
a19), and after the process is completed, the process proceeds to Sa1.

When the input of the take-out ball counting button 229 is detected in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (Sa7), the internal taking-in process described in detail later is carried out (Sa20), and Sa1 is performed after the process is completed. Process shifts to.

When the input of the settlement button 230 is detected in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (Sa8), the settlement processing described in detail later is executed (Sa2).
1), after the process is completed, the process proceeds to Sa1.

When the input of the interruption button 231 is detected in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (Sa9), the interruption processing described in detail later is executed (Sa2).
2), after the process is completed, the process proceeds to Sa1.

Further, when the payout ball detection switch 252 detects a pachinko ball flowing down the internal flow-down passage 281 in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (Sa
10), subtracting 1 from the uncredited sphere count stored in the uncredited sphere count register and updating (S)
a23), 1 is added and updated to the credit sphere number stored in the credit sphere number register (Sa24), and the process proceeds to Sa1. Further, the uncredited sphere number displayed in the uncredited sphere number display section 227 is also decremented and updated as the uncredited sphere count in the uncredited sphere count register is updated, and the credit is added and updated as the credit sphere count is added and updated in the credit sphere count register. The credit sphere count displayed on the display unit 222 is also updated by addition.

Further, when the launch ball detection switch 241 detects a pachinko ball passing through the hitting ball launch rail 240 in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (S
a11), 1 is subtracted from the credit sphere number stored in the credit sphere register to update (Sa25), and S
The processing moves to a1. The credit sphere count displayed in the credit display unit 222 is also subtracted and updated as the credit sphere count in the credit sphere register is updated.

When a pachinko ball flowing down the foul ball guiding gutter 257 is detected by the foul ball detecting switch 259 in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (Sa12), it is stored in the credit ball number register. Update the number of credit balls by adding 1 (Sa2
6), the process proceeds to Sa1. In addition, the credit sphere count displayed in the credit display unit 222 is also updated along with the addition and update of the credit sphere count in the credit sphere count register.

Next, the external extraction processing (Sa19) which is executed when the input of the external extraction button 228 is detected (Sa6) in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12,
Explaining based on the flow of FIG. 10A, first, when the input of the external ejection button 228 is detected,
It is determined whether the number of credit spheres stored in the credit sphere count register remains (Sb1), and if the number of credit spheres does not remain, the process ends.

When the number of credit balls remains in Sb1, a path instruction signal is output to the ball payout control board 271 and the passage switching valve 2 in the ball payout device 248 is output.
While swinging 50, the passage of the payout balls in the ball payout device 248 is switched to the external flow-down passage 280 side (Sb2), and a ball payout signal is output to the ball payout control board 271 to discharge the ball. The device 248 causes one pachinko ball to be dispensed to the external flow-down passage 280 side (Sb3).

Then, the state of waiting for detection of a pachinko ball in the take-out ball detection switch 277 provided in the external flow-down passage 280 is set (Sb4), and the pachinko ball paid out in Sb3 is detected by the take-out ball detection switch 277. Then, 1 is subtracted from the credit sphere number stored in the credit sphere register and updated (Sb
5). The credit sphere count displayed in the credit display unit 222 is also subtracted and updated as the credit sphere count in the credit sphere register is updated.

Then, it is determined whether the number of credit balls stored in the credit ball number register remains (Sb
6) If the number of credit balls does not remain, a route instruction signal is output to the ball payout control board 271, the passage switching valve 250 in the ball payout device 248 is swung, and the payout in the ball payout device 248 is performed. The path of the sphere is returned to the side of the internal flow-down path 281 (Sb8), and the process is ended.

If the number of credit balls remains in Sb6, it is determined whether the input of the external take-out button 228 is in the detection state (Sb7), and if it is in the detection state, the process of Sb3 is performed. Return to. Also, the Sb
7, when the input of the external take-out button 228 is in the non-detection state, a route instruction signal is output to the ball pay-out control board 271, and the passage switching valve 250 in the ball pay-out device 248 is swung to make the ball pay-out. The passage of the payout ball in the device 248 is returned to the internal flow-down passage 281 side (Sb8), and the process is ended.

Next, in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12, the internal loading process (Sa20) which is executed when the input of the loaded ball counting button 229 is detected (Sa7).
10 will be described with reference to the flow of FIG. 10B. First, when the input of the incorporated ball counting button 229 is detected, the corresponding card unit 3 is accepting the prepaid card or the membership card. It is confirmed (whether the information indicating that is registered in the card receiving register) (Sc1), and when the prepaid card or the membership card is not being received, the processing is ended. Further, when the prepaid card or the membership card is being accepted in Sc1, the shutter solenoid 267 is driven to open the shutter 245 'of the intake ball inlet 245 in the extraction ball tray 243 (Sc2).

Next, the state of waiting for detection of a pachinko ball by the inflow ball detection switch 256 provided in the inflow ball guiding trough 283 or waiting for non-detection of the input of the captured ball counting button 229 (Sc3, Sc5). .

In this state, when the pachinko ball flowing in from the take-out ball inlet 245 is detected by the inflow ball detecting switch 256, 1 is added to the credit ball number stored in the credit ball number register and updated. (Sc4), the states of Sc3 and Sc5 are restored. In addition, the credit sphere count displayed in the credit display unit 222 is also updated along with the addition and update of the credit sphere count in the credit sphere count register.

When the input of the captured ball counting button 229 is in the non-detected state in the states of Sc3 and Sc5, the drive of the shutter solenoid 267 is released to open the captured ball inlet 245. It is closed by the shutter 245 '(Sc6), and the process ends.

Next, the input of the settlement button 230 is detected in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (S
The settlement process (Sa21) executed in a8) will be described based on the flow of FIG. 11. First, the settlement button 2
When the input of 30 is detected, it is confirmed whether the prepaid card or the membership card is being accepted in the corresponding card unit 3 (whether the information indicating that is registered in the card accepting register) (Sd1). If the prepaid card or the membership card is not being accepted, the process ends.

When the prepaid card or the membership card is being accepted in Sd1, the shutter solenoid 267 is driven to open the shutter 245 'of the intake ball inlet 245 in the extraction ball receiving tray 243 (Sd).
2) In a state of waiting for detection of a pachinko ball in the inflow ball detection switch 256 provided in the inflow ball guide gutter 283 (Sd3, Sd5), when a pachinko ball is detected by the inflow ball detection switch 256 in this state, One is added and updated to the credit sphere number stored in the credit sphere number register (Sd4), and the state of waiting for detection of the pachinko ball in the inflow sphere detection switch 256 is again set (Sd3, Sd5). In addition, the credit sphere count displayed in the credit display unit 222 is also updated along with the addition and update of the credit sphere count in the credit sphere count register.

When the state of waiting for detection in Sd3 and Sd5 continues for a predetermined time, the drive of the shutter solenoid 267 is released and the take-out ball inlet 245 is released.
The shutter 245 ′ of (1) is closed (Sd6), and the settlement data including the credit sphere number stored in the credit sphere number register and the frequency stored in the card balance register is transmitted to the corresponding card unit 3 ( Sd
7) Then, the state of waiting for the completion of data transmission is entered (Sd8).

When the data transmission to the card unit 3 is normally completed in this state, the credit sphere count of the credit sphere count register and the frequency of the card balance register are reset to 0 (Sd9), and the process is terminated.

Further, in the card unit 3 which has received the settlement data based on these settlement processes, the card reader / writer 31 is added to the prepaid card or the membership card which is accepting the number of credit balls or the frequency included in the settlement data.
In addition to recording and returning through 2 and sending the payment data including the card ID and the number of credit balls to the management computer 100, the management computer 100 registers the payment data in association with the received card ID based on this. To be done.

Then, the input of the interruption button 231 is detected in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 (S
The interruption process (Sa22) executed at the time of a9) will be described based on the flow of FIG.
When the input of 31 is detected, it is confirmed whether the prepaid card or the membership card is being accepted in the corresponding card unit 3 (whether the information indicating that is registered in the card accepting register) (Se1). If the prepaid card or the membership card is not being accepted, the process ends.

If a prepaid card or a membership card is being accepted at Se1, the operation unit 2
The operation of each button provided in 20 and the operation of the ball hitting handle 235 are invalidated (Se2), the interruption data including the number of credit balls is stored in the RAM 272c (Se3), and the interruption data is associated with the corresponding card unit 3.
Is sent to the device (Se4), and the state of waiting for the completion of data transmission is entered (Se5).

When the data transmission to the card unit 3 is normally completed in this state, the interruption lamp 232 is turned on (Se6), the credit display section 285 is switched to the interruption time display, and the timer count is started (S6).
e7), waiting for reception of restart data (Se8,
Se9, Se11).

Further, the card unit 3 which has received the interruption data based on the detection of the interruption request records the interruption data on the prepaid card or the member card which is being accepted through the card reader / writer 312 and returns it. In addition, the management computer 100
The suspended information and the card ID of the returned prepaid card or member card are output to. Based on this, the management computer 100 registers the interruption of the received card ID. Next, the card unit 3 is in a waiting state for accepting the returned prepaid card or member card, and when the same card as the returned prepaid card or member card is accepted, it is recorded in the accepted prepaid card or member card. The interruption data is read, and the read interruption data is transmitted to the corresponding pachinko machine 2 as restart data.

Corresponding card unit 3 in the state of waiting for reception of the restart data in Se8, Se9, Se11.
When more restart data is received, the received restart data is compared with the interruption data stored in the RAM 272c (Se12). If they do not match,
Send an instruction to return the accepted prepaid card or member card to the corresponding card unit 3 (Se1
3) Then, the state of waiting for reception of the restart data in Se8, Se9, and Se11 is resumed. In the comparison of Se12, when the restart data and the interruption data match, the timer count is stopped (Se14), and the display of the credit display unit 285 is switched to the display of the number of credit balls.
The operation of each button of the operation unit 220 and the operation of the hit ball operation handle 235 which have been made invalid are made valid (Se1
5), the suspending lamp 232 is turned off (Se16), the fact that the processing is completed is output to the card unit 3,
The process ends. Also, based on this, the card unit 3
Transmits the card ID of the received prepaid card or member card and the interruption cancellation information to the management computer 100, and based on this, the management computer 100 cancels the interruption of the corresponding card ID.

In the state of waiting for reception of the restart data in Se8, Se9 and Se11, the Se
The time from the start of the timer count in 7 is monitored, and the time from the start of the timer count is sequentially updated and displayed on the credit display unit 285 (Se.
Along with 11), when the time from the start of the timer count exceeds a predetermined upper limit time, error information is displayed on the credit display unit 285 (Se10).

Next, the processing status of the ball-holding control microcomputer 272a and the operation status of each part described above will be described based on the actual gaming status. First, the corresponding card unit 3 receives a prepaid card or a membership card. Therefore, when the frequency read from the prepaid card or the membership card and stored in the card balance register, that is, the frequency displayed on the card balance display unit 221, remains, the ball lending button 223 is displayed.
By inputting, the frequency of the card balance register and the card balance display portion 221 is subtracted by a predetermined frequency, and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the subtracted frequency is once stored in the uncredited ball number register. The number of balls, that is, the number of uncredited balls displayed on the uncredited display unit 227 is added and updated.

Next, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the subtracted frequency from the ball payout device 248 is equal to the number of pachinko balls 2 in the internal flow passage 2.
Every time the pachinko ball paid out to the 81 side is detected by the payout ball detection switch 252, the uncredited ball count of the uncredited ball count register and the uncredited display section 227 is decremented by one. It is updated, and the credit sphere count of the credit sphere count register and the credit display unit 222 is updated by adding one by one.

When the number of credit balls of the credit ball number register and the credit display portion 222 is present in this way, the operation of the ball hitting operation handle 235 becomes effective, and when the ball hitting operation handle 235 is operated in this state,
The pachinko ball comes to be fired toward the game area 203. Also, every time these shot pachinko balls are detected by the shot ball detection switch 241, the credit ball number register and the credit display unit 222 are updated by subtracting 1 from the number of credit balls and the shot pachinko balls are released. Foul mouth 242 without reaching the game area 203
If it is collected, the foul ball detection switch 259
Is detected, and the credit sphere count of the credit sphere count register and the credit display unit 222 is incremented by one.

Further, by subtracting these credit sphere numbers, the credit sphere number register and the credit display portion 222 are displayed.
When the number of credit balls is 0, the hit ball operation handle 23
The operation of 5 becomes invalid, and in this state, the ball hitting handle 2
Even if you operate 35, the pachinko ball will not be fired.

When a pachinko ball launched into the game area 203 is won by the operation of the hit ball operation handle 235, the number of pachinko balls of the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning is once uncredited ball register and uncredited display section 227. Will be added and updated to the number of uncredited balls.

Next, the pachinko balls corresponding to the number of prize balls are paid out from the ball paying-out device 248 to the internal flow-down passage 281 side, and the pachinko balls paid out accordingly are detected by the pay-out ball detection switch 252. Then, the uncredited sphere count of the uncredited sphere count register and the uncredited display unit 227 is updated by subtracting one by one, and the credited sphere count of the credit sphere count register and credit display unit 222 is updated by one by one.

When the number of credit spheres remains in the credit sphere count register and the credit display unit 222, if the external take-out button 228 of the operation unit 220 is input, the external ball-down passage 280 side, that is, the take-out sphere receiving tray 243, has a pachinko ball. Each time the balls are paid out and the pachinko balls are detected by the take-out ball detection switch 277, the credit ball number register and the credit display unit 222 are displayed.
The number of credit balls is subtracted and updated one by one. While the external takeout button 228 is being input, the pachinko balls are taken out from the takeout ball tray 243 until the number of credit balls becomes 0 or the input of the external takeout button 228 is canceled. ing.

Further, when the prepaid card or the membership card is accepted in the corresponding card unit 3, the taken-in ball counting button 229 of the operation unit 220.
Is input, the shutter 245 ′ of the intake ball inlet 245 in the extraction ball tray 243 is opened, and the extraction ball tray 24 is opened.
Each time the pachinko balls stored in No. 3 are taken in and the pachinko balls taken with it are detected by the inflow ball detection switch 256, the number of credit balls in the credit sphere register and the credit display unit 222 Is incremented by 1 and updated. The intake ball inlet 245
The shutter 245 ′ is always open while the input ball counting button 229 is input, and when the input of the input ball counting button 229 is released, the shutter 245 ′ is also closed.

Further, when the prepaid card or the membership card is accepted in the corresponding card unit 3 and the settlement button 230 of the operation section 220 is pressed, the take-in ball inlet 245 in the take-out ball receiving tray 243 is entered.
The shutter 245 ′ of is opened, the pachinko balls stored in the take-out ball receiving tray 243 are taken in, and the pachinko balls taken along with this are detected by the inflow ball detection switch 256, and the credit balls are The number of credit balls on the number register and the credit display unit 222 is updated by adding one by one. Incoming ball detection switch 2
When the pachinko ball detection by 56 is not detected for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the shutter 245 'is closed, and a prepaid card or a membership card in which settlement data including the number of credit balls at that time is recorded. The card ID of the returned prepaid card or visitor card and the payment data are returned from the corresponding card unit 3 and are transmitted to the management computer 100, and based on this, the management computer 10
At 0, the settlement data is registered in association with the received card ID. Also, the credit balls in the credit ball number register and the credit display unit 222 are reset, and the game comes to an end. In addition, the player uses the returned prepayment card or membership card to the POS cash register 1
Bring to the gift exchange counter where 01 is installed,
The number of credit balls recorded by the above settlement can be used in exchange for a desired prize.

Further, when the prepaid card or the membership card is accepted in the corresponding card unit 3, when the interruption button 231 of the operation unit 220 is input, the operation of each button of the operation unit 220 or the hit ball operation handle 235 is performed. A prepaid card or a membership card, which has been invalidated and recorded with interruption data, is returned from the corresponding card unit 3, and the card ID of the returned prepaid card or visitor card and the interruption information are transmitted to the management computer 100. At the same time, the management computer 100 registers the interruption of the received card ID. Further, when the prepaid card or the membership card in which the interruption data is recorded is accepted again, the operation of the disabled buttons and the ball hitting handle 235 becomes valid, and the game can be restarted again. At this festival, the fact that the processing has been completed is output to the card unit 3, and based on this, the card unit 3 transmits the card ID of the prepaid card or member card accepted by the management computer 100 and the interruption release information. At the same time, the management computer 100 releases the suspension of the corresponding card ID. Further, during the suspension of these games, the elapsed time from the start of suspension is displayed on the credit display unit 285, and if the elapsed time from the start of suspension exceeds a predetermined upper limit suspension time, the credit display unit is displayed. An error display is displayed at 285 so that a staff member at the game hall can confirm that the game interruption time has exceeded the upper limit time.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 2 according to the first embodiment, when the player finishes the game, he / she operates the settlement button 230 provided on the operation section 220, so that the number of credit balls at that time is increased. The number of credit balls stored in the register is transmitted to the corresponding card unit 3,
The card unit 3 is recorded on a prepaid card or a member card being accepted and returned.
That is, since the number of pachinko balls obtained in the game on the pachinko machine 2 is recorded and returned to the prepaid card or the membership card being accepted by the card unit 3, the player can obtain the pachinko balls obtained in the conventional manner. Since it is not necessary to convey the balls to a ball counting machine or the like, the convenience of the player can be improved.

In this embodiment, when the card unit 3 does not accept the prepaid card or the membership card, the settlement process and the interruption process cannot be performed, so that it is impossible to take in a pachinko ball from the outside. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when the card unit 3 does not accept the prepaid card or the membership card, the game is not performed from the outside. It becomes possible to take in the pachinko balls of the above, and it becomes possible to carry out the game using these taken in pachinko balls, and when the prepaid card or the membership card is not accepted in the card unit 3 at the time of settlement or interruption. , Accepting an alternative card for payment or interruption carried by a clerk, etc., and making an adjustment with the received alternative card Others may be to permit interruption.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a gaming system to which a pachinko machine 2'which is a gaming machine in Embodiment 2 of the present invention is applied, and the gaming system is a gaming system. The pachinko machine 2'installed in the field and capable of playing a game using a pachinko ball as a game medium
A card unit 3 installed on a one-to-one basis with respect to the pachinko machine 2, a management computer 100 for managing a prepaid card or a membership card used in the card unit 3, and a prize counter etc. ,
The pachinko machine 2 ′, the card unit 3, the POS cash register 101, and the management computer 100 are composed of a POS cash register 101 for exchanging a prize ball obtained in a game in the pachinko cash machine 2 for a predetermined prize. Are connected via a communication cable 8 so that data communication is possible.

Since the configuration other than the pachinko machine 2'of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, here, the pachinko machine 2'of the second embodiment and the pachinko machine 2'of the first embodiment will be described. The difference in the configuration from the pachinko machine 2 and the ball control microcomputer 272a '(use control means, game medium number calculation means, game medium extraction means) provided on the ball control board 272' in the pachinko machine 2 ' The processing status to be implemented will be mainly described.

First, the pachinko machine 2'of the second embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the pachinko machine 2 of the first embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. On the lower surface, an operation section 220 'whose upper surface is inclined toward the player is provided.

Inside the operation section 220 ', there is provided a reader / writer accommodating section in which a card reader / writer 290 as a recording medium processing section for issuing a settlement card and an interruption card can be incorporated. A card issuing port 291 through which a settlement card or an interruption card can be inserted or removed is provided in a direction parallel to the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 '. In the second embodiment, the payment data or the interruption data is recorded on the card issued by the card reader / writer 290, whereas the data is transmitted and recorded on the prepaid card or the membership card. As the settlement card or the interruption card in which the interruption data is recorded, the card issuing port 291
The other configurations are the same as those of the pachinko machine 2 of the first embodiment.

The card reader / writer 290 used in the second embodiment has an appearance as shown in FIG. 17, and is mainly composed of a main body 89 and a cover 90.
A conveyance path 92 is formed between the main body section 89 and the cover section 90, and the drive motor 96 faces the conveyance path 92.
A conveyor roller 87 driven by a timing belt 98 and a drive gear 99 for transmitting a driving force from the drive roller 99 and a freely rotatable roller 88, and a rewrite card 37 as a recording medium issued as the settlement card or the interruption card. In order to perform control of insertion, placement, discharge, etc., a sensor including a light emitting unit 97a and a light receiving unit 97b for detecting the position of the rewrite card 37, and communication for recording data in the memory of the rewrite card 37 in a non-contact manner The head 91 and the thermal head 94 for performing printing and erasing on the printing portion provided on the rewrite card 37 by heat generation, and the rewrite card 3 together with the thermal head 94.
A platen roller 93 arranged so as to sandwich 7 is provided to record information on an issued rewrite card 37 and read recorded information on the inserted rewrite card 37, and also rewrite Printing and erasing can be performed on the printing unit provided on the card 37, and the transport path 92 is the card issuing port 291.
Is arranged in the reader / writer accommodating portion so as to communicate with the.

Also, the card reader / writer 2 of the second embodiment
A storage box 80 capable of storing a rewrite card 37 issued as a settlement card or an interruption card is provided at a position on the terminal end side of the conveyance path 92 of 90. By exchanging the storage box 80, the rewrite card 37 The replenishment can be easily performed, and the cover corresponding to the side surface of the operation portion 220 ′ corresponding to the storage box 80 is detachable to facilitate replacement of the storage box 80. A section 292 is provided. The cover portion 292 is locked so that it cannot be opened by the player at normal times, and can be opened by unlocking it with a key held by a store clerk when replenishing cards.

This card reader / writer 290 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the operation is controlled by a ball holding control microcomputer 272a ′ connected to the ball holding control board 272 and provided on the ball holding control board 272.

Next, the processing status of the ball control microcomputer 272a 'in the pachinko machine 2'of the second embodiment and the operating status of each part will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 9 and 19 and 20. In addition, regarding the processing status other than the internal loading processing, the settlement processing, and the interruption processing executed by the ball-holding control microcomputer 272a ′ of the second embodiment, the ball-holding control microcomputer 27 of the first embodiment is described.
Since it is the same as the processing status (see FIGS. 9 and 10) executed by 2a, the holding ball control microcomputer 27 is used here.
Only the internal fetching process, the settlement process, and the interruption process performed by 2a 'will be described.

First, Sa4 to Sa1 in the flow shown in FIG.
In the state of waiting for detection of No. 2, the internal taking-in process executed when the input of the taking-in ball counting button 229 is detected (Sa7) will be described based on the flow of (Sa20) FIG. 19 (a). When the input of the take-out ball counting button 229 is detected, the shutter solenoid 267 is driven, and the take-in ball inlet 245 in the take-out ball receiving tray 243 is driven.
The shutter 245 ′ is opened (Sg1).

Next, the state of waiting for detection of a pachinko ball by the inflow ball detection switch 256 provided in the inflow ball guide gutter 283 or non-detection of the input of the captured ball counting button 229 is set (Sg2, Sg4). .

In this state, when the pachinko ball flowing in from the intake ball inlet 245 is detected by the inflow ball detecting switch 256, 1 is added to the credit ball number stored in the credit ball number register and updated. At the same time (Sg3), the states of Sg2 and Sg4 are restored. In addition, the credit sphere count displayed in the credit display unit 222 is also updated along with the addition and update of the credit sphere count in the credit sphere count register.

When the input of the captured ball counting button 229 is in the non-detected state in the states of Sg2 and Sg4, the drive of the shutter solenoid 267 is released to open the captured ball inlet 245. It is closed by the shutter 245 '(Sg5), and the process is ended.

Then, Sa4 to Sa in the flow shown in FIG.
The adjustment process (Sa2) to be executed when the input of the adjustment button 230 is detected (Sa8) in the detection waiting state of 12 (Sa2).
1) will be described based on the flow of FIG. 19B.
First, when the input of the settlement button 230 is detected, the shutter solenoid 267 is driven to move the shutter 24 of the take-in ball inlet 245 in the take-out ball receiving tray 243.
5'is opened (Sh1), and the inflow ball detection switch 256 provided in the inflow ball guide gutter 283 is in a waiting state for detecting a pachinko ball (Sh2, Sh4). Is detected, the number of credit spheres stored in the credit sphere number register is updated by adding 1 (Sh5), and the state of waiting for pachinko sphere detection in the inflow sphere detection switch 256 is resumed (Sh2, Sh4). In addition, the credit sphere count displayed in the credit display unit 222 is also updated along with the addition and update of the credit sphere count in the credit sphere count register.

When the state of waiting for detection in these Sh2 and Sh4 has continued for a predetermined time, the drive of the shutter solenoid 267 is released, and the intake ball inlet 245.
The shutter 245 ′ is closed (Sh5).

Next, the card reader / writer 224 is instructed to take out the rewrite card 37 issued from the storage box 80 to the transport path 92, and the card ID recorded on the rewrite card 37 is used as the card reader / writer 224. The memory of the rewrite card 37 which has obtained the card ID and stored the obtained card ID in the RAM 272c, and outputs the credit number stored in the credit number register to the card reader / writer 224 to read the card ID. Then, after being recorded in the printing section, it is ejected as a settlement card from the card issuing port 291 and issued (Sh6).

Then, the card ID stored in the RAM 291c and the unit number of the pachinko machine 2'along with the credit ball number are transmitted to the management computer 100, and then the credit ball number in the credit ball number register is reset. (Sh7), the process ends. The management computer 100 registers and manages settlement data such as a machine number and the number of credit balls in association with the card ID transmitted from the pachinko machine 2 '.

Next, the interruption processing executed when the input of the interruption button 231 is detected in the state of waiting for the detection of Sa4 to Sa12 will be described based on the flow of FIG. When it is detected, the operation of each button provided on the operation unit 220 ′ and the operation of the ball hitting handle 235 are invalidated (Sh1), and the interruption data including the number of credit balls is stored in the RAM.
In addition to storing the data in 272c (Sh2), the interruption data is recorded, and the interruption card in which a message related to the interruption is printed is issued by the card reader / writer 290 in the same manner as the settlement card described above (Sh3), and the interruption is performed. The middle lamp 232 is turned on (Sh4), the credit display unit 285 is switched to the interruption time display, the timer count is started (Sh5), and the waiting state for the issued interruption card is set (Sh6, Sh7, Sh).
9). At this time, the card ID of the issued suspending card and the suspended information are transmitted to the management computer 100. Based on this, the management computer 100 registers the interruption of the received card ID.

When the interruption card is accepted while waiting for the interruption cards in Sh6, Sh7, and Sh9, the interruption data recorded in the accepted interruption card is read by the card reader / writer 290 and read. The interruption data is compared with the interruption data stored in the RAM 272c (Sh10), and if they do not match, the accepted interruption card is returned (Sh11), and the interruption cards in Sh6, Sh7, and Sh9 are again checked. Waiting for acceptance. In addition, the Sh
When the interruption data match in the comparison of 10, the timer count is stopped (Sh12), the display of the credit display unit 285 is switched to the credit sphere number display, and the operation of each button of the operation unit 220 which is invalidated is performed. The operation of the ball hitting handle 235 is validated (Sh13), the interruption lamp 232 is turned off (Sh14), and the process is terminated. At this time, the card ID of the accepted interrupted card and the interruption cancellation information are transmitted to the management computer 100, and the interruption of the corresponding card ID is canceled in the management computer 100 based on this.

Further, in the waiting state for accepting the interrupted card in Sh6, Sh7, Sh9, the time from the start of the timer count in Sh5 is monitored, and the time from the start of the timer count is monitored in the credit display unit. Sequential update display on 285 (Sh9)
At the same time, when the time from the start of the timer count has passed a predetermined upper limit time, error information is displayed on the credit display unit 285 (Sh8).

Next, the processing situation of the above-mentioned ball-holding control microcomputer 272a 'and the operating situation of each part will be explained based on the actual game situation.

In the pachinko machine 2 of the second embodiment, the operation unit 2
When the input ball counting button 229 of 20 is input, the shutter 24 of the intake ball inlet 245 in the extraction ball receiving tray 243.
5'is opened, the pachinko balls stored in the take-out ball tray 243 are taken in, and every time the pachinko ball taken in is detected by the inflow ball detection switch 256, the credit ball number register In addition, the number of credit balls on the credit display unit 222 is updated by adding one. The shutter 245 'of the intake ball inflow port 245 is kept open while the input button 229 is pressed, and the shutter 245' is released when the input button 229 is released. Will be closed.

The settlement button 23 of the operation section 220 is also provided.
When 0 is input, the shutter 245 ′ of the intake ball inlet 245 in the extraction ball tray 243 is opened and the extraction ball tray 2 is opened.
Each time the pachinko ball stored in 43 is taken in and the pachinko ball taken in along with it is detected by the inflow ball detection switch 256, the credit ball number of the credit ball number register and the credit display unit 222. Is incremented by 1 and updated. When the state in which the detection of the pachinko ball by the inflow ball detection switch 256 is not detected continues for a predetermined time, the shutter 245 ′ is closed, and the settlement data including the number of credit balls at that time is recorded and the credit ball is detected. A checkout card on which the number is printed is issued from a card issuing port 291 provided on the side of the operation unit 220 ', and the card ID and checkout data of the issued checkout card are transmitted to the management computer 100. At the same time, based on this, the management computer 100 registers the payment data in association with the card ID of the received payment card. In the pachinko machine 2 ′, the credit balls in the credit ball number register and the credit display section 222 are reset, and the game ends. In addition, the player must bring the issued settlement card to the prize exchange counter in which the POS cash register 101 is installed, and use the number of credit balls recorded by the settlement to exchange for the desired prize. You can

Also, the interruption button 23 of the operation section 220.
When 1 is input, the operation of each button of the operation unit 220 and the hitting operation handle 235 are invalidated, the interruption data is recorded, and the interruption card on which the message regarding the interruption is printed is issued from the card issuing port 291. The issued card ID of the suspended card and the suspended information are transmitted to the management computer 100, and the management computer 1 is based on the information.
At 00, the interruption of the received card ID is registered. Further, when the interruption card in which the interruption data is recorded is accepted again, the operation of the disabled buttons and the ball hitting operation handle 235 becomes valid, and the game can be resumed again. At this festival, the interruption cancellation information is transmitted to the management computer 100, and based on this, the management computer 100
Then, the suspension of the corresponding card ID is released. Further, during the suspension of these games, the elapsed time from the start of suspension is displayed on the credit display unit 285, and if the elapsed time from the start of suspension exceeds a predetermined upper limit suspension time, the credit display unit is displayed. An error display is displayed at 285 so that a staff member at the game hall can confirm that the game interruption time has exceeded the upper limit time.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 2'of the second embodiment, the operation unit 22 is used when the player finishes the game.
By operating the settlement button 230 provided at 0 ',
At that time, the payment card (rewrite card 37) in which the credit sphere count stored in the credit sphere count register of the RAM 272c is recorded is issued by the card reader / writer. That is, pachinko machine 2 '
Since a settlement card in which the number of pachinko balls acquired in the game in is recorded will be issued, the player does not need to carry these acquired pachinko balls to a ball counting machine as in the conventional case, and the player's The convenience can be improved.

As described above, the pachinko machine 2 in the first embodiment and the pachinko machine 2'in the second embodiment.
In, since the pachinko balls paid out by the ball payout device 248 and the pachinko balls used in the game are moved toward the upper position and are used again as pachinko balls paid out by the ball payout device 248 again. It is not always necessary to replenish the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2 ′ with a pachinko ball, and the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2 ′ is provided with a pachinko ball replenishing device, and whether the replenishing device can be installed Since it can be installed regardless of the degree of freedom in installation.

Also, the pachinko machine 2 in the first embodiment described above.
In the pachinko machine 2 ′ according to the second embodiment, the pachinko balls delivered by the ball delivery device 248 and the pachinko balls used in the game are transferred to the upper position in the path of the hoisting passage 263. A polishing device 262 for polishing is provided, and each time these pachinko balls are transported along the lifting path 263, they are polished and cleaned, and circulate in the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2 '. Since the pachinko balls to be used can be kept in a clean state, as a result, the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine passage 2'in the pachinko machine 2'can be reduced in dirt.

Also, the pachinko machine 2 in the first embodiment.
In addition, in the pachinko machine 2 ′ according to the second embodiment, the replenishment gutter 26 is transferred upward through the lifting passage 263.
The pachinko balls discharged to No. 4 are preferentially supplied to the hitting ball supply gutter 265 side by the structure of the branch portion 286 provided at the end position of the supply gutter 264. Further, it is possible to avoid as much as possible that the pachinko ball is insufficient in the hitting ball standby gutter 239 connected to this and the pachinko ball cannot be fired and the game cannot be performed.

Also, the pachinko machine 2 in the first embodiment.
In addition, in the pachinko machine 2 ′ according to the second embodiment, the upper tank 246 in which the pachinko balls supplied to the ball payout device 248 are stored is provided, and the total amount of the pachinko balls that can be circulated internally is increased. As a result, it becomes possible to use the lifting device 261 that is inexpensive but has a low transfer capacity, and as a result, the cost of the pachinko machine 2 and the pachinko machine 2 ′ can be reduced. You can also

Also, the pachinko machine 2 in the first embodiment described above.
In addition, in the pachinko machine 2 ′ according to the second embodiment, the lifting control microcomputer provided in the lifting control board 268 controls the storage status of the pachinko balls stored in the lower tank 253 and the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank. Drive control of the lifting device 261 is performed based on the storage status of the balls, and excessive pachinko balls are transferred or the pachinko balls stored in the upper tank 246 are lost. Can be avoided as much as possible.

Also, the pachinko machine 2 in the first embodiment described above.
Further, in the pachinko machine 2 ′ according to the second embodiment, the range of the credit sphere number stored in the credit sphere number register of the RAM 272c is operated by operating the external ejection button 228 provided on the operation unit 220 or the operation unit 220 ′. The pachinko balls inside are ejected to the take-out ball receiving tray 243, and the player can arbitrarily take out these credit balls when the credit balls remain.

Also, the pachinko machine 2 in the first embodiment described above.
In the pachinko machine 2 ′ according to the second embodiment, the passage switching valve 250 is provided in the ball dispensing device 248 to switch the passage of the pachinko balls dispensed in the ball dispensing device 248 to either the external downflow passage 280 or the internal downflow passage 281. Is provided, and the payout passage can be switched by switching the passage switching valve 250. Therefore, a ball payout device for paying out a pachinko ball accompanying a ball lending or a prize ball and a pachinko due to external takeout. It is not necessary to separately provide a ball dispensing device that dispenses balls, and the configuration of the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2 ′ can be simplified.

Also, the pachinko machine 2 in the first embodiment described above.
In the pachinko machine 2 ′ according to the second embodiment, the take-out ball receiving tray 24 is operated by operating the take-in ball counting button 229 provided on the operation unit 220 or the operation unit 220 ′.
Since the pachinko balls in 3 are taken into the inside, and the number of pachinko balls taken in are added to the number of credit balls, the player can use the pachinko balls once taken out to the game again. Like

Also, the pachinko machine 2 according to the first embodiment.
In the pachinko machine 2 ′ according to the second embodiment, the pachinko balls that are driven into the game area 203 and used for the game or the pachinko balls that are collected as foul balls that do not reach the game area 203 join the lower tank 253. The pachinko balls are circulated together with the pachinko balls paid out by the ball payout device 248, and the pachinko balls are evenly circulated inside the pachinko machine. As a result, when the pumping device 261 is provided as in the first and second embodiments, the pachinko balls circulating inside are uniformly cleaned.

The respective elements in the first and second embodiments correspond to the present invention as follows.

According to claim 1 of the present invention, a game medium (pachinko ball) is based on the establishment of a predetermined payout condition (prize or ball lending).
A game medium payout unit (ball payout device 248) and a game media standby unit (ball hitting standby gutter 239) on which the game media (pachinko ball) waits, and the game medium standby unit (ball hitting standby gutter 239) A gaming machine (pachinko machine 2, 2 ′) for playing a game using a game medium (pachinko ball) that is on standby, the game medium (pachinko ball) being paid out from the game medium payout unit (ball payout device 248). ) A payout game medium detecting means (payout ball detection switch 252), a game medium used for detecting the game medium (pachinko ball) used in the game (launch ball detection switch 241), and the payout game The number of game media (pachinko balls) detected by the medium detection unit (payout ball detection switch 252) and the game medium detected by the used game medium detection unit (launched ball detection switch 241) A game medium number calculation means (ball-holding control microcomputers 272a, 272) for calculating the number of game media owned by the player based on the number of (pachinko balls).
a ′) and a storage unit (RAM) that stores the number of game media (the number of credit balls) calculated by the game media number calculating means (ball control microcomputers 272a, 272a ′).
272c), a game medium number display unit (credit display unit 222, credit display unit 285) that displays the number of game media (credit sphere number) stored in the storage unit (RAM 272c), and the storage unit (RAM 272c). Use control for validating the use of the game medium (pachinko ball) waiting in the game medium standby unit (hit ball waiting gutter 239) on condition that the number of game media (the number of credit balls) stored in Means (ball holding control microcomputer 272
a, 272a ′), a game medium storage section (lower tank 253) that stores at least the game medium (pachinko ball) detected by the payout game medium detection means (payout ball detection switch 252), and a gaming machine (pachinko machine). 2, 2 ') is provided from the lower position to the upper position so that the game medium (pachinko ball) can be transferred.
3) and the game medium storage section (lower tank 253), and the game medium (pachinko ball) stored in the game medium storage section (lower tank 253) is transferred to the game medium transfer passage (lifting path 263). Through a gaming machine (pachinko machine 2,
2 ') transfer section (lifting device 261) for transferring to a position above
And the game medium (pachinko ball) transferred by the transfer unit (lifting device 261) and discharged from a position above the game medium transfer passage (lifting route 263), the game medium standby unit (hit ball standby gutter 239). ) To the standby portion guide passage (standby ball guide gutter 265) and the transfer medium (lifting device 261), and the game medium discharged from a position above the game medium transfer passage (lifting path 263) ( A payout part guide passage (supply trough 264, upper tank 246, payout ball supply passage 279) for guiding the pachinko ball) to the game medium payout portion (ball payout device 248) is provided.

According to claim 2 of the present invention, a cleaning section (polishing device 262) for cleaning the transferred game medium (pachinko ball) on the path of the game medium transfer passage (lifting passage 263).
Equipped with.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the game medium (pachinko ball) discharged from a position above the game medium transfer passage (lifting passage 263) is supplied to the payout portion guide passage (supply trough 264,
The upper tank 246 and the payout ball supply passage 279 are provided with a guide portion (branching portion 286) that preferentially guides the standby portion guide passage (standby ball guide gutter 265).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the payout portion guide passage (supply trough 264, upper tank 246, payout ball supply passage 2)
79) is provided with a game medium upper storage section (upper tank 246) for storing the game medium (pachinko ball) discharged from a position above the game medium transfer passage (lifting passage 263).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the game medium upper storing section (upper tank 246), a predetermined amount of game medium (pachinko ball) is stored in the game medium upper storing section (upper tank 246). Upper storage game medium detection means (upper tank full tank switch 247) is provided for detecting that the storage game medium (pachinko ball) is detected by the upper storage game medium detection means (upper tank full tank switch 247). The transfer control means (lifting control board 268) for controlling the operation of the transfer section (lifting device 261) based on the above.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an external take-out portion (take-out ball receiving tray 243) for taking out the game medium (pachinko ball) to the outside, and the number of game media stored in the storage section (RAM 272c) ( An external ejection operation unit (external ejection button 228) operated by the player to eject the game medium (pachinko ball) within the range of credit balls) to the outside of the gaming machine (pachinko machine 2, 2 ′), and the external device. A game medium (pachinko ball) within the range of the number of game media (the number of credit balls) stored in the storage unit (RAM 272c) based on the operation of the take-out operation unit (external take-out button 228).
From the game medium payout unit (ball payout device 248) to the external takeout unit (takeout ball receiving tray 243).
a, 272a ′) and an external take-out game medium detecting means (take-out) for detecting the game medium (pachinko ball) paid out from the game medium pay-out section (ball pay-out device 248) to the external take-out section (take-out ball receiving tray 243). Sphere detection switch 277), and the game medium number calculation means, based on the detection of the game medium by the external extraction game medium detection means, the number of game media stored in the storage unit (RAM272c) (credit ball Number) is subtracted and updated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a game medium for guiding the game medium (pachinko ball) paid out from the game medium payout unit (ball payout device 248) to the payout game medium detection means (takeout ball detection switch 277). Discharge passage (internal downflow passage 28
1), and a game medium takeout passage (external flow-down passage 280) for guiding the game medium (pachinko ball) paid out from the game medium payout unit (ball payout device 248) to the external takeout unit (takeout ball receiving tray 243). The game medium payout unit (ball payout device 248) is provided with a game medium (pachinko ball) to be paid out.
A passage switching unit (passage switching valve 250) for switching the passage of any one of the passages is provided.

Claim 8 of the present invention relates to an input portion (ejecting ball inlet 245) for inputting a game medium (pachinko ball).
And the input game medium detection means (inflow ball detection switch 256) for detecting the game medium (pachinko ball) thrown in from the input portion (take-out ball inlet 245), and the game medium number calculation means (holding). Sphere control microcomputer 272
a, 272a ') is the game medium (pachinko ball) detected by the input game medium detecting means (inflow ball detection switch 256) to the game medium number (credit ball number) stored in the storage section (RAM 272c). Add and update.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage section (RAM
272c) The settlement operation unit (the settlement button 230) that can be operated by the player in order to settle the number of game media (the number of credit balls) stored in the storage unit, and the operation of the settlement operation unit (the settlement button 230). Based on the above, the storage unit (RAM2
72c) a communication unit (first communication unit (COM1)) 28 for transmitting information (settlement data) about the number of game media (the number of credit balls) stored in the game machine outside (card unit 3).
9) is provided.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the storage section (RA
M272c) The settlement operation unit (the settlement button 230) operable by the player to settle the number of game media (the number of credit balls) stored in M272c) and the operation of the settlement operation unit (the settlement button 230) Based on the above, the storage unit (RA
M272c) is provided with a recording medium processing unit (card reader / writer 290) that issues a recording medium (a settlement card (rewrite card 37)) on which information that can specify the number of game media (the number of credit balls) stored in M272c) is recorded.

Claim 11 of the present invention is a use game for guiding the game medium (pachinko ball) detected by the use game medium detecting means (striking ball detection switch 241) to the game medium storing section (lower tank 253). A medium recovery passage (striking ball merging gutter 282) is provided.

Incidentally, in the claims, the establishment of the predetermined condition for the game medium payout section to pay out the game medium corresponds to the ball lending operation, the external take-out button operation, and the generation of a prize ball in each of the above embodiments. The invention is not limited to this.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these first and second embodiments, and deviates from the gist of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention includes modifications and additions within the range not covered.

For example, in the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2'of each of the above embodiments, the hoisting path 263 is hoisted,
The pachinko balls discharged to the supply gutter 264 are
4 is supplied to the standby ball supply gutter 265 more preferentially than the upper tank 246 at the branch portion 286 provided at the downstream end portion of the No. 4, so that the hit ball standby gutter 239 is provided.
Although it is possible to avoid that the player cannot play the game due to a shortage of pachinko balls waiting for, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, these branch portions 286 are not provided and a solenoid or the like is not provided. By providing a switching valve or the like that switches the flow paths by driving the, the pachinko balls discharged to the supply gutter 264 are preferentially supplied to the standby ball supply gutter 265, and the branch portion 286 is provided. The same effect can be obtained.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the polishing device 262 is provided on the route of the hoisting passage 263 as a cleaning unit for polishing the pachinko balls hoisted in the hoisting passage 263. The invention is not limited to this, and for example,
Even if a cleaning device for cleaning balls or a pellet polishing machine is provided instead of the polishing device 262, the pachinko balls circulating inside can be cleaned.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the upper tank 246 is provided as the upper storage medium for the game medium at a substantially central position of the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2 '. It is possible to increase the total amount of pachinko balls that can be generated,
It is possible to use a small one or a cheap one having a relatively low pumping capacity as the pumping device 262, and the pumping device 262 is a pachinko machine 2 or a pachinko machine 2 ′.
It is preferable not only because it can reduce the space occupied on the back surface of the game machine but also because it can reduce the cost of the game machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-mentioned hoisting passage without the above-mentioned upper tank 246 is provided. The pachinko balls discharged from 263 may be directly supplied to the ball dispensing device 248.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, an upper tank full tank detection sensor 247 is provided for detecting whether the number of pachinko balls stored inside the upper tank 246 has reached a predetermined upper limit amount. The operation of the lifting device 261 is controlled according to the state of pachinko balls detected by the upper tank full tank detection sensor 247 so that a predetermined amount of pachinko balls are constantly stored in the upper tank 247. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lifting device 261 may be constantly operated, or the lifting device 261 may be operated at regular intervals.

In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the operation unit 2
20 or an external withdrawal button 228 provided on the operation unit 220 'is provided so that the player can arbitrarily take out the number of credit balls to the withdrawal ball saucer 243 by his / her own operation. Is not limited to
The pachinko ball circulating inside may not be taken out to the outside.

In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the operation unit 2
The credit balls are paid out to the outside while the external take-out button 228 provided on the operation unit 20 or the operation unit 220 'is operated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the external take-out button is not limited to this. The number of credit balls of a predetermined number may be paid out to the outside by one operation of the button 228, or all credit balls can be obtained by performing one operation or continuous operation (double-click, etc.). It may be paid out to the outside.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the pachinko balls to be paid out to the outside are paid out to the take-out ball receiving tray 243 provided in the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2 ', but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to this, and the dispensing ball tray 243 may not be provided, and may be dispensed to a storage box such as a ball box arranged outside, for example.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, by operating the ejected ball counting button 229 provided on the operation section 220 or 220 ′, the pachinko balls taken out to the ejected ball receiving tray 243 are taken in and taken in. The pachinko balls that have been added are added to the number of credit balls and can be used in the game, but the present invention is not limited to this, and even if the pachinko balls once taken out cannot be returned to the inside. good.

In each of the above embodiments, the automatic ball lending mode is set by operating the automatic ball lending button 232 provided on the operation unit 220 or the operation unit 220 ', and the player lends the ball to the ball. Even if it does not carry out, the ball lending is automatically carried out when the number of credit balls becomes 0, and the convenience of the player can be improved. However, the function of the automatic ball lending mode may not be added and only manual ball lending may be performed.

In each of the above embodiments, the card unit 3 corresponding to the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2 '.
The card unit 3 is provided with a prepaid card or a membership card in which the frequency as the game valuable value is recorded, and based on the frequency read from the received prepaid card or the membership card. The pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2'is rented out of the pachinko machine and the game is executed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine. 2'allows these prepaid cards and membership cards to be used for playing games, and the corresponding card unit 3 accepts currency to lend pachinko balls equivalent to the amount of money received. You can do it,
It is also possible to provide money accepting means on the side of the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2'and lend a pachinko ball equivalent to the amount of money accepted by this money accepting means.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the pachinko machine 2 or the pachinko machine 2'is provided with a pachinko ball based on the frequency read from the prepaid card or the membership card accepted by the corresponding card unit 3. Although the example applied as a card reader type pachinko machine to be described has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, by incorporating a pachinko ball supplied from an adjacent cash ball lending machine. The game may be used as a cash machine that can be played.

Also, the pachinko machine 2 in the first embodiment described above.
In the case where the corresponding card unit 3 does not accept a prepaid card or a membership card, the game cannot be played, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the corresponding card unit Even when the prepaid card or membership card is not accepted in 3, the pachinko balls thrown into the take-out ball receiving tray 243 can be taken in, and the pachinko balls that are taken in and added as the number of credit balls are used. You may be able to carry out the game. Further, in the case of such a configuration, when the prepaid card or the membership card is not accepted in the card unit 3 corresponding to the time of settlement or interruption, the fact is notified, and based on this notification, for example, in the game hall. A person in charge may handle the problem by inserting a new card.

In the first embodiment, the first communication section (COM1) 28 connected to the card unit 3 is used.
9 is provided, the settlement data is transmitted to the connected card unit 3, the information such as the number of credit balls is recorded on the prepaid card or member card being accepted, and the prepaid card or member card is returned. But
The present invention is not limited to this, and the card to which the information such as the number of credit balls is recorded is issued to the destination to which the settlement data is transmitted by another external device, for example, a dedicated settlement device or a computer for settlement. You may.

In the first embodiment, as described above,
Although the settlement process of transmitting the settlement data including the number of credit balls to the card unit 3 is performed, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the second embodiment.
, The pachinko machine 2 directly manages the computer 100
And the card ID of the prepaid card or member card being accepted by the card unit 3 and the number of credit balls are transmitted and registered to the management computer 100 to perform the settlement process. Is also good.

Also, in the second embodiment, the pachinko machine 2 '
A reader / writer accommodating portion is provided inside the operation unit 220 ′, a card reader / writer 290 is arranged along the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 ′, and a rewrite card 37 as a settlement card or an interruption card is provided in the pachinko machine 2 ′. Although it can be issued and inserted from the side, the present invention is not limited to this, and these card reader / writers 290
The arrangement form, position, etc. may be appropriately selected in consideration of operability of insertion and extraction, and for example, the rewrite card 37 as the settlement card or the interruption card is issued from the front side of the pachinko machine 2 ′, It may be inserted.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, each winning port or out-port 21 is driven into the game area 203.
The pachinko balls collected in 7 are collected and stored in the lower tank 253 through the striking ball merging gutter 282, but the present invention is not limited to this and these game areas 203 The pachinko balls hit in the lower tank 253 are not collected and are supplied to the standby ball guide trough 265 and the upper tank 246 through a route different from that of the pachinko balls delivered from the ball delivery device 248 to the internal flow passage 281. It may be done.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, in the ball payout device 248, the passage of the pachinko ball paid out by the ball payout device 248 is switched to either the external flow-down passage 280 or the internal flow-down passage 281. Passage switching valve 25
0 is provided and the pachinko balls are paid out based on the awarding of the prize balls or the ball lending and the pachinko balls are paid out to the take-out ball receiving tray 243 with the same ball payout device 248. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to this, and the payout of the pachinko ball based on the awarding of these prize balls and the ball lending, and the take-out ball saucer 243.
The payout of the pachinko balls to the ball may be performed by separate ball payout devices.

In each of the above embodiments, the payout ball detection switch 252, the foul ball detection switch 259 for detecting a foul ball, and the inflow ball detection switch 256 are individually provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. These are switches for adding and updating the number of credit balls, so these payout balls, foul balls,
The inflow balls may be merged into one passage, and a pachinko ball to be added to the number of credit balls may be detected by a detection switch that detects the merged pachinko balls.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the full tank notification lamp 236 and the tank empty notification lamp 237 are provided on the glass door frame 201 of the pachinko machine 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. These full notification lamps 23
6 and a signal output unit interlocked with the lighting of the tank empty notification lamp 237 may be provided so that the external device, for example, a calling lamp or a management computer can perform lighting or notification of the lamp based on these signals.

Although not carried out in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the pachinko balls are dispensed to the ejected ball receiving tray 243 based on the awarding of the prize balls and the ball lending, and the pachinko balls dispensed to these ejected ball receiving trays 243 are inside. By being taken in, the pachinko ball taken in, that is, the pachinko ball paid out based on the awarding of a prize ball and the ball lending is added to the number of credit balls, and the game in the real ball payout mode that allows the game to be executed It may be possible to implement.

Although not carried out in each of the above embodiments, when the card inserted in the card unit 3 or the like is a membership card, the credit sphere number recorded in the membership card is used as the card unit 3 The player may be allowed to play by using the number of credit balls acquired by another pachinko machine 2 by registering in the credit ball number register obtained from. In addition, when using the number of credit balls obtained with these other pachinko machines, it is optional to carry out a subtraction of a predetermined percentage of the number of balls as a commission and to be able to use the number of credit balls after the subtraction. It is said that

Further, in the second embodiment, only the interrupted card is accepted from the card reader / writer 290, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the card reader / writer 290 performs the above-mentioned implementation. In Example 1, a prepaid card or a membership card accepted by the card unit 3 may be accepted.

Further, in the second embodiment, the rewrite card is used as the recording medium (card) issued as the settlement card and the interruption card, but the present invention is not limited to this and is issued. The recording medium may be an ordinary magnetic card or a receipt printed with a bar code, which is an information recording symbol for which the recorded information can be specified, or the like, as long as the recorded information can be specified. can do. Further, the shape of these recording media is not limited to the card shape, and may be a coin shape or a spherical shape. In each of the above embodiments, the shape of the membership card or visitor card, which is the game recording medium inserted in the card unit 3, is not limited to a card shape, and may be a coin shape or a spherical shape. .

In each of the above embodiments, the glass door frame 201
A credit display section 285 is provided in the credit display section 285, and the credit display section 285 displays the number of credit balls at that time in the same manner as the credit display section 222. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the display data displayed on the credit display unit 285 may be output to an external device having a display function, such as a calling lamp.

Further, it is optional to provide an operation unit or the like which can be selected and operated by the player so as not to display the credit sphere number on the credit display unit 285.

Further, in each of the embodiments, the uncredited display section 227 is provided in the operation section 220 or the operation section 220 'to display the number of unpaid pachinko balls from the ball payout device 248. The present invention is not limited to this.

Further, it goes without saying that the processing contents according to the flow charts shown in the respective embodiments can be appropriately changed depending on the performance of the microcomputer to be used, the capacity of the memory, the capacity of each connected device, and the like.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the frequency is used as the form of the valuable value for gaming used in the pachinko machine 2 which is the gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the valuable value for gaming is not limited to this. The value may be a predetermined number of points or a corresponding number of pachinko balls or coins, and the form thereof may be arbitrarily selected.

Further, in the above embodiment, the pachinko machine using pachinko balls as the game medium has been described as an example, but the game medium of the present invention is not limited to this, and games using other game media are used. The present invention is also applicable to a machine, for example, a slot machine for playing a game using coins, a pachi-lot which is a slot machine for playing a game using a pachinko ball, and the like.

[0199]

The present invention has the following effects.

(A) According to the invention of claim 1, the game medium is provided with the game medium transfer passage and the transfer section, and the game medium is at least paid out from the game medium payout section and detected by the payout game medium detecting means. Since the game medium is transferred to the upper portion of the game machine and is used again as the game medium that is paid out from the game medium payout section, it is not always necessary to supply the game medium to the game machine, and these game machines are replenished. Since it is possible to install regardless of the presence or absence of the replenishment device and whether or not the replenishing device can be installed, the degree of freedom in installation can be improved.

(B) According to the invention of claim 2, the game medium transferred through the game medium transfer passage is cleaned every transfer, and the game medium circulating in the game machine is cleaned. It is possible to keep it, and as a result, it is possible to reduce dirt on the game medium passage in the game machine.

(C) According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to avoid as much as possible that the game medium in the game medium standby portion is insufficient and the game cannot be played.

(D) According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to increase the total amount of the game medium which can be circulated and used by the game machine, and at the same time, the game medium transfer passage and the transfer portion are inexpensive but transferred. Even if the ability is low, it can be used, and as a result, the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced.

(E) According to the invention of claim 5, when a predetermined amount of game medium is stored in the game medium upper storage portion, the transfer control means lowers or stops the transfer speed, for example. In addition, when a predetermined amount of game medium is not stored in the game medium upper storage portion,
The transfer control means, for example, starts the transfer or improves the transfer speed to prevent excessive transfer of the game medium or exhaustion of the game medium in the upper storage part of the game medium as much as possible. it can.

(F) According to the invention of claim 6, the player operates the external take-out operation section to arbitrarily take out the game medium stored in the storage section to the external take-out section. You can

(G) According to the invention of claim 7, a game medium payout unit for paying out the game medium to the game media payout passage, and a game medium payout unit for paying out the game medium to the game media takeout passage. , Does not need to be separately provided, and the game machine can be simplified.

(H) According to the invention of claim 8, the player can reuse the game medium once taken out of the game machine for the game.

(I) According to the invention of claim 9, the information about the number of game media stored in the storage section is recorded in a recording medium and returned, whereby the settlement process after the game is completed quickly. Therefore, the convenience of the player can be improved.

(J) According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the settlement processing after the end of the game is performed by recording and issuing the information on the number of the game media stored in the storage section in the recording medium. It can be carried out quickly and the convenience of the player can be improved.

(K) According to the invention of claim 11, for example, when the cleaning unit for cleaning the game medium is provided in the game medium transfer passage, the game medium is dispensed from the game medium dispensing unit. The game medium used in the game is uniformly cleaned.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a gaming system to which a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a pachinko machine and a card unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an operation unit provided in the pachinko machine 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway rear view of the pachinko machine 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

5A is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a configuration of a ball payout device provided in a pachinko machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are pachinko machines in the ball payout device. It is sectional drawing which shows the paying out condition of a ball.

FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view showing the configurations of a lifting device and a polishing device provided in a pachinko machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

7 (a) and 7 (b) are cross-sectional views showing a structure of a branch portion provided in a supply gutter of a pachinko machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing configurations of a pachinko machine and a card unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a processing situation of a ball holding control microcomputer provided on a ball holding control board of the pachinko machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 (a) is a flowchart showing the processing status of the external extraction processing performed by the ball-holding control microcomputer in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 (b) shows the processing status of the internal loading processing. It is a flowchart.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing situation of a settlement process performed by the ball-holding control microcomputer in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing status of an interruption process performed by the ball-holding control microcomputer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing status of the lifting control microcomputer provided on the lifting control board of the pachinko machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a gaming system to which a pachinko machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a pachinko machine and a card unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top view of an operation unit provided in the pachinko machine 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a card reader / writer provided in the operation unit of the pachinko machine 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing configurations of a pachinko machine and a card unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 (a) is a flow chart showing the processing status of internal loading processing performed by the ball-holding control microcomputer in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 (b) is a flow chart showing the processing status of settlement processing. It is a figure.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing status of the interruption processing performed by the ball-holding control microcomputer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Pachinko machine (gaming machine) 2'Pachinko machine (gaming machine) 3 Card unit (game recording medium processing device) 8 Communication cable 9 Communication cable 10 Communication cable 37 Rewrite card (recording medium) 80 Storage box 87 Conveyor roller 88 Free Roller 89 Main body 90 Cover 91 Communication head 92 Transport path 93 Platen roller 94 Thermal head 96 Drive motor 97a Light emitting part 97b Light receiving part 98 Timing belt 99 Drive gear 100 Management computer 101 POS cash register 201 Glass door frame 202 Game board 203 Game area 204 1st variable display part 205 2nd variable display part 206 Passing gate 207 Starting winning opening 208 Moving piece 209 Normal winning opening 210 First variable winning ball device 211 Opening / closing plate 212 Sorting device 213 Rotating disc 213a Specific winning opening 213b Normal winning mouth 214 Rotating rotor 214a Notch 214b Intra-rotor prize hole 215 Second variable prize ball device 216 Open / close plate 217 Out port 220 Operation part 220 'Operation part 221 Card balance display part 222 Credit display part 223 Ball lending button 224 Automatic ball lending button 225 Automatic Ball lending lamp 226 Control box 227 Uncredited display section 228 External take-out button (external take-out operation section) 229 Take-in ball counting button 230 Settlement button (payment operation section) 231 Suspend button 232 Suspended lamp 233 Operation board 235 Hit ball operation handle 236 Full tank notification lamp 237 Tank empty notification lamp 238 Standby ball inlet 239 Hit ball standby gutter (game medium standby part) 239a Standby ball confirmation window 239b Standby ball confirmation window 240 Hit ball launch rail 241 Launch ball detection switch (used game medium detection means) 242 FA Outlet 243 discharge ball saucer (external extraction part) 244 intake ball outlet 245 intake ball inlet (input part) 245 'shutter 246 upper tank (dispensing part guide passage, game medium upper storage part) 247 upper tank full tank Switch (upper storage game medium detecting means) 248 Ball dispensing device (game medium dispensing portion) 249a Drive motor 249b Sprocket 250 Passage switching valve (passage switching portion) 251 Solenoid 252 Discharge ball detecting switch (dispensing gaming medium detecting means) 253 Lower tank (Game medium storage part) 254 Tilt plate 255 Lower tank empty detection switch 256 Inflow ball detection switch (insertion game medium detection means) 257 Fal ball guide trough 258 Hit ball detection switch 259 Fal ball detection switch 260 Lower tank full tank detection switch 261 Lifting device (transfer section) 262 Polishing Setting (cleaning section) 263 Lifting path (game medium transfer path) 264 Supply trough (discharging section guiding path) 265 Standby ball guiding trough (standby section guiding path) 266 Standby ball detection switch 267 Shutter solenoid 268 Lifting control board (lifting) Sending control means) 269 Shooting control board 270 Hitting ball firing motor 270 'Hammer 271 Ball payout control microcomputer 272 Holding ball control board 272a Holding ball control microcomputer (use control means, game medium number calculating means, game medium taking out means) 272a' holding Sphere control microcomputer (use control means, game medium number calculation means, game medium extraction means) 272b ROM 272c RAM (storage unit) 273 game control board 274 display control board 275 lamp control board 276 voice control board 277 ejection ball detection switch ( External ejection game medium detection means) 278 Ball out detection Switch 279 Discharge ball supply passage (dispensing portion guide passage) 280 External flow passage (game medium take-out passage) 281 Internal flow passage (game medium discharge passage) 282 Driving ball confluence gutter (use game medium collection passage) 283 Inflow ball guide gutter 285 Credit display unit 286 Branching unit (guidance unit) 287 Door open / close detection switch 288 Second communication unit (COM2) 289 First communication unit (COM1) 290 Card reader / writer (Recording medium processing unit) 291 Card issue port 292 Cover unit 301 Operation lamp 302 Banknote indicator 303 Banknote insertion slot 304 Card indicator 305 Card insertion slot 306 Coin slot 307 Coin return button 309 Coin indicator 310 Coin return slot 311 Banknote identification unit 312 Card reader / writer 313 Coin identification unit 314 ROM 315 R M 316 Second communication unit 317 First communication unit 318 Control microcomputer (MPU) 401 Drive motor 402 Sprocket 410 Polishing cassette 412 Pedestal 413 Ball guide path 414 Reel 415 Reel 416 Drive shaft 417 Rotation shaft 418 Polishing cloth 419 Winding motor SW1 Gate Switch SW2 Start winning ball detection switch SW3 Normal winning ball detection switch SW4 Normal winning ball detection switch SW5 Specific winning ball detection switch SW6 Specific winning ball detection switch SW7 Normal winning ball detection switch SW8 Rotor winning ball detection switch SW9 Specific winning ball detection switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification Code FI Theme Coat (Reference) A63F 7/02 351 A63F 7/02 351A

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A game medium payout unit for paying out a game medium based on establishment of a predetermined payout condition, and a game medium standby unit for the game medium to stand by, wherein the game medium waiting in the game medium standby unit is used. A gaming machine for playing a game, the payout game medium detecting means for detecting the game medium paid out from the game medium paying part, and the used game medium detecting means for detecting the game medium used for the game, A game medium number calculation unit for calculating the number of game media owned by the player based on the number of game media detected by the payout game medium detection unit and the number of game media detected by the used game medium detection unit,
A storage unit that stores the number of game media calculated by the game medium number calculation unit, a game medium number display unit that displays the number of game media stored in the storage unit, and a game medium stored in the storage unit. Use control means for validating the use of the game medium waiting in the game medium standby portion for the game on condition that the number of remaining game machines, and a game medium storing at least the game medium detected by the payout game medium detecting means A storage unit, a game medium transfer passage that is installed from a lower position to an upper position of the game machine and is capable of transferring a game medium, and a game medium that is connected to the game medium storage unit and is stored in the game medium storage unit. And a transfer unit for transferring the game medium to an upper position of the game machine through the game medium transfer passage, and a game medium transferred by the transfer unit and discharged from an upper position of the game medium transfer passage to the game medium standby unit. A gaming machine comprising: a standby part guide passage; and a payout part guide passage for guiding the game medium transferred by the transfer part and discharged from a position above the game medium transfer path to the game medium payout part. . 2. The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning unit that cleans the transferred game medium on the path of the game medium transfer passage. 3. The guide unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a guide portion that guides the game medium discharged from a position above the game medium transfer passage, to the standby portion guide passage preferentially to the payout portion guide passage. The game machine described. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the payout portion guide passage includes a game medium upper storage portion that stores the game medium discharged from a position above the game medium transfer passage. . 5. The upper storage game medium detecting means for detecting that a predetermined amount of the game medium is stored in the upper storage medium storage portion is provided in the upper storage storage medium, The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a transfer control unit that controls an operation of the transfer unit based on a detection state of the stored game medium by the detection unit. 6. An external take-out section for taking out the game medium to the outside, and a game medium within the range of the number of game media stored in the storage section is taken out by the player from the external take-out section to the outside of the gaming machine. An external take-out operation section that is operated for this purpose, and let the external take-out section pay out game media within the range of the number of game media stored in the storage section based on the operation of the external take-out operation section. A game medium take-out means for detecting the game medium and an external take-out game medium detecting means for detecting a game medium paid out from the game medium pay-out section to the external take-out section, wherein the game medium number calculating means is provided for the external take-out game. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of game media stored in the storage unit is subtracted and updated based on the detection of the game media by the medium detection unit. 7. A game medium payout passage for guiding the game media paid out from the game media payout unit to the payout game media detecting means, and a game for guiding the game media paid out from the game media payout unit to the external takeout unit. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 6, further comprising: a medium takeout passage, wherein the gaming medium payout portion is provided with a passage switching portion that switches a passage of the gaming medium to be paid out to one of the passages. 8. An input unit for inputting a game medium, and an input game medium detection unit for detecting the game medium input from the input unit, wherein the game medium number calculation unit detects the input game medium. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gaming medium detected by the means is added and updated to the number of gaming media stored in the storage unit. 9. A settlement operation unit operable by a player to settle the number of game media stored in the storage unit, and stored in the storage unit based on an operation of the settlement operation unit. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a communication unit that transmits information on the number of gaming media present to the outside of the gaming machine. 10. A settlement operation unit operable by a player to settle the number of game media stored in the storage unit, and stored in the storage unit based on an operation of the settlement operation unit. The recording medium processing unit for issuing a recording medium in which information capable of specifying the number of game media is recorded is provided.
The gaming machine according to any one of to 9. 11. The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a used game medium collection passage for guiding the game medium detected by the used game medium detection means to the game medium storage section.